Structural Analysis Revealed the Interaction of Cardenolides from Calotropis procera with Na+/K+ ATPases from Herbivores

Background : The herbivores Danaus plexippus (Lepidoptera), Oncopeltus fasciatus and Aphis nerii (Hemiptera) are specialist insects that feed on Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae) (Sodom Apple). At least 35 chemically distinct cardenolides have been reported in C. procera. Objective We aimed to evaluate the interaction between cardenolides and Na+/K+ ATPases from herbivores. Methods : The Na+/K+ ATPases from these insects were modeled and docking studies were performed with cardenolides from C. procera. Results : The replacement of serine in sensitive Na+/K+ ATPase with histidine, phenylalanine and tyrosine in the structures examined suggests spatial impairment caused by interaction, probably making the herbivorous insects resistant against the cardenolides of C. procera. In addition, the ability of the insects to avoid cardenolide toxicity was not correlated with cardenolide polarity. Therefore, the plant fights predation through molecular diversity and the insects, regardless of their taxonomy, face this molecular diversity through amino acid replacements at key positions of the enzyme targeted by the cardenolides. Conclusions : The results show the arsenal of chemically distinct cardenolides synthesized by C. procera.

Prospects of Biocatalyst Purification Enroute Fermentation Processes

Biotransformation of broth through fermentation process suffers a major setback when it comes to disintegration of organic substrates by microbial agents for industrial applications. These biocatalysts are in crude/dilute form hence needs to be purified to remove colloidal particles and enzymatic impurities thus enhancing maximum activity. Several contractual procedures of concentrating dilute enzymes and proteins had been reported. Such inorganic materials include ammonium sulphate precipitation; salting, synthetic polyacrylic acid; carboxy-methyl cellulose, tannic acid, edible gum and some organic solvents as precipitants etc. The emergence of organic absorbents such as sodom apple (Calostropis procera) extract, activated charcoal and imarsil had resulted in making significant impact in industrial circle. Various concentrations of these organic extracts have been used as purifying agents on different types of enzyme vis: lipase, amylase, protease, cellulase etc. Purification fold and stability of the enzyme crude form attained unprecedented results.

Sodom Apple (Solanum Incanum) Plant Material: A Greener Approach for Goat Skin Tanning Process

The use of natural materials that is eco-friendly on leather as vegetable tannins has become a matter of significant importance, as a result of increased environmental awareness to prevent some hazardous synthetic tannin. Therefore, this study investigated that the potential of the extracted tannin from Sodom apple (Solanum Incanum) fruit for its effectiveness as vegetable tanning agent on goatskins. It was extracted with distilled water, methanol, petroleum ether and ethanol by using Soxhlet extraction method. Although the amount of material extracted was significant in all extracting solvents, water was a more efficient solvent (extraction yield of 16.71%) than the others. The qualitative analysis and structural characterization of the extracts were done using thin layer chromatography (TLC), Ultraviolet (UV) spectrometer and Fourier Transformer Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer. The analysis confirmed that the presence of condensed tannins in the extract, which usually used for the application of tanning process in leather manufacturing industry. On other hand, the Quantitative Analysis of Sodom apple fruit extract was conducted by evaluating its moisture content (7.59%), total soluble solids (21.45%), tannin content (12.13%) and non-tannin contents (9.32%). The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was carried out to study the effect of the tannin system on the structural and morphological characteristics of the tanned leathers. Similarly, the organoleptic and strength properties of the tanned leathers were evaluated in comparison with the control ones. Finally, the pollution loads of tanning liquors in Sodom apple tanning significantly reduced as compared with the control (mimosa). Thus, the results in this study showed that the manufacture of leather based on Sodom apple fruit extract found to be a cleaner alterative and promising pathway for tanning goatskins.

Compatibility and performance of susceptible tomato cultivars grafted onto bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) resistant rootstock

Objective: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) belongs to the Solanaceae family and currently is one of the most important vegetable crops. Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a soil borne disease of tomato causing significant economic damage on tomatoes, tobacco and potatoes. Bacterial wilt is difficult to manage because the pathogen can survive in soil for long periods in association with a wide range of crops such as pepper, potato, capsicum, eggplants and weeds such as Jimson weed and nightshade. The objective of this study was to determine compatibility and performance of susceptible tomato cultivars grafted onto bacterial wilt resistant rootstocks. Methodology: Scions from susceptible tomato commercial cultivars (Anna F1 and Cal J) were grafted onto rootstocks of Eggplant, Sodom apple and tomato cultivar Mt56 that were determined to be resistant to bacterial wilt in a previous study. Cleft grafting technique was used in the experiment. Data on compatibility was assessed daily to check on the healing of the graft union and number of established plants. The grafted plants were considered compatible if 67% of the grafted plants had healed and growth established fourteen days after grafting. Data were subjected to ANOVA using GenStat version 15 and significantly different treatment means separated using LSD at P < 0.05. Results and application: The grafted plants were compatible at varying rates, that is Mt56 + Anna F1 (93.30%), Mt56 + Cal J (76.7%), S. melongena + Anna F1 (96.7%), S. melongena + Cal J (83.3%), S. incarnum + Anna F1 (73.3% ), and S. incarnum + Cal J (100%). It was concluded that tomato scions and the botanically related wilt resistant rootstocks are compatible. All the grafted plants performed well except those on Sodom apple rootstock whose stem did not expand at the rate as the scion stem. It is recommended that the proven resistant rootstocks be deployed to tomato farmers for use in tomato grafting and subsequent increase in their production. Key words: Grafting, Compatibility, Performance, Bacterial wilt

Identification of Ralstonia solanacearum resistant rootstocks for tomato grafting

Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, causes severe losses to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L). Current management measures are not fully effective. Grafting with resistant rootstocks may be an effective strategy for managing the disease. However, R. solanacearum populations maintain considerable diversity, and little information is known regarding the efficacy of available rootstocks for use in grafting to reduce bacterial wilt incidence and subsequent crop loss. Tomato belongs to family Solanaceae which includes other well-known species, such as eggplant (aubergine), peppers, tobacco and potato. The objective of this study was to identify bacterial wilt resistant germplasm that can be used as rootstocks in tomato grafting. The potential candidates for the study included species that belong to solanaceae family. Rootstocks included tomato cultivar Mt56, Eggplant (Solanum melongena), Capsicum and Sodom apple (Solanum incarnum). Tomato cultivars Anna F1 and Cal J were used as sources of scions. Diseased plants were collected from farmers’ fields and bacterial inoculum isolated using CPG Medium with TZC used to identify distinct colonies of R.solanacearum. The inoculum was applied on the test plants by injecting into the soil planted with tomatoes. Disease severity data was recorded using 0 to 5 scoring scale. Data was subjected to ANOVA using Genstat version 15 and significantly different treatment means separated using LSD at P < 0.05. Solanum melongena, Solanum incarnum and tomato cultivar (Mt56) did not develop infection while tomato cultivar Anna F1 and Cal J (used as positive controls) and Capsicum developed infection. It was concluded that resistant germplasm to bacterial wilt exists and can be utilized to graft susceptible tomato cultivars and contribute to management of bacterial wilt.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SODOM APPLE EXTRACT AND LEMON JUICE AS VEGETABLE COAGULANTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HOME MADE CHEESE

An experiment was carried out to compare the quality characteristics of cheese produced using Sodom apple and Lemon juice as plant coagulants. The weight of cheese produced from 1000ml of milk with 100ml of Sodom apple extract was 215.5g while 134.4g of cheese was obtained when Lemon juice was used. The volume of whey obtained using Sodom apple extract was 864.6ml while Lemon juice produced 939.3ml of whey. The average pH of Sodom apple cheese was 6.36 while that of lemon juice cheese produced using Lemon juice was 5.16. Proximate analysis revealed that Sodom apple cheese had crude protein content of 22.00% significantly (p<0.05) lower than Lemon juice cheese of 29.33%. Ether extract content for Sodom apple cheese was 19.00% while that of Lemon juice was 28.67%. The ash content of the cheese was 9.67% while 7.67% for Sodom apple and Lemon juice cheese respectively. The moisture content for Sodom apple cheese was 60.00% while that of Lemon juice was 46.67%. The mineral analysis revealed that cheese produced from Lemon juice was higher in sodium, potassium, phosphorus and selenium compared to cheese produced from Sodom apple. Cheese produced from Sodom apple extract had higher refrigeration weight loss of 2.80%. It can be concluded that cheese produced from Lemon juice was superior in nutrient content: sodium, potassium, phosphorus and selenium and storage stability compared to the cheese obtained from Sodom apple extract.