Journal of Microbiology and Pathology

Isolating and purifying DNA are very important steps in DNA molecular techniques used in microbiological studies for the identification of genotypes, traits associated with genes of interest, and genetic diversity. Plant and soil materials are among the most difficult for high quality DNA extractions. While carrying out DNA extraction for over 2000 different sample types using 2 different kits (ZYMO Bacterial/Fungal extraction kit, ZYMO Soil extraction kit, ZYMO Plant extraction kit and E.Z.N.A. soil DNA Kit) and crude extraction CTAB method, several modifications were made to ensure extraction of good quality DNA. These modifications in the methods were documented; re used severally to confirm their accuracy and was done without the use of liquid Nitrogen. The extracted DNA obtained from CTAB extraction were extremely high and was diluted for use in PCR using a ratio 1:10 of DNA to water while those obtained from the kit were used directly (but in small quantities ~0.5 μL) or diluted in a ratio 50:50. The mean DNA yields obtained for CTAB extraction were between 500-4000 mg/μl while that obtained for the kits were between 70-400 mg/μl. The 260/280 nm absorbance ratio had a high level of purity between 1.8-2.0. These modified methods can be used for day to day extraction processes in the laboratory.

Seventeen isolates including nine rhizobial and eight Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) were obtained from root nodules of cowpea recovered from three local governments in Nassarawa State Nigeria. Rhizobial spp were co-innoculated with these Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and applied as treatments to experimental cowpea (Tvx 3236) plants. Treatments were replicated four times using block design. The height of the experimental plants were monitored every two weeks to observe if the co-inoculation of rhizobial spps with NRMs at two different applications of nutrient solution was able to enhance physical properties of the plant such as height, flowering and podding. It was observed that plant height, flowering and podding were enhanced by co-inoculation of Rhizobial spp. with a consortium of Agrobacterium spp., Pseudomonas sp. Paenibacillus sp. while a consortium of Azotobacter spp. improved flowering and podding but showed no ability to improve plant height. It is therefore shown that plant growth promoting rhizobacteria have positive effects on the maturation of plant with respect to flowering and podding of legumes and also on their height.

Alcanivorax borkumensis is a hydrocarbon feeder bacterium. They are rod shaped bacteria living in marine environment where they feed on the hydrocarbons. They are born with the gene sets that produce specific proteins for the degradation of the hydrocarbons. They are used to clear and clean the oil spills from the oceans when there are disasters or any other leakages of oil in the ocean. A. borkumensis ability to degrade hydrocarbons and alkanes is a major point and an opportunity for the scientists to use these bacteria to clean up the environment and oceans. With the ongoing specter of oil spills from tankers, ocean-based drill rigs, and pipelines, the need for remediation strategies has never been greater.

Food science is the study of all aspects of food, including its physical, biological, chemical, and technological composition. In recent decades, research in food science has transitioned from traditional approaches to cutting-edge technologies that have a solid foundation in studies in medicine, pharmacology, and biotechnology. Food scientists are now interested in using "omics" techniques in their studies. In order to apply "omics" approaches in food research, Cifuentes' group proposed the idea and practical application of "foodomics" in 2009. An rising number of researchers have adopted this definition in just a few years.