https://archive.conscientiabeam.com/index.php/57 en-US Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0600 OJS 3.3.0.8 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 https://archive.conscientiabeam.com/index.php/57/article/view/3188 <p>Lead (Pb) is a potential pollutant that readily accumulates in soils. IAA and NAA belongs to plant hormone auxin that promote plants growth. This work aim at examining possible ameliorative effects of Indole acetic acid (IAA) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on some biochemical parameters of soybean exposed to Pb toxicity. Seeds of soybean (TGX 1835-10E) genotype were sown in 5kg bags of soil containing 1000mg/L of Lead nitrate (PbNO3). 40mg/L, 80 mg/L and 120mg/L each of IAA and NAA were prepared and applied by foliar method after 5 weeks of planting. Photosynthetic pigments, mineral elements and antioxidant enzymes were determined on the root, stem and leaf after 7 weeks of planting. Data were analysed using anova at 5% level of significance. The results showed that the level of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid, mineral elements and antioxidant enzymes significantly increased in the root, stem and leaf of soybean treated with different concentration of Indole acetic acid (IAA) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) as compared with the control (C+ve). All bioregulators (IAA and NAA) concentrations significantly decreased in the level of Pb2+ (except 40mg/L IAA in the root and leaf while all concentration have significant effects in the stem) and also all concentration of (IAA and NAA) significantly increased in the level of biochemical parameters to different extent as compared to control(C+ve). These results show that Indole acetic acid (IAA) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) could ameliorate the Pb toxicity and therefore will be of relevance to agricultural producers.</p> Bukola Victoria Ailenokhuoria, Charles O Olaiya Copyright (c) 2022 https://archive.conscientiabeam.com/index.php/57/article/view/3188 Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0600 https://archive.conscientiabeam.com/index.php/57/article/view/3242 <p>The hexane extracts of ginger root (Zingiber officinale) of the Zingiberaceae family and Coconut; Cocos nucifera a member of the Arecaceae family, from two locations in Guyana were used for the investigation of their antibacterial properties. To evaluate the scientific basis for the use of the plant and plant product, the antimicrobial activities of the extracts were evaluated against three common bacteria found on wound infections; Staphylococcus aureus a gram-positive bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae a Gram-negative, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa a common encapsulated, facultative aerobic and Gram-negative. The disc diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial activity of the extracts which were evaluated in 20%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% concentrations against each organism in triplicates, and the diameter of the zone of inhibition was measured. There was no significant difference among the plant extracts from the different locations. The results showed that coconut oil in 50% was most effective against Staphylococcus aureus forming zones measuring 19-20mm, the 100% ginger concentration was most effective against Staphylococcus aureus also and the zones measured 23-15mm, the mixture of ginger and coconut oil was equally effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with zones measured 12-15mm. The study also investigated the phytochemical constituents of the plant hexane extracts to test the presence or absence of secondary metabolites. Results of the phytochemical studies revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycoside, phenol, and steroids in the extracts were active against the bacteria.</p> Hemmala Seedyal, Ruth Daniel, Abdullah Ansari Copyright (c) 2022 https://archive.conscientiabeam.com/index.php/57/article/view/3242 Wed, 28 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0600