Research articles (Dept of Biological Sciences): Recent submissions
Now showing items 41-60 of 78
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Free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of a truffle, Kalaharituber pfeilii found in Kalahari deserts of Botswana
(Int.J.Bioassays, http://www.ijbio.com/index.php/ijb, 2015)Natural anti-oxidants are the good source for scavenging excess of free radicals generated in the body after oxidative stress. The present study is aimed at in vitro evaluation of free radical scavenging potentials of two ... -
Effect of different grain spawns and substrate sterilization methods on yield of oyster mushroom in Botswana
(Int.J.Bioassays, http://www.ijbio.com, 2013)The effect of three different grain spawns and two substrate sterilization methods on the spawn quality and yield of a hybrid of Pleurotus ostreatus x P. florida (Po x Pf) was studied on maize cobs supplemented with 20% ... -
Fungi associated with seeds of two varieties of spinach beet and their possible control in vitro by fungicide treatment
(Int.J.Bioassays, http://www.ijbio.com, 2015)Seeds of Two spinach beet varieties namely; Fordhook giant and Lucullus obtained from commercial markets around Gaborone were used for detection of seed-borne fungi and their possible control in vitro by fungicide. Four ... -
Viral diversity and diversification of major non-structural genes vif, vpr, vpu, tat exon 1 and rev exon 1 during primary HIV-1 subtype C infection
(Public Library of Science, http://www.plosone.org/, 2012)To assess the level of intra-patient diversity and evolution of HIV-1C non-structural genes in primary infection, viral quasispecies obtained by single genome amplification (SGA) at multiple sampling timepoints up to 500 ... -
Biogenic amine producing bacteria associated with three different commercially fermented beverages in Botswana
(Academic Journals, http://www.academicjournals.org/AJMR, 2013)The microbial quality and predominant bacterial groups of three fermented beverages was investigated. The bacteria associated with sorghum beer, sour milk (madila/amasi) and sour maize beverage (mageu/mahewu) were ... -
tat Exon 1 exhibits functional diversity during HIV-1 subtype C primary infection
(American Society for Microbiology, http://jvi.asm.org/, 2013)Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat is a mediator of viral transcription and is involved in the control of virus replication. However, associations between HIV-1 Tat diversity and functional effects during ... -
The genetic prehistory of southern Africa
(Macmillan Publishers Limited, http://www.nature.com/ncomms/index.html, 2012)Southern and eastern African populations that speak non-Bantu languages with click consonants are known to harbour some of the most ancient genetic lineages in humans, but their relationships are poorly understood. Here, ... -
Microbial quality assessment and predominant microorganism of biltong produced in butcheries in Gaborone, Botswana
(Scientific Research Publishing Inc. http://www.scirp.org/journal/fns/, 2014)Biltong is a dried ready to eat meat product that is produced and consumed to a large extent in Botswana. A study was undertaken with the objective of determining the microbial quality and isolating and identifying the ... -
Multivariate analysis of Harpagophytum DC. ex Meisn (Pedaliaceae) based on fruit characters
(Academic Journals; http://www.academicjournals.org/ijbc, 2011)Harpagophytum is bitypic and native to Southern Africa. Its two species are Harpagophytum procumbens and H. zeyheri. H. procumbens is medicinal. A reliable method of identifying the species is through its fruit. However, ... -
Hepatoprotective potentials of water extract of Bauhinia purpurea bark against alcohol induced toxicity
(Academic Journals, http://www.academicjournals.org/SRE, 2011)Bark of Bauhinia purpurea tree was collected and both the water and methanol extracts were prepared. Both extracts were tested for free radical scavenging activities and phenol content. Water extract was then tested for ... -
Effect of Momordica charantia on lipid profile and oral glucose tolerance in diabetic rats
(John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1573, 2004)In this study, the methanol extract of Momordica charantia fruit extract was administered to diabetic rats to assess the long term effect of the extract on the lipid profile and the oral glucose tolerance test. Treatment ... -
Residual effects of prolonged UV-B exposure on photosynthetic gene expression
(Academic Journals, www.academicjournals.org, 2010-08-18)Residual long-term effects of increased UV-B radiation were investigated in an indigenous plant species, Dimorphotheca sinuata, by analysing photosynthetic gene expression. Reductions were observed in the amount of the ... -
Determination of allele frequencies in nine short tandem repeat loci of five human sub-populations in Botswana
(Academic Journals, www.academicjournals.org, 2008-04-17)Allele frequencies for nine short tandem repeat (STR) loci from the AmpFlSTR® Profiler Plus PCR Amplification Kit were determined in five subpopulations across Botswana and tested for suitability for use in individual ... -
Carriage of micro-organisms by domestic cockroaches and implications on food safety
(ICIPE - African Insect Science for Food and Health, http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=JTI, 2006)Domestic cockroaches Blattella germanica were trapped from various homes in Gaborone, Botswana using ‘Dyroach’ traps. Isolations of bacteria, yeasts and moulds were done on external body parts and on the faecal pellets ... -
Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance profiles of Listeria monocytognes from various foods in Gaborone, Botswana
(Academic Journals, http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB, 2009)Listeria monocytogenes is known to cause epidemic and sporadic cases of listeriosis. The present study investigated the occurrence, antibiograms and molecular serotypes of the organism in various retail outlets in Gaborone, ... -
Effect of water stress on photosynthetic characteristics of two sorghum cultivars
(Global Science Books, http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/, 2011)The effects of water stress on the photosynthetic characteristics of two locally-cultivated sorghum cultivars (‘Segaolane’ and ‘Town’) were investigated over a period of weeks. Water stress was imposed on 1-week-old plants ... -
Ionic and water relations of Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.)
(Academic Journals, http://www.academicjournals.org/, 2010)The aim of this study was to assess the growth response of Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) (a halophyte) to various NaCl concentrations and hence determine how it is adapted to grow optimally under saline conditions. S. ... -
Floristic diversity and uses of medicinal plants sold by street vendors in Gaborone, Botswana
(Global Science Books, http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/, 2011)The sale of herbal medicine, either as concoctions or single plant specimens, has become common in the streets and main shopping centres of major towns and cities in Botswana. A study was undertaken to collect information ... -
An assessment of Prosopis L. in the Bokspits Area, South-Western Botswana, based on Morphology
(Global Science Books, http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/, 2011)The genus Prosopis comprises 44 species. Extensive introgression and hybridization is suspected in the genus, which makes identification of the species very difficult. Accurate identification of the species is crucial in ... -
Isolation of cultivable halophilic Bacillus sp. from the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana
(Global Science Books, http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/, 2011)Halophilic bacteria from the Makgadikgadi salt pans in north central Botswana were isolated using culture-dependent methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis were ...