Vol. 102, No. 1 (Mar 2019)
The legume tree Pongamia pinnata (also called Millettia pinnata) is a non-food crop that can grow on marginal land not destined for the cultivation of food crops. It is an important candidate for the production of biofuels (such as biodiesel and aviation fuel) from its oil-rich seeds. Pongamia is resilient against abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity and acidity. An important trait that establishes Pongamia as a superior biofuel feedstock is its ability to grow in marginal, nitrogen-limited soils. This growth ability is attributed to the nitrogen-fixation activity of root nodules developed by symbiosis with bacterial microsymbionts broadly known as rhizobia. Pongamia-Rhizobia symbiosis was improved by the inoculation of Rhizobium-related strain PR-UQ-05 to pongamia, which naturally occurs in soils across Queensland. Pongamia pinnata produced active and efficient nodules using this strain when cultivated with low levels of nitrate and even under saline conditions. Nodules started to form within three weeks of inoculation and became mature (nitrogen fixing) between 8-12 weeks. Pongamia may also utilize ureides such as allantoin, aside from amides, to transport fixed nitrogen in the plant, as determined by ureide analysis. Lastly, the assessment of the process of nitrogen fixation through - (i) acetylene reduction assay, (ii) N-difference method and (iii) isotope dilution, proved that Pongamia fixed sufficient amounts of nitrogen for growth and reproduction. Therefore, Pongamia can now be commercially grown without the addition of potentially environmentally harmful and expensive chemical fertilisers, since its symbiotic nitrogen fixation has been established and improved with the use of an efficient rhizobia strain and grown under favourable nodulation conditions.
Categories
Articles
Optimization of Process Parameters for the Extraction of Anthocyanins from Black Rice Bran Using Response Surface Methodology
Rodel M. Bulatao, John Paulo A. Samin, Reniel P. Tubera, Mac Michael M. Rubio, Dina C. Romano, and Rosalie R. Rafael
This study aimed to optimize different process parameters for the extraction of anthocyanins from black rice bran using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). To determine its degradation profile, the stability of crude anthocyanin extract (CAE) against selected biologically relevant buffers was also evaluated. Two-level full factorial and Box-Behnken designs were employed in the screening and optimization of extraction parameters, respectively. CAE was prepared from black rice bran using conventional and optimized methods, and the resulting extract was determined for their phytochemical content and antioxidant scavenging activities. Stability of the optimized CAE was further evaluated using...
This study aimed to optimize different process parameters for the extraction of anthocyanins from black rice bran using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). To determine its degradation profile, the stability of crude anthocyanin extract (CAE) against selected biologically relevant buffers was also evaluated. Two-level full factorial and Box-Behnken designs were employed in the screening and optimization of extraction parameters, respectively. CAE was prepared from black rice bran using conven...
Comparative Assessment of Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Pongamia pinnata, a Biofuel Legume Tree
Phoebe N. Calica and Peter M. Gresshoff
Pongamia pinnata has been established as a biofuel legume tree. Different methods such as acetylene reduction assay, ureide analysis, isotopic techniques, nitrogen difference method and isotope techniques (15N natural abundance and 15N enrichment technique) were employed to analyze, assess and estimate symbiotic nitrogen fixation in 16-wk-old pongamia seedlings. In the acetylene reduction assay, the uninoculated control had negligible ethylene produced while inoculated plants were shown to have increasing ethylene production from 0-min to 60-min incubation with a range of 0.03 to 2.76 mL. Pongamia was found to produce 1.19 x 10-6 mole per plant with a Rhizobum (PR-UQ-05) inoculation. Urei...
Pongamia pinnata has been established as a biofuel legume tree. Different methods such as acetylene reduction assay, ureide analysis, isotopic techniques, nitrogen difference method and isotope techniques (15N natural abundance and 15N enrichment technique) were employed to analyze, assess and estimate symbiotic nitrogen fixation in 16-wk-old pongamia seedlings. In the acetylene reduction assay, the uninoculated control had negligible ethylene produced while inoculated plants were shown to ha...
Cytotoxicity of Peperomia pellucida (L.) HBK Extracts on Cancer Cell Lines and Their Effects on cfos and cjun Genes
Sarah Patricia C. Buhian, Glenn G. Oyong, and Esperanza C. Cabrera
The cytotoxicity of methanolic and ethanolic extracts from the plant locally known as “Pansit-pansitan” [Peperomia pellucida (L.) HBK] on human cancer and normal cell lines was determined. Extracts were obtained by macerating fresh aerial parts of the plant with methanol and ethanol, followed by rotary evaporation. Extracts were dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and filter-sterilized. Cytotoxicity was tested on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29), human monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1), and normal human fibroblast and liver cells (HDFn and THLE-3, respectively) using PrestoBlue® resazurin assay. Zeocin was used as positive control. Absolute quantification of transcript level...
The cytotoxicity of methanolic and ethanolic extracts from the plant locally known as “Pansit-pansitan” [Peperomia pellucida (L.) HBK] on human cancer and normal cell lines was determined. Extracts were obtained by macerating fresh aerial parts of the plant with methanol and ethanol, followed by rotary evaporation. Extracts were dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and filter-sterilized. Cytotoxicity was tested on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29), human monocytic leukemia cells ...
Allelopathic Influence of Sorghum Aqueous Extract on Growth, Physiology and Photosynthetic Activity of Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedling
Muhammad Kamran, Zahid Ata Cheema, Muhammad Farooq, Qasim Ali, Muhammad Zohaib Anjum, and Ali Raza
The allelopathic potential of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) was evaluated on maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings as allelopathic influence may be inhibitory or promotive, depending upon concentration and dose. Seeds of hybrid maize (DK-919) were sown in pots containing acid-washed sand. The pots were moistened exogenously with different concentrations of sorghum leachate, viz. 100%, 50%, 25%, 10%, 5% and 3%, with and without adjuvant (Emulan @ 5%) after 7 d of seedling emergence. The seedlings were harvested 30 d after sowing. Based on the results, application of sorghum allelopathic extract (SWE) at the lowest doses (5% and 3%) without adjuvant was the most beneficial for improvement of ...
The allelopathic potential of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) was evaluated on maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings as allelopathic influence may be inhibitory or promotive, depending upon concentration and dose. Seeds of hybrid maize (DK-919) were sown in pots containing acid-washed sand. The pots were moistened exogenously with different concentrations of sorghum leachate, viz. 100%, 50%, 25%, 10%, 5% and 3%, with and without adjuvant (Emulan @ 5%) after 7 d of seedling emergence. The seedling...
Carcass and Meat Quality Characteristics of Lechon-Size Black Tiaong and Kalinga Native Pigs (Organic-like Farm) and Landrace, Large White, and their F1 Crosses (Conventional Farm)
Orville L. Bondoc, Jorge Michael D. Dominguez, Cristy M. Bueno, and Rene C. Santiago
This study aimed to compare carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of lechon-size (less than 30 kg) pigs belonging to Philippine native breeds (i.e., Black Tiaong and Kalinga) raised in organic-like production system and commercial breeds [i.e., Landrace (LDR), Large White (LRW) and their F1 crosses] obtained from a conventional swine breeding farm. Native breeds had shorter body length and shorter carcass length than commercial breeds (P < 0.01). Weight of ham, fore shank and hind shank were lower (P < 0.01) in native breeds than in the commercial breeds. However, weight of belly was higher (P < 0.01) in native pig breeds. Among the native breeds, Black Tiaong had heavi...
This study aimed to compare carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of lechon-size (less than 30 kg) pigs belonging to Philippine native breeds (i.e., Black Tiaong and Kalinga) raised in organic-like production system and commercial breeds [i.e., Landrace (LDR), Large White (LRW) and their F1 crosses] obtained from a conventional swine breeding farm. Native breeds had shorter body length and shorter carcass length than commercial breeds (P < 0.01). Weight of ham, fore shank and hin...