ABSTRACT
Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) belonging to Bombacaceae family, is one of the most widely used indigenous tree species in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of the present study was to assess molecular variation among A. digitata and to determine the level of genetic similarity among them. The yield of DNA ranged from 15-40 μg/mg of leaf tissue and the purity was between 1.1- 2.9, indicating minimal levels of contaminating metabolites. The technique was ideal for isolation of DNA from A. digitata and the DNA isolated was used for randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis using the primer OPB07. The bands obtained ranged in size from 54-795 bp. Two clusters were observed, one group with 8 bands and the other with 11 bands. Present study could be important in domestication, conservation, management & improvement strategies of A. digitata.
ABSTRACT
The root and leaf extracts of Cichorium intybus were investigated for antibacterial activity against gram negative pathogenic bacteria viz. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The sensitivity was analyzed using Disk diffusion method at various concentrations where zone of inhibition was compared with the standard drug Cephotaxime. The extracts showed a wide spectrum of inhibition against the test pathogens. Methanolic extract of root and leaf proves to have the strongest antibacterial activity. Antibacterial activity of the test extracts at different inhibitory concentration varied significantly at 0.05 level of significance. The maximum activity was recorded at 200mg/ml concentration, the activity decreased with the decrease in the concentration of the extract. The present study reveals that the root and leaf extracts of Cichorium intybus would exert several beneficial effects by virtue of their antibacterial activity and could potentially be exploited as a source of natural antibacterial.