http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/19183 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 08:27:22 GMT 2026-04-05T08:27:22Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/19374 Simultaneous detection of four food borne bacterial pathogens by metal hydroxide immobilized multiplex PCR method Rathnayaka, R.M.U.S.K.; Nguyen Thi Mai Thanh Salmonella enterica, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes are human pathogenic bacteria which could be contaminated with many types of food, especially meat products. Testing of food for those pathogens has become routine practice all over the world. However, since the available traditional detection methods are time consuming and labor intensive, there is a need for rapid, sensitive, specific and cost effective detection technique. In this study, a rapid and sensitive single tube Multiplex PCR method for simultaneous detection of those four bacterial pathogens by amplifica tion of target genes gyrB of V. parahaemolyticus, invA of S. enterica, eaeA of E.coli and hly of L. monocy togene was established. Concentration of bacterial cells from food samples for DNA extraction is an other problem in testing of food pathogens by PCR techniques. Metal hydroxide immobilization was applied prior to DNA extraction and found to be effective step to overcome this problem. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/19374 2009-06-02T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/19373 Folk media preferences and prospects for agricultural extension service delivery in Benue state, Nigeria Daudu, S.; Anyanwu, A.C. The study investigated folk media preferences and prospect for use in agricultural extension service delivery in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State. A total of 100 farmer respondents were selected using a random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, mean, percentage and chi-square. Majority (62%) of the respondents were married while 65% were males indicating a non gender sensitive population. A chi-square analysis of the degree of association between respondents’ personal and socio-economic characteristics and preference for folk media usage to obtain agricultural information indicated that marital status, educational status and farm size determine folk media preference. The study further revealed that folk media preference in descending order were: folk songs, town crier, folk dance, friends/relations and groups/association. Major reasons for folk me dia usage was effectiveness for information dissemination, entertainment and promotion of culture. It is, therefore, recommended that since marital status, educational status and farm size determine folk media preference, development agencies should take advantage of farmers’ preferences to ensure opti mum effect. Secondly, the major reasons for folk media usage reinforce the suitability of folk media for information dissemination in the study area. Therefore, agencies involved in rural development should use folk media to complement conventional media in Benue State. Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/19373 2009-09-05T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/19372 Potential of vlmybal-2 as a candidate marker for visual identification of transgenic plants: induced anthocyanin production in arabidopsis and tobacco Geekiyanage, S. For development of a safe and efficient in vivo marker for plant transformation, an myb-related gene of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, VlmybA1-2 from grape, was introduced into anthocyanin producing tobacco and Arabidopsis, and non- anthocyanin producing spinach under the control of CaMV 35S pro moter. Except for the distinguishable purple color, transformed calli and plants of tobacco were not different from controls. RNA gel blot hybridization confirmed the expression of VlmybA1-2 in purple tobacco seedlings. Completely purple T1 Arabidopsis seedlings could not survive as high anthocyanin levels may affect normal growth; Surviving T1 seedlings could produce viable seeds of two distinguish able colors: purple and brown (similar to wild type). Purple seeds germinated on kanamycin medium providing an easy method of transgenic seed identification in Arabidopsis. T2 and T3 completely purple seedlings produced purple flowers and seeds. Putative transgenic spinach was not different to control in color, although presence of VlmybA1-2 was confirmed by DNA gel blot hybridization. VlmybA alone, without the aid of an myc-related gene partner, could induce complete pigmentation in tobacco and Arabidopsis indicating its potential over previously used myb- and myc-related genes. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/19372 2009-06-02T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/19371 An integrated treatment of basil oil (ocimum basilicum) and alum with modified atmosphere to control crown rot disease in embul banana Abeywickrama, K.; Wijerathna, C.; Herath, H.; Sarananada, K.H. A study was undertaken with the objective of developing environmental friendly integrated treatment strategies for controlling crown rot disease in Embul banana. The fungicidal potential of 1% alum (sodium aluminium sulphate) was observed in vitro. Findings indicate that alum+basil oil (0.16% or 0.20% v/v) treated 80, 85, 90 day mature Embul banana fruits were relatively free from crown rot dis ease after subjecting to modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and storage at optimum temperature. Crown rot disease severity of 85-day mature and vacuum packed 1% alum (w/v) washed banana was lower and comparable to carbendazim (bavistin) treatment. After ripening, there was no significant difference in physico-chemical properties (titratable acidity, total soluble solids, pH, fruit firmness) of all treated fruits compared to the control. Sensory properties were slightly affected as compared to un treated fruits. MAP and vaccum packaging in combination with alum and/ or basil oil spray treatments at 12-140C could extend the storage life of Embul banana upto 32 days which could be recommended for sea shipment. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/19371 2009-06-01T00:00:00Z