Curry Leaf (Murraya koenigii): A Rich Source of Beneficial Fatty Acids | InformativeBD

 

Shahin Aziz, from the institute of Bangladesh. wrote a Research article about, Curry Leaf (Murraya koenigii): A Rich Source of Beneficial Fatty Acids. Entitled, Murraya koenigii (Linn.) Spreng.: An opulent source of fatty acid. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Murraya koenigii L., a medicinal plant utilized in traditional folk medicine, possesses anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory attributes and also is widely used for the treatment of hemorrhoids, itching, leukoderma, and hematological disorders. From the present work, total 8 fatty acids were identified by Gas Chromatography–Mass PSpectrometry (GC-MS) technique where the level of saturation in the fatty acid derived from the petroleum ether extract of the aerial section of Murraya koenigii L. is significantly higher compared to unsaturated part. The saturated portion includes capric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and arachidic acid while palmitic acid is obtained at higher concentration (35.07%). Conversely the unsaturated portion comprises oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linoleic acid where oleic acid covers a significant concentration (17.31%). In connection to the above findings, the current study indicates that the significant presence of fatty acids such as palmitic acid, oleic acid, α-Linolenic acid may contribute to the recognition of the potential pharmacological significance of this plant in the treatment of illnesses.

Read more : Temperature Effects on Melon Fly Development in Senegal Watermelon Crops | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Plant parts such as the flower, leave, root; bark, seed, and fruit have been used in herbal and ayurvedic medicine since time immemorial (Basit et al., 2023; Shahin et al., 2016). Continuous and extensive research revealed that medicinal plants are the prime source of new bioactive compounds and healthcare products with therapeutic qualities (Banso et al., 2007; Ivanova et al., 2005; Shahin et al, 2019). Through the successive extraction and characterization of numerous phytochemicals from the vast natural repository, several drugs with high activity profiles were identified and industrially synthesized (Mandal et al., 2007, Misra et al., 2009).

Murraya koenigii L., a member of the Rutaceae family, is frequently referred to as "kamini, Kariaphuli, Gandhal, Curry Pata" in Bangladesh. It is strongly aromatic deciduous shrub or small tree having clusters of small white flowers, small ovoid black fruits, and fragrant leaves grown across the different regions of Bangladesh as well as tropical and sub-tropical areas in the world (Abdelwahab et al., 2023). The leaves of M. koenigii are used as spice to season a variety of meals, though they are most frequently employed in curries. Curry leaves are exceptionally abundant in chemical constituents such as essential oil, tannins, resin and crystalline glucoside, koenigin (Ghani, 1998) with a variety of pharmacological and biological activities, for an instance, antidiabetic (Arulselvan and Subramanian, 2007), antioxidant (Baliga et al., 2003), antimicrobial (Abhishek et al., 2010), hepatoprotective (Pande et al., 2009), antiinflamatory (Muthumani et al., 2009), antihyper cholesterolemic (Iyer et al., 1990), effective action against colon carcinogenesis (Iyer et al., 1990), increasing of digestive secretions, relief from nausea, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, fever and snakebite as well as nutritional and fragrant properties (Ghani, 1998; Abdelwahab et al., 2023, Shashank et al., 2020). Furthermore, girinimbin was obtained from the stem-bark part while the flowers contain a significant quantity of mono- and sesquiterpenoids.

The primary terpenoids found in the flowers are beta-caryophyllene, beta-ocimene, and linalool (Ghani et al., 1998). In addition, both free and complex lipid-bound fatty acids are essential for metabolism because they function as a metabolic fuel, storing and transferring energy, as a building block of all membranes, and as a gene regulator. Fatty acids are essential for mechanical protection, electrical and thermal insulation, and complex lipids. Fatty acids' amphipathic qualities and ability to form micelles additionally provide them a variety of industrial uses as soaps and detergents (Furuhashi et al., 2008). Three most abundant unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) in plants are oleic acid (918:1), linoleic acid (918:2), and α-linoleic acid (18:3), all of which consist of 18 carbon atoms. These relatively simple compounds serve as constituents and regulators of glycerolipids, triacylglycerols as a carbon and energy reservoir, stores of constituents of the extracellular barrier such as cutin and suberin, predecessors of different biologically molecules like nitro alkenes and jasmonates, and regulators of stress signaling. However, they have the ability to cause oxidative stress (He et al., 2020).

According to literature study, M. koenigii has been subjected to numerous investigations. Many of the chemical components of M. koenigii show signs of pharmacokinetic response. As per plant science, different geographic locations, climatic circumstances and environmental influences produce non-identical plant secondary metabolites linked to physiological variances in plants.

For this reason, a number of thorough scientific investigations on the effectiveness of the entire plant or specific parts in various extract have been accomplished for medical purposes. However, fatty acid profiling by GC-MS analysis of aerial sections of M. koenigii has not been reported at all. Therefore the current study focuses a comprehensive GC-MS assessment of the fatty acid compositions in the aerial sections of the petroleum ether extract of M. koenigii, a species native to Bangladesh.

Reference

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Article source : Murraya koenigii(Linn.) Spreng.: An opulent source of fatty acid  

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Temperature Effects on Melon Fly Development in Senegal Watermelon Crops | InformativeBD

Madeleine Ivonne Mendy, Toffène Diome,  Mamecor Faye, and Mbacké Sembène, from the institute of Sénégal. wrote a Research article about, Temperature Effects on Melon Fly Development in Senegal Watermelon Crops. entitled, Effect of temperature on the development of immature stages of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae), Coquillett, 1899, A major watermelon pest in Senegal. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Global warming strongly influences the development of Zeugodacus cucurbitae, a major pest of cucurbit crops; however, the effects of certain intermediate and high temperatures, as well as natural conditions particularly on watermelon remain insufficiently documented. The present study assessed the effect of a thermal gradient, including ambient temperature and constant temperatures of 25, 27, 30, and 33°C, on the development of the immature stages (egg-larva-pupa) of Z. cucurbitae. The results indicate that preimaginal development time exhibits a non-linear thermal response. The duration of the pupal stage decreases with increasing temperature, whereas pupal survival and total developmental time follow a unimodal pattern, characterized by accelerated development up to a thermal optimum (27°C), beyond which biological performance declines and variability increases. These findings confirm the existence of an optimal thermal window (25-27°C) for the development of Z. cucurbitae and reveal stage-specific thermal plasticity. This sensitivity to temperature fluctuations has important implication for phenological modeling, population dynamics forecasting, and the adaptation of integrated pest management strategies under climate change scenarios.

 Read more : Paddy Straw Cultivation of Volvariella volvacea: Spawn Preparation and Growth Techniques | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Climate warming is now an unequivocal scientific reality. According to Legg (2021), the global mean temperature has increased by approximately 1.1°C relative to pre-industrial levels, primarily due to anthropogenic activities, with a marked intensification of heatwaves and thermal extremes. Recent years rank among the warmest ever recorded, reflecting a persistent upward temperature trend (WMO, 2026). Beyond physical alterations, these changes directly affect biological systems by modifying the distribution, phenology, physiology, and population dynamics of living organisms (Trisos et al., 2022). Temperature is a fundamental abiotic factor governing the distribution and functioning of organisms within ecosystems (Odum, 1971; Ricklefs, 2008). Teder et al. (2022) reported that it strongly influences the growth and development of ectothermic animals. Insects are typical ectotherms, characterized by high taxonomic diversity, large population sizes, and rapid reproductive rates (Chapman, 1998; Grimaldi and Engel, 2005). Their small body size, thin cuticle, rapid heat exchange with the surrounding environment, and limited capacity to maintain a stable body temperature make them particularly sensitive to environmental fluctuations (Zeng et al., 2022). In agroecosystems, climate change regulates the geographic distribution of pests, the number of generations per year, survival rates, and synchronization with host plants (Britannica, 2026). Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett, 1899) (Diptera : Tephritidae), commonly known as the melon fly, is a major pest of tropical and subtropical cucurbit crops, causing substantial agricultural losses when populations reach high densities (Dhillon et al., 2005; Meyer et al., 2015; Zeng et al., 2022). Like other poikilothermic insects, its development is strongly influenced by ambient temperature, which affects both the duration of the immature stages (egg, larva, and pupa) and their survival (Vayssières et al., 2008; Mkiga and Mwatawala, 2015). Although several studies (Vayssières et al., 2008; Mkiga and Mwatawala, 2015; Ahn et al., 2022; Zeng et al., 2022) have examined the effects of temperature on the development of Z. cucurbitae, they rarely include watermelon-one of the fly’s principal host plants-and are generally restricted to a limited range of constant temperatures (20, 25, and 30°C). Moreover, these studies predominantly focus on populations from East Africa or Asia. According to Mwatawala et al. (2016), watermelon is the preferred host of Z. cucurbitae. In addition, intermediate temperatures (27°C) and those approaching the upper thermal tolerance limit (≈33°C) remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. The effects of natural ambient conditions, incorporating daily thermal fluctuations, have also not been directly compared with controlled constant temperatures.

Therefore, evaluating the development of Z. cucurbitae under a thermal gradient including ambient temperature and constant temperatures of 25, 27, 30, and 33°C an approach not previously implemented in Senegal helps fill a critical knowledge gap. This framework enables a more precise determination of the thermal optimum and sublethal thresholds, improves understanding of the species’ thermal plasticity, and strengthens predictive tools for population management. The objective of this study is to compare the thermal responses of the different immature stages and to identify the optimal temperature ranges for their development.

Reference

Ahn JJ, Choi K, Huang YB. 2022. Thermal effects on the development of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and model validation. Phytoparasitica 50, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-022-00985-5

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Zeng B, Lian Y, Jia J, Liu Y, Wang A, Yang H, Li J, Yang S, Peng S, Zhou S. 2022. Multigenerational effects of short-term high temperature on the development and reproduction of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett, 1899). Agriculture 12(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12070954

Article source : Effect of temperature on the development of immature stages of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera:Tephritidae), Coquillett, 1899, A major watermelon pest in Senegal  

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Paddy Straw Cultivation of Volvariella volvacea: Spawn Preparation and Growth Techniques | InformativeBD

A. Anees Fathima, and J. Jayasree, from the institute of India. wrote a Research article about, Paddy Straw Cultivation of Volvariella volvacea: Spawn Preparation and Growth Techniques. Entitled, Spawn preparation and cultivation of Volvariella volvacea (Bull. ex Fr.) Singer on paddy straw substrate. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract 

Volvariella volvacea (paddy straw mushroom) is an important edible mushroom cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical regions due to its rapid growth, nutritional value, and medicinal properties. The present study investigated spawn preparation and cultivation of V. volvacea using paddy straw as the primary substrate. Pure cultures were established under controlled laboratory conditions, followed by spawn production and indoor cultivation. Growth characteristics, fruiting behavior, yield, and biological efficiency were evaluated. The results showed that pinhead formation occurred within 15 days, and a yield of 2.05 kg per 10 kg of substrate with a biological efficiency of 20.5% was obtained. The findings indicate that appropriate substrate preparation, environmental conditions, and spawn quality are important factors associated with successful cultivation. Despite its commercial importance, production of V. volvacea remains limited by suboptimal practices. This study provides practical insights into spawn preparation and cultivation techniques that may support improved and sustainable mushroom production.

Read more : Major Cucumber Diseases and Their Pathogens in Azerbaijan | InformativeBD

Introduction

Mushrooms are classified as macro fungi, characterized by their fleshy and distinct sporebearing fruiting bodies. They belong to the Pluteaceae family (Kotl. and Pouz) within the class Basidiomycetes (Singer, 1961) and are typically found growing above ground, in soil, or on other food substrates. Among the 12,000 known species of mushrooms, over 2,000 have been identified as edible. However, only about 35 species are widely accepted for consumption, with a limited number being commercially cultivated. Additionally, nearly 200 wild species are utilized for medicinal purposes (Chen et al., 2019). Mushrooms are regarded as a delicacy, offering high nutritional and functional value, and are acknowledged as nutraceutical products. Their appeal has increased due to various advantages, including organoleptic qualities, medicinal properties, and economic importance. Furthermore, mushrooms are being explored as a potential alternative to muscle protein, owing to their high digestibility (Vinay et al., 2021)

Mushroom sporocarps are rich in minerals such as potassium, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese. Additionally, mushrooms serve as a significant source of vitamin D, which is absent in other dietary supplements, alongside these proteins and minerals. (Pehrsson et al., 2003). The unique bioactive compounds found in mushrooms possess immunemodulating effects and enhance human immune function, thereby lowering the risk of cancer and tumor development. Nonetheless, mushroom cultivation in Asian nations commenced over 1000 years ago, with scientific cultivation beginning only in the early 20th century when pure cultures of mushrooms were developed from spores and tissues. Volvariella volvacea is the most widely cultivated edible mushroom species (Walde et al., 2006) and due to its delightful flavor, it ranks third among essential mushrooms (Ramkumar et al., 2012; Thiribhuvanamala et al., 2012) also noted for its rapid growth rate compared to other species (Rajapakse, 2011). This mushroom is also commonly referred to as paddy straw mushroom, straw mushroom, and Chinese mushroom. The first recorded cultivation occurred in China in 1822 (Chang, 1969).

The sporocarp of V. volvacea is characterized by a grayish to black, egg-shaped vulva in its juvenile stage, which ruptures to allow the pileus to expand to a nearly flat form. The straw mushroom is considered a nutritious food source (Feeney et al., 2014). It is rich in protein, phosphorus, and potassium (Ahlawat and Tewari, 2007), while being low in alkalinity, cholesterol, and fat, and is free of salt. This mushroom contains bioactive metabolites that contribute to its rich taste, flavor, and pleasant aroma, as well as notable biological properties such as antioxidant (Hung and Nhi, 2012), antimicrobial (Chandra and Chaubey, 2017), anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, anti-hypersensitive, and anti-cancer effects.

Paddy straw mushroom, also known as grass mushroom, derives its name from its cultivation on rice straw. This mushroom is a significant dietary component due to its rich flavor, aroma, and nutritional benefits. Scientifically classified as Volvariella volvacea, it is a Holobasidiomycete that belongs to the Plutaceae family (Mond et al., 2021). This species accounts for 6% of the global mushroom production, predominantly utilized in the South Asian region. Over 100 species of Volvariella volvacea (Bull.ex.Fr) Singh have been documented worldwide (Kurtzman and Yang, 1982). The paddy straw mushroom thrives in high temperatures, making it primarily cultivated in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of Asia, including countries such as China, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Madagascar. The life cycle of Volvariella volvacea consists of six maturity stages: pinhead, tiny, button, egg, elongation, and mature stages (Najmu et al., 2022).

Depending on the geographical area and climatic conditions, V. volvacea is grown either in outdoor settings or within controlled indoor environments. The choice of substrates for cultivating V. volvacea in a specific nation is primarily determined by the quantity of accessible free resources (Amir et al., 2023).

Mushroom cultivation is a significant and lucrative agribusiness that offers employment opportunities for rural women. The paddy straw mushroom grows rapidly allowing for harvest within two weeks of bed preparation. The demand for mushrooms is rising daily in Odisha. The agro-climatic conditions in Odisha are ideally suited for the cultivation of paddy straw mushrooms (Mijan, 2024). Nevertheless, most of the edible fungi that are presently cultivated belong to medium- and low-temperature varieties, while hightemperature varieties are quite scarce; this results in a limited availability of edible fungal varieties in the market during the high-temperature season (Ali et al., 2024). These circumstances also contribute to the consistently high price of V. volvacea throughout the year, potentially enhancing the profits for mushroom farmers in comparison to those of other edible fungal varieties (Wang et al., 2025). The present investigation was carried out to find out the spawn preparation, cultivation of Volvariella volvacea on paddy straw substrate and supplements for yield enhancement.

Reference

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Amir NF, Mohd-Aris A, Mohamad A, Abdullah S, Yusof FZ, Umor NA. 2023. Spawn production and cultivation technology for Volvariella volvacea: A perspective. Food Research 7(4), 93–101.

Chandra O, Chaubey K. 2017. Volvariella volvacea: A paddy straw mushroom having some therapeutic and health prospective importance. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 6(9), 1291–1300.

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Zakhary JW, Rafik El-Mahdy A, Taiseer Abo-bakr M, El Tabey-Shehata AM. 1984. Cultivation and chemical composition of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea). Food Chemistry 13(4), 265–276.

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Article source : Spawn preparation and cultivation of Volvariella volvacea (Bull. ex Fr.) Singer on paddy straw substrate  

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Major Cucumber Diseases and Their Pathogens in Azerbaijan | InformativeBD

K. F. Bakhshaliyeva, A. Kh. Rajabli,  A. G. Eyvazov, G. A. Gasimova, and P. Z. Muradov, from the institute of Azerbaijan. wrote a Research article about, Major Cucumber Diseases and Their Pathogens in Azerbaijan. Entitled, The main diseases of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the species composition of pathogens of these diseases. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Cucumis sativus L. plant cultivated in open and covered conditions in the Republic of Azerbaijan, was studied for phytopathogenic fungal biota. It has been determined that a total of 15 fungal species are involved in the formation of the phytopathogenic mycobiota of cucumber plants. Although more than half of the recorded fungi showed phytopathogenic properties in both conditions, overall, covered conditions were more favorable for the development of fungal. The reason for this is that the parameters that are important for plants in covered conditions are favorable for fungi, and these parameters are relatively more stable in covered conditions. The species involved in the formation of the phytopathogenic mycobiota of cucumber plants had a certain specificity in terms of the prevalence of the diseases they caused, the forms of observation, and the effect of the effects. Although some of them cause diseases with the same name and have similar symptoms, it has been determined that each disease also has symptoms that arise from the biological characteristics of the fungus itself.

Read more : African Swine Fever Surveillance in Cagayan Abattoirs, Philippines | InformativeBD 

Introduction 

In modern times, providing people with plant-based food products is one of the important issues that any country plans to solve. The importance of this issue is necessitated by the increasing world population within the fixed territory of the Earth, the increasing burden of anthropogenic impact on the environment the decrease in useful land areas used by people for various purposes, the expansion of urbanization, and other processes. Thus, according to UNO forecasts, the world population is expected to reach 10.3 billion in 2084, which allows us to note a 1.5-fold increase (Choręziak et al., 2025; Australian Government, 2024) in population compared to 2024. This, in turn, will inevitably create additional problems in meeting the growing population's demand for various substances, primarily food. Therefore, conducting research aimed at solving these problems is currently one of the most relevant.

It should be noted that, against the background of the above, meeting people's needs for nutrients, especially those of plant origin with relatively high biological value, is one of the tasks that is in the focus of special attention (Choręziak et al., 2025). Research conducted to address these issues mainly covers two areas. The first direction is that it includes increasing the productivity of plants used for this purpose, eliminating conditions that cause crop losses, implementing cultivation with more efficient technologies, and so on. The second direction involves the creation of new varieties that are productive, disease-resistant, capable of growing under stressful conditions, and have other characteristics. Sometimes these two directions are carried out in a mixed manner.

Regardless of this, the purpose of conducted research in both directions is to improve both the quantity and quality of the products produced.

As in a number of countries around the world, the agricultural sector plays an important role in the economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, so cereals, vegetables, melons, fruits, etc. are cultivated throughout the country, and hundreds of thousands of tons of crops are harvested every year (Babayeva et al., 2025). For example, about 50% of the country's 86.6 thousand km2 area is occupied by usable land in which, according to data from 2024, 1,685,734.0 tons of wheat, 22,206.6 tons of legumes, 490,558.2 tons of melons, 1,838,903.3 tons of vegetables, and 1,317,868.2 tons of fruit were grown (State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan, 2025). Despite this, the volume of products produced does not fully meet the needs of the country's population even today, and therefore the issue of increasing productivity and reducing crop losses is of greater importance for the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Vegetables are among the plants widely cultivated in the Republic of Azerbaijan, as the cultivation of vegetable plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, etc. is found in all regions of the country (Huseynov et al., 2020). Sometimes the expected yield cannot be obtained from these plants, and one of the reasons for this is the result of diseases caused by various organisms, primarily fungi (Bakshaliyeva et al., 2023; Muradov et al., 2019). To prevent this, it is important to determine the species composition of these pathogens.

Therefore, the purpose of the presented work is to determine the species composition of diseases and their causative agents observed in cucumber plants cultivated under covered conditions in Azerbaijan.

Reference

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Huseynov HG, Jafarov IG, Vermeer M, Musaev FB. 2020. Vegetable growing in Azerbaijan in modern conditions. Vegetable Crops of Russia 4, 65–68. https://doi.org/10.18619/2072-9146-2020-4-65-68

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Muradov PZ, Shirinova GF, Asgerli LG. 2019. Species composition of fungi causing diseases in agricultural plants in agrarian sector of Azerbaijan. Journal of Applied and Natural Science 11(4), 785–790. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v11i4.2168

Priyashantha AKH, Dai DQ, Bhat DJ, Stephenson SL, Promputtha I, Kaushik P, Tibpromma S, Karunarathna SC. 2023. Plant–fungi interactions: Where it goes? Biology 12(6), 809. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12060809

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Article source :  The main diseases of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the species composition of pathogens of these diseases

 

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African Swine Fever Surveillance in Cagayan Abattoirs, Philippines | InformativeBD

Maricel F. Campanano, Dennis M. Oyardo, and Mary Ann M. Santos, from the institute of Philippines. wrote a Research article about, African Swine Fever Surveillance in Cagayan Abattoirs, Philippines. Entitled, Surveillance and detection of the occurrence of African swine fever in abattoirs in the different municipalities of the second district of Cagayan, Philippines. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, which is responsible for serious economic and production losses. It is caused by a large DNA virus of the Asfarviridae family.  The study was conducted to determine positive   cases of African swine fever on pigs from different slaughterhouses in municipalities of second district in Cagayan. A total of 362 blood samples were collected in 6 municipal slaughterhouses. The samples were analyzed in the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL). The viral DNA of ASF was extracted from the blood samples using the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN) and was identified through the RT-PCR (ASFV p72 gene-based real-time PCR assay). Two municipalities involve in the study resulted positive of African Swine Fever with a total of 60 out of 362 pigs. The municipality with the highest positive case and incidence rate is Sto. Nino with 41 out of 56 pigs are infected (incidence rate is 11.32%) followed by Piat with 19 pigs out of 96 pigs (incidence rate is 5.25%) and the rest no incidence of African Swine-Fever. The result obtained from the study indicates that out of 230 pooled samples (362 pigs), 35 (60 pigs) are showing 15.22% positivity rate and 16.57% incidence. 

Read more : Diversity of African Yam Bean in Yoruba Communities of Benin | InformativeBD 

Introduction

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating haemorrhagic fever of pigs with mortality rates approaching 100 per cent. It causes major economic losses, threatens food security and limits pig production in affected countries. ASFV is a large DNA virus that replicates in the cytoplasm and is the only member of the Asfarviridae family. The virus encodes 150–165 proteins, which have „essential‟ functions in virus replication, as well as „non-essential‟ roles in host interactions, including evasion of host defences; for example, many proteins inhibit the early innate responses, including type I interferon and cell death pathways (Dixon et al., 2019).

African swine fever (ASF) was first identified in East Africa in the early 1900s as a disease causing high mortality in domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). It was quickly established that warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) could be a source of infection (Montgomery, 1921) and that this host, along with a species of soft ticks (Ornithodoros spp.) which live in warthog burrows, could be persistently infected with ASF virus (ASFV) without showing signs of disease (Plowright et al., 1994).

ASF has a severe socio-economic impact, both in areas where it is newly introduced and where it is endemic. The high impact is most apparent in countries with a significant commercial pig industry. In Africa, ASF has potentially devastating effects on the commercial and subsistence pig production sectors, but the greatest losses are usually inflicted on the poorer pig producers who are less likely to implement effective prevention and control strategies (Edelsten and Chinombo, 1995) or basic biosecurity. The farmers also often lack financial resources to restart production in the absence of compensation schemes. In countries such as Cote d'Ivoire and Madagascar, the introduction of ASF resulted in the loss of between 30 and 50 per cent of the pig population (El Hicheri et al., 1998; Roger et al., 2001).

Although ASF was first described almost a century ago, controlling the disease has proven to be a challenge, in particular because no vaccine is available. Following introduction to ASFV-free countries, the only control measures available are strict quarantine and biosecurity, animal movement restrictions and slaughtering affected/exposed animals.

Reference

Dixon LK, Escribano JM, Martins C, Rock DL, Salas ML, Wilkinson PJ. 2005. Asfarviridae. Virus Taxonomy: VIIIth Report of the ICTV, Elsevier Academic Press, 135–143.

Dixon LK, Stahl K, Jori F, Vial L, Pfeiffer DU. 2020. African swine fever epidemiology and control. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences 8(1), 221–246.

Dixon LK, Sun H, Roberts H. 2019. African swine fever. Antiviral Research 165(1), 34–41.

Edelsten RM, Chinombo DO. 1995. An analysis of the epidemiology of African swine fever in Zimbabwe. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 66(4), 246–251.

El Hicheri K, Gomez Tejedor C, Penrith ML, Davies G, Douati A. 1998. The 1996–1997 African swine fever epidemic in Côte d’Ivoire. Revue Scientifique et Technique (OIE) 17(3), 660–673.

King DP, Reid SM, Hutchings GH, Grierson SS, Wilkinson PJ, Dixon LK, Bastos ADS, Drew TW. 2003. Development of a TaqMan® PCR assay with internal amplification control for the detection of African swine fever virus. Journal of Virological Methods 107(1), 53–61.

Montgomery RE. 1921. On a form of swine fever occurring in British East Africa (Kenya Colony). Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics 34, 159–191.

Petrini S, Feliziani F, Casciari C, Giammarioli M, Torresi C, De Mia GM. 2019. Survival of African swine fever virus in various pork products. Italian Journal of Food Safety 8(1), 7835. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijfs.2019.7835

Plowright W, Thomson GR, Neser JA. 1994. African swine fever. In Coetzer JAW, Thomson GR and Tustin RC (Eds.), Infectious diseases of livestock (Vol. 1, pp. 567–599). Oxford University Press.

Roger F, Ratovonjato J, Vola P, Uilenberg G. 2001. Ornithodoros porcinus ticks, bushpigs and African swine fever in Madagascar. Experimental and Applied Acarology 25, 263–269.

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Thomas LF, de Glanville WA, Cook EAJ, Fèvre EM. 2016. The spatial ecology of African swine fever in smallholder pig systems: the role of live pig markets in disease transmission. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 63(5), 476–484. 

Article source : Surveillance and detection of the occurrence of African swine fever in abattoirs in the different municipalities of the second district of Cagayan, Philippines  

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Diversity of African Yam Bean in Yoruba Communities of Benin | InformativeBD

Orobiyi Azize, Faton Manhognon Oscar Euloge, Zongo Élisabeth Aboubié, Sossou Kpèdé Nicodème, Houngbo Marcel, Dossou Pierre Fourier, Ogoudjobi Ladékpo Sylvain, Balogoun Ibouraïman, Dansi Alexandre,  and Lokoyêyinou Laura Estelle,  from the institute of Benin. wrote a Research article about, Diversity of African Yam Bean in Yoruba Communities of Benin. Entitled, Inventory of african yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Harms) diversity in some Yoruba areas of Benin. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The study aimed to document varietal diversity, uses, production constraints, and farmers’ selection criteria for the African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) in Benin, identify production areas, prioritize constraints, evaluate genetic diversity, determine varietal selection criteria, and gather endogenous knowledge on cultivation practices, use, conservation, and seeds. A participatory ethnobotanical survey involving group investigations and individual surveys was conducted in ten villages in the Yoruba cultural zone of southern Benin (Plateau and Collines departments). Surveys used participatory methodologies, including group discussions with the four-square method for variety distribution, comparison matrix for constraints and preferences, and structured questionnaires for individual data from 21 households. Data included socio-demographics, varietal nomenclature, diversity loss, uses, preferences, and constraints, with statistical analysis of traits frequency entered in Excel. Eleven local varieties were identified, differentiated by seed color (41.7%), cooking time (25.0%), and ritual/symbolic functions (20.8%), with 2-7 varieties per village. Main constraints included pod rot (17.24%), lack of trees for intercropping (17.24%), and market outlets (12.06%). Diversity loss showed high erosion (up to 100% in some villages). Uses were domestic consumption (100%) and rituals (50%). Preferences focused on seed availability (61.9%). Production declined in 81% of producers, with solutions proposed as upright varieties (42.9%) and improved practices (37.1%). Local knowledge is crucial for conservation despite erosion; revitalization requires farmer-led selection, adapted varieties, and institutional support, with biochemical/molecular characterization recommended for true diversity assessment. 

Read more : Aloe Vera-Based Iron Nanoparticles and Their Effect on Seed Germination | InformativeBD

Introduction

Food and nutritional security remain a crucial challenge in many regions of sub-Saharan Africa, where population pressure and climatic hazards compromise the availability and accessibility of food resources. One of the strategies proposed to strengthen the resilience of food systems is the promotion of neglected and underutilized crops, which offer significant genetic and nutritional diversity (Nnamani et al., 2019). Among these crops, Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Harms, known as the African yam bean (AYB), is a tropical legume native to West and East Africa, characterized by its dual use: protein-rich seeds and nutritious tubers (Palanga et al., 2025). Several studies have documented the high nutritional value of AYB, including protein content comparable to other legumes and a favorable composition of essential amino acids (Ojuederie and Balogun, 2017).

Despite its advantages, AYB remains underexploited and marginalized in African farming systems due to low institutional interest, limited cultural acceptability, lack of consolidated agronomic data, and seed-related issues such as long cooking time and antinutritional factors (Edem et al., 2025). This situation keeps AYB among “orphan crops,” i.e., species with high potential but little recognition in agricultural and food policies (Sphenostylis stenocarpa conservation review, 2025). At the genetic and agronomic level, recent investigations have revealed significant diversity among AYB accessions, both phenotypically and molecularly (Shitta et al., 2022). For instance, Shitta et al. (2022) demonstrated considerable phenotypic variability in a large collection of accessions conserved at IITA, suggesting a rich genetic base that could be exploited for breeding programs. However, despite these advances, the understanding of local varietal diversity cultivated by farmers, as well as the associated indigenous knowledge (nomenclature, uses, selection criteria, constraints), remains fragmentary in many rural African areas, including Benin. In particular, areas with a strong Yoruba cultural identity, where AYB is traditionally grown, have not yet been comprehensively studied to link local diversity with socio-agricultural dynamics.

In this context, the present study aims to identify the production areas of Sphenostylis stenocarpa in the Yoruba cultural zone of southern Benin; characterize the varietal diversity as perceived by farmers; analyze the local production and conservation constraints; determine farmers’ criteria for varietal selection; and document traditional knowledge related to the cultivation, use, conservation, and seeds of African yam bean.

Reference

AGRIS Database. 2022. African yam bean: Production constraints and adoption challenges. AGRIS FAO.

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Edem PA, Udoh EJ, James BD. 2025. Constraints to adoption of African yam bean in West Africa: A review. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development 25, 1–15.

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Nnamani CV, Atkinson CJ, Nwite JC. 2019. Neglected and underutilized crops : A potential resource for food security and nutrition. Food Security 11, 1199–1214.

Ojuederie OB, Balogun MO. 2017. Nutritional composition and amino acid profile of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) accessions. Food Science & Nutrition 5, 201–208.

Palanga PE, Adjei-Gyapong T, Amelewor KA, Dzah C, Oteng-Yeboah AA. 2025. Nutritional and agronomic potential of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) in Ghana. Journal of Plant Nutrition 48, 345–358.

PMC Database. 2021. Genetic erosion in underutilized legumes: A systematic review. National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Shitta NS, Akande SR, Ogunsesan AR, Abberton M. 2022. Phenotypic diversity in African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) germplasm conserved at IITA. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 69, 1123–1138.

Sphenostylis stenocarpa conservation review. 2025. Orphan crops and genetic resources: Status of African yam bean. Conservation Genetics Resources 17, 123–134. 

Source : Inventory of african yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Harms) diversity in some Yoruba areas of Benin 

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