Applied Microbiology: Open Access
Open Access

Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

Biography

I am interested in using advances in plant sciences to improve crop production and preserve biodiversity. I started my research career in 2013, as a research assistant to Dr. Amos Alakonya at the Institute of Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. During this time, I worked on optimizing protocols for genetic transformation of maize and groundnuts – protocols I would later use as a graduate student to produce transgenic for resistance against aflatoxins. 

Publications

• Research Article   
  Towards Managing and Controlling Aflatoxin Producers within Aspergillus Species in Infested Rice Grains Collected from Local Market in Kenya
  Author(s): Youmma Douksouna*, Andrew Nyerere, Joel Masanga, Steven Runo and Zach�©e Ambang
  
  Rice grain can be attacked by a range of pathogens, including Aspergillus species, which can cause accumulation of aflatoxins that represent a serious threat the consumers. Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxic metabolites synthesized by certain species of Aspergillus. This study was designed to analyze the prevalence of Aspergillus species and aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in rice grains being sold in the local markets. A total of 98 samples were randomly collected and primarily analyzed to observe the moisture content and fungal growth. Subsequently, Aspergillus species were isolated, characterized using ITS primers and screened for aflatoxigenic fungal targeting specific genes (nor-1 and ver-1) involved in aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway using PCR assay. It was observed that all tested samples we.. View More»
  

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