Molecular Detection of Transgenes in Improved Varieties of Cowpea
Kingsley Onuh
Department of Biotechnology, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Karderam Bukar Dikwa
Department of Biology, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Victoria Moltong Dan
Department of Biology, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Mohammed Sani Abdulsalami
Department of Biotechnology, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Ugochukwu Okechukwu Ozojiofor *
Department of Biotechnology, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Enimie Endurance Oaikhena
Department of Biotechnology, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Kenneth Onuh
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Ebipade Kereakede
Department of Biotechnology, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Asabe Danjuma
Department of Biotechnology, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Cowpea is one of the most consumed food in Africa. Recombinant DNA technology has been used to insert foreign genes into plants genome via cassettes there by creating a new generation of plants with desired traits. Such plants possess improved seed quality, yield and resistance to pests and pathogens. The aim of this study is to screen for transgene in Cowpeas sold in Nigerian markets using molecular analysis. Five Improved varieties of Cowpea were obtained from IITA while local varieties were purchased from Terminus Market in Jos. All samples were screened for the presence of transgene via DNA extraction and PCR. Results shows the presence of transgene in MKT1, IT89KD and IT99KD, CAMV, NOS and VIP3BA respectively and none was found in local varieties.
Keywords: Recombinant DNA, transgenes, cassettes, cowpea, molecular analysis