Saifullah Khan

University of Karachi · Agriculture and Agribusiness Management Department

The immune response is a critical aspect of an organism's defense against pathogens and diseases. Monitoring immune responses in animals is essential for understanding the mechanisms of immunity, developing vaccines, and evaluating the efficacy of immunotherapies. This review article discusses various techniques for monitoring immune responses incl...

Nutrients are sources of nourishment and survival for plants. Salt stress changes the morphological, physiological and biochemical responses of plants. Bird nest fern (Asplenium nidus) is typically an exotic plant and belongs to the fern family. Spores of Asplenium nidus were used as an explant for In vitro propagation. After sterilization, the spo...

Spices are used all over the world for culinary purpose. Pakistanis have strong preference for them. Warm and humid condition is favorable for their growth. For this reason spices are easily contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms. Experimentations were designed to screen anaerobic bacterial presence, and to subsequently study the antibiotic sens...

Citrus is one of the most dominant horticultural fruit crops in the world. For the genetic improvement of Kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulate blanco), protoplast isolation and somatic hybridization strategy is suitable. In this study, Kinnow mandarin protoplasts were isolated to get single species regeneration. Protoplasts were obtained from explant...

Objectives: To investigate the presence of IgM and IgG in the sera of patients screened for Dengue and Chikungunya during Dengue outbreak 2015-2019 in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are two neglected viral infections in Pakistan. A sero-survey was conducted to assess the exposure of the popul...

Background: Mosquitoes transmit several serious pathogens worldwide including Pakistan. Usually chemical control methods are used to control them, which are expensive and having side effects. Alternate to this, Biological control using specific bacteria is safe, cheap and effectively established technology worldwide for control of mosquito larvae....

A floating sustained release mosquito larvicidal preparation containing novel Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis strain Bti-Pk (NCBI Accession Number: OL721864) is provided to ensure excellent mosquitocidal ability to Aedes aegypti, Anopheles and Culex spp in the environment. The strain Bti-Pk (NCBI Accession Number: OL721864) was isolated...

Furcraea foetida (Mauritius hemp) belongs to the family Agavaceae, is cultivated for its ornamental, fiber and medicinal value and can survive in xerophytic conditions. Despite its importance, Agavaceae family has not been genetically exploited. In the presented study, a rapid and efficient protocol for micropropagation and genetic transformation o...

Waterborne bacterial infections are mainly caused by the direct transmission of pathogenic bacteria to the host through DW. Chlorination of DW is critical to prevent the water supplies from bacterial pathogens. In present study, microbiological quality of DW provided through filtration plants to Rawalpindi City was investigated. Experimentations we...

Ocimum sanctum commonly called (holy basil) an herb containing medicinal, ornamental values, is often used in culinary applications. This research focuses on the improved and efficient protocol for the direct regeneration and acclimatisation of Ocimum sanctum using nodal segments. Organogenesis and multiplication from explants were observed to a ma...

Rice is one of the highly consumable and demanded food crops throughout the world. To meet this requirement, genetically modified (GM) crops were introduced, which were met with sturdy and frequently angry opposition by the user. To handle the situation labeling of GM food / crop was advised, thus demand for traceability and detection of unknown mo...

Rice is one of the highly consumable food crops throughout the world and its demand to meet the global food requirement is very high. To meet this requirement genetically modified (GM) crops were introduced. These genetically modified crops were met with sturdy and frequently angry opposition by the user. To handle the situation labeling of GM food...

Leishmaniasis is a disease that ranges in severity from skin lesions to serious disfigurement and fatal systemic infection. World Health Organization has classified the disease as emerging and uncontrolled. It is estimated that the infection results in two million new cases a year. There are 12 million people currently infected worldwide, and leish...

Introduction: Chikungunya is an incipient disease, caused by Chikungunya virus (CHKV) that belongs to genus alphavirus of the family Togaviridae. Materials and Methods: In this study, during an outbreak of CHKV in Dec 2016 in Karachi, Pakistan, samples were collected from patients presenting with fever, tiredness and pain in muscles and joints. Tot...

Polyembryony is the most beneficial and distinct character in citrus seeds. This characteristic can be beneficial in citrus improvement programs. Nucellar embryos developed from nucellar wall in citrus seeds along with zygotic embryo are found to have high plants regeneration ability in comparison to zygotic embryos. Under In vitro culture conditio...

Abstract: Introduction: Chikungunya is an incipient disease, caused by Chikungunya virus (CHKV) that belongs to genus alphavirus of the family Togaviridae. Materials and Methods: In this study, during an outbreak of CHKV in Dec 2016 in Karachi, Pakistan, samples were collected from patients presenting with fever, tiredness and pain in muscles and...

Backckground: The Root Knot Nematode (RKN) is a serious economic threat to various cultivated crops worldwide. It is a devastating pest of soybean and responsible to cause severe yield loss in Pakistan. The cultivation of resistant soybean varieties against this pest is the sustainable strategy to manage the heavy loss and increase yield. There is...

Falat CH is an important commercial tomato cultivar being used in Iran. In this article an optimized protocol with increased transformation and regeneration rate for this tomato variety is reported. Several explants including cotyledon, leaf and hypocotyl were evaluated for direct shoot formation and the effect of various combinations of BAP, Zeati...

Date palm is one of the oldest cultivated and economically important fruit trees. First time Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) markers were used with twenty five economically important date palm cultivars of Pakistan for DNA fingerprinting analysis. Samples were collected from four provinces of Pakistan i.e., Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa a...

The aim of this study was to detect genetically modified (GM) contamination in random samples of IRRI-6 rice from Pakistan. DNA was extracted by modified cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was conducted with three primers to amplify the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV-35S), nontra...

Protoplasts were successfully isolated from one month old In vitro grown plantlets of Dendrobium cultivar Queen pink. The enzyme solution used was composed of 1% Cellulase Onozuka R-10, 0.5% Macerozyme R-10, 0.1% Pectinase, 0.3 M mannitol, 10 mM CaCl 2 .2H 2 O and 10 mM 2 (N-morpholino)-ethanesulfonic acid (MES) at pH 5.8. Protoplast highest yield...

The aim of this study was to detect genetically modified (GM) contamination in random samples of IRRI-6 rice from Pakistan. DNA was extracted by modified cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide(CTAB) method. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was conducted with three primers to amplify the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV-35S), nontran...

Kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata blanco) is the popular fruit crop in the world. In this study 12.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacryl amide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method was used to observe comparative protein production pattern in different tissue culture stages of Kinnow mandarin. In this study embryogenic calli, non embryogenic calli,...

Citrus is one of the most dominant horticultural fruit crop in the world. The objective of this study was to develop an efficient protocol for invitro embryogenic callus induction and regeneration of Kinnow mandarin. In this study, different concentrations of 2,4-D (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 mg/L) along with constant 0.5mg/L BAP were used to...

Citrus is one of the most dominant horticultural fruit crop in the world. The objective of this study was to develop an efficient protocol for invitro embryogenic callus induction and regeneration of Kinnow mandarin. In this study, different concentrations of 2,4-D (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 mg/L) along with constant 0.5mg/L BAP were used to...

The present work was aimed to study the effect of various grinding agents and detergents on the amount and purity of the extracted DNA from diverse plant samples. Agents supporting grinding process were liquid Nitrogen, acid washed sand and glass beads, along with a number of concentrations of two detergents i.e. SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate) and C...

Lilium longiflorum Overig is a Lilaceous plant grown for ornamental as well as certain other general purposes. The research presented here focuses on the method of protoplast isolation from the In vitro grown callus of Lilium longiflorum Overig. Series of experiments were conducted in order to optimize the conditions. Four different amounts of call...

Kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata blanco) is the popular fruit crop in the world. In this study 12.5 % sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacryl amide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method was used to observe comparative protein production pattern in different tissue culture stages of Kinnow mandarin. In this study embryogenic calli, non embryogenic calli...

Dehydroepiandrosterone (1) was incubated with a cell suspension culture of Codiaeum variegatum for biotransformational studies. After 10 days of incubation, four metabolites, 5α-androstane-3,17-dione (2), 5β-androstane-3,17-dione (3), androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (4), and 17β-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (5), were obtained. The structures of these biotran...

Catharanthus roseus cell suspension cultures were employed for the biotransformation of (-)-caryophyllene oxide (1), and four metabolites, 15-hydroxycaryophyllene oxide (2), 4β ,5α- dihydroxycaryophyll-8(13)-ene (3), 2β -hydroxycaryophyllene oxide (4), and 2-hydroxy-4,5- epoxycaryophyllan-13-ol (5) were obtained. Metabolites 4 and 5 were found to b...

Tissue culture technology can play an important role in the yield improvement of active ingredients of medicinal plants. In the present study, the potential of regeneration system of Aloe barbadensis along with biotransformational ability was explored. The maximum calli (5.65±1.90; fresh weight) were induced under the dark condition on MS (Murashig...

Agastache anisata (anise hyssop) is an herb grown for ornamental and culinary purpose. The present study focuses on the direct regeneration efficiency of Agastache anisata from nodal segments and subsequent acclimatization of the regenerated plants. Plant shoot organogenesis and multiplication was found at its maximum on Murashige and Skoog medium...

Plant Biotransformation is one of the tools for structural modifications of the organic substrate of low, moderate or high biological value utilizing plant cultured cells, these modifications of organic structures may lead to biologically augmented products and which may be ultimately substantial in cure or improvement of various morbidities and di...

Dehydroepiandrosterone (1) was investigated for biotransformation studies using the plant cell suspension culture of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. for the first time, yielding metabolites 2–6: 5α,3,17-androstanedione (2), 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol (3), 3β-hydroxyandrostan-17-one (4), 3β,11α-dihydroxy-5-androsten-17-one (5), and 3β,7α-dihydroxy-5-andro...

Azadirachta indica cell suspension culture is used to metabolize dianabol to yield potent anticarcinogenic 17β-hydroxy-17α-methyl-5α-androst-1-en-3-one, which can also be synthesized.

Biotransformation of 1 with Fusarium lini, Macrophomina phaseolina, and plant cell suspension culture of Azadirachta indica yielded five biotransformed products with the lacking of peroxy-linkage, 9α-acetoxy, 10β-methoxyartemethin-I (2), 9α-hydroxyartemethin-II (3), 10β-hydroxyartemethin-I (4) and 3α-hydroxy,12β-methoxyartemethin-III (5) and 3α-12β...

Biotransformation by using microbial and plant cell cultures has been applied effectively for the production of fine chemicals on large scale. Inspired by the wealth of literature available on the biotransformation of steroids, we decided to investigate the biotransformation of ethynodiol diacetate (1) by using plant and microbial cultures. The bio...

Background Biotransformation offers chemo enzymatic system to modify the compounds into their novel analogues which are difficult to synthesize by chemical methods. This paper describes the biotransformational studies of ambrox, one of the most important components of natural Ambergris (wale sperm) with fungal and plant cell culture. Results Biotr...

Figure S1. Vedio densitometry picture of time course study experiment of (-)-ambrox (1) with Macrophomina phaseolina.

Shoot tips of three species Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb, Juniperus horizontalis Moench and Juniperus chinensis L. were initiated to develop rapidly multiplying protocol for large scale micro propagation, regeneration and conservation of these species. The effect of various concentrations of different plant growth regulators on different media was che...

The current study envisages producing Lilium regale plants on a large scale, employing costeffective in-vitro protocols. The effect of various concentrations and types of plant growth regulators were observed to optimize the media for large scale propagation. Initiated buds were cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5-4.0 mgL-1); IBA (0.5...

Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) is a nano-viral banana disease, which has been reducing both vegetative and reproductive growth of banana. It is spreading with the passage of time but minimize-able, if detected earlier through ELISA and PCR. For the concerned matter, an economic protocol for ELISA has been established for both time and chemicals....

The genomic DNA isolation from mature leaf midrib is a tough job, because of the abundance of polysaccharides and secondary metabolites, which interferes with DNA isolation as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies. The leaf midrib of 3rd leaf from 3-moths old, ex-vitro developing banana [AAA, Dwarf Cavendish-Basrai (Sindhri banana)] plant...

A highly efficient protocol for the induction of callus and establishment of cell suspension culture was developed for Actinidia deliciosa. Germination of Actinidia seeds were carried out on full strength MS medium without any growth hormone and the leaves from In vitro grown plantlets were used for the induction of callus. Maximum amount of friabl...

A very efficient protocol for the micropropagation of indigenous sugarcane cultivar Thatta-10 is presented here. The axillary buds and shoot apices taken as an explant were surface sterilized with 20% Sodium hypochlorite solution for 20 minutes followed by initiation on simple MS medium. The initiated plantlets were then used for the callus inducti...

Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) is grown for its excellent food and nutritional value in many parts of the world. The main objective of this study was to optimize an efficient, reliable and economical protocol for In vitro micropropagation of Kiwifruit. The effect of coconut water along with BAP on shoot proliferation of Kiwifruit (Actinidia delici...

Biotransformation of dydrogesterone (1) by using cell suspension cultures of Azadirachta indica yielded a metabolite 20R-hydroxy-9β,10α-pregna- 4,6-diene-3-one (2). The structure of this compound was deduced on the basis of various spectroscopic techniques.

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) with its amazing colors and leathery leaves is regarded as a beautiful foliage plant. The plant is native of South East Asia. Generally crotons are multiplied vegetatively by means of cuttings and air layering. This process is slow in response and need to maintain large number of mother plants stock. Micropropagation is...

Micropropagation can be applied to produce those species of fern that are hard to propagate conventionally for the benefit of the ornamental industry. The purpose of this study was to assess the behavior of the Asplenium nidus under in-vitro conditions. Micropropagation of Asplenium nidus was initiated using spores as an explant. A series of experi...

African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) is a very famous ornamental plant due to its various colors and shapes. The present study was conducted to investigate the callus induction and plant regeneration efficiency of African violet and subsequent acclimatization of the regenerated plants. Callus induction efficiency was high with 1.0 mg/L of NAA with...

An efficient and cost effective protocol for direct regeneration of Kalanchoe tomentosa, a valuable medicinal and ornamental plant, is presented here. Multiplication and growth responses of Kalanchoe tomentosa towards BAP (6-Benzyle amino purine), NAA (α- Naphthalene acetic acid) and a hormone free control MS medium was evaluated. The effects of BA...

Biotransformation of (-)-ambrox (1) with cell suspension cultures of Actinidia deliciosa (Kiwifruit) yielded the regio- and stereospecific oxygenated products 3-oxoambrox (2), 3beta-hydroxyambrox (3), 1alpha-hydroxyambrox (4), 3beta,6beta-dihydroxyambrox (5), 1alpha,6beta-dihydroxyambrox (6), and 1alpha,3beta-dihydroxyambrox (7). Metabolites 6 and...

A simple and efficient micropropagation protocol was developed for Ixora coccinea cv. Super King, a beautiful ornamental plant using shoot tip and nodal segments as explants. The explants were cultured in Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BAP incubated for 10 weeks initially and subcultured onto fresh medium after every 4 weeks. T...

The current study envisages producing Cordyline plants on a large scale employing cost-effective In vitro protocols. The effect of various concentrations and types of plant growth regulators were observed to optimize the efficient media for propagation. Axillary buds excised from the greenhouse grown mother plants of Cordyline terminalis were cultu...