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Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are a very important crop because of their unique health benefits. The major hurdle for growing blueberries is the pH in the soil, as they need acidic soil. Hence improving the pH level tolerance in the blueberries provides a viable option for the growers to cultivate in a wide range of soil types and allow them to grow in several regions of the world. With this, our objective of the study was to screen the blueberry germplasm variation for high pH levels and identifying the tolerant lines. We used an in-vitro plant twig assay to screen the population using phosphate buffer solutions containing several pH gradients ranging from 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0. In the assay, we used 6 different varieties of blueberries for testing the variation for pH level. Among six varieties, we screened, identified one highly resistant, 4 moderately resistant genotypes, and one sensitive genotype to the high pH. The resistance lines maintained a stay green nature at the high pH level, but the sensitive lines turned to brownish and chlorophyll degradation was observed. Developing new cultivars for high pH tolerance requires the effective identification of tolerant blueberry genotypes; therefore, the current approach was aimed at evaluating blueberry genetic resources under laboratory conditions by establishing an invitro plant twig assay. This assay provided an easy and time-consuming method to identify the blueberry genotypes tolerant to high pH and a better genetic source for developing the pH tolerant varieties.

DSU Summer Research Symposium 2021

Screening of Blueberry Varieties for pH Variation

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Welcome to Delaware State University’s Annual Summer Research Symposium, and thank you for attending! Our symposium represents the culmination of students’ summer experiences in research at Delaware State University. This event showcases the work of college students working on faculty-led research projects, as well as middle and high school students experiencing research for the first time working in research groups. Whatever the case, this summer has been a unique experience for the students, and we hope a transformative one. Even for students who are not planning a career in scientific research, their summer experience has given them skills they will draw on for years to come. 
 Please join us on the mainstage and in Gather for the live event, and visit the recorded poster presentations any time.
 The student participants and organizers of the various summer programs at DSU would like to thank all of the research mentors who guided our summer program participants. There were many DSU faculty, graduate students, and other research and program staff who gave their time and energy to help our students have a fun and educational summer experience. Without their generosity and patience these summer programs would not be possible.
 For the research participants, we hope that you will maintain contact with your research mentors and colleagues. Science is a relatively small community made up of disciplinary “neighborhoods”. If you continue to work in a discipline, the other folks in that discipline will be like your neighbors that you run into regularly. Staying in contact with them will help you keep up with the news of the neighborhood, and open doors to educational and career opportunities. Whether you continue in science or take a different career path, for this summer you have been part of the world of research, and you will benefit from that perspective for the rest of your life.

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Welcome to Delaware State University’s Annual Summer Research Symposium, and thank you for attending!

Chlorophyll, anthocyanins, carotenoids and lycopene are naturally occurring pigments that give fruits and vegetables their characteristic bright colors. Spices though primarily used for flavoring and preserving food also contain these pigments. Owing to the vast array of application, especially, of natural pigments in food, cosmetic, nutraceutical and medicine, several extraction methods have been described including the use of oils as a solvent to recover these bioactive compounds. Our goal is to study the oxidative stability of infused/macerated oils stored over time. Cloves and cinnamon were macerated in olive oil (OO) and njangsa seed oil (NSO) over 7 d at 45-50oC. The contents of chlorophyll a and b, lycopene and carotenoids were determined spectrophotometrically. Higher pigments contents were measured in NSO than OO. All the oils and macerates showed reduced pigments content (45 - 88%) with incubation, indicating increased oxidative degradation and reduction of shelf life. Generally, higher reduction in pigments content were observed in NSO-macerated spices (75 - 83%) compared with their olive oil counterparts due to its high level of unsaturated fatty acids. The results highlighted the need to improve shelf stability of pigments towards various processing and storage conditions to preserve the beneficial properties of oils and macerates.

Simultaneous Determination of Pigments Content in Oils and Macerates

Screening the Growth of Cyanobacteria Aphanothece under Photoautotrophic and Photoheterotrophic Conditions Ifti Ahmed1,2, Ali Parsaeimehr1, Ph.D., and Bertand Hankoua1, Ph.D. 1Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901 2Middletown High School, Middletown, DE 19709. Microalgae are used in different industrial sectors including, the biopharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The main objective of this study was to identify a high yield photoheterotrophic condition for the Cyanobacteria Aphanothece in aim to produce phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin metabolites with pharmaceutical values. In this study, a BG11 based media was used. To establish a photoheterotrophic conditions a ratio of glucose (0, 025, 0.5, 2, and 4%) as a carbon source was applied. Our results demonstrated, a higher yield of biomass under the photoheterotrophic conditions containing 2 % glucose (3.11 ± 0.35 g/L fresh weight, OD750=1.08 ±0.14 7th day; relative growth rate: OD750= 0.120 ± 0.2 day, 74.22 ±3.2%, an increase of 74.22 ±3.2% compared to photoautotrophic growth). A negative influence was observed at higher concentration of carbon source (4% of glucose) on the biomass production (52.82 ±2.7 % decrease). Considerably, the production of phycocyanin (6.72 ± 0.42 mg/g fresh weight), and allophycocyanin (0.132 ± 0.08 mg/g fresh weight) were recorded higher under the photoheterotrophic condition compared to the photoautotrophic growth by 236 ± 17 % and 69.23 ± 8.3 % increase, respectively for phycocyanin and allophycocyanin. We observed increasing the carbon source to 4% had a negative impact by 128.57 ± 14 % decrease on the production of phycocyanin, while a positive influence by 145 ± 12 % increase on the allophycocyanin production (0.324 ± 0.028 mg/g fresh weight). In conclusion, we suggest a photoheterotrophic BG11 based media with 2 % glucose for the production of phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin when using Cyanobacteria Aphanothece as a platform. Keywords: Aphanothece, photoheterotrophic, phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin Funder Acknowledgments: We acknowledge USDA NIFA Capacity Building Grant Award# 2016-06642 for funding my internship and the project as part of the student experiential learning goal and the project Director, Dr. Gulnihal Ozbay for providing this internship opportunity.

Screening the growth of the cyanobacteria Aphanothece under photoautotrophic and Photoheterotrophic conditions

DNA extraction from Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves Zach Alvarez1, Rasheed Habib2, and Venu (Kal) Kalavacharla2 1Long Reach High School 2Delaware State University, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dover, DE The extraction of DNA from different plants can be a difficult process. This is due to the existence of different plant secondary metabolites. There are many methods of extracting DNA from plants. However, in this study one specific method was done. The CTAB method has various steps that are done to extract pure DNA. The plant that DNA was extracted from is common bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris). This plant was selected due to its importance as a source of protein and carbohydrate for millions of people around the world. Also, it normally yields high quality DNA due to how easy the tissues are to grind. The plant tissue used in the experiment was obtained from the school farm. It was collected and flash frozen to reduce DNA degradation. The sample was then stored in the -80° until i

DNA extraction from Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that infects most warm-blooded organisms, including humans and causes the infectious disease, Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma gondii is transmitted to humans through consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked meats. While it is transmitted to grazing animals through consumption of feed and/or water contaminated with T. gondii in cat feces. Toxoplasmosis can cause humans and animals alike to have miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital defects, and other clinical symptoms. Currently, there is no widespread vaccine or treatment for T. gondii in sheep and goats. Therefore, once identified it is necessary that preventative mechanisms are taken. Hence, the objective of this study was to test for T. gondii in lambs found on Delaware State University’s Hickory Hill farm. To identify T. gondii, blood samples were collected from 15 lambs and the white blood cells separated, isolated, and stored at –80 oC for further processing. After isolation, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from the white blood cells of each animal and used to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a surface antigen one (SAG-1) gene specific forward and reverse primer to amplify the T. gondii gene. After PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis was conducted to fractionate the gene of interest by size and allow for visualization. Data indicated that none of the 15 lambs tested were positive for T. gondii at Hickory Hill Farm as the SAG-1 gene was not present. Under the conditions of this study, it can be concluded that T. gondii parasite is not present on the farm.

Identification of Toxoplasma gondii in Katahdin Lambs

Identifying the Eastern Oyster Growing Season in Rehoboth Bay, Delaware Jannah Zerrad1, Aaron Bland2, and and Gulnihal Ozbay2, Ph.D. Caesar Rodney High School, Camden Wyoming, Delaware1 Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Delaware State University, Dover Delaware2 Eastern Oysters, Crassostrea virginia, are valued for their culinary and ecosystem functions, such as improving water quality and providing habitat. Wild oysters have recently struggled to maintain their population in Rehoboth Bay, Delaware due to overharvesting and disease. However, oyster aquaculture farmers have recently begun to grow oysters in Rehoboth Bay, selling to restaurants and households. In addition, artificial oyster reefs were made in Rehoboth bay to increase the wild Eastern Oyster population. The observations of water quality are essential for identifying which dates are the best or worst in the given sites for oysters to survive and grow, both for aquaculture and restoration activities. Water samples were collected from seven sites every two weeks in Rehoboth Bay, Delaware. Measurements of temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were obtained using the YSI 556 multiprobe. Lastly, Chlorophyll a was measured using the Aquafluor Fluorometer. Trendlines for temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll from each of the seven sites were calculated and graphed. We found that the beginning of August-late September were the best times for ideal temperature conditions for Eastern Oysters. Mid-August and later November were found to be good salinity conditions while all sites were suitable conditions for dissolved oxygen in early August-late November. It was also found that all sites were lower in chlorophyll a than expected, suggesting there may be less algae than ideal for oyster growth. The overall best times for growing Eastern Oysters in Rehoboth Bay, Delaware would have been mid-August to late September. These findings may help oyster farmers and conservation managers improve their oyster rearing activities in Rehoboth Bay. Keywords: Dissolved oxygen, Salinity, Chlorophyll, Temperature, Eastern Oyster, Rehoboth Bay Acknowledgments: We acknowledge USDA NIFA Capacity Building Grant Award# 2016-06642 for funding my internship and the project as part of the student experiential learning goal and the Project Director, Dr. Gulnihal Ozbay for providing this internship opportunity.

Identifying the Eastern Oyster Growing Season in Rehoboth Bay, Delaware

Effect of Salinity and Dissolved Oxygen on Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) Size in Blackbird Creek, Delaware  Daivik Arora1, Jackie Maina2, and and Gulnihal Ozbay2, Ph.D. 1The Charter School of Wilmington1, Wilmington, DE 2Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Delaware State University, Dover, DE Blue crabs are a keystone species in the Delaware bay and are an important source of revenue. However, due to overfishing and water pollution, the crab population has declined significantly, going from 800 million in 1990 to 200 million in 2008 in the Mid-Atlantic region. Water quality changes can be linked to the development of low oxygen areas called dead zones in the feeding areas of the crabs, diminishing their food sources. Higher salinity levels in crab habitat has been associated with larger crabs due to its significance in shell development where calcium carbonate is the main component of the exoskeletons. In this research project, the effect of salinity and dissolved oxygen on crab size was determined using monthly water monitoring data from 2017 and 2020. The study was carried out in Blackbird Creek, Delaware, and 5 sites were identified based on dominant marsh vegetation and salinity gradient. The water quality testing was carried out using the YSI 556 multiprobe sensor and crab sampling was conducted using crab traps and trawling method. 108 crabs were used in this study. Carapace width was determined using calipers. The highest salinity average was recorded in site 1 (5.8 ppt) and the lowest average in site 5 (3.6 ppt). Dissolved oxygen had the highest mean in site 1 (6.6 mg/L) and the lowest mean in site 3 (5.6 mg/L). The largest carapace width average was at site 1 (113.1 mm), while the smallest width average was found in site 4 (94.2 mm). The preliminary results indicate that the largest crabs were from site 1, suggesting a positive relationship between salinity and crab size. These results contribute to the existing knowledge base on salinity and dissolved oxygen influence on blue crabs. Continued monitoring would provide more conclusive insight regarding applicability to blue crab management. Keywords: Dissolved oxygen, Salinity, Blue crab, Carapace, Blackbird Creek Acknowledgements: We acknowledge USDA NIFA Capacity Building Grant Awards# 2016-06642 and 2016-06476 for funding my internship and the project as part of the student experiential learning goal and the Project Director, Dr. Gulnihal Ozbay, and the Project Director, Dr. Shobha Sriharan, respectively for providing this internship opportunity.

Effect of Salinity and Dissolved Oxygen on Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) Size in Blackbird Creek, Delaware

Determining the Relationship Between Environmental Factors (Temperature, Turbidity, and Salinity) and Total Vibrio in Water Samples from Slaughter Beach, Delaware Bhini Arora1, DevothaTumushimiyimana2, Rosemary Ebirim3, and Gulnihal Ozbay2,3, Ph.D. 1TheCharter School of Wilmington, Wilmington, DE 2Food Science and Technology Graduate Program, Human Ecology Department, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 3Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Delaware State University, Dover, DE Vibrio are a group of comma shaped bacteria, in the family of Vibrionaceae, which are aquatic microorganisms that inhabit salt and brackish waters (salt and freshwater mixed together), and arepathogenic to humans and other sea life. Biological pollutants (such as Vibrio bacteria) that reside in water are considered to be threatening to ecosystems and human life. Measuring water quality parameters such as temperature, turbidity, and salinity helps us determine the correlation between these factors and the levels of Vibrio. The objectives of this research are to evaluate the total vibrio(V. vulnificus, V. tubiashii, V. coralliilyticus, V. parahaemolyticus) in sea water samples collected from Slaughter Beach, DE, and to determine the relationship between environmental factors such as temperature, turbidity, and salinity and the level of Vibrio in the water. Water samples were collected from two different sites (Cedar Creek and Boat ramp) from June to July, 2021 at high and low tides in Slaughter Beach, Delaware. The samples were collected bimonthly. A YSI-556 multiprobe system was used to measure temperature, and salinity, while turbidity was monitored using a Global Water WQ770 turbidimeter. Vibrio were monitored by Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salts Sucrose (TCBS) and Luria Broth (LB). 100 microliters of seawater were inoculated at 26°C and 37°C. Cedar Creek demonstrated high amounts of Vibrio spp. with high levels of salinity and temperature to both tides from June to July compared to the Boat ramp site. The Boat ramp site demonstrated high turbidity at high and low tides from June to July. This is a continuous project; more research is being conducted to come up with the concrete results and recommendations. Keywords:Vibrio, Temperature, Turbidity, Salinity Acknowledgements: We acknowledge USDA NIFA Capacity Building Grant Award# 2016-06642 for funding my internship and the project as part of the student experiential learning goal and the Project Director, Dr. Gulnihal Ozbay for providing this internship opportunity.

Relationship between Environmental Factors​ (Temperature, Turbidity, Salinity) ​ and Total Vibrio in Slaughter Beach, Delaware

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is the most cultivated horticultural crop among the small berries due to its rich, healthy components. The major barrier in strawberry cultivation is caused by gray mold fungus (Botrytis cinerea Pers.) that causes an extensive loss in production. The predominant use of copper-based fungicides for controlling the gray mold fungus has been toxic to the plants, and fungal strains were developing resistance. Therefore, the present work aimed to evaluate and identify an alternative approach for controlling the gray mold fungus by screening the strawberry germplasm for resistance. Developing new cultivars requires the effective identification of resistant strawberry genotypes; hence, the current study was aimed at the evaluation of strawberry genetic resources under lab conditions by establishing an invitro leaf disc assay. The leaf discs from six different strawberry varieties were screened on 0.6% agar media and infected with actively growing gray mold fungus mycelial discs and incubated in the growth chambers maintained at 25˚C with 80% of humidity for two days under dark and 5 days under 16/8 hours of light/dark conditions. The fungal infection injury rate was measured at 7 days after infection. We identified two highly resistant, two moderate resistant, and two sensitive genotypes among the six varieties screened. The fungal infection was successful on leaf discs and the resistant genotypes showed less necrotic lesions, and sensitive genotypes showed more lesions. This assay provided a simple and rapid method to identify the strawberry genotype's resistance to gray mold fungus and potential donor genotypes.

Evaluation of Strawberry Germplasm for Gray Mold Fugal Resistance

Laterality has an important correlation to behavior and genetic disorders. Behavior can be observed through the brain hemispheres, and certain disorders have a unique pattern of laterality. Using the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, gives more insight into human laterality. C. elegans laterality is observed through gut laterality that is established in the embryonic cell rotation. During early embryonic development, the direction of the rotation between the ABar, ABal, ABpr, ABpl cells shows laterality. The presence of certain genes have an impact on the rotation and gut laterality. More specifically, this project will focus on the embryonic rotations in TBB-1. TBB-1 is an important component of the microtubule, which forms the mitotic spindle. The mitotic spindle is known for its importance in chromatid separation. The absence of TBB-1 could lead to reverse gut laterality. Observing the embryonic cell rotation in C. elegans, gives more insight into its human ortholog and disease. C. elegans gut laterality can provide an understanding of the mechanisms of human laterality, which can impact behavioral studies.

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