SDS-PAGE characterization of green-stemmed and red-stemmed Basella alba L.

Abstract

The characterization of species by electrophoresis has played significant roles in delimiting species over the years. In this study, the leaves and seeds obtained from matured green-stemmed and red-stemmed Basella alba were characterized using Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS-PAGE) Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) with a view to investigate their taxonomic status. Data obtained revealed high level of similarity in the seed and leaf protein profile of the two Basella morphotypes studied.  The study revealed relatively high level of coefficient of similarity between the  green stemmed and the red stemmed Basella alba studied, with the seed protein having 50% and  the leaf protein having 75% similarity, indicating that a strong degree of similarity exist between the green stemmed and the red stemmed Basella alba studied irrespective of their stem colors. Five common bands were found between the seed protein of the green stemmed and red stemmed B. alba studied at 0.2cm – 0.4cm, 4.3 – 4.8 cm, 4.8 – 5.2, 5.5 cm – 5.8 cm, and 6.0 cm – 6.5 cm. The red stemmed B. alba seed  protein had 2 unique bands at 2.6 cm – 3.2 cm and 3.6 cm – 4.3 cm, while the green stemmed had 3 unique bands at 2.8 cm – 3.2 cm,  5.2 cm –  5.3 cm, and 6.4 cm – 6.5 cm. Six common bands were found in the leaf protein of the two B.alba morphotypes studied at 2.3 – 2.6 cm, 4.5 cm – 4.8 cm, 5.0 – 5.4 cm, 6.0 cm – 6.3 cm, 6.4 cm – 6.5 cm, and 6.5 cm –  6.6 cm. The red-stemmed Basella alba leaf had one (1) unique band at 0.2cm – 0.4cm, while the green-stemmed Basella alba leaf had one (1) unique band at 0.1cm. The study supported the taxonomic classification of the green stemmed and red stemmed B.alba as morphotypes or varieties belonging to same species.