Biochemical Characterisation of 18 Accessions of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) using Total Leaf and Tuberous Root Protein by SDS-PAGE

Abstract

DNA-based markers,undeniably, provide potent tools for studying genetic relationships in plants; however, potential of protein-based markers using SDS-PAGE is quite promising, particularly in developing countries. Plant storage proteins serve as molecular reserves imperative for plant growth and maintenance and thus have proven to be essential for the survival of plant species. Storage proteins are also indispensable in plant defense mechanisms as insecticidal and anti-microbial proteins. They have also been widely employed as biochemical markers for genetic diversity studies. Eighteen sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) accessions with local or exotic origin were evaluated for genetic diversity using leaf and tuberous root protein via sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Marked variations observed in the electrophoregrams of total leaf and tuberous root proteins gave an indication of intense variability among the accessions. Molecular size of proteins ranged from 20.23 to 28.89 kDa and 22.44 to 97.19 kDa, in the total leaf and tuberous root proteins, respectively. Two pairs of accessions SA/BNARI and UE 007 as well as HMA 1 and US 029 were identified as duplicates based on their banding patterns.

Keywords: Biochemical, characterisation, SDS-PAGE, sweet potato, leaf& tuberous root protein