PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND ANTIMICOBIAL ACTIVITIES OF EXTRACTS OF PARKIA CLAPPERTONIANA STEM BARK

Neji P.A ^1*, O.A.Ushie² Gunda H.J.³ & U. Umoh⁴

¹Department of Chemical Science, Cross River University of Technology Calabar, Nigeria

²Department of Chemical Science, Federal University Wukari Nigeria

³Department of Chemistry Education, Federal College of Education (Technical) Potiskum, Nigeria

⁴Department of Chemistry University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

Email: afiushie@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The stem-bark of Parkia clappertoniana was subjected to photochemical screening using standard procedure. The method of cold solvent was used in the extraction. The stem-bark of Parkia clappertoniana as prepared by soaking 60g of it in 150ml of hexane for four days and filtered, concentrated by evaporation, dried and weighed. The procedure was repeated with chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol sequentially in order of polarity. The stem-bark extracts of hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol were screened for the presence of some phytochemical such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, terpenes, flavonoids and tannins. The result obtained revealed the presence of anthraquinones and terpenes in all the extracts. Flavoniods were found in the extracts except for hexane extracts. Saponin was only present in chloroform and acetone. Alkaloids and tannins were present in hexane, acetone and methanol extracts.  The antimicrobial activities of the extracts were tested against some clinical isolates and the result of the sensitivity tests of the organisms to the extracts showed the extract had antibacterial activity against the test bacterial isolates.

SOURCE APPORTIONMENT OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN SELECTED SOIL SAMPLES WITHIN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA USING ISOTOPE COMPOSITION

Ivwurie W., Emelife S.C., Sun C. and Snape C.

Department of Chemistry,

Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun

Email: wivwurie@yahoo.com 

ABSTRACT

Five soil samples from five different communities in Delta state were analyzed for their isotopic compositions using gas chromatograpy-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS). The bulk isotope ratio ranged from -25.5 ‰ to -27.4 ‰.  The bulk isotope ratio for samples from Erhiemu, Egbo-Uwherhie and Afioseri suggested that the PAHs had predominant contributions from crude oil source while that for the other two samples from Abraka (road side and farm field) showed PAH input from other sources (pyrosynthetic origin).

ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF SOME ANTIMALARIAL MEDICINAL PLANTS, THEIR THERAPEUTIC PREPARATION AND ADMINISTRATION IN ABIA STATE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Onyenso, A.I. and Onyenweaku, L.N.

Department of Forestry and Environmental Management

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State

E-mail: onyensoanthony@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for the treatment of malaria in Abia State, Southeastern Nigeria was carried out using questionnaire and oral interviews of practicing orthodox medicine dealers and patrons. Results indicated that 23 plant species belonging to 18 families were identified. Investigations on the plant part(s) used and mode of preparation and administration indicated that irrespective of plant and part(s) used, water was the main medium for all medicinal preparations. Treatment regimes generally included drinking the aqueous preparation until symptoms disappear. Although the anti-malarial efficacy of the plants described in this paper is not known with certainty, this survey adds to the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the search for natural antimalarials and provides a basis for future research on these plants.

SURVEY OF BACTERIAL, FUNGAL AND VIRAL DISEASES OF POTATO (Solanum tuberosum L) IN AMPANG-WEST DISTRICT OF MANGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA PLATEAU STATE

Ndor, Dombin Chirlak

Plateau State College of Agriculture,

P.M.B 001 Garkawa,Mikang L.G.A

Email: ndor.julna@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

A survey of bacterial, fungal and viral diseases of potato (Solanum tuberosum L) was conducted in August 2013 cropping season in some farms in villages of Ampang West District. The survey was carried out in six major villages by a random survey approach for selection of farms. The survey was carried out using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with the villages considered as treatments and the farms as replicates. A picture book (CIP, 2009a) containing an overview and description of disease symptoms was used to help in field identification of the different diseases. Vascular flow test was also used to confirm bacterial infections. Percentage occurrences in the villages range from 1.29 to 6.03% infected by bacterial that by viral ranges from 4.39 to 18.40% and fungal infections ranges from 5.81 to 50.47%. There was a significant difference in percentage infections of these diseases amongst the villages. Level of infections were higher in Jirep village as compared to Ngo, Nga’al and Larpya villages, However infections by these diseases were statistically the same in Jirep Fwam and Chindom villages at 5% level of significance. These infections were attributed to the use of farmer’s saved seeds obtained from previous season recycle over and over the years. It is therefore, recommended that training the farmer’s on “select the best “(CIP 2009 b), a technique for seed selection in the production areas to reduce the multiple effects of these diseases. Government should also encourage the production of seed potatoes by private companies.

THE DETERMINATION OF ASPARTATE AND ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN WISTAR RATS FED WITH MODIFIED DIET OF EDIBLE BLACK CARICA PAPAYA L.SEEDS

¹P. I. Imoesi, ¹L. Edemhanria, ²F. A. Esekheigbe and ³K. Okoyomoh

¹Department of Chemical Sciences (Biochemistry), Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.

³Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

E-mail: imoesi.peter@yahoo.co.uk.

ABSTRACT

In recent times, research done on Carica papaya seeds has shown its nutritive and medicinal benefits without resort to possible side effect. However, studies have shown that the consumption of C. papaya seeds causes vascular contraction, infertility in female rats, reduced sperm counts, sperm cell degeneration and abortifacient properties.  This study was designed to determine the enzyme assay level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities in the serum of wistar rats fed with modified diet of C. papaya milled seeds to ascertain possible hepatic or myocardia defect. A total of 15 wistar rats were divided into two groups comprising of test (8) and control (7) respectively. The test group were fed with modified diet of edible black C. papaya seeds and the control group with grower’s marsh feed for a period of 9 weeks. The determination of aspartate aminotransferase activity showed the Mean ± SEM of aspartate aminotransferase activity in the serum of the test group as 0.38±0.03 and the control group 0.19±0.10 respectively. Subsequently, alanine aminotransferase activity from the obtained test and control groups showed the Mean ± SEM of alanine aminotransferase activity in the serum as 0.86±0.02 and 1.25±0.03 respectively. Furthermore, there is a significant (P<0.05) difference between the control and test group based on the level of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activity in the serum. In summary, transaminases are usually used in the diagnosis of liver damage and myocardia infarction. Therefore, the increase level of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase in the serum of Wistar Strain albino rats may suggest possible damage of hepatocyte cardiac muscles associated with the consumption of diet modified fed with C. papaya seeds.

HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION OF PLANTS (Zea mays, Potato, Green leaf, Water leaf) GROWN AROUND WASTE DUMPSITES IN OZORO, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Ojebah, C. K & Uwague, A.

Department of Science Laboratory Technology

Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.

Email: ckojebah@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the heavy metal concentration of plant/food crops grown around waste dumpsites in Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria. Four different plants (Zea may, Potato, Green leaf and Water leaf) were used for this study. The plant samples were air dried for three days and there after ashed in an electric furnace at 450˚C. 2g of the ashed plant was weighed and put in a beaker. 10ml of nitric/perchloric acid, ratio 2:1 was added to the sample and digested at 105˚C for 1hour. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) (Varian spectra 200 AA model) was used to determine the total metal concentration in the various plant samples. Iron was the predominant metal in all the samples and its concentration though low ranged from 1.84 – 4.24mg/kg. The concentration of Manganese and Zinc was equally low and ranged from 0.83 – 1.67mg/kg and 0.01 – 2.12mg/kg respectively. Similarly copper, cadmium and lead concentrations were also relatively low. The mean concentration of all the metals in the four plants is in the order of Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu>Cd>Pb. There was significant variation in metals from plant to plant (P<0.05). The results obtained were still within the permissible level set by FAO/WHO. This situation is a threat to our life, therefore planting of vegetables within or around dumpsites should be discontinued with.

ACID PHOSPHATASE FROM SCORPION VENOM: CHARACTERIZATION AND INHIBITION BY Boswellia Dalzielii AND Bauhinia Rufescens METHANOLIC EXTRACTS

H. Zanna, Y. Tijani, C. Chidiebere and A. Daniel

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science

University of Maiduguri P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

E-mail : zannahassan@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

Partial characterization of Opisthacanthus capensis venom acid phosphatase and inhibitory effects of methanolic extracts of Boswellia dalzielii and bauhinia rufescens on the venom enzyme were reported. Acid phosphatase from O. capensis  venom had pH and temperature optima of 6 and 30°C respectively with an activation energy of 0.13 J/mol. The O. capensis venom acid phosphatase also displayed  K_m, V_max and K_cat of 0.29 mg/ml, 0.0286 µmol/min and 0.10 min^-1 respectively. Different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/ml) of the methanolic  extracts of stem and root barks of B. dalzielii and B. rufescens inhibited O. capensis acid phosphatase activity respectively with the extracts from the both plants displaying a mixed non-competitive inhibition pattern and a  decrease in the computed index of efficiency (K_cat). This study provides some scientific basis for the use of these plants by the herbalists in the management of poisonous scorpion bites.

DETERMINATION OF NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF Citrullus lanatus (WATER MELON) FRUIT

Jatau A, Malami Y.G.  Rukayya A. and Zainab S.J.

Department of Science Laboratory Technology

The Polytechnic of Sokoto State, Sokoto

E-mail: abdulhanto@yahoo.com 

ABSTRACT

The nutritional quality of pulp, rind and seed, of Citrullus lanatus were determined. The study was carried out on dried sample. The percentage composition of pulp, seeds and rind tested were found to be low in Ash content for pulp, seeds and rind of C. lanatus (0.46, 0.62, & 0.94%) and high in carbohydrates content (91.49, 84.31 & 37.89%) respectively. Similarly the concentration of mineral elements potassium (K) was found to be low in pulp, seeds and rind and high in sodium (Na) in different part of the C. lanatus. The nutrients content obtained from the different part of the plant may contribute to the maintenance of good nutritional status and hence good health for both man and livestock.