Effects of Copper Fungicides Spray on Nutrient Contents in Soils of Cocoa Growing Areas of Southwestern Nigeria

The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of copper fungicides spray on physical and chemical properties of soils of cocoa growing areas of southwestern Nigeria. Samples were collected from selected cocoa farms and adjacent plots across three states (9 samples from Osun State, 9 samples from Ondo State and 7 samples from Ekiti State), within rainforest zone of Nigeria. The physical and chemical properties of the soil samples were determined. Copper contents of the cocoa plantation soils were significantly higher (16.23 mg Cu/kg) than the adjacent plots (6.31 mg Cu/kg) indicating accumulation of Cu in the soil because of long-term Cu fungicides spray. Other chemical properties determined (pH, Zn, % organic matter, % total N, Ca, Mg and Na) also had higher values in cocoa plantations compared to adjacent plots. Significant decrease was observed in available P in soil samples from cocoa plantations (24.05 mg P/kg) when compared with adjacent plots (30.36 mg P/kg). Management practices like applications of K and P fertilizers are highly recommended for viable cocoa growth and optimum yield in the study areas. Reduction of canopy formed by cocoa trees will allow easy penetration of sunlight into cocoa plantation thereby increase the rate of organic matter decomposition. Keywords: Copper, fungicide spray, cocoa farms, black pod disease

Optimization of Process Variables for the Production of Oxalic Acid from Sweet Potato Starch Hydrolyzate.

In this study optimization of oxalic acid production from Sweet Potato Starch Hydrolyzate (SPSH) using Aspergillus niger was investigated. The effects of three independent variables (concentrations of SPSH, fermentation time and pH) on the response (oxalic acid yield) and their reciprocal interactions were established using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The box behnken design (BBD) was used to generate a total of 17 fermentation runs, which were subsequently conducted. A second-order mathematical model was obtained to predict the oxalic acid yield. A statistical model predicted the highest conversion yield of oxalic acid to be 103.274 g/l, at the optimal condition of SPSH of 149.97 g /l, time of 9 days, and pH of 6. The optimized condition was validated with the actual oxalic acid yield of 103.26 g/l. This work revealed that sweet potato starch could serve as alternative carbon source for oxalic acid production and the results could be scaled up to industrial production. Keywords: Sweet potato, Response Surface Methodology, Oxalic acid, Optimization, Aspergillus niger

Methanolic Extract Of Tetracera potatoria , An Antiulcer Agent Increases Gastric Mucus Secretion And Endogenous Antioxidants

In this study, the possible mechanism underlying the antiulcer activity of the methanolic extract of the root of Tetracera potatoria (MeTp) was studied in albino rats. Misoprostol and omeprazole were used as reference drugs. The animals had MeTp administered to them at varying doses of 100, 400 and 800 mg/kg for 15 days. MeTp significantly (P<0.05) increased gastric mucus secretion and gastric mucus cell counts when compared to control. MeTp treated animals also showed significant (P<0.05) increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) with concurrent decrease in the level of malonialdehyde (MDA) with respect to control. These findings suggest that part of the gastroprotective property of MeTp is associated with the ability of the extract to cause stimulation of gastric mucus secretion through increased number of gastric mucus cells. Increased SOD-activity and decreased MDA-levels further lend support to its gastroprotective effect

Eniotorin, An Anti-Malarial Coumarin From The Root Bark Of Quassia undulate

The chloroform soluble portion of methanolic extract of the root bark of Quassia undulata Simaroubaceae, gave four compounds: scopoletin 1, glaucarubinone 2, 15-desacetylundulatone 3 and a new coumarin, eniotorin 4. The structures were determined by analysis of the spectroscopic data. The aqueous extract and the isolated compounds exhibited dose-related effect against the P. falciparum malaria parasite in an in-vitro antimalarial assay. Key words: Eniotorin, Quassia undulata, Simaroubaceae, anti-malaria, simaroubaceae. Nig. J. Nat. Prod. and Med. Vol.8 2004: 69-7

The Effect Of Tetracera potatoria And Its Constituent Betulinic Acid On Gastric Acid Secretion And Experimentally- Induced Gastric Ulceration

This study was designed to examine possible antiulcerogenic activity of methanolic extract of Tetracera potatoria (MeTp) and betulinic acid isolated from it. Results showed that various doses of the extract (100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced experimentally induced gastric ulceration in pretreated animals in a dose-dependent fashion. Similarly, animals pretreated with 1 (0.2 and 2.0 mg/kg body weight) had significant reduction in mean ulcer indices recorded (

THE EFFECT OF TETRACERA POTATORIA AND ITS CONSTITUENT BETULINIC ACID ON GASTRIC ACID SECRETION AND EXPERIMENTALLY-INDUCED GASTRIC ULCERATION

This study was designed to examine possible antiulcerogenic activity of methanolic extract of Tetracera potatoria (MeTp) and betulinic acid isolated from it. Results showed that various doses of the extract (100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced experimentally induced gastric ulceration in pretreated animals in a dose-dependent fashion. Similarly, animals pretreated with 1 (0.2 and 2.0 mg/kg body weight) had significant reduction in mean ulcer indices recorded (p<0.05). The two doses of betulinic acid also significantly reduced basal gastric acid secretion in the animals (p<0.05). Although no significant changes were observed in gastric acid secretion with the low doses of 0.02 and 0.2 mg/kg body weight of the extract, there was however significant reduction in gastric acid secretion with animals treated with 2.0 mg/kg body weight extract(P < 0..05). These results suggest that decreases in mean ulcer indices in response to the extract and betulinic acid appear to be dependent on the inhibition of gastric acid secretion