Production of earthworm meal for aquaculture

Three soil sample media (loamy, sandy and clayey) were used to culture earthworm, (Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg) in earthenware pots for ten weeks, under laboratory conditions. The aims of the research are to culture earthworms as replacement for fish meal, and to determine the best suitable soil medium for culturing and breeding of earthworms. Two sets of treatments were set up with the three soil samples; the experimental containing organic matter (cow dung) and the controls lacking organic matter. Watering was done every three days to keep the culture moistened. but not saturated. Results of the study showed that loamy soil had the highest number of earthworms harvested, followed by sandy and then clayey soil. Increase in number of harvested earthworms between the experimental and control groups differ significantly (P< O.05), with the experimental group having higher number of harvested earthworms. Loamy soil was the most favourable medium that enhanced the growth and survival of earthworms, when cultured under laboratory conditions, for fish meal replacement in aquaculture

Some preliminary phytochemical screening and assessment of four solvents extracts of button weed (Borreria verticillata)

Borreria vertcillata is a woody perennial shrub with false-button weedy herb belonging to the family (Rubiaceae), used for treating/curing various forms of diseases across the world since ancient times. Qualitative phytochemical screening of Borreria vertcillata pulverized whole plant was carried out using four different solvent extracts (N-hexane, chloroform, ethyl-acetate and methanol). The phytochemicals screeened contained alkaloids, triterpenes, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponnins, anthraquinones and steroids. The extracts were then screened for the presence of some phytochemicals such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponnins, steroids, terpenes, flavonoids, tannins and glycosides. All the extracts contained alkaloids, triterpenes and glycosides present but flavonoids, saponnins and tannins only present in ethyl acetate and methanol while anthraquinones and steroids were totally absent from the extracts .Of all the extracts Ethyl acetate extracts had the most influential effects on pathogenic organisms such as Culex quinquefasciatus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candidas albica