Intellectual Capital Formation and Economic Growth in Nigeria

Education develops in individuals both physical and intellectual capacities which are critical for economic growth of a country. This study examines the contributions of education to growth in Nigeria using secondary data covering periods of 1980-2011. The unit root and Co-integration tests were conducted and Error Correction Mechanism (ECM) was employed. The results show that public investment in education maintains a positive long run relationship with economic growth while the school enrolments and real capital investment exhibit long run negative relationship with economic growth. The study therefore, among others recommends that the policy makers should pay more attention to education sector in terms of its yearly allocations and disbursement, also put in place the policy to increase the school enrolment ratio of the population and then invest more in the acquisition of physical capital to stimulate rapid economic growth in Nigeria. Keywords: public expenditure, intellectual capital, education, real investment, economic growth

Elucidation of Bioactive Compounds in Methanol Extract of Mitracarpus Vilosus Leaf using GC-MS analysis

Mitracarpus vilosus is widely used among the indegenes of Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State for the treatment of skin lesions. This study elucidated the phytochemical constituents in 80% methanolic leaf extract of Mitracarpus vilosus. Phytochemical screening and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were carried out on the leaf extract. The qualitative analyses showed the presence of the following phytochemicals, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and steroids. The phytochemical screen did not reveal any flavonoids. However, Squalene 14.27%, n-Hexadecanoic acid 11.60%, 2-Octylcyclopropene-1-heptanol 8.43%, Octadecanoic acid 5.45%, 1,4-Naphthalenedione 3.19% were the first five major bioactive compounds revealed by GC-MS in the leaf extract. The results of this study validated the bioactive constituents in Mitracarpus vilosus which may be the justification for its use for the treatment of skin lesions and other ailments. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-14-04 Publication date:July 31st 202

Elucidation of Phytochemicals in Mitracarpus Vilosus Flower Extract using GC-MS

Mitracarpus villosus which belongs to the family of Rubiaceae is one of the important medicinal plants widely known for its broad spectrum of pharmacological activities and biological uses which includes antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, and antibacterial activities amongst others. It is used in the treatment of various ailments such as ulcers, and skin-related infections like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and acne. This study elucidated the phytochemical properties of Mitracarpus villosus flower. This was achieved through the methanolic extraction of M. villosus flower, and further phytochemical analysis of the methanol extract such as the tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and cardiac glucoside contents. Moreso, the use of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) technique was employed on the methanolic extract to isolate and characterize the different bioactive compounds present and to further validate the qualitative data obtained from the phytochemical analysis. Results obtained exhibited the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, and cardiac glucoside, with a noticeable absence of terpenoids. Also, the GC-MS analysis showed spectra of 52 bioactive compounds present in the extract with five specific compounds having the highest composition such as oleic acid (14.76%), 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (11.25%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (10.92%), octadecanoic acid (9.21%), and squalene (8.87%) having the highest composition. The presence of these phytochemicals with their numerous biological activities in the methanolic extract of M. vilosus flower makes it a promising pharmaco-therapeutic agent, and thus should be employed in medicine for the treatment of diseases and also as an active agent in the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical industries. Keywords: Mitracarpus vilosus flower, Phytochemicals, Methanol extracts, GC-MS DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-14-05 Publication date:July 31st 202