Ethnomedicinal Survey and Phytochemical Screening of Plants Used To Treat Epilepsy by Traditional Healers in Etche, Rivers State, Nigeria

Epilepsy is one of the oldest recorded medical ailments. Ethnomedicinal survey was carried out to identify and take a detailed list of the medicinal plant species used to treat epilepsy and assess how they are used in Etche Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, Nigeria. Semi-structured questionnaires were used during the survey to conduct interviews with traditional healers and other knowledgeable individuals on the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of epilepsy. Twelve communities were randomly selected while a total of 54 respondents were purposively selected. The respondents consist of 82.5% males and 12.3% females, 43.9% were above 60 years while 28.1% were between 51-60 years. Traditional medicine practitioners (TMP) formed 75.4% of the respondents, primary occupation of other knowledgeable respondents on plants used for epilepsy were civil servants (8.8%), farming and trading (3.5%). A total of 25 medicinal plant species were recorded during the survey. Phytochemical screening was carried out on five medicinal plants based on frequency of mention, the screening showed presence of alkaloids, triterpenoids, steroids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, cardenolides and carbohydrates. Plant resources employed in the local treatment of epilepsy in Etche were documented. Further research on isolation of active compounds on frequently used plants for epilepsy is encouraged to harness their potentials

Nutritional and Elemental Characterization of Local Forest Spices used among Itsekiri Ethnics, Nigeria

Although spices are added to food in small quantities for their flavour and aroma, they also have impact on the health of consumers. This study aimed at ascertaining the nutritional and elemental composition of the most preferred forest spices used amongst Itsekiri ethnics in Delta state, Nigeria. The most preferred spices were determined through questionnaire administration to 143 users and sellers. Crude protein, fat, fibre, ash and moisture content were analyzed using the standard methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Elemental analysis was done using PIXE accelerator to detect the heavy metals (Mg, Al, Si, Cr, Fe, Zn, Mn & Cu) in the five most preferred local spices. One way ANOVA was used to separate the means of the elements while mean comparison was done with LSD. The five most preferred spices include Monodora myristica, Xylopiaa ethiopica, Parinari excelsa, Aframomum subsericeum and Ighereje (Itsekiri local name). Xylopiaa ethiopica had the highest Crude protein (16.83%) while Parinari excelsa had the lowest percentage crude protein (11.67%). Monodora myristica had highest moisture content (10.8%) while Xylopia aethiopica had the lowest (6.52%). Elemental analysis revealed magnesium as the highest in concentration for Ighereje (3079.03ppm). Silicon and manganese were found to be higher in Aframomum subsericeum with 1488.2ppm and 148.9ppm respectively. Overall, the spices were found to contain significant nutrients required for good health. However, the concentrations of some elements in the spices per 1 kg samples were higher than the WHO/FAO maximum permissible daily limit which could make the spices not safe for daily consumption. But very little quantity are needed as flavourant (usually below 50g/family NOT individual), therefore consumption of the forest spices may be deemed safe for consumption

Growth, yield and proximate content of two varieties of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in response to compost

A field experiment was conducted between August and November, 2013 at the Organic Agriculture Skills Demonstration Plot, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria to determine the growth and yield response of two cucumber (Cucumis sativus) varieties („Poinsett‟ and „Marketmore‟) to compost applied at 0, 5, 10 and 20 t/ha. The experiment was a factorial arrangement fitted into a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GENSTAT 12th edition (commercial version) and the separation of treatment means was done by the use of Least Significance Difference (LSD) at 5% level (Wahua, 1999). The parameters assessed were number of leaves, leaf area, number of flowers, fruit yield and proximate content. Both varieties did not differ significantly in vegetative growth and fruit yield. Nonetheless, Marketmore fruits had higher crude protein and calcium but lower vitamin C than those of „Pointset‟. Cucumber treated with compost rate at 10 or 20 t/ha produced more leaves and broader leaves than 0 and 5 t/ha. Cucumber that received compost at 10 t/ha produced highest number of flowers than other rates. There was no significant difference in the fruit yield of cucumber that received 5, 10 or 15 t/ha. However, application of compost at 5, 10 or 20 t/ha compost had higher fruit yield than control. Vitamin A content was highest in cucumber fruit treated with 20 t/ha of compost than other rates. Vitamin C content was higher in cucumber applied with 10 or 20 t/ha when compared with 0 or 5 t/ha compost. Vitamin C content was highest in „Marketmore‟ applied with 10 or 20 t/ha, and „Pointset‟ with 20 t/ha compost. Consequently, for cucumber fruit production, either variety could be used and 5 t/ha of compost is optimum. However, Marketmore‟ applied with 10 t/ha compost is optimum to enhance vitamin C content of cucumber