Studies on the Nutritional and Phytochemical Properties of Persea americana Seed

The phytochemical, nutrient, antinutrient and mineral element composition of seed extract of Persea americana were investigated. Phytochemical analyses of the seed extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, cyanogenic glycosides but no anthracine glycosides. Proximate analysis gave 12.90 ± 1.57% moisture; 18.53 ± 0.26% crude fat; 18.55±1.26% crude protein; 47.35±24% carbohydrate; 2.6±0.63% ash; 3.17±0.17% crude fibre. The seed also was a rich source of mineral elements; containing calcium 12.30±0.08 mg; iron 0.307± 0.13mg; magnesium 21. 12±3.86 mg; phosphorus 46.00±1.72 mg; potassium 103.8±0.22 mg; sodium 0.302± 0.02 mg; and zinc 0.087±0.01mg per 100gm dry weight respectively. Quantitative analyses of the anti nutritional components revealed oxalate, phytate, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and cyanogenic glycoside contents of 27.25±4.10, 5.44±0.03, 33.23±1.73, 56.11±0.21, 1.90 ± 0.08 and 24.01± 0.25 mg/100gm dry weight respectively. Keywords: Persea americana seed, Phytochemical screening, Proximate analysis, Antinutritional components, Mineral contentBio-Research Vol. 6 (1) 2008: pp. 320-32

A comparative study of the antimicrobial properties of the ethanolic extracts of Landolphia owariensis leaf and root

The leaf ethanolic extract (LEEX) and root ethanolic extract (REEX) of Landolphia owariensis were comparatively subjected to phytochemical and antimicrobial screening. Susceptibility of some clinicalisolates (Staphylococcus spp., Proteus spp. and Escherichia coli) to the extracts was determined using dehydrogenase assay method. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids,flavonoids, saponins and tannins in both the leaf and root extracts with cyanogenic glycosides present in the root extract only. The response of the bacterial strains to the leaf and root extracts was concentration dependent. Dehydrogenase activity was progressively inhibited by the root extract at a higher concentration range (150 – 2500 ìg/ml) than the leaf extract (20 – 2000 ìg/ml). LEEX gave an IC50 of 20, 200, and 550 mg/ml against Staphylococcus spp., Proteus spp. and E. coli, respectively, while REEX gave an IC50 of 340, 320, and 1560 mg/ml against the organisms, respectively. The LEEX exhibitedhigher antibacterial activity than the REEX. Susceptibility of the organisms to the extracts showed: Staphylococcus spp. > Proteus spp. > E. coli. The observed antimicrobial properties could be due to thepresence of alkaloid, flavonoids and tannins, which were identified in both extracts. The findings may be of clinical relevance and further substantiates the traditional use of L. owariensis leaves and rootsas antimicrobial agents

Inhibition of dehydrogenase activity in pathogenic bacteria isolates by aqueous extracts of Musa paradisiaca (Var Sapientum)

Inhibition of dehydrogenase activity in pathogenic bacteria isolates by aqueous extract from the unripe fruit peels (called the bark) and leaves of Musa paradisiaca var sapientum were investigated via dehydrogenase assay using 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) as the electron acceptor. Pure cultures of Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species were exposed to varied concentrations of theextract [0 – 2000 ìg/ml]. The extracts exhibited concentration dependent response against the tested organisms. Dehydrogenase activities (mg Formazan/mg cell dry weight/h) in the Gram-positiveStaphylococcus sp. and Gram-negative Pseudomonas sp. were 1.125 ± 0.056 and 0.740 ± 0.040, respectively, and were progressively inhibited in the pure cultures. Threshold inhibitory concentrations(IC50) of M. paradisiaca bark extract were 143.5 and 183.1 ìg/ml against Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species, respectively, while the threshold inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of M. paradisiaca leaf extract were 401.2 and 594.6 ìg/ml, respectively. The IC100 of the leaf extract against Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species were 1850 and 2000 ìg/ml respectively, while the bark could not completely inhibit the organisms at the tested concentrations. The bark and leaves of M. paradisiaca may be an available source of raw material for the production of chemotherapeutic agents against pathogenic bacteria

Phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of Landolphia owariensis leaf

Ethanolic extract of the leaves of Landolphia owariensis were subjected to phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus sp. and Proteus sp. using dehydrogenaseassay method. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. The bacterial isolates were exposed to different extract concentrations (20 – 2000 mg/ml)of the extract in nutrient broth, and their response was concentration dependent. In all three bacteria, dehydrogenase activity was progressively inhibited at concentrations of about 20 mg/ml, with total inhibition observed with 700 mg/ml for Staphylococcus sp., 1000 mg/ml for Proteus sp. and 1800 mg/ml for E. coli

Evaluation of the chemical composition of Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) seeds

The Chemical composition and the effect of heat treatment on seeds of Dacryodes edulis (G.Don) were studied. In the proximate analysis, the moisture (42.63 - 48.05%) and carbohydrate (35.94 - 38.35%) values were the highest. The values of the tannins (21.80 - 25.77%), alkaloids (10.40 - 10.60%) and saponins (5.92 - 6.72%) were higher than the other phytochemicals measured. Potassium (9.0 ± 0.005 - 11.00 ± 0.10 mg/100g), calcium (2.23 ± 0.006 - 5.88 ± 0.005 mg/100g) and phosphorus, (1.09 ±0.05 - 2.01 ± 0.5 mg/100g) were the predominant elements present in the seeds. Sodium, magnesium, selenium, zinc and iron were present in appreciable amounts but manganese was not detected. The ascorbic acid and vitamin A contents were (18.79 ± 0.81 - 25.76 ± 1.51 mg/100 g) and (1.12 ±0.04 - 1.64 ± 0.01 mg/100g) respectively. The results of this study showed that D. edulis seeds are potential source of essential nutrients to man and animal when properly processed.© 2010 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Food, phytochemical, chemoprotective, antioxidant, cofactor, deficiency, radical

Human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and haemoglobin genotypes in Owerri

No Abstract.Bio-Research Vol. 3(2) 2005: 59-6

Evaluation of β-carotene content and presence of some phytochemicals in five indigenous fruits

No Abstract. Plant Products Research Journal Vol. 10, 2006: 13-1