Preliminary Phytochemical Screening of Fresh and Dried Moringa oleifera Leaves and that of Chloroform, Ethylacetate and n-Butanol Fractions

The preliminary phytochemical screening of the crude aqueous extract of fresh and dried Moringa oleifera leaves, of the organic solvent and residual fractions of the extract was carried out according to the standard methods. Chemical constituents of the crude aqueous extract of the fresh leaves were found to be tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, steroids and terpenes. The crude aqueous extract of the dried leaves contain the same chemical components like that of the fresh leaves except for the absence of steroids and terpenes. Based on the organic solvent extract analysis, the chloroform portion of the extract contains saponins, carbohydrate, flavonoid, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids. The ethyl acetate fraction contains similar chemical constituents and in addtion tannins. Also the n-butanol fraction of the extract contains tannins, saponin, carbohydrate, flavonoid, and alkaloid. The residual aqueous fraction of the extract contained tannins, carbohydrate, flavonoid,and phlobatannin. Anthraquinones were completely absent from the analysis of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts. The observed chemical constituents have been discussed in relation to the acclaimed medicinal properties of the plant.Key words: Phytochemistry, crude aqueous extract, organic solvent fractions, Moringa oleifera leave

Vices Among Commercial Chickens in Maiduguri, Borno State: Causes and Possible Intervention Strategies

A survey was carried out to determine the presence of vices in commercial chickens in Maiduguri, Borno State, between Marchto July, 2005. Types, causes, and possible control measures were also investigated. Forty flocks were randomly selected and studied. These included institutional, government and private (small and large) farms. The use of questionnaires, farm records and scheduled interviews with the farm managers and farm owners were employed for data collection. Out of the 40 flocks examined, 18(45%) were layers, 7(17.5%) were chicks, 8(20%) were growers and 7(17.5%), consist of various breeds of chickens such as ISA Brown, white Leghorn, Black Harco and Shika brown breeds. Thirty (75%) out of the total flocks exhibited various kinds of vices ranging from cannibalism, vent pecking, feather pulling, toe pecking, head pecking and egg eating. Out of these thirty flocks, ISA brown flocks recorded the highest incidence of vices with 40%, followed by white Leghorn with 30%, Black Harco with 27% and Shika brown breeds constituting 3%. Layers displayed a high level (94%) of vices in their flocks compared to layers (75%), chicks (57%) while broilers exhibited the lowest degree of vices (43%). Management system employed on the farm played a major role in outbreak of vices observed in the flocks. Birds managed under intensive system showed a high level of vices when compared to those managed under semi- intensive and extensive methods. The nature of feed given to the birds showed positive correlation with vices. Debeaking, combination of debeaking with mineral and vitamin supplement in the feeds, and culling were the best and effective strategies for controlling outbreak of vices in the flock.Key words: Vices, chickens, causes, intervention strategies, Maiduguri, Nigeri

Occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Salmonella serovars from fish in Maiduguri, sub-Saharah, Nigeria

Evaluation of human and animal health surveillance programs is currently lacking in most developing countries including sub-Saharan Africa. To evaluate the burden of salmonellosis and antimicrobial resistance status in developing countries, we need to identify the sources, serovar distribution and the prevalence of Salmonella to guide in the formulation of control program. This study was undertaken to determine the prevailing Salmonella serovars, the occurrence and the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica recovered from fish. Stratified random sampling was carried out in 2009 on 200 fish samples. All the isolates were biochemically characterized and presumptive Salmonella isolates were serotyped using standard procedure and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). A total of 23 isolates were positive for Salmonella out of the 200 samples (11.5%) analyzed, three different serovars comprising Salmonella serovars Hadar, 47: mt:-, and Eko were obtained. Generally, the antimicrobial resistance profile was low; however Salmonella Hadar showed a high level of resistance to the antimicrobial agents. Salmonella serovars; Hadar, 47: mt:- and Eko are the pathogens associated with fish contamination in Maiduguri, North eastern Nigeria and constitute serious health risks for the human population and need to be controlled by targeted interventions