Bioactive metabolites in improved cowpea seeds

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has developed some pest and disease resistant cowpeas. From these the seeds of 8 cowpea cultivars were extracted with ethanol, and partitioned into chloroform and water-soluble fractions, the water-soluble fraction was further extracted with ethyl acetate. Residues from ethanol, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions for each of the 8 cowpea cultivars were screened against brine shrimp larvae. The seed extracts of cowpea cultivars IT93K – 596 – 9 – 12, IT90K – 277 – 2 and IT93K – 452 – 1 were found to be most active, indicating that they contain cytotoxic compound(s).African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (6), pp. 513-516, 200

Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle for the Adsorptive Remediation of Petrochemical Effluents

The zinc oxide nanoparticle was synthesized via precipitation method. It was characterized using SEM-EDX, FTIR and TEM for morphology, elemental, functional groups and internal structure respectively. The physicochemical behaviour of a refinery effluent was assessed. The untreated raw refinery effluent from the point of discharge contained very high concentrations of pollutants for all the parameters, ranging between, pH (6.52-6.82), Turbidity (10-12 NTU), conductivity (266-289μs/cm), COD (116-138 mg/l), BOD (14-18.5 mg/l), DO (7.5-15.6 mg/l), TDS (436-486 mg/l), TSS (127-133 mg/l), Oil and grease (14.8-16.3 mg/l), sulphate (113-125 mg/l) and chloride (240-280 mg/l). The effluent was treated with ZnO nanoparticle and reduced the pollutants to the normal permissible limit set by WHO, FEPA and NESREA standard for portable water. The treated effluent sample showed values ranging between, pH (6.55-6.6), Turbidity (4.2-4.5 NTU), conductivity (245-246 μs/cm), COD (39-40 mg/l), BOD (10 mg/l), DO (5.6-10.4 mg/l), TDS (151-183 mg/l), TSS (24-28 mg/l), Oil and grease (7.3-9.5 mg/l), sulphate (100 mg/l) and chloride (200 mg/l). The heavy metals profile that was investigated are Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr of which were found above the WHO and FEPA permissible limit, however, on the contact with the adsorbent therefore reduced the metals to the permissible limit. It can be ascertain that ZnO nanoparticle can be used as an effective adsorbent for the treatment of petrochemical effluent

Evaluation of Anthhelmintic Potential of Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Seeds Administered In-Feed and In-Water for West African Dwarf (WAD) Goatss

Forty West African Dwarf (WAD) goats (average 10kg±0.25kg bodyweight) infected naturally with helminthes were used to evaluate the effectiveness of Carica papaya seeds in aqueous and crude extract forms against intestinal worms. The animals were randomly assigned into four treatment groups: GI, GII, GIII and GIV consisting of 10goats/group. GI animals were not treated while GII underwent Thiabendazole anthelmintic treatment. GIII and GIV were medically given the powdery and aqueous forms of C. papaya seed extract via feed and water respectively. Before anthelmintic treatments and after the 1st and 2nd two weeks of administering the anthelminth, faecal and blood samples were collected for parasitological and haematological analysis. Data collected were subjected to one-way ANOVA. Treatments of both aqueous and powdery forms of C. papaya seed extract resulted into a significant increase in lymphocyte counts, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and haemoglobin concentration. Conversely, there was significant decrease in the eosinophil counts. The reductions in the faecal egg counts of helminth when C. papaya seed extract were applied are comparable to those obtained for thiabendazole treatment. However, the effects of aqueous form of C. papaya seed extract were more conspicuous than the crude (powdery) extract administered via the feed. The results from this study suggests that extracts from C. papaya seeds could be of potential use as alternative anthelminthic to synthetic dewormers in therapeutic or sub-therapeutic use for production animals. Keywords: Anthelmintic, haematology, helminthes, parasitology, thiabendazol

Effect of acid and alkaline hydrolysis on the concentrations of albumin and globulin in Thevetia peruviana seed cake protein extract

Thevetia peruviana seeds cake were defatted and then treated with varying concentrations each of hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide solutions. Each product of hydrolysis was extracted with chloroform to isolate aglycones, the toxins of the seed. Various concentrations of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution effected complete detoxification. Only 0.4M and 0.5M of calcium hydroxide solution detoxified the seeds completely. Albumin and globulin determination by biuret method confirmed that various concentrations of the hydrolyzing agents increased the quantity of extractable albumin and globulin in the cake. Each solution used for the detoxification had closely related trend on the total albumin and globulin value of the treated cake. Higher quantities of albumin and globulin were recorded in the samples treated with various concentrations of calcium hydroxide solutions. The study suggests that calcium hydroxide at high concentrations appear to be the best detoxicant.Keywords: Thevetia peruviana; detoxification, albumin, globuli

Selection of Mass Transfer Models for Competitive Adsorption of Antibiotics Mixture from Aqueous Solution on Delonix regia Pod Activated Carbon

The selection of suitable mass transfer models that fit the adsorption of a mixture of antibiotics in aqueous solution onto activated carbon derived from Delonix Regia Pods (DRPs) was examined in this study. The ripe DRPs were cleaned, activated with KOH and then carbonised at 350 °C. The surface chemistry of the raw and the modified DRPs were characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), before being subjected to batch adsorption of a mixture of Amoxicillin (AMO), Tetracycline (TETRA) and Ampicillin (AMP)  under the effect of time (0-240 mins), and concentration (20-100 mg/l). The adsorption diffusion mechanisms of the process were analyzed. The spectra of the raw and modified DRP indicate the existence of hydroxyl groups alkanes, unconjugated ketone, carbonyl, and ester groups.  McKay has the highest  (0.9445) for the mass transfer diffusion model. This indicates that the adsorption rate of the selected antibiotics in the wastewater is regulated and monitored by the internal mass transport processes in accordance with a pore diffusion mechanism

Medicinal plants used to treat Snake bite by Fulani Herdsmen in Taraba State, Nigeria

Snake bite remains a public health hazard in tropical countries. Taraba State with a high Fulani population has one of the highest incidences in the country. The Fulani herdsmen are more at risk because of their agropastoralist lifestyle. Their village settlement positions make it more difficult for them to assess antiserum, the only source of treatment available for snake bite, Therefore the only option left for them is the use of village surrounding medicinal plants for the treatment of the snake bite. Recent efforts on ethnopharmacology revealed several of these medicinal plants with potential to treat snake bite. This work was designed to document medicinal plants used by Fulani herdsmen in Taraba State, Nigeria, for the treatment of snake bites. Information provided will enable further study on the efficacy of the medicinal plants so identified. Eight out of the total sixteen Local government areas (LGAs) of Taraba State, Nigeria were selected for the survey. Sixty four (64) herdsmen with good ethnomedical knowledge were interviewed. The results showed that 19 plants species belonging to 15 plant families were used as remedies for the treatment of snake bite by 42.20% of the Fulani herdsmen interviewed. Annona senegalensis was the most frequently used plant. The proposed mechanisms of action of these plants with regards to venom enzymes inhibition or neutralization were discussed. Further studies on the efficacy and toxicity of these plants are suggested

Structural And Phytochemical Characterization of Bioactive Components of the Endophytic Fungi (Trichoderma harzianum) Extracts

This research aims to investigate the antioxidant activity of the crude extract of endophytic fungi (T. harzianum) and to test for the presence of phytochemicals. Fungi isolated from the leaf and stem of endemic medicinal plant were extracted with ethyl acetate. The fungi extract was then investigated for its phytochemicals, antioxidants and active compounds through LC-MS. Some of the phytochemicals present in abundance include saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and steroids, with tanins and cardiac glycosides also present in reasonable amounts. Those compounds identified by LC-MS with antioxidant properties include inosine diphosphate, vigabatrin, isoamylnitrite, proline, trihexyphenidyl-N-oxide, N-methyl gabapentin, penbutolol, dextromoramide M2, solanidine, aceclidine, desethyleneciproflaxin, sapropterin and kinetin

Factors Affecting Efficiency of Biosorption of Fe (III) and Zn (II) by Ulva lactuca and Corallina officinalis and Their Activated Carbons

The removal of heavy metals from industrial waste has become crucial in order to maintain water quality levels that are suitable for environmental and species reproductive health. The biosorption of Zn+2 and Fe+3 ions from aqueous solution was investigated using Ulva lactuca green algal biomass and Corallina officinalis red algal biomass, as well as their activated carbons. The effects of biosorbent dosage, pH, contact time, initial metal concentration, and temperature on biosorption were evaluated. The maximum monolayer capacity of Ulva lactuca and Corallina officinalis dry algal powder and algal activated carbon was reached at pH 5 and 3 for Zn+2 and Fe+3, respectively, while the other factors were similar for both algae, which were: contact time 120 min, adsorbent dose 1 g, temperature 40 C and initial concentrations of metal ion 50 mgL1. The batch experimental data can be modelled using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Thermodynamic characteristics revealed that the adsorption process occurs naturally and is endothermic and spontaneous. For the adsorption of Zn+2 and Fe+3 ions, the value of G was found to be negative, confirming the practicality of the spontaneous adsorption process, which could be helpful for remediation in the era of temperature increase

High risk sexual behavior among adolescent senior secondary school students in Nigeria

Background: The consequences of high risk sexual practices (HRSP) are enormous among adolescent senior secondary school students. They therefore  need to have sufficient knowledge of HRSP.Aim Objectives: The study gauged the level of knowledge and perceptions of high risk sexual behavior among senior secondary school students in Ilorin, Nigeria with a view to improving their understanding of the current trends in HRSP. This  was a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study of adolescent secondary school students in Ilorin East Local Government Area. Multi – stage sampling method involving 3 stages was used. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain data. Informed consent of respondents was obtained. The data was analyzed using SPSS windows software package version 17.Results: Majority, 305 (69.5%) of the students were between 16 – 20 years. The major source of information was from movies, 42.5%, and the internet, 24.7%. Twenty-three percent (23.1%) had poor knowledge of HRSP. Thirty-eight percent (38.1%) did not consider indiscrimi- nate sexual intercourse as HRSP while 27.9% still believed that unprotected sexual practice is safe. Thirty-four percent (34.2%) did not  know that sex with multiple  partners is a HRSP while 34.4% did not know that oral –genital sex is unsafe.  Over thirty-two (32.9%) perceived that engaging in sex made them mature among peers. Twenty-four (24.7%) did not perceive any danger in keeping multiple sexual partners while 15.3% would still engage in unprotected sex.Conclusion: The students had relatively poor knowledge and perceptions of HRSP. Quite a number did not consider indiscriminate sexual intercourse as HRSP. An appreciable number did not perceive any danger in keeping multiple sexual partners or beingengaged in unprotected sex. Counselling on the dangers of HRSP should be a component of the school health services so as to curb the complications of HRSP in our secondary schools.Keywords: Knowledge, attitude , perception , high risk sexual practices, Nigeri

Preservation of Smoked African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus Burchell against Dermestes maculatus De Geer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) using Neem Seed Oil-iodized Salt Mixtures

Dermestes maculatus is a major fish pest causing serious damage when left uncontrolled. This work identifies the fatty acids of Nigeria-obtained neem seed oil (NSO) and the potential of different mixtures of the NSO and iodized salt in the control of the pest. Seven fatty acids: palmitic acid (18.09%), linoleic acid (33.73%), stearic acid (14.37%), oleic acid (13.4%), octadecanoic acid (12.93%), 9, 12–octadecadienoic acid (1.47%) and arachidic acid (3.33%) were identified in the NSO. Percentage of D. maculatus adu1t mortality (100%) observed in fish treated with 0.00 μl NSO + 0.50 mg salt, 100 μl NSO + 0.125 mg salt and 0.00 μl NSO + 0.25 mg salt was significantly (p<0.05) different from mortality observed in untreated fish (31.25%). Percentage of live larvae (0.0%) in fish treated with 0.50 mg salt + 0.00 μl NSO, 100 μl NSO + 0.125 mg salt, 0.00 μ1 NSO + 0.25 mg salt and 50 μl NSO + 0.125 mg salt was lower than 63.97% observed in the control. Percentage of weight loss of untreated (75.10%) and 50 μl NSO-treated fish (69.65%) was significantly higher than values obtained from fish treated with 0.5 mg salt (26.93%), 100 μ1 NSO + 0.125 mg salt (25.73%) and 0.25 mg salt (23.63%). Application of NSO-iodized salt did not change the colour and odour of treated fish. Consumers significantly rejected fish treated with ≥ 50 μl NSO