Assessment of Physicochemical and Fatty Acids Composition of Crude Seed Oil Extract of Azadirachta indica Adr. Juss. for its potential in Biodiesel Production

This study investigates the physico-chemical and fatty acids composition of crude seed oil extracts of Azadirachta indica . The main objective was to evaluate some biodiesel characteristics of the crude seed oil extract of Azadirachta indica. The procedures of the Association of Official and Analytical Chemist (AOAC) were used for assessment of some physical, biochemical, and fatty acids constituents of the test seed oil extract. The physical properties assayed for indicate that the oil is liquid at room temperature, non-drying, with specific gravity, with flash and melting points of 0.910±0.08 g/cm3, 80±2.10°C and 76±1.60°C respectively. The chemical properties included 66.77±2.55 g/100g (iodine value), 1.465±0.07 (refractive index@ 30°C), 212.96±1.16 mgKOH/g (saponification value), 0.39±0.16 meq/Kg (peroxide value), 4.24±0.12 mgKOH/g (acid value), 2.20±0.12 mm2/s (viscosity value), 56.91±2.19 (cetane number), 39.21±1.11 MJ/kg (calorific value) and 2.13±0.05% w/w (free fatty acids). Fatty acids composition of the crude seed oil of A. indica obtained were linoleic, hexadecanoic, octadecanoic and alpha linolenic acids, with retention time and % composition of 18.2 min and 10.8±0.50%, 22.2 min and 30.01±1.79%, 18.2 min and 59.10±2.22%, and 20.2 min and 0.09±0.02% respectively. The crude seed oil extract clearly presents a potential as a biodiesel substrate for incorporation as a proximate blend in auto-engines. This therefore would necessitate intensive afforestation efforts of the plant species for sustainable utilization. Keywords: Azadirachta indica, Biodiesel, physico-chemical, fatty acids, crude seed oil, extract

Effects of Solid State Fermentation on some Physicochemical and Nutritional Properties of Post-Harvest Cowpea (Virgna unguiculata (L)Walp) Leavesv

The effects of solid state fermentation on some physical characteristics, proximate and amino acid profile of post-harvest cowpea (Virgna unguiculata (L) Walp) leaves were investigated. Pulverized samples of the post-harvest materials were incubated at 260C for 96 hours, followed by urea and trichloroacetic acid treatments. Triplicate samples of fermented and unfermented materials were subjected to standard procedures to determine variations in weight, pH, proximate and amino acids profile. There was a reduction in weight, which was significant (p<0.05) with increase in fermentation time. pH stabilized at 6.62 and 6.65 at 96 hours of fermentation (HOF), before and after urea treatment, respectively. Fermented samples showed significant increase (p<0.05) in crude protein (37.30%), crude fat (95.69%), total ash (75.73%) and nitrogen- free extract (NFE) (5.00%) over the unfermented ones. However there were percentage reductions in crude fibre (46.60%) and moisture content (61.95%) after fermentation. The Total Amino Acids (TAA) increased from 49.64 ± 0.87 to 98.90 ± 1.70 with a general increase in all amino acids except proline and cysteine having 12.72% and 10.06% as percentage reductions, respectively. Some essential amino acids (methionine, phenylalanine and tyrosine) and non-essential amino acids (serine and proline) were limiting. The findings unveiled the feed supplement potentials of the fermented materials for use in livestock and pharmaceutical industries in Nigeria. Keywords: Fermentation, Nutritional Value, Post-Harvest, Cowpe

Anti-reproductive efficacy of Adansonia digitata Powder against Dinoderus porcellus Associated with Yam Chips Spoilage in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

This study assessed the reproduction inhibition effects of Adansonai digitata plant part powders against D. porcellus affecting yam chips. Reproduction of adults D. porcellus were monitored with various doses of Adansonai digitata plant part powders and untreated yam chips as negative control (0 g). The finding of the research indicated that all treatments exhibited anti-reproduction potential and strong inhibition of D. porcellus emergence. The result of analysis of variance showed significant difference between the treated samples and the control (untreated) after 37 days. Adansonai digitata stem bark powders (10 g) was able to achieve no reproduction(0.00) after 37 days exposure. Based on this results, combining yam chips with 10 g of Adansonai digitata stem bark powders could ensure adequate management of D. porcellus destroying yam chips and yam tubers as a whole. Keywords: Adansonai digitata, D. porcellus, yam chips, Stem bark powder, Leaf powde

Insecticidal Effect Of Adansonia digitata Stem Bark And Leaf Powders On Dinoderus porcellus

This study evaluated insecticidal activity of different doses of Adansonia digitata stem bark and leaf powders on yam beetles dinoderus porcellus. Obtained plant parts from Federal colloge of Forestry, Jos were pulverized into powders. Phytochemical constituents of the plant were extracted by Soxhlet extraction and identified using standard procedure. Mortality testing was done by exposing dinoderus porcellus to yam chips mixed with various doses of Adansonia digitata stem bark and leaf powders. Yam chips without treatment served as the control. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete design with three replications. Data obtained were analysed using analysis of variance (P≤ 0.05). The result of the phytochemical examination of ethanolic extract of A. digitata revealed the presence of saponins, phenols, tannins and alkaloids flavonoids. The finding revealed the superiority of yam chips mixed stem bark and leaf powders over the untreated. The effect of plant extracts on percentage mortality showed significant difference (p<0.05) among the treated and control. The sample treated with 15g of A. digitata stem-bark powder gave the highest mortality. The research hence recommends the use of 15 g of A. digitata stem-bark powder in elimination of Dinoderus porcellus infecting yam chips. Keywords: A. digitata, Insecticida, Mortality, flavonoid, Dinoderus porcellu

Structure of Plants across Habitat Types in Amurum Forest Reserve, Plateau State Nigeria

The Amurum Forest Reserve is one of the nature reserves in Plateau State North central Nigeria. Strict Nature reserve is prominent among the methods for in situ conservation of biodiversity in Nigeria and also the world at large. A study was conducted in the Forest across three habitat types in order to measure tree height and diameter at breast height (dbh) of trees. 50m x 50m plots were marked across the habitat types by simple random sampling technique. Trees and shrubs were identified to species level. Measurement were limited to all woody plants with diameter at breast height (dbh) of ≥ 10cm. Data collected was analyzed in excel. A total of 397 woody species were identified during the study period. 87.7 of the plants were shrubs while 12.3% were trees. The gallery forest had the highest diameter class(30-35cm) followed by the savanna(25-30cm) and lastly the rocky outcrop with the diameter class of 20-25cm.The rocky outcrop had the highest number of trees with the lowest dbh (10-15cm) while the gallery forest had more trees in the highest diameter class (30-35) (Figure 2). The highest mean height distribution in the Gallery forest shows that the plant communities in this habitat type has grown over the years without disturbance since the place is a protected site. Therefore, other surrounding bushes should be protected in order to preserve species from local extinction

Assessment of Biodiesel Fuel Potentials of Seed Crude Oil Extracts of Balanites aegyptiaaca (L.) Del

Study on assessmentof biodiesel fuel potentials of seed crude oil extracts of Balanites aegyptiaaca (L.) Del was carriedout. Standard methods of the Association of Official and Analytical Chemist (AOAC) were adopted to evaluate the proximate, physico-chemical properties and fatty acid  compositions of crude seed oil extracts of the test plant. The proximate constituents of the crude seed oil extract gave crude protein (22.09%), crude fat (56.75%), moisturecontent (1.35%), ash (4.70%), crudefiber (12.75%) and carbohydrate (2.36%). The crude oil physicochemical properties included saponification value(216.439mgKOH/g), peroxide value(4.84meq/kg), acid value(2.18mgKOH/g), iodine value(77.08g/100g), viscosity  value(150.3@30°C) and cetane number(54.08), refractive index(1.487 @30°C), relative density (0.949g/cm3) while calorific value was 39.03(MJ/kg). The fatty acids composition of crude kernel oil extract of B. aegyptiaca indicated the presence of four (4) fatty acids, with relative percentage abundance (RPA) in the order of 67.17% (9,12-Octadecanoic acid (C19 H3402)) > 16.22% (Pentadecanoic acid (C17H3402)) > 11.8kg% (Heptacosanoic acid (C28H5602)) > 4.72% (Oleic acid(C18H3402)). These properties conferred relative prospects on the crude oil of the test plant as a suitable  potential biodiesel substrate and consequently, large scale aforestation efforts be renewed, to guarantee ready availability of the raw materials. Keywords: Balanites aegyptiaca, Biodiesel, proximate, physicochemical, crude seed oil extract

Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activities of Aframomum melegueta (K. Schum) Seed Extracts on Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae

The phytochemical screening and antibacterial effects of Aframomum melegueta (K. Schum)on Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae was carried out. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, anthraquinones, terpenoids, glycosides  and phenols in the seed extract. The susceptibility test showedzones of inhibition (ZOI) of S. typhi (11.0mm) and K. pneumonia (13.0mm)with methanolic seed extract (MSE), while the hot aqueous seed extract (HASE) recorded 3.0mmas ZOI for both test organisms. The Minimum  inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 200mg/ml and 100mg/ml were recorded against S. typhi and K. pneumoniae respectively with MSE, while HASE indicated 400mg/ml and 200mg/ml MICs against S. typhi and K. pneumoniae respectively. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) obtained from MSE were 200 mg/ml and 25mg/ml for S. typhiand K. pneumoniae, while HASE had > 400mg/ml for test microbes. The effectiveness of different concentrations of the test plant extracts on the test organisms was significant (P<0.05). Further trials involving other clinical isolates and botanicals at different concentrations be conducted, to optimize theprocess. Keywords: Phytochemical, Antimicrobial, Aframomum melegueta, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia