Heavy Metals Concentration in Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia Occidentalis) Grown and Consumed in Camp-2 Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

There are environmental and public health risk consequences, if plants take up nutrients as well as pollutants from the soil, which they can bio-accumulate. The Present study was carried out to assess the heavy metals concentration in vegetables plant called fluted pumpkin (Telfairia Occidentalis) grown and consumed in Camp2 Community of Akamkpa local government area of Cross River State (Nigeria). The plant samples were collected at the study sites in three locations, heavy metals analysis was carried out using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) after a wet digestion. Heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), and Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), Nickel (Ni) in vegetable plant were determined. The result shows that the mean value of Nickel, lead and Cadmium in vegetable plant were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Camp2 compared to the control site. Hence these values were above WHO standard (0.1mg/l) and FAO/WHO standards of (0.2mg/kg) while others were within joint FAO/WHO standard limit. The uptake of these heavy metals from the soil to the plant through transfer factor (TF) could be the reason why the plants were deficient in minerals component in Camp2 compared to the control site. Consuming vegetable plants on contaminated environment could bring about negative impact on both animals and human health

Evaluation and characterization of the seed oils of Trichosanthes cucumerina (snake gourd) and Ricinodendron heudelotii (honey plum)

The estimation of the chemical composition and physical properties of the seed oils of Trichosanthes cucumerina and Ricinodendron heudelotii using standard methods of analysis showed that the seed of T. cucumerina and R. heudelotii have high oil content (46.3±4% and 42.5±5% respectively). Assessment of the physical constants revealed that Ricinodendron heudelotii had a low heat of combustion (12.9 ± 3kcal/g) when compared to that of Trichosanthes cucumerina (32.8 ± 4kcal/g). The refractive indices at 400C, boiling point, smoke point and flash points were high in the two oils. Their relative densities were high and their melting points were low. From the chemical parameters, the high ester value and saponification values of T. cucumerina and R. heudelotii qualifies them to be used in industries for soap making, while the high iodine value for R. heudelotii (158.8 ± 8gI/100g oil) qualifies it as a drying oil and suggest possible usefulness in the paint industry. Their percentage free fatty acid and acid values were low suggesting increased stability and usefulness in nutritional and industrial applications. Key Words: seed oil, chemical composition, Trichosanthes cucumerina, Ricinodendron heudelotii. (Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences: 2003 9(2): 217-220

Effect of extraction method on the phytochemical consitituents of Vernonia amygdalina

No Abstract.GJPAS Vol. 13 (4) 2007: pp. 501-50

SERUM PROTEIN AND ENZYME LEVELS IN RATS FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATION OF ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS DURING CAFFEINATED AND NON-CAFFEINATED PARACETAMOL INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY

The effects of caffeinated and non-caffeinated paracetamol administration, with or without vitamins A and E supplementation on the protein and enzyme levels in Wistar albino rats were investigated using cafeinated paracetamol and paracetamol as caffeinated and non-caffeinated paracetamol respectively, and water soluble acetic acid derivatives of vitamins A and E. Serum AST, ALT and ALP levels (u/l) significantly increased (P<0.05) following paracetamol administration. Caffeination as well as administration of vitamins A and E caused significant decreases (P<0.05) in AST and ALP levels in all test groups when co-administered with paracetamol and in ALT level except in the cafeinated paracetamol + Vitamin E group in which ALT and ALP level except in the cafeinated paracetamol + vitamin E group in which ALT and ALP levels significantly increased (P<0.05). Total serum protein level (g/100ml) significantly increased following caffeination as well as during co-administration of cafeinated paracetamol and Vitamin E; and significantly decreased during co-administration of paracetamol and vitamin A. Paracetamol administration without caffeination or supplementation with vitamin A and E can therefore cause increases in serum liver enzymes that is suggestive of liver necrosis which can be ameliorated to varying degrees by caffeine, vitamin A and E

COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF CAROTENOID COMPLEX FROM GOLDEN NEO-LIFE DYNAMITE (GNLD) AND CARROT EXTRACTED CAROTENOIDS ON IMMUNE PARAMETERS IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS

The immunomodulatory effect of Carotenoid complex from Golden Neo-Life Dynamite (GNLD) and carrot extracted Carotenoid was assessed using 24 albino Wistar rats. The rats were assigned to 4 groups of 6 rats each consisting of group 1(control group treated with distilled water), group 2 (treated with olive oil), group 3 (treated with carrot extract + olive oil) and group 4 (treated with GNLD Carotenoid complex + olive oil). The concentration of carrot extracted Carotenoid and that of the GNLD Carotenoid complex were 559mg/kg.The animals were sacrificed after 21 days of treatment and whole blood collected for analysis of immune parameters. The parameters included; percentage lymphocytes, percentage eosinophils, percentage monocytes and platelet count. There were significant increases (P<0.05) in groups 3 and 4 which received carrot extract and Carotenoid complex supplement when compared to group 1 and 2 which received distilled water and olive oil. This supports the claim that Carotenoids have immunomodulatory effects. However, it is clear that there were significant increases (P<0.05) in percentage lymphocytes (40.15± 1.33), monocytes (2.50± 1.31), neutrophils (60.08± 2.06) and platelet count (7.91± 0.53) in group 4 which received carotenoid complex when compared to that of group 3 which received carrot extract; lymphocytes (33.01 ± 3.20), monocytes (1.52 ± 0.52), neutrophils (60.12 ± 1.50) and platelet count (7.81 ± 0.52).These significant increases(P<0.05) show that both carotenoids have immunomodulatory effects; and that the GNLD Carotenoid complex which consists of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, Zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene and alpha-tocopherol is more potent in its immunomodulatory effect compared to the carrot extracted carotenoid which contained mostly alpha-carotene and beta-carotene alone

EFFECT OF ALCOHOL AND KOLANUT INTERACTION ON BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF NEURONAL GENE EXPRESSION IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Effect of alcohol and kolanut interactions on biochemical indices of neuronal gene expression in Wistar albino rats was studied. Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups of five (5) rats per group. The control group (1) received via oral route a placebo (4ml of distilled water). Groups 2 - 6 were treated for a period of 21-days with (10% v/v) 50mg/kg body weight of alcohol, 50mg/kg body weight of kolanut, 50mg/kg body weight of caffeine, 50mg/kg body weight of alcohol and 50mg/kg body weight of kolanut, and 50mg/kg body weight of alcohol and 50mg/kg body weight of caffeine in 4.0ml of the vehicle via gastric intubation respectively. One day after the final exposure, the brain of each rat was harvested and processed to examine several biochemical parameters, i.e., total protein, DNA, RNA and protein/RNA ratios. The status of neuronal gene expression was monitored through assessment of these parameters. The results showed that alcohol-kolanut co-administration decreased brain total protein, DNA, RNA levels and protein/RNA ratios, and inhibited gene expression. These effects, in turn, inhibited DNA transcription, MRNA splicing and protein synthesis, and polypeptide expression, which are necessary for the growth, development, differentiation and cell survival