Effect of herbal combination and natron addition on the antioxidant properties of Guiera senegalensis J. F. Gmel (combretaceae) aqueous leaf extract

Guiera senegalensisis among the medicinal herbs traditionally used for the management of maternal conditions in Katsina State, Nigeria. In the course of its preparation, G. senegalensis is, in most cases, mixed with Ipomoea asarifolia and Euphorbia balsamifera. Small amount of natron is often added in order to enhance the palatability of the herbal preparation. In this study, we investigated the impact of these two phenomena on the antioxidant properties of G.senegalensis. Phenolic antioxidant contents were assessed using Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) calorimetric assays. Antioxidant activity on the other hand was evaluated using 2,2ꞌ-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) assays. Herbal combination and natron addition were found to significantly (P <0.05) affect the antioxidant properties of G. senegalensis. High antioxidant properties were observed when G. senegalensis was extracted alone compared to when extracted in combination with either I. asarifolia or E. balsamifera or both. Although it increased the TPC and TFC values, natron addition was also found to be detrimental to the antioxidant activities of G. senegalensis.Keywords: Antioxidant, Guiera senegalensis, herbal combination, natron, maternal healthcar

Pteridophyte flora of Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia

A total of39 species ojpteridophyte in 22 genera and 15 families has been recorded in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Puchong, Selangor. The list of species prepared was based on collections in study area and previous available data. The diversity of species is low and consistent with the nature of the Forest as a secondary forest

Notes on the Herbaceous plants of Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Puchong, Selangor

A survey conducted on the plants of Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve recorded 27 species of herbaceous plants which represented 19 families. From this total, 8 species are recorded for the first time from this forest. Five spesies endemic to Peninsular Malaysia are also found here. This finding has increased the current herb checklist of Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve to 86 species

Bacillus thuringiensis entomotoxicity activity in wastewater sludge-culture medium towards Bactrocera dorsalis and their histopathological assessment

This study investigates the production of biopesticide based on Bacillus thuringiensis activity in culture media supplemented with semi-solid wastewater sludge as one of the raw ingredient. A series of testing using mixture of sludge and source of protein as B. thuringiensis growth media were carried out and selection of media was based on viable spore count. The entomotoxicity test of B. thuringiensis was carried out against larvae of fruit fly using diet incorporation method. Further impact of entomotoxicity was observed based on histology deformities on columnar epithelial cell and goblet cell of the midgut. A mixture of sludge with 60% wheat bran produced up to 1.64 × 1010 CFU/mL of viable spore count within 10 days of incubation. Based on entomotoxicity test, incorporation of 12 mL of semi-solid wastewater sludge-culture media into fruit fly artificial diet caused the highest fruit fly mortality at 64.8%. The value of semi-solid wastewater sludge-culture media concentration for LC50 was determined at 8.43%. Effect of entomotoxicity can be seen started from 3rd instar larvae where histopathological studies showed that up to 10% of columnar epithelial cells in the intestine were swollen and severe reduction of goblet cell’s size. Thus, it decreases the survivality of the fruit fly larvae. The present study indicated that semi-solid wastewater sludge has the potential to enhance B. thuringiensis entomotoxicity activity

Bacillus thuringiensis entomotoxicity activity in wastewater sludge-culture medium towards Bactrocera dorsalis and their histopathological assessment

This study investigates the production of biopesticide based on Bacillus thuringiensis activity in culture media supplemented with semi-solid wastewater sludge as one of the raw ingredient. A series of testing using mixture of sludge and source of protein as B. thuringiensis growth media were carried out and selection of media was based on viable spore count. The entomotoxicity test of B. thuringiensis was carried out against larvae of fruit fly using diet incorporation method. Further impact of entomotoxicity was observed based on histology deformities on columnar epithelial cell and goblet cell of the midgut. A mixture of sludge with 60% wheat bran produced up to 1.64 × 10 10CFU/mL of viable spore count within 10 days of incubation. Based on entomotoxicity test, incorporation of 12 mL of semi-solid wastewater sludge-culture media into fruit fly artificial diet caused the highest fruit fly mortality at 64.8%. The value of semi-solid wastewater sludge-culture media concentration for LC50 was determined at 8.43%. Effect of entomotoxicity can be seen started from 3rd instar larvae where histopathological studies showed that up to 10% of columnar epithelial cells in the intestine were swollen and severe reduction of goblet cell’s size. Thus, it decreases the survivality of the fruit fly larvae. The present study indicated that semi-solid wastewater sludge has the potential to enhance B. thuringiensis entomotoxicity activity

An assessment of orchids' diversity in Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia after 115 years.

A comprehensive study on the orchid diversity in Penang Hill,Penang,Malaysia was conducted from 2004 to 2008 with the objective to evaluate the presence of orchid species listed by Curtis (J Strait Br R Asiat Soc 25:67–173,1894) after more than 100 years. A total of 85 species were identified during this study, of which 52 are epiphytic or lithophytic and 33 are terrestrial orchids. This study identified 57 species or 64.8% were the same as those recorded by Curtis (1894), and 78 species or 66.1% of Turner’s (Gardens’ Bull Singap 47(2):599–620,1995) checklist of 118 species for the state of Penang including 18 species which were not recorded by Curtis (1894) and the current study but are actually collected from Penang Hill. A comparison table of the current findings against Curtis (1894) and Turner (1995) is provided which shows only 56 species were the same in all three studies. The preferred account for comparison was Curtis’ (1894) list as his report was specifically for the areas around Penang Island especially Penang Hill, Georgetown and Ayer Itam areas. Our study reveals that about 50% of Curtis’ collection localities have been converted to residential areas and agricultural land, and this probably explains the decreasing numbers of species found in the current study especially for the terrestrial species as epiphytic species have better adaptation capabilities towards environmental

Variation in mycorrhizal specificity for in vitro symbiotic seed germination of grammatophyllum speciosumBlume

Grammatophyllum seeds are minute and lack endosperm. As with their other orchids counterpart, the seeds are dependent on mycorrhizal fungi for seed germination in nature. The ability to uptake nutrients from substrate is assisted by preferable fungal symbionts. Seeds of Grammatophyllum speciosum Blume. were used to determine the specificity of its fungus relationship using fungi isolated from roots of G. speciosum, G. stapeliiflorum and G. scriptum. A total of 31 different species of fungus was isolated and inoculated onto G. speciosum seed on Oat Meal Agar (OMA). The result obtained from the test demonstrated that seed germination rates were best when co-cultured with Fusarium sp. number 3 isolated from G. speciosum. An increment in 63.3% was measured when compared to the seed’s original size. The seed can also germinate when inoculated with fungus isolated from different species, implying that G. speciosum is a generalist in its association with fungal symbionts

Kepelbagaian dan habitat pteridofit di Hutan Simpan Angsi, Negeri Sembilan (Diversity and habitat of pteridophytes in Angsi Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan)

Sejumlah 51 takson pteridofit yang tergolong dalam 30 genus dan 18 famili telah direkodkan di Hutan Simpan Angsi, Negeri Sembilan. Ini termasuk lapan spesies lokofit dalam dua genus dan dua famili. Jumlah ini merangkumi lapan peratus daripada 647 spesies yang telah dilaporkan di Semenanjung Malaysia. Famili terbesar yang direkodkan terdiri daripada Selaginellaceae dan Pteridaceae masing-masing dengan tujuh spesies diikuti oleh Polypodiaceae (enam spesies) dan Tectariaceae (empat spesies). Paku-pakis terestrial merupakan yang paling banyak direkodkan iaitu 60% daripada keseluruhan takson yang didapati diikuti dengan paku pakis epifit (24%) dan paku pakis batuan (16%)