Mosquito repellent activity of the leaf extracts of Lawsonia inermis (l)

The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Lawsonia inermis (commonly known as lalle in Hausa) was sequentially extracted with petroleum ether,  chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were respectively labeled LI1, LI2, LI3, and LI4, with the ethanolic extract labeled LI, and 12.5% and 25% of the test extracts were tested for repellency against Anopheles gambiae, and the repellent activity was assessed using the human-bait technique. Five volunteers participated in the laboratory tests, one each for the extracts. The chloroform extract labeled LI1-02 was found to be the most active, (100% repellency), while the extract labeled LI1-03 (25%) recorded the least activity (15.4%). It can be concluded that the chloroform extract labeled LI1-02 is responsible for repellent activity of Lawsonia inermis.Keywords: Repellency, Anopheles gambiae, human-bait technique, Lawsonia inermis extracts

Bioassay Guided Chromatographic Isolation Of Lactation Inducing Agent From Hippocratea Obtusifolia

The powdered leaves of Hippocratea obtusifolia (commonly known as gwadayi in Hausa) was percolated with ethanol and then sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were respectively labeled HO1, HO2, HO3, and HO4, with the ethanolic extract labeled HO. The extracts were subjected to bioactivity against lactation inducement, and the chloroform extract labeled HO2 was found to be the most active. The HO2 extract was then subjected to column and thin layer chromatography with similar fractions pooled together. The pooled fractions were then subjected to bioactivity testing against lactation inducement, and the fraction labeled HO2-13 was found to be the most active, this was subsequently subjected to column and thin layer chromatography with similar fractions pooled together. The pooled fractions were again subjected to bioactivity testing against lactation inducement, and the fraction labeled HO2-13-111 was found to be the most active. The fraction HO2-13-111 was subjected spectroscopic analysis, using Infrared, Mass spectroscopy, and both 1H and 13C NMR data obtained. The structure of the compound present in fraction HO2-13-111 was then elucidated based on the obtained data.Keywords: Force-Feeding, Lactation, Progesterone, Thin-Layer Column Chromatography

Anti-Plasmodium Falciparum Activity of Extracts from Dendranthema Indicum

Malaria being a major health problem, demands for search for alternative anti-malaria drugs. Dendrathema indicum/ Dunkufea plant used in the treatment of malaria in the northern part of Nigeria was evaluated for activity against Plasmodium falciparum. The crude ethanol extract of the plant, n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate and last residue fractions obtained by maceration of the crude ethanol extract were screened for activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the last residue and hexane fraction did not inhibit significantly even at a concentration of 200μg/ml, the ethyl acetate fraction obtained after maceration was the most active fraction. From the result of the photochemical analysis all the common classes of secondary metabolites tested were present in the plant except alkaloid.Keywords: Anti-malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, maceration, Dendranthema indicu

Extraction and Configuration of an Isolate from Chrysanthellum Indicum

Bioactivity guided column chromatography of the ethylacetate fraction of the plant chrysanthellum indicum led to the isolation of a white chrystaline compound which melted at a temperature range of (257-259°C) with decomposition 1H nmr, 13C nmr, DEPT and IR spectroscopic techniques were use to analyzed and propose a steroidal structure for the compound.Keywords: Bioactivity, column chromatography, isolation, spectroscopic technique

Effect of Hippocratea Obtusifolia Extracts on Lactation Inducement

The crude extract of the leaves and stalk of Hippocratea obtusifolia (commonly known as gwadayi in Hausa) was sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were subjected to bioactivity testing against lactation inducement in 24 female guinea pigs. The experimental animals with average weight of 200g were randomly grouped into six; the first five groups A, B, C, D and E were force-fed with feeds mixed with a measured portion of the extract, while the last group was force-fed with food mixed with distilled water only serving as control. The chloroform extract was found to be the only active extract, and this confirms the use of Hippocratea obtusifolia in lactation inducement.Keywords: Lactation, Hippocratea obtusifolia, force-fed, galactagogue, endogastric tub

Phytochemical Screening and Mosquito Repellent Activity of the Stem Bark Extracts of Euphorbia Balsamifera (Ait)

The phytochemical screening of extracts from Euphorbia balsamifera was carried out, and the results revealed that the stem bark contains alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids and sterols. The ethanol extract of the stem bark of Euphorbia balsamifera (commonly known as Ayyara in Hausa) was sequentially partitioned with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were respectively labeled EB1, EB2, EB3, and EB4, with the ethanolic extract labeled EB. The extracts, 12.5% and 25% w/v, were tested for repellency against Anopheles gambiae, and the repellent activity was assessed using the human-bait technique. Five volunteers participated in the laboratory tests to ascertain the repellent activity of the extracts, and each volunteer was test with one extract, with each test repeated in triplicate. The chloroform extract labeled EB1-02 was found to be the most active, (97.2% and 100% repellency), while the extract labeled EB1-03 recorded the least activity of 32.4% and 21.6%. It can be concluded that the chloroform extract labeled EB1-02 is responsible for repellent activity of Euphorbia balsamifera.Keywords: Anopheles gambiae, Euphorbia balsamifera extracts, Human-bait technique, Phytochemicals, Repellenc

Prospects in the use of Ficus polita as a local ruminant feed

The proximate as well as the mineral compositions of Ficus polita and some anti nutritional factors were determined in order to justify the local use of this plant as a feedstuff especially for ruminant animals and to establish the possible wide scale utilization of this plant in the feed industry. The proximate, mineral and phytonutrient compositions of the plant were determined using standard methods of analysis. The plant was found to contain reasonable amounts of both macro and micro minerals required by farm animals for healthy growth. The caloric value of F. polita was also compatible with those of most tubers, roots and green leaves of many plant feeding stuffs. Also, the anti nutritional factors of the plant were found to be low. Thus, this plant, if well studied, could be used as an alternativeto the highly prized grains and legumes required in human nutrition

Natural coagulates for wastewater treatment; a review for application and mechanism

The increase of water demand and wastewater generation is among the global concerns in the world. The less effective management of water sources leads to serious consequences, the direct disposal of untreated wastewater is associated with the environmental pollution, elimination of aquatic life and the spread of deadly epidemics. The flocculation process is one of the most important stages in water and wastewater treatment plants, wherein this phase the plankton, colloidal particles, and pollutants are precipitated and removed. Two major types of coagulants are used in the flocculation process included the chemical and natural coagulants. Many studies have been performed to optimize the flocculation process while most of these studies have confirmed the hazardous effects of chemical coagulants utilization on the ecosystem. This chapter reviews a summary of the coagulation/flocculation processes using natural coagulants as well as reviews one of the most effective natural methods of water and wastewater treatment

Hygienic characteristics of radishes grown in soil contaminated with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a plant growth-promoter. This bacterium is also implicated in human diseases. Thus, after the use of this bacterium in agriculture, the safety of the final products has to be verified. Due to the ubiquitous presence of S. maltophilia in soil, in this study a massive contamination was simulated to evaluate the growth and safety of Raphanus sativus L.. Results: Different inoculums and soil treatment conditions were tested. Soils were analysed weekly and the radishes at harvest for their microbial loads and presence/persistence of S. maltophilia LMG 6606. The concentration of the bacterium added in the different trials decreased during the first week, but increased thereafter and determined a significant increase of growth parameters of radishes. Conclusions: The addition of S. maltophilia LMG 6606 to non-autoclaved soil enhanced the productivity of radishes. The bacterium did not internalize in the hypocotyls, but colonized the external surface ensuring the safety of the products. Thus, a sanitizing bath of hypocotyls before consumption is necessary