Proximate and mineral analysis of some wild edible mushrooms

Proximate and mineral analysis of five species of mushroom, Lentinus squarrosulus, Volvariella volvacea, Coprinus micaceus, Lepiota procera, and Auricularia auricula were examined in this study to determine their nutritional value. These mushrooms were found to contain on the average, 3.24 to 8.70% of crude fibre; 4.12 to 11.12% of ash; 0.90 to 2.58% of fats and oil; 12.02 to 27.00% of protein; 13.01 to 92.02% of moisture and 21.11 to 68% of carbohydrate. The average mineral element content of the mushrooms was found to be 144 to 1321 mg/100 g of potassium; 122 to 364 mg/100 g of sodium; 164 to 549 mg/100 g of calcium; 26 to 53 mg/100 g of magnesium; 738 to 1537 mg/100 g of phosphorus and 120 to 432 mg/100 g of iron. The overall nutritional potential of the five mushroom species was quite good. These results show that these species of mushroom are highly nutritive. These findings were discussed in line with the importance and implications of the uses of edible mushrooms to man.Keywords: Edible mushroom, mineral composition, proximate analysi

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of polyphenols from ethnomedicinal plants of Nigeria

The antioxidant properties and antimicrobial potential of three ethnomedicinal plants, (Momordica charanta, Senna alata and Nauclea lafifolia) extracted with acetone were investigated. Polyphenols fromthe medicinal plants were screened for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against pathogenic micro organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Esherichia coli and Candida albicans). The medicinal plants displayed different polyphenols contents and antioxidant activities. In addition, varying antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were exhibited. The highest amount of total phenolic compounds was shown by S. alata and the lowest one was M. charanta. The extract of S. alatashowed the highest antioxidant activity. Some micro organisms (S. aureus and C. albicans) were susceptible to the polyphenol extracts with minimum inhibitory concentration values between 1.25 to 5.00 mg/ml while other microorganisms (S. pyogenes and E. coli) appeared to be resistant to theextracts. The results suggested that these plants are not only potential sources of phenolic antioxidants but also potentially, good source of antimicrobial agents

Analysis of an Intelligent Temperature Transmitter for Process Control

In recent times, transmitters that incorporate microprocessor to perform various intelligent functions have been developed by various manufacturers. This paper presents an overview of the evolution in transmitter technology while highlighting key factors which have influenced the evolution. It also identifies low power microprocessor and analog to digital converters working with the basic sensor circuit as the key propellants in the advancement of transmitter technology. Despite several sensors available in the process control industry, the authors focus on temperature sensors and analyze a typical Rosemount Intelligent Temperature Transmitter (RITT) with a view to identifying and comparing how experimental results vary from established parameters in the datasheet. Simulation results show that the resistance of the RITT’s Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) varies directly with applied temperature. Percentage error shows acceptable points at -0.04%, 0.04% and -0.1%. For higher percentage error readings, it is necessary to connect a resistor of value between 250Ω and 1100Ω between the current loop and the transmitter. The future of transmitter technology is however the wireless sensor node (WSN) incorporating the Sensirion SHT11 temperature sensor.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v34i3.2

Biochemical observations in rats fed with cycads, Nigerian-like and western-like folic acid supplemented diets

Alterations in antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation was studied in 90 Wistar albino rats exposed to cycads and fed with Nigerian-like and western-like diets supplemented with folic acid. The animals were divided into three diet classes of 30 animals each. One group was fed with a wholly compounded Nigerian-like diet (NLD) which was low in protein and high in carbohydrate and fiber. Another group was fed with a western like diet (WLD) which was high in protein and fat, while the third group of animals was fed with a normal diet which served as the control class. The animals of each class were further divided into three subgroups of ten rats each. In each subclass, one group received the diet alone; another group received the diet and cycads, while the third group received the diet and folic acid. Low levels of catalase, feed intake and faecal output was observed with experimental animals fed NLD as compared to WLD and normal diet (ND) fed animals. High levels of antioxidant enzymes: super oxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase as well as low levels of lipid peroxidation was observed with the addition of folic acid to the diets of experimental rats. These results suggest the role of folic acid in diet and colon carcinogenesis.Key words: Antioxidant enzymes, cycads, diets, folic acid, lipid peroxidation

Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of methanol extract, fractions and compounds from the stem bark of Entada abyssinica Stend ex A. Satabie

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol extract, fractions and isolated compounds from <it>Entada abyssinica </it>stem bark, plant used traditionally against gastrointestinal infections.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The methanol extract of <it>E. abyssinica </it>stem bark was pre-dissolved in a mixture of methanol and water, and then partitioned between <it>n</it>-hexane, ethyl acetate and <it>n</it>-butanol. The ethyl acetate portion was fractionated by column chromatography and the structures of isolated compounds elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with literature data. Antimicrobial activity was assayed by broth microdilution techniques on bacteria and yeasts. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Four known compounds [(5<it>S</it>,6<it>R</it>,8a<it>R</it>)-5-(carboxymethyl)-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-5,6,8a-trimethylnaphthalenecarboxylic acid (<b>1</b>), methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (<b>2</b>), benzene-1,2,3-triol (<b>3</b>) and 2,3-dihydroxypropyltriacontanoate (<b>4</b>)] were isolated. Compared to the methanol extract, fractionation increased the antibacterial activities of the <it>n</it>-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions, while the antifungal activities increased in ethyl acetate, <it>n</it>-butanol and aqueous residue fractions. The isolated compounds were generally more active on bacteria (9.7 to 156.2 μg/ml) than yeasts (78.1 to 312.5 μg/ml). Apart from compound <b>1</b>, the three others displayed DPPH^·scavenging activity (RSa), with RSa₅₀values of 1.45 and 1.60 μg/ml.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results obtained from this study support the ethnomedicinal use of <it>E. abyssinica </it>in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections and the isolated compounds could be useful in the standardisation of antimicrobial phytomedicine from this plant.</p

Availability and utilization of internet among doctors in South-Eastern Nigeria

No Abstract.The Information Technologist Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 1-

Rare high origin of the radial artery: a bilateral, symmetrical case

Arterial variations in the upper limb can occur at the level of the axillary, brachial, radial and ulnar arteries as well as the palmar arches. This is a report of bilateral, symmetrical high origin of the radial artery from the axillary artery. Knowledge of such variations is important in vascular and reconstructive surgery. (Nig J Surg Res 2003; 5: 70 – 72) Key words: High origin, radial artery, bilateral, symmetrica

The anatomic pattern of fractures and dislocations among accident victims in Owerri, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Some studies have described the pattern of limb fractures and dislocation in Nigeria. However, with recent increase in vehicle and motorbike transport, we aimed to describe the pattern tonote any differences from previous reports.METHODS: This was a retrospective study of all patients with accidental fractures and dislocations treated at the Federal Medical Centre Owerri between January 2000 and December 2003.RESULTS: A change in the major causative factors was observed as Road Traffic Accident (RTA) is now the major cause of injuries accounting for 72 percent of all cases. Fall from height was previouslythe major cause. In adults the tibia was the most frequently fractured bone accounting for 28.9 percent of all fractures while the femur was mostly involved in children accounting for 35 percent of all fractures. Again, different from previous reports lower limb fractures occurred in over 70 percent of cases while upper limb fractures accounted for only 20 percent.CONCLUSION: There is a major change in both the causative factors and pattern of fractures among accident victims in Nigeria

Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam. Kurtz (Crassulaceae)

Background: Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam. Kurtz (Crassulaceae) is used in traditional African medicine in the treatment of diarrhoea.Objective: To investigate the antidiarrhoeal action of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum (BP).Methods: Normal intestinal transit, castor oil-induced intestinal transit, castor oil-induced diarrhoea, gastric emptying and enteropooling models in rodents were used to investigate antidiarrhoeal effect. The possible mechanism of antidiarrhoeal activity was investigated using prazosin (1 mg/kg, s.c; α adrenoceptor antagonist), 1 yohimbine (1 mg/kg, s.c; α adrenoceptor antagonist), 2 propranolol (1 mg/kg, i.p; β- adrenoceptor non-selective antagonist), atropine (1 mg/kg, s.c; muscarinic cholinergicantagonist), pilocarpine (1 mg/kg, s.c; muscarinic cholinergic agonist), and isosorbide dinitrate (IDN) (150 mg/kg, p.o; nitric oxide donor).Results: BP (25-100 mg/kg, p.o) produced dosedependent and significant (P&lt;0.001) decrease in intestinal propulsion in normal and castor  oil-induced intestinal transit models in comparison to distilled water (10 ml/kg, p.o.) treated control. This antidiarrhoeal effect was inhibitedby propranolol pretreatment but yohimbine, prazosin, or atropine pretreatment failed to block this effect. BP treatment reduced the increased peristaltic activity induced by pilocarpine, however, co-treatment with IDNsignificantly (P&lt;0.001) enhanced the antidiarrhoeal effect of the extract. In castor oil-induced diarrhoea test, the extract produced a dose-dependent and significant (P&lt;0.001) increase in onset of diarrhoea, decreased diarrhoea score, the number and weight of wet stools when compared to control. The in vivo antidiarrhoeal index (ADIin) of 53.52 produced by the extract (50 mg/kg, p.o.) was vivo similar to 76.28 ADI produced by morphine (10 mg/kg, in vivo s.c.). The extract produced dose- dependent and significant (P&lt;0.05; P&lt;0.001) decrease in the weight and volume of intestinal content in the intestinal fluid accumulation model. In gastric emptying test, BP treatment reduced the quantity of test meal emptied in 1 h but not significant.Conclusion: The results showed that the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum possesses antidiarrhoeal activity possibly mediated by interaction with â adrenoceptor, muscarinic cholinergic receptor and nitricoxide pathway.Keywords: Bryophyllum pinnatum; diarrhoea; muscariniccholinergic; nitrergic pathway; β-adrenoceptor