Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity Screening of Chloroform Leaves Extract of Man-To-Man (Peperomia pellucida) Harvested from Umunomo Ihitteafoukwu in Imo State, South Eastern Nigeria

Peperomia pellucida commonly called man-to-man or pepper elder is a plant of immense medicinal value and used in the treatment of different ailments such as abdominal pain, abscess, acne, boils colic rhematic joint pain and also consumed as vegetable. This study was conducted to investigate the preliminary and quantitative phytochemical properties of Peperomia pellucida. The results obtained revealed the presence of alkaloids (2.49±0.02), phenols (0.05±0.01), flavonoids (0.59±0.01), saponins (0.64 ± 0.02), tannins (0.08± 0.01) with alkaloid registering the highest presence. Peperomia pellucida leaves extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity at minimum and maximum concentrations of 2.0 and 12.0mg/ml respectively (compared to the ascorbic acid used as the free scavenger). The antibacterial result also showed that P. pellucida extract inhibited the growth of the test organisms, with the highest growth inhibition against Escherichia Coli and the lowest growth inhibition against Bacillus Cereus. The antimicrobial properties indicate the potential usefulness of this plant in the treatment of various pathogenic diseases which in future can be developed as a potential antimicrobial agent used in the treatment of infectious diseases

Ni(II) Complex of a Novel Schiff Base Derived from Benzaldehyde and Sulphathiazole: Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Studies

Communication in Physical Sciences 2020, 5(2): 145-155 Authors: Ifeanyi. E. Otuokere, J.C. Anyanwu and K.K. IgweReceived 09April 2020/Accepted 01May 2020 New Schiff base and its Ni(II) complex, were synthesized using benzaldehyde and sulphathiazole. They were characterized usingelemental analyser, UV-visible spectrophotometer, FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. IR spectral data suggested that the ligand coordinated to nickel ions through two azomethine nitrogen, and one amine nitrogen. Electronic spectral measurement indicated the occurrence of ligand to metal charge transfer. Based on the continuous variation method, metal: ligand ratio of 1:1 was proposed. Elemental analysis and spectroscopic studies suggested that the Schiff base behaved as a tridentate ligand towards nickel ion. Antibacterial sensitivity of the ligand and its Ni (II) complex were assayed in vitro against Staphylococcusaureus, Echerichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi. It was observed that the Ni(II) complex was more potent than the Schiff base against the bacterial strains used. Therefore, the Schiff base and its Ni(II) complex may inhibit bacterial infections caused by E.coli, P.aeruginosa,S. typhi and S.aureus. The Ni(II) complex showed enhanced antibacterial activity when compared with the pure the Schiff base.&nbsp

Distribution Behaviour of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydroarbons in Roadside Soil at Traffic Intercepts within Onitsha Metropolis, South-East Nigeria

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution in roadside soil was conducted in a developing city environment of South-Eastern Nigeria during raining season to ascertain the contamination levels and their distribution behavior in soil. The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was determined at nine locations of Onitsha city, 3m distances from roadside in soil covering all the major traffic intercepts within the city. The samples were extracted in acetone and dichloromethane (1:1) using soxhlet extraction. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs ranged from 14,260 to 14,289 µg/kg, with a mean of 14,276 µg/kg which were than the limit <10000 µg/kg set for PAHs in the soil and the seven possible carcinogenic PAHs accounted for 17.2 % of 16PAHs detected. Chrysene was the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in highest concentration at all the intercepts ranging between 4050 to 4053 µg/kg with the mean of 4052 µg/kg. Among different functional areas, the higher level of PAHs was found in Obosi junction (right) followed by Main market road junction (right). The composition of PAHs was characterized by the high molecular weight PAHs, among which fluoranthene, Indeno(1,2,3,-cd)Pyrene, Acenaphthene chrysene were most dominant components. A principal component analysis and PAHs isomeric ratios indicate that PAHs in Onitsha road soil mainly originated from combustion. The toxic assessment suggested that soil PAHs exposure is medium carcinogenic at present level. Keywords: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Gas chromatography, season, traffic density, pollutants, principal component analysis, samples, concentration, carcinogenic

A Review of Landscape Design as a Means of Controlling Gully Erosion

Gully erosion is the most visible and devastating form of soil erosion known to be one of the leading causes of land degradation worldwide. Landscape design is one of the techniques used in combating this problem. The objective of this paper is to review the use of landscape design in controlling gully erosion. The method used is a review of academic articles, conference papers, internet materials, textbooks and publicly available materials on landscape design and gully erosion. The results of this study indicated that previous authors whose works were reviewed have a convergent view that the use of vegetative approach, an aspect to landscape design, must be practiced for effective control of gullies. On the other hand, however, previous authors have divergent views on the use of structural approach, another aspect to landscape design, for control of gully erosion. Recommendations of this study include: (1) planting of a combination of woody trees and grasses; (2) use of some locally accessible structures for example, sieve structures; and (3) practise of agroforestry

Solidarity and Social Behaviour: how did this help communities to manage COVID-19 pandemic?

Purpose – During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns, stay at home or work from home, many have argued that the westernised non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) do not provide remedial in low-income countries like Nigeria, where informal job seekers, street traders, informal labourers and artisans depend mainly on the informal economy. By applying social solidarity (SS) and community-based approach (CBA), the authors evaluate individual acts (trust, altruism and reciprocity) during the lockdown and how these practices evolve from individual approaches to collective actions. Design/methodology/approach – This study reflects on pragmatism research paradigm that enables researchers to maintain both subjectivity in their reflections and objectivity in data collection and analysis. The authors adopt a qualitative method through purposeful and convenience sampling procedure. Data were analysed thematically to identify elements of SS, individual acts, collective or community actions and perceptions. Findings – The findings reveal that COVID-19 had a disproportionate impact (lack of food and a fall in daily income) on workers, informal job seekers, informal businesses operators and the poor households. As such, the study developed a reflective model of solidarity exhibited by individual acts and collective acts (practices of resource pooling, information sharing, women empowerment, distribution of palliatives and donations) within trusted circles that helped people cope with the lockdown experiences. Practical implications – Solidarity represents beliefs, practices of values and norms. The SS exhibited by people through NPI would have implications on planning and monitoring the effectiveness of public health programmes during a pandemic in the future. Social implications – The findings of citizens and community actions have implications related to the process of building communities – coming together – and solidarity that enhances social development with implications on community health policy agenda during disasters, emergencies and health pandemic. Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to analyse the relationship between trust, altruism, reciprocity, SS and CBA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, it seems reasonable to clarify the concept of SS given the lack of clarity about the definitions from previous studies

Occupational safety and health management in developing countries: A study of construction companies in Malawi

Purpose: Whilst occupational safety and health (OSH) management is recognised as an important mechanism for addressing poor OSH performance, limited empirical insight is available on OSH management by construction companies in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated OSH management by construction companies (i.e. contractors) in Malawi in order to unpick implementation issues that need attention. Materials and methods: 46 OSH management practices were probed through a survey of contractors. Results: Implementation of OSH practices amongst contractors is low, particularly for practices related to the policy, organising, measuring and reviewing, and auditing elements of OSH management. Company size, is associated with implementation of nearly a half of the 46 OSH practices. Certification of company to Standard No. OHSAS 1800:2007 is associated with the implementation of fewer practices. Conclusions: OSH management improvement efforts would need to focus on the elements with particularly low implementation of practices as well as include initiatives that focus on helping micro enterprises to improve their OSH management. Association between business characteristics and OSH management may be more evident with certain elements such as the organising element. Furthermore, certification to Standard No. OHSAS 1800:2007 may not necessarily translate into greater implementation of OSH management practices, especially in developing countries

A pilot dose-response study of the acute effects of haskap berry extract (Lonicera caerulea L.) on cognition, mood and blood pressure in older adults

Purpose Haskap (Lonicera caerulea L. or blue honeysuckle) is a plant native to the low-lying wet areas and mountains of Siberia and northeastern Asia, but is now cultivated in Canada. The dark blue berries are rich in anthocyanins, particularly cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. Previously, anthocyanin-rich fruits have been observed to benefit cognitive performance during the immediate postprandial period following a single acute dose. However, no study has currently examined the potential for haskap berries to influence cognitive performance. Here, we investigate the acute cognitive benefits of an anthocyanin-rich haskap berry extract. Methods A double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover intervention study compared the acute effects of three separate haskap berry extract doses, containing 100mg, 200mg, and 400mg anthocyanins, with a sugar-matched placebo. Participants were an opportunity sample of 20 older adults, aged 62-81 years. Measures of cognition, mood, and blood pressure were recorded at baseline and 1.5 hours postprandially. Results Compared to placebo, the 400mg dose elicited significantly lower diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. Both 200mg and 400mg doses elicited significantly higher word recall, with the 400mg dose also significantly improving word recognition scores, on an episodic memory task. However, mood, working memory and executive function task results were more equivocal. Conclusions The findings provide evidence for improvements in episodic memory and blood pressure following acute supplementation with haskap berry extract, with higher doses appearing most effective. The cognitive findings concur with previous literature that suggests episodic memory effects, and not executive function effects, are most prevalent in older adults following anthocyanin-rich berry supplementation. The blood pressure outcome is consistent with a vasodilatory mechanism of action