Phytochemical and mineral profiling of anti-fertilizer plants used by pygmy women in the town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Case of Ipomoea involucrata P.Beauv. and Piptadeniastrum africanum (Hook.f.) Brenan

This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical and mineral composition of Piptadeniastrum africanum (Hook.f.) Brenan and Ipomoea involucrata P. Beauv., two plants presumed anti-fertilizers, were cited during an ethnobotanical survey carried out in 2018 among indigenous women in Mbandaka and the surrounding area. Micrography was carried out, followed by determination of mineral composition by ICP-AES and SAA, and the TLC for a highlight of the various phytochemical compounds making up these two plants. The study determined the relative structure of the multiple cells and tissues making up these plant drugs, including numerous raphids characteristic of Ipomoea involucrata and calcium oxalate crystals characteristic of Piptadeniastrum africanum. Among the chemical compounds, those directly linked to female anti-fertility have been highlighted. These include flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, and terpenoids. Elemental analysis revealed mineral salts and trace elements directly influencing reproduction, such as iron, zinc, calcium, sodium, and arsenic. Even if these data make it possible to justify the activity of these two plants in reproductive health, it is, however, necessary for an in-depth study on the in vitro evaluation to determine the clear anti-fertilizing activity of these plants used, raw, by indigenous women. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 13(2): 64-69, Dec 202

Phytochemical Study and Anti-nutritional Factors in Stems of Dioscorea praehensilis Benth (Dioscoreaceae)

The aim of this research was to find and assay phytochemical compounds and various biological macromolecules of the tender stems of Dioscorea praehensilis benth and evaluate their antioxidant activity and to compare the content of oxalates and cyanogenetic glucosides between raw and cooked tender stems. The plant collection and identification, phytochemical evaluation: phytochemical screening, preliminary (qualitative) analyses and in vitro assays. Phytochemical screening was performed by qualitative methods. The estimation of the content of secondary metabolites was evaluated by spectrophotometry-UV. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the ABTS and DPPH assays and preliminary composition by the gravimetric method. The results obtained show that the stems of Dioscorea praehensilis are devoid of certain important chemical groups, the flavonoids were not detected and they were rich in total polyphenols (17.22 ± 0.16), tannins (19.32 ± 0.52) and anthocyanins (25.22 ± 0.04). Our extracts showed a lower antioxidant activity than that of positive controls. The samples are rich in carbohydrates and fiber, with low levels of proteins, lipids and ash. Dioscorea praehensilis has a high toxicity in HCN, but after a good cooking of about 1 hour, 99.97% of the cyanide are eliminated and does not have many oxalates. The results obtained show that Dioscorea praehensilis has a high dietary value and can therefore be used as a nutritive food

Selenium content, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-sickling activities of Zanthoxylum gilletii (De Wild) P.G. Waterman (Rutaceae)

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify bioactive compounds, to determine the mineral content and to evaluate the antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-sickling activities of different parts of Zanthoxylum gilletii.Methods: Phytochemical composition was evaluated by general tests as well as chromatographic technics (TLC and HPLC), the mineral micronutrient content was quantified by spectroscopy ICP-OES. The antioxidant activities of the infusions extracts from leaves, stem bark and root bark of Z. gilletii were evaluated using ABTS an DPPH assays, the antibacterial activity against four bacteria strains using the micro-dilution method; and the anti-sickling activity was assessed by the Emmel test.Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of polyphenols such as anthocyanins and flavonoids (stem bark) while stem and root barks contained tannins. Alkaloids were found in the leaves, saponins in leaves, stem and root barks. Leaves and root bark also contained triterpenoids and steroids, while only stem bark contained quinonic derivatives. For phenolic acids and flavonoids, stem and root barks could contain luteolin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and only stem bark could contain rutin. Mineral analysis revealed the presence of macronutrients and micronutrients including calcium, iron, zinc and selenium. All aqueous extracts displayed high ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging activities at the concentration range of 1–25 ug/mL. The in vitro Emmel test showed that the aqueous extracts of the different parts had anti-sickling properties at the concentration of 10.42 µg/mL, 20.83 µg/mL, 83.30 µg/mL for the stem bark, the leaves and the root bark respectively. The stem bark was the most active extract. The results of antibacterial activity test indicated that the all extracts exhibited the highest activity against Staphyloccocus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Stem barks showed moderate activity against P. aeruginosa and root barks against S. aureus and Enterococcus spp respectively.Conclusions: The bioactivities of the different parts could be attributed to alkaloids, phenolic compounds and terpenes. Stem bark showed the best antioxidant, antibacterial and anti sickling activities. Z. gilletii contains the phytochemicals that validate its use in Traditional Medicine for the management of sickle cell disease

Phytochemical study and anti-nutritional factors in stems of Dioscorea praehensilis benth (Dioscoreaceae)

The objective of this study was to identify and assay phytochemical compounds and various biological macromolecules of the tender stems of Dioscorea praehensilis benth and evaluate their antioxidant activity and to compare the content of oxalates and cyanogenetic glucosides between raw and cooked tender stems. The plant collection and identification, phytochemical evaluation: phytochemical screening, preliminary (qualitative) analyses and in vitro assays. Phytochemical screening was performed by qualitative methods. The estimation of the content of secondary metabolites was evaluated by spectrophotometry-UV. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the ABTS and DPPH assays and preliminary composition by the gravimetric method. The results obtained show that the stems of Dioscorea praehensilis are devoid of certain important chemical groups, the flavonoids were not detected and they were rich in total polyphenols (17.22 ± 0.16), tannins (19.32 ± 0.52) and anthocyanins (25.22 ± 0.04). Our extracts showed a lower antioxidant activity than that of positive controls. The samples are rich in carbohydrates and fiber, with low levels of proteins, lipids and ash. Dioscorea praehensilis has a high toxicity in HCN, but after a good cooking of about 1 hour, 99.97% of the cyanide are eliminated and does not have many oxalates. The results obtained show that Dioscorea praehensilis has a high dietary value and can therefore be used as a nutritive food

Consommation de légumes et risques sanitaires à Kinshasa : une évaluation appliquée aux amarantes

Market gardening is very important for the food security and the socio-economic life of the population of the city of Kinshasa. They provide more than 70% of the fresh vegetables consumed in the city. However, the production practices of these vegetables can lead to their contamination by micropollutants such as toxic metals with potential health risks for consumers to be assessed. This research examines the accumulation of toxic metals in amaranth (Amaranthus viridis) leaves sold in four markets in the city of Kinshasa in order to assess the potential risks to consumers. The results show that concentrations of toxic metals in amaranth leaves during the dry and rainy seasons are very high. The contamination of vegetables can be explained by several factors, including chemicals used to prevent amaranth diseases, emissions from vehicles and motorcycles in fields located near major roads, and watering. Given the concentrations of toxic metals in pigweed leaves compared to the FAO/WHO limits, and the results of our risk calculations, excessive consumption of this vegetable may pose potential health risks to consumers.Les cultures maraichères jouent un rôle très important pour la sécurité alimentaire et la vie socio-économique de la population de la ville de Kinshasa. Elles permettent l’approvisionnement de plus de 70% de légumes frais consommés dans la ville. Toutefois, les pratiques de production de ces légumes peuvent entrainer leur contamination par les micropolluants tels que les métaux toxiques avec des risques potentiels pour la santé des consommateurs à évaluer. Cette recherche examine l’accumulation des métaux toxiques dans les feuilles d’amarante (Amaranthus viridis) vendues dans 4 marchés de la ville de Kinshasa afin d’évaluer les risques potentiels pour les consommateurs. Les résultats montrent que les concentrations des métaux toxiques dans les feuilles d’amarante pendant les saisons sèche et de pluie sont très élevées. La contamination des légumes peut s’expliquer par plusieurs facteurs, notamment, les produits chimiques utilisés pour prévenir les maladies d’amarante, les émissions à partir des véhicules et des motos pour les champs situés aux alentours des grands axes routiers, ainsi que les eaux d’arrosage. Vu les valeurs des concentrations des métaux toxiques dans les feuilles d’amarantes comparativement aux valeurs limites fixés par FAO/WHO, et nos résultats de calculs des risques, la consommation excessive de ce légume peut avoir des risques potentiels pour la santé des consommateurs

Phytochemical and mineral profiling of anti-fertilizer plants used by pygmy women in the town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Case of Ipomoea involucrata P.Beauv. and Piptadeniastrum africanum (Hook.f.) Brenan

This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical and mineral composition of Piptadeniastrum africanum (Hook.f.) Brenan and Ipomoea involucrata P. Beauv., two plants presumed anti-fertilizers, were cited during an ethnobotanical survey carried out in 2018 among indigenous women in Mbandaka and the surrounding area. Micrography was carried out, followed by determination of mineral composition by ICP-AES and SAA, and the TLC for a highlight of the various phytochemical compounds making up these two plants. The study determined the relative structure of the multiple cells and tissues making up these plant drugs, including numerous raphids characteristic of Ipomoea involucrata and calcium oxalate crystals characteristic of Piptadeniastrum africanum. Among the chemical compounds, those directly linked to female anti-fertility have been highlighted. These include flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, and terpenoids. Elemental analysis revealed mineral salts and trace elements directly influencing reproduction, such as iron, zinc, calcium, sodium, and arsenic. Even if these data make it possible to justify the activity of these two plants in reproductive health, it is, however, necessary for an in-depth study on the in vitro evaluation to determine the clear anti-fertilizing activity of these plants used, raw, by indigenous women

Phytochemical and mineral profiling of anti-fertilizer plants used by pygmy women in the town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Case of Ipomoea involucrata P.Beauv. and Piptadeniastrum africanum (Hook.f.) Brenan

This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical and mineral composition of Piptadeniastrum africanum (Hook.f.) Brenan and Ipomoea involucrata P. Beauv., two plants presumed anti-fertilizers, were cited during an ethnobotanical survey carried out in 2018 among indigenous women in Mbandaka and the surrounding area. Micrography was carried out, followed by determination of mineral composition by ICP-AES and SAA, and the TLC for a highlight of the various phytochemical compounds making up these two plants. The study determined the relative structure of the multiple cells and tissues making up these plant drugs, including numerous raphids characteristic of Ipomoea involucrata and calcium oxalate crystals characteristic of Piptadeniastrum africanum. Among the chemical compounds, those directly linked to female anti-fertility have been highlighted. These include flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, and terpenoids. Elemental analysis revealed mineral salts and trace elements directly influencing reproduction, such as iron, zinc, calcium, sodium, and arsenic. Even if these data make it possible to justify the activity of these two plants in reproductive health, it is, however, necessary for an in-depth study on the in vitro evaluation to determine the clear anti-fertilizing activity of these plants used, raw, by indigenous women

Survey of water supply and assessment of groundwater quality in the suburban communes of Selembao and Kimbanseke, Kinshasa in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In many suburban municipalities of developing countries, the household drinking water comes mainly from groundwater including, wells, streams and springs. These sources are vulnerable because poor hygienic conditions and sanitation prevail causing persistence and recurrent waterborne diseases. In this research, a survey study on water resource use and an epidemiological survey of waterborne diseases were conducted among users of water points and medical institutions in suburban communes of Selembao and Kimbanseke (Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo). In addition, physicochemical (temperature, pH, O 2 , electrical conductivity, and soluble ions: Na + , K + , PO 4 3− , SO 4 2− , NO 3 − , NO 2 − ) and bacteriological (FIB: faecal indicator bacteria) analyses of water from 21 wells and springs were performed according to the seasonal variations. FIB included Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), Enterococcus and Total Coliforms. The survey results indicate that more than 75% of the patients admitted to local medical institutions between 2016 and 2019 are affected by waterborne diseases, including typhoid fever, amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis disorders and cholera. Except for NO 3 − in some sites, the water physicochemical parameter values are within WHO permissible limits for drinking/domestic water quality. On the contrary, the results revealed high FIB levels in water from unmanaged wells and springs during rainy and dry seasons. The microbiological pollution was significantly higher in the rainy season compared to the dry season. Interestingly, no FIB contamination was observed in water samples from managed/developed wells. The results from this study will guide local government decisions on improving water quality to prevent recurrent waterborne diseases