Fulton’s condition, organ indices and haematological response of catfish hybrid (Heterobranchus longifilis, ♂ x Clarias gariepinus, ♀) to aqueous extracts of leaves of Lepidagathis alopecuroides

This study was conducted to assess the Fulton’s condition, organ indices and haematological response of catfish hybrid, Heterobranchus longifilis, ♂ x Clarias gariepinus, ♀ (mean total length, 29.96±2.23cm, SD; mean weight, 207.83±12.63g,SD) exposed to sublethal concentrations of aqueous extracts (0.00, 1.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 0.25mg/l) of leaves of Lepidagathis alopecuroides in a daily renewal bioassay for 21days. The Fulton’s condition, organ indices (hepatosomatic index, HIS; cardiosomatic index, CSI; and spleenosomatic, SSI; cardiosomatic index, CSI and renatosomatic index, RSI) and haematological variables (white blood cells, WBC; red blood cell, RBC; packed cell volume, PCV; haemoglobin, Hb; thrombocytes, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, MCH; mean corpuscular volume, MCV; mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, MCHC) were assessed at the end of the experimental period. The toxicant caused slight increase only in the HSI (p>0.05), whereas for CSI, SSI and RSI in some of the concentrations the weight were same, lower or higher than the respective control values. Leucocytopaenia and thrombocyotsis, p<0.05 were the most pronounced haematological changes recorded in treated fish compared with the control. Differential counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes), blood variables associated with oxygen transport (PCV, Hb and RBC) and red cell indices (MCV, MCH and MCHC) were not negatively impacted by the toxicant. Although the toxicant may not have impaired oxygen transport, it may depress the defence mechanism but enhance clotting of the event of any vascular injury to the fish. In the field where lethal concentrations of the plant material is used to catch fish more severe physiology changes may occur leading the mortality normally recorded during the application of the biocide, Hence the use the plant material for fishing should be checked by appropriate authorities.Key words: Fulton’s condition, organ indices, haematology, catfish hybrid, Lepidagathis alopecuroide

Larvicidal properties of Lepidagathis alopecuroides and Azadirachta indica on Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus

Comparative analysis of the larvicidal properties of aqueous extracts of leaves of Lepidagathis alopecuroides and Azadirachta indica (neem) was carried out on Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus. Assays showed that L. alopecuroides was more toxic to both larvae, while C.quinquefasciatus was more susceptible to extracts of both plants. For extracts from 500 mg of leaves in 1 L of water, the lethal time (LT50) for C. quinquefasciatus and A. gambiae with L. alopecuroides extract was in the ratio 1:4.5, while it was 1:21.8 with neem extract. No mortality was recorded in A. gambiae exposed to neem at all the concentrations until the emergence of the adult. The results suggest that L. alopecuroides is more potent than neem and could be developed as a cheap, effective and renewable resource that could be incorporated into the Roll Back Malaria program in Nigeria and other countrie

Acid-base indicator properties of dyes from local plants I: dyes from Basella alba (Indian spinach) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (Zobo)

The acid-base indicator properties of aqueous and ethanol extracts from calyces of H. sabdariffa (Zobo) and a dye obtained from the ripe fruits of Basella alba (Indian spinach), two local plants, were investigated. A purple coloured dye obtained from the ripe fruits of Basella alba showed a λmax at 580nm, absorptivity of 0.2269 and was found to be photochemically unstable. A deep red coloured dye obtained from aqueous and ethanol extracts of H. sabdariffa had λmax of 520nm and 540nm and absorptivities of 0.1909 and 0.1187 respectively. The peaks are associated with nЛ* transitions. In strong acid/strong base titrations using the dyes as indicators, the end-points obtained agreed well with those obtained using conventional indicators. The dyes were found not suitable for weak acid/weak base titrations. The Ka of the purple dye from Basella alba was of the order of 10-5 while that of the red dye from H. sabdariffa was of the order of 10-6. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 10(1) 2006: 5-