Comparative Effects Of Processing On The Cyanide Content Of Manihot Esculenta , Glycine Max And Zea Mays

The effects of varying processing treatments on the cyanide content of Manihot Esculenta, Zea Mays and Glycine Max were determined using picrate kit method and the following mean concentrations in ppm were obtained: 0.10, 0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.01, 0.00, 0.02,0.00, and 0.00 for Cassava, Garri, Fufu, Tapioka, Soybean, Vitamilk, Raw maize, Roasted maize, and Boiled maize respectively. There were statistically significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among all raw samples analysed for the observed phytotoxin (Cyanide) levels. The results obtained from the processed and unprocessed food products generally showed a marked difference (P ≤ 0.05) in cyanide levels between raw and processed food products and this implies that food processing has a marked effect on the cyanide content of different food types indicating success in degradation of cyanide by heat. Heat treatments therefore reduced the cyanide content (approximately 100%) in tested food crops thereby making them suitable and safer for consumption outside creating variety

Nutritional Potential of the Leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana ‘Godseffiana’ Muell Arg

The proximate and phytochemical composition of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana Muell Arg was investigated. The proximate composition includes moisture (57.60%), crude fibre (21.66% wet weight and 51.08% dry weight), total carbohydrate (12.50% wet weight and 29.48% dry weight), crude protein (3.94% wet weight and 9.29% dry weight), total ash (3.90% wet weight and 9.20% dry weight), crude fat (0.40% wet weight and 0.94% dry weight) and caloric value of (69.36% wet weight and 163.58% dry weight). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids (catechins and flavones), saponins and tannins; with 19.05mg/100g wet weight and 44.93mg/100g wry weight carotenoids, 7.15mg/100g wet weight and 16.86mg/100g dry weight saponins, and 1.82mg/100g wet weight and 4.29mg/100g dry weight tannins. This result support the medicinal use of the plant, and in addition, unveils the possibility of its acting as a potential source of food nutrients and nutraceuticals

Foliage accumulation of petroleum-based pollutants by Tallinium triangulare grown on post-remediated soil and its toxicological potentials on Wistar rats

A study of the toxicity of foliage accumulated petroleum-based pollutants by Tallinium triangulare grown on crude oil polluted and remediated agricultural soil was carried out using wistar rats. Three lots (A, B, C) of 4 m2 farmland with 2 m spaces between them had lots B and C polluted and bioremediated for 16 weeks. Viable seedlings of T. triangulare were planted on each lot and analyses of their leaves after 28 days of growth showed highest concentrations of 9.05+0.06 mg/kg and 0.07+0.01 g/100g for C30 and Lead for T. triangulare from naturally attenuated soil while 8.44+0.19 mg/kg of Acenaphthene was observed for those grown on bioaugmented soil. Animals fed with formulated pellets of 50% dry weight of T. triangulare from the three lots for 28 days. Assay of animal serum showed elevated toxicological markers, slightly increased amylase activity and decreased Packed Cell Volume and haemoglobin concentration.Keywords: Absorption, bioaccumulation, biotransformation, crude oil, ingestion, excretio

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of certain Morus species

In the present work, the fruits of four Morus species, namely Morus alba (white mulberry), Morus nigra (black mulberry), Morus laevigata (large white fruit), and Morus laevigata (large black fruit), were analyzed for proximate composition, essential minerals, and antioxidant potentials. For this purpose, the ripe fruits were collected from the northern regions of Pakistan. The major nutritional components (moisture, ash, lipids, proteins, fibres, carbohydrates, and total sugar) were found to be in the suitable range along with good computed energy. Total dry weight, pH, and titratable acidity (percent citric acid) were (17.60±1.94)–(21.97±2.34) mg/100 g, (3.20±0.07)–(4.78±0.15), and (0.84±0.40)%–(2.00±0.08)%, respectively. Low riboflavin (vitamin B2) and niacin (vitamin B3) contents were recorded in all the fruits, while ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was in the range from (15.20±1.25) to (17.03±1.71) mg/100 g fresh weight (FW). The mulberry fruits were rich with regard to the total phenol and alkaloid contents, having values of (880±7.20)–(1650±12.25) mg/100 g FW and (390±.22)–(660±5.25) mg/100 g FW, respectively. Sufficient quantities of essential macro-(K, Ca, Mg, and Na) and micro-(Fe, Zn, and Ni) elements were found in all the fruits. K was the predominant element with concentration ranging from (1270±9.36) to (1731±11.50) mg/100 g, while Ca, Na, and Mg contents were (440±3.21)–(576±7.37), (260±3.86)–(280±3.50), and (24±3.51)–(360±4.20) mg/100 g, respectivly. The decreasing order of micro-minerals was Fe>Zn>Ni. The radical scavenging activity of methanolic extract of fruits was concentration-dependent and showed a correlation with total phenolic constituents of the respective fruits. Based on the results obtained, mulberry fruits were found to serve as a potential source of food diet and natural antioxidants