In vitro antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus leaves against some selected organisms

The in vitro activity of the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus leaves against some selected organisms was investigated. The aqueous extract of P. muellerianus leaves was subjected to phytochemical screening. In addition, its antibacterial activity against clinical isolates, including Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus was determined at 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, 10.00, 12.50, 25.00 and 50.00 mg/ml body weight in albino rats. Phytochemical screening revealed amongst others the presence of cardenolides (0.33%), cardiac glycosides (0.51%), flavonoids (0.16%), saponins (1.21%), tannins (0.68%), phenolics (0.55%) and terpenoids (0.08%). Antibacterial study revealed that the aqueous extract of P. muellerianus leaves was bacteriostatic for about 15 hours on all the tested organisms except Proteus mirabilis which showed growth at all the concentrations used. Consequently, the data in the present study indicates that the aqueous extract of P. muellerianus leaves possessed antibacterial properties, being most effective at 50.00 mg/kg body weight

Comparative analysis of the chemical composition of three spices – Allium sativum L. Zingiber officinale Rosc. and Capsicum frutescens L. commonly consumed in Nigeria

The beneficial health effects of spices against common chronic systemic diseases have been well documented. Comparative study of the proximate, mineral and phytochemical components of three spices namely garlic (Allium sativum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) were investigated. Analysis of the proximate composition revealed that the spices had considerable carbohydrate and crude protein content, but low ash, fibre, moisture and fat except pepper which has high crude fat content. The spices were also characterized by the presence of mineral elements such as calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, copper and zinc which are very important to human nutrition. Phytochemical screening indicated that these spices are also rich in phytonutrients including alkaloid, tannin, carotenoids, saponin and flavonoids. The spices had low concentrations of steroids and cardenolides. Overall, the findings indicate that the spices are good sources of nutrients, mineral elements and phytochemicals which could be exploited as great potentials for drugs and/or nutritional supplements.Key words: Comparative, nutritional, supplements, spices

In vitro antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus leaves against some selected organisms

ABSTRACT The in vitro activity of the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus leaves against some selected organisms was investigated. The aqueous extract of P. muellerianus leaves was subjected to phytochemical screening. In addition, its antibacterial activity against clinical isolates, including Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus was determined at 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, 10.00, 12.50, 25.00 and 50.00 mg/ml body weight in albino rats. Phytochemical screening revealed amongst others the presence of cardenolides (0.33%), cardiac glycosides (0.51%), flavonoids (0.16%), saponins (1.21%), tannins (0.68%), phenolics (0.55%) and terpenoids (0.08%). Antibacterial study revealed that the aqueous extract of P. muellerianus leaves was bacteriostatic for about 15 hours on all the tested organisms except Proteus mirabilis which showed growth at all the concentrations used. Consequently, the data in the present study indicates that the aqueous extract of P. muellerianus leaves possessed antibacterial properties, being most effective at 50.00 mg/kg body weight. Citation: Bamisaye FA, Oloyede OB and Yakubu MT (2015). In vitro antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus leaves against some selected organisms

Comparison Of \u3b1-amylase Activity In Some Sprouting Nigerian Cereals

The yield and characteristics of Alpha-amylase obtained from some sprouting Nigeria cereals (maize, acha, rice and sorghum) were compared using standard procedures. The result indicated maximum \u3b1-amylase yield was attained from 72-120 hours of sprouting cereals). Of all the sprouted cereals, acha gave rise to the highest amylase yield (16.6 \ub1 0.02x102 and the least was exhibited by maize (11.0\ub10.04x102). The optimum temperature for \u3b1-amylase activity was 60\ub0C for maize and rice while that of acha and sorghum was 70\ub0C. The optimal pH for the activity of \u3b1-amylase from sprouting maize, rice, acha, and sorghum were exhibited at 6.5, 5.5, 6.5 and 5.8 respectively. The apparent kinetic parameters, Vmax and Km, were 9.0x10-2 and 0.23; 12.5x10-2 and 0.56; 7.0x10-2 and 0.29; 12.5x10-2 and 0.50 for \u3b1-amylase from sprouting maize, acha, rice and sorghum respectively. It is concluded that \u3b1-amylase obtained from sprouting Nigeria cereals manifest differences in quality and quantity, and may be useful in different starch processing industries

Assessment of biological value of Terminalia catappa seed meal-based diet in rats

The effects of defatted Terminalia catappa seed meal on the growth performance and carcass of rats were investigated. Twelve weaning albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) with an average weight of 24.0 ± 3.4g were maintained on diets composed of defatted T. catappa seed meal (Tc meal) and soybean meal (control) for six weeks. The weights of the rats were monitored on weekly basis, at the same period of the day and before being served the (weighing) day’s feed. The organs and carcasses of the rats were weighed after they were sacrificed and disemboweled, and the chemical compositions of the carcasses were also determined. The body weights of the rats maintained on defatted Tc meal were significantly reduced to one-third (1/3) of the weights of the control animal (p<0.05). The organ to body weight ratio of the Tc meal rats were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the control. In the carcass of rats fed Tc meal diet, ether extract, crude protein and ash contents were significantly reduced (p<0.05) when compared with the control. However, the crude fibre and the nitrogen free extract (NFE) were significantly higher in the Tc meal rats than that of the control (p<0.05).  It can be deduced that the defatted Terminalia catappa seed meal could cause depression in growth rate, enlargement of rat tissues with adverse effects on carcass of rats

Assessment of protein quality of processed melon seed as a component of poultry feed

Ninety six day - old broiler chicks were used in a 4 - week feeding trial to determine the protein quality of processed melon seed as a component of broiler chick diet. The protein quality was assessed using blood associated parameters including Haemoglobin indices and selected serum enzymes. The processed melon seed meals were Raw Melon Seed Meal (RMM), Fermented Melon Seed Meal (FMM) and Fermented Cooked Melon Seed Meal (FCMM). The three test ingredients (RMM, FMM and FCMM) were included as the sole source of protein in a basal broiler chick starter diet. The soybean seed meal (SBM) based commercial broiler chick starter diet served as the control. Blood associated parameters like Haemoglobin (Hb), PCV, RBC, WBC, Total Protein, Creatinine, Uric acid, GPT, GOT and ALP were used to assess the protein quality of the diets fed. There were four (4) experimental groups, each made up of eight birds in three replicates, allocated to the experimental diets (SBM (Control), RMM, FMM and FCMM) respectively. Of all the groups of broiler chicks, those placed on the FCMM diet gave blood associated parameters that were similar in value to those of the broiler chicks placed on the control (SBM) diet; while values obtained for broiler chicks placed on the other diets RMM and FMM were quite low. The results indicated that the processing of melon seeds by cooking and fermentation made the protein in melon seed more available to the broiler chicks, and also removed some or all of the antinutritional factors in raw melon seed. It is therefore concluded that the simultaneous processing of melon seed using cooking and fermentation techniques before its inclusion in broiler chick starter diets, enhances the protein quality and status of melon seed as a component of broiler starter diet. Key Words: Protein quality, melon seed, cheeks, haematological indices Biokemistri Vol.16(2) 2004: 80-8

Selected spices and their combination modulate hypercholesterolemia-induced oxidative stress in experimental rats

BACKGROUND: Effect of aqueous extracts of Allium sativum (garlic), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Capsicum fructensces (cayenne pepper) and their mixture on oxidative stress in rats fed high Cholesterol/high fat diet was investigated. Rats were randomly distributed into six groups (n = 6) and given different dietary/spice treatments. Group 1 standard rat chow (control), group 2, hypercholesterolemic diet plus water, and groups 3, 4, 5, 6, hypercholesterolemic diet with 0.5 ml 200 mg · kg-1 aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper or their mixture respectively daily for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Pronounced oxidative stress in the hypercholesterolemic rats evidenced by significant (p < 0.05) increase in MDA levels, and suppression of the antioxidant enzymes system in rat's liver, kidney, heart and brain tissues was observed. Extracts of spices singly or combined administered at 200 mg.kg-1 body weight significantly (p < 0.05) reduced MDA levels and restored activities of antioxidant enzymes. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that consumption of garlic, ginger, pepper, or their mixture may help to modulate oxidative stress caused by hypercholesterolemia in rats