Effects of Extraction Method on the Physicochemical and Mycological Qualities of Canarium Schweinfurthii Fruit Oil

The effects of improved method of extraction on the physicochemical, mycological and stability of crude Canarium Schweinfurthii fruit oil were studied. The extracted oils were then stored at 25±5oC for 24 months with samples analyzed at 6months interval for; pH, saponification value, acid value, peroxide value and iodine number. Similarly, enumeration and identification of fungi species was determined using standard mycological procedures. The results showed that crude Canarium Schweinfurthii fruit oil obtained by the improved method of extraction had better quality and stability parameters than the traditional method extracted oil. At 24months the oil quality values of; pH 5.20 – 6.61, Acid value 0.53 – 1.02 (mg of KOH/g), saponification value 151.30 – 179.52 (mg of OH/g), peroxide value 0.031 – 1.500 (meq 02/Kg) and iodine value 85.02 – 101.60 (gI2/100g). Comparatively, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed for pH and saponification values for the extracted oils, with values of 6.60, 178.60(mg of OH/g) and 6.62, 178.52(mg of OH/g) for traditional and improved extraction methods respectively. During storage the oils showed average fungal counts of 00.00 to 1.72 x105 and 00.00 to 8.00 x104 CFU/ml oil at 0 and 24 month for traditional and improved methods extracted oils respectively. Predominant fungal species; Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Sacccaromyces cerevisiae, Mucor spinosus, Penicillium patalun, Fusarium oxysprum and Candida scotti were found associated with the stored canarium oil. Generally, Mucor spinosus (80.00%), Aspergillus niger (80.00%) and Penicillium patalum (80.00%) had the highest occurrence in traditional extracted oil. This finding  suggests the need for the local processors to reevaluate the full processing method in order to retain better fungal quality and oxidative stability for Canarium schweinfurthii fruit oil.Keywords: Canarium schweinfurthii, fruit oil, Extraction, Fungal Isolates, Oxidative stabilit

Studies on the antibacterial activities of Ocimum basilicum and Psidium guajava

The antibacterial activities of crude extracts of two local plants used in Nigeria for traditional medicine were tested against Escheriachia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus. Extraction of active ingredients from the plants was done using water. Determination of the antibacterial activities was done using the Zone of Inhibition tests, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Determination of the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) Index. The two plants extracts exhibited anti-microbial activities against the four test microorganisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the plants were 62.5 mg/ml and 62.5 mg/ml, 31.25 mg/ml for E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi and S. aureus respectively, while MIC values for P. guajava were 125 mg/ml, 62.5 mg/ml, 125 mg/ml and 250 mg/ml for E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi and S. aureus respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of combined aqueous extracts were also determined the values were 125 mg/ml, 31.25 mg/ml, 125 mg/ml and 62.5 mg/ml for E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi and S. aureus respectively. FIC values of the combined plant extracts were 3, 1.5, 5.0 and 1.25 for E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi and S. aureus respectively. The anti-microbial activity of Ocimum basilicum and Psidium guajava as demonstrated in this study raises hopes of their potentials as sources of medication against a wide range of diseases when used individually rather than in their combination. Keywords: Antibacterial activities; ocimum basilicum; psidium guajava; bacteriaInternational Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp 214-21

Phytochemical, toxicological and histo-pathological studies of some medicinal plants in Nigeria

Phytochemical, toxicological and histo-pathological studies were carried out on the leaves and stem bark extracts of Grewia mollis, Boswellia dalziellii, Jatropha curcas and Pterocarpus erinaceus claimed to be of medicinal values in Nigeria. The soxhlet apparatus was used for extraction of the crude materials. The result revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, balsam, phenols, terpenes, steroids and the absence of alkaloids in Grewia mollis (bark), Boswellia dalziellii (leaf) and Pterocarpus erinaceus (bark) as well as cyanogenic glycosides in all the plant materials. Toxicological result showed that the plant is safe for human consumption but with caution having produce LD50 at 1500 mg/kg body weight. The extracts showed no structural effects on the liver and heart. In the kidney however, the convoluted tubules were filled with fluids, which suggested that the extract should be used with caution on patients with renal failure. The plants therefore possess some important biological activities that could be harnessed and employed beneficially in the management of viral and bacterial infections. Keywords: Phytochemistry; toxicology; histo-pathology; rat; medicinal plants; Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 225-22