Density of Briquettes Produced from Bambara Groundnut Shells and It’s Binary and Tertiary Combinations with Rice Husk and Peanut Shells

The density of briquettes produced from bambara groundnut shells and its binary and tertiary combinations with rice husk and peanut shells was investigated for its potentials in domestic cooking. The bambara groundnut shells, rice husk and peanut shells were collected from various locations in Benue State Nigeria, where the agro products are produced in large quantities. The briquetting process and assessment of compressed and relaxed densities were conducted in the Department of Forestry laboratory of the University of Agriculture Makurdi Nigeria. The experimental design was 4 x 2 x 3 factorial in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 replicates.  There were 4 briquette types, 2 briquette shapes and 3 percentage starch binder levels. Bambara shells and its binary and tertiary combinations with Rice husk and Peanut shells were collected, dried, ground, sieved to uniform fraction of 1.17mm and used to produce donut and puck shaped briquettes at 15%, 25% and 35% of starch binder. The briquette combinations were Bambara (100:0), Bambara + Rice (50:50), Bambara + Peanut (50:50) and Bambara + Rice + Peanut (33:33:33). The results were analysed using ANOVA and LSD at p<0.05 and descriptive statistics. The compressed densities of bambara briquettes and its binary and tertiary combination with rice husk and peanut shells were significant. Bambara briquettes recorded the highest compressed density of 1.0g/cm3, while the relaxed densities of the briquettes were not significant. Bambara briquettes produced the lowest relaxed density of 0.55 g/cm3 while bambara + rice briquettes had the highest relaxed density of 0.87 g/cm3.The effect of percentage starch binder was significant on compressed density of bambara briquettes and its combinations but the relaxed density was not significant. The effect of briquette shape was significant on compressed and relaxed densities of the briquettes. Puck shaped bambara briquettes and its combinations recorded higher compressed and relaxed densities than donut shaped briquettes. Bambara briquettes showed favourable physical and combustion properties that are suitable for utilization as alternative fuel energy. Bambara shells and its binary and tertiary combinations with rice husk and peanut shells are therefore, recommended for production of briquettes as alternative fuel for domestic cooking due to the high energy composition of the briquette. Keywords: Compressed density, Relaxed Density, Briquette type, Percentage binder, Briquette shape

Plant diversity and composition in Pandam Wildlife Park, Plateau State, Nigeria

The Pandam wildlife park was surveyed to assess its plants diversity and composition with a view to  determining its diversity status and conservation potential. Data were collected from 10 sample plots of 50m x 50m, laid in alternate positions at 250m interval on 2 transects lines of 200m x 200m with a distance of 500m laid between the transects across three vegetation types (savannah woodland, swamp zone and riparian forest). Tree species were identified and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of each species was measured. A total of 25,043 of individual plants were identified, distributed in 64 species, 36 genera and 29 families. Trees were 1136 individuals, representing 4.54%, 5602 were herbs (22.4%) and 18266 were saplings (73.05%). The woodland savanna recorded the highest number of species (34) with 49 trees, 58 saplings and 51 shrubs. Fabaceae, Combretaceae and Poaceae were the most dominant families with 25.30%, 9.85% and 8.45% respectively. Anogeissus leiocarpus, Azadirachta indica, Daniellia oliverii, Vitex doniana and Terminalia spp were the dominant tree species encountered. The study revealed that Pandam Wildlife Park had an average species diversity value of between 2.08 (woodland savanna) to 2.65 (swamp forest). The study area had moderate species diversity. Swamp forest area had the highest number (624) of tree stands. The forest trend of the area was a reversed J-shape diameter distribution indicative of healthy recruitment potentials and anthropogenic activities. Therefore, it is recommended that efforts be geared towards the sustainability of fragile species in the Park

Antimicrobial effect of isolated compound of Anadelphia afzeliana (Rendle) Stapf on selected wood fungi and bacteria in Makurdi, Nigeria

Anadelphia afzeliana was assessed for antimicrobial activity as an alternative to synthetic chemicals. A. afzeliana was collected from Orkar village, Gboko, Benue State. The specimen was pulverized. Methanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane solvents were used for extraction. Each solvent measured 1800 ml was added to 300 g of A. afzeliana. The mixture was left to soak for 48 hours. Extract was filtered and allowed to dry by evaporation. Dried extract was mixed with silica gel to run column chromatography. Compounds were analysed by Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Concentrations of 200, 100, 50 and 12.5 μg/m were constituted for antimicrobial sensitive test on ten wood bacteria and nine fungi. NMR showed the presence of stigmasterol (C29H48O). Antifungal test revealed A. fumigatus, C. puteana, G. sepiarium, P. schweinitzii, Rhizopus spp. and S. rolfsii as sensitive to stigmasterol at zones of inhibition (ZOI) of 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 20mm, respectively. Antibacterial showed A. proteobacteria, B. subtilis, B. proteobacteria, E. faecium, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and P. mirabilis sensitive at ZOI of 30, 28, 29, 26, 27, 23, and 23 mm, respectively. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 25 μg/ml completely inhibited Alpha proteobacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Beta proteobacteria while Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of 50 μg/ml completely killed A. proteobacteria, B. subtilis, and B. proteobacteria. MIC of stigmasterol at 50 μg/ml completely inhibited Coniophora puteana, Gloeophyllum sepiarium, Phaeolus schweinitzii, Rhizopus spp. and Sclerotium rolfsii while at 100 μg/ml of Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), Phaeolus schweinitzii and Rhizopus spp. were completely killed. A. afzeliana proved potent in the control of wood fungi and bacteria. MFC and MBC for tested pathogens were observed to be most effective at 50 μg/ml and is therefore recommended as concentration for A. afzeliana compound in the control of fungi and bacteria infections.Keywords: Anadelphia afzeliana, bacteria, fungi, stigmasterol, sensitive, resistan

Antifungal Activity of Compounds obtained from Sawdust and Stem Bark of Sasswood Tree (Erythrophleum suaveolens) on Wood Rot Fungi

Extracts and compounds from the sawdust and stem bark of Erythrophleum suaveolens were studied for antifungal activity. The plant materials were extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol to obtain the crude extracts. Column chromatography over silica gel was used to purify the extracts and obtain pure compounds. Betulin and 21- acetoxylupenone were obtained from the stem bark and cycloeucalenol from the sawdust. The compounds were very active on most of the fungi with zones of inhibition between 18 to 23 mm. Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) was highest at 50 µg/mL against Aspergillus fumigatus, Coniophora puteana, Fibroporia vaillantii, Fomitopsis pinicoca, Gloeophyllum sepiarium, Phaeolus schweinitzii and Rhizopus spp. whereas antifungal activity was least at MFC of 200 µg/mL. The study demonstrated that E. suaveolens stem bark and sawdust isolates possess antifungal activity and could be used in the control of the soft-rot, brown-rot, wet rot and white-rot of wood and diseases caused by wood fungi.Keyword: Antifungal, Betulin, Erythrophleum suaveolens, 21-acetoxylupenone

Antibacterial Activity of Triterpenes from the Stem Bark and Heartwood of Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan

The antibacterial activity of compounds isolated from the stem bark and sawdust of Erythrophleum suaveolens were evaluated. Extraction of the pulverized plants materials was carried out using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Extracts were fractionated using column chromatography and fractions were examined using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. Antibacterial activities against Acidobacterium capsulatum, Actinobacterium sp., Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Bacillus subtili, Ralstonia solanacearum, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis were also carried out. A novel triterpene, 21-acetoxylupenone and betulin were identified in the fractions from the stem bark of E. suaveolens while cycloeucalenol and stigmasterol were obtained from the sawdust extract fractions. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to all control antibiotics but was inhibited by 21- acetoxylupenone and cycloeucalenol with 23 mm and 24 mm diameter of Zones of Inhibition. Acidobacterium capsulatum, Actinobacterium sp., Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Proteus mirabilis were completely inhibited at Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of 50 µg/mL, while Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas syringae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were completely inhibited at MBC values of 100 µg/mL. Thus E. suaveolens stem bark and saw dust isolates can be used in the control of plants diseases where these pathogens are the causative agents.Keywords: Antibacterial, Triterpenes, 21-acetoxylupenone, Cycloeucalenol, Betulin, Nigeri

Phytochemical screening and antifungal activity of sawdust and stem bark extracts from Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr) Brena

This study was carried out to investigate the antifungal potentials of stem bark and sawdust of Erythrophleum suaveolens. Stem bark was collected from Federal University of Agriculture (FUAM) while sawdust sample was collected from Timber Shed Makurdi. Both samples were air dried while the stem bark was ground into powder for extraction. Extraction of samples was done sequentially by macerating 1000 g and 600 g of stem bark and sawdust, respectively using 1000 mL (w/v) of n-hexane for 24 hours and filtering off the hexane extract followed by ethyl acetate and methanol in that order for 24 hours each. Extracts were filtered and evaporated to obtain dried extracts and yields calculated. Phytochemical screening of samples was carried out according to AOAC standard methods. Diffusion method was used for antifungal screening of extracts. Sabouraud Dextrose agar was prepared as media in Petri dishes where Zones of Inhibition were observed for fungal growth. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of extracts was determined according to broth dilution technique at 40 g/mL, 20 g/mL, 10 g/mL, 5 g/mL and 2.5 g/mL. Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) determined by sub culturing MIC to determine the least concentration at which fungi were killed. Percentage yield of extract was highest (5.19 %) in stem bark and lowest (0.12 %) in sawdust. Methanol extracts had the highest yield (5.19 % and 3.42 %) for stem bark and sawdust followed by ethyl acetate (1.06 % and 0.36 %) and n’ hexane (0.16 % and 0.12 %), respectively. Flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, steroids, and tannins were in the stem bark while, anthraquinones, saponins and tannins were completely absent in the E. suaveolens sawdust. Zones of Inhibition (ZOIs) of antibiotics ranged between 27 mm – 35 mm while ZOIs for crude extracts ranged from 18 mm – 28 mm. At MIC of 5 mg/mL, E. Suaveolens stem bark methanol extract inhibited Coniophora puteana and Fomitopsis pinicoca growth. At MFC of 10 mg/mL the same microbes were killed. Erythrophleum suaveolens stem bark methanol can be used in the control of brown-rot decay and stem decay caused by Coniophora puteana and Fomitopsis pinicoca.Keywords: Antifungal, brown-rot decay, stem decay, Erythrophleum suaveolens, Coniophora puteana, Fomitopsis pinicoca, Antimicrobial, Aspergillus fumigatu