Lead and zinc concentrations in hair and nail of some Kano inhabitants

The advantages of hair and nail tissues analysis over other biological samples are that trace metal concentrations in them are not subjected to rapid fluctuation due to diet, air and water hence a long term stable nutritional status. Lead and zinc concentrations in hair and nail samples were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean zinc concentration in hair and nail were 0.695 ± 0.33 mg/g and 0.640 ± 0.52 mg/g respectively while the mean lead concentrations in hair and nail were 0.384 ±0.34 and 0.463 ± 0.364 mg/g respectively. A progressive increase in zinc concentrations in hair and nails with age indicated no significant difference when their means were compared suggesting that zinc in hair and nails originate from a common source, comparing the mean lead concentrations in hair with the nails a significant difference is indicated in the 2 tissues (p ≤ 0.05). Human hair and nails are therefore recording filaments that can reflect metabolic changes of many elements over long periods of time and hence furnish a print out of post nutritional event as dietary levels of some of the essential micro-elements.Key words: Lead, zinc, hair, nail, AAS, Kano, Nigeria

Quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid contents in Cassia Tora and Laptedenia Hastata leaves from seven irrigation areas of Kano State Nigeria

The aim of this work was to quantify the total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC) of Cassia tora and laptadeniahastata vegetables consumed in Kano state, Nigeria. Presence of TPC in the leaves of cassia tora and Laptadiniahastata from different sampling areas are as follows: Bebeji sample had 4.41±0.02 mg/g gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 15.69 ±0.01mg/g GAE, Chalawa sample had 3.41±0.09 mg/g GAE and 6.479±0.036 mg/g GAE, Minjibir sample had 4.72±0.07 mg/g GAE and 7.33±0.03 mg/g GAE, Tudun Wada sample had 5.16±0.09 mg/g GAE and 2.583±0.036mg/g GAE, Garun Malam sample had 5.39±0.03 mg/g GAE and 5.33±0.07 mg/g GAE,Kura sample had 4.5±.01 mg/g GAE and 7.542±0.072 mg/g GAE),Tiga sample had 5.62±0.01mg/g GAE and 14.00±0.132 mg/g GAE respectively whereas, TFC are :Bebeji sample had 17.68±0.01mg/g rutin equivalent (RE) and 6.725±0.06 mg/g RE, Chalawa sample had 10.35±0.04 mg/g RE and 6.392±0.034 mg/g RE ,Minjibir sample had 11.23±0.09 mg/g RE and 5.42±0.03 mg/g RE, Tudun Wada sample had 9.96±0.07 mg/g RE and 6.35±0.02 mg/g RE, Garun Malam sample 16.82±0.04 mg/g RE and 6.52.0.04 mg/g RE, Kura sample had 14.37±0.07 mg/g RE and 6.56±0.03 mg/g RE), Tiga sample had 22.64±0.09 mg/g RE and 5.88±0.42 mg/g RE respectively. Based on the results of this investigation, it can be concluded that Cassia tora and Laptadeniahastata are rich sources of phenolic compounds which are natural antioxidant of high value.Keywords: Cassia tora, laptedenia hastata, leaves, phenolic,flavonoi

Levels of total phenolic and flavonoids in Abelmoschus esculentus L. from some irrigation areas of Kano state-Nigeria

Vegetables are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, glucosinolates, vitamin C and their hydrolysis products which may have antioxidant and anticancer properties .This study was carried out to assess the level of total phenolic and flavonoids in selected vegetables from different sampling areas of Kano state-Nigeria. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the extracts were  determined by Rhodanine and AlCl3  reagents and their amount calculated as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and rutin  equivalent (RE) fresh weight respectively, using UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The result show that, the levels of total Phenolics and Flavonoid contents in okra (AbelmoschusesculentusL) vegetable samples among seven different sampling areas (ʋiz: Bebeji, Kura, Tiga, Minjibir, Tudun Wada, Garun Malam and Chalawa) of Kano-state, Nigeria were determined. Levels of Total phenolic content ranged from 33.33 ± 0.02 to 22.07±0.02 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of fresh matter and for flavanoid ranged from 29.97±0.03 to 10.97±0.01 mg of rutin equivalent per gram of fresh matter. The highest content of total phenolic in Okra was found in Bebeji sample and highest content of flavonoid was found in Minjibir sample. The results obtained revealed that, the Okra samples analyzed are potential sources of the bioactive compounds analyzed.Key words: Flavonoid, phenolic,okra,Irrigation areas

Quantitative analysis of caffeine in some selected brands of energy drinks available in Kano State Nigeria

This research work was aimed to determine the pH and level of caffeine in some selected brands of energy drinks available in Kano state, Nigeria. Different brands of these products were purchased from different shops in Kano metropolis. Caffeine was carefully extracted from each product and analysed by ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometric methods. The results showed that the caffeine content of the energy drinks ranged from 34.65 to 40.88mg/100mL. Like-wise the mean pH of carbonated energy drinks were highly acidic ranging from 2.99±0.017 to 3.98±0.012, The reason behind the low pH values in carbonated drinks could be as a result of the presence of carbon (iv) oxide gas and other acids such as phosphoric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid and tartaric acid used as preservatives by the manufacturers of these product.Keywords: Energy drinks, Caffeine, pH, Kano- Nigeri

Manganese Concentrations In Hair and Fingernail of Some Kano Inhabitants

Manganese concentrations in hair and fingernails were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS).The mean manganese in hair and fingernail were 0.54 \ub1 0.35mg/g and 0.68 \ub1 0.30mg/g respectively. A progressive decrease in manganese concentrations in hair and fingernails with age indicated no significant difference in their means suggesting that manganese in hair and fingernails originate from a common source. Comparing the mean manganese concentrations in hair with the fingernails a significant difference is indicated in the two tissues (p 640.05). Human hair and fingernails are therefore recording filaments that can reflect metabolic changes of many elements over long periods of time and hence furnish an imprint of post nutritional event as dietary levels of essential micro-elements. @ JASE

Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of the root bark extracts of Neocarya macrophylla

Neocarya macrophylla is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine in Northern Nigeria to treat asthma, skin infections, treatment of wounds, dysentery, pulmonary troubles and a number of inflammations, as ell as treatment of eye and ear infections. In this work, the root back extracts of Neocarya macrophylla were screened for phytochemical constituents as well as the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, an ear infection-causing pathogen. The results revealed that some of the common phytoconstituents are present in most of the extracts. The susceptibility test results gives inhibition range of 13, 13, 13, 14 and 13 mm for the crude extract (NM), methanol extract (NM4), ethyl acetate extract (NM3), chloroform extract (NM2) and n-hexame extract (NM1) respectively against test organism at 50 mg/ml. The test results also showed inhibition range of 12, 11, 11, 12 and 12 mm for NM, NM4, NM3, NM2 and NM1 respectively at 25 mg/ml. Lastly, the results showed inhibition range of 11, 10, 09, 10 and 11 mm for NM, NM4, NM3, NM2 and NM1 respectively at 12.5 mg/ml. This indicates that NM2 is the most active fraction against the organism at 50 mg/ml, and the least active fraction was NM3 at 12.5 mg/ml. The test results also show that the root back extract NM2 has the potentials of providing the active components that could be developed into new antibacterial agents.Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Escherichia coli, Neocarya macrophylla, Phytochemical

Proximate composition and the mineral contents of soya beans (Glycine max) available in Kano State, Nigeria

Soya bean is an important source of high-quality protein and oil, as well as other nutritious substances. The higher the content of these nutritious substances in a given soya bean, the higher it’s quality. The mineral and proximate contents of the variety of soya beans available in Kano state, Nigeria, were determined using standard procedures. The percentage (%) proximate composition was found to be Moisture 8.13%, Crude Protein 39.24%, Crude Fibre 6.84%, Crude Lipid 30.31%, Ash 4.61%, and Carbohydrate 5.08%. While the average mineral contents (%) were found to be 0.003 (Na), 0.216 (K), 0.281 (Mg), 0.324 (Ca), 0.722 (P), 0.003 (Zn), 0.002 (Cu), 0.291 (Mn) and 0.018 (Fe). The result is an indication of the nutritional importance of soya beans, and thus its production and quality require to be improved.Keywords: Mineral content, Nutritional value, Proximate composition, Soya bean

Manganese Concentrations In Hair and Fingernail of Some Kano Inhabitants

Manganese concentrations in hair and fingernails were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS).The mean manganese in hair and fingernail were 0.54 ± 0.35mg/g and 0.68 ± 0.30mg/g respectively. A progressive decrease in manganese concentrations in hair and fingernails with age indicated no significant difference in their means suggesting that manganese in hair and fingernails originate from a common source. Comparing the mean manganese concentrations in hair with the fingernails a significant difference is indicated in the two tissues (p≤0.05). Human hair and fingernails are therefore recording filaments that can reflect metabolic changes of many elements over long periods of time and hence furnish an imprint of post nutritional event as dietary levels of essential micro-elements. @ JASE