phytochemicals

Comparative Study of the Physiochemical and Coagulating Properties of Moringa Oleifera (Linn) Seeds and Stem for Use in Water Purification (Published)

Lack of access to clean and safe water is prevalent within many rural communities in developing countries in Africa, and the need for household water treatment is enormous. Moringa oleifera plant is a tropical plant known for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Moringa seeds have been widely used in traditional water treatment practices across many countries of Africa and the world. This study examines the physicochemical properties of the stem and the seed of the moringa plant to define its suitability for use in household water treatment. The moringa oleifera seeds and stems were pulverized into powdered forms and divided into two parts. The first parts were left in their raw state, and the second parts were calcined in a kiln at 800^oC. The raw and calcined moringa seed and stem samples were subjected to phytochemical analysis and XRF characterization. Aqueous extracts of the raw and calcined moringa seeds and stems were used in laboratory-based coagulation tests; coagulation efficiencies were determined using turbidity reduction in treated water over time. The results show similar elemental constituents in the raw and calcined moringa seed and stem. The necessary phytochemicals present were higher in the moringa seed samples than in the stem samples, both raw and calcined states. The coagulation tests indicated some coagulation efficiency in both raw and calcined samples, with turbidity reduction of up to 25% in 90 minutes. This study revealed that the moringa stems compare favourably with the moringa seeds in their raw or calcined forms as a bio-coagulant in water treatment.

Citation: Erhuanga E. A., Arotupin, D. J., Amoo I. A., Kashim I. B. and Akinbogun T. L., (2022) Comparative Study of the Physiochemical and Coagulating Properties of Moringa Oleifera (Linn) Seeds and Stem for Use in Water Purification, International Research Journal of Natural Sciences 10 (3) 33-48

 

Keywords: Moringa oleifera, bio-coagulation-flocculation, household water treatment, phytochemicals, turbidity removal, water supply

Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Gc/Ms Analysis of the Root of Stachytarpheta Cayennensis (L .Vahl) Grown in Eastern Nigeria (Published)

Stachytarpheta cayennensis is a plant full of phytonutrient, it has been applied by many  traditional healers to treat host of diseases. Its full constituents have not been fully documented. The phytochemical screening of the root of this plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, steroids and phenols. The antimicrobial analysis on selected human pathogens; Streptococcus specie, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, Proteus specie and Pseudomonas specie showed that the extract was only sensitive to Proteus specie having a diameter of inhibition of 4mm at concentration of 240mg/cm³ and minimum inhibition concentration of 120mg/cm³. The spectrum obtained from the GC/MS analysis showed ten peaks at M/z 128 ,220,242,256,252,270,256, 296, 282 and 281 corresponding to molecular formulas of C₁₀H₈ for Cyclopentyl cycloheptene, C₁₅H₂₄  for Butylated hydroxyl toluene, C₁₆H₃₂0  for Hexadecanoic acid, C₁₆H₂₈O₂ for 11-tetradecyl-1-ol acetate, C₁₇H₃₈O₂ for Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester,C₁₆H₃₂O₂ for n-hexadecanoic acid  C₁₉H₃₄O₂  for 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, C₁₈H₃₄O₂ for  octadec-9-enoic acid and C₁₈H₃₅NO for 9-octadecenamide respectively. 9-octadecenamide (Oleamide) is useful for the treatment of insomnia. Oleamide accumulates in the cerebrospinal fluid during sleep deprivation and thus induces sleep in animals. It may be a potential medicinal treatment for mood and sleep disorders

Keywords: Human Pathogens, Phytonutrients, Stachytarpheta Cayennensis, phytochemicals

Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Gc/Ms Analysis of the Root of Stachytarpheta Cayennensis (L .Vahl) Grown in Eastern Nigeria (Published)

Stachytarpheta cayennensis is a plant full of phytonutrient, it has been applied by many  traditional healers to treat host of diseases. Its full constituents have not been fully documented. The phytochemical screening of the root of this plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, steroids and phenols. The antimicrobial analysis on selected human pathogens; Streptococcus specie, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, Proteus specie and Pseudomonas specie showed that the extract was only sensitive to Proteus specie having a diameter of inhibition of 4mm at concentration of 240mg/cm³ and minimum inhibition concentration of 120mg/cm³. The spectrum obtained from the GC/MS analysis showed ten peaks at M/z 128 ,220,242,256,252,270,256, 296, 282 and 281 corresponding to molecular formulas of C₁₀H₈ for Cyclopentyl cycloheptene, C₁₅H₂₄  for Butylated hydroxyl toluene, C₁₆H₃₂0  for Hexadecanoic acid, C₁₆H₂₈O₂ for 11-tetradecyl-1-ol acetate, C₁₇H₃₈O₂ for Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester,C₁₆H₃₂O₂ for n-hexadecanoic acid  C₁₉H₃₄O₂  for 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, C₁₈H₃₄O₂ for  octadec-9-enoic acid and C₁₈H₃₅NO for 9-octadecenamide respectively. 9-octadecenamide (Oleamide) is useful for the treatment of insomnia. Oleamide accumulates in the cerebrospinal fluid during sleep deprivation and thus induces sleep in animals. It may be a potential medicinal treatment for mood and sleep disorders

Keywords: Human Pathogens, Phytonutrients, Stachytarpheta Cayennensis, phytochemicals

In Vivo Antiplasmodial and Effects of Subchronic Administration of Trichilia Emetica Leaves Extracts (Published)

Objective: The leave extracts of Trichilia emetica were investigated for antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium berghei infections in mice and chronic dose effects of the methanolic extract were also studied. Methods: The plant leaves were successively extracted into three (3) extract forms (Hexane, ethylacetate and methanolic extracts). Plasmodium berghei (NK 65 Chloroquine sensitive strain) was inoculated in to twenty mice assigned for 5 groups of 4 mice each. Group I, II and III were treated with 300mg/Kg bw hexane, ethylacetate and methanol extracts respectively. Group IV with 5mg/kg bw chloroquine phosphate (standard) and group V with 20ml/kg bw normal saline (control). Another set of 40 mice were divided into two groups of twenty each (test and control) and some serum parameters were studies. The test animals were gavaged with 300mg/kg bw extract while controls were given normal saline over a period of 5weeks on alternate days. Histology of the liver, and kidney were carried out. Results: The presence of alkaloids, saponins, pholobatannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and phenolic compounds have been detected and quantified. T. emetica extracts of hexane and methanol suppressed parasitemia in mice by 79.19 % and 95.83%respectively while ethylacetate extract has no activity. The weight of the test group was on a continuous decrease compare to the control while the reverse was the case in terms of the PCV. Glucose, total proteins, triacylglycerides, ALT and ALP levels all decrease significantly compared to the control group. AST level of the test group was significantly higher compare to the control. Histology revealed no damage to the kidney and liver. Conclusion: Hexane and methanolic extracts of Trichilia emetica have strong efficacy against malaria and a possible mechanism for this efficacy is its ability to lyses erythrocytes.

Keywords: Plasmodium berghei, curative, phytochemicals, serum, spectrophotometer