Nigerian Journal of Life Sciences (ISSN: 2276-7029)

Proximate, mineral and microbial assessment of fresh red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) from markets in Benin City metropolis and environs

AO Chime — 2024-06-02

Red pepper (Capsicum annuum L) is the most economically important species in the Capsicum genus. They belong to the nightshade family Solanaceae. It varies in shape, size, colour, flavour, heat level and nutritional properties. This study aims to determine the proximate, mineral and microbial assessment of fresh Capsicum annuum purchased from five different markets in Benin City metropolis and environs. A total of 25 pepper samples were purchased; standard biochemical methods were used to analyze their proximate composition. The proximate composition included moisture (4.48±0.18 g/100g), ash (4.94±0.14 g/100g), carbohydrate (17.60±0.34 g/100g), protein (11.40±0.16 g/100g), fat (23.65±0.41 g/100g), crude protein (21.29±0.28 g/100g) and crude fibre (38.76±1.07 g/100g). Analysis of mineral element contents indicated that potassium was the most abundant (654.12±5.46 mg/100g), followed by magnesium (237.59 ±3.63 mg/100g), calcium (174.71±2.93 mg/100g), iron (17.49±0.25 mg/100g), sodium (12.38 ±0.12 mg/100g) and manganese (2.16±0.05 mg/100g). The microbial assessment of the pepper samples yielded eight microorganisms including Bacillus sp., Candida sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter sp. and Escherichia coli. Samples procured from Uselu market (32.1%) were the most contaminated with microorganisms while those from Oliha market (12.5%) were the least infected. Bacillus sp. and Staphylococcus aureus were the most prevalent microorganisms with each of them having a prevalence of 23.2%. Bacterial contamination was more than fungi in the fresh red pepper investigated. It was also observed that the environment in which these red peppers were kept contributed greatly to their spoilage. Results from this study show that pepper can be an important dietary supplement for improving human health, but care must be taken to prevent microbial contamination during handling and storage

Effects Of Aqueous And Methanolic Leaf Extracts Of Lonchocarpus Cyanencens Leaf On Oxidative Status In Normal Albino Wistar Rats

A.I. Iyoha — 2023-04-01

Lonchocarpus cyanescens, a shrub tree is one of the herbal plants used traditionally to improve human health in Nigeria. It is used in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus in the western part of the country. The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical effects of aqueous and methanol extracts of Lonchocarpus cyanescens leaf on oxidative status in normal Wistar albino rats. A total of twelve rats were divided into three groups of four rats each: control, aqueous and methanol extract groups. Rats in the two observation groups were administered 200 mg/kg body weight, of aqueous or method extract of the medicinal plant leaf. After 12 weeks of treatment, the rats were euthanized and blood samples were collected for analysis. The oxidative stress parameters measured included activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The results showed that aqueous and methanol extracts of L. cyanescens leaves did not significantly alter the activities and concentrations of the measured indices of oxidative stress in rats' plasma when compared with the control group (p > 0.05). These results indicate that extracts of L. cyanescens can maintain the oxidative status of normal rats

Loiasis assessment in onchocerciasis endemic communities of Esan West LGA of Edo State, Nigeria

S.I. Ebuwa — 2023-04-03

Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State is endemic for onchocerciasis but its status with regards to loiasis is unknown. Co-endemicity of onchocerciasis and loiasis results in severe adverse events (SAEs) when ivermectin is administered to treat onchocerciasis. Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that persons living in onchocerciasis-endemic communities be evaluated for co-infection with loiasis. Four communities in Esan-West LGA of Edo State (Egoro-Amede, Farm Settlement, Ora-Ede and Ukhun) were selected for this study. A simple random method was employed in the survey. The respondents were divided into distinct age groups throughout a five-year period, starting at age 15. Of these, 134 were males, 86 were females, with ages between 15 to 110 (mean = 60). Only 18 persons (8.2%) reported having a history of eye worms. Egoro-Amede and Farm settlements had the highest prevalence (7.3%). Ukhun had no record of eye worm history. Of the 18 persons that reported eye worm history, 13 (9.7%) were males and 5 (5.8%) were females (p>0.05). Age group ?50 had the highest number of persons reporting history of eye worm (6.6%). This study has shown that these communities are at low risk to severe adverse events due to Onchocerca-Loa loa co-infection, hence ivermectin distribution should continue in these communities

Aphrodisiac activity of aqueous extract of Tapinanthus globiferus (African Mistletoe) in male albino rats

M. H. Ashafa — 2023-03-01

This study aims to determine the aphrodisiac activity of aqueous extracts of Tapinanthus globiferus in male albino rats. The stem back of the plant was air dried under shade, pulverized with mortar and pestle and passed through a 0.5 mm mesh to standardize the particle. The plant sample was extracted using an aqueous solvent according to standard procedure. Thirty male albino male rats were randomized into five groups of six each. Tapinanthus globiferus extracts of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight were orally administered once daily for 14 days, and Sildenafil citrate was used as the positive control. Sexual behaviour parameters were monitored, and the effect of the extracts on serum reproductive hormones and cholesterol was determined using standard procedure. The extracts significantly (P<0.05) increased mount and intromission frequencies but significantly decreased mount and intromission latencies in a dose-dependent manner. The extracts at a dose of 100 and 150mg/kg prolonged ejaculatory latency. The hormonal assay shows significantly higher (P<0.05) testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels compared to the control. No significant (P>0.05) effect on the concentration of prolactin was observed. The results of the study suggest that the extract of T. globiferus exerts significant aphrodisiac activity at the administered doses

Assessment of heavy metals in water and organs (Gills and Muscles) of Clarias gariepinus from Wasai reservoir, Kano State Nigeria

A. H. Shehu — 2023-03-01

This investigation was carried out to assess the levels of heavy metals in surface water and their bioaccumulation in the organs of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) obtained from Wasai Reservoir, Kano State of Nigeria. Surface water samples and fish (C. gariepinus) were collected using standard protocols for a period of ten months. Four different locations were mapped out as sampling stations. Heavy metals concentration in water, gills, and muscles of Clarias gariepinus were assessed. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Data obtained were analysed using Analysis of Variance with Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test used to separate significant means at 5% level. The result showed significant difference (P?0.05) in the concentration of heavy metals at different locations with months. The result also showed that the levels of heavy metals were higher in location A due to high discharge from mechanic and agricultural activities in the area. More so, the level of heavy metals bioaccumulation in muscles was in the following sequence: Cd ? Pb ? Cr, while in the gills, the trend followed the sequence Pb > Cd > Cr. Thus, with the exception of Cr bioaccumulation in the gills, all the values of heavy metals studied were above tolerable limits.