International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research Vol. 1 (4), pp. 045-049, September, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Variations among commercial cultivars of Vetiveria zizanioides in the photosynthetic and metabolic characters associated with essential oil accumulation

N. K. Srivastava*and R. K. Lal

Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) P.O.CIMAP, Lucknow-226015, India

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 13 July, 2012; Accepted 17 September , 2012

Abstract

Intraspecific variations in four widely cultivated cultivars of vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L) were analyzed for physiological basis of regulation of essential oil accumulation. The cultivars had the same biosynthetic route of oil accumulation but differed with respect to yield parameters. Among the four cultivars, Gulabi showed highest yield of oil while Kesari incorporated maximum ¹⁴C into essential oil indicating efficient biosynthetic use of leaf assimilated metabolites transported to roots. Among the metabolite fraction in root, Gulabi had maximum ¹⁴C content in ethanol soluble and ethanol insoluble fraction whereas in leaf sugar, amino acid and organic acid had higher content. The leaf photosynthetic rate showed significant positive association with root biomass. The ¹⁴C label in metabolite sugar showed significant positive association with oil content in root, root biomass and oil yield. Efficient cultivar translocated a higher portion of leaf carbon assimilate towards the root and also towards the biosynthesis of essential oil. Thus, the physiological capacity of cultivars in terms of shoots photosynthetic capacity, assimilation of ¹⁴CO₂ and partitioning of metabolites between shoot and root regulate accumulation of essential oil.

Key words: ¹⁴CO₂ incorporation, primary metabolites, shoot-root partitioning, Vetiver. 

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research Vol. 1 (4), pp. 038-044, September, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of various protein source feed ingredients on the growth performance of broiler

Mustafa Rahim Abro¹, Hakim Ali Sahito^2*, Azizullah Memon¹, Rab Nawaz Soomro¹, Hidayatullah Soomro¹ and Nisar Ahmed Ujjan³

¹Abro MR, Memon A, Soomro RN and Soomro H. SAU, Tandojam- Sindh

^2*Entomologist, (Sindh) CABI South and West Asia, Rawalpindi- Pakistan

³Lecturer (LUAWMS) Uthal- Balochistan

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 30 July, 2012; Accepted 29 September, 2012

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of broilers in response to various percentages of animal protein (A.P) and plant protein (P.P) feed ingredients, kept at SAU, Tandojam. One hundred twenty 120 day old mixed chicks (male and female) were purchased for 42 days. Initially weighed and randomly divided in to 4 equal groups i.e. A, B, C, and D, each group having 30 chicks. They were fed different rations containing various percentages of A.P and P.P feed ingredients sources. Group A containing 20% A.P and 80% P.P (control), while group B, C and D were given 30/70, 40/60, and 50/50 percentages of A.P and P.P feed ingredients, respectively. It was noted that the different percentage of (A.P and P.P) animal protein and plant protein sources have significant (P<0.05) effect on the growth and economic parameters of broiler, but non-significant effect on edible and non-edible internal organs. The feed intake of broiler in groups A, B, C and D was 4203.37, 4240.21, 4283.98 and 4396.62 g/b; water intake (P<0.05) of broiler was 9.46, 9.51, 10.06 and 10.45 liter/b, respectively. Average  live body weight  (P<0.05) of broilers in groups A, B, C and D was 1896.25, 1952.39, 2022.32 and 2116.97 g/b; Feed conversion ratio was  2.03, 1.99, 1.93 and 1.84. Average carcass weight was 1138.80, 1176.60, 1252.20 and 1313.60 g/b; dressing percentage was 60.12, 61.88, 62.57 and 63.22; heart weight was 10.60, 11.00, 10.80 and 10.20 g/b; gizzard weight 56.40, 57.40, 58.80 and 59.20 g/b; liver weight 36, 38.40, 38.80 and 39 g/b and intestine weight 132.90, 137.20, 138.60 and 143.40 g/b, respectively. With increasing protein ratio of animal protein in broiler ration, there was significant (P<0.05) increase in feed and water consumption of broiler. It was observed that animal protein and plant protein percentages of 50:50% proved to be the most effective to increase broiler live body weight, improve feed conversion ratio, carcass quantity as well as net profit  per broiler basis. However, there was no association of animal protein and plant protein source on the mortality rate of experimental broiler. It was concluded that 50:50 percentages of A.P and P.P feed ingredients could be considered as an optimum ratio for better broiler growth and economic profitability.

 Key words: Animal protein, Plant protein, Growth performance, Net profit, Broiler.  

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research Vol. 1 (4), pp. 032-037, September, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Phytochemical characterization, antibacterial screening and toxicity evaluation of Dichrostachys cinerea

Johnstone Omukhulu Neondo^1*, Cecilia Mweu Mbithe¹, Peter Kariuki Njenga², Catherine Wangari  Muthuri³

¹Institute for Biotechnology Research- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi

²Botany-Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi

³ICRAF World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) P.O Box 30677-00100, Nairobi

*Corresponding author’s E-mail: [email protected]

Received 3 September 2012; Accepted 18 September, 2012

Absract

To provide scientific rationale to the traditional use of Dichrostachys cinerea as medicinal plant in Kenya, phytochemical analysis, antimicrobial screening and evaluation of toxic concentration levels of D. cinerea extracts were done. Qualitative assessment of phytochemicals, in vitro antimicrobial (selected bacteria and fungus) and brine shrimp toxicity assays were done. Explants (leaves, bark of stems and roots) were collected from D. cinerea trees growing in Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) fallow land behind Botany laboratory. They were washed and then air dried under light exposure (27°C − 30°C for 14 days). A portion of each extracts was used for phytochemical screening. Sensitivity of different bacterial strains to various extracts was measured in terms of zone of inhibition using disc diffusion assay. Brine shrimps lethality test (BST) was used to predict the presence of bioactive compounds in the extracts. Methanol extracts contained all the tested phytochemicals while hot water extracts lacked steroids. Methanol and hot water extracts had no significant difference in terms of antibacterial screening. The LC₅₀ value was found to be 2000ppm (parts per million). The results suggest that extracts of D. cinerea contain potential antibacterial and antifungal agents.

Keywords: Extracts; Phytochemical; microorganisms; antimicrobial activity; Toxicity bioassay.

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research Vol. 1 (3), pp. 020-025, August, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analytical screening of nutritional and non-essential components in unripe and ripe fruits of banana (Musa sapientum) 

Maina HM¹*, Heidi ES and Shagal MH

Department of Chemistry, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola

*Corresponding author's email: [email protected]

Received 17 July, 2012; Accepted August 10, 2012

Abstract

Proximate qualities, vitamins B₂, B₉ and C as nutritional components; also phytates oxalates and tannins as non-essential components were determined in the edible pulp (mesocarp) and peel (pericarp) of banana fruits. The determinations were done to find out if these parameters varied according to fruit part (mesocarp and pericarp) and state of maturity (unripe and ripe) of the fruit. Moisture, ash, crude fibre and crude protein were higher in the unripe mesocarp while carbohydrate was higher in the ripe mesocarp. The pericarps presented a different distribution. Ash and crude fibre were higher in the unripe pericarp while moisture and carbohydrate were higher in the ripe pericarp. Lipid extract in both mesocarp (0.20% unripe and 0.21% ripe) and pericarp (0.12% unripe and 0.10% ripe) were negligible. The vitamins analysed were higher in the ripe mesocarp than in the unripe. Riboflavin was 2.10 mg/100 g in ripe and 1.40 mg/100 g in unripe; folic acid was 55.50 μg/100 g in ripe and 41.40 μg in unripe while ascorbic acid was 36.10 mg/100 g in ripe and 23.10 mg/100 g in unripe. These vitamin concentrations were found to be nutritionally significant. Tannins, oxalates and phytates were generally higher in the pericarps than the mesocarps but these concentrations were all found to be below stated lethal levels. Therefore, concentrations of nutritional and non-essential components analyzed varied according to fruit part (mesocarp and pericarp) and state of maturity (unripe and ripe).

 Key words: Qualities, vitamins, phytates, nutrition, banana, fruits.

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research Vol. 1 (3), pp. 012-019, August, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Assessing concentrations of hazardous metals in medicinal plants from four selected districts in Ashanti region of Ghana 

Kofi Sarpong¹,  Emmanuel Dartey¹ ,  Harrison Dapaah²

¹Faculty of Science and Environment Education, University of  Education, Winneba, Ghana. 

²Faculty of Agriculture Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. 

*corresponding authors’ Email: [email protected]

Received 21 July, 2012; Accepted 31 July, 2012

Abstract

Hazardous metals such as lead, cadmium and arsenic are potential biaccumulative toxins of medicinal plants. The hazardous metal amounts of medicinal plants, however, remains poorly documented in Ghana. The study was carried out to assess the amounts of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in thirty-six (36) selected medicinal plant samples obtained from four (4) districts (Mampong, Sekyedumase, Ejisu and Oyoko) whose inhabitants are noted for extensive use of medicinal plants in the management of ailments. Dry Ashing method of digestion and analysis was adopted for the determination of amounts of hazardous metals and concentration per sample was expressed in µgg^-1. The study revealed that all the samples contained the assessed hazardous metals except the bark of Ceiba pentandera (B) which had no As. Pb was also not detected in the fruit of Cola nitida while the rhizome of  Zingiber officinale  contained no Pb and Cd. The highest concentrations of Pb, Cd and As were detected in the bark of Mangifera indica  (12.96 µgg^-1) at Ejisu, the bark of  Pycnanthus angolensis L  (2.03 µgg^-1  ) at Mampong  and the leaves of Alchornea cordiforlia  (16.35 µgg^-1) at  Sekyedumase,  respectively. The observed amounts detected in these medicinal plant samples were all above the WHO maximum permissible limits (MPL) for the respective metals. The samples from Mampong, Sekyedumase and Oyoko  all had Pb amounts below the WHO MPL of 10 µgg^-1, while those from Ejisu  had thirty percent (30%) of  its samples with Pb amounts above the WHO MPL. The range of levels of  Pb were: Ejisu (2.50µgg^-1-12.96 µgg^-1), Mampong (0.04 µgg^-1-8.40 µgg^-1), Sekyedumase (0.375 µgg^-1 -1.415µgg^-1 ) and Oyoko (0-0.125 µgg^-1) . All the samples from Sekyedumase recorded Cd amounts above the WHO MPL of 0.300 µgg^-1.  Ejisu and Mampong had 60% and 70% of their samples, respectively recording Cd amounts above the WHO MPL. However, samples from Oyoko recorded Cd levels below the WHO MPL. The contents of As in the  samples analyzed  were all below the WHO  MPL  of 10 µgg^-1 except Alchornea cordiforlia  from Mampong, which recorded 16.35 µgg^-1.

Key Words: Hazardous metals, medicinal plants, Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research Vol. 1 (3), pp. 026-031, August, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Evaluation of phytochemical constituents and in vitro antibacterial activity of organic solvent fractions of ganoderma lucidum methanolic extract 

Shamaki BU¹ _, Geidam YA¹, Abdulrahma F.², Ogbe AO³, and Sandabe UK¹.

¹Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri,  PMB 1069, Bama Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Maiduguri,  PMB 1069, Bama Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

³Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nassarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Authurs’ Email: [email protected]

Received 20 July, 2012; Accepted 10 August, 2012

Abstract

The phytochemical constituents and the antibacterial activity of different organic solvent extracts (methanol, Ethyl acetate and n-butanol), of the wild mushroom- Ganoderma lucidum was evaluated. Phytochemical analysis of the three soluble fractions of the Ganoderma lucidum methanolic extract indicates that methanol and n-butanol fraction extracts contain; flavonoids, carbohydrates, tanins, cardiac glycosides, saponins and terpenoids, while as in case of ethyl acetate fraction the result obtained indicate the presence of carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, saponins and terpenoids. The inhibitory activity of the test extracts against some bacterial organisms was investigated by the disc diffusion method, using various concentrations of 200mgml^-1, 150mgml^-1, 100mgml^-1, 50mgml^-1 and 25mgml^-1. Ethylacetate extract fraction exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Resistance by the test microbes was observed against methanolic and n-butanolic fractions. However, most of them showed susceptibility to ethyl acetate extract fraction except Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aeroginosa that showed resistance.  Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) test showed Corynebacterium pyogene, Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiela pneumoneae strains were the most sensitive, showing susceptibility at lower concentrations of 12.5mg ml^-1, followed by Pseudomonas aeroginosa and P. mirabilis. Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) result showed that ethyl acetate soluble fraction has more bactericodal activity against K. pneumoneae at a concentration as low as 12.5mg ml^-1. The inhibitory effect of the test extract against the tested microbes was less than that of the standard antibiotic-Ampiclox^R (Ampicillin + Cloxacillin).The extract showed its potentials as an antibacterial agent that should be exploited.

Keywords: Phytochemical, Antibacterial, Organic solvent fractions, Ganoderma lucidum Extracts, Ampiclox.^R