Variation in the proximate and mineral compositions of twenty nine accessions of grain amaranth (Amaranthus), belonging to five species: Amaranthus caudatus, A. cruentus, A. hybrid, A. hypochondriacus and A. hybridus were evaluated. Results showed that significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed in the proximate and mineral compositions among all the species evaluated. Amaranthus caudatus had the highest levels of crude fibre (4.04 g/100g), sodium (8.95 mg/kg), phosphorus (5765.64 mg/kg), magnesium (2219.15 mg/kg) and aluminum (111.09 mg/kg) contents. Amaranthus cruentus had the highest levels of crude fat (8.68 g/100g), zinc (59.49 mg/kg), copper (6.62 mg/kg), manganese (136.44 mg/kg) and calcium (1642.45 mg/kg). Amaranthus hybridus had the highest levels of protein (17.89 g/100g) and starch (38.01 g/100g). Phosphorus was the most abundant mineral present, followed by potassium and magnesium; while selenium was the least abundant mineral element present. The grain amaranth species have higher protein, crude fibre, starch and essential minerals than commonly consumed cereals and hold promise as a healthy alternative to these cereals and their products.

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Understanding the level and distribution of genetic diversity in African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) would strengthen breeding and conservation programmes towards domestication and sustainable use of this species. Sixteen accessions of P. globosa were assessed for variability based on seed morphology, seed protein and DNA profiling. Significant variation in seed characteristics were observed across locations. Seed protein profiling by SDS-PAGE revealed homogeneity as most bands were found common in all accessions, indicating that the protein profiles are highly conserved. Protein profiling separated the 16 accessions into four major clusters at 0.93 similarity coefficient. Most accessions grouping into Cluster 1 had a similarity coefficient of close to 100% and were from the Derived Savanna suggesting the presence of duplicates. Accessions NH/2016/P14, NH/2016/P03 and NH/2016/P04 grouped into clusters II, III and IV; respectively. Sixteen RAPD markers generated a total of 256 bands of which 63.67% were polymorphic. Gene diversity ranged from 0.41 to 0.93 and Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) from 0.39 to 0.93. The RAPD-based dendrogram separated accessions into six groups at 0.68 similarity coefficient. Based on a polymorphic seed storage protein marker a genetically distinct accession NH/2016/P04 could be exploited for breeding purposes. The homogeneity of alleles and narrow genetic base as revealed by RAPD and SDS-PAGE analyses suggests possible loss of intraspecific genetic diversity. Thus, intensification of germplasm collections across the different agroecological zones and characterization using specific markers will give a better understanding of diversity of P. biglobosa in order to enhance selection towards conservation, breeding and sustainable utilization.

The hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of Amaranthus hypochondriacus seed (ESAH) were evaluated in sodium arsenite (SA) treated rats. Animals were divided into eight groups. The first group was used as control, group II was administered SA (2.5 mg/kg body weight). Groups III, IV and V were administered different doses of ESAH (100, 200 or 300 mg/kg b.w., respectively); groups VI, VII and VIII were administered ESAH at 100, 200, 300 mg/kg b.w. plus 2.5 mg SA/kg; respectively. Rats were orally administered different doses of ESAH daily for fourteen days. The SA was administered on the 7th and 14th day. Results showed that sodium arsenite-induced elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were substantially reduced by pre-treatment with 200 and 300 mg/kg b.w. of ESAH. Histopathological observations also showed hepatic protective activity of ESAH. Sodium arsenite increased the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide and reduced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and increased frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes. Pre-treatment with 200 and 300 mg/kg of ESAH reduced the levels of MDA and H 2 O 2 ; increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) and reduced frequency of induction of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs) in bone marrow cells of the rats. Treatment with SA decreased body weight and increased relative liver weight compared to control and ESAH. Thus ESAH mitigates arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative damage in rats.