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Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 isolated from cassava dumpsites were used for the production of amylase enzyme. The Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 had diameter (mm) zone of clearance of 17.0, 23.0 and 8.0 respectively using Potato dextrose agar plates fortified with starch. Studies on the amylase enzyme activity (mg/ml) of Aspergillus niger strains 1 and 2 showed 19,340 and 16,510 respectively. These values were higher than the commercially available amylase enzyme that had an activity of 5,722.2. The protein (mg/ml) and specific activity (units/mg) for amylase from Aspergillus niger strain 1 was 28.39 and 681.23 while 21.76 and 758.73 from Aspergillus niger 2 respectively. Purification using ammonium sulphate (% w/v) at 60, 80 and 100 on amylase enzyme from Aspergillus niger strain 1 for enzyme activity, protein and specific activity was 44405.49, 17.01 and 2610.55, 28949.76, 23.62 and 1225.65, 36220.25, 16.67, and 2172.787 respectively. The microbial production of Amylase enzyme in Nigeria from Cassava peel will reduce cost of production, convert cassava peel from waste condition to wealth, and will boost economy through indigenous industrialization.

The ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of Cola millenii were investigated for it secondary metabolites as well as its effect on serum indices and antioxidant status in normal male albino rats. Fresh leaves of C. millenii were air dried, extracted with ethyl acetate and concentrated. The extract was analysed for its secondary metabolites using the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Three concentrates consisting of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) of the extract were prepared. Groups of five rats were intraperitoneally injected with each of the doses, whilst a fourth group was not injected and served as the normal control. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum was analysed for hepatic and renal biomarkers as well as cholesterol level. Hepatic tissue was analysed for malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). FITR spectroscopy revealed the presence of aliphatic, carboxylic acids, esters and alkenes functional groups. Administration of the extract doses led to the increased serum activities of hepatic and renal biomarkers. About 50 mg/kg bw of the extract had the least cholesterol level compared to the other doses. MDA level was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in rats administered with 50 mg/kg bw of the extract. Except for the lowest dose, little or no significant effect was observed on SOD and CAT activities. These results indicate the medicinal potential of ethyl acetate extract of C. millenii leaves as portrayed by the low cholesterol and MDA levels and increased CAT activity with 50 mg/kg bw being the most active concentration.