Effects of ethanolic extracts of leaf, seed and fruit of Datura metel on kidney function of male albino rats was investigated in this study. The result showed a non-significant (p > 0.05) increase of urea concentration in groups 2 and 3 administered low (300 mg/kg bw) and high (600 mg/kg bw) dose of leaf extract respectively and a non-significant (p > 0.05) decrease in all groups administered the seed and fruit extracts compared with normal control (group 1). Creatinine increased significantly (p < 0.05) in groups 4 and 7 administered low dose (300 mg/kg bw) of seed extract and high dose (600 mg/kg bw) of fruit extract respectively, but increased non-significantly in other groups (2, 3, 5 & 6) compared with normal control. Sodium, potassium and bicarbonate concentrations increased non-significantly (p > 0.05) in all groups administered the various extracts, except in group 4 in which sodium reduced non-significantly (p > 0.05) compared with normal control. Chloride increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group 5 and non-significantly (p > 0.05) in groups 3, 6 and 7, but reduced non-significantly (p > 0.05) in group 4 compared with normal control. The administration of some of the extracts in comparison with the normal control in histology of the animals show glomerular extrusion and glomerular collapse with resultant increased urinary space, dilated tubules, vacuolations in some epithelial lining of most of the tubules in the medulla and inflammatory cellular infiltration at some peritubular regions. The results showed that some parts of Datura metel posed mild negative effects, while some parts could possess nephroprotective potential by regulating the kidney function of male albino rats.

Three hundred and twenty (320) oranges of Valencia variety were stored under cold conditions in the refrigerator for 8 weeks. The following parameters were carried out during the course of storage: Total soluble solids, titratable acidity, weight loss, firmness, pH, vitamin C and sugar/ acid ratio. The final value for firmness for coated oranges was found to be 1781.25 + 118.30N, while that of uncoated oranges was 1531.25 + 185.53N. The pH was gradually increasing during the course of storage in the two treatments, whereas vitamin C was found to be decreasing in storage. The total soluble solid for coated oranges was 9.79+ 1.14% while that of uncoated oranges was found to be 9.34 + 0.06% at the end of storage. There was a linear decrease in titratable acidity during the course of storage. It was found that the value obtained for coated oranges was higher than that of uncoated oranges which was obtained to be 1.14 + 0.07 at the end of storage. Converse to this was obtained for % weight losses in the two treatments. The weight loss for coated oranges was 29.20+ 0.55%, while that of uncoated oranges was 53.30+ 1.17% at the end of storage. A linear increase was observed in sugar/acid ratio in the two treatments during the course of storage with higher value being recorded for uncoated oranges as 8.90 + 0.87, while lower value was gotten for coated oranges as 7.43+ 0.34%.

Background: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Datura metel (leaf, seed and fruit) on blood lipid profile of male albino rats. Methods: Thirty-five albino rats (8 weeks old) weighing between 66g and 84g were purchased and randomly allotted into 7 groups. The normal control (group 1) received normal saline, while groups 2 to 7 received extracts of Datura metel at low (300 mg/kg body weight) and high doses (600 mg/kg body weight). The extracts were administered orally for seven consecutive days, while the animals were sacrificed on the 8th day; blood samples were collected, allowed to stand for fifteen minutes and then centrifuged. Results: There was a general decreasing trend in the mean values of low density lipoprotein levels across the groups, however, group 7 (with lowest value) was found to be significantly lower (p <0.05) than other groups when compared with the normal control. Also, there was a general decreasing trend in the values of high density lipoprotein compared with normal control group, however lowest value was recorded to be 1.35±0.06 mmol/l for group 5. There were no significant differences (p >0.05) in triglyceride levels across the groups, while total cholesterol in groups 5 and 6 had significant differences with values of 2.05±0.06 mmol/l and 2.13±0.10 mmol/l respectively when compared with the normal control. Conclusions: This study suggests that ethanolic extracts of Datura metel have active ingredients that are capable of improving blood lipid profile and this might be useful in the management of cardiovascular diseases.

The use of conventional food packaging materials is usually effective in terms of barrier. On the other hand, their non‐biodegradability creates serious environmental problems, motivating researches on edible biopolymer films and coatings to at least partially replace synthetic polymers as food packaging materials. Chitosan is a biopolymer obtained by N‐deacetylation of chitin, which is the second most abundant polysaccharide on nature after cellulose. Chitosan forms clean, tough and flexible films with good oxygen barrier, which may be employed as packaging, particularly as edible films or coatings, enhancing shelf life of a diversity of food products. Chitosan films (CH) were plasticized with two hydrophilic compounds, namely, olive oil (CHOO) and vegetable oil (CHVO). Our objective was to investigate the effect of plasticizers on the quality and storability of oranges with chitosan films. The following parameters were measured: weight loss, ascorbic acid content, pH, and firmness. The stability of the plasticized films was observed by storage for 7weeks at ambient temperature of 25±2oC and relative humidity of 55‐67%. Prior to storage, the orange samples were surface sterilized using 100mg/L sodium hypochlorite. Results showed that chitosan films plasticized with two hydrophilic compounds was effective in extending the shelflife of orange when compared to untreated control in the following order: CHOO>CHVO>CH>Control.

Background The fruits of Xylopia aethiopica and seeds and leaves of Piper guineense are commonly used as spices. Due to their wide use in nutrition and traditional medicine, there is need to examine the biochemical and histological effects of ethanolic extracts of fruits of Xylopia aethiopica and seeds and leaves of Piper guineense on liver and kidney function in male albino rats. The test animals (groups 2, 3 and 4) received 100 mg/kg each of the corresponding extract for 21 days. Group 1 served as normal control and received a placebo of normal saline. The animals were later fasted overnight, sacrificed and their blood collected through cardiac puncture for biochemical indices. Results AST activity decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in rats of group 2 compared to the normal control; ALP decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in animals of group 3; while ALT increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group 4. The concentrations of urea and potassium showed significant decrease (p < 0.05) in animals of group 3. Creatinine increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group 2. Concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, sodium and chlorides in the test animals did not show any significant alteration. WBC count increased significantly (p < 0.05) in rats of group 3 and non-significantly (p > 0.05) in groups 2 and 4. PCV increased significantly in rats of group 4 and non-significantly in groups 2 and 3. RBC count and Hb levels increased non-significantly (p > 0.05) in all the test groups compared to group 1. The histoarchitectural states of the liver and kidneys showed no apparent alteration by the different extracts. Conclusion The extracts have no apparent toxic effect on the liver and kidneys of the experimental rats, although fruits’ extract of Xylopia aethiopica showed possibility of exhibiting mild liver toxicity.