The phytochemical constituents aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam. were assessed and compared. The mineral and proximate analyses were done on the whole leaf extract. The result of the qualitative phytochemical constituents of both leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera showed presence of all the tested phytochemicals (flavonoids, anthraquinone, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanin, tannins and carotenoids) with water extracting more of the phytochemicals. Results showed the presence of iron (0.03g/100g), calcium (2.09g/100g), magnesium (0.48g/100g), potassium (1.62g/100g), phosphorus (0.04g/100g), zinc (0.005g/100g), copper (0.01g/100g) and sulphur (0.85g/100g). Proximate analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrate (57.01%), protein (18.92%), fats (2.74%), fibre (9.31%), moisture (4.09%) and ash (7.95%). The results from this study prove the extensive use of the leaves of this plant in ethnomedicine and its potentials in drug formulation.
The identification of plants in which the bees forage is key in establishing bee farms and increasing honey production. In this study pollen analysis of honey samples from the southeastern part of Nigeria was carried out to ascertain their floral sources and ecological origin. The honey samples were acetolyzed and microscopically studied to determine the pollen types. A total of seventy-one pollen types belonging to forty-one families of plants were identified. The honey samples were dominated by pollen grains from the families of Arecaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, Irvigiaceae, Fabaceae, Combretaceae/Melastomataceae, and phyllanthaceae. Some of the dominant pollen grain identified include Elaeis guineensis, Alchornea cordifolia, Hymenocardia acida, Ocimum gratissimum, Syzygium guineense, Nauclea latifolia and Afzelia africana. Out of the six samples studied Njikoka sample was monofloral having Mimosa pigra as predominant pollen while Ayamelum, Ekwusigo, Nsukka, Ezeagu, and Udenu samples are multifloral containing Elaeis guineensis, Phyllanthus sp., Piliostigma reticulatum, Irvingia sp., Alchornea cordifolia, and Lannea sp. as major secondary pollen. All the samples analyzed have Elaeis guineensis in common except Ezeagu, indicating that these plants are present in all five locations. These results can also be used as a tool in the geographical identification of Southeastern Nigeria honey from other geopolitical zones.
Algae are the chief primary producers in the aquatic environment. Thus, they supply proteins carbohydrates and mineral salts to the primary consumers and consequently sustain many fishes of commercial interest. Despite algae being a good source of food for some fishes, some cyanobacteria are of low nutritional value and with dinoflagellates may secrete toxins that kill fish. Algae population varies according to seasons and this affec s algae-dependent organisms. Optimal algal populat on is favoured by eutrophication but when there is rapid eutrophication, algal blooms may result. This may lead to the death of zooplankton, game fish and even man. The realization of fish as a major source of protein in Nigeria spurred various workers to investigate the natural food for such fishes as clupeids, Synodontis spp.
The concern for a sustainable environment informed the construction of a waste stabilization pond (biologically based wastewater treatment facility) by Ama Brewery, Nigeria, for the brewery effluent treatment and fish pond for the natives. The water quality and the efficiency of the pond in terms of pollutant and microbial removal were assessed and the treated effluent compared with environmental standards for discharge into receiving surface water and fisheries. Physico-chemical parameters, coliform and Escherichia coli at the WSP inlet and outflow were assessed monthly for twelve months, using standard methods. Suspended solids, total dissolved solids and phyto-nutrients (ammonia and phosphate) increased at the outlet (5.9%, 17.4%, 60% and 24.14% respectively). Decrease in biochemical oxygen demand and increase in chemical oxygen demand were 8.11% and 25.17% respectively. Despite the prevailing favourable environmental conditions for optimal performance, the pond was inefficient due to poor maintenance.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.