This work aims at analyzing the bioactive and anti-nutritional compounds of edible and wild beans when unprocessed and malted. Qualitative screening of phytochemicals in the various bean samples was determined in ethanol and petroleum ether solvents. Results of the anti-nutritional compositions of unprocessed wild bean extracted with petroleum ether showed there were no traces of saponin and polyphenol, in Feregede and also in edible bean-IT07K-243-1-10 which also had no traces of saponin and tannin. After malting, saponin was totally absent in Pakala, Mucuna, IT97k-499-35, IT07k-243-1-10, and IT04k-333-2 respectively. Polyphenol was also found to be absent in IT07k-243-1-10. Mucuna has the highest phytic acid level (7.8867 ± 0.011) while Feregede has the lowest phytic acid level (2.9810 ± 0.004). Otili has the highest anti-trypsin level (12.001 ± 0.0013). This study showed varying levels of anti-nutrients on the respective bean samples when unprocessed but decreased marginally after malting. It was keenly noted that values derived, either before and after malting were not significantly different (P ≤ 0.05) from each other. In all, this study had further shown that malting process enhanced removal of anti-nutrients which invariably would lead to availability of nutrient for animal and human consumption.

Lectin is a glycoprotein substance, usually of plant origin, of non-immunoglobulin nature and capable of binding to carbohydrate moieties of complex glycoconjugates. This underlies its clinical significance. Hence, purification steps comprising of centrifugation, salting-out, ultra filtration, dialysis and anion exchange affinity chromatography were used to purify the protein from the seed of Cissus populnea. The purified lectin agglutinated non-specifically red blood cells of human type A, B and O. The hemagglutinating activity of the lectin towards human erythrocytes was inhibited by Dfructose, D-glucose and CuSO 4 . However the lectin activity was enhanced by Dgalactose and MgCl 2 . Stability studies showed the purified protein to be stable at a spectrum of 20-40°C and at pH range of 6-8 and 10-11. The kinetic study on the purified protein indicated 26271HU and 278.2 L for Vmax and Km, respectively. However, result from paper chromatography on the carbohydrate isolate during purification indicated presence of a ketone sugar having same appearance with fructose standard, a sugar clinically established as the major source of energy during spermatogenesis. It was observed that heamagglutinating activity of the lectin from Cissus populnea towards human erythrocytes was non-selective to type of blood groups. It could be stated that Cissus populnea consumption may pose no threat to patient with challenge in metabolising glucose, since its main carbohydrate content is fructose.

This work was set out to assay for some minerals essential for healthy state and biochemical indices that underlined degenerative diseases in some edible bean cultivar and nearly extinct local wild bean. Against this backdrop, ash composition was determined before Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Zn 2+ , Fe 2+ , Pb 2+ and Cd were determined by Flame Photometer and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) respectively. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Vitamin E and Vitamin C were also assayed to determine the scavenging ability of the bean samples. The proximate ash composition result of unprocessed and malted edible bean IT99K-573-2-1 had the highest ash content value of 6.90 ± 0.01 and 6.92 ± 0.01 respectively. In the bean samples Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ were not detected. The empirical mineral composition varies across both the wild and edible bean without significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) except IT07K-243-1-10 that had Ca 2+ to be significantly higher than other bean samples. K + was found to be significantly higher in Feregede and IT07K-243-1-10 compared to other bean samples. Changes in the radical scavenging ability of the various sample in this study after malting, showed a slight reduction in DPPH content except for the edible beans-IT04K-333-2 and IT845-2246-4. Well, there was slight reduction of Vitamin E only in Otili, Mucuna and IT99K-573-1-1. Compared to others only Otili and IT845-2246-4 had slight reduction in Vitamin C after malting.

Fermentation takes place throughout the gastrointestinal tract of all animals, but the intensity and products of fermentation depend on number and types microbes, which are generally highest in the large bowel. Large intestinal epithelial cells do not produce digestive enzymes, but contain huge numbers of bacteria which have the enzymes to digest and utilize many substrates. The seeds of beans (Otili, Feregede, Pakala and Oloyin) analyzed in this present study contain indigestible fraction called dietary fiber which helps to maintain functioning of the digestive system. Fermentation of indigestible fraction (IF) of these beans was mimicked through in-vitro method which leads to biochemical changes in the samples. During this experiment, increase in acidity and turbidity was observed. The glucose concentration decreases with some exceptions, such as Pakala fermented by Lactobacillus acidophilus which had the value of 6.260 mmol/L at 6 hr and increased to 6.616 mmol/L after 18 hours fermentation, Otili fermented by various microorganisms which had its turbidity increased by 50%. Lactobacillus acidophilus fermenting Pakala had the highest glucose concentration during the fermentation period. The increase in turbidity could be as a result of increase in microbial flora or production of metabolites, such as glucose. The approach followed here may be used as a predictive model to assess the metabolic implications of food substrates present in the traditional Nigerian orphan beans.

This study sought to have an insight into the mechanism of action of diseases responsible for the susceptible Codiaeum variegatum (garden croton) leaves induced by Fusarium species and the clinical importance of the d isease resistant types. The plants were obtained fro m the Babcock University Germp lasm Repository. Therefore, phytopathogenic Fusarium species were isolated fro m three diseased susceptible cult ivars of C. variegatum (ovalifolium, royal-like and punctatum). Accordingly, lect in was isolated, purified and characterized fro m the leaves of a resistant garden croton cultivar (royal), and further evaluated for antifungal act ivity using isolates of Fusarium lateritium and F. semitectum obtained fro m the three diseased cultivars. The heamagglutinating activity of the purified lect in was non selective to type of blood group (A, B, A B and O) and was inhib ited by fructose, sialic acid, and copper sulphate, but was enhanced by galactose, calciu m chloride, sodium chloride and magnesium chloride. Optimu m heamagglutinating activ ity of the lectin was achieved at 30-40℃ and pH 5.0-6.0. The lectin exh ibited antifungal activity against the two Fusarium species in a non-concentration dependent manner. It is therefore concluded that Fusarium species are major phytopathogens of the garden croton plant and their spectrum of pathogenicity is dependent on the presence or absence of lectins. In addition, the resistant cultivar of C. variegatum (cv. royal) used in this study may be a suitable candidate for the prevention and treatment of fungal infections.