No abstract

Plants play a crucial role in human well-being and health. They provide some of the essential nutrients that humans require as well as act as medications to alleviate and cure various health problems. The purpose of this study is to look into the nutritional value, mineral composition, and the overall contributions of Pterocarpus osun to human nutrition and health. The result of the proximate analysis showed that protein is 9.52% in stem bark and 13.63% in the leaf, while the crude fiber in the stem bark is 37.89% and 46.03%, in the leaf. Ash, 6.74% and 7.46% in the stem bark and leaf respectively while carbohydrate content is 15.37% (stem bark) and 3.26% (leaf). Alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, and tannins were detected in both organs of the plant tested. The mineral elements present include Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Mg, Zn, Cr, Co, Cd, Sulphur, and phosphorus. The antioxidant effect compared favorably well with that of the ascorbic acid used as standard. The extracts were screened for antimicrobial activities using eleven human pathogens. Each of the extracts successfully killed six microbes.

Calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides Desv.), a vigorous, hairy annual trailing legume, is a cover crop in tropical tree plantations. In this study, the aerial part of calopo was extracted separately using hexane, ethylacetate and methanol. The phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined. The nutritional value of the plant was determined by proximate analysis. The FTIR analysis was also carried out. Estimation of the phytochemical and nutritional analysis was done using the standard laboratory methods. The results showed that the total phenolic content of C. mucunoides was the highest (4.29 ± 0.032 mg/g). Antioxidant activity was highest in the methanol extract (65-71% inhibition). Proximate analysis revealed a high protein content (20.54%); ash content (9.86%); Fibre (21.42%); Lipid (18.62%) and carbohydrate content (21.56%). The FTIR analysis showed a broad band at 3392-3353 cm-1 representing bonding –OH groups. The peak around 2924-2918cm-1 represents aliphatic chains, -CH2- and –CH3. The peak around 1623 cm-1 (from methanol and hexane extract only) corresponds to C=O stretch. The peak observed at 1515 cm-1 (from ethylacetate extract) corresponds to the secondary amine group. Results from this study shows the plant contains significant phytochemical compounds and using appropriate solvent, it may serve as a source for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of various diseases as claimed by its traditional uses. The plant is also of high nutritional value, especially due to its high protein and fibre content, and therefore, may be used in feed formulation.

Traditional healthcare system depends majorly on natural medicinal plants from the environment. These plants produce secondary metabolites which confer on them the various medicinal properties; however, Seasonal fluctuations have impact on their availability and quantity hence their therapeutic efficacy. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of seasonal changes on the quantity of secondary metabolites from Neem and Eucalyptus plants. Leaves and bark of Neem and Eucalyptus plants from SHESTCO, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria, were collected during the four quarters of the year 2019. Samples were dried, milled into powder, quantity of secondary metabolites was estimated and antioxidant activity was analysed using standard methods and protocols. Results from this study showed a variation in secondary metabolite compositions in response to seasons. In both plants’ organs, saponin content peaked and crashed during the second and fourth quarters of the year respectively, while alkaloid had the highest content during the fourth quarter of the year. Highest level of tannin was recorded in the leaf and bark of the plants during the third quarter of the year. Antioxidant activity of both plant extracts showed a regular patterned decrease with increasing concentration, with lowest antioxidant activity for both plants’ organs recorded during the third quarter. Findings of the study indicate that the quantity of inherent secondary metabolites in the medicinal plants and their corresponding antioxidant activity varies in specific manners at different times of the year due to seasonal variation.

Hysteria, asthma, and skin illnesses with inflammation are all treated by Passiflora foetida, a wild species of the Passifloraceae family. The purpose of this work is to determine the phytochemical contents, antioxidant capabilities, and FTIR analysis of Passiflora foetida crude methanol extract. Standard laboratory methods were used to conduct the phytochemical analysis. The antioxidant activity of the methanol extract was measured using an UltraViolet-Visible Spectrophotometer at 517nm against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryhydroxyl (DPPH). In addition, an FTIR characterization study was performed. The sample, according to the phytochemical screening analysis, contains tannin, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenols. At 300µg/mL concentration, the highest antioxidant activity was recorded (73.36 percent), whereas, at 1000µg/mL concentration, the lowest activity (60.31 percent) was obtained. FTIR spectrum bands of 2852–2922 cm-1 -CH- group, 1507 – 1715 cm-1 band of C-C aromatic group, 1173 – 1362cm-1 band of C-O aromatic and ester groups are notable in the spectrum. The results of this study revealed that Passiflora foetida may be a promising plant to be exploited in drug discovery.