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Penicillin and related b-lactam antibiotics inhibit platelet aggregation and can cause bleeding diathesis; their potential antithrombotic and anticoagulation effects are being investigated. An in vitro study was carried out to determine the effect of culture extract of Penicillium chrysogenum (PCL501) on thrombin and whole blood clotting time. Visual and spectrophotometric measurements showed that the extract significantly (P < 0.05) lengthened thrombin and blood clotting time, and inhibited blood clot formation. Delay in thrombin and blood clotting time was proportionate to the extract concentration; a threshold level was reached when it totally inhibited clot formation. The reference drug, commercial benzyl penicillin, exhibited a similar inhibitory pattern. The culture extract and reference drug, at 6.0 and 5.0 mg/ml concentration respectively, prevented clot formation initiation by thrombin. No blood clot was observed at 30.0 and 20.0 mg/ml concentration respectively of the extract and reference drug. This study demonstrates that the culture extract of P. chrysogenum (PCL501) has in vitro antithrombotic and anticoagulant properties. It also suggests that inhibition of thrombin activity could be the major mechanism through which b-lactam antibiotics impair platelet functions and impede blood clotting process. The strain of P. chrysogenum can be exploited for low-cost antithrombotic and anticoagulation therapy.

Proximate analyses of two traditional grain legumes consumed in Eastern Nigeria-Bambara groundnut (Voadzeia subterranean) and African yam beans (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) were carried out. Bambara groundnut was found to contain 2.86 ± 0.02% moisture, 32.40 ± 0.02% protein, 7.35 ± 0.02% fat, 5.78 ± 0.02% ash, 2.68 ± 0.02% crude fiber and 51.78 ± 0.02% total carbohydrates. African yam beans contained following: 1.96 ± 0.02% moisture, 37.21 ± 0.02% proteins, 9.49 ± 0.02% fat, 5.35 ± 0.02 Ash, 3.55 ± 0.02 crude fiber and 44.4 ± 0.02% total carbohydrates. The result indicated that the two underutilized food legumes have high protein content with African yam beans having slightly higher value of the protein nutrient. They also contained varying levels of ash content, crude fiber and carbohydrates. This revealed that bambara groundnut and African yam beans are important food sources that can be exploited particularly in the developing countries where there is shortage in animal protein and undernutrition facing many families in developing countries.

Terminalia species are well recognised in traditional medicine. They are known for producing fruits and nuts which are edible and possess pharmacotherapeutic properties. They also have ornamental purposes in urban areas where they are found. These species are used by traditional healers in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus, its complications and other related ailments that are involved in the pathophysiological process of this disease. Research has been extensively done to validate these antidiabetic claims scientifically as well as understand the mechanism and mode of antidiabetic action. This chapter proposes to highlight the antidiabetic activities of Terminalia species found in Nigeria.

Common agro-wastes found in Lagos, Nigeria (cassava shavings, corncob, sawdust, and sugarcane pulp) were compared with glucose and lactose as fermentation substrates for Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501. Cassava shavings significantly (P<0.001) produced the highest amount of mycelia weight (0.43 ± 0.02 mg/ml) than all the other substrates. This was followed by corncob with peak mycelia weight of 0.33 ± 0.02 mg/ml. Peak mycelia weight of 0.27 ± 0.01 mg/ml was equally obtained with glucose and sugarcane pulp whereas lactose gave a slightly lower peak of 0.25 ± 0.01 mg/ml. Sawdust gave the least mycelia weight of 0.13 ± 0.01 mg/ml. Total sugar content of all the culture media steadily decreased as fungal growth progressed indicating that the organism utilized carbohydrates for growth and mycelia formation. Cultures containing cassava shavings and sawdust gave high protein peaks of 0.84 ± 0.05 and 0.65 ± 0.03 mg/ml respectively. Cultures containing corncob, glucose, lactose and sugarcane pulp yielded lower protein peaks of 0.37 ± 0.02, 0.30 ± 0.02, 0.24 ± 0.02 and 0.18 ± 0.01 mg/ml respectively. The results suggest that cassava shavings, corncob and sugarcane pulp could serve as cheap fermentation substrates for the growth of the fungus. Of all the substrates investigated, cassava shavings have the best potential to serve as substrate for fermentation by Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501.