EX-SITU Characterization of Luffa aegyptaica in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Luffa aegyptiaca is a plant of multi-purpose importance whose usefulness cuts across virtually all areas of life. This study has characterized L. aegyptiaca in Lagos state and determined the mineral, proximate, phytochemical as well as the heavy metal accumulation potential. Samples were collected from the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos state at 2 samples per location. Genetic similarity and intra-specific variation in 40 samples of L. aegyptiaca were determined using 3 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers which yielded a total of 42 markers of which 25 was polymorphic. The maximum number of bands (14) was produced by OPC4 while the minimum (7) were produced by OPAF20. Percentage polymorphisms were 70% (OPAF20), 82.4% (OPC4) and 68.4% (OPC6) with an average value of 73.6%. The result from a genetic diversity study was scored to generate a dendrogram using NTsys (2.0j). Phytochemical, proximate, Mineral and the heavy metal study showed the presence of Flavonoid, Saponin; Carbohydrate, protein; Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca) and Chromium, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Lead among others. The nutritional composition and the potentials of the RAPD marker in distinguishing intra-specific variation in Luffa aegyptiaca were highlighted in this study.

Intra Specific Relationships and Biochemical Composition of Laportea Aestuans (L.) Chew, Sida Rhombifolia L. And Commelina Verginica L. in Lagos State

“…Similarity index values were 1.13 (OPA12) and 1.00 each for (OPY20 and OPC04) while Null frequency values ranges from 0.05 to 0.34. Several authors have assessed the genetic diversity/relatedness of plant species with RAPD primers [29,30,26,22,31]. In the work of Srilekha and Ravi, [22], 100 percent polymorphism was observed in OPE-4 and OPA-9 primers similar to the finding of this research.…”

“…Calcium and Magnesium were determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Buck Scientific, East Norwalk, CT06855, USA). Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K) were determined by flame photometry (Jenway Ltd, Dunmow, Essex, UK) [26]. Phytochemical composition of aqueous extracts were done using the method of [27]…”

Novel sources of resistance to fusarium wilt in Luffa species

“…are native to Asia (primarily South and Southeast Asia) and are widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries (Kumari et al, 2019;Adeyanju et al, 2021). Nine species of Luffa have been identified including: Luffa acutangula, L. cylindrica, L. aegyptiaca, L. operculata, L. quinquefida, L. saccata, L. graveolens, L. astorii and L. echinata (Prakash et al, 2013;Ani et al, 2020). Two cultivated species, L. acutangula and L. aegyptiaca are widely grown in Asia (Dhillon et al, 2020).…”