Abstract:In-vitro study of Chromolaena odorata extracts was determined against isolated Phytophthora megakarya for the purpose of investigating the antifungal activity of ethanolic, cold-water and warm-water extracts of the medicinal plant against Phytophthora megakarya. Their antifungal effects were assessed with agar-well diffusion methods. Phytochemical screening and minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extracts were also determined. A qualitative phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of biologically active constituents such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, sterols, amino acid and glycosinulate. Results showed that antifungal effects of Chromolaena odorata against Phytophthora megakarya were most efficient by ethanolic extracts, followed by extract of cold-water while hot water extract had no visible antifungal effect. Zones of clearance range from 15.00 mm to 32.00 mm using ethanolic extractions with concentrations from 1% to 5% while zones of clearance using cold water extract was from 5.00 mm to 30.00 mm with varying concentrations of 1% to 5%. The negative control using sterile distilled water showed no inhibitory effect on Phytophthora megakarya while 41.00 mm zone of clearance was observed in the positive control test using Metalaxyl and cuprous oxide-containing synthetic fungicide. This study provides a scientific confirmation of the use of Chromolaena odorata against cocoa pod infections by some local farmers.
Cassava peels which is available in large quantity as waste is being considered as a possible replacement for maize in chicken feeds due to the world shortage of cereals. This study examined the safety of collagen and reticulin fibres in the liver and kidney of broiler chicken, when the Aspergillus niger-hydrolyzed cassava peel meal (HCPM) was used as diet carbohydrate. HCPM was used as replacement for maize in chicken feeds at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%, respectively and were fed for 42 days. The animals were sacrificed and the liver and kidney were excised and fixed immediately in 10% formolsaline for 48 h. The tissues were processed for paraffin embedding. Sections were cut at 3 microns, dried for 30 min at 60°C and were stained using both Gordon & Sweet and Masson's Trichrome methods. The result showed the preservation of the reticulin and collagen fibres up to the 50% inclusion of HCPM as replacement for maize. The implication is that; the use of HCPM will make available for human consumption, half of the world maize cereals been consumed by the poultry birds.
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