Antimicrobial activity of seed extracts of Persia amerciana against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium ulcerans, Salmonella typhi, Neisseria gonorrhoea and Candida albicans was carried out using the disc diffusion technique. The methanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts demonstrated promising activity against the test organisms. The activity of methanol extract was more pronounced against C. albicans (42mm) while that of petroleum ether extract was the least against E.coli (6mm). However, S. typhi and E. coli were resistant to chloroform and methanol extracts. The activity of the ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol extracts compared favourably with that of standard antibiotic streptomycin (30µgdics-1). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) showed that methanol and ethyl acetate extracts had the lowest MIC value (10mg/ml) against C. albicans, indicating higher potency. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids alkaloids and terpenoids. The spectra of antimicrobial activities displayed by the extracts could be attributed to the presence of these phytochemicals and signifies the potential of Persia amerciana as a source of therapeutic agents. This therefore, supports the traditional medicinal use of Persia amerciana and suggests that further studies should be conducted to isolate and identify the active components of the extract.

The determination of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in the exchangeable, carbonate, Fe-Mn-oxides, organic matter and residual sediment chemical fractions of Kubanni Dam during dry and raining seasons was carried out using the spectrophotometric method after Tessiers' sequential scheme for speciation had been carried out. The pH and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) of the sediment samples were also determined to study their effects on the distribution of metals. The results indicate that pH influenced the release or adsorption of each metal in the different sediment fractions. At low average pH of 5.21 recorded during dry season, desorption of metals from the reducible sediment fraction into the water column occurred, which may have effect on aquatic organisms. Due to increased metal complexation at high pH, total extractable fractions of metals generally increased. Higher TOC levels during the rainy season indicated larger adsorption surfaces for Cr (19.92%) Pb (19.97%) and Zn (21.14%) on the organic matter fraction, which, under oxidizing condition, these metals may be remobilized into the aquatic environment. Cu correlated positively with the organic carbon content of the sediment samples. The positive correlation of Pb, Cd and Cr with sediment pH may reflect the tendency of cation adsorption to increase at high pH.

No abstract

SummaryAn aqueous extract of defatted leaves of Azadirachta indica was found to possess trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Column chromatography of the crude extract gave three fractions, I, II, and III, that eluted with ethylacetate/methanol, benzene/ methanol, and acetic acid/methanol, respectively. Of these extracts, only fraction III retained trypanocidal properties and cured mice chronically infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Histopathological studies of the brains, livers, hearts, and spleens of the treated mice showed no cellular infiltrations. These findings are discussed in relation to trypanosome chemotherapy.

Ficus platyphylla gum exudates (FP gum) have been analyzed for their physicochemical parameters and found to be ionic, mildly acidic, odourless, and yellowish brown in colour. e gum is soluble in water, sparingly soluble in ethanol, and insoluble in acetone and chloroform. e nitrogen (0.39%) and protein (2.44%) contents of the gum are relatively low. e concentrations of the cations were found to increase according to the following trend, Mn>Fe>Zn>Pb>Cu>Mg>Cd>Ca. Analysis of the FTIR spectrum of the gum revealed vibrations similar to those found in polysaccharides while the scanning electron micrograph indicated that the gum has irregular molecular shapes, arranged randomly. e intrinsic viscosity of FP gum estimated by extrapolating to zero concentrations in Huggins, Kraemer, Schulz-Blaschke, and Martin plots has an average value of 7 dL/g. From the plots of viscosity versus shear rate/speed of rotation and also that of shear stress versus shear rate, FP gum can be classi�ed as a non-Newtonian gum with characteristics-plastic properties. Development of the Master_s curve for FP gum also indicated that the gum prefers to remain in a dilute domain (C < C *), such that sp C 1.2. e apparent activation energy of �ow for FP gum (calculated from Arrhenius-Frenkel-Eyring plot) was relatively low and indicated the presence of fewer inter-and intramolecular interactions.

No abstract

ABSTRACT. Physico-chemical properties and heavy metals content of soils were determined from seven farms in Minna, central Nigeria. Conventional analytical methods were employed to determine the physico-chemical properties and the heavy metals were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The result showed that pH values ranged from 6.64 -7.70 indicating slight acidity to slight alkalinity of the soils. The total organic carbon values ranged from 0.95-2.25 % resulting in the presence of organic matter (1.63-3.87). The electrical conductivity values ranged from 17-37 µS/cm. The cation exchange capacity of the soil samples ranged from 3.68-5.15 cmol/kg. The heavy metals levels were in the following range: Cd (0.00018-0.00134 mg/g), Cu

No abstract