Medicinal plants employed in the management of diseases has been attributed to their phytochemical compositions. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemicals, bioactive, and heavy metals components present in aqueous and ethanol stem bark extracts of Ximenia americana. The phytochemical compositions were qualitatively, and quantitatively determined, followed by the identification of bioactive compounds present. The heavy metals composition was also determined. The result revealed the presence of saponins in the aqueous (30.67% ±0.39), and ethanol (19.67% ±0.78) extract. However, alkaloids (14.61% ±0.46) were detected only in the aqueous extract while steroids (7.00% ±1.16), and glycosides (0.38% ±0.03) were in the ethanol extract only. A total of 17 and 26 compounds were identified in the aqueous and ethanol extract respectively. Chromium and lead had a concentration of 0.184 ppm ±0.080 and 0.886 ppm ±0.210 respectively in the aqueous and ethanol extract. Cadmium had a concentration of 0.001 ppm ±0.000 in both aqueous and ethanol extract. Conclusively, X. americana contains bioactive components that could be utilized in the production of novel drugs by isolation of these bioactive compounds.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical and heavy metals components of A. leiocarpus considering its applications in ethnomedicine. Material and Method: The phytochemical components were determined qualitatively and quantitatively gravimetrically, while component identification was done using (Gas spectrometer-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) technique. Heavy metals were quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Result and Discussion: Saponins and flavonoids were detected in the aqueous extracts in concentrations of 10.22% ±0.48, and 38.67% ±0.17 respectively, and concentrations of 17.37% ±0.65 and 19.63% ±0.60 respectively in the ethanol extract.. GC-MS analysis identified 16 and 26 compounds in the aqueous and ethanol extracts respectively. In the aqueous extract, 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, 1,2,4-Benzenetriol, and cis-Vaccenic acid had the highest peak areas of 46.24, 17.12, and 15.13% respectively, while in the ethanol extract 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (14.40%),1,2,3-Benzenetriol (12.29%) and -methoxybenzene-1,4-diol (7.54%) were the highest. Chromium (0.548 ppm ±0.030) was detected only in the aqueous concentration, while Cadmium had a concentration of 0.002 ±0.001 and 0.006 ppm ±0.002 in the aqueous and ethanol extract respectively. Lead was present with aqueous and ethanol extracts concentrations of 0.096 ±0.020 and 0.096 ppm ±0.040 respectively. Conclusively, the present study agrees with the claims for the traditional application of the plant in folkloric medicine to manage different ailments.

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Floriculture as a field of science deals with production, use, marketing and management of ornamental plants. This article examines floricultural propagation methods used by florists in the two towns (Jimeta and Yola) that formed Adamawa State capital. A total of 25 florists were purposively selected for the research and face to face interviewed using well-structured questionnaires. A total of 31 ornamentals plants species in the gardens of the florists were considered for the research. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were adopted for analysis of the data collected. The results revealed that florists preferred the use of seeds, stem cutting, rhizoids, tufts, and roots for the propagation of ornamentals. Results of challenges facing florists indicated that water, land to operate, credit facility, high cost of nursery implements, pest and disease control recorded lower confidence of variation in the response spread of the florists which are indications of acute problems. More sensitization on floriculture need be done to attract more women into the business and florists should go for training to improve their skills and organize cooperative groups to seek support from any institution that may be ready to help.