The increase in resistance of pathogenic fungi towards normal antifungals has led to a decrease in their effectiveness in the treatment of fungal diseases. Therefore, the need for newer forms of treatment is urgent, leading to studies into traditional medicines, specifically those of herbal natures. Batis maritima is one such plant, which has historically been used in herbal remedies for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, many of which are results of fungal pathogens. The focus of this study was therefore to determine the effectiveness of alcoholic extract of leaves of B. maritima as an antifungal agent against two animal pathogens. Crude alcoholic extracts of leaves of B. maritima were prepared in concentrations of 50%, 10% 5% and 1%. These were then subjected to antifungal assays against Aspergillus flavus and Malassezia sp., using the Well Diffusion method. The results of the tests showed Zones of Inhibition of 55.9 ± 3.40 mm, 52.7 ± 1.72 mm and 47.0 ± 3.68 mm, respectively, for the 10% 5% and 1% extracts against A. flavus; no inhibition was seen with the 50% extract concentration. With respect to Malassezia sp., inhibition of 25.3 ± 5.44 mm was observed at 50% extract concentration, with no inhibition at lower concentrations. It may therefore be seen from these findings that alcoholic leaf extracts of B. maritima prove to be effective against A. flavus while lesser effective against Malassezia sp.

Batis maritima, commonly referred to as Saltwort, is a halophyte found in coastal regions of various parts of North America, South America and Africa. It has historically been used in traditional medicine in the treatment of ailments such as eczema and cutaneous infections, among others. Since many of these ailments are known to be caused by fungal and bacterial pathogens, it is highly likely that extracts of B. maritima possesses strong antimicrobial properties, and, as such, may contain phytochemicals which have been known to display these phytochemical properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a phytochemical screening of alcoholic extracts of B. maritima leaves and compare these to the traditional uses of the herb. Alcoholic crude extracts of leaves of the B. maritima shrub were subjected to a series of phytochemical analyses. The results of these analyses indicated the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, tannins and terpenoids. Upon a comparison of the phytochemicals detected and the documented traditional uses of the herb, a correlation may be seen between the two. Many of the phytochemicals present in the extract have been previously noted to be used in medicine to treat many diseases that are similar to those that have historically been treated with B. maritima.

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This purpose of this paper is to review and evaluate published literature on the biology and chemistry of lichens and their ecological, ethnopharmacological, pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential. A systematic method was used to gather literature on “the biology and chemistry of lichens and their ecological, ethnopharmacological, pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential.” A total of fifty-five research papers published between the years 1963 to 2022 were selected and utilized for this review. Tables were used to present the results. The subtopics were then chosen using a subjective method: lichens and their benefits/ importance. In this paper, eight (8) ecological functions and fourteen (14) pharmaceutical properties and therapeutic potentials were evaluated and presented. Lichen biology and chemistry and their roles in ethnopharmacological are also discussed. Additionally, lichens as pioneer and keystone species and their role as bioindicators to assess ecosystem health, sustainability and productivity was also addressed in this research. The published papers established that lichens have many benefits and importance, they are capable of synthesizing a range of chemicals that are beneficial to us and they are used in both traditional and pharmaceutical preparation of different treatments to combat many different diseases that affect human beings. More studies to investigate the uses of lichens should be done, especially in neotropics as there is a paucity of data and in this biodiversity rich region.

Agriculture plays a vital role in providing food globally including Guyana, however, the increase in the human population adversely decreases farm size, which results in nutrient depletion on existing farms due to extensive farming activities on the same land season after season. Biochar is commonly used as a non-conventional farming system to enhance the soil’s quality and simultaneously to produce better yield of various staple food crops. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of coconut biochar as a soil amendment and to quantify its impact on the growth performance of sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) in Joanna, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice, Guyana. A field trial was carried out using the randomized block experimental design with 15 g, 30 g, 45 g biochar; 2 g NPK; and control, each replicated on clayey loam soil. The physico-chemical characteristics of biochar were determined along with the soil-biochar mixture before and after cultivation. In addition, vegetative and reproductive parameters of the sweet peppers, nutrient content of the fruits and chlorophyll content of the leaves were examined. The results obtained from this study revealed that biochar played a minor role in enhancing the yield of the sweet peppers (31.44 g) and amending the soil characteristics when compared to the control. It was observed in this study that soil pH (8.4), organic carbon (1.9 %), carbohydrates concentration (1.25 %) of fruits and chlorophyll content (a:5.6097µM, b: 5.4833 µM, total: 11.093 µM) of the leaves increased with the application of biochar. Based on the obtained results, it can be inferred that biochar may potentially be recommended in the range of 30 g to 45 g as a soil amendment to enhance the growth performance of sweet peppers, however, further experiments with diverse crops and soils are still required to investigate the use of the exact quantity of biochar sourced from different materials.

The purpose of this paper is to review and evaluate published literature on mushroom cultivation and production and the range of benefits and therapeutic potential. A systematic method was used to gather the relavant literature. A total of twenty-six research papers published between the years 1970 to 2022 were selected and utilized in this review. Tables were used to present the results and relevant figures were used to place emphasis on contents discussed. In this paper five (5) benefits and nine (9) therapeutic potentials were evaluated and reported on. Some medicinal mushrooms and their uses and bioactive compounds were also discussed in this paper. Additionally, mushroom cultivation and production was addressed as well as challenges associated with mushroom farming and an assessment of their nutritional content compared to other food consumed by humans. The published papers established that mushrooms have been massed produced and harvested for a long time and their benefits are well documented in countries outside the neotropics. More studies to investigate the uses of mushrooms should be done, in Guyana and other neotropical countries as there is a paucity of information in this region with high natural biodiversity.