The analysis of the essential oil of Piper guineense from Nigeria presents a new chemotype of constituents different from earlier reports with the absence of the usual myristicin. Ishwarane, a common constituent of Aristolochia indica and Bixa orellana, was also isolated from the essential oil of the fruit. The essential oil inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa UCH 655 strain at 5 mg/mL on which standard antibiotic drugs were ineffective.

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The fumigant toxicity of eight essential oil components, 1-8-cineole, carvacrol, eugenol, (−)-menthone, (−)-linalool, S-(−)-limonene, (−)-β-pinene, and (+)-α-pinene, was tested against the cowpea weevil,Callosobruchus maculatus(Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), at 0.25–60 µL/L air doses. 1-8-Cineole, carvacrol, and eugenol caused complete adult mortality at 10 µL/L air 24 h after treatment. 1-8-Cineole and carvacrol were the most toxic with LD50values of 0.24 and 0.6 µL/L air at 24 h, respectively. (−)-β-Pinene and (+)-α-pinene were the least toxic with LD50values of 31 and 31.4 µL/L air at 24 h, respectively. Toxicity was negatively correlated with vapor pressure. 1-8-Cineole and carvacrol caused 100% oviposition deterrence at all doses tested. Eugenol and (−)-menthone completely inhibited adult emergence.S-(−)-Limonene, (−)-β-pinene, and (+)-α-pinene were not effective at preventing oviposition or adult emergence, suggesting that a lethal dose of the three oil components would be necessary to controlC. maculatusinfestations.

Aim: The quest for novel bioactive from natural sources informed the evaluation of the antimicrobial alongside the phytochemical composition of leaf extracts of Persea americana obtained from Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Study Design: This study assessed the prospective antimicrobial efficacy of Persia americana against selected clinically relevant bacteria and fungi. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted between April and September, 2015 at the Microbiology 2 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300, Salmonella typhi ATCC 33489) were obtained from the Pathology and Clinical Laboratory of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria while Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus were obtained from the culture collection center of the Department of Microbiology, FUTA. The authenticity of the bacterial and fungal isolates were confirmed using standard procedures. Persea americana leaves were collected from a building opposite BTO hall Ilesha garage, Akure, Ondo State and identified at the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure.Antimicrobial activities of the leaves extract were assessed on clinical and typed microbial cultures using standard microbiological procedures. Results: The extracts displayed varying antimicrobial activities against all the test organisms with zones of inhibition ranging from 10.27 mm to 34.20 mm. The leaves extracts were effective against all the organisms; with the methanolic P. americana extract having the highest antibacterial activity (34.20 mm) while the acetone extract had the highest antifungal activity (12.60 mm). The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and saponins. Conclusion: This study supports the claims that P. americana leaves could be promising in the development of drugs to combat human diseases especially those of fungal and bacterial origin.

Termite is used in many parts of the world but little is known about their biochemical properties and nutritional value as food. Protein digestibility and anti-nutrients of four castes (queen, worker, soldier and winged (alate)) of subterranean termite, Macrotermes subhyalinus were determined to evaluate the protein bioavailability and confirm nutritional value as food for human and animal consumption. Physico-chemical properties of the oil of each caste were also determined to reveal the potential uses of the oil and its stability in storage using standard analytical methods. The queen was the most easily digestible (84.72%) of the castes while the soldier was the least with a digestibility value 81.10%. The queen was significantly more digestible than the other castes. In general, all the four castes have low anti-nutrient (oxalate, phytate and tannin) values. Among the castes, worker has significantly higher anti-nutrient levels than the other castes. In general, worker and soldier have relatively higher digestibility values and significantly higher anti-nutrient contents as well as relatively higher values for most of the physico-chemical parameters tested, suggesting that they are the least edible caste. Overall, the results showed that all four castes of M. subhyalinus have very low levels of anti-nutrients tested for, are easily digested and produce edible oil. These findings confirm that all four castes of M. subhyalinus, and possibly other termite species, are safe for human and animal consumption, and therefore recommended for inclusion in human foods and livestock feeds

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The termiticidal potentials of methanol, n-hexane, acetone and water extracts of heart wood of Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C. Berg and leaves of Khaya senegalensis (Desr) and their botanical mixture against Macrotermes subhyalinus (Rambur) attacking Triplochiton scleroxylon (Obeche) wood blocks were evaluated in this study. The trial lasted for 12 weeks in open field and under shade conditions. Visual rating and weight loss determination were used to assess the level of termite damage on treated wood blocks. Treated wood blocks in the open field were comparatively less infested than those under shade. Botanical mixture extracted with n-hexane protected the wood blocks better than all of methanol, acetone and aqueous extracts. Also, treated wood blocks in open fields had lower percentage weight loss to termite compared to those under shade. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of thirty-four and fourty-four compounds in M. excelsa and K. senegalensis, respectively. Milicia excelsa, however, contains more toxic compounds [Butylated Hydroxyl toluene (BHT), Docosane, Tridecane, Cyclohexane and Citra] than K. senegalensis (Cyclohexane and Cucubene). Milicia excelsa could, therefore, be touted as a better wood protectant than K. senegalensis, especially in the open field. The mixture of n-hexane extract of both plants was more potent at protecting the wood blocks for three months duration. Various insecticidal compounds identified in each plant could also be adopted as eco-friendly termiticidal agents for managing subterranean termites.

Aim:The study aimed at assessing the antibacterial efficacy of Ageratum conyzoides on Salmonella species isolated from suspected typhoid fever patients in Akure metropolis, Nigeria. Study Design: The study evaluated the prospective use of Ageratum conyzoides as an alternative to commonly used drugs in the treatment of salmonellosis and gastroenteritis. Place and Duration of Study: Five selected hospitals within Akure metropolis in Ondo State, Nigeria were used for the study which was conducted between June and September, 2015. Methodology: Two hundred (200) blood samples collected from presumptive typhoid fever patients attending selected Hospitals in Akure metropolis were screened, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium were isolated from them. Plant used (Ageratum conyzoides Linn) was collected from Ologede Street in Oda road, Akure, Nigeria.