Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 2736-1624 Vol. 10 (8), pp. 001-004, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Some mineral profiles of fresh and bottled palm wine – a comparative study

Ukhun, M.E.¹*, Okolie, N.P² and Oyerinde, A.O¹

¹Department of Chemistry, ²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City. Nigeria.

Accepted 27 June, 2005

Abstract

Some mineral profiles of fresh palm wine and those of seven brands of bottled palm wine were analysed using atomic absorption spectroscopy and the values were compared. Three of the bottled samples contained toxic levels of either Pb or Cd or both. Neither metal was detected in fresh palm wine. Zn, Cr and Ni were 2 to 15 times higher while Cu was 2 to 5 times lower in bottled samples than values for fresh sample. The likelihood of water- derived heavy metal contamination during bottling, and its potential health implication for consumers are discussed.

Key words: Palm wine, bottling, mineral elements.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 2736-1624 Vol. 10 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of polyphenols from ethnomedicinal plants of Burkina Faso

Damintoti Karou¹, Mamoudou H. Dicko^{1, 2*}, Jacques Simpore³, and Alfred S. Traore¹

¹Université de Ouagadougou, UFR-SVT, CRSBAN, Laboratoire de Biochimie, 03 BP 7131 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.

²Wageningen University, AVT, Laboratory for Biochemistry, Dreijenlaan 3, 6703 HA, Wageningen, P.O Box 8128, 6700 ET Wageningen, Netherlands.

³Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale saint Camille de Ouagadougou, 01 BP 364 Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso.

Accepted 21 March, 2020

Abstract

Polyphenols from four medicinal plants of Burkina Faso, Combretum micranthum, Khaya senegalensis, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Sida acuta, were screened for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against pathogenic bacteria. The medicinal plants displayed different polyphenols contents and antioxidant activities. The bark of P. erinaceus had the highest antioxidant activity. Some microorganisms were susceptible to polyphenol extracts with minimal bactericidal concentration values between 20 and 2000 mg/ml while other microorganisms appeared to be resistant to the extracts. Microbicide and microbiostatic activities of the extracts were dependent on the type of strains. Results suggest that these plants are not only interesting sources for antimicrobial activities but also potential sources of phenolic antioxidants.

Key words: Antioxidants, polyphenols, antimicrobials, medicinal plants.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 2736-1624 Vol. 10 (8), pp. 001-004, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Qualitative determination of chemical and nutritional composition of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth

Alabi D.A.^1*, Akinsulire O.R.¹ and Sanyaolu M.A.²

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria.

²University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada TEG 2E1.

Accepted 04 May,2020

Abstract

Qualitative determination of chemical and nutritional composition of Parkia biglobosa seeds an underexploited crop seed in Nigeria was carried out. Seeds of P. biglobosa were found to be rich in lipid, protein, carbohydrate, soluble sugars and ascorbic acid. The cotyledon was very nutritious, has less fibre and ash contents when compared to that of testa. The oil content was suitable for consumption since it contains very low acid and iodine contents. The oil has very high saponification value and hence would be useful in soap industry. Some simple reducing sugars, including lactose, were identified.

Key words: Parkia bioglobosa, Qualitative determination, Industrial use, Saponification, underexploited.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 2736-1624 Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Influence of seed treatments and growing media on seedling growth and development of African walnut, Plukenetia conophorum

Rachael K. Egharevba^1*, Matilda I. Ikhatua² and C. Kalu²

¹Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin- City, Nigeria. 

²Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin. Benin-City, Nigeria.

Accepted 10 May, 2020

Abstract

A nursery trial was conducted to investigate the effects of seed treatments and soil type growing media on the germination and growth of Plukenetia conophorum. The factors considered included seed treatments with hot water at 90°C, warm water at 60°C, overnight soaking in cold water and scarification. Soil type media were humus+manure and topsoil+manure at a 2:1 ratio. The results showed that the types of nursery media used were significant only on seedling growth but not on germination. However, the seed treatments have significant effects on germination and growth of the crop. Topsoil produced superior plant growth in terms of plant height, collar girth and leaf number. Scarification and overnight soaking in cold water produced best quality seedlings.

Key words: Plukenetia conophorum, seed treatment, growing media, top soil, humus, under-exploited fruit.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 2736-1624 Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Control of yam tuber rot with leaf extracts of Xylopia aethiopica and Zingiber officinale

R.N. Okigbo* and I.A Nmeka

Department Of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

Accepted 24 April, 2020

Abstract

Investigation was carried out to test the potency of some plant extracts for the control of yam tuber rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. Hot water extracts were obtained from leaf and seed of uda (Xylopia aethiopica) and Ginger (Zinigiber officinale), and were found to be fungitoxic against the fungi. The extracts of suppressed the growth of these fungi in culture and reduced rot development in yam tubers.

Key words: Xylopia aethiopica, Zinigiber officinale, ginger, yam tuber rot.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 2736-1624 Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of drying method on the quality and storability of ‘egusi’ melon seeds (Colocynthis citrullus L.)

S.A. Bankole^1*, A.Osho¹, A.O. Joda² and O.A. Enikuomehin³

¹Department of Microbiology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B.2002, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

²Deartment of Crop Production, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B.2002, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

³Department of Crop Protection., University of Agriculture (UAAB), PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 June, 2020

Abstract

The effect of sun-, oven-, smoke- and solar drying on the physicochemical properties and storability of melon seeds (Colocynthis citrullus L.) was investigated. Oven drying most significantly reduced the moisture content, followed by smoke drying and solar drying in decreasing order. The proximate composition of seeds was not significantly affected by the drying methods, but panelists most preferred the oven-dried seeds in the sensory analysis. Oven- and smoke dried seeds had the lowest incidence of diseased seeds, moisture content and level of Aspergillus spp. infestation and also recorded the highest seed germination and oil content in stores. The peroxide values and percentage free fatty acids were lowest in oven dried seeds, followed by the smoke dried seeds and the lowest in sun dried seeds. Thus, oven- and smoke drying could be used to dry melon seeds, particularly during the first season harvest when sun drying often proves difficult.

Key words: Drying method, melon seeds, quality, storability.