Pollen allergy in relation to palynology and taxonomy of flowering plants at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Yelwa Campus Bauchi, Bauchi State

Fatima Aliyu Deba,Abalis Gaya Ezra,Yusuf Okpanachi Ibrahim

doi:10.30574/gscbps.2018.5.2.0112

Abstract

Pollen is a crucial part in flowering plants with a special structure and function. Pollens produce metabolites like proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids and vitamins that are responsible for their physiological and metabolic activities. These metabolites cause various types of allergies in humans. Samples and records were taken at the Yelwa campus of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. Fifty (51) species of pollens belonging to 28 families were identified. The most dominant families were Meliaceae, Fabaceae and Anacardiaceae. The family with most pollen was Fabaceae at 29.05 % followed by the Meliaceae at 12.11 % and Anacardiaceae 10.10%. The highest pollen counts were in the month of November (368) followed by December (340). Correlation was used to determine the relationship between pollen distribution and some meteorological parameters. It was observed that pollen concentration correlated positively with air pressure, temperature, wind direction and negatively correlated with rainfall and relative humidity. Allergic data gathered from Yelwa campus showed more allergic cases during the month of November and December. This study suggest that pollen may be the causative agents of most allergic cases in the studied area.

Highlights

Pollen is a crucial part in the flowering plants with a special structure and function
The highest temperature recorded was in November having the least air pressure and little or no amount of rainfall; it was observed in the month of December followed by October with least amount of wind
The positive correlation between environmental factors, pollen abundance and allergic cases suggest that pollen grains are among the major allergens of the studied environment, Yelwa campus, A.T.B.U, Bauchi

Summary

Introduction

Pollen is a crucial part in the flowering plants with a special structure and function. Pollen grains releases proteins and other chemical metabolites in the environment at different rates and in different quantities depending primarily on specific differences. In analyzing the temporal and spatial variations of pollen concentrations; it is necessary to address the meteorological and environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, sunshine durations, wind speed and direction [3], [4], [5]. These factors are crucial both for the release of the pollen grains and for their atmospheric transport [6], [7]

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Discussion

Conclusion