Afzelia Africana Research Articles

Melissopalynological Characterization of Honey Samples from Southeastern, Nigeria

The identification of plants in which the bees forage is key in establishing bee farms and increasing honey production. In this study pollen analysis of honey samples from the southeastern part of Nigeria was carried out to ascertain their floral sources and ecological origin. The honey samples were acetolyzed and microscopically studied to determine the pollen types. A total of seventy-one pollen types belonging to forty-one families of plants were identified. The honey samples were dominated by pollen grains from the families of Arecaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, Irvigiaceae, Fabaceae, Combretaceae/Melastomataceae, and phyllanthaceae. Some of the dominant pollen grain identified include Elaeis guineensis, Alchornea cordifolia, Hymenocardia acida, Ocimum gratissimum, Syzygium guineense, Nauclea latifolia and Afzelia africana. Out of the six samples studied Njikoka sample was monofloral having Mimosa pigra as predominant pollen while Ayamelum, Ekwusigo, Nsukka, Ezeagu, and Udenu samples are multifloral containing Elaeis guineensis, Phyllanthus sp., Piliostigma reticulatum, Irvingia sp., Alchornea cordifolia, and Lannea sp. as major secondary pollen. All the samples analyzed have Elaeis guineensis in common except Ezeagu, indicating that these plants are present in all five locations. These results can also be used as a tool in the geographical identification of Southeastern Nigeria honey from other geopolitical zones.

Local perception of ecosystem services and their conservation in Sudanian savannas of Burkina Faso (West Africa)

ContextIn Burkina Faso, Sudanian savannas are important ecosystems for conservation of plant diversity. Due to desertification and insecurity, population migration from the North has increased human density and anthropogenic pressure on southern savannas. This study aims to investigate knowledge of local populations on ecosystem services (ES) and perception of their conservation.MethodIndividual semi-structured interviews about knowledge on ES and ecosystem conservation issues were conducted. Informants were selected according to sociocultural groups and sex in three areas of different land use intensity: the communal area of Dano (CAD), the Total Wildlife Reserve of Bontioli (TWRB) and the Game Ranch of Nazinga (GRN). The use value and vulnerability index of each plant species were determined. A cluster analysis and a principal component analysis were carried out to identify the particular knowledge of different ethnic groups.ResultsOverall, 163 plant species were cited for fifteen ES. Provisioning services were most frequently cited (100%), regulating services second most frequently (92.47%). Entire plants were exclusively used for ES with non-material benefits (protection against wind, for shading, soil fertility, erosion prevention, tourism and religion). The ten species contributing most to ES provision were Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa, Diospyros mespiliformis, Adansonia digitata, Lannea microcarpa, Faidherbia albida, Khaya senegalensis, Afzelia africana, Ficus sycomorus, Pterocarpus erinaceus. Seven of them were identified as highly vulnerable. Around GRN, migrants and natives shared the same knowledge, while migrants in TWRB used the ES only to a small extent due to restricted contact with the native population. Migrants and natives of GRN had more knowledge on tourism and crafts services while the natives of CAD and TWRB made use of the services that sustain the quality of the agricultural land and meet their primary needs. To reduce further degradation, different communities suggested unanimously raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. The most quoted motivations to preserve ecosystems were vegetation sustainability and village development.ConclusionThis study documented important local knowledge-based information to guide cultivation of local multipurpose species and initiation of communities to practice best management strategies for sustainable conservation of biodiversity.

Effect of provenance on population structure and regeneration of six multiple-use tree species along Ouémé catchment in Benin: Implications for conservation

Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) G. Don, Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir, Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C. C. Berg, Prosopis africana (Guill., Perrot. and Rich.) Taub., Afzelia africana Sm. and Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss. are the most highly valued indigenous tree species in the agroforestry systems of the Ouémé catchment area. However, information on the population structure of these species is lacking, thus limiting the development of their sustainable conservation, utilization and restoration strategies. This study addressed this gap. It assessed the population structures and regeneration status of the six species from Don, Tan-Houègbo, Atchabita, Bétékoukou, Glazoué, Tchaorou, Zagnanado, Tévèdji, Sinaou and Bétérou along the catchment. Data were collected from 78 permanent rectangular plots (50 × 30 m) randomly installed within 10 provenances. Dendrometric data including diameter at breast height (dbh) of adult trees (dbh ≥ 10 cm), collar diameter, total height of seedlings and saplings, number of individuals per species according to adult, sapling and seedling were recorded. The population structure was described using ecological and dendrometric parameters (relative frequency, importance value index (IVI), mean densities, basal area, mean height), and diameter size-class distributions. Seedling:sapling and sapling:adult ratios were also computed and analyzed for determining regeneration patterns. Based on IVI, Parkia biglobosa (95.85%) and Khaya senegalensis (65.92%) were the most represented species in the catchment area. The analysis of variances showed that dendrometric parameters of the six species varied significantly between provenances. Seedling:sapling and sapling:adult ratios were < 1 for the six species in quasi-totality of the provenances, indicating discontinuous regeneration patterns and low recruitments. All the species showed unhealthy population structures with the predominance of high diameter size-class individuals. To promote conservation and sustainable use of these highly valued species, initiatives aiming introducing juvenile individuals and raising awareness for seedling protection are required in the agroforestry systems of the Ouémé catchment.

Application of Activated Afzelia Africana and Acacia Albida Carbon for Removal of Pollutants in Textile Wastewater

Adsorption of contaminants in textile wastewater onto activated carbon derived from two wood species has been studied using batch-adsorption techniques. This study was carried out to examine the removal efficiency of the low-cost adsorbent (Afzelia africana) AFA and (Acacia albida) ACA for the removal of heavy metals and other organic contaminants from textile effluents. The influence of contact time and adsorbent dose kept constant on the adsorption process was also studied. Removal efficiency increased with increase in contact time. The two adsorbents had an average removal efficiency of 60% at 90mins contact time for Zn. The ACA had higher removal efficiency for chromium at all contact times than AFA except at 120mins contact time where there existed a slight difference in the removal efficiency between the two adsorbents. Removal efficiency of iron was high between 58.18- 70.52% and 72.75-75.86% for AFA and ACA carbon respectively. This showed that iron had high affinity to the adsorbents surface. It was observed that AFA exhibited highest removal efficiency for nitrate at all contact times as compared to ACA. Results indicated that the freely abundant, locally available, low-cost adsorbent derived from the two wood species could be treated as being economically viable for the removal of contaminants from textile effluents.

Impacts of climate change on the geographic distribution of African oak tree (Afzelia africana Sm.) in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Afzelia africana Sm – a multipurpose leguminous tree species – is threatened in West Africa – a climate change hotspot region. Yet, although the impacts of land use on this species dynamics have been widely reported, there is a little literature on the impacts of climate change on its spatial distribution. This study aimed to predict the impacts of climate change on the geographic distribution of A. africana in Burkina Faso. A total of 4,066 records of A. africana was compiled from personal fieldwork and vegetation database. Current and future bioclimatic variables were obtained from WorldClim website. For future climatic projections, six global climate models (GCMs) were selected under two emission scenarios (RCP 4.5 & RCP 8.5) and two horizons (2050 & 2070). Presence data and bioclimatic variables were processed in ArcGIS software and used in the algorithm MaxEnt (maximum of entropy) to predict the species distribution. Findings showed that maximum temperature of warmest month and mean temperature of coldest quarter mostly affect the habitat suitability of A. africana. About 25.54% of Burkina Faso land surface was currently suitable for A. africana conservation. Under future climatic projections, all the climate models predict climate-driven habitat loss of the species with a southward range shift. Across the two emission scenarios, the spatial extent of suitable habitats was predicted to decline from 9.43 to 23.99% and from 12.29 to 25% by the horizons 2050 and 2070, respectively. Habitat loss and range shifts predicted in this study underline the high vulnerability of A. africana to future climate change. Reforestation actions and the protection of predicted suitable habitats are recommended to sustain the species conservation.

Spatial distribution patterns of Afzelia africana (Fabaceae – Detarioideae) in a tropical savanna of Benin: implications for management

Background and aims – Understanding the spatial patterns and associations of tree species with their conspecific and heterospecific neighbours is critical for sustainable management of their stands. This study assessed the intra- and interspecific spatial structure of six life stages in Afzelia africana, a keystone multipurpose and endangered tree species in a tropical savanna of Benin.Material and methods – Three plots of 4 ha each were demarcated on three sites along a conservation gradient (hunting zone – core conservation zone). Individuals of A. africana (irrespective of their diameter at breast height) and heterospecific trees (dbh ≥ 5 cm) were mapped. Tree spatial patterns and associations were determined using univariate and bivariate pair correlation functions. The distance to the nearest neighbour was further used to assess tree-to-tree distance.Key results – We found variable spatial patterns across sites. In the core zone where wildlife density is high, most life stages had a random distribution. In contrast, in the hunting zone where wildlife density is low, the species spatial distribution changed from a predominantly aggregative pattern during early stages to a less aggregative or random spatial pattern for very large adults. Most pairs of life stages showed neutral associations, except for small and large adults, which had positive association between themselves on two sites. We also found that A. africana tree spatial distribution was unrelated to heterospecific trees.Conclusion – We suggest that bush fire, seed dispersion, predation, and local environment would have contributed to the observed patterns.

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of a gel based on Afzelia africana (fabaceae) leaves

Afzelia africana is a plant used by traditional healers in the treatment of several inflammatory pathologies, in particular edema, rheumatism, lumbago. The effectiveness of its barks in treating inflammation is well established. Ethnobotanical data led researchers to formulate a stable topical hydrogel based on bark extract, the tolerance and effectiveness of which in animals have been found to be satisfactory. As excessive use of the bark may impair the survival of the plant, further leaf studies have been performed and the anti-inflammatory effect has been confirmed in rats. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of a topical gel based on the hydro-ethanolic extract of these leaves in patients with inflammatory symptoms, compared to a diclofenac gel. Using hydroxyethyl cellulose and glycerol a stable gel was produced and used for the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of the leaves of the plant. The dry extract obtained from the leaves was rich in flavonoids (57.26 mg quercetin equivalent per gram), phenols, tannins, alkaloids, anthraquinones and steroids. We carried out a randomized pilot study on 52 patients who came for consultation at the « Cliniques Universitaires des Montagnes » and at the Bangangté District Hospital for inflammatory symptoms between June 1 and July 17, 2020; pregnant women were excluded from the study. Topical administration on 15 inflammatory pathologies revealed that the Afzelia africana leaf extract gel exhibits a better onset of action (4.29 ± 1.89 min) than the diclofenac gel (16.96 ± 4, 73 min). The decrease in pain visual analogue scale (VAS): values ​​for Afzelia africana gel was greater than for diclofenac gel, with P &lt; 0.05 on day 2 and P &lt; 0.001 from day 3 to day 7. The difference in First Hour Sedimentation Rate was significant between the two gels (P &lt; 0.05); but this difference was no longer statistically significant after the second hour (P ˃ 0.05). In addition, Afzelia africana leaf extract gel reduced swelling (P = 0.001) and stiffness (P &lt; 0.001) better than diclofenac gel. These results clarify the effectiveness of Afzelia africana leaf extract gel in the management of inflammatory pathologies and / or symptoms.

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of a gel based on Afzelia africana (fabaceae) leaves

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of a gel based on Afzelia africana (fabaceae) leaves

Proximate and Mineral Analysis of Some Edible Wild Seeds and Stem in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Benue State is endowed with numerous varieties of useful plants whose fruits, seeds, roots, stems and leaves serve important roles in nutrition but unfortunately many of these plants have not been put to maximum use. The neglect of these forest food plants is attributed to inadequate information on their nutritional potential to serve as food. The broad objective of the study was to examine the nutritional composition of Vitellaria paradoxa fruits, Cissus populnea stem, Afzelia africana seeds, Parkia biglobosa seeds and Prosopis africana seeds. Carbohudrate content was found to be the most abundant nutrient in all the plant species studied when compared with other nutrients. The highest carbohydrate content (58.22±0.2%) was found in Cissus populnea stem followed by carbohydrate content in Afzelia africana seeds (51.36±0.01%). The least carbohydrate content of 35.68±0.06% was found in the fruits of Vitellaria paradoxa. There were significant variations in the concentrations of nutrients screened from the 5 selected plants at p&gt;0.05 level. Proximate analysis showed that Vitellaria paradoxa fruits, Cissus populnea stem, Afzelia africana seeds, Parkia biglobosa seeds and Prosopis africana seeds were good sources of minerals such as Calcium,Magnesium, Potassium, iron and Chlorine. Potassium had the highest concentration in all the plant species when compared with other nutrients. The highest Potassium content (32.92±0.59%) was found in Vitellaria paradoxa fruits followed by Potassium content of 25.15±0.07% in Afzelia africana seeds. However, Potassium content between Prosopis africana seeds (15.77±0.81%) and Cissus populnea stem (15.77±0.61%) were not significantly different. The least concentration of Potassium was found in Parkia biglobosa seeds (8.03±0.11%). The mean quantities of minerals found in the plant species that were screened differ significantly at P&lt;0.05 level. It was concluded that Vitellaria paradoxa fruits, Cissus populnea stem, Afzelia africana seeds, Parkia biglobosa seeds and Prosopis africana seeds were good sources of nutrients and major minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and chlorine. Diabetic persons need to be careful about the consumption of these plant species. It was recommended that efforts should be made to conserve and protect these plant species through domestication as they are rich sources of nutrients.

Impact of Climate Change on Priority Plant Species Conservation in The Forests Under ONAB (the National Wood Office of Benin) Management

The sustainable conservation of forest resources in a context of climate change and population growth would be compromised in their current form of exploitation by rural communities. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of climate change on the dynamics of habitats favorable to species of conservation priority in the forests under ONAB management as these species are heavily used by the populations living along the shores of these forests. The study will consist of: Khaya senegalensis, Afzelia africana, Khaya grandifoliola, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Anogeissus leiocarpa, Milicia excelsa, Albizia zygia, Vitex doniana, Antidesma laciniatum and Bombax costatum. Techniques based on the principle of maximum entropy (Maxent) combined with GIS were used to project the favorable habitats of these ten species under current and future climatic conditions (Horizon 2050). Species occurrence data were collected and combined with bioclimatic data derived from the Worldclim database and the edaphic (soil) variable. Two climate models were used for future projections (CNRM-CM5, HadGEM-ES models) under the IPCC A2 scenario, and the partial ROC approach was used for the evaluation of the predictions of ecological niche models. Variables such as cec2 (cation exchange capacity, horizon 5-15cm), bio17 (precipitation of the driest quarter), bio12 (annual precipitation), bio3 (isothermality), bio6 (minimum temperature of the coldest month) and bio7 (annual thermal amplitude) were found to be the most relevant respectively for the distribution of Khaya grandifoliola, Albizia zygia, Anogeissus leiocarpa, Antidesma laciniatum, Afzelia africana and Khaya senegalensis. Under current conditions, only 7% of the Beninese territory would be very favorable to the conservation of Khaya senegalensis and the CNRM-CM5 model predicts an increase of 27.5% and 13.2% respectively of these very favorable and moderately favorable areas by 2050 through conversion of unfavorable areas (7.4%). On the other hand, this model predicts an opposite trend at the level of Afzelia africana where it predicts a decrease of 8.1% and 1.8% respectively of the very favorable and moderately favorable areas and an increase of 5.1% of the unfavorable areas. Ecological niche modeling has basically revealed the conversion of some currently unfavorable habitats into very favorable habitats for conservation (this is the case of Khaya grandifoliola, Khaya senegalensis and Vitex doniana) and the extension of some habitats unfavorable to conservation (Anogeissus leiocarpa, Bombax costatum, and Pterocarpus erinaceus) by 2050. This study provides scientific support for planning and is a decision support tool for the conservation of these species at the socio-economic level.

Factors affecting survival of seedling of Afzelia africana, a threatened tropical timber species in West Africa

Understanding abiotic and biotic factors affecting the survival of seedlings of threatened species such as Afzelia africana is fundamental for restoration and sustainable management purposes. This study used seedling individual-level morphological data and plot-level data to assess the effect of abiotic (season, elevation, soil type and terrain slope) and biotic (seedling initial density, basal diameter, height and number of leaves, insect and fungal infection, insect herbivory, mammal herbivory, vegetation type, adult conspecific density and diameter, and heterospecific density and diameter) factors on the survival probability (at individual level) and survival rate (at plot level) of seedlings of A. africana in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve. Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) were used for data analyses. At individual level, we found that the survival probability of A. africana seedlings increased with initial height, but decreased from wet to dry season. At plot level, the survival rate of A. africana seedlings also decreased from the wet season (0.72 ± 0.05) to the dry season (0.18 ± 0.04) and was inversely proportional to seedling basal diameter (P = 0.024) and density of conspecific adults (P = 0.016). There were also positive effects of seedling initial height (P = 0.026) and mean diameter of conspecific adults (P = 0.037) on survival rate. Among abiotic factors, only terrain slope showed significant and negative effect (P = 0.028) on the survival rate, suggesting higher survival rate on flat terrain. Our findings suggest that sustainably managing seedlings of A. africana would require accounting for conspecific neighboring effect, terrain slope and season-specific actions. Practical aspects of these factors were further discussed.

Seasonal evaluation of total organic carbon removal from river samples using scrap metal-based coagulant and local salt modified-biomaterials for point-of-use water treatment

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the potentials of activated carbon prepared from coconut shell (CS) (Cocos nucifera), counter wood (CW) (Afzelia africana) and iron (III) sulphate coagulant (ISC) prepared from scrap iron, in removing total organic carbons (TOCs) from contaminated Ebonyi river (EBRW) and Ezeiyiaku river samples (ERWA) at point – of – use (POU). A 250 ml of the river samples at ambient pH were mechanically (hands) batch – agitated with optimised doses of 0.5, 1.5, and 0.025 g of granulated activated coconut shell carbon (GACSC), granulated activated counter wood carbon (GACWC), and ISC at the two seasons. The results showed a 90 and 100% reduction in the TOCs of the treated ERWA and EBRW samples during the rainy season, while and at dry season, 88% reduction in TOCs was observed in both treated river samples.

Effects of artificial weathering on the color, gloss, adhesion, and pendulum hardness of UV system parquet varnish applied to doussie (Afzelia africana) wood

An important wood species in the furniture and parquet industry today is “doussie” wood. In this study, the effects of artificial weathering on ultraviolet-cured varnish (3 coats and 5 coats) applied to doussie (Afzelia africana) wood were investigated. The samples of the UV system cured varnishes were exposed to aging effects for 252 h and 504 h via an UV-A 340 nm lamp. The coated specimens were exposed to UV-A 340 nm fluorescent lamp in a QUV accelerated weathering tester for 252 h and 504 h. The surface adhesion strength, color (L*, a*, b*, ∆E*, ∆L*, ∆a*, and ∆b*) parameters, pendulum hardness, and glossiness (parallel (//) and perpendicular (⊥) at 20°, 60°, and 85°) of UV varnishes coated samples were quantified before and after weathering. According to the results, while the a* value increased, the adhesion, L*, b*, and glossiness values decreased with aging. As a result, it was concluded that doussie wood can be used in the production of flooring with UV-cured varnish.

Performance, nutrient digestibility and cost evaluation of raw and roasted Afzelia africana seed meal fed finisher broiler chicks

Ninety-nine, 28 day-old broilers were used to investigate the effect of raw and roasted Afzelia Africana seed meal (AASM) on performance, apparent nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention and cost of broiler production under deep litter system of management for 35 days in the finisher phase. The birds were allotted to three treatments with 33 birds. Each treatment was replicated three times (11 birds per replicate). The data collected were feed intake and body weight gain. Protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and apparent nutrient digestibility were also calculated. The results obtained revealed that chicks fed control (A) diet were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in weight gain and feed intake than others. Superior (P&lt;0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), daily feed cost and feed cost per kg weight gain were obtained in roasted dehulled AASM(C) diet when compared to the control and raw AASM diets. The apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ash, nitrogen free extract and nitrogen retention of roasted diet compared favourably with that of the control diet. The row AASM (B) diet depressed performance and nutrient retention values. The cost per kg diet and cost per live weight gain reduced significantly (P&lt;P.05) in AASM based diets when compared to the control diet. However, the control diet significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased the revenue generated and gross profit when compared to AASM based diets. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that higher levels of roasted AASM may have some benefits.

ESTIMATES OF TECHNO-ECONOMIC LOSS FROM CONVERTING SAWNWOOD TO FURNITURE PARTS IN A DESIGNATED WOOD PROCESSING OUTFIT

Q Quantification and reduction of residues generated through wood conversion are important in wood resources management. This study was carried out, to contribute to this, by using air-dried sawnwood from three tropical hardwood ( Afzelia africana, Milicia excelsa and Tectona grandis ) with mean dimension 117x305x1830mm to produce furniture parts of dimensions 25(+3)mm x 600(+20) mm/900(+20) mm/120(+20) mm/150(+20) mm/180(+20) mm/2100(+20)mm with the generated wood residues categorised and quantified. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, least significant difference for separating means and regression analysis having technical and economical residues as dependent variables for the three species. Mean total input volume ranged from 23.11±2.98m 3 to 24.63±0.55m 3 for A . africana and T . grandis respectively while that for gross and net output volume ranged from 12.01±1.78m 3 to 16.44±0.38m 3 and 9.52±1.42m 3 to 14.44±0.38m 3 for A. africana and T. grandis respectively. Economical residues ranged from 2.00±0.10m 3 to 2.49±0.40m 3 and economical residues as percentage of gross output volume ranged from 12.23±0.64m 3 to 20.73±2.59m 3 for T. grandis and A. africana respectively while the range was from 10.19±0.25m 3 to 13.59±1.83m 3 for T. grandis and A. africana respectively for total volume of residues. Additionally, mean percentage gross and net recovered volume ranged from 50.27±2.42% to 67.22±0.34% and 41.21±2.32% to 58.58±0.62% for A. africana and T. grandis respectively. Total percentage volume of residues was least for T . grandis (41.42±0.62%) and highest for A . africana (58.79±2.32%). Based on these outcomes, it was recommended that increased effort is needed to improve capacities and facilities for lesser generation of residues during mechanical wood processing.

Growth performance and nitrogen utilization by West African dwarf goats fed supplemented with varying ratios of and Panicum maximum Afzelia africana Newbouldia laevis

Afzelia africana and Newbouldia laevis have recognizable potential as important locally available forage resources but yet to be explored and exploited for ruminants in the tropics. This study was therefore investigated to determine the effect of supplementing varying ratios of Afzelia africana and Newbouldia laevis with Panicum maximum on growth performance and nitrogen utilization of West African dwarf goats. Twenty female West African dwarf goats, aged between 5 and 7monhs old with an average weight of 6.62 ± 0.41kg were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments with four goats per treatment in a completely randomized design. The treatment diets included T (100% Panicum maximum), T (25% Afzelia africana and 75% Panicum maximum), T (50% Afzelia africana and 50% Panicum maximum), T (25% Newbouldia laevis and 75% Panicum maximum) and T (50% Newbouldia laevis and 50% Panicum maximum). A metabolism trial was conducted at the end of the feeding trial to assess the effects of the diets on nitrogen utilization after the growth study on the goats. Results obtained showed that goats on diets T were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in terms of final live weight (9.95kg), metabolic weights (6.20LW ), total weight gain (3.15kg) and growth rate (35.50g.d ) at (P &lt; 0.01) while nitrogen intake (7.86g/d ), metabolic nitrogen intake (1.76g.kg LW ), nitrogen balance (6.81g.d ) were higher (P &lt; 0.001) than goats on other diets. Urinary nitrogen output (6.81g.d ) was significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher in goats on T compared with goats on other diets. No significant (P&gt; 0.05) effect in treatment diets with regards to initial and average live weights, faecal nitrogen output, and total nitrogen output with nitrogen retention. It was concluded that goats fed 50% Afzelia Africana and 50% Panicum maximum had better nitrogen utilization for growth performance.

Nutrient intake and digestibility of West African dwarf goats fed graded levels of and as supplements to Afzelia africana Newbouldia laevis Panicum maximum

The study was conducted to determine nutrient intake and digestibility of West African dwarf goats fed graded levels of Afzelia africana and New bouldia laevisas supplements to Panicum maximum. Twenty female West African dwarf goats aged between 5 and 7 months old with mean live weight of 6.62±0.41kg were allotted to five dietary treatments with two replicates of two goats per treatment in a completely randomised design. The compared diets were: T (100% Panicum maximum), T (25%Afzelia africana and 75% Panicum maximum), T (50% Afzelia africana and 50% Panicum maximum), T (25% New bouldia laevis and 75% Panicum maximum) and T (50% Newbouldia laevis and 50% Panicum maximum). A metabolism trial was conducted at the end of the feeding trial to assess the diets on nutrient digestibility after the nutrient intake study of the goats. Results obtained showed that total hemicelluloses intake (62.48g.day ) was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in T compared with other diets. Total crude protein intake(43.45g.d) and hemicelluloses digestibility(92.20%)were higher significantly (p&lt;0.001) and (p&lt;0.01) respectively in T . Total lignin intake (36.22g.d )and organic matter digestibility (77.70%) were significantly better (p&lt;0.05) and (p&lt;0.01) respectively in T . Digestibility of neutral and acid detergent fibre (55.71% and 49.79%) were significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) and (p&lt;0.001) while dry matter digestibility (83.49%) was significantly better (p&lt;0.01) in T than other treatment diets. Total dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and cellulose intakes with digestibility of crude protein, lignin and cellulose were not significantly (p&gt;0.05) affected by treatment diets. It was concluded that the combination of Panicum maximum based diet with Newbouldia laevis in a ratio of 50:50 had the potential to enhance nutrient digestibility in goats.

Haematological and serum biochemistry of broiler finisher treated with toasted (Mahogany Seed) mealAfzelia africana

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Afzelia africana (Mahogany) seed meal on the haematology and serumbiochemistry of broiler finisher. One hundred and twenty (120) four weeks old broilers were assigned to four treatment groups, T (control),T ,T and T at a level of 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% respectively, each treatment group was replicated into 3 of 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Feed and water was given ad- libitum for the period of the experiment (35 days). The result of the study shows reduced level of cholesterol and Total protein as the level of Afzelia africana increases from150gm/100mlto100gm/100 mls and 7.00 to 4.5% respectively, and increase in the levels of the following as the level of Afzelia africana increases, Bicarbonate (HCO3), ALT and ASTfrom 18.5mmol/L to 19.1mmol/L, 16iu/L to 22.1iu/L and 10 to 17.6 iµ/L respectively. Haematological report indicate reduction in the following with increase in Afzelia Africana seed meal, WBC from 4,700x10 /dlto3,500x10 /dl,HBfrom8.9-7.0g/dl, PCV% from 29% to 22%, MCH 18–14 and platelets count from 207, 066 to 13, 300. While there were no changes in the Neutrophil lymphocytes, Eosinophils, Monocytes, Basophils and MCHCP. With the above result, the blood chemistry thus indicate evidence of anaemia, this could be as a result of the processing method (toasting only) of Afzelia Africana seed. Afzelia africana, though used by human without negative effect should not be used in birds unless further studies are carried out on the detoxification of the toxic phytochemical components.

Effects of fermentation on the nutritional status of Afzelia africana Sm. seed and its potentiality as aqua feedstuff

The effects of fermentation on proximate and anti-nutrient compositions of Afzelia africana seed were investigated. Two methods of fermentation were employed; the traditional fermentation (TF) and gut-filtrate treated fermentation (GFTF). Anti-nutrients tested for were; alkaloids, phytate, tannins, saponins and flavonoids. All proximate contents varied significantly (P&lt;0.05), except for ash. Afzelia africana fermented with cow gut filtrate poised the highest protein (19.35%), ash (4.20%) and lipid (32.13%) contents. The effects of cow gut filtrate fermentation on the nutritional status of A. Africana seed was only apparently (P&gt;0.05) more pronounced than those of the natural fermentation. Fermentation significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased the proximate nutrients except for nitrogen free extracts; which it reduced significantly. Fermentation also increased all anti-nutrients composition of the seeds except for phytate content. Fermentation significantly (P&lt;0.05) enhanced crude protein by 30.45% for NF, 39.31% for GFTF and crude lipid by 77.64% for TF and 99.56% for GTFT. Thus fermenting Afzelia africana seed for aquaculture purpose is advocated for owing to its ability to enhance crude protein and crude lipid, not forgetting its medicinal potential due to its enhanced phytochemical levels.

Ethnobotanical use and conservation assessment of medicinal plants sold in markets of Burkina Faso

Background: A comprehensive survey on the trade and use of medicinal plants in Burkina Faso was carried out with the aim of identifying the most relevant species and their conservation status. Methods: Interviews of 30 medicinal plant traders in six major cities was carried out and the data on medicinal plant species were recorded using a structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 104 medicinal plant species, belonging to 39 families and 81 genera were reported to treat various health problems. Most of the medicinal plant species found in the markets were used for gastrointestinal diseases (48%), e.g., Pteleopsis suberosa (Combretaceae) and Bauhinia rufescens (Fabaceae). The combination of fidelity level and preference ranking identified Gardenia sokotensis , Combretum micranthum and Maytensus senegalensis as particularly important species for treatment of malaria. Four species found in local markets are listed as vulnerable in the IUCN red list of threatened species ( Afzelia africana , Vitellaria paradox a, Khaya senegalensis and Tapinanthus globiferus ). For many species that are traded in large quantities sufficient data for precise assessment of their conservation status do not yet exist. Some species such as Securidaca longipedunculata and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides are already rare in nature and sold at high price on the stalls. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to collect distribution data for the medicinal plant species of Burkina Faso and design conservation plans in order to preserve their natural populations. Keywords: Ethnobotanical survey; Medicinal plants; Conservation status; Traditional knowledge; Diseases; Burkina Faso