Chromoleana Odorata Research Articles

Changes in the Histopathology of the Visceral organ of African catfish (Clarias Gariepinus, Burchell 1822) fed various herbal plant additives

Histopathological studies have been established as effectual and sensitive tools for monitoring fish health. This study evaluated histopathological changes in African catfish fed with herbal additives. African Catfish juveniles (210) with an average weight of 117.3g and average length of 26.7cm were randomized into ten sub-groups and fed diets containing Allium sativum, Chromoleana odorata, and Talinum triangulare; 0.5%, 1.0%, and 3% concentrations, each of the herbal plants and 0% (control) for 42 days and changes in the visceral organs were investigated. Fish were sacrificed on the 43rd day and their visceral organs were collected and fixed in bouin’s fluid for 24h, washed with 10% formalin, and dehydrated through a graded series of ethanol. Collected organs were embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 4-5um thickness, stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, and scanned with a light microscope. The intestine, gill, liver, and kidney of control and fish fed with 0.5% Allium sativum showed no damage. However, effects ranging from slight lamellae hyperplasia to noticeable lamellae hyperplasia were detected in the gills of the fish nurtured with 3.0% inclusion rates of C. odorata and T. triangulare. Epithelial necrosis and atrophy of tubules in the kidney at a 3.0 % inclusion rate of C. odorata were detected. In conclusion, Allium sativum, Chromoleana odorata, and Talinum triangulare could be included at lower inclusion rates of 0.5 – 1% into Clarias gariepinus feed for prime performance.

Insecticidal Activity of Ten Plant Extracts on Cucumber [Cucumis sativus (L.)] Insect Pests in a Rainforest Transition Zone of Nigeria

Cucumber, Cucumis sativus L. an important vegetable crop in southwestern Nigeria, faces significant threats from a diverse array of insect pests, requiring the application of synthetic insecticides for optimal fruit production. The associated drawbacks of insecticide usage, combined with its adverse effects on consumer health, highlight the need for an alternative control strategy. Field trials were carried out during the cropping seasons of 2013 and 2014, and subsequently repeated in the 2019, to assess the effectiveness of ten plant extracts against the insect pests of cucumber. The treatments were leaf extracts from ten plant species: Cymbopogon citratus, Carica papaya, Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina, Chromoleana odorata, Azadirachta indica, Gmelina arborea, Hyptis suaveolens, Alstonia boonei, and Ageratum conyzoides. Additionally, a synthetic insecticide, Lambdacyhalothrin, and water were applied as check and control treatments, respectively. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance at 5% probability. The major insect pests associated with cucumber were leaf pests such as Aulacophora nigripennis, A. hilaris, A. foveicollis, Epilachna chrysomelina, and the fruit borer Bactrocera cucurbitae. The application of leaf extracts resulted in a notable reduction (p < 0.05) in populations of cucumber insect pests. The densities of E. chrysomelina, Aulacophora spp., and B. cucurbitae, along with their associated damage to cucumber leaves and fruits, demonstrated a significant decrease when cucumber was treated with leaf extracts of A. conyzoides and G. arborea. The effectiveness of A. conyzoides and G. arborea leaf extracts in controlling pests was evident, leading to a substantial increase in cucumber fruit yield. Consequently, these could be used as a practical alternative to synthetic insecticides.

CYTOMORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF SOME NIGERIAN ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE) - TRIBE EUPATORIEAE

Cytological, seed and epidermal studies were carried out of 9 taxa belonging to 4 genera and 6 species of the tribe Eupatorieae. Chromosome counts of 2 species-Adenostemma caffrum (n=10) and A. mauritianum (n=10) are reported for the first time from the Nigerian flora and the report of Ageratum conyzoides (n=18) differed from earlier reports. The report of 2 cytotypes in Ageratum conyzoides is reported for the first time from the Nigerian flora. The pollen fertility test of all the plants studied were high and this revealed that meiosis was normal with regular bivalent pairing and the plants were stable. The achene morphology of all the taxa studied have been drawn and described for the first time. Distribution maps of all the taxa studied have been drawn and described for the first time and this revealed that the plants were of widespread occurrence in the country. The epidermal walls of all the species studied were sinuously walled and their mature stomata was anomocytic in their amphistomatic leaves except for Adenostemma perrottetii that was hypostomatic. The ontogeny of all the plants studied was agenous and this has been presented for the first time. Eglandular multicellular trichomes were present in Chromoleana odorata and Ageratum conyzoides. Contiguous stomata was observed in (Adenostemma mauritianum, A. caffrum, Ageratum conyzoides, Chromoleana odorata and stomata with only one guard cell was observed in Mikania chenopodifolia were the only stomatal abnormality found in the tribe. The stomatal size of Mikania chenopodiifolia was the highest with 46?m x 20?m x 20?m x 4?m. There was no correlation between chromosome number and habit or between achene morphology and their growth habit in the tribe. A probable pathway of the evolution of basic chromosome number in the tribe has been suggested. The results from this study has confirmed the correct placement of the genera in the tribe Eupatorieae.

Detecting and mapping the spatial distribution of Chromoleana odorata invasions in communal areas of South Africa using Sentinel-2 multispectral remotely sensed data

Alien Invasive Plants (AIPs) have been proclaimed to be a significant non-climatic driver of global change. The Siam weed (Chromoleana odorata) is highly invasive in South African rangelands, with serious environmental, agricultural and socio-economic consequences. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of C.odorata's spatial distribution is necessary for implementing relevant mitigation and management approaches to vulnerable and invaded landscapes. Remotely sensed data offer a viable opportunity for detecting and mapping AIPs spatial extents. Hence, this study sought to compare the value of algorithms (i.e. maximum likelihood and random forest) in detecting and mapping C.odorata's spatial distribution in relation to other land use land cover classes (LULC) using the freely available Sentinel-2 multispectral image data. The findings of the study revealed that the vegetation red edge and near-infrared spectral bands of Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery (MSI) sensor were the most important spectral variables for discriminating C.odorata from other land cover classes. The random forest algorithm yielded the highest overall classification accuracy of 83%, outperforming the traditional maximum likelihood classifier (75%) in classifying C.odorata's spatial distribution. Overall, results demonstrate that the combination of freely available Sentinel-2 MSI satellite data and machine learning random forest algorithm produces the highest accuracies for detecting the spatial distribution of C.odorata, particularly in heterogeneous environments. These results could be beneficial to sustainable rangeland management and the adoption of site-specific mitigation approaches in areas invaded by C.odorata.

Survey of some plants utilized as feed by the Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck) at Akpaka Forest Reserve, Onitsha, Nigeria.

Field studies were conducted for 10 months (September 2001 to June 2002) to identify plans consumed by grasscutters in the wild ar the Akpaka Forest reserve located at Latitude 6o 09'N and longitude 69o 47'E North eastern of Onitsha, in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Twenty-two plant species were observed to be utilized as feed by the grasscutter at Akpaka forest reserve. Of these Twenty-two plants, fourteen were grasses of the family gramineae, Three were tuber crops, four were fruits and only one - Chromoleana odorata was a shrub (weed). Nine of these plants were not documented by earlier authors. Ten of these plants were chosen and analyzed for both proximate and mineral composition based on their food value, high level of utilization by grasscutters and their abundance. The results showed that these plant materials were low in crude protein, high in fibre, moisture and nitrogen free extract and also low in all the minerals and therefore may not satisfy the nutritional requirements of the animals for improved productivity This paper therefore recommend inclusion of concentrate, vitamins and minerals in the diet of grasscutters.

Floristic Composition and Structure in Relation to Elevation in the Togo Plateau Forest Reserve in Ghana

Plateau ecosystems are of special scientific and conservation interests as they harbour rich plant diversity and exhibit considerable spatial variability along elevation gradients. In this study, variations in floristic composition and structure in relation to elevation were studied in six-fringed communities Hohoe (HH), Alavanyo (AL), Santrokofi (SA), Akpafu (AK), Bowuri (BO), and Nkonya (NK) of the Togo Plateau Forest Reserve in Ghana to help provide explicit and effective management of this ecological hotspot. A total of 180 plots (each measuring 25m × 25m) were demarcated across the six communities for sampling of trees (DBH measured at 1.3 m above ground ≥10 cm). Smaller nested plots, measuring 5m × 5m and 1m × 1m, were used for sampling saplings (DBH < 10 cm, height > 1.5 m) and seedlings (DBH < 3 cm, height < 1.5 m), respectively. Species identity and abundance and elevation were recorded for each plot. Relationships of elevation gradient with vegetation attributes were analysed using simple linear regression. A total of 281 plant species (164 trees, 60 saplings and 57 seedlings) belonging to 66 families were recorded in the study. Leguminosae, Apocynaceae and Euphorbiaceae were the most dominant families across and along the elevation gradient. Average basal area of trees across the six communities was 44.72 m2/ha (ranged from 57.10 m2/ha at BO to 33.10 m2/ha at AL) whereas the Shannon-Weiner Index (H’) averaged 3.99 (ranged from 4.14 m2/ha at BO to 3.89 m2/ha at AL) and evenness index averaged 0.96 (ranged from 1.00 at BO to 0.92 at AL). The saplings and seedlings showed a similar pattern of composition and structure as the trees. The geographical locations of the study communities, which somehow correspond with different elevations of the plateau (i.e., BO, NK occur in lower elevations, SA, AL in mid elevations and HH, AL in higher elevations), was observed to have marginally influenced the composition and structure of the vegetation on the landscape. The most important trees listed in the study were Ceiba pentandra, Albizia zygia, and Terminalia superba. The saplings were Acacia camerunensis, Microdesmis puberula and Cnestis ferruginea. The seedlings were Chromoleana odorata, Palisota hirsuta and Costus affer. The most important tree species listed were distributed along a broad range of elevations. These results generally demonstrate the high floristic diversity of the Topo Plateau and the influence of elevation gradient on this, which should help in understanding of the composition and structure of several plateau ecosystems in Ghana and elsewhere.

Evaluation of the wound healing potential of an ointement formulated with Chromoleana odorata (L.) R. M. King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae)

Evaluation of the wound healing potential of an ointement formulated with Chromoleana odorata (L.) R. M. King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae)

Therapeutic potential of Chromolaena odorata phyto-constituents against human pancreatic α-amylase

Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is caused by insulin resistance in peripheral tissue and impaired insulin secretion through a dysfunction of the pancreatic β-cell. Acarbose is an anti-DM drug, it is effective but its continuous use may lead to undesirable side effects. Hence, the development of novel drugs from natural source that have both anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant activities, with little or no side effect during long-term use is of great importance. To investigate the anti-DM and anti-oxidant phyto-constituents of Chromoleana odorata, e-pharmacophore model was generated using human pancreatic α–amylase (HPA) standard inhibitor, Acarbose to map important pharmacophoric features of HPA, and used to screen several phyto-constituents of C. odorata to match at least 4 sites of the generated hypothesis. Glide and Induced Fit Docking followed by Prime MM-GBSA calculation, drug-likeness and ADME studies were employed for high fitness (>1.0) compounds retrieved from e-pharmacophore screening process. The drug-likeness properties of the lead compounds, Quercetin and Ombuin were analyzed taking into account the Lipinski’s and Veber’s rules. Further, machine-learning approach was used to generate QSAR model. The computed model, kpls_desc_19 was used to predict the bioactivity (pIC50) of Quercetin and Ombuin. Phyto-constituents of C. odorata; Quercetin and Ombuin have shown better and promising results when compared to that of the standard, acarbose. Based on the present study, orally delivered Quercetin and Ombuin from C. odorata are relatively better inhibitor of HPA, thus they can be a useful therapeutic candidate in the management/treatment of DM when compared to acarbose. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Study of Some Haematological and Serum Protein of African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) Juveniles Fed with Chromoleana Odorata as Feed Additives

Study of Some Haematological and Serum Protein of African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) Juveniles Fed with Chromoleana Odorata as Feed Additives

Chromoleana odorata and Hevea brasilensis as a Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Aluminium in Acid Solution

Chromoleana odorata and Hevea brasilensis as a Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Aluminium in Acid Solution

Characteristics of selected non-woody invasive alien plants in South Africa and an evaluation of their potential for electricity generation

Alien invasive plants (AIPs) pose a threat to the existence of plant and animal biodiversity in the ecosystems they invade. They need to be cleared, monitored and eventually eradicated from the landscape. The potential and the economic viability to supply non-woody AIP biomass for electricity generation were assessed in this study, which was conducted on samples from 13 common non-woody AIPs in South Africa, namely: Arundo donax (giant reed), Lantana camara (lantana), Pontederia cordata (pickerel weed), Ricinus communis (castor-oil plant), Opuntia ficus-indica (sweet prickly pear), Solanum mauritianum (bugweed), Atriplex nummularia (saltbush), Cestrum laevigatum (inkberry), Senna didymobotrya (peanut butter cassia), Chromoleana odorata (chromoleana), Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), Cerus jamacaru (queen of the night) and Agave sisilana (sisal plant). Proximate and ultimate analysis was made in order to assess the suitability of the biomass for different thermo-chemical conversion techniques for electricity generation. A financial evaluation of the costs to supply biomass to the plant gate was performed by combining the harvesting, chipping and transport costs. The results showed that the biomass of giant reed, lantana, bugweed, saltbush, inkberry, cassia and Chromoleana may be used to generate electricity through combustion, although the total average cost was approximately 50% higher than that of woody biomass feedstock, requiring a ‘fuel cost subsidy’ to justify their utilisation for energy production.

Chromoleana odorata fallow-cropping cycles maintain soil carbon stocks and yam yields 40 years after conversion of native- to farmland, implications for forest conservation

Abstract Natural ecosystem conversion to agriculture is known to alter soil carbon dynamic. Following such conversion in many tropical areas, land undergoes fallow-cropping cycles where fallows are invaded by the pantropical weed Chromoleana odorata. This study was undertaken in the forest-savanna interface area of Cote d’Ivoire to evaluate the impact of these cycles on soil carbon stocks (SOCS) and yam yields, decades after natural ecosystem conversion. Trials involved four treatments including yam farms in forest (FOR, n = 10), in forest-derived C. odorata fallows (FoDCo, n = 7), in savanna (SAV, n = 3) and in savanna-derived C. odorata fallows (SaDCo, n = 3). Prior to turning plots to farms, soil was sampled in the 0–10, 10–20 and 20–40 cm layers for physical, chemical and microbial parameters. Since forest and savanna soils were different in granulometry, FoDCo was compared to FOR, and SaDCo to SAV. The soil organic matter and nutrient concentrations in the 0–10 cm soil layer in FoDCo and FOR were similar, except for available P which was higher in the former. SaDCo was higher than SAV in terms of SOC, available P, mineral N, and NO3-N:Mineral N ratio. With regard to SOCS, value in FoDCo equalled that in FOR regardless of soil layers (63.2 ± 4.4 and 63.7 ± 4.6 Mg ha−1 in 0–40 cm layer, respectively). However, SOCS significantly increased in SaDCo relative to SAV in the 0–20 cm (31.4 ± 2.7 vs. 24.2 ± 2.1 Mg ha−1). Consistently, yam yield in FoDCo was like that in FOR while it doubled in SaDCo compared to SAV, with SOC, CEC and mineral N as the controlling factors. The major finding of this study is that the predominance of C. odorata in fallow phases allows at least for maintenance of SOCS and yam yields decades after natural ecosystem conversion to farmland. Furthermore, evidence of the feasibility of the “4 per mille” was given. These results are highly useful in forest protection strategies since farmers usually cut forest for yam cropping.

Incidence and diversity of viruses in cowpeas and weeds in the unmanaged farming systems of savanna zones in Nigeria

Fields surveys were conducted to assess the incidence of commonly known legume viruses on cowpeas and weed hosts within and around the cowpeas farms in nine locations across the three agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Of 315 cowpea leaf samples collected and tested for eight viruses, 69.5% were found to be infected. Bean common mosaic virus-blackeye mosaic (BCMV-BlCM), genus Potyvirus had the highest incidence (70%) and was also the most prevalent (78%). Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV, genus Potyvirus) had 64% as incidence, incidence of Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV, genus Sobemovirus) was 21%. Bean pod mosaic virus (BPMV, genus Comovirus) was detected in 1% of the samples tested. Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV, genus Comovirus) was undetected. Other viruses tested included Cowpea mottle virus (CPMoV, genus Carmovirus), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV, genus Cucumovirus), and Cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV, genus Carlavirus). Multiple virus infections were detected in 68.0% of the infected cowpea leaf samples. The combination of BCMV-BlCM and CABMV was the most common, occurring in 76.4% of all samples. Virus incidence in weeds around the cowpea plots was 2.5% (9 out of 356) whereas 1.5% (5 out of 332) of the weeds collected within the cowpea plots were infected. Some of the weeds infected were Chromoleana odorata, Centrosema sp., Thithonia diversifolia and Talinum triangulare.

Utilization of different plant species available in coconut plantation to produce nutrient rich vermicompost

Vermicomposting is a well known technology that produces a valuable organic fertilizer from Organic waste. Weeds in coconut plantations are good organic sources for vermicompost production. The experiment was carried out to evaluate the quality of vermicompost produced by different weed or plant species commonly available in coconut plantations and also to evaluate the effect of these residues on the earth worm activity in the vermicomposting process. Vermicomposts were produced using different plant or weed species collected from coconut plantations in combination with cattle manure.The highest N content and worm growth was found in the vermicompost produced using Puereria phasioloides, Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia. The highest P content was recorded in vermicompost samples produced using Tithonia diversifolia and Panicum maximum. Tithonia diversifolia, Puereria phasioloides and Gliricidia sepium showes significantly higher K content than the other plant species residues. Organic Carbon content was significantly high in vermicompost made with Tithonia diversifolia, Gliricidia sepium, Tephrosia purpurea, Chromoleana odorata, Panicum maximum and Hyptis suaveolens. Worm multiplication rate was significantly lower % by Lantana camara, Chromoleana odorata, Hyptis suaveolens and Vernonie zeylanica substrates, possibly due to chemical compounds present in these plant species. The results shows that Gliricidia sepium, Puereria phasioloides and Tithonia diversifolia are the best species for vermicomposting when compared with other weed species in coconut plantations.

English

Gas flaring is a recognized polluting agent in the environment, affecting all forms of life. The gases and particulate matters (dust, mist and fog) follow the same diffusive pathway with carbon IV oxide into the plant leaf, where they react with enzymes, hormones, and other biochemical molecules, resulting in the deformation of organelles with adverse consequences. In this study, foliar photomicrography analysis of five medicinal plants (Carica papaya, Chromoleana odorata, Ricinus communis, Manihot esculenta and Euphorbia sp.) from the flare site and non-flare site was used to evaluate the impact of gas flaring in foliar micro-structure. Results showed the occurrence of structural deformities evidenced in distorted veinal arrangement, necrosis, chlorosis, stomata and guard cell destruction. The plants studied have ethno-medicinal and nutritional values in the study area. The study showed that foliar photomicrography could be used as component of vegetation studies in the environmental impact assessment, auditing, and evaluation of any anthropogenic activity. Key words: Gas flaring, phyto-therapeutics, phyto-potency, pollution.

Satellite-based annual evaporation estimates of invasive alien plant species and native vegetation in South Africa

In this study we assessed the impact that invasive alien plant species (IAPs), and the clearing thereof by the Working for Water (WFW) programme, have on total evaporation (ET) and the availability of water resources in two highly-invaded provinces of South Africa. The Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) model, using MODIS satellite imagery, was used to estimate the annual total ET at 250 m pixel resolution. ET was estimated for 3 climatically different years for the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The average annual ET from areas under IAPs, native vegetation, exotic plantation forestry species and control (clearing) areas were compared. The ET of the 5 dominant IAPs (Acacia mearnsii, Acacia saligna, Eucalyptus spp., Hakea spp. and Pinus spp.) in the Western Cape province was 895 mm, which was significantly higher than the ET of most of the native vegetation (thicket 575 mm and fynbos 520 mm), but similar to the ET of dominant exotic plantation forestry species (805 mm). On average, the ET was reduced by 13% to 780 mm, following clearing. In KwaZulu-Natal Province, the ET of the 5 dominant IAPs (Acacia mearnsii, Chromoleana odorata, Eucalyptus spp., Lantana camara and Solanum mauritanium) was 875 mm, which was also higher than the ET of the native vegetation (thicket 755 mm, savanna 685 mm and grassland 640 mm). Following IAP control the ET was decreased by 6%, to 825 mm. This study has demonstrated that spatial ET data with GIS-information on land use can be used to assess the impact of IAPs, and clearing thereof, on water resources. We confirmed results from previous studies, which showed that ET from invaded areas exceeded that from native vegetation. The ET data needs further validation as validation appeared to be impossible. Our results are likely conservative since the majority of invaded areas considered in this analysis represent non-riparian areas. The impact of WFW control of densely-invaded riparian areas is likely more pronounced. We concluded that the clearing of IAPs by the WFW programme has a positive effect on the availability of water resources through a reduction in ET.Keywords: invasive alien plants; indigenous vegetation; remote sensing; water use; evapotranspiration; SEBAL; Western Cape; KwaZulu-Natal

Utilization of Eupatorium (Chromoleana odorata), an obnoxious weed as green leaf manure in enhancing rice productivity

A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2002 and 2003 at Agricultural Research Station (Paddy), Sirsi to know the effect of eupatorium as green leaf manure in combination with graded levels of inorganic fertilizers on rice yield and profitability. On an average over two years, application of 100 % recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) recorded maximum grain yield, straw yield and net returns followed by 50% RDF and no fertilizer which were differing significantly from one another. The grain yield recorded with application of eupatorium @ 10 t/ha (6735 kg/ha) was found to be on par with that of 20 t/ha (6929 kg/ha) and 15 t/ha (6915 kg/ha). The trend in net returns was almost similar to that of grain yield. Whereas, the straw yield recorded with eupatorium @ 10 t/ha (6205 kg/ha) was found to be on par with that of 15 t/ha (6130 kg/ha) only. The data on interaction indicates that the grain yield and net returns recorded with combination of eupatorium @ 20 t/ha + 100% RDF, eupatorium @ 15 t/ha + 100% RDF, eupatorium @ 10 t/ha + 100% RDF, eupatorium @ 10 t/ha + 50% RDF and eupatorium @ 15 t/ha + 50% RDF.

The Allelopathic Effects of Lantana camara on Seed Germination and Growth of Selected Bioassay Species

The allelopathic effects of Lantana camara L. (Family:Verbenaceae) on germination and seedling establishment of some agricultural crops and weed species have been identified. Aqueous extracts of dry leaves and contaminated soil where L. camara is grown were used to verify allelopathic effect on seed germination of five bioassay species; Raphanus sativas, Capsicum annum, Lycopersicum esculantem, Crotalaria juncia and Chromoleana odorata. Fifty seeds from each bioassay species were placed in a petri dish containing leaf extracts or contaminated soil, and seed germination were examined after 3 days. The plant house experiments were carried out to evaluate the impact of L. camara contaminated soil and leaf debris using L. esculantem as the indicator plant. Seed germination of L. esculentem, C. junica and Capsicum annum was significantly inhibited by L. camara contaminated soil. However, the degree of inhibition varied among the bioassay species. The aqueous extract of dry leaves of L. camara was highly phytotoxic and it significantly reduced seed germination of all bioassay species. There was a decline in plant height, leaf area and shoot dry weight of tomato only in early growth stages when grown in L. camara contaminated soils. However, incorporation of leaf debris into soil affected the vegetative growth of tomato in early stages when the leaf debris concentration was increased. Growth recovered at the latter part of the life cycle. On the basis of these results it can be concluded that the allelochemicals in L. camara contaminated soils are harmful to the seed germination of crop species. The adverse effect was present only during the early growth stages and it did not suppress the latter part of the plant growth. These responses are attributed to allelopathic effects which need confirmation under field conditions.

The Growth Performance of Young Archachatina marginata Swaison (African Giant Snail) Fed with Mulberry (Morus alba) and Siam-weed (Chromoleana odorata) Leaf Meal Supplementary Diet

Two of the most costly sources of protein ingredients in livestock feed are soya and fishmeals. These ingredients are now becoming scarce due to their multiple uses, hence the needs for sourcing for substitutes. A six weeks Completely Randomised Design experiment was conducted at the FRIN Snailery unit, Ibadan to evaluate the growth perfomance of Archachatina marginata Swaison on mulberry and chromoleana leafmeals. Thirty (30) young snails of 3-5 weeks old were fed with mulberry and siam-weed leafmeals in addition to the unripe pawpaw fruit. Concentrate feed containing soya and fish meals serves as the control. Average feed intakes, body weight gain, shell length and circumference of snails were the parameters assessed. The results showed that highest feed intake and feed conversion ratio were obtained in chromoleana leafmeal treatment but snails fed with mulberry leafmeal performed best in terms of average body weight gain, shell length and circumference of snails. This indicated that leaves of some tropical plants especially especially mulberry and siam-weed could be used as a good substitutes in snail supplementary ration and help to reduce the cost of production in snail farming.

Kaurane-type diterpenoids from Chromoleana odorata, their X-ray diffraction studies and potent α-glucosidase inhibition of 16-kauren-19-oic acid

A new diterpenoid, 15-angeloyloxy-16,17-epoxy-19-kauronic acid ( 1), along with five known metabolites, 16-kauren-19-oic acid ( 2), 6′-hydroxy-2′,3′,4,4′-tetramethoxychalcone ( 3), isosakuranetin ( 4), acacetin ( 5), and kaempferide ( 6) was isolated from the organic extracts of the roots of Chromoleana odorata. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic evidences. The structures of 1 and 2 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Compound 2 exhibited significant α-glucosidase inhibitory and antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.