Local Flora Research Articles

Diagnosis and Management of Neonatal Bacterial Sepsis: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives.

Sepsis remains the second cause of death among neonates after the pathological consequences of extreme prematurity. In this review we summarized knowledge about pathogens causing early-onset sepsis (EOS) and late-onset sepsis (LOS), the role of perinatal risk factors in determining the EOS risk, and the tools used to reduce unnecessary antibiotics. New molecular assays could improve the accuracy of standard blood cultures, providing the opportunity for a quick and sensitive tool. Different sepsis criteria and biomarkers are available to date, but further research is needed to guide the use of antibiotics according to these tools. Beyond the historical antibiotic regimens in EOS and LOS episodes, antibiotics should be based on the local flora and promptly modulated if specific pathogens are identified. The possibility of an antibiotic lock therapy for central venous catheters should be further investigated. In the near future, artificial intelligence could help us to personalize treatments and reduce the increasing trend of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Assessment of plastic debris and biofouling in a specially protected area of the Antarctic Peninsula region

The aim of this paper is to characterize the plastic and to study a potential relationship between plastic debris characteristics and the presence of fouling biota in an Antarctic Specially Protected Area Robert Island, on the Antarctic peninsula region. A combination of lab-based sorting, advanced spectral analysis and general linear modelling was used to assess the abundance and type of plastic debris washed up on the shore. Observations recorded 730 debris items, with 85 % being plastic. Polystyrene (PS) and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were the dominant plastics (61 %). Biofouling was observed on 25 % of plastic debris, with debris complexity and degradation significantly increasing the likelihood of fouling occurring. There was no correlation found between biofouling type and plastic polymer type. Findings raise concerns that even with the highest level of environmental protection, an external marine-based source of pollution can intrude the coastal habitat, with uncertain consequences to local flora and fauna.

Characterization of Heavy Metal and Physico-chemical Profiling of Sewage Water Soil in Jaipur District, Rajasthan, India

Jaipur is the capital state of Rajasthan. During the year 2021, District Jaipur of 3 blocks (Chomu, Sanganer, and Shahpura) in 9 villages [Keshav Nagar (V1), Morija (V2), Nindola (V3), Goner (V4), Shrikishanpura (V5), Durgapura (V6), Shivpuri (V7), Manoharpur (V8), Nwalpura (V9)] were selected for estimation of physico-chemical properties and Heavy metal contamination in severage channels. A total of 9 samples were collected from 9 villages sewerage channels. This study aimed to analyze the physico-chemical properties of agricultural soil and irrigation water in three blocks of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The findings revealed significant variations in the physico-chemical properties of the agricultural soil and water in Chomu, Sanganer, and Shahpura. Standard methods were employed to assess the physico-chemical characteristics of soil samples contaminated with sewerage effluents in these regions, which exhibited considerable diversity. The pH levels of the soil samples were predominantly slightly acidic and alkaline ranging from 6.22 to 7.31. Electrical conductivity values varied between 0.41 to 0.62 mmhos/cm. The percentages of organic matter and organic carbon in the soil samples ranged from 0.17% to 0.25% and 0.29% to 0.43%, respectively. Additionally, the analysis included heavy metals such as zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu). The soil samples were found to contain elevated levels of heavy metals, surpassing the permissible limits. The discharge of sewerage effluent into the environment, primarily originating from the textile industry, house, etc. constitutes are major source of pollution that can adversely impact the local flora and fauna. Therefore, it is imperative to implement effluent treatment measures before their release into the environment.

Machine Learning and Image Processing-Based System for Identifying Mushrooms Species in Malaysia

Malaysia, a country with a tropical climate characterized by consistent warmth and year-long high humidity, houses the perfect conditions for mushroom growth. Recently, there has been a surge in back-to-nature activities in Malaysia. However, many participants lack prior knowledge about the local flora and fungi, leading to a rise in mushroom poisoning cases, some of which have been fatal. Despite thorough research, there is a notable lack of identification studies specifically focused on mushroom species in Malaysia. Identifying these species is crucial for medical providers to effectively counteract the toxins from ingested mushrooms and also serves as an important educational tool. This study aims to determine the most suitable architecture for mushroom identification, focusing specifically on mushroom species found in Malaysia. A dataset of these mushrooms was curated, augmented, and processed through multiple variants of Vision Transformers (ViTs) and ResNet models, with uniform hyperparameters to ensure fairness. The results indicate that the ViT-L/16 model achieved the highest accuracy at 90.47%.

Iodine deficiency as an environmental risk factor for thyroid gland diseases in animals

Among non-infectious diseases in humans and animals, iodine deficiency pathology is a significant problem worldwide due to its high prevalence and broad spectrum of clinical signs and consequences. Increasing anthropogenic pressure on the natural environment has led to an ecological crisis. The situation is complicated in the biogeochemical zones of Ukraine, where insufficient or excessive content of mobile forms of microelements in soils and water sources determines the biological reaction of local flora and fauna. In animals, this is manifested by endemic diseases, including hypothyroidism. Mineral elements, including iodine, are a structural material in the body of animals; they participate in the processes of digestion and absorption in the digestive tract, synthesis, splitting, and excretion of metabolic products, creating the necessary conditions for the normal functioning of enzymes, hormones, vitamins, stabilize acidic-alkaline balance and osmotic pressure. Of all the organs of the endocrine system, the thyroid gland is the most closely related to the environment since its structure and function largely depend on the supply of iodine from the outside. The authors describe in detail the role of synergists of iodine (selenium, iron, copper, zinc, cobalt) and antagonists, the imbalance of trace elements, the influence of ionizing radiation, and the nature of feeding. It is substantiated that the action of environmental elements and anthropogenic factors determines the appearance and risk of developing thyroid pathology in cows. The article presents materials from a complex study of the clinical course of iodine deficiency, as well as morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood of cows. The object of research is clinically healthy and sick animals – cattle. Diagnosis of thyroid pathology was carried out with the help of clinical and laboratory tests. The clinical examination of cows was carried out according to the generally accepted scheme, taking into account the results of the general condition and studies of individual organs and systems. The research was conducted in three districts of the Zhytomyr region (Korostenskyi, Narodytskyi, and Popilnianskyi). During the external examination of the animals, swelling in the intermaxillary space (Myxedema) was observed, which was found only in 5 out of 90 dairy cows (5.6 %), mainly from Narodytsky district (8.9 %), compared to 2.2 % in Korosten district. It was observed that goiter was established in only three cows out of 90 (3.35%); all were in Narodytsky district (6.7 %). Enophthalmos was detected in 24 out of 90 dairy cows (26.7 %), including 16 out of 45 cows (35.4 %) in the Narodytsky District, while this symptom was not detected in the Popilnya District dairy cows. It was established that the content of thyroxine in dairy cows of Narodytskyi and Korostensky districts ranged from 2.2 to 4.25 μg/100 ml (28.3–54.7 nmol/l), respectively, and was on average 3.4 ± 0.21 μg/100 ml (43.8 ± 2.70 nmol/l, in cows from the conditionally clean territory (Popelnyan district) – 5.3 ± 0.65 nmol/l.

DNA barcoding, inter-specific and inter-generic variation studies on South Indian scaly tree ferns (Cyathea sp.pl.) using chloroplast rbcL gene

DNA barcoding is an effective identification tool for tree ferns with heteromorphic generations with morphologically simple gametophytic phase. A complete reference dataset which includes coverage of the target local flora is necessary for accurate identification. Three different Cyathea sp.pl. were investigated to test the utility of plastid DNA barcode regions rbcL with the intention of developing an identification system for native pteridophytes. In addition, the inter-specific and inter-generic variations among the Cyathea sp.pl. were also focused. BLAST analysis revealed the similar rbcL sequences related to C. nilgirensis Holttum, C. gigantea (Wallich ex Hook. f.) Holttum and C. crinita (Hook.) Copel and a sum of 143 sequences viz., Cyathea sp.pl. (121), Gymnosphaera sp.pl.(4), Sphaeropteris sp.pl. (1) and Alsophila sp.pl. (17). The sequences of 143 plants were retrieved from GenBank in FASTA format. The sequences were aligned using multiple sequence alignment tool MUSCLE. The inter-specific and inter-generic distance percentage were calculated using Maximum Likelihood, Minimum Evolution, UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) and Neighbor-Joining method. The analyses were constructed using MEGA X software. The rbcL gene provided sequence variation with its strong resolving power. This study demonstrates the overall effectiveness of DNA barcodes for species identification of tree fern genus Cyathea in the pteridophyte flora of Southern Western Ghats.

Eco-physiological characteristics of Corylus colurna and Taxus baccata in Armenia under in situ and ex situ conditions

Thanks to the special state policy in Armenia, people's interest in nature has increased. People try to get acquainted with the world of plants not only in nature, but also in botanical gardens. It is very important to include rare and beautiful species of local flora in botanical gardens․ This process sometimes requires acclimatization of the targeted species, for example in case of Corylus colurna L. and Taxus baccata L. Our study highlights for the first time the results of an eco-physiological study (water content, intensity of transpiration and photosynthetic productivity) of two rare woody plant species C. colurna and T. baccata, growing in the wild in Armenia. We investigated the patterns of physiological behavior of the plants under different climatic conditions. Being highly valuable ornamental and rare species, ex situ conservation tools are applied to them in the appropriate structures of the country, among them the mesophyll forest, lower forest and semidesert zones. Obviously, we can conclude that for all indicators our most arid conditions are in the semidesert zone, at the same time often the conditions of the mesophyll forest zone are more favorable than those of the natural localities. The results of this research also show that acclimatization can help these species to be successfully preserved even in places where they grow very poorly under natural conditions or even disappear. According to the results of the studies carried out, it can be concluded that the two studied species at present can be grown in the semidesert zone as well.

Invasion of Sicyos angulatus in Riparian Habitats in the Jiu and Danube Area (Romania)

Sicyos angulatus (Cucurbitaceae) is an invasive species because of its rapid growth rate, intensive dispersal and ability to adapt to a wide range of environments. It has become an invasive species in the Ostroveni area, an area at the confluence of the Jiu River and the Danube River in the Oltenia region of Romania. This species spreads, climbs and takes over everything in its path. It can also outcompete native plants very quickly as it is a prolific breeder. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the invasive potential of S. angulatus in the forests of the Jiu and Danube confluence area by calculating several indicator values. The results showed that the number of plants varies depending on factors such as location, water availability and shade. They also showed that S. angulatus is a plant that occupies its niche in the ecosystem and has a negative impact on the local flora. Population control should therefore start with early detection, so that control and eradication are less costly.

Medicinal plants used by minority ethnic groups in China: Taxonomic diversity and conservation needs

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIndigenous communities have long relied on medicinal plants (MPs) for primary healthcare. The ethnomedicinal knowledge are different among ethnic groups since the local flora and people's health beliefs generally vary among biocultural backgrounds. China with its diverse biocultural environment is rich in culturally important plant species including MPs. They are also essential in the context of conservation of plant resources and the related traditional medical knowledge, requiring an integrated perspective on these MPs. Aim of the studyFocusing on the MPs used by the minority ethnic groups, this study assesses the diversity of MPs in China used in local indigenous traditions, as well as their conservation needs. Materials and methodsThe MPs used by the 18 selected minority ethnic groups were extracted from an ethnic MP dictionary. After standardizing, the names then were compiled as an inventory. Next, following statistics were computed: the number of species in each order and family, species used by each ethnic group, species documented in the national herbal resource dataset, species adopted in drug standards, and species at different levels of conservation lists. The overall similarity of the MPs used by the ethnic groups included was achieved using a cluster and principal component analysis. ResultsIn total 5886 vascular plant species are reported as medicines in the 18 ethnic groups, which belong to 1657 genera and 243 families. It is found that 3195 species are used exclusively by one ethnic group, indicating their cultural salience and potential restrictedness in ecological terms. Moreover, 1159 species are included in national/regional drug standards, indicating their importance in the national medical flora. However, only 3541 species of them are documented in the national herbal resource dataset, and 761 species are at different levels of threatened status, highlighting the conservation needs of Chinese MPs and the related traditional medical knowledge. ConclusionsUsing a quantitative approach, for the first time the present study reveals the high level of taxonomic diversity of MPs used by minority ethnic groups of China. However, of these species, 40% are still not inventoried in the national herbal resource dataset, and more than half are used exclusively by one ethnic group, and around 13% are included in the conservation lists of different levels. These together urge the conservation of MP resources and related traditional medical knowledge. Additionally, we recommend fostering the cross-cultural communication the regional ethnomedicinal knowledge, for the purpose of maximizing the benefits of regional plants to human.

Traditional Fish Leather Dyeing Methods with Indigenous Arctic Plants

Along the Arctic and sub-Arctic coasts of Alaska, Siberia, north-eastern China, Hokkaido, Scandinavia and Iceland, people have dressed in clothes or worn shoes made of fish skin for millennia. (Within this article, the terms fish skin and fish leather are used to indicate different processes of the same material. Fish skin: Skin indicates the superficial dermis of an animal. Fish skin is referred to as the historical raw material that is tanned following traditional methods such as mechanical, oiling and smoking tanning, using materials such as bark, brain, urine, fish eggs and corn flour. Fish leather is used to refer that the fish skin has passed one or more stages of industrial vegetable or chrome tanning production and is ready to be used to produce leather goods). These items are often decorated with a rich colour palette of natural dyes provided by nature. In this study, minerals and raw materials of plant origin were collected from riverbanks and processed by Arctic seamstresses who operated as designers, biochemists, zoologists, and climatologists simultaneously. During our research, an international team of fashion, tanning and education specialists used local Arctic and sub-Arctic flora from Sweden, Iceland, and Japan to dye fish leather. Several plants were gathered and sampled on a small scale to test the process and determine the colours they generated based on the historical literature and verbal advice from local experts. This paper describes the process and illustrates the historical use of natural dyes by the Arctic groups originally involved in this craft, building on the traditional cultural heritage that has enabled us to develop sustainable dyeing processes. The results are promising and confirm the applicability of these local plants for dyeing fish skins, providing a basis for a range of natural dye colours from local Arctic flora. The aim is to develop a moderate-sized industrial production of fish leather in this colour palette to replace current unsustainable chemical dyeing processes. This project represents an innovation in material design driven by traditional technologies, addressing changes in interactions between humans and with our environment. The results indicate that new materials, processes, and techniques are often the fruitful marriage of fashion and historical research of traditional methods, helping the industry move towards a more sustainable future.

Growing Native Medicinal Plants in Amajari – RR

The aim of this work was to set up a permanent production area for native and exotic medicinal plants, especially those at risk of extinction. The species grown were herbs, shrubs and medicinal trees of various species, both native and exotic. Nineteen species were cultivated by 20 students from the Ovídio Dias de Souza State School who took part in the practicals at the school. It was observed that the fact that the majority of the students reported a preference for using medicinal plants, perhaps due to the lack of any other way of maintaining or recovering their health, is, in a way, a positive aspect, because as well as strengthening traditional practices regarding the use and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants, it is an activity that values the preservation of the local flora.

Preliminary insights of the genetic diversity and invasion pathways of Cedrela odorata in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

Cedrela odorata is considered the second most invasive tree species of the Galapagos Islands. Although it is listed in CITES Appendix II and there are population losses in mainland Ecuador, in Galapagos it is paradoxically a species of concern due to its invasive potential. Genetic studies can shed light on the invasion history of introduced species causing effects on unique ecosystems like the Galapagos. We analyzed nine microsatellite markers in C. odorata individuals from Galapagos and mainland Ecuador to describe the genetic diversity and population structure of C. odorata in the Galapagos and to explore the origin and invasion history of this species. The genetic diversity found for C. odorata in Galapagos (H e = 0.55) was lower than reported in the mainland (H e = 0.81), but higher than other invasive insular plant species, which could indicate multiple introductions. Our results suggest that Ecuador's northern Coastal region is the most likely origin of the Galapagos C. odorata, although further genomic studies, like Whole Genome Sequencing, Rad-Seq, and/or Whole Genome SNP analyses, are needed to confirm this finding. Moreover, according to our proposed pathway scenarios, C. odorata was first introduced to San Cristobal and/or Santa Cruz from mainland Ecuador. After these initial introductions, C. odorata appears to have arrived to Isabela and Floreana from either San Cristobal or Santa Cruz. Here, we report the first genetic study of C. odorata in the Galapagos and the first attempt to unravel the invasion history of this species. The information obtained in this research could support management and control strategies to lessen the impact that C. odorata has on the islands' local flora and fauna.

First model of industrial noise propagation in the vicinity of the Yasuní National Park

Abstract This work addresses aspects of industrial noise produced by the facilities of oil extraction near Yasuní National Park, located in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. The acoustic sources within this kind of facilities could influence in the wildlife behavior, which could impact negatively on the species. The acoustic wave radial propagation model in an open field is proposed through a geometric divergence attenuation, atmospheric absorption effect, dispersion effects due to obstacles, and soil effects. The initial model without obstacles makes predictions based on an algorithm considering that the data are associated to a GPS position, the first propagation model without obstacles determines the level of sound pressure for each quasi-horizontal measurement (x, y). Then, dispersion factors are incorporated through the NORD2000 model to consider the local flora that introduces reflection and dispersion phenomena which are in the environment considering geometric measurements estimated in situ. The pressure level of the model without obstacles decreases as the frequency increases, but with less intensity compared to the pressure level of the model with obstacles. As the frequency increases, there are important fluctuations since the attenuating factors influence more than the correction factors.

Feeding ecology of the common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) in a major European city.

Urban configuration and food availability influence birds' foraging behaviour and constitute key factors for understanding how they exploit cities. Here, we conducted a field survey in the city of Madrid (Spain) from winter 2021 to autumn 2022 to understand how the common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) exploits the food resources provided by urban parks and streets across different seasons. The proportion of observations away from parks increased during winter and spring, and the proportion of observations of wood pigeons eating on the ground was the greatest in summer. The common wood pigeon fed from 45 tree species, 60% of which were exotic ornamental species. Most tree species used as food sources coincided with those widely planted in parks, streets and avenues. The preferred trees varied throughout the year, with a greater incidence of exotic species in winter and spring. Our results show that the diversity of trees available in cities and the use of non-native plants with contrasting phenological patterns compared with the local flora are crucial elements in explaining the successful establishment of the common wood pigeon in the city.

Abundance and distribution of anthropogenic marine litter on the beaches of Sonadia Island: An Ecologically Critical Area

Plastic is one of the most common types of anthropogenic marine litter (AML) found in the world's oceans. Plastic entry into marine ecosystems poses a significant threat to marine ecology. Its ubiquitous prevalence creates serious environmental concerns. To address this issue, a comprehensive survey was conducted on the seven beaches of Sonadia Island, designated as an ecologically critical area of Bangladesh. The research aimed to investigate the abundance and distribution of AML and assess environmental health using four indices. A total of 14809 AML items were collected, yielding an average density of 0.71 items/m². The most abundant AML types were plastic (76.41 %), with a mean density of 0.49 items/m². Fishing and recreational activities are identified as the primary sources of AML on Sonadia Island. The Clean Coast Index revealed that two beaches had ‘moderate cleanliness’, four were ‘dirty’, and one was ‘extremely dirty’. The Plastic Abundance Index indicated ‘moderate abundance’ with a mean value of 2.97. Furthermore, the Hazardous Item Index classified four beaches under ‘class II’, and three were ‘class III’. Additionally, the Pollution Load Index calculated at 21.34 signifies a ‘hazard level III’, denoting high contamination with AML. The results indicate that Sonadia Island's beaches are heavily polluted with AML, particularly plastic, causing significant harm to the local flora and fauna. The research emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the harmful effects of AML on marine biodiversity. To address this issue, Governments, private organizations, plastic producers and the local community must adopt sustainable waste management practices.

Evaluation of the Geotourism Potential of the Mountain Lakes in the Călimani Massif: Colibița Lake, Iezer Lake and Zânelor Lake

Evaluation of the Geotourism Potential of the Mountain Lakes in the Călimani Massif: Colibița Lake, Iezer Lake and Zânelor Lake. This paper evaluates the key geosites in the Călimani National Park: Colibița Lake, Iezer Lake and Zânelor Lake. The internationally recognized methodology used in this study has a crucial role in the development of tourism and the conservation of natural resources. The obtained results show that these geosites have a significant potential for tourism development. Colibița Lake, an artificial lake, attracts tourists with its picturesque landscape and recreational activities. Iezer Lake impresses with its natural beauty and ecological importance, being a crucial habitat for local flora and fauna. Zânelor Lake offers a unique cultural experience, thanks to the charming landscape and local legends. The evaluation and management of these geosites will contribute to the management and conservation of natural resources in the Călimani Massif. The development of sustainable tourism requires appropriate management strategies that ensure responsible use and conservation of the environment. Promoting sustainable tourism and respecting conservation principles will ensure the preservation and sustainable exploitation of these geosites, benefiting both local communities and visitors. Keywords: Geotourism, Geosite, Călimani Massif, Carpathian Mountains, Romania.

К флоре верховья р. Озерное Горло (Чукотка, северные отроги Чуванского хребта)

The survey conducted in August 2021 revealed the main core of the local flora in the upper reaches of the Ozyornoe Gorlo River (southern Chukotka, Anadyr River basin, northern spurs of the Chuvansky Ridge), which had not previously been studied botanically. The peaks in the Chuvansky Ridge system within the research area vary from (900) 1200 to 1300 (1400) m above sea level. On the mountain slopes, cedar elfin loci are spread, higher up transforming into shrubby and lichen tundra. 127 species from 77 genera and 38 families were identified within the flora of the research area. As a consequence of the low anthropogenic impact, the flora here is represented exclusively by the aboriginal fraction, no introduced species identified. Interesting finds, rarely found in adjacent territories, include Poa aff. tuonnachensis, Juncus brachyspathus, Luzula wahlenbergii, Aruncus kamtschaticus, Pyrola minor, Phyllodoce caerulea, Rhododendron camtschaticum, Antennaria angustata, Saussurea oxyodonta, and Taraxacum sibiricum.

Plant Diversity and Ethno-botanical Assessment of Tehsil Takht Bhai, Mardan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Ethno-botany is the scientific study of traditional knowledge, and customs of people concerning plants and their medical, religious and other uses. The present study was aimed to gather and document the traditional knowledge and practices of the local inhabitants related to medicinal uses of the plants in the area. To understand the ethno-botanical uses and importance of the plant, a questionnaire survey was conducted to collect quantitative, and qualitative information from randomly selected 138 local inhabitants of the Tehsil Takht Bhai, Mardan. The data were statistically analyzed by using SPSS software. The results reveals that medicinal plants are used for the treatment of various ailments and health issues, the plants were mostly used for diabetic (8.7%). The plants use was also recorded for backache (6.5%), followed by constipation and urinary tract infection (5.6), dry cough (4.3%), abdominal swelling and hemorrhoids (3.6%), and dysentery (3.5%). We also report on the people perception parts uses. According to report shows that the most commonly used part was fruits (24.6%), followed by bark (15.2%), whole plant (5.1%), roots (3.6%), stems (3.6%), flowers (1.4%), and seeds (1.4%). However, plant recipes were recorded from the local respondents, mostly reported recipe is powder form of plants (29.7%), followed by crushing (28.3%), directly use (15.2%), chewing (11.6%), boiling with water (7.2%), decoction (5.1%), boiling with tea (1.4%) etc. We conclude from the survey that the species population has been frequently used for various medicinal purposes, and the local inhabitants have more knowledge about the medicinal plant species. So, it is important the uncontrolled use of the plant as ethno-medicinal drug due to its great economic value. However, it is recommended that further investigation on local flora is necessary into their possible medicinal uses and proper documentation of the knowledge for young generation and researchers.

Integrated Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Urban Road Dust: Implications for Human Health and Ecosystem Sustainability in Abeokuta, Nigeria

This research aims to comprehensively investigate the heavy metal contamination in road dust within the rapidly expanding urban area of Abeokuta, Nigeria. Focusing on potentially hazardous metals such as Cr, Co, As, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Fe, and Pb, the study employs multivariate statistical techniques to identify sources, assess ecological and health hazards, and determine metal concentrations. Through the analysis of twenty road dust samples, variations in metal concentrations are observed, leading to the application of the geo-accumulation index, contamination factor, contamination degree, and pollution load index for contamination assessment. The results reveal varying degrees of contamination, with notable concentrations of Pb and Ni, indicating a deteriorating urban environment. Ecological risk assessments underscore potential threats to local flora and wildlife, while health risk evaluations emphasize urgent corrective actions needed, particularly for children exposed to heightened carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic hazards. Factor analysis and correlation studies unveil common anthropogenic origins for several metals, shedding light on the need for pollution mitigation techniques in the face of rapid urbanization and industrialization. The research contributes valuable insights to environmental and public health evaluations in the Abeokuta region, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making for policymakers and the public.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF POLYPHENOLIC CONTENT IN ACACIA CATECHU BARK EXTRACTS AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS WITH REFERENCE TO GUNA (MADHYA PRADESH), INDIA

Objective: Plant-based polyphenolic compounds are important phytonutrients found in many meals such as fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, and red wine. The literature study has gathered enough evidence confirming the existence of the same substance in the bark of Acacia catechu plants. The literature review verified that the dense forest with comparable plant life in Guna district of Central India has not been systematically studied. This research aims to analyze the total polyphenolic content of A. catechu bark from this location. Methods: Thirty samples of test plants were collected from the research area in different seasons for this investigation. Each sample was made using six distinct solvents. Subsequently, quantitative testing was conducted using a standardized laboratory approach. Bibliographic analysis was conducted to confirm and establish a connection between the current study and previous research. Results: The results indicated that the test parameter was present in large quantities in all polar extraction systems, but only insignificant amounts were seen in chloroform and benzene. The comparative bibliographic investigation was confirmed the advantageous uses of the same. Conclusion: This exploratory investigation potentially identified novel, cost-effective, and easily accessible sources of polyphenolic chemicals from the local flora of Guna region and serve as the foundation for future researches on the same.