Piper Guineese Research Articles

Food culture, lifestyle & traditional food festivals: a narrative on the public health relevance of the traditional yam recipes in the Afikpo New Yam Festival

Food culture has over the years remained the centre for socio-cultural linkages among people in a community, with generational transmission giving birth to cultural affinity and cultural heritage. Besides its primary aim of nourishment, enhancement of growth and body functions, it also defines religious and traditional belief systems. Several communities, tribes and nation states such as China, Italy, Japan, India, Europe and Americas, have been associated with unique food cultures. In North and West African countries like Tunisia and Nigeria respectively, food cultures abound. In South-East Nigeria, the Igbo tribe conduct yam rituals as food cultural festivals. Afikpo, a community in the Igbo-speaking part of Nigeria, celebrates an annual yam ritual called Ikeji Festival, part of which, as the new yam is harvested, is preparation of traditional yam recipes. This article reviews the nutritional content of the various traditional yam recipes consumed in such ceremonies and the associated drinks. A literature search revealed that yam, an energy-giving food with a carbohydrate content of 15 – 40.6%, could be prepared with vegetables, legumes, fish, meat, melon seeds, red palm oil, African black beans, pumpkin fruit pulp, eggplants, African oil bean, piper guineese, plantain, solanum americanum, vitex donians, pterocarpus santalinoids, which are sources of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, dietary fibres and polyunsaturated fatty acids, all of which have been documented as beneficial in the management of chronic diseases. Alcoholic and various soft drinks are consumed with the yam recipes during the ceremony and there are possibilities that if awareness is not created, overindulgence could constitute to abuse.

Investigating the influence of natural dye extracts from Ocimum gratissimum, Solanum melongena, Piper guineese, and their blend in the fabrication of perovskite solar cells

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) represent a promising alternative to conventional silicon solar cells but face challenges like instability stemming from structural defects, environmental toxicity due to the selection of precursors and additives, and concerns regarding long-term reliability. To address these issues, we investigated the viability of cost-effective and eco-friendly PSCs by strategically incorporating natural dyes derived from indigenous plants, including Ocimum gratisimum, Solanum melongena, and Piper guineese, into the MAPbI3 perovskite crystal, using a two-step sequential drop-casting technique. The resulting perovskite films underwent comprehensive analysis for their structural, morphological, optical and elemental composition using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–visible spectrophotometer (UV–Vis) and energy dispersive X-ray microscopy (EDX). Performance evaluation was conducted through J-V curve analysis using a solar simulator. The XRD analysis revealed polycrystalline films with enhanced diffraction intensities corresponding to a hexagonal structure, and the UV–Vis analysis demonstrated substantial improvements in light absorption with improved optical properties. SEM studies provided crucial correlations between morphology and performance, with each sample exhibiting unique attributes, and EDX analysis confirmed essential elements within the films. The current density-voltage analysis demonstrated a 1.83 % power conversion efficiency (PCE) for the natural dye-doped device under air, surpassing the pristine device. This study advances the understanding of the synergies between natural dyes and perovskite materials, emphasizing their potential to enhance PSC efficiency. The findings underscore the considerations for designing and optimizing PSCs, paving the way for further exploration of natural dye-based approaches in sustainable photovoltaic technologies.

EXPLORING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN SOME SELECTED SPICES ENTERPRISE IN ONDO STATE NIGERIA

This study explored the current economic issues and isolated constraints involved in the spice business in Ondo State, Nigeria. A quantitative research approach was used to elicit information from 60 randomly selected respondents through an individual interview schedule with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. Data collected was explored using descriptive statistics, and budgetary and multiple regression analyses. The results showed that most (57%) respondents were male, and 87% were married with a mean household size of 7. Most (77%) had at least a primary education, and all of them were members of an association with the majority (78%) engaged in cooperative marketing of spices. Also, of the four selected spices, Aframomum melegueta, Piper guineese, Monodora myristica, Sylopia acthipea, only Aframomum melegueta was cultivated, others were gathered from the wild. The prominent constraints identified were the inability to propagate Piper guineese, Monodora myristica, and Sylopia acthipea; the lack of technology to harvest and dry Sylopia acthipea to meet the standard of the buyers; and the lack of access to high-value markets. The rate of return on investment was 0.98, and the factors that determine the profitability of the spice business included the level of education, household size, labor and value addition. Research efforts should be focused on the propagation of P. guineese, M. myristica, S. acthipea, the technology for drying and harvesting of S. acthipea, and capacity building on value addition to increase business profitability.

Bioassay and efficacy of ethanol extracts of selected plant materials for the management of kola weevil <i>Balanogastris kolae</i> (Coleoptera; Curculionidae) on stored kola nuts

Kola weevil (Balanogastris kolae) is one of the major insect pests of stored kola nuts in Nigeria. A bioassay was conducted for contact and residual effects of four plant ethanol extracts on B. kolae adult and larvae. Cured kola nuts were treated with the extracts and stored for three months to evaluate their potency in protecting stored kola nuts against B.kolae infestation. The extracts were seeds of Azadirachta indica, Jatropha curcas, Piper guineese and Afframomum melegueta. They were applied at 50%, 75% and 100% concentration levels on adult and larvae while kola nuts were treated with 50% and 75% concentrations of the extracts and were stored for three months. Cypermethrin 2.5EC was used as a standard check. Larvae and adult mortality were recorded at 20 minutes intervals for 24hour on bioassay while exit holes, larvae and adult emergence were recorded on stored kola after three months. All the extracts at different concentrations had contact and residual effects on B. kolae. A. indica, P. guineense and A. meleguata gave 80-100%adult and larve mortality of B.kolae in all concentrations; their efficacies were comparable to cypermethrin. The B.kolae development and emergence from treated stored kola nuts at the various treatment levels decreased with increased concentration of the extracts applied. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) among the various treatments on exit holes, larval and adult emergence on stored kola nuts. The ethanol extracts of the four test plants can be used at concentrations of 50% and75% to reduce the menace of kola weevil.Keywords: Kola nuts; plant extracts; toxicity; management

Effects of Aqueous Extract of Piper guineese on Wound Angiogenesis in Male Adult Guinea Pigs

Wound is a significant burden to healthcare and the discovery of substances with wound healing will be of great help to health practice. The use of plants extract has been found to be useful overtime. This study is aimed at analyzing the effects of aqueous extract of Piper guineese on wound angiogenesis. Eight adult male guinea pigs were used for the study. They were grouped into four groups of two animals each. The groups were designated as A, B, C & D. The Full thickness wound of approximately 4cm2-11cm2 was caused on the dorsolateral region of the animals. Group D served as the control and received normal saline. The experimental groups B, C & D received different doses of drugs as follows: group A received 200mg/kg body weight of extract of Piper guineese, group B received 150mg/kg body weight of extract of Piper guineese while group C received 120/kg body weight of extract of Piper guineese. The wounds were dressed daily throughout the experimental periods. The administration was done orally for fourteen days. Twenty four hours after the last administration, tissue samples were collected for histological studies. The wound contraction was calculated and analyzed using SPSS. Histological result showed that angiogenesis was enhanced in the experimental groups when compared with the control. There was also improved fibroblast migration, reduced epitheliazation and uniform rate of healing evidenced in the statistical analysis. Piper guineese stimulate angiogenesis in a healing wound and promotes fibroblast migration to the wound site thereby aiding healing.

English

Recent research has focused on natural plant products as alternative for disease control in both developed and developing countries. Medicinal plants can be a possible source for new potent antimicrobial agents to which pathogenic strains are not resistant. The present study was carried out to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of 14 plant species namely; Allium sativum, Aloe vera, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Cassia ocidentalis, Citrus sinensis, Euphorbia hirta, Mangifera indica, Myristica fragrans, Ocimium gratissimum, Piper guineese, Psidium guajava, Spermacoce verticilata, Vernonia amygdalina and Zingiber officinale and 3 antibiotic drugs namely; ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and streptomycin on Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolated from human clinical sample. The extracts of the plant species were prepared by cold percolation method using ethanol and water as solvents. Phytochemical analyses of the extracts of the different plant species were determined using standard methods. Agar well diffusion method was used to evaluate the antimicrobial sensitivity test of the plant extracts and that of antibiotic drugs at different concentrations ranging from 31.25 to 500 mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the antimicrobial agents against Escherichia coli O157:H7 was also conducted. Phytochemical analyses of the plant species revealed the presence of bioactivity principle such as alkaloids, balsam, cardiac glucoside, flavonoids, phenols, resins, saponins, tannins, terpenes and steroids. The results showed that all the antimicrobial agents exhibited inhibitory effects against the growth of the bacterial isolate at various degrees. Among the plant species employed in the study, the ethanolic and water extracts of P. guajava showed the highest inhibitory effect against the bacterium with growth inhibition mean zone diameters of 29.9 and 26.0 mm respectively at 500 mg/ml. Following P. guagava in order of inhibitory effect against E. coli O157:H7 are ethanolic extracts A. sativum, Z. officinale, V. amygdalina and M. indica with mean zones of inhibition of 21.2, 20.8, 20.3 and 19.9 mm respectively at 500 mg/ml. The results also revealed that of the three antibiotic drugs used in the study, ciprofloxacin exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against the organism with zone of inhibition of 38.6 mm, followed by streptomycin 30.2 mm, while ampicilin had the least 22.3 mm. The MIC results reveal that some of the plant species showed similar inhibitory effect against the bacterium, while the MIC results of the rest of the plants varied from one another. The in vitro study of the antimicrobial activity of the extracts of the various plant species and that of the antibiotic drugs against E. coli O157:H7 has demonstrated that certain folk medicine can be as effective as modern medicine in combating pathogenic microorganisms. Key words: In vitro, antimicrobial activity, plant species and antibiotic drugs, Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Evaluation of Heavy Metals Content and Human Health Risk Assessment via Consumption of Vegetables from Selected Markets in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals namely (Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium (Cr)) via consumption of vegetables from selected markets in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Sixteen different vegetable samples comprising of Bitter leaves (Vernonia amygdalina), Curry leaves (Ocimum basilicum), Scent leaves (Ocimum gratissmum), Water Leaves (Talinum triangulare), Uziza (Piper guineese), Fluted pumpkin (Telferia occidetalis), Okazi (Gnetum africanum), and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) were digested and analyzed for heavy metals using Solar Thermo Elemental Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (STEF-AAS). Results obtained were used to estimate the health risk of these heavy metals via consumption of the vegetable samples. The results from the study showed that the heavy metal concentration ranged between 0.016 to 1.387 mg/kg, 0.028 to 1.487 mg/ kg, 0.093 to 3.625 mg/kg and 0.893 to 2.478 mg/kg for Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr respectively. The concentration of Pb was below permissible limit recommended by WHO/FAO. The concentration of Cd in O. gratissimum and T. triangulare from both markets exceeded the permissible limit recommended by WHO/FAO and EC/CODEX. The concentration of Ni in O. gratissimum and T. occidetalis from Kpanshia market exceeded the permissible limit recommended by NAFDAC while Cr from both markets exceeded permissible limit recommended by European community/CODEX. The Hazard Index (HI) values for all the samples under study were greater than (>) 1 which indicates that there is potential health risk to those consuming these vegetables except A. esculentus in Kpanshia market for adults which was less than (<) 1. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) concentrations of Pb in O. gratissimum, T. occidetalis and G. africanum from Kpanshia market and O. basilicum from Swali market, Cd in T. triangulare and O. gratissimum from both markets and Ni in T. occidetalis from Swali market for children only were all greater than 1 which indicates level of concern that the population may be at risk of either Pb, Ni or Cd toxicity. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) concentrations of Pb in O. gratissimum, T. occidetalis and G. africanum all from Kpanshia market, Cd in T. triangulare from both markets, and Ni in all the samples from both markets were all above the permissible tolerable daily intake (PTDI) limit as recommended by EFSA (European Food and Safety Agency) meaning that those who consume this product may be at risk. The results from the present study tends to suggest that consumption of vegetables from both markets under study in Bayelsa state could be one of the contributory factors to the heavy metal burden among consumers due to their frequent consumption.

Storage and Microbial Evaluation of Black Pepper Pre-Treated Oven- Dried Moon Fish (Citharinus citharus Geoffery Saint-Hilaire 1809)

The storage and microbial evaluation of black pepper (Piper guineese) pre-treated oven-dried moon fish (Citharinus citharus) stored at an ambient temperature were studied. Thirty six (36) freshly caught moon fish weighing between 850-900 g were purchased, killed, eviscerated and rinsed thoroughly under tap water and were divided into 3 treatments of 12 fish in each. The first treatment was immersed in 3% brine without black pepper extract served as control, the second treatment was soaked in mixture of 3% brine and 1.5% black pepper extract while the third sample was immersed in 3% brine and 3% black pepper extract tagged MFSA, MFSB and MFSC respectively. Each treatment fish were soaked in the respective solutions for 30minutes prior to been oven- dried using gas as energy for 5hours at the temperature range of 80°C-90°C. After drying, samples were allowed to cool at room temperature in separately labelled clean trays and subsequently stored in the quality control room for 7 days to determine the storage and microbial characteristics. Processed fish samples were subjected to microbial analysis of which results revealed that the (control) MFSA had the highest microbial count of 17.2 x 105 followed by 10.8 x 105 and 9.6 x 105 for MFSB and MFSC respectively. Also, the microbial analysis showed that MFSA favour the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, while Klebsiella spp. and Bacillus spp. were identified for MFSB and MFSC respectively. These results therefore, indicated that the use of 3% brine with black pepper at 1.5% and 3% concentration could have caused reduction of microbial load of oven- dried fish and improve its shelf-life

Effect of Biomaterial Treatments on the Storage Stability and Quality of Cowpea

The insecticidal effect of four biomaterials namely, Garlic (Al. sativum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Black pepper (Piper guineese L.) and Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citrates Staph) leaf powders, applied at 10% and 5% concentration on Cowpea grains against the Cowpea weevils (Callosobruchus maculatus fab.) were evaluated after 42 days. Their effectiveness at both dosages on proximate composition, grain damage, progeny development, grain loss and frass weight were determined. Use of the biomaterials showed good retention of some nutrients like protein and fat and did not adversely affect the other nutritional parameters. The carbohydrate values of treated samples were slightly lower (54.47 – 58.55%) for 10% and (54.56 – 59.53) for 5%. than the control (60.83 – 61.24). There was no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the ash contents among biomaterials. The biomaterials showed effective control of cowpea seed damage, weevil perforation index, progeny development, and weight loss and frass weight. These effects were more at 10% concentration than at 5%. Their efficacy in order of effectiveness are as follows black pepper > ginger > garlic > lemon grass. The biomaterials, especially black pepper and ginger are good alternative to the use of chemicals for preservation of cowpea.

Phytochemical, Proximate, Minerals and Vitamin Composition of Monodora Myristica Piper Guineese Seeds

The phytochemical, proximate, minerals and vitamin composition of Piper guineese seeds were investigated using standard analysis. Result shows that the Piperguineese seeds contains the following phytochemicals respectively; phytate 0.39±0.01, Tannins 1.30±0.01, saponins 0.25±0.00, flavonoid 0.26±0.00, alkaloid 1.58±0.01, phenol 0.01±0.01, steroid 0.06±0.00. The crude protein was found to be (6.67±0.05), moisture content as 12.41 ± 0.06 and. 314. 28±0.007 of potassium was obtained. Other important minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus and iron were present as well as vitamins (niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, ascorbic acid and vitamin A).

Effects of Crude Extract of Dry Fruits of Piper guineense on Male Fertility Parameters of Adult Sprague Dawley Rats

Objective: To study the effect of aqueous extract of dry fruits of Piper guineense on male fertility parameters of adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Materials and Methods: 30 adult male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 120g -150g were used. They were divided into three (3) groups. The control (group A), Short term treatment Group A (Group B) received 200 mg/kg of extract for 4 weeks (28 days) and long term treatment (Group C) received 200 mg/kg of extracts for 8 weeks (56 days). Extract was given via gastric intubation. The controls as well as treated animals were allowed free access to pelleted feed and water ad libitum. Original Research Article Memudu et al.; EJMP, 5(3): 297-303, 2015; Article no.EJMP.2015.029 298 The animals were sacrificed and blood taken for serum biochemical analysis. Testicular weight was taken and recorded. Caudal epididymis excised for semen analysis. Results: There was an increase in animal body weight gained throughout the duration of the experiment as compared with the control. There was also a significance increase in testicular weight. Serum testosterone level increased in treated groups. Semen analysis reveals normal parameters no oligospermic or azoospermic condition was detected. Sperm morphology was normal and no teratozoospermic sperm found. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Piper guineense at dose of 200mg/kg for 4 weeks and 8 weeks respectively had a positive impact on male fertility parameters. From results obtained, Piper guineese enhances testicular hormone secretion. This study revealed no deleterious effects of aqueous extraction of dry fruits of Piper guineense on male fertility.

Phytochemical sreening, proximate analysis and mineral composition of some leafy vegetables consumed in Nigeria

Phytochemical screening, proximate analysis and mineral composition of nine leafy vegetables; Teifaria occidentalis, Veronia amygdalina, Ocinum gratissimum, Corchorus olitorius, Piper guineese, Amaranthus hybridus Talinum triangulare, Gnetum africanum and Murraya koenigii was carried out using standard methods. The proximate analysis results showed that the moisture, ash, crude lipid, crude fibre, crude protein and carbohydrate ranged as followed; 10.20 to 15.17%, 6.65 to 28.33%, 1.44 to 11.29%, 0.52 to 2.33% 2.24 to 35.21% and 22.66 to 62.80% respectively. The mineral composition results showed that on the average, highest concentration of calcium was recorded in the range of 838 to 1258mg/100g, while Cr was found to be the least with concentration range of 0.19 to 0.48mg/100g. Cd was absent in all the samples. The phytochemical screening results also showed the presence of tannin, alkaloids and carbohydrate in all the leafy vegetables. The result of this study indicates that the leafy vegetables could be a good supplement for some the nutrients and elements analyzed. Keywords: Leafy Vegetables, Mineral Composition, Phytochemicals, Proximate Analysis.

English

Extracts of four indigenous plant foods namely: Chrysophyllum albidum ( Cal ), Curcuma longa ( Clo ), Tetracapidium conophorum ( Tco ) and Piper guineese ( Pgu ) were screened for phytochemical endowment in order to gain insight to their pharmacological potentials with concomitant propensity for pro-lactic acid fermentation. The extracts were used in the formulation of substrate for preparation of modified yoghurt. Physicochemical and sensory properties of the modified yogurt were assessed in comparison to plain (unmodified) yogurt. Assessment revealed the presence of phytochemicals of therapeutic importance with pro-fermentation values principally, flavonoids, saponins, sugars and peptides in Clo and Cal . Alkaloids dominant extract exhibited anti-fermentation effects. Modified yoghurt preparations using Clo and Cal with respect to water (in place of extract) were characterized with improved quality. Titratable acidity (x10 -2 g/ml); 140, 50, 45 and relative reducing power (x10 -3 g/ml) of 9.53, 9.56, 1.38 were found for Clo – plain yoghurt (YOG) and YOG respectively. Comparatively to YOG, the extracts conferred assorted sensorial (P = 0.05) qualities with Clo - YOG most preferred. The extracts of the indigenous plant foods can be used to enhance the physical and healthier image of yoghurt. Key words : Plant foods extract, phytochemicals, yoghurt, physicochemical properties, healthier image, sensorial characteristics.

Pharmacodynamic Effect of Methanolic Extract of Piper guineese Leaf on Uterine Physiology

Pharmacodynamic Effect of Methanolic Extract of Piper guineese Leaf on Uterine Physiology

Antimicrobial Properties of Grape Fruit, Pawpaw and Black Pepper Extracts on Organisms associated with Fish Spoilage

On average, Nigeria loses 30-50% of its fish harvest to spoilage. This exacerbates her fish demand-supply gap; hence the need to devise means of mitigating the spoilage. This paper reports the findings of a study that delved into the antimicrobial properties of Grape Fruit (Citrus paradisa), Pawpaw (Carica papaya) and Black Pepper (Piper guineese) extracts on organisms associated with fish spoilage. In the study, the antimicrobial effect of five concentrations (0.1, 0.2., 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5g/ml) of ethanolic, cold and hot water extracts of these plants on spoilage organisms associated with catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were assessed, through measuring inhibition zones, using the cup plate diffusion method. The inhibition zones were found to significantly differ, across extraction method; plant material and extract concentration. Hot water was found to be the best extraction method, with a mean inhibition zone of 4.42 +- 0.38mm; followed by ethanolic and cold water methods, with 3.55 +- 0.47 mm and 0.60 +- 0.15 mm respectively. Among the plant materials, grape peel had the best antimicrobial activity, with a mean inhibition zone of 3.70 + 0.40mm against the eleven microorganisms tested, followed by black pepper (2.68 + 0.42mm) and then pawpaw seed (2.1 + 0.32mm). Key words: Antimicrobialactivity; Piper guineese; Citrus paradisa; Carica papaya

Trace Metal Contents of Selected Seeds and Vegetables from Oil Producing Areas of Nigeria

The concentrations of accumulated trace metals in selected seeds and vegetables collected in the oil producing Rivers State of Nigeria were investigated. The values were compared with those of seeds and vegetables cultivated in Owerri, a less industrialized area in Nigeria. The lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contents of the seeds obtained from Rivers State ranged between 0.10 and 0.23 microg/g dry weight, while those of the seeds cultivated in Owerri fell below the detection limit of 0.01 microg/g dry weight. The highest manganese (Mn) level (902 microg/g dry weight) was found in Irvingia garbonesis seeds cultivated in Rivers State. Similarly, the highest nickel (Ni) value (199 microg/g dry weight) was also obtained in I. garbonesis, however, in the seeds sampled in Owerri. The highest copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) levels (16.8, 5.27, and 26.2 microg/g dry weight, resp.) were detected in seeds collected in Rivers State. With the exception of Talinum triangulae, Ocinum gratissimum, and Piper guineese, with Pb levels of 0.09, 0.10, and 0.11 microg/g dry weight, respectively, the Pb and Cd levels in the vegetables grown in Owerri fell below the detection limit of 0.01 microg/g dry weight. The trace metal with the highest levels in all the vegetables studied was Mn, followed by Fe. The highest concentrations of Ni and Cu occurred in vegetables collected from Rivers State, while the highest level of Zn was observed in Piper guineese collected in Owerri, with a value of 21.4 microg/g dry weight. Although the trace metal concentrations of the seeds and vegetables collected in Rivers State tended to be higher than those of the seeds and vegetables grown in Owerri, the average levels of trace metals obtained in this study fell far below the WHO specifications for metals in foods.

Marketing Of Local Spices In Owerri Municipal Of Imo State, Nigeria

This study examined the marketing of local spices in Owerri municipal of Imo State, Nigeria. The objectives were to examine the costs and margins of the selected spices and analyze the effect of socio-economic variables on the income of the traders. Data for the study were collected from three markets in Owerri municipal (Ekeonunwa, Relief and New market). The spices investigated were Uziza (Piper guineese), Ehuru (Mondora myristica) and Dawadawa (Parkia biglobosa) because they are the most preferred local spices used by the inhabitants of Owerri municipal. Questionnaire was used to collect information from randomly sampled respondents. The type of data collected included socio-economic characteristic of the spices traders, purchase and sales transactions, marketing cost and marketing margins, regression analysis was used to analyze the influence of socio-economic variable on the traders income descriptive statistics such as means, percentages and charts were used to analyze the costs and margins of the selected spices. The result showed that gender, marital status, occupation, trading experience household size, purchase location storage cost, total loading cost, total off-loading cost, total packaging cost and total purchasing cost influenced income of spice traders. The major problems affecting the traders are lack of capital, transportation problem, lack of market information and poor storage facilities. Policy measures were recommended in form of micro- credit facilities and improvement of social infrastructure in the areas of purchase and sale. Keywords: marketing, local spicesJournal of Agriculture and Social Research Vol. 7 (1) 2007: pp. 101-106

Proximate analysis of some dry season vegetables in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Vegetable is a vital component of human diet that should be eaten all year round, but they are scarce during dry season in Anyigba community in Kogi State, Nigeria. Available dry season vegetables such as the leaves of Manihot esculentum (Cassava), Piper guineese (Oziza), Chromolena odorata (Akintola), Solanum melanogaster (Garden egg) and Voandzeia subteranea (Babara-nut), are either not accepted as conventional vegetable or they are classified as non edible leaves from neighboring States. This study compared the nutrient content of these vegetables with that of Telfaria occidendalis (Ugwu). The result of the sensory evaluation carried out showed that T. occidendalis had sensory evaluation mean value of 6.28, which was statistically significantly different (P = 0.001) when compared with the mean value of S. melanogaster (5.64). The highest mean value from the sensory evaluation was recorded in C. odorata (6.44). However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean values of the sensory evaluation of M. esculentum, P. guineese, C. odorata and V. subteranea (6.02, 6.22, 6.44 and 6.10 mean values respectively) when compared with that of T. occidentalis (6.28). In the proximate chemical analyses, it was observed that M. esculentum and C. odorata contained higher protein (29.30 and 32.40%, respectively), than T. occidentalis (13.33%). Also, the Carbohydrate content of P. guineese and V. subteranea (77.17 and 89.42% respectively) was higher than that of T. occidendalis (63.64%). M. esculentum, C. odorata, P. guineese and V. subteranea are recommended as edible vegetables.

Phytochemical screening and nutrient-antinutrient composition of selected tropical green leafy vegetables

Levels of some nutrients and antinutrients in 14 commonly consumed tropical green leafy vegetables were evaluated and also screened for some phytochemicals. Saponin was present in all the vegetables with the exception of Hibiscus esculentus, Solanum macrocarpon and Piper guineese while only tannin was absent in Crassocephalum crepidioides, Talinum triangulare, Corchorous olitorius and Piper guineese . Crude protein, fat, fibre and ash recorded ranges from 20.59 to 38.18, 5.90 to 12.73, 6.20 to 7.20 and 8.00 to 25.49 %, respectively. Na (0.64 to 8.97 g/100 g) and P (1.34 to 3.34 g/100 g) recorded the highest values of minerals. The low levels of antinutrients (phytic acid, tannic acid and oxalate) coupled with high level of zinc biovalability indicates that the studied vegetables are good dietary supplements. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (6), pp. 497-501, 2005

Toxicity of Hexanolic Extracts of Piper guineese Schum and Thonn seed oil to larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.)

Hexanolic extract of Piper guineense Schum and Thonn (Piperaceae) was tested for acute toxicity on third instar larvae of Aedes aegypti reared in the Advanced Entomology Laboratory of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Five graded concentrations 0.9ppm, 1.7ppm, 2.5ppm, 3.3ppm and 4.1ppm, were tested on the larvae. Effects of two physical parameters namely; sunlight and ultra-violet radiation on the potency of the extract was also investigated. The extract showed a high level of toxicity on the 3rd instar larvae of A. aegypti. LC50 of P. guineense on the larvae was 1.7 ± 0.84ppm. The highest concentration of 4.1ppm killed 77% of the population within an hour and 95% in 24 hours while at the least concentration of 0.9ppm no death was recorded but killed 16% of the larvae in 24 hours. The potency of P. guineense on the larvae was drastically reduced when exposed to sunlight However, there was no significant difference between the potency of the U-V exposed extract the untreated, rather the raw data showed some level of activation by ultraviolet radiation.