Plant Powder Research Articles

Influence of plant extracts, storage containers and storage duration on the physiological quality of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mansf.) seeds stored under ambient conditions

Watermelon seed being an oily seed is prone to rapid deterioration of its quality, hence maintaining quality during storage is germane. The study therefore investigated the effect of crude plant powder, storage containers and storage duration on the seed quality of two varieties of watermelon seeds. Seed lots each of 100 g of each variety were treated with 10 g of four crude plant powders of clove basil leaf, red chilli pepper fruit, garlic, neem leaf and a synthetic fungicide. All samples were stored in three storage containers (envelope, tin and glass bottle). Treated seeds were stored under ambient conditions for 180 days. Germination and seedling vigour were determined at 180 day time course after storage. Data were subjected to mean separation using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Significant differences were observed in the quality traits examined in water melon due to differences in variety, seed treatment, storage container and storage period. ‘Kaolak’ was the best in storage in terms of seedling vigour and viability. Glass bottle was identified as the best storage container in maintaining seed quality of water melon throughout the storage period. The use of organic materials especially neem and clove basil leaf powder proved much better for maintaining germinability and seedling vigour and extension of seed longevity than inorganic material.

Rapid detection and quantification of adulteration in Chinese hawthorn fruits powder by near-infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics

The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of detection and quantification of two cheap adulterants (maltodextrin and starch) in Chinese functional food, hawthorn fruits powder (HFP), by using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics methods. The partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models were developed to discriminate the adulterated HFP from the authentic HFP, while the partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were employed to determine the contents of adulterants. In order to yield the best results, various spectra pretreatment methods and wavelength selection methods were carefully investigated. The models’ qualities were assessed by the self-consistency test, the independent test and the rigorous leave-one-out cross-validation test. The metrics for the PLS-DA discriminative model included error rate, true positive rate, true negative rate and F1 score, while the metrics for the PLSR quantitative model were determination coefficient, root mean square error and residual prediction deviation. Finally, very satisfying results were obtained, which indicate that our method is quite robust and applicable, and thus has great potential for rapid detection of adulteration in powder of many other herbal plants or functional foods.

Efficiency of some plants powder mix as a dietary supplement for silkworm (Bombyx mori)

Bombyx mori L. is one of the most economically important insects because of its production of silk. In this study, we investigated the effect of four plants powder mix on larvae weight, silk gland weight, cocoon parameters and fecundity of moths in two hybrids (local and imported) of silkworm. The most desirable effects (increased final larvae weight by over 8.93%, silk gland weight by over 37.45%, cocoon shell weight by over 39.84% and No. of eggs by over 28.93%) was obtained by treatment of mulberry leaves with (M2) in local hybrid. Meanwhile in imported hybrid the most desirable effects (increased final larvae weight by over 3.75%, silk gland weight by over 51.29%. cocoon shell weight by over 22.17% and No. of eggs by over 55.87%) was got by treatment of mulberry leaves with (M3) and feed it to the larvae. According to the results, It can enrich the nutrient quality of mulberry leaves provided to the silkworm by adding such plant materials, which lead to raising the efficiency of larvae productivity, increasing the quantity and quality of cocoons, and then improving the production of silk.

Evaluation of two phyto powder combinations (Azadiracta indica and Zingiber officinale) and a synthetic insecticide (Primiphos methyl powder) in the control of cowpea weevil Callosobrucus maculatus (Fab.)

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. walp) is one of the most important leguminous crops that are widely grown throughout the tropics. The aim of the study is to evaluate the combination of two botanical powders and a synthetic insecticide in the control of cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) on stored cowpea grain. The botanical powders were admixed with the cowpea grain at a combination of 3:7, 7:3 and 5:5 per 50g of beans while the primiphos methyl powder was admixed at 0.25g per 50g of cowpea. In the control, no treatment was used. The experimental design adopted for the experiment was Complete Randomized Design (CRD) and each treatment was replicated four times for each experiment. Twenty (20) adults of C. maculatus unsexed (taken from stock culture kept in the laboratory) were introduced into each vial including the control and were covered with muslin cloth held tightly in place with rubber band to prevent the weevils from escaping. The experiments were monitored for 72 hours. The results showed that the plant powders and primiphos methyl powder were good grain protectants. The highest mortality recorded was in primiphos methyl powder (78) followed by the combination of Azadirachta indica and Zingiber officinale powder at the ratio of 5:5 (76), 7:3 (68) while the least was 3:7 which recorded 62. The mean mortality of C. maculatus caused by primiphos methyl powder (6.50), was significantly (P<0.05) different from the untreated control (0.00), but was not statistically different from the combination of Azadirachta indica and Zingiber officinale in the ratio of 5 to 5, but the combinations of A. indica and Z. officinale in the ratio of 3:7 and 7:3 were significantly different. The study suggests that botanicals should be incorporated into grain protection as alternatives to chemical insecticides in the control of C. maculatus in cowpea grain during storage.

MONITORING THE TOXICITY OF DRY WOOD TERMITES USING THREE PLANT POWDERS IN LABORATORY CULTURE

In order to model a suitable control alternative for subterranean termites and termites infesting wooden furniture and cabinets where consumables are likely stored, this present study monitored the efficacy of three plant powders at different doses (0.50-1.50g) against the dry wood termite,Cryptotermes cavifrons Banks (Blattodea). Plant materials were locally prepared into powders and assigned to 20 wood termites in 5g substrates of sand and stick. The culture was set up in triplicates and lethal concentrations were determined by Probit analysis. The plant powder could not exerted 100% mortality, but the highest mortality was recorded in Dennettia tripetala (1.50g) on stick (mean= 8.33±0.80). All concentration of D. tripetala on sand and stick caused mortality within 0 to 48 hours after exposure and compared favorably with Permethrin which recorded the highest mean time mortality on sand at 0-24 hrs after exposure. The lowest LC50value (0.75 and 0.79g/g) corresponded to Permethrin and D. tripetala on sand and stick respectively. This results suggest that best concentrations of pepper fruit powder can be adopted as potential alternative to chemical powders.

In-vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils and Spices Powder of some Medicinal PlantsAgainst Bacillus Species Isolated from Raw and Processed Meat.

Background and AimBacillus species are widely distributed microorganisms in nature that are responsible for outbreaks of food poisoning and a common cause of food spoilage. This study aimed to isolate and identify foodborne Bacillus species from meat and to determine the antimicrobial activities of commercial essential oils and spices powder extracted from certain medicinal plants.MethodsSixty meat samples were collected in Assiut city and subdivided into raw meat and processed meat. Bacillus spp were isolated and identified according to their cultural characters, biochemical reactions, serological typing, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The antibacterial activity of essential oils and spices powder was measured by using well-diffusion and microbial count techniques.ResultsThe prevalence of Bacillus spp. in the examined raw meat samples and processed meat samples was 13.34%, and 26.67%, respectively. There was a marked decrease in the total Bacillus species count after treatment of minced beef with essential oils and spices powder compared to the untreated one. Black seed oil was the most potent antibacterial essential oil among the tested oils present in this study.ConclusionEssential oils and spices powder of certain medicinal plants (cumin: Cuminum cyminum, black seeds: Nigella sativa, cloves: Syzygium aromaicum, cinnamon: Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Marjoram: Origanum majorana) have a potential in vitro antimicrobial activity against Bacillus spp. Furthermore, Nigella sativa oil exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity against Bacillus spp.

Efficacy of three vegetal powders against Sitophilus granarius in stored wheat and the evaluation of their effect on grain parameters

ABSTRACT Doses of 5,10,15, 20 and 25 g of three plant powders,Atractylisgummifera rhizome (AGRP), Daphne gnidium (DGP) and Thapsiagarganica (TGP), were added to 100 g of durum wheat to study their insecticidal effect and ability to preserve the agronomic characteristics of stored grains against the attacks of Sitophilus granaries durum wheat pest overa storage period of 6 months inTiaret district. Algeria. Our results showed that AGRP and DGPcaused 100% mortality, andTGP induced 90%. LD50 and LD90 values of 7.24, 8.51, 10.71 and12.88, 15.48, 26.91 g/100 g of wheat were recorded respectively with AGRP, DGP and TGP. We observed a highly significant reduction in the number of eggs laid and offspring emergence, a decrease in weight loss and grain damage, anda high germination percentage in the treated grains. The three powders represent a promising alternative against Sitophilusgranarius.

A simple protocol for the isolation of amentoflavone from two species of Biophytum DC. (Oxalidaceae) and evaluation of its antiproliferative potential

The biflavonoid, amentoflavone, isolated earlier from the medicinally important species, Biophytum sensitivum, is reportedly a potent bio-active compound. In the present study, extraction protocols were standardized for the isolation of amentoflavone from two other species of Biophytum viz. B. reinwardtii (Zucc.) Klotzsch and B. veldkampii Shanavas et al and subsequent characterization of the same (using various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods) followed by screening of its bioactive potential using selected in vitro cytotoxicity assays (MTT assay, Trypan Blue Exclusion Assay and Flow cytometry).The shade-dried plant parts of the two species of Biophytum were Soxhlet extracted with ethyl alcohol (70%) and used as the raw material for the isolation of amentoflavone. Column chromatography, with a gradient solvent system of chloroform, methanol and water, followed by the thin layer chromatography of the pooled fractions with a solvent combination of chloroform, acetone and formic acid was adopted. A single fraction in both species, showed a clear prominent band in TLC, [a distinct fluorescent yellow band under short UV (100 nm) and blackish brown colour under long UV (320 nm)]. The band crystallized into a yellow powdery substance. Co-TLC (Rf value- 0.6) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (Rt- 5.3 min) was used to confirm the isolated compound as amentoflavone. Yield, physical (solubility and melting point) and chemical properties Ultraviolet- Visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), High Resolution Mass Spectroscopy (HRMS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H, 13C, DEPT) of amentoflavone were also noted for both species. The yield of amentoflavone was higher in B. reinwardtii (86.66 mg /100 g dried plant powder) than in B. veldkampii (77.50 mg/100 g). The data generated from the different spectral techniques corresponded well with the chemical configuration of amentoflavone in the database. Therefore it could be confirmed that the isolated pure compound from both species of Biophytum was amentoflavone (C30H18O10). The isolated compound, amentoflavone was tested against cancer and normal cell lines. Amentoflavone was not cytotoxic to Human Peripheral Lymphocytes (normal cell lines) in trypan blue exclusion assay. MTT assay clearly showed that the exposure of amentoflavone at different concentrations resulted in decrease of MCF- 7(cancer cell lines) cell proliferation in a dose- dependent manner. Apoptosis was found to be dose-dependent, which was further confirmed by flow cytometry. Significant cell cycle arrest occurred in S phase and G2/M phase. Thus, anticancer studies (trypan blue exclusion assay, MTT assay and flow cytometry) proved useful for the scientific validation of the anticancer activity of the isolated pure compound, amentoflavone. The present study is the first report on the isolation of amentoflavone from Biophytum reinwardtii and B. veldkampii. Since the amentoflavone content in the two species of Biophytum is high, it can be extracted in sufficient amounts and both species can be considered potential source of the compound.

Larvicidal Activity of Elytraria acaulis against Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Background:Mosquitoes are blood sucking arthropods and serve as vectors of many diseases causing serious health problems to human beings. Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti were responsible for Filariasis and Dengue. Synthetic pesticides were effective against mosquitoes as well as main sources of environmental pollution and most of them are immunosuppressant. Botanicals were widely used as insecticides, growth disruptors, repellents, etc. The aim of this research was to determine larvicidal properties of powdered leaf, Elytraria acaulis against late third or early fourth in-star larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti.Methods:Larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti were tested at various concentrations of 100, 120, 140, 160, 180 and 200mg/100ml and mortality was recorded after 24h. The LC50 values of the E. acaulis leaf powder were calculated by Probit analysis.Results:The plant powder exhibited strong larvicidal activity against Cx. quinquefasciatus with LC50 value of 116.07mg/100ml against Ae. aegypti 124.25mg/100ml respectively. The result indicated that the plant powder of E. acaulis showed potential larvicidal activity against Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti.Conclusion:The overall findings of the present investigation suggested that the E. acaulis highly effective against Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti larvae. Elytraria acaulis may be used as an alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides for control of vectors to reduce vector borne diseases and did not harm to total environment.

The First Evidence of the Insecticidal Potential of Plant Powders from Invasive Alien Plants against Rice Weevil under Laboratory Conditions

In a laboratory experiment, we studied the insecticidal effects of invasive alien plants on the rice weevil. The research was carried out in two parts. In the first part, we studied the insecticidal properties of seven different plant species, namely, Bohemian knotweed (Fallopia × bohemica), Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), false indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), and giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea). Mixtures of powders and wheat were prepared in two different concentrations, namely, 2.5 w% and 1.25 w%. The experiment was performed at temperatures 20 °C and 25 °C and at two humidity levels, 55% R.h. and 75% R.h. Very low mortality (below 8%) was found when using combinations with the higher relative humidity. No significant differences were observed between the effects of these concentrations. In the second part of the experiment, Norway spruce wood ash and diatomaceous earth (product SilicoSec®) were added to the powder obtained by milling leaves of four different invasive plant species (Canada goldenrod, staghorn sumac, tree of heaven, false indigo). In the independent application, wheat was added to the powder at a concentration 2.5 w%. In the treatments that involved mixtures of powder and wood ash/diatomaceous earth, we applied 1.25 w% plant powder and 1.25 w% wood ash or 1.25 w% plant powder and 450 ppm of a SilicoSec® preparation. The positive control was carried out as two separate treatments with 2.5 w% wood ash of Norway spruce and 900 ppm of the SilicoSec® product, while untreated wheat represented the negative control. The experiment was performed at two temperatures (20 °C and 25 °C) and two R.h. values (55 and 75% R.h.). The mortality of beetles was recorded on the 7th, 14th, and 21st day after the start of the experiment. Higher mortality rates of rice weevil adults were found at the higher relative humidity, and an important factor of mortality was also the day of exposure, as a higher mortality was found when the exposure of individuals to the tested substances was for a longer time period. After 21 days at 25 °C and 55% R.h., the combinations in which the lower concentration of Norway spruce wood ash was added to the powder of invasive alien plants achieved more than 90% mortality of beetles. By adding the plant powder of invasive alien plants to wood ash, we achieved a greater insecticidal efficacy of invasive plants and lower concentrations of wood ash. Nevertheless, the results of our research do not indicate any great usefulness of the plant powder of invasive plants in suppressing the rice weevil. Additional studies should primarily focus on the insecticidal efficacy of powder from the genus Solidago, which in our study, displayed the greatest insecticidal potential among the tested invasive plants.

Microencapsulation of Thunbergia laurifolia Crude Extract and Its Antioxidant Properties

In this study, the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. or Rang Chuet (RC) extracts from leaf, stem and rhizome were evaluated by using ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) and the folin ciocalteu method for total phenolic compounds (TPC).The extracts were prepared by infusion using different amount of plant powder (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 g) at different concentrations of ethanol as 0, 25, 50, and 75% and extraction time of 24, 48, and 72 h. The crude extract of 7.5 g leaf powder extracted for 72 h using water as the extraction solvent showed the highest antioxidant properties and total phenolic content. This extraction condition produced a FRAP content of 2.62 ± 0.01 mmol Fe2+/g that was significantly differed from those of the stem and rhizome and the highest TPC content of 877.36±18.75 (mg GAE/g). The crude extract from the leaf was subsequently encapsulated by using β-cylcodextrin (BCD) and maltodextrin 20DE (MD) as coating materials using freeze drying method. The encapsulated powder was investigated for its antioxidant activity. The highest encapsulation efficiency (EE) was obtained when only maltodextrin 20DE was used. The storage stability of encapsulated T. luarifolia leaf crude extract was then studied by storing the encapsulated powder at 35, 45, and 55°C for 5 weeks. The storage temperature had no effect on the stability of the encapsulated powder when TPC was used as the criteria unlike that of FRAP which was inconsistent during storage.

Toxic Effects of Fine Plant Powder Impregnated With Avermectins on Mosquito Larvae and Nontarget Aquatic Invertebrates.

The toxic effects of an avermectin-impregnated fine plant powder (AIFP) against larval Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae), Culex modestus Ficalbi (Diptera: Culicidae), and Anopheles messeae Falleroni (Diptera: Culicidae), as well as selected nontarget aquatic invertebrates, were studied under laboratory conditions. The possibility of trophic transfer of avermectins (AVMs) through the food chain and their toxic effects on predaceous species fed AIFP-treated mosquito larvae was also evaluated. Among mosquitoes, Anopheles messeae were the most sensitive to AIFP, while Cx. modestus exhibited the least sensitivity to this formulation. Among nontarget aquatic invertebrates, the greatest toxicity of AIFP was observed for benthic species (larval Chironomus sp. Meigen (Diptera: Chironomidae), whereas predators (dragonflies, water beetles, and water bugs) exhibited the lowest AIFP sensitivity. AIFP sensitivity of the clam shrimp Lynceus brachyurus O. F. Muller (Diplostraca: Lynceidae), the phantom midge Chaoborus crystallinus De Geer (Diptera: Chaoboridae), and the mayfly Caenis robusta Eaton (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae) was intermediate and similar to the sensitivity of the mosquito Cx. modestus. However, these nontarget species were more resistant than An. messeae and Ae. aegypti. Solid-phase extraction of mosquito larvae treated with AIFP and subsequent high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the extracts revealed an AVM concentration of up to 2.1 ± 0.3 μg/g. Feeding the creeping water bug Ilyocoris cimicoides L. (Hemiptera: Naucoridae) on the AIFP-treated mosquito larvae resulted in 51% mortality of the predaceous species. But no toxicity was observed for Aeshna mixta Latreille (Odonata: Aeshnidae) dragonfly larvae fed those mosquito larvae. The results of this work showed that this AVM formulation can be effective against mosquito larvae.

Polyphenol composition and antioxidant activity of Searsia tripartita and Limoniastrum guyonianum growing in Southeastern Algeria

Due to the notable medicinal value of Searsia tripartita and Limoniastrum guyonianum, it was of great interest to conduct phytochemical and antioxidant investigations. Polyphenol extracts of the dried powder of plants were prepared by maceration in 70% of methanol. The concentrated extracts were successively fractioned with distilled water, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Obtained extracts were analysed for their phenol compositions by colorimetric processes and were evaluated for their total antiradical capacity by ABTS, DPPH and ORAC assays. Additionally, the phytochemical components were characterized in the methanolic extracts by HPLC–DAD–ESI-MS/MS in the negative ionisation mode. S. tripartita exhibited the higher quantity of phenolic compounds. The ethyl acetate extract of S. tripartita had the greatest quantities of polyphenols (55.5 ± 4.9 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry residue (GAE/g DR)), flavonoids (44.2 ± 0.8 mg rutin equivalent per gram of dry residue (RE/g DR)), and tannins (12.5 ± 2.5 mg GAE/g DR). In L. guyonianum, the aqueous fraction had the highest quantity of polyphenols and tannins (10.2 ± 1.4 and 3.2 ± 1.9 mg GAE/g DR, respectively), whereas flavonoids (1.8 ± 0.2 mg RE/g DR) were higher in the ethyl acetate portion. The antioxidant capacity of the hydromethanolic extract of S. tripartita was found to be 3–16 times more effective than that of L. guyonianum using ORAC, DPPH, ABTS tests. HPLC analysis of hydromethanolic extracts provided tentative identification of four flavonoid glycosides in S. tripartita (myricetin-3-O-glucoside, myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside) and five phenolic metabolites of the flavonoid class in L. guyonianum (myricetin-3-O-rhamnosylglucoside, myricetin-3-O-glucuronide, myricetin-3-O-pentoside, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, and eriodictyol-7-O-rutinoside). Our findings revealed that these plants could be used as a potent source of health molecules.

Effect of controlled differential sieving processing on micronutrient contents and in vivo antioxidant activities of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyxes powder.

Sun-dried calyxes of Hibiscus sabdariffa were finely grinded and fractionated by controlled differential sieving processing (CDSp) into four granulometric classes. The obtained powder fractions were examined for their micronutrient contents and in vivo antioxidant properties in high-fat diet induced oxidation model rats. Unsieved powder and lyophilized ethanolic extract were used for comparison. Micronutrient contents and antioxidant properties were significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by particle sizes. The mineral, vitamin, carotenoid and anthocyanin contents were shown to be higher in smaller powder particles. Comparatively, the ethanolic extract powder had the higher carotenoid, vitamin and anthocyanin contents while the superfine powders < 180µm and 180-212µm had the higher mineral contents and antioxidant properties which was characterized by high superoxide dismutase, catalase activities and low malondialdehyde production. Plant grinding followed by CDSp may be an option to improve micronutrient content and antioxidant activity of plant powders.

Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Effect of Aegle marmelos and Andrographis paniculata in Aflatoxicosis of Broiler Chicken

Background: Aflatoxins (AF) are a major threat in tropical and sub-tropical countries and causes aflatoxicosis in poultry. The deleterious effect of AF are minimised by the addition of various hepatoprotectants. Study was undertaken to find out the effect of Aegle marmelos and Andrographis paniculata on aflatoxicosis of broiler chicken. Methods: Forty eight day old broiler chicks were divided into eight groups and fed with diets: standard feed (T1), T1 with 100 ppb AF (T2), T1 with 0.1 per cent A. marmelos powder and 0.1 per cent A. paniculata powder (T3), T1 with 100ppb AF and 0.10 per cent A. marmelos powder (T4), T1 with 100ppb AF and 0.10 per cent A. paniculata powder (T5), T1 with 100 ppb AF and 0.20 per cent A. marmelos powder (T6), T1 with 100ppb AF and 0.20 per cent A. paniculata powder (T7) and T1 containing 100 ppb AF, 0.1 per cent A. marmelos powder and 0.1 per cent A. paniculata powder (T8). All the experimental birds were sacrificed on 21st day of the experiment. Result: Broiler chicks of T2 group showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation levels compared with other groups at 21st day of experiment. Liver of T2 group of birds revealed the presence of cytoplasmic vacuolations, Kupffer cell hyperplasia, focal accumulation of mononuclear cells and acinar pattern of parenchyma compared to normal histological appearance of T1 and T3 groups. Kidney of T2 birds revealed epithelial degeneration, mononuclear accumulation, desquamation of proximal convoluted tubule and vacuolation of distal convoluted tubule. The hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effect of both plant powders in aflatoxicosis was established.

Management of rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) by using non-toxic plant powders in stored groundnut seeds

Laboratory experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of botanical powders viz., neem leaf powder, lantana leaf powder, custard apple leaf powder, eucalyptus leaf powder, marigold flower powder, turmeric rhizome powder, neem seed kernel powder, ginger rhizome powder, and garlic bulb powder @ 2.5 g/100 g kernels in protecting stored groundnuts against rice moth. Neem seed kernel powder was found to be most effective in protecting stored groundnuts against rice moth as it recorded highest oviposition deterrence of 92.16%, maximum reduction of adult emergence of 95.89%, lowest longevity of male (2.85 days) and female (2.89 days) moths, lowest fecundity of 42.80 eggs per female and lowest egg viability of 43.96%. Next effective treatments were neem leaf powder and eucalyptus leaf powder @ 2.5 g/100 g kernels. None of the plant powders had hindered the germination of groundnut seeds during storage periods of up to 120 days.

Susceptibility of Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus (De Geer) [Coleoptera: Dermestidae] to Powder and Extract of Two Species of Capsicum Fruits on Smoke-Dried Catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) [Pisces: Clariidae

Meat consumption is expensive and highly blood pressure prone amongst elderly Nigerians. In lieu of this, smoke-dried catfish consumption becomes a better alternative in reducing cholesterols that cause high blood pressure amongst elders. However, the nutritional values and health benefits of smoke-dried catfish have greatly reduced during postharvest due to hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus infestation. Susceptibility of hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus to Capsicum annum, and Capsicum frutescens fruits onsmoke-dried catfish, claria gariepinns were investigated in the laboratory at mean temperature and relative humidity of 29.6oC and 76.8%, respectively. Capsicum fruits powders were admixed at 2g, 4g, 6g, 8g, and 10g/50g of smoke-dried catfish while extracts were tested at concentrations 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% for mortality, adult emergence, progeny inhibition, and weight loss effects. Capsicum frutescens powder was more toxic to D. maculatus larvae. It achieved 100% larvae mortality throughout the period of exposure at dose 10.0g. Capsicum frutescens was also found to be more toxic than C. annum to D. maculatus adult that caused 82.50% mortality at concentration 10.0 g within 24 h of application and were significantly different (P < 0.05) from all other treatments within the same period. The two plant powders were able to prevent adult emergence except for the powder of C. annum which recorded 32.50% adult emergence at concentration 2.0 g and was significantly different (P<0.05) from other treatments. A similar trend of results was observed on the toxicity of fruits extracts to D. maculatus larvae and adults. Capsicum frutescens was more lethal to D. maculatus larvae. The plant materials significantly reduced adult emergence and weight loss when compared with the control experiment. Capsicum annum and C. frutescens offered an effective protection against infestation and damage cause by D. maculatus on smoke-dried fish.

Evaluation of bioactive compounds present in the botanical Catharanthus roseus (L) G.Don by GC-MS and FT-IR spectroscopic analysis

Catharanthus roseus is a well-known medicinal plant, a potential source of compounds with high antioxidant activity. In this study, we initially try to identify the bioactive molecule present in the whole plant of C. roseus by using FTIR and GCMS analysis. FT-IR analysis reveals functional groups like primary and secondary amines, amides, alkane, alkene, aromatic amine, carboxylic acid, aliphatic amine, amide, phenol, ether, sulphonamide, and halide. FT-IR analysis of plant powder, methanol extract, and aqueous extract shows that methanol was a better solvent for extraction because almost all compounds present in the plant powder are extracted by methanol compared to water. About 65 compounds were identified in the GCMS analysis, and more than 20 compounds showed the peak percentage is above 10.

Potency of mangrove Rhizophora mucronata as bactericide for vibrio causing tiger shrimp disease

Tiger shrimp diseases have been occurred in Indonesian brackishwater ponds for two decades and considered as one of the factors causing mass mortality of the cultured shrimp and making big loss for the farmers. Vibrio harveyi is considered as the main causative agent of this disease. The natural substance is proposed to kill or inhibit the growth of pathogenic vibrios. In order to know the potency of mangrove Rhizophora mucronata as a bactericide for V. harveyi, research had been conducted at the Research Institute for Coastal Aquaculture (BPPBAP) from February to May 2013. This research consists of several steps, i.e. 1) collection of plant; 2) drying of the plant; 3) making powder of plant; 4) extraction of plant/herb; 5) qualitative bioassay; and 6) quantitative bioassay. The results showed that qualitatively all part of the R. mucronata collected from Bone regency had activity against V. harveyi, but the leaf part of this mangrove collected from Maros regency did not have this activity, and neither the leaf or bark part of this mangrove collected from Pangkep regency. The values of Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) on V. harveyi were ranged between 1-10.000 mg/L depending on which part of the plant and the origin of the mangrove. The root part of the plant had higher activity against V. harveyi than other parts of the plant. Rhizophora mucronata collected from Bone regency had the highest activity against V. harveyi than that collected from Maros and Pangkep regencies.

Determining the quality of the powders of Xanthium Strumarium and Xanthium Spinosum by microscopic examination and preliminary tests

Xanthium strumarium and Xanthium spinosum are found in many parts of the world and they are used in traditional medicine in many countries. Several studies have shown some medicinal effects for X. strumarium parts (leaves–seedlings–flowers–roots–fruits), and of the leaves of X. spinosum to treat some diseases. This paper is designed to set standards in determining the quality of the powders of these two plants. The standards include microscopic examinations and preliminary tests, which can be considered as identification tests for the purity of the powders. Contamination can occur during the collection of the plant, such as the presence of fruit elements among the powder of the leaves. Additionally, toxic substances in the fruits of the plant could be present that need special treatment before using them. Furthermore, these species of Xanthium are invasive to fields, so microscopic examination revealed the contamination of other plant powders with parts of these Xanthium species. The microscopic examination of X. strumarium leaves showed a distinctive nonglandular trichomes different from the ones in X. spinosum leaves. Seedling powder gives more glandular trichomes than the leaf powder, and the flower powder can be distinguished by the presence of distinctive pollen grains. The root powder is characterized by the presence of stone cells, while the presence of fibers indicates the elements of stems or fruits, depending on the shape of the fibers. The preliminary tests showed that all parts of X. strumarium contain alkaloids, but not in the leaves of X. spinosum. The type of flavonoids was different between the leaves of Xanthium species. The two species did not contain anthraquinones or saponins, while the leaves of X. spinosum contained tannins.