Plukenetia Conophora Research Articles

Socio-economic potentials and threats to the African walnut in tropical lowland rainforests of southwest Nigeria

The African walnut, Plukenetia conophora Mull-Arg (Syn. Tetracarpidium conophorum) is an important climber species that contributes immensely to food security and poverty alleviation in communities within the humid tropical forests of West and Central Africa. However, the challenges facing its year-round availability have not been fully documented and precise data on its contributions to livelihoods of forest dependent households is lacking. Therefore, this work was carried out to fill this knowledge gap as well as make suggestions on ways to promote the use and sustainable development of this valuable product. Snowball and simple random sampling techniques were used to collect data from harvesters (8) and marketers (51) within and around Omo and Shasha Forest Reserves, Southwest Nigeria. Data obtained were analysed by means of descriptive and inferential test statistics. An estimated 30.01kg of African walnut was extracted per month between May-September each year in Omo and Shasha Forest Reserves, contributing about ₦ 615,833.30 to the rural economies of both areas. About 17.0% of respondents generated income between ₦ 11,000.00 - ₦ 20,000.00 per month, representing up to 50.0% of their monthly income during production period. Factors and threats affecting product availability were: seasonality (64.3%), destruction of parent plants (28.6%), consumption of nuts by wild animals (28.6%), pest and diseases infestation (7.1%), and spoilage during storage (7.1%). Income generated by respondents were impacted by sex (χ 2 = 7.714, df = 2, p = 0.021), level of education (χ 2 = 8.476, df = 2, p = 0.014) and trading experience (r = 2.413; p = 0.019). An improvement in the production, processing and marketing of African walnut will better the living conditions and enhance the status of both harvesters and marketers. These will have multiplier effects on the conservation of the available germplasm in the wild. Keywords: African walnut; NTFPs; household income; tropical lowland rainforest

Anatomical studies and nutritional analysis of the leaf extract of Plukenetia conophora

Background and aim: Plukenetia conophora Mull. Arg. (African walnut) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Thesignificance of wood anatomy in relation to taxonomy is by no means new or recent. Aim: The work evaluates theanatomy of the leaf, stem, root and the nutritional values of the leaves of Plukenetia conophora. Methodology: Leafepidermal strips were made by Impression technique and all sectionings (TS, TLS and RLS) were made with Reichertsliding microtome. Standard stains were used to differentiate the tissues. The proximate and mineral analyses werecarried out using standard methods. Results: Anatomical studies showed hypostomatic leaves with anomocyticstomata and no trichomes. Concentric vascular bundles were observed in the transverse sections of the leaf andpetiole. The various sections of the stem anatomy revealed diffuse-in-aggregate vessels with scanty axial parenchymain the transverse section, both uniseriate and biseriate rays in the transverse longitudinal section, and procumbent raysin the radial longitudinal section. Nutritional analysis showed presence of all the tested proximate and minerals. Theleaves contained proximate: carbohydrates (25.57 ± 0.05), protein (18.02 ± 0.02), ash (29.36 ± 0.33), moisture (18.06± 0.03), crude fibre (9.83 ± 0.17) and fat (7.41 ± 0.11) and minerals: calcium (19.18 ± 0.00), potassium (14.01 ± 0.00)and sodium (7.97 ± 0.03), Zinc (0.70 ± 0.01), magnesium (1.91 ± 0.01), iron (4.93 ± 0.04) and manganese (0.91 ±0.00). Conclusion: The anatomical results are quite useful in the delimitation of this species and nutritional resultssuggest the use of the leaves as a healthy food.

Socio-economic factors influencing marketing of non-timber forest products in tropical lowland rainforests of south-western Nigeria

A number of factors persist to constrain the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) market and, by extension, its potential to contribute meaningfully to livelihood development and poverty reduction objectives. To better utilise the potential of NTFPs, it is important to have a better understanding of the key factors governing the success and failure of NTFPs trade. This paper reports on the market constraints and socio-economic factors that influence trade in five top-priority NTFPs within the tropical lowland rainforests of south-west Nigeria. The NTFPs investigated were bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis), African walnut (Plukenetia conophora), chew-stick (Massularia acuminata), fever bark (Annickia chlorantha) and bush pepper (Piper guineense). Field data were collected in 10 villages located within and around Omo and Shasha forest reserves using a household questionnaire survey. The results showed that seasonality, poor transport, lack of storage facilities and market information were the four main constraints influencing marketing and trade in the NTFPs. In addition, the level of education, gender (sex), household income, ethnicity, distance to the market and access to roads significantly influenced market knowledge and information among households involved in the trade of NTFPs. There is need to improve on the limited source of NTFPs information, enhance skills for product transformation, build innovative storage facilities, and develop the process of domestication and integration in traditional land-use systems.

Evaluation of Antihyperlipidemic activity of aqueous extract of Nigerian walnut (Plukenetia conophora) on induced hyperlipidemic rats

Hyperlipidemia is an asymptomatic condition of abnormally elevated levels of any or all lipids and/or lipoproteins in the blood and is a predictive risk factor for atherosclerosis, coronary artery and cerebral vascular diseases. Nigerian walnut (Plukenetia conophora Mull. Arg.) [Euphorbiaceae] is an edible seed widely consumed as snack and has been speculated to have a beneficial effect on blood lipid profile but no scientific study has been conducted to verify this claim. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of cooked P. conophora nuts on tyloxapol induced and high cholesterol diet fed hyperlipidemic rats. The tyloxapol induced [1] and high cholesterol fed diet [2] to hyperlipidemic rats exhibited significant increase (P < 0.05) in serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and significant decrease in high density lipoproteins. Subsequent administration of the aqueous extract of P. conophora at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg showed a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in serum lipid parameters such as TC, TG and LDL level as compared to the control group given simvastatin 10 mg/kg. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that Nigerian walnut (P. conophora) had comparable lipid lowering effects to that of simvastatin and thus can be used to limit absorption of dietary cholesterol and prevention of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis associated with hyperlipidemia.

Vegetative propagation of African walnut (&lt;i&gt;Plukenetia conophora&lt;/i&gt;) using pre-treated stem cuttings of varied physiological ages

The effect of physiological age of stem cuttings and pre-planting treatment on adventitious root and shoot growth of stem cuttings of African walnut (Plukenetia conophora) were investigated at Nsukka, Nigeria in 2012. Nodal cuttings of semi-hardwood and softwood categories were dipped in water and coconut water for 30 minutes before planting. Cuttings used as control treatment were neither dipped in water nor coconut water. Factorial combinations of age of stem cutting and pre-planting treatment were arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated three times. Results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated a non-significant main effect of age of stem cutting and pre-planting treatment on number of days to breaking of dormancy and shoot formation. Physiological age of cuttings significantly (p &lt; 0.05) influenced number of shoots formed, length of vine and number of leaves in favour of the semi-hardwood cuttings. Significant interaction between age of cuttings and pre-planting treatment was observed on percentage of cuttings with shoot and number of shoots per cutting. While semi-hardwood cuttings gave higher number of shoot when dipped in water, softwood cuttings (at 2- 4WAP) did better when dipped in coconut water. Available data suggest that softwood cuttings of this species are more amenable to clonal propagation. However, if semi-hardwood cuttings must be used, then dipping in water becomes a necessity. Evidences from this study affirm the practicability of clonal propagation of P. conophora via stem cuttings.Key words: African walnut, Pre-treatment, Vegetative propagation, Stem cuttings.

Effect of Heat Treatment on the Amino Acid Profile of Plukenetia conophora Seed Kernel Flours

Effect of Heat Treatment on the Amino Acid Profile of Plukenetia conophora Seed Kernel Flours

Stock density and fruit yield of African walnut, Plukenetia conophora Mull-Arg (Syn. Tetracarpidium conophorum) in tropical lowland rainforests of southwest Nigeria

Despite the huge socio-economic potentials of the African walnut, Plukenetia conophora Mull-Arg, there is a dearth of information on stock density and yield studies under different site conditions. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the stock density and fruit yields of P. conophora in three different habitats (i.e. less disturbed natural forest, recently disturbed natural forest and plantation forest) within Omo Forest Reserve (OFR) and Shasha Forest Reserve (SFR) of Nigeria. Stratified random sampling technique was used to carry out inventory survey. Fruit yields were determined by collecting fruit falls through double sampling approach. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the data at P = 0.05. Stock densities of P. conophora were 5.33+1.7stands/ha, 14.67+2.05stands/ha and 16.00+2.94stands/ha in OFR, while they were 7.33+0.47stands/ha, 14.67+1.25stands/ha and 10.67+04.7stands/ha in SFR for recently disturbed forest, less disturbed forest and plantation forest respectively. There were significant differences in number and distribution of species by forest types, but not between forest reserves. The mean yield of P. conophora/ha/yr was estimated at 7,800.00kg for OFR and 6,534.00kg for SFR. Yields from plantation area contributed more in OFR, while yields from less disturbed natural forest area were higher in SFR. Yields from recently disturbed natural forest were consistently lower in the two reserves. These results show that P. conophora thrives better in plantation and old re-growth forests. This information is pertinent towards improving the management of the species, increase its productivity and enhance benefits in a more sustainable manner to the rural populace.

Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of some nuts commonly consumed in South-Western Nigeria

Improved health associated with frequent eating of nuts as one of the most unexpected nutritional discovery of the 1990s formed the basis of this study. Hence, the evaluation of some selected nuts commonly consumed as snacks in the South West of Nigeria for antioxidant activity (AA) and total phenolic content (TPC) using ferric-ion reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) assay and Folin-Coicalteau method. Results show that AA of nuts such as kola nuts (Cola acuminata; Cola nitida), coconut (Cocos nucifera), bitter kola (Garcina cola), African walnut (Plukenetia conophora), and cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) ranged from 13.0 to 53.21 µmol Trolox Equivalent/100 g dry weight while the total phenolic content ranged from 204.95 to 1955.14 mg Gallic acid Equivalent/100 g of dry sample. Statistical analysis of the relationship between AA and TPC showed a random, nonlinear relationship between the two parameters, suggesting that the antioxidant activity of the nuts is not dependent on phenolics. The result also indicates that the nuts can be utilized as scavenger/mopping agents of free radicals, which are usually generated by essential metabolic processes in the body and environmental pollutions; thereby alleviating the symptoms of chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and any other age-related diseases reported to be on the increase in developing countries.

Mineral and Vitamin Concentrations of Heat Processed Plukenetia conophora Seed Kernel Consumed in Nigeria

Mineral and Vitamin Concentrations of Heat Processed Plukenetia conophora Seed Kernel Consumed in Nigeria

Population distribution and threats to sustainable management of selected non-timber forest products in tropical lowland rainforests of south western Nigeria

Uncontrolled harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) poses a serious risk of extermination to several of these species in Nigeria. Yet, there is a paucity of information on the distribution, population status and sustainable management of NTFPs in most of the tropical lowland rainforests. We, therefore, assessed the population, distribution and threats to sustainable management of NTFPs within the tropical lowland rainforests of Omo and Shasha Forest Reserves, south western Nigeria. Data were obtained through inventory surveys on five top priority species including: bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O’Rorke) Baill), African walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum (Mull. Arg.) Hutch. & Dalziel syn. Plukenetia conophora), chew-stick (Massularia acuminata (G. Don) Bullock), fever bark (Annickia chlorantha Setten & P.J.Maas syn. Enantia chloranta) and bush pepper (Piper guineense Schumach. & Thonn.). Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used for the inventory. Each forest reserve was stratified into three, viz: less disturbed natural forest (for areas that have been rested for at least ten years), recently disturbed natural forest (for areas that have suffered one form of human perturbation or the other in the last five years), and plantation forest (for areas carrying forest plantation). Data were collected from eighteen 10 m × 500 m belt transects located in the above strata. The species were generally fewer in both plantation and recently disturbed natural forest than the less disturbed natural forest, suggesting that forest disturbances (habitat modification) for other uses may have an effect on the occurrence and densities of the NTFPs. Exceptions to this trend were found for P. guineense and T. conophorum, which were fairly common in both plantation and recently disturbed natural forest. Among three tree NTFP species (i.e. I. gabonensis, M. acuminata and A. chlorantha), only I. gabonensis showed a significant difference in overall DBH size classes for both reserves (t=−2.404; df =21; p=0.026). Three tree NTFP species in both reserves further showed differences from the regular patterns of distribution of trees. The fairly regular reverse J-shaped size class distribution observed for M. acuminata in the study sites, however, suggests a recuperating population. In general, destructive harvesting of species, logging operations, low population size, narrow distribution ranges and habitat degradation are the major threats to the population of NTFPs in the study area. The implications of our findings for sustainable management of NTFPs in the study area are discussed and recommendations are made for a feasible approach towards enhancing the status of the species.

Acyclic Triene Metathesis Polymerization of Plukenetia Conophora Oil: Branched Polymers by Direct Polymerization of Renewable Resources

AbstractOil from the Plukenetia conophora seed, a tropical oilseed consisting mainly of linolenic acid, is polymerized via acyclic triene metathesis using different ruthenium benzylidene and indenylidene catalysts to yield highly branched and functionalized polyesters. The influence of the synthesis conditions on the structure and molar mass characteristics of the obtained hyperbranched polyesters as well as an in‐depth melt and solution material property investigation are presented.

Proliferative effects of five traditional Nigerian medicinal plant extracts on human breast and bone cancer cell lines

Ethnopharmacological relevance The medicinal plants Hunteria umbellata (HUL), Cola lepidota (CCL), Persea americana leaf (PAL), Root bark of Persea americana (RPA) and Plukenetia conophora (PCL) are used in Nigerian traditional medicine for the treatment of cancer and cancer related diseases. Aim of the study To scientifically evaluate the cell proliferative and apoptotic effects of the plants extracts using breast and osteocarcinoma cell lines, and also to identify the possible components via LC–MS to have a kind of chemical fingerprint. Materials and methods The antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of methanolic extracts (10 μg/ml) of the five medicinal plants were subjected to in vitro evaluation using four cancer cell lines (breast-MCF-7 and BT-20; Osteocarcinoma-MG-63 and Saos-2) measured by flow cytometry. Non-tumorigenic controls MCF-12A and primary isolated osteoblasts (POB) were chosen to eliminate negative influence on healthy tissue. Results Of the five extracts RPA demonstrated a significant ( P < 0.05) anti-proliferative activity against estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7). The proliferative phase was decreased by 18%, whereas, a significant increase in cell proliferation (about 27%) was observed for RPA at a concentration of 10 μg/ml. PCL, CCL, HUL and PAL did not show marked inhibition of the proliferation of cell line MCF-7. Conclusion These results give suggestive evidence that the plant extracts exhibit some correlation between the claimed ethnomedicinal uses and the cell proliferative activity. RPA extract includes chemical compounds with estrogen-like activity and validates its potential use as anticancer agent, particularly against breast carcinoma; provided important information potentially helpful in drug designing and discovery. Further studies will involve the isolation of anti tumour compounds in RPA by LC–MS and detailed mechanism of anticancer activities.

&lt;b&gt;Ethylmethyldioxirane epoxidation of &lt;i&gt;Plukenetia cononophora&lt;/i&gt; oil&lt;/b&gt;

Epoxidation of Plukenetia conophora oil by ethylmethyldioxirane has been studied. The epoxidation reaction was best accomplished using the Curci’s biphasic method employing 2-butanone as the solvent. Spectroscopic techniques (IR, 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR) indicated complete conversion of double bonds to epoxy groups. Overall, Oxone TM can be said to be an inexpensive oxidant that is easily handled and with demonstrated utility in preparing epoxidised oils from natural triglycerides. KEY WORDS: Plukenetia conophora oil, Epoxidation, Ethylmethyldioxirane, Oxone TM Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2007 , 21(1), 95-102.

Characterisation and some possible uses of Plukenetia conophora and Adenopus breviflorus seeds and seed oils : Akintayo, E. T. and Bayer, E. Bioresource Technology, 2002, 85, (1), 95–97

Characterisation and some possible uses of Plukenetia conophora and Adenopus breviflorus seeds and seed oils : Akintayo, E. T. and Bayer, E. Bioresource Technology, 2002, 85, (1), 95–97