Solanum Macrocarpon Research Articles

Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of African Eggplant Seed Germination in Relation to Seed Maturation

The final germination expressed as a percentage alone is unsatisfactory for reporting results related to the germination capacity of a seed lot. Information on other quantitative variables are thus important to judge the agronomic value of a seed lot. To evaluate the seed germination characteristics of the African eggplant, seeds were extracted from fruits harvested at different maturity stages produced under both tropical and temperate oceanic climates. The seed germination behaviour was assessed by germinability, germination rate, homogeneity and synchrony of the seed lots. The data for each environment was analyzed separately in a two-way ANOVA constituting harvesting maturity stages and cultivars as factors. The results showed that seed germinability increased with maturation and maximum when fruits were harvested 76 DAA under both climates. Seeds harvested precociously failed to germinate regardless of the production environment. All seed quantitative variables measured were positively related to the final seed germinability. The seed germination rates measurements significantly increased with seed maturity, indicating seed vigour and final germinability improves with maturation. Coefficient of variation of germination time (CVt) was a good measure of uniformity in seed germination. The results further showed a strong and positive correlation with seed germination parameters such as GI, GV, MDG, CVG and U to final germination. It is recommended that for maximum seed quality, fruits should be harvested at 76 DAA. It is further suggested that seed germination results should be enriched by measuring other quantitative parameters as it communicates different aspects of the germination process.

Response of African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.) cultivars produced in Benin Republic to salt stress at germination stage

In this study, the response of seed germination of six African eggplant cultivars produced in Benin Republic (Dangbo, Kpinman, Adja-Ouèrè, Togan, Côte d’Ivoire and Kombara F1) to salt stress was investigated with the aim to determine their relative salt resistance level. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with four replications. Seeds were subjected in Petri dishes to five NaCl concentrations (0; 30; 60; 90 and 120 mM). Seed germination was checked every day during twenty days incubation period. Germination index (GI), percentage of final germination (PFG) and salt tolerance index (STI) were calculated for each cultivar. Salt stress induced a significant reduction of GI(P < 0.001) and PFG (P <0.05) with a difference among cultivars. A significant difference (P <0.001) was observed among cultivars STI: cultivar Togan showed the highest STI (0.96) followed by Adja-Ouèrè (0.89) and Dangbo (0.76) whereas Côte d’Ivoire (0.38) and Kombara F1 (0.35) showed the weakest STI values. Thus cultivar Togan appeared as the most salt resistant whereas Côte d’Ivoire and Kombara F1were the most salt sensitive. For the first time, we demonstrated a variability of relative salinity resistance among local African eggplant cultivars at germination stage.

Neuroprotective properties of solanum leaves in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster model of Alzheimer's disease

Introduction We investigated the effect of African eggplant (AE) (Solanum macrocarpon L) and Black nightshade (BN) (Solanum nigrum L) leaves; two tropical vegetables consumed by humans on behavioural, biochemical and histological indices in Drosophila melanogaster model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Materials and Method Transgenic flies expressing human Amyloid Precursor Protein (hAPP) and β-secretase (hBACE 1) were exposed to the pulverised leaf samples (0.1 and 1.0%) in their diets for fourteen days. Thereafter, the flies were assessed for their behavioural indices and routine histology of brain cells. Furthermore, fly head homogenates were assayed for β-amyloid level, activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and β-secretase (BACE-1), as well as oxidative stress markers. Results Result showed that the significantly lower (p < 0.05) behavioural parameters (survival, locomotor performance and memory index), higher AChE and BACE-1 activities, β-amyloid, ROS and lipid peroxidation levels, as well as reduced antioxidant indices observed in the AD flies, were significantly ameliorated (p < 0.05) in AD flies treated with the leaf samples. Discussion This study has showed that leaves of AE and BN ameliorated behavioural and biochemical indices in AD flies via neural enzyme modulatory, and antioxidant mechanisms Conclusion Hence, this study further justifies the neuroprotective properties of both AE and BN.

Influence of Packaging Material and Rates of Potassium Permanganate on Post Harvest Ripening of African Eggplant (Solanum Macrocarpon)

Climacteric fruits (banana, apple, pear, avocado, garden egg and mango) are actually eaten when ripen; but garden egg is not palatable when ripens and decreases demand. Influence of packaging material and rates of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) on postharvest ripening of garden egg was evaluated to access the interactive effect of KMnO4 and packaging material in delaying ripening. Two packaging materials; polythene and jute bags, KMnO4 at 0g, 3g, 6g and 9g were used. The experiment was a 2 x 4 factorial laid in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Eight treatment combinations were randomly distributed. Fruits were stored for seven days and were observed every 2 days. Result revealed that packaging material influenced postharvest ripening of garden egg with polythene bag reducing the intensity of ripening and significantly reduced shrinkage. Similarly, KMnO4 at (3g and 9g) significantly delayed ripening intensity at 4 and 6 days of storage.

Comparison of phytochemical constituents of ethanol leaf extracts of Solanum macrocarpon and Vernonia amygdalina

Abstract. Oyesola OA, Sampson II, Augustine AA, Adejoke OB, Taiwo GE. 2022. Comparison of phytochemical constituents of ethanol leaf extracts of Solanum macrocarpon and Vernonia amygdalina. Asian J Trop Biotechnol 19: 6-10. A plant can exert physiological changes on biological systems due to phytochemicals present in plants parts. This study evaluated and compared the phytochemical constituent (both quantitative and qualitative) and the antioxidant properties of the ethanol leaf extract Solanum macrocarpon L.and Vernonia amygdalina Delile using standard methods. Tannin, phenol, cardiac glycoside, alkaloid, and flavonoid were present in both plant extracts. Alkaloid, flavonoid, and cardiac glycoside in large quantities in S. macrocarpon compared to V. amygdalina. At the same time, V. amygdalina contained a large amount of tannin and phenol. Reducing sugar was present in S. macrocarpon and absent in V. amygdalina, saponin and steroid were present in V. amygdalina and absent in S. marcrocarpon, terpenoid and phlobatanin were both missing in the leaf extract of both plants. In contrast, both plant extracts showed radical scavenging activities, with V. amygdalina having a higher antioxidant capacity than S. macrocarpon. The present study's findings indicated that the ethanol leaf extract of S. macrocarpon and V. amygdalina possess antioxidant properties and may be effective against oxidative stress.

Aqueous extract of Solanum macrocapon Linn leaf abate diabetic cardiomyopathy by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation in rats.

In this research, the beneficial roles of aqueous leaf extract of Solanum macrocarpon (SM) on diabetic cardiomyopathy were evaluated. Diabetic rats (induced with alloxan) were given varying doses of SM aqueous leaves extract for 28 days, and the animals were sacrificed. A series of diabetic cardiomyopathy parameters were determined. Diabetic rats showed hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, with a momentous upsurge in lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, cardiac troponin I activities as well as inflammatory markers. Also, diabetic rats demonstrated a substantial decline in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in relation to other groups. Administration of different doses of SM aqueous leaf extract to diabetic rats demonstrated normoglycemia, normolipidemia, reduced the activities of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, cardiac troponin I, and inflammatory levels as well as an increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities. In conclusion, the results suggest that SM aqueous leaf extract ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study examined the role of Solanum macrocarpon (SM) aqueous leaf extract in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Results revealed that SM might be useful in ameliorating diabetic cardiomyopathy.

UAV-based multispectral vegetation indices for assessing the interactive effects of water and nitrogen in irrigated horticultural crops production under tropical sub-humid conditions: A case of African eggplant

UAV-based multispectral vegetation indices are often used to assess crop performance and water consumptive use. However, their ability to assess the interaction between water, especially deficit irrigation, and nitrogen application rates in irrigated agriculture has been less explored. Understanding the effect of water-nitrogen interactions on vegetation indices could further support optimal water and N management. Therefore, this study used a split plot design with water being the main factor and N being the sub-factor. African eggplants were drip irrigated at 100% (I100), 80% (I80) or 60% (I60) of the crop water requirements and received 100% (F100), 75% (F75), 50% (F50) or 0% (F0) of the crop N requirements. Results showed that the transformed difference vegetation index (TDVI) was best in distinguishing differences in leaf moisture content (LMC) during the vegetative stage irrespective of the N treatment. The green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI) worked well to distinguish leaf N during vegetative and full vegetative stages. However, the detection of the interactive effect of water and N on crop performance required a combination of GNDVI, NDVI and OSAVI across both stages as each of these 3 VI showed an ability to detect some but not all treatments. The fact that a certain amount of irrigation water can optimize the efficiency of N uptake by the plant is an important criterion to consider in developing crop specific VI based decision trees for crop performance assessments and yield prediction.

Physico-chemical and postharvest quality characteristics of intra and interspecific grafted tomato fruits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical and postharvest quality characteristics of intra- and interspecific grafted tomato fruit. Anna F1, a commercial tomato variety was interspecifically (Tomato Scion and African eggplant rootstock ( Solanum aethiopicum) ) and intraspecifically (Tomato Scion and bacterial wilt resistant hybrid tomato rootstock) grafted. The tomatoes were grown in a greenhouse and harvested at mature green, turning and ripe stages respectively. The tomatoes were analyzed for size, weight, cumulative weight loss, color changes, texture, respiration and ethylene gas production rates, vitamin C and lycopene content. Interspecific grafting on Manyire green, AB2, and intraspecific grafting on Armada, and B.B rootstocks significantly improved physical and physiological attributes of the tomato fruit. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in size and weight of grafted tomatoes and control at all the three maturity stages. Intraspecific grafted tomato fruits on Armada rootstocks had the best quality characteristics in terms of firmness, low weight loss, respiration and ethylene production rates which are associated with extended postharvest shelf-life. Intraspecific grafting reduced respiration and ethylene gas production rates with tomatoes grafted onto Armada rootstocks attaining the least climacteric peaks of 20.20 ml CO 2 Kg -1 h -1 and 0.34 μL C 2 H 4 Kg -1 h -1 respectively at mature green stage, thus leading to extendend postharvest life of these tomatoes. Tomatoes grafted onto B.B rootstock had the highest vitamin C content (28.11 mg/100 g). In general, intraspecific grafting recorded the best quality traits over the interspecific grafting. However interspecific grafting of tomato onto African eggplant Manyire and AB2 rootstocks had lower but comparable fruit quality to intraspecific grafting. • The effect of grafting on tomato quality is dependent on scion/rootstock combination. • Tomatoes from Manyire and AB2 rootstocks grafts (interspecific), and Armada and B.B rootstocks (intraspecific) had improved physical, physiological qualities as compared to nongrafted control. • Fruits from the Armada rootstock reported the best quality characteristics in terms of firmness and low weight loss, respiration and ethylene production rates which are associated with prolonging shelf-life. • Lycopene content was not affected by grafting. • In general, intraspecific grafting had the best quality traits over the interspecific grafting. However interspecific grafting of tomato onto African eggplant Manyire and AB2 rootstocks has comparable fruit quality to intraspecific grafting especially for resource poor farmers.

Effect of Brine fermented Pickling to Physicochemical, Anti-nutritional, and Microbiological Attributes of Pickled gboma Eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon)

Gboma eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon) has low calorie, high phenolic and antioxidant, excellent dietary fibre and mineral content. Besides healthy effects, gboma eggplant also contained numerous anti-nutrients unbeneficial for human health. Due to high moisture content, gboma eggplant was highly perishable during post-harvest. This research observed the changes of nutritional proximate, mineral contents, acidification indexes, anti-nutrients, phytochemical and antioxidant properties, texture profiles, microbiological characteristics of both raw and pickled gboma eggplant. Gboma eggplant fruits were soaked in clean water for 2 minutes before cutting their calyx lobes. The pre-treated fruits were submerged in sterilized brine (5% salt) for 8 days. Periodically, pickled samples were taken to examine physicochemical, anti-nutritional, and microbiological attributes of pickled gboma eggplant. Results showed that nutritional proximate of moisture, ash, protein, fat, fibre, carbohydrate was varied slightly during fermentation. There was a decreasing trend of moisture and carbohydrate; meanwhile, there was an increasing trend of ash, protein, fibre during 8 days of fermentation. There was no significant difference of fat during pickling. There was a minor increment of mineral contents in all samples. There was accumulation of phenyllactic acid, ascorbic acid content and titratable acidity with exception of pH. Anti-nutrient contents like tannin, phytate, oxalate, steroidal glycoalkaloid greatly decreased in raw and pickled eggplant. Remarkable increments of total phenolic, flavonoid, DPPH free radical scavenging and FRAP ferric reducing antioxidant of raw and pickled eggplant was presented. Texture profiles of hardness, crispness, fracturability, crunchiness revealed a minor reduction of sensory scores during 8 days of fermentation. Lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus significantly proliferated; meanwhile, Micrococcus and S. aureus were absolutely retarded in pickled eggplant. Yeast and fungi increased in the first 4 days and decreased afterwards. There was no significant difference of proximate compositions; mineral contents; phenyllactic acid, ascorbic acid content, pH and titratable acidity; anti-nutritional contents; phytochemical and antioxidant properties; texture profile (sensory score); microbiological load (with exception of S. aureus) between pickled gloma eggplants at day 6th and day 8th of fermentation. At a quick glance, the length of fermentation could be shorted to 6 days instead of 8 days. However, at the 6th day, S. aureus load was still presented at 0.33±0.01 log CFU/g. The fermentation should be lasted to 8th day so that S. aureus load could be dropped down to zero to ensure microbial food safety. Raw gboma eggplant should be fermented in 8% brine solution for 8 days to obtain the best physicochemical, anti-nutritional, and microbiological properties of pickle. Findings of this research suggested that fermentation pickling would be an appropriate approach to improve nutritional, physicochemical and functional criteria while controlling toxic chemical residues, retarding the growth and proliferation of spoilage and pathogen microorganisms.

Effect of Solanum vegetables on memory index, redox status, and expressions of critical neural genes in Drosophila melanogaster model of memory impairment.

African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L) (AE) and Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum L) (BN) leaves are green leafy vegetables with nutritional and ethnobotanical values. We have previously characterized the vegetables via HPLC/LC-MS to reveal notable phenolic acids, flavonoids and alkaloids. In this present study, we addressed the efficacy of the two vegetables in mitigating mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced neurotoxicity and memory impairment in Drosophila melanogaster. Flies were exposed to HgCl2 (0.30mg/g) alone or in combination with the vegetables (0.1 and 1.0%) of both samples in their diets for seven days. The results showed that HgCl2 (Hg)-exposed flies had significantly reduced survival rate and memory index, which were ameliorated in the Hg-exposed flies fed AE or BN. This was accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, reduced total thiol, as well as catalase, glutathione transferase (GST) and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activities in Hg-exposed fly heads, but ameliorated in Hg-exposed flies fed dietary inclusions of the vegetables. In addition, the Hg-induced alterations in SOD, NF-ҝB/Relish, Dronc and Reaper mRNA levels were statistically indistinguishable from controls in Hg-treated flies fed diets containing AE or BN. Normalization of cnc/Nrf2 and FOXO were observed only in Hg-treated flies fed BN. These findings suggest that dietary AE or BN leaves offer protection against Hg-induced memory impairment and neurotoxicity in D. melanogaster, and further justify them as functional foods with neuroprotective properties.

Assessment of the Proximate Compositions and Heavy Metals’ Profiles of Talinum triangulare L., Corchorus olitorius L. and Solanum macrocarpon L. Harvested from Some Farmlands, Roadsides and Markets in Badagry Division of Lagos State, Nigeria

The growing concern over the safety of vegetables consumed in some areas of Lagos due to increased discharge of pollutants that cannot be overlooked was the basis for this research. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the proximate compositions and heavy metals’ profiles of Talinum triangulare, Corchorus olitorius and Solanum macrocarpon harvested from some farmlands, roadsides and markets in Badagry division of Lagos State. Leaves of Talinum triangulare, Corchorus olitorius and Solanum macrocarpon were obtained from farmlands, roadsides and markets in different local government areas in Badagry division of Lagos State. Proximate and heavy metals’ analyses were done using standard analytical procedures. Proximate analyses of the three vegetables showed that the vegetables contained moisture, carbohydrate, lipid, crude fibre, fat, and ash at very appreciable quantities. Also, the results of the heavy metals’ analyses revealed the range of Pb(0.01-0.03 mg/kg), Cd(0.01-0.07mg/kg), Fe(1.83-3.78 mg/kg), Cu(0.05-0.23 mg/kg), Mn(0.01-1.06 mg/kg), Zn(0.08-1.01 mg/kg) for farmlands; Pb(0.01-1.06 mg/kg), Cd(0.01-0.07 mg/kg), Fe(1.00-3.30 mg/kg), Cu(0.01-1.03 mg/kg), Mn(0.01-1.06 mg/kg), Zn(0.86-1.08 mg/kg) for roadsides and P(0.01-0.02mg/kg); Cd(0.01-0.04 mg/kg), Fe(1.78-3.02 mg/kg), Cu(0.01-0.08 mg/kg), Mn(0.02-0.12 mg/kg), Zn (0.01-2.01 mg/kg) for markets among the three vegetables in three the local government areas of Badagry division. However, chromium was not detected in the vegetables for all the locations. These metals were below or within WHO permissible limits except for lead and cadmium which were higher in some vegetables from Ojo roadsides and farmlands; lead in Amuwo-Odofin roadsides and Badagry farmlands respectively. It could be inferred from this study that vegetables across the three locations are rich sources of nutrients irrespective of specific points of collections. However, vegetables from roadsides had the highest overall heavy metal concentrations compared to those from farmland and markets and this could be linked to pollution by vehicular emission among others in the study areas. Thus, regular monitoring of the vegetables should be encouraged to checkmate possible health hazards from consumption of these vegetables.

In vitro and in silico investigation of cholinesterase inhibition and anti‐radical properties of Solanum macrocarpon leaf extracts: A preliminary anti‐Alzheimer's study

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is an age‐associated, progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by decline in cognitive function. There is presently no cure for AD and the currently used drugs have limited efficacy. Cholinergic enzyme inhibition, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation have been growing areas of research in the pharmacological management of AD (Simunkova et al., 2019). Furthermore, computational approaches have been instrumental in designing and discovering new drugs for several diseases (Romano &amp; Tatonetti, 2018). Solanum macrocarpon L. (eggplant) is a specie of African ancestry reported to be an ethno‐ medicinal plant that improves memory (Ogunsuyi et al., 2018). This study therefore investigated the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory potential of S. macrocarpon leaf extracts, identified active compound(s) and explored their enzyme‐ligand interactions using In silico approaches to discover new functional leads for AD.MethodMethanol extract and fractions of S. macrocarpon leaves were subjected to phytochemical investigation of AChE inhibitory activity and cell‐free antioxidant activity. Phytochemicals were identified through the profiling of the most potent fraction using Liquid Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry (LC‐MS) and Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry (GC‐MS). Molecular docking was performed employing AutoDock Vina. The prediction of the ADMET properties was obtained using pkCSM and SwissADME online tools. Furthermore, the compound(s) with favorable pharmacokinetic properties and interaction with key residues within the AChE active site was selected for molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies using GROMACS 5.0.7.ResultThe S. macrocarpon leaves ethyl‐acetate fraction (SMEA) displayed the highest concentration‐dependent inhibition of AChE and highest antioxidant capacity among the fractions. Seventy‐eight (78) and sixty (60) compounds were tentatively identified from the LC‐MS and GC‐MS of SMEA respectively. A total number of 21 compounds demonstrated better docking score than the standard, eserine and interacted with key residues within the human acetylcholinesterase (PDB ID:4EY7) active site akin to Donepezil. Amongst the compounds with the least docking score, 1,1‐Biphenyl‐4‐carboxylic acid showed the most favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Also, the 10ns MD produced a trajectory which showed stable Root‐Mean‐Square‐Deviation and favorable g_mmpbsa energy calculations.ConclusionThe current study proposes that 1,1‐Biphenyl‐4‐carboxylic acid, a constituent of S. macrocarpon is a potential lead compound for AD management.

Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using extracts of Solanum macrocarpon fruit and their redox responses on SPAu electrode

In this work, CuO nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared from the aqueous extracts of Solanum macrocarpon fruit by using the conventional heating (CuO(h) NPs) and microwave irradiation (CuO(m) NPs) methods. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM analysis revealed that the CuO NPs from both routes contained essentially smooth surfaces, and displayed some degree of agglomeration. The TEM analysis confirmed some spherical morphology with mean particle sizes of 35.60 ± 6.24 nm and 47.14 ± 6.18 nm for the CuO(h) and CuO(m) NPs respectively. While the CuO(m) NPs possessed a single-phase consistent with the face cantered cubic structure of copper oxide, the CuO(h) NPs showed some extra peaks attributed to Cu2O NPs as secondary phase. Electrochemical studies were conducted in order to evaluate the electrochemical properties of the NPs. The responses of a gold screen-printed electrode surface treated with both NPs showed that their redox behaviours on (Fe(CN)6)3−/4− probe and KCl electrolytes vary significantly. In (Fe(CN)6)3−/4− probe, the SPAuE/CuO(h) showed enhanced electrochemical response relative to the bare, while the SPAuE/CuO(m) showed a lower current response than the bare. However, in the KCl electrolye, the SPAuE/CuO(h) and SPAuE/CuO(m) were highly electroactive and demonstrated peak current magnitude that was about 26.5 and 83.38 times higher than that of the bare. In this KCl medium, the magnitude of the oxidation peak current of Cu2+ for SPAuE/CuO(m) was about 3 times higher than that of SPAuE/CuO(h). The percentage contraction in redox coordinates between the 1st and 10th scans in both electrodes were 3.88 and 19.28% for SPAuE/CuO(h) and SPAuE/CuO(m) respectively. Thus, the choice of green synthesis route could be exploited in different fields where green NPs is desired.

Morphological characteristics, bioactive compounds content, and antioxidant activity of different accessions of African eggplant (Solanum anguivi Lam.)

Morphological characteristics, bioactive compounds content, and antioxidant activity of different accessions of African eggplant (Solanum anguivi Lam.)

Inhibition of the in vitro Activities of α-Amylase and Pancreatic Lipase by Aqueous Extracts of Amaranthus viridis, Solanum macrocarpon and Telfairia occidentalis Leaves.

Inhibition of digestive enzymes such as α-amylase and pancreatic lipase (PL) is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment and management of chronic health conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the enzyme inhibitory activity of polyphenol-rich aqueous extracts of Amaranthus viridis (AV), Solanum macrocarpon (SM) and Telfairia occidentalis (TO) leaves, which were harvested from plants produced using multiple urea fertilizer doses (0–80 kg N/ha). Fertilizer application was applied at two time points (at planting or 2 weeks after seedling emergence). Leaf extracts were obtained using aqueous extraction (1:20, leaves:water) for 4 h at 60°C followed by centrifugation and freeze-drying of the supernatant. Results showed that the extracts inhibited α-amylase, and pancreatic lipase dose-dependently with TO extracts having significantly (p < 0.05) higher inhibitory activities for both enzymes. Fluorescence intensity and circular dichroism spectra in the presence and absence of leaf extracts indicate significant changes to the enzyme protein secondary and tertiary conformations. We conclude that the leaf extracts, especially from TO are potential agents for reducing calorie intake as a preventive or treatment tool against chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

Temperature and Light Effects on Germination Behaviour of African Eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) Seeds

Background: A preliminary study of the African eggplant seeds obtained from farmers sources recorded a wide variation in percentage germination under ambient conditions (25±2°C). The germination percentage ranged from 0% to 25%, while fresh seeds ranged between 53% and 87%. As temperature and light are important factors of seed germination, the current study investigated the effect of temperature on the germination pattern and the influence of light interaction with temperature on seed germination of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) under controlled conditions. Methods: Seeds of two cultivars of African eggplant were subjected to constant and alternating temperatures and under three light exposure regimes. Seed quality was accessed by per cent germination, mean germination time, time to reach 50% germination, germination index and mean daily germination. Result: The highest percentage germination under constant temperatures was recorded at 25°C (76%) and 20°C (74%). The maximum temperature and light conditions required for maximum seed germination quality (76-95%) at the shortest time (4-5 days) was 30/20°C under alternating 8/16 hours light and dark.

Evaluation of Iron Concentration of Five Nigerian Shrubs for their Prospective use in the Therapy of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

Medicinal herbs are commonly being used in the treatment of anemia traditionally and Jatropha tanjorensis Ellis &amp; Saroja, Vernonia amygdalina Delile, Manihot esculenta Crantz, Megaskepasma erythrochlamys Lindau, Solanum macrocarpon L. are local shrubs mostly employed. This study aims to analyze the prospective use of some local shrubs in the therapy of Iron Deficiency Anemia. The proximate composition analysis and the iron content in leaves of the shrubs were determined following the methods of the association of official analytical chemists (A.O.A.C). The results obtained for iron concentration show Jatropha tanjorensis 3.11g/kg, Vernonia amygdalina 1.64g/kg, Manihot esculenta 0.57g/kg, Megaskepasma erythrochlamys 1.23g/kg, and Solanum macrocarpon 2.75g/kg. The range of proximate composition as; protein had Megaskepasma erythrochlamys as the lowest value 3.97% and Vernonia amygdalina as the highest value 50.64%, fat &amp; oil content showed Jatropha tanjorensis with the highest value 1.04% and Megaskepasma erythrochlamys having the lowest value 29.77%, Fiber content showed Vernonia amygdalina has the highest value 1.81% and Solanum macrocarpon has the lowest 12.08%, the carbohydrate content showed Megaskepasma erythrochlamys as the lowest value 2.39% and Manihot esculenta as the highest value 21.02%, and the moisture content showed Manihot esculenta has the lowest value 9.98% and Megaskepasma erythrochlamys has the highest value 83.25%. All five plants have great potential for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.

Ethnobotanical characterization of scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) varieties cultivated in Benin (West Africa)

The African eggplant ( Solanum aethiopicum L.) is an important traditional vegetable cultivated in tropical regions for its edible fruits. In the Benin Republic, S. aethiopicum is mainly cultivated by rural farmers for food and for its use in traditional medicine. Assessing varietal diversity, endogenous knowledge, production constraints and farmers' preference criteria are of great importance for promotion and conservation purposes. Using rural appraisal tools and methods, an ethnobotanical study was conducted in 680 households across 92 villages. A total of 60 local cultivars were collected and documented in the surveyed sites. We documented 15 farmers’ criteria for agronomic (57.88% of responses), culinary (28.51%) preference, and for economic (13.61%) aspects. Several constraints related to eggplant production in Benin were also recorded. The low market demand (27% of responses), lack of high-yielding cultivars (11.08% of responses), low fruit storability (10.67%), low productivity (9.84%), soil poverty (8.43%), susceptibility to high soil moisture (8.02%), pests (9.56%), diseases (8.45%), and drought (6.38%) appeared to be the most important constraints of the eggplant production system in Benin. In addition to synthetic pesticides, the eggplant farmers use botanical plant extracts such as extracts from Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) and Hyptis suaveolens (Lamiaceae). It appears that eggplant production is still traditional and is of limited use in Benin. Finally, the currently collected germplasm was proposed for further evaluation using morphological and molecular markers to provide breeders with traits of interest for developing better eggplant varieties and hybrids that are suitable for local environmental conditions and production systems. • We examine the varietal diversity of Sarclet eggplant. • We evaluate the constraints to Sarclet eggplant production. • Determinants of farmers preferences for improved Sarclet eggplant production estimated. • Factors influencing seed color, nutritional and agronomic attributes assessed.

English

This work aimed at determining the optimum harvest time of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) seeds, cv. Oforiwa and cv. Kpando for maximum physiological seed quality under tropical (TCC) and temperate oceanic climatic (TOC) conditions. Fruit morphological metrics such as fruit weight and size were also related to seed physiological quality. Seeds were harvested at different maturation stages from 20 to 82 days after anthesis (DAA). Seed quality was assessed according to moisture content, dry seed weight, seed length, thousand seed weight, percentage germination and emergence. The results indicated that seeds harvested precociously (20 and 34 days after anthesis), did not germinate or recorded very low percentage germination (0-20%). Considering all the fruit morphological traits and seed quality variables measured, the results indicate that maximum seed quality (that is, germination, emergence, seed weight and mean germination time) are obtained from fruits harvested at 76 DAA. The physiological maturity (PM) (maximum seed dry weight) for cv. Oforiwa was attained at 62 DAA while cv. Kpando took 14 days more to reach physiological maturity but coincided with maximum germination at 76 DAA. The results further showed that fruit characteristics such as weight and size are associated with seed physiological quality in African eggplant. It is thus recommended that fruits of African eggplant cv. Oforiwa and cv. Kpando should be harvested at 70 to 76 DAA for maximum seed germination and emergence. Key words: African eggplant, Solanum aethiopicum, physiological maturity, germination, seed maturation.

Nutritional Potential of Two Maturity Stages of Eggplant Solanum aethiopicum "Striped Toga" Variety Harvested in Côte d’Ivoire

African eggplant Solanum aethiopicum var. striped toga is a vegetable-fruit widely consumed in Côte d'Ivoire. However, observations have shown that the cortex was removed from the pulp during culinary preparations for various reasons. The objective of this study is to contribute to the valorization of this eggplant by showing the nutritional interest of the cortex and the pulp. The samples used in this study were collected in a market garden located south of Abidjan. After separating the cortex from the pulp, they were ground into powder and used for physicochemical analysis. The results concerning physicochemical parameters showed that the ripe pulp (Pm) compared to the ripe cortex (Cm) contained more total sugars (165±0.7 versus 107±0.70 mg/100 g DM). Whereas, the unripe pulp Pnm contained significant amounts of polyphenols and tannins compared to the unripe cortex (636±0.25 versus 328±0.04 mg/100g DM for total polyphenols; 577±0.09 versus 171±0.21 mg/100 g DM for tannins). Oxalate contents decreased in ripe parts of the fruit (Pnm: 332±2.52 and Cnm: 131±1.00 mg/100g DM in unripe eggplant versus Pm: 157.75±1.52 and Cm: 55±0 .00 mg/100g DM in ripe eggplant). Also, Solanum aethiopicum var. striped toga could play an important role in human nutrition because of their nutrients content, thus contributing to better health.