ABSTRACT
The presence of antinutrients and toxic substances severely limits the nutritional benefits of vegetables. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of processing methods on some of these substances. Effects of boiling and sun drying on oxalate, cyanide and nitrate, vitamin C, β-carotene, and the mineral elements Fe, Cu, Mg, Na and K in Amaranthus cruentus were investigated. Both methods significantly (p < 0.05) reduced oxalate, cyanide and nitrate levels. Vitamin C content was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. β-carotene level increased on boiling but was reduced in sundried vegetable. Boiling exceeding 5 minutes significantly (p < 0.05) reduced β-carotene level. The mineral elements decreased upon boiling but sun drying had no significant effect on their levels. We conclude that both methods are effective means of reducing the levels of antinutrients and toxic substances in Amaranthus cruentus to tolerable levels with boiling being a better method.
ABSTRACT
Abstract: Four medicinal plants Acacia nilotica, Bombax buonopozense, Terminalia avicennioides and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides traditionally used for treatment of sleeping sickness in Nupeland were investigated for in vivo antitrypanosomal activity. Methanol extracts of different parts of each plant (stem barks and fruits) were obtained and evaluated for their in vivo antitrypanosomal activities against Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Phytochemical screening of the methanol extracts of each plant were performed by standard procedures. Methanol extracts of A. nilotica (stem bark), B. buonopozense (stem bark), T. avicennioides (round fruit) and Z. zanthoxyloides (stem bark) were effective on trypanosomes. The extracts of A. nilotica and B. buonopozense exhibited antitrypanosomal effects at 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight respectively. Doses were able to clear the parasites from circulation within 6 and 7 days of treatment respectively with prolonging survival period of up to 30 days. While the extracts of T. avicennioides and Z. zanthoxyloides showed trypanostatic effects and could not clear the parasites completely. The methanol extracts of these plants contain metabolites that are associated with antitrypanosomal effects; therefore, these medicinal plants may be sources of new compounds that may be active against T. b. brucei. This study has also justified the claim that some medicinal plants of Nupeland possess antitrypanosomal activity and could be useful in the management of trypanosomiasis