ABSTRACT
Oestrus was artificially synchronized in thirty-six (36) primiparous Red Sokoto goats (RSG) done using 45 mg fluorogestone acetate vagina sponges for fourteen (14) days. Pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) hormone was administered immediately after sponge removal and the does were mated thereafter. Twenty four (24) gravid weighing 15.8 kg – 23.7 kg were selected and fed graded levels of baobab (Adansonia digitata. L) pulp-seed meal supplement in a completely randomized experimental design of six (6) replicates per treatment. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the results obtained. At parturition, animals on 20% baobab fruit inclusion level had the highest mean weight value of 28.8 kg and the does on 0% inclusion level recorded the least value of 20.5 kg. At pregnancy, animals on 30% baobab inclusion level had the highest weight gain value of 5.9 kg, followed by 10% inclusion level with a weight gain of 5.5 kg. 20% inclusion level had 5.1 kg weight gain and the least value of 4.7 kg was recorded for animals on 0% baobab fruit inclusion. Similarly, the weight of dam at weaning ranged from 17.1kg to 24.8 kg. The Birth weight of kids were 1.7, 2.2, 2.1 and 2.0 kg for 0, 10, 20 and 30% levels of baobab fruits inclusion respectively. The sex ratio of male: female recorded in the study were significantly different (P<0.05). 0, 10, 20 and 30% baobab fruit inclusion recorded 33:67 (2 males, 4 females), 50:50 (3 Males, 3 Females), 83:17 (5 Males, 1 Female) and 67:33 (4 Males, 2 Females) respectively. The kid weight at weaning and daily weight gain of the kids was significantly different (P<0.05) at all levels of baobab fruit inclusion. The percentages of kid mortality at birth and at weaning were zero in this study.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Recently there has been a renewed impetus in the search for novel ingredients to be used in the cosmetic industry and Baobab (Adansonia digitata L., Malvaceae) seed oil has received high interest. In this study, a commercial Baobab seed oil sample was characterised (fatty acid content) using GCxGC-ToF-MS and a pilot study on the safety and efficacy of the seed oil was performed. The safety and efficacy of Baobab seed oil after topical application was determined using healthy adult female caucasian participants (n = 20). A 2× magnifying lamp was used for visual analysis, while for monitoring and evaluation of the irritancy level, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and hydration level of the skin, Chromameter®, Aquaflux® and Corneometer® instruments, respectively, were used. In addition, Aquaflux® and Corneometer® instruments were used to assess occlusive effects. Thirteen methyl esters were identified using GCxGC-ToF-MS. The major fatty acids included 36.0% linoleic acid, 25.1% oleic acid and 28.8% palmitic acid with 10.1% constituting trace fatty acids. The irritancy of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) in the patch test differed significantly compared to both de-ionised water (p < 0.001) and Baobab seed oil (p < 0.001) but the difference between the irritancy of Baobab seed oil and de-ionised water was not significant (p = 0.850). The moisture efficacy test indicated a reduced TEWL (p = 0.048) and an improved capacitance moisture retention (p < 0.001) for all the test products (Baobab oil, liquid paraffin, Vaseline® intensive care lotion and Vaseline®). The occlusivity wipe-off test indicated an increased moisture hydration (p < 0.001) and decreased TEWL particularly when Baobab oil was applied. Baobab possesses hydrating, moisturising and occlusive properties when topically applied to the skin. Baobab seed oil could be a valuable functional ingredient for cosmeceutical applications.
ABSTRACT
Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae) is commonly known as baobab tree native to Africa. Baobab is a multi-purpose tree which offers protection and provides food, clothing and medicine as well as raw material for many useful items. The fruit pulp, seeds, leaves, flowers, roots, and bark of baobab are edible and they have been studied by scientists for their useful properties. The fruit pulp have very high vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, carbohydrates, fibers, potassium, proteins and lipids content, which can be used in seasoning as an appetizer and also make juices. Seeds contain appreciable quantities of phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, sodium, iron, manganese, whereas they have high levels of lysine, thiamine, calcium and iron. Baobab has numerous biological properties including antimicrobial, anti-malarial, diarrhoea, anaemia, asthma, antiviral, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities amongst others. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of flavonoids, phytosterols, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. The review summarizes the information on various aspects of traditional information, taxonomic description, medicinal properties and importantly nutritional value.
ABSTRACT
Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) belonging to Bombacaceae family, is one of the most widely used indigenous tree species in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of the present study was to assess molecular variation among A. digitata and to determine the level of genetic similarity among them. The yield of DNA ranged from 15-40 μg/mg of leaf tissue and the purity was between 1.1- 2.9, indicating minimal levels of contaminating metabolites. The technique was ideal for isolation of DNA from A. digitata and the DNA isolated was used for randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis using the primer OPB07. The bands obtained ranged in size from 54-795 bp. Two clusters were observed, one group with 8 bands and the other with 11 bands. Present study could be important in domestication, conservation, management & improvement strategies of A. digitata.
ABSTRACT
Aims: Baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit pulp and the seed oil contain appreciable amount of vitamins and nutrients which help fight off diseases and afford commendable source of nourishment. It is essential to screen for the stability of the high vitamin C contents and validate the mechanism of its kinetic degradation in the fruit pulp with and without the oil extracted from seeds, during heat treatment. Experiments were planned according to standard methods and practices. Methodology: Ascorbic acid degradation in both raw baobab fruit pulp and the pulp formulated with baobab seed oil were investigated at varying temperatures (25–80ºC) and at different time intervals. Kinetic data analysis was then conducted by utilizing the absorbance data collected and the validated calibration curve of standard method using DCPIP to determine the ascorbic acid contents. Results: The results showed that reaction kinetics through heat treatments of the fruit pulp were well characterized by zero-order reactions. The activation energy (Ea) for the ascorbic acid degradation in the raw fruit pulp and the pulp treated with the seed oil were 0.000274 and 0.001903 Kcal/mol respectively. The shelf life of ascorbic acid in the formulated fruit pulp at 25ºC was approximately seven times that of the raw fruit pulp. Conclusion: The results indicate that the baobab seed oil exhibits both antioxidant enrichment and preservative properties.