ABSTRACT
Aims: The current study was aimed at evaluating the phytochemical profile and in vitro bacteria growth inhibitory potential of different solvent leaf extracts of V. amygdalina from northern Ghana. Study Design: Different solvent extracts of the plant were quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated for phytochemicals. In vitro bacteria sensitivity assay of the extracts was evaluated using some beta-lactamase producing bacteria as test microbes. Methodology: Ethanolic, methanolic, petroleum ether and aqueous leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina were studied in vitro for growth inhibition against beta-lactamase producing bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using agar well diffusion method. Saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, reducing sugars, anthracenosides, terpenes and phytosteroids were determined qualitatively and quantified. Results: All the phytochemicals tested were found to be present in both the methanolic and ethanolic leaf extracts. The aqueous extract showed the presence of saponins, reducing sugars and anthracenosides. Glycosides, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids were the only groups of phytochemicals found in the petroleum ether extract. The methanolic extract showed the greatest amount of saponins (14.23%), flavonoids (2.15%), alkaloids (7.49%), tannins (5.4%), terpenes (10.20%) and phenolics (8.24%). The methanolic extract at concentration of 4 mg/ml showed growth inhibitory activities against all the test organisms with zone of inhibitions ranging from 16.00±0.50 (against E. coli) to 20.50±0.03 mm (against S. aureus). The ethanolic extract showed activity against only two of the test organisms viz. 23.00±0.33 mm against P. aeruginosa and 12.00±0.00 mm against S. aureus at similar concentration. All test organisms were resistant to both aqueous and pet ether extracts. Conclusion: The antibacterial activities of the methanolic and ethanolic extracts were significant (P < 0.05) and may be mediated by the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes and alkaloids. Results from present study corroborate previous findings and also presents methanolic leaf extract of the plant as a credible candidate for the discovery of new phytotherapeutic agents against the beta-lactamase producing bacteria tested.
ABSTRACT
Fluoride is found to be an important trace element playing a key role in the dental and skeletal formation in humans. It is generally believed that including human being consume fluoride largely from drinking water sources and the total daily intake of fluoride by individuals from water and other sources varies from place to place depending on the amount of fluoride availability in water and other sources including food. Earlier it was believed that food was not a rich source of fluoride for humans but it is now well documented that certain types of food can have high fluoride content. Therefore the present research work is to study the fluoride content in leafy vegetable samples(amaranthus) collected from five different gram panchayat’s(villages) of Nalgonda district by using kit colour comparison method and report the fluoride content in the collected samples. finally it was found that the fluoride content in all the samples were found to ranging from 2.20-2.85mg/kg which is considered to be under safe zone(0.3-2.8mg/kg) and consumption of this leafy vegetables will not affect the humans.
ABSTRACT
Para analizar la calidad microbiológica en vegetales tipo hoja y la incidencia de bacterias enteropatógenas se analizaron 150 muestras (50 lechugas, 50 cilantros y 50 perejiles) recolectadas en dos supermercados de Maracaibo. Se determinó Coliformes Totales (CT) y Escherichia coli (EC) según la norma COVENIN Nº3276:1997; para la determinación de bacterias enteropatógenas (Salmonella, Aeromonas y Vibrio) se utilizaron medios de enriquecimiento y selectivos. La identificación de especies se realizó empleando pruebas bioquímicas. En 81,33% (122/150) de las muestras se obtuvieron contajes de CT entre 10³-10 5 UFC/g. La recuperación de EC fue de 10,00%. La frecuencia de enteropatógenos fue de 28%, siendo Aeromonas el género más aislado con un 95,91%. La mayor recuperación de enteropatógenos se obtuvo en las muestras de cilantro (40,00%), seguida de perejil (34,00%) y lechuga (20,00%); A. caviae fue la especie más recuperada (59,18%) seguida de A. hydrophila (30,62%). Salmonella spp se recuperó en 2 (4,08%) muestras. La presencia de indicadores entéricos (CT y EC) y de bacterias enteropatógenas sugiere que los vegetales tipo hoja presentan una inadecuada calidad sanitaria y pueden ser fuente de gastroenteritis
To analyze the microbiological quality of leaf vegetables and the incidence of enteropathogenic bacteria, 150 samples (50 lettuce, 50 coriander and 50 parsley) collected in two supermarkets in Maracaibo, were studied. Total coliforms (TC) and Escherichia coli (EC) according to COVENIN guideline N° 3276: 1997, were determined; for the identification of enteropathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, Aeromonas, Vibrio), enrichment and selective media were used. Species identification was made using biochemical tests. In 81.33% (122/150) of the samples obtained, TC counts were between 10³-10 5 CFU/g. EC recovery was 10.00%. The frequency of enteropathogens was 28%, with Aeromonas the most isolated genus (95.91%). Greater recovery of enteropathogens was obtained from coriander (40.00%), followed by the parsley (34.00%) and lettuce samples (20.00%); A. caviae was the most recovered specie (59.18%) followed by A. hydrophila (30,62%). Salmonella spp were recovered in 2 samples (4.08%). The presence of enteric indicators (TC and EC) and enteropathogenic bacteria suggests that the sanitary condition of the leafy vegetables is inadequate and can be a source of gastroenteritis