RESUMO
This study involved the molecular identification of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae obtained from Kaduna State University Fish Pond for biodiesel production potential. The DNA of Chlorella microalgae was extracted and subjected to PCR. The molecular weight of the PCR product obtained was 1.8kb using 18S rDNA primer sets and BLAST analyses revealed 95% identity with Chlorella vulgaris. The Chlorella vulgaris was cultured in open aquaria tanks at the Department of Biological Sciences, Nigerian Defence Academy. The biomass harvested was subjected to varying timings of sun and oven drying techniques (25-35ºC for 72hours and 60ºC for 12hours respectively) before extraction of oil from the biomass using solvent extraction method. The values for the density (0.854 and 0.867 cm3), specific gravity (0.875 and 0.876), acid value (0.414 and 0.384 mgKOH/g), saponification value (173.3 and 170.1 mgKOH/g), kinematic viscosity (5.200 and 3.870 mm2/g at 40ºC), flash point (114 and 115ºC) and cetane number (54.00 and 47.70) for the sun and oven dried biomass oil respectively were found to be in accordance with the ASTM standard values for biodiesel and fossil diesel. GC-MS analyses of the oil extracted using the two drying methods showed that the fatty acid profiling of the oil obtained from sun dried processed biomass had C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 cis9 and C22:1ω9 while the oven dried biomass oil had C14:0, C16:0, C19:0, C11:1, C18:1 cis9 and C22:1ω9. Drying methods, therefore, had influenced on the composition of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The oven dried biomass oil possesses high monounsaturated fatty acids when compared to sun dried biomass oil though the most important fatty acids (C14:0, C16:0 and C18:1) found in standard biodiesel were present in both. The results suggested that Chlorella vulgaris microalgae can be sustainably harvested for the production of biodiesel, both drying techniques can be employed for effective extraction but oven dried biomass oil was found to be of high quality because of the balanced in saturated and unsaturated fatty acid compositions and have an easy mode of operation but it required instrumentation.
RESUMO
Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease and its prevalence is reaching epidemic proportion worldwide. Tamarindus indica is a slow growing tree that is resistant to strong winds and perennial. The stem-bark extract of the plant is used locally for the management of diabetes. The objective of this work was to investigate the potentials of the flavonoid-rich portion of Tamarindus indica at lowering elevated blood glucose level. The flavonoids-rich portion of the stem-bark extract of Tamarindus indica L. was investigated for its hypoglycemic action on experimentally induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats. The oral LD50 of the extract was found to be 1,265 mg/kg. The flavonoid-rich fraction lowered the Blood Glucose Level (BGL) in the three doses used (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) there was a significant reduction with the 400 mg/kg dose at the 8th, 16th and 24th hour and the 200 mg/kg dose at 16 and 24 hours, and the 100 mg/kg dose at 24 hours. The flavonoid-rich portion of Tamarindus indica Linn significantly lowered elevated BGL in the experimental animal models.
RESUMO
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of Acacia nilotica methanol leaves extract on lipid profile and liver enzyme on alloxan induced diabetic rats. 30 Wistar rats of both sexes were used for the study. The rats were divided into six groups with five rats in each group. The diabetic rats were treated with n- butanol and ethyl acetate for a period of 12 days. After which the animals were sacrificed and blood serum sample were taken from all the groups for the assessment of lipid profiles and liver enzymes. As regards to the lipid profile there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the triglyceride and cholesterol level in ethyl acetate treated group with 50 and 100 mg/kg , while, there was also a significant increase in the levels of high density lipoprotein when compared with the control untreated group. Also there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in ALT, AST and ALP levels in ethyl acetate fraction treated group with 50 and 100 mg/kg when compared with the control untreated group. In relation to the n-butanol fraction at the two doses tested 100 and 200 mg/kg there was no significant change in the levels of triglyceride when compared with the control untreated. However there was decrease in the levels of cholesterol (p<0.05) and a significant increase in the levels of high density lipoprotein when compared with the control untreated. There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the levels of ALT, AST while there was no significant change in the level of ALP treated with the n-butanol fraction when compared with the control untreated group. The phytochemical screening revealed the presences of saponin, flavonoid, tannin and alkaloid. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the ethyl acetate in mice was calculated to be 471.2 mg/kg b.w and n-butanol is 774.5 mg/kg b.w. This results suggest that the Ethylacetate and n-butanol fractions of methanol leaves extract of Acacia nilotica has anti-hyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective effect on alloxan induced diabetic rats.
RESUMO
Evaluation of hypoglycaemic activity of ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of Acacia nilotica on alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats has been investigated. Two doses of the ethylacetate fraction 50 and 100 mg/kg was administered. As regard to 50mg/kg caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the blood glucose levels when compared with control at 3,5,7,9 and 12 days of treatment with percentage glycaemia change of 49.1,54.8,60.5, 58.8 and 69.7 respectively. However, the dose of 100mg/kg ,there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) at 3 5 7, 9 and 12 days treatment when compared to control untreated with percentage glycaemia change of 50.1,56.8, 52.8, 69.9 and 59.6 . Also two doses of n-butanol, 100 and 200 mg/kg fraction was administered to the diabetic rats. The dose of 100 mg/kg, there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) after 7 and 12 days of treatment when compared to untreated control. As regard the dose of 200 mg/kg, there was a significant decrease ( p<0.05) at 3, 5 ,7,9 and 12 days of treatment when compared to control untreated with percentage glycaemic change of 20.7,35.3,52.3, 44.2 and 40.9 respectively. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presences of saponin, flavonoid, tannin and alkaloid. The median lethal dose (LD50) in mice was calculated to be 471.2 mg/kg bodyweight. This result suggests that the Ethylacetate and n-butanol fractions of leaves methanolic extract of Acacia nilotica possess antidiabetic effects on alloxan - induced diabetic Wistar rats.