16 research outputs found
Figure 8 from: Houngnon A, Adomou AC, Gosling WD, Adeonipekun PA (2021) A checklist of vascular plants of Ewe-Adakplame Relic Forest in Benin, West Africa. PhytoKeys 175: 151-174. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.175.61467
No full textFigure 8 Ewe Adakplame Relict Forest in a matrix of savanna and agriculture landscape A forest edge affected by anthropogenic activities (Samsung photo A. Houngnon 2017) B Landscape of fallow and field around the edge of the forest ecosystem (Olympus photo A. Houngnon 2016)
Distribution of palynomorphs in recent bottom sediments offshore Niger delta: A preliminary study
No full textInternational audienc
Spore characterisation and its taxonomic significance in ferns from Lagos State, Nigeria
No full textNational audienc
Antimicrobial Properties and Melissopalynology, Proximate and Elemental Analyses of Honey Samples from Three Different Ecozones in Nigeria
No full textHoney samples from three different ecozones - coastal freshwater (Ogba), lowland rainforest (Oka-Akoko) and montane Sudan savanna (Mambilla plateau) – were subjected to melissopalynological, proximate and elemental analyses, as well as antimicrobial studies. The aim of the research was to determine the contribution of pollen, if any, in the antimicrobial activities of the studied honey samples. Standard preparation methods were adopted for these studies. The Mambilla honey recorded the highest pollen diversity, while that of Oka-Akoko and Ogba regions had similar diversity, both having lower values. The Ogba honey however contained the highest abundance of pollen. Proximate analysis showed that the Mambilla honey also recorded the highest values of moisture, ash, protein, fats and oil, as well as potassium and reducing sugars. Antimicrobial investigation revealed the highest antimicrobial activities for the Mambilla honey, followed by Oka-Akoko and Ogba against Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram negative). Moisture content, proteins and carbohydrates were significantly different, with positive and negative trends respectively, when related with the antimicrobial activities of the honey samples. The pollen contents were also qualitatively different. This is the first time the antimicrobial activity of honey is ever traced to pollen contents. More conclusions can be accurately made only after further research upon pollen grains directly.</jats:p
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Airborne fungi spores distribution in various locations in Lagos, Nigeria
No full textExposure to outside air microorganisms especially fungi has been linked with illness such as allergic respiratory symptoms, rhinitis, asthma, and infection such as mycosis. Airborne fungal composition was sampled from five locations in Lagos State, Nigeria, between May 2014 and April 2016. Fungi spores were collected using the sedimentation plate method with the Petri dishes of dichloran-glycerol 18 (DG-18) and potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. Fungi sporulated faster on DG-18 agar plate as compared with PDA. The abundances of fungal spores collected monthly at the locations varied. The most abundant spores came from the fungi were Aspergillus niger (14.47%), Aspergillus sydowii (10.37%), and Aspergillus flavus (7.93%). Additional species were present in the collections including Ascomycetes: Penicillium funiculosum (5.49%), Neurospora crassa (5.32%), Penicillium oxalicum (4.71%), Penicillium pinophilum (2.88%), Fusarium verticillioides (3.05%), Penicillium simplicissimum (1.83%), Aphaderanum sp. (0.22%), Curvularia sp. (0.22%), Aspergillus oryzae (0.22%), and Paecilomyces sp. (0.61%) and the Mucoromycotina Zygomycetes: Rhizopus oryzae (4.10%) and Mucor sp. (3.44%). Fungal concentrations were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) during the rainy season compared with the dry season. Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most predominant airborne fungal genera while Mucor, Alternaria, and Cladosporium were some of the least observed. Generally, abundance of fungi was significantly high during the wet season in all the studied locations
Antimicrobial Properties and Melissopalynology, Proximate and Elemental Analyses of Honey Samples from Three Different Ecozones in Nigeria
No full textHoney samples from three different ecozones - coastal freshwater (Ogba), lowland rainforest (Oka-Akoko) and montane Sudan savanna (Mambilla plateau) – were subjected to melissopalynological, proximate and elemental analyses, as well as antimicrobial studies. The aim of the research was to determine the contribution of pollen, if any, in the antimicrobial activities of the studied honey samples. Standard preparation methods were adopted for these studies. The Mambilla honey recorded the highest pollen diversity, while that of Oka-Akoko and Ogba regions had similar diversity, both having lower values. The Ogba honey however contained the highest abundance of pollen. Proximate analysis showed that the Mambilla honey also recorded the highest values of moisture, ash, protein, fats and oil, as well as potassium and reducing sugars. Antimicrobial investigation revealed the highest antimicrobial activities for the Mambilla honey, followed by Oka-Akoko and Ogba against Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram negative). Moisture content, proteins and carbohydrates were significantly different, with positive and negative trends respectively, when related with the antimicrobial activities of the honey samples. The pollen contents were also qualitatively different. This is the first time the antimicrobial activity of honey is ever traced to pollen contents. More conclusions can be accurately made only after further research upon pollen grains directly
Investigating the Phytochemicals and Antimicrobial Properties of Three Sedge (Cyperaceae) Species
No full textIn order to evaluate the medicinal value of notorious sedge weeds, three species:Cyperus esculentus, Cyperus rotundus and Mariscus alternifolius were investigated for their phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial properties. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical constituents and in vitro antimicrobial activities were evaluated against four fungi species: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium chrysogenum and Candida albicans, and three bacteria species: Escherichia coli,Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. Two solvents, water and ethanol, were used to produce the extracts and were screened for their antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity evaluation of the extracts against pathogens was carried out at 100 mg/ml concentration by Disc Diffusion method for fungi, Disc Diffusion and Agar Well Diffusion methods for bacteria. Observed activities were related to standard antibiotics, antifungal and antibacterial, which served as controls. Phytochemically, the plant extracts showed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, ketose sugars, steroids, reducing sugars and tannins. The ethanolic extract of C. rotundus exhibited the highest activity against A. niger, E. coli and S. aureus. No extract was active against C. albicans. From these findings, it was concluded that C. rotundus is a potential source of bioactive compounds for new drugs upon isolation and purification for treating infections caused by these pathogens.</p
A checklist of vascular plants of Ewe-Adakplame Relic Forest in Benin, West Africa
No full textCovering 560.14 hectares in the south-east of Benin, the Ewe-Adakplame Relic Forest (EARF) is a micro-refugium that shows insular characteristics within the Dahomey Gap. It is probably one of the last remnants of tropical rain forest that would have survived the late Holocene dry period. Based on intensive field investigations through 25 plots (10 × 50 m size) and matching of herbarium specimens, a checklist of 185 species of vascular plant belonging to 54 families and 142 genera is presented for this forest. In addition to the name for each taxon, we described the life form following Raunkiaer’s definitions, chorology as well as threats to habitat. The Rubiaceae family was the richest (20 species) followed by the Fabaceae (15 species). Life forms showed the preponderance of phanerophytes (88%). The Chorological spectrum was dominated by Guineo-Congolean species (66%). Species richness estimated were 200.52 ± 9.2808 for Bootstrap; 217.62 ± 14.5972; 224.16 ± 15.3725 and 242.67 respectively for Chao, Jacknife1 and Jacknife2. Bootstrap appears to be the estimation closer to the field records. In Benin, EARF is home for Rinorea species described as West African forest bio-indicators and single location for Nesogordonia papaverifera, Mansonia altissima, Englerophytum oblanceolatum, Octolobus spectabilis, Vitex micrantha and most of Drypeteae tribe species (Drypetes aframensis, Drypetes afzelii, Drypetes gilgiana and Drypetes leonensis) recorded in Benin. Our results provides baseline information for further in-depth analysis of vegetation history in Benin by raising the question on the past floristic connection of the Dahomey gap and community engagement in conservation
