Background: The in-depth traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is at risk of extinction due to the dependency on oral transmission, and as such, there is an urgent need to document such knowledge. This study aimed to document indigenous uses of medicinal plants among community members in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality. Methods: Data was collected in 2016 from community members and local herbalists in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality through a semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical tools and ethnobotanical indices, i.e., informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), and use value (UV) were used to analyse the data. Results: One hundred and six medicinal plants belonging to 45 families were reported to cure 68 different human diseases. The most frequently used plant part in this study was the leaves (52%). Decoction (57.5%) and oral administration (58.3%) were the most utilised herbal preparation and administration route respectively. Cleistopholis patens had the highest UV (0.54) with pain & fevers and skin diseases having the highest ICF values (0.88 and 0.85 respectively). Furthermore, new medicinal uses of Hilleria latifolia and ten other species were recorded for the treatment of the traditional local disease, aseram. Conclusions: The current knowledge and uses of medicinal plants are still high in the study area based on the high degree of consensus among informants. This study could allow for the preservation of knowledge and biodiversity of medicinal plants, both of which are threatened with extinction.

Medicinal Plants Used in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality, Southern Ghana: An Ethnobotanical Study

Bacterial cellulose-based antifouling materials have been produced by incorporation of silver nanoparticles for broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Three variations of silver nitrate (AgNO3) to reducing agent concentrations have been tried to vary the silver nanoparticle dimension. The formation of silver nanoparticles was also evidenced by the X-ray diffraction, and the crystallite size was found to decrease with increase in NaBH4 concentration. AgBC composites having < 2% (W/W) of silver exhibited 99.9% antimicrobial activity which was sustained up to 72 h against spoiled food derived mixed microbial culture. On the other hand, only 90% activity was observed with colloidal AgNPs due to aggregate formation. Composites displayed superior antimicrobial activity than colloid with equivalent amount of silver. Food stuff was protected from microbial spoilage for 30 days when stored in AgBC nanocomposites, whereas spoilage was noticed within 15 days for food stuff stored in regular polythene bag. Therefore, the AgBC composite having < 2% silver can be used as a lining of regular food packaging material to extend shelf life till 30 days. Toxicity due to high amount of silver can be prevented with these composites and can be safely used in healthcare applications such as food packaging, wound dressing, hospital bed lining and surgical apparels.

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of bacterial cellulose silver nanocomposites with sustained release

Botany, ethnomedicines, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Himalayan paeony (Paeonia emodi Royle.).

This study evaluates the single and combined usage of chitosan (2% w/v) and rhamnolipid (2% w/v) as edible coatings to extend the shelf life of sweet oranges stored at 25 °C for 8 weeks. Physiochemical, microbial and sensory analysis of the oranges was conducted during ambient storage. The combined treatment of chitosan and rhamnolipid coating on oranges significantly delayed a loss in chlorophyll quality, malondialdehyde, weight loss, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, vitamin C content and delayed the loss of firmness during the 8 weeks of storage. The combined chitosan–rhamnolipid coating significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, as well as inhibited the generation of superoxide free radicals and the growth of mesophilic bacteria, yeast and mould.

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Prolonging the shelf life of ‘Agege Sweet’ orange with chitosan–rhamnolipid coating

The tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) destroyed tomato plants in seven of the Northern states in Nigeria, and has been found in two other states in the South in 2016. The study assessed the incident of the tomato leafminer attack using a questionnaire survey in one of the affected states, for a case study of the problem. A short literature review on bio-ecology of T. absoluta was also conducted, and responses to questionnaires were presented. It appeared that knowledge of farmers on pests and management procedures was poor. The results showed that farmers were not properly oriented on pest reporting, and many farmers were unaware of the existence of government pest support programs. Pest monitoring programs and post attack response systems were found inadequate. Many farmers perceived that the pest was new while some respondents reported that similar attacks occurred on their farms in the previous year. Most respondents declined to answer questions on the possibility of agro-bioterrorism being the cause of the attack. We found a lacuna in the government policy which could be potentially exploited by agro-terrorists to inflict attack on crops in a new dimension, but there is no evidence of agro-terrorism in relation to attack on tomato by T. absoluta in Nigeria. The findings could be useful in the development of pest mitigating strategies in agro-dependent developing countries.

	Key words: Tuta absoluta, agro-terrorism, climate change, pest development, tomato.

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The tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) attack in Nigeria: effect of climate change on over-sighted pest or agro-bioterrorism?

This study was carried out to isolate and identify pathogenic microorganisms associated with deterioration of tomato fruits. Fruit samples of infected and non-infected tomatoes were collected from two open markets, Oja-Oba and Sabo in Osogbo, Nigeria. Each of the tomato was cut and the liquid content inoculated on nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar, incubated at 37 0C and 25 0C, respectively, and observed from 24 hours to 5 days, after which different colonies obtained were identified using slide culture technique. Two bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus spp, as well as two fungi Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus stolonifer were observed in the tomato samples in both markets. Prevalence indices revealed that isolated pathogens is higher at Sabo market than Oja-Oba market. Pathogenicity tests also revealed that both of bacteria and fungi caused fruit decay. Consumers’ awareness on potential health hazards of consuming relatively cheaper and pathogen contaminated spoilt fruits should be intensified.

https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2016/vol4issue1/PartF/4-1-12.1.pdf

Microorganisms causing post-harvest tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit decay in Nigeria

This study was focused with the aim to investigate and document the indigenous medicinal knowledge and common threats of medicinal plants from Gabral valley Swat Pakistan and to establish a baseline data in continuing studies aimed at more comprehensive investigations of indigenous medicinal plants. People of this area have strong belief in herbal medication by these medicinal plants. This investigation was carried out during 2014-15 to enlist plant species of this un-explored area and record their medicinal uses before the ethno-medicinal information is lost. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires and personal interviews during field trips. Total 19 plants species belonging to 18 families were identified by taxonomic description and locally by traditional knowledge of people in the area. This study was carried out to identify and protect these high value threatened medicinal plant species, indicating high potential for economic development through sustainable collection.

https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2016/vol4issue1/PartG/4-1-11.1.pdf

Habib Ullah

Papers

Microorganisms causing post-harvest tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit decay in Nigeria

Indigenous uses, knowledge, and population density of threatened medicinal plants in Gabral valley, district Swat of-Pakistan