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Antifungal and antioxidant properties of ten medicinal plants collected from KwaDlangezwa area, KwaZulu-Natal Province
334
Abstracts
(ATCC 6538), and Streptococcus faecalis. The extracts and their respective fractions displayed similar inhibitory properties which are indications that either the crude extract or their fractions could be used to manage infections associated with bacteria and fungi. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.113
supicum exhibited good fungal activity compared to the other three Solanum species. The antioxidant activity of the organic extracts was also investigated against the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). Ricicnus communis exhibited lowest IC50 of 975.07 μg/ml while Bauhinia galpinii exhibited 1.51 mg/ml. The current study validates the use of the selected plant species against some important fungal strains. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.115
Phytochemical comparison among five indigenous Aloe species P.W. Mokwala, M.C. Seloane Department of Biodiversity, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa Commercialisation of products from plants has a potential for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Aloe vera is a world renowned aloe species from which many commercial products have been developed. Second in importance is Aloe ferox which is a South African aloe species. South Africa is richly endowed with aloe species. It is therefore essential to evaluate other South African aloe species for their potential in product development. An investigation was carried out into the biochemical constituents of five aloe species occurring in the same locality, namely A. castanea, A. hardyi, A. greatheadii, A. marlothii and A. cryptopoda. Fresh leaf specimens were hand filleted. The highest gel yield was from A. castanea with a yield of 56.48 ± 5.82%. Percentagewise this yield is comparable to that of A. vera though the latter produces quite heavy leaves compared to A. castanea. The outer covering of the leaves was dried and ground into a powder followed by methanolic extraction for leaf exudate. Commercial aloe lump (A. ferox) was purchased and used as a reference for antioxidant activity and phytochemical analysis. Thin layer chromatography revealed that A. castanea and A. hardyi have chemical constituents that closely matched those of the reference. The highest antioxidant activity obtained was from A. castanea with an IC50 of 30.0 μg/ml compared to 20.0 μg/ml of the reference. When the TLC chromatograms were sprayed with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl A. castanea showed traces of antioxidant activity. None of the investigated species had all the chemical constituents that can make it a good candidate for commercialisation. A possible alternative is to find plant species with good qualities which complement one another. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.114
Morphometric analysis and taxonomic revision of the Memecylon natalense species-complex (Melastomataceae) in southern Africa I.G. Mona, R.D. Stone School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa Memecylon L. is a paleotropical, species-rich genus of forestunderstorey shrubs and small to moderately sized trees. In southern Africa, two species Memecylon natalense Markgr. and Memecylon bachmannii Engl. have been previously recognized. M. bachmannii occurs near the coast in Pondoland (Eastern Cape) and adjacent KwaZulu-Natal, while M. natalense inhabits drier forests in the same region with outlying populations in Mpumalanga and Limpopo. According to the Flora Zambesiaca the range of M. natalense further extends as far as northern Mozambique and southern Malawi. Recent molecular analyses in our laboratory have revealed that some of these outlying populations represent distinct evolutionary lineages that might best be regarded as distinct, semi-cryptic species. The first aim of the current project is to complete a comprehensive morphometric analysis of the “M. natalense species-complex” based on herbarium material kept in the Bews Herbarium (NU) or obtained on loan from other institutions (BNRH, K, NH, PRE, PRU, UDW). The sample already assembled consists of 266 herbarium sheets representing the full range of morphological variation and geographic distribution in Southern African Memecylon. The second aim of the current project is to identify taxonomically important characters and complete a formal taxonomic revision, including descriptions of at least three new species according to the rules of botanical nomenclature. The taxonomic treatment will also include an identification key and an assessment of the conservation status of each species according to IUCN criteria. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.116
Antifungal and antioxidant properties of ten medicinal plants collected from KwaDlangezwa area, KwaZulu-Natal Province P.K. Molelea, N.I. Mongalob, M.P. Dikhobaa, T.J. Makhafolaa a University of South Africa, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, Private Bag X06, Florida, Johannesburg 0710, South Africa b University of South Africa, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Laboratories, Private Bag X06, Florida, Johannesburg 0710, South Africa The leaves of ten medicinal plants were collected from KwaDlangezwa area, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa in May, 2014. In a quest to find new antifungal drugs, the aqueous and organic (1:1 methanol:dichloromethane) extracts were investigated for antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium verticuloides, Fusarium graminarium, Aspergillus ochra, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Organic extract of Milletia grandis exhibited potent antifungal activity and the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.01 mg/ml against A. ochra, F. graminarium and F. oxysporum at both incubation periods of 24 and 48 hours. The extract further revealed the average MIC of 0.07 mg/ml against the selected fungal strains. Solanum
Variation in nodulation and growth of field-grown groundnut in Nampula, Mozambique M.L. Mongaloa, S.T. Masekoa, S.K. Boahenc, F.D. Dakorab Department of Crop Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, 175 Nelson Mandela Drive, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa b Department of Chemistry, Tshwane University of Technology, 175 Nelson Mandela Drive, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa c International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nampula, Mozambique
a
Variation in nodulation and growth of groundnut (Arachis hypogea) grown under agricultural plantations is attributed to a number of environmental factors. In this preliminary study, the variation in nodulation and growth of field-grown groundnut plants from farmers' fields at Nampula, Mozambique was evaluated. Plants were collected at pod-filling, oven-dried and dry weight recorded. Groundnuts from field 15 exhibited the highest number of nodules followed by that in fields 20, 10, 5 and 11. Least nodules were shown by plants from fields 8, 3 and 2. Nodule dry matter of groundnut from fields 6, 10, 14 and 1 were highest, followed by that of nodules
Abstracts
(ATCC 6538), and Streptococcus faecalis. The extracts and their respective fractions displayed similar inhibitory properties which are indications that either the crude extract or their fractions could be used to manage infections associated with bacteria and fungi. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.113
supicum exhibited good fungal activity compared to the other three Solanum species. The antioxidant activity of the organic extracts was also investigated against the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). Ricicnus communis exhibited lowest IC50 of 975.07 μg/ml while Bauhinia galpinii exhibited 1.51 mg/ml. The current study validates the use of the selected plant species against some important fungal strains. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.115
Phytochemical comparison among five indigenous Aloe species P.W. Mokwala, M.C. Seloane Department of Biodiversity, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa Commercialisation of products from plants has a potential for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Aloe vera is a world renowned aloe species from which many commercial products have been developed. Second in importance is Aloe ferox which is a South African aloe species. South Africa is richly endowed with aloe species. It is therefore essential to evaluate other South African aloe species for their potential in product development. An investigation was carried out into the biochemical constituents of five aloe species occurring in the same locality, namely A. castanea, A. hardyi, A. greatheadii, A. marlothii and A. cryptopoda. Fresh leaf specimens were hand filleted. The highest gel yield was from A. castanea with a yield of 56.48 ± 5.82%. Percentagewise this yield is comparable to that of A. vera though the latter produces quite heavy leaves compared to A. castanea. The outer covering of the leaves was dried and ground into a powder followed by methanolic extraction for leaf exudate. Commercial aloe lump (A. ferox) was purchased and used as a reference for antioxidant activity and phytochemical analysis. Thin layer chromatography revealed that A. castanea and A. hardyi have chemical constituents that closely matched those of the reference. The highest antioxidant activity obtained was from A. castanea with an IC50 of 30.0 μg/ml compared to 20.0 μg/ml of the reference. When the TLC chromatograms were sprayed with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl A. castanea showed traces of antioxidant activity. None of the investigated species had all the chemical constituents that can make it a good candidate for commercialisation. A possible alternative is to find plant species with good qualities which complement one another. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.114
Morphometric analysis and taxonomic revision of the Memecylon natalense species-complex (Melastomataceae) in southern Africa I.G. Mona, R.D. Stone School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa Memecylon L. is a paleotropical, species-rich genus of forestunderstorey shrubs and small to moderately sized trees. In southern Africa, two species Memecylon natalense Markgr. and Memecylon bachmannii Engl. have been previously recognized. M. bachmannii occurs near the coast in Pondoland (Eastern Cape) and adjacent KwaZulu-Natal, while M. natalense inhabits drier forests in the same region with outlying populations in Mpumalanga and Limpopo. According to the Flora Zambesiaca the range of M. natalense further extends as far as northern Mozambique and southern Malawi. Recent molecular analyses in our laboratory have revealed that some of these outlying populations represent distinct evolutionary lineages that might best be regarded as distinct, semi-cryptic species. The first aim of the current project is to complete a comprehensive morphometric analysis of the “M. natalense species-complex” based on herbarium material kept in the Bews Herbarium (NU) or obtained on loan from other institutions (BNRH, K, NH, PRE, PRU, UDW). The sample already assembled consists of 266 herbarium sheets representing the full range of morphological variation and geographic distribution in Southern African Memecylon. The second aim of the current project is to identify taxonomically important characters and complete a formal taxonomic revision, including descriptions of at least three new species according to the rules of botanical nomenclature. The taxonomic treatment will also include an identification key and an assessment of the conservation status of each species according to IUCN criteria. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.116
Antifungal and antioxidant properties of ten medicinal plants collected from KwaDlangezwa area, KwaZulu-Natal Province P.K. Molelea, N.I. Mongalob, M.P. Dikhobaa, T.J. Makhafolaa a University of South Africa, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, Private Bag X06, Florida, Johannesburg 0710, South Africa b University of South Africa, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Laboratories, Private Bag X06, Florida, Johannesburg 0710, South Africa The leaves of ten medicinal plants were collected from KwaDlangezwa area, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa in May, 2014. In a quest to find new antifungal drugs, the aqueous and organic (1:1 methanol:dichloromethane) extracts were investigated for antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium verticuloides, Fusarium graminarium, Aspergillus ochra, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Organic extract of Milletia grandis exhibited potent antifungal activity and the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.01 mg/ml against A. ochra, F. graminarium and F. oxysporum at both incubation periods of 24 and 48 hours. The extract further revealed the average MIC of 0.07 mg/ml against the selected fungal strains. Solanum
Variation in nodulation and growth of field-grown groundnut in Nampula, Mozambique M.L. Mongaloa, S.T. Masekoa, S.K. Boahenc, F.D. Dakorab Department of Crop Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, 175 Nelson Mandela Drive, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa b Department of Chemistry, Tshwane University of Technology, 175 Nelson Mandela Drive, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa c International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nampula, Mozambique
a
Variation in nodulation and growth of groundnut (Arachis hypogea) grown under agricultural plantations is attributed to a number of environmental factors. In this preliminary study, the variation in nodulation and growth of field-grown groundnut plants from farmers' fields at Nampula, Mozambique was evaluated. Plants were collected at pod-filling, oven-dried and dry weight recorded. Groundnuts from field 15 exhibited the highest number of nodules followed by that in fields 20, 10, 5 and 11. Least nodules were shown by plants from fields 8, 3 and 2. Nodule dry matter of groundnut from fields 6, 10, 14 and 1 were highest, followed by that of nodules