Influence of Drought on Acacia senegal (L.) Willd: Gum Yield within a Soil Moisture Gradient in North Eastern Nigeria

There had been a discernible shift in climate affecting the Sahelian zone of northern Nigeria. This attribute of drought influenced the rate of gum Arabic production in the North eastern axis. Therefore, these called for the studied of the Influence of drought on Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. Gum yield within a Soil moisture gradient in north eastern Nigeria. Two studied areas were purposively selected based on the availability (Gujba and Nguru). Complete Randomised Design was employed with three (3) samples examined at six (6) levels in six different tapping periods. Also, systematic line transect of 1Km was laid at the middle of both plantations where 1m by 1m transect were further laid in four transect sample plots. The soil samples were collected with the aid of soil auger at different levels (0-25 cm, 25-50 cm, 50-75 cm, 75-100 cm, 100-150 cm, 150-200 cm). Data was subjected using analysis of variance with statistical analysis system and descriptive statistic was also employed. The results showed that mean yield of Gum Arabic is Gujba is higher than Nguru (45kg and 30kg) respectively. Furthermore, physiochemical properties showed that pH, aluminium calcium and magnesium in both plantations were very high which is harmful for plantation development. Therefore, there is need for proper conservation and silvicultural management for both study areas.

COMPLEMENTARY ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES PAPER, THIN-LAYER, HIDE-POWER, AND COMBINED METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZATIONOF TANNIN IN PLANTS

The polyphenolic compoundsextract rich in gallo-catechol tannins submitted to complementary analytical techniqueswas evaluated. The whole plantspecies screened were of the condensed type except Acacia seyal var. fistuala, Acaciaseyal var. seyal, Casuarina equistifolia, and Pithecellobium dulcewere of mixedhydrolysable-condensed(gallo-catechol) type. The quantitative data indicated that 5 parts (bark) out of 12 species, when extracted, contained more than 10% tannins (oven-dry basis), the level of commercial interest. The catechin numbers indicated that all the studied species contained condensed tannin in varying amounts (0.6-45.7), while the presence of both gallic acid and catechin means that the tannin is of mixed type. Thin-layer and paper chromatography with different solvent systems confirmed the presence of catechin and gallic acid, and showed that tannic acid, fisetin, epicatechin and some unidentified phenolics were present. However, dihydrofisetin and robinetin, which were used as standards, were not detected. Astringency values shows that the Acacia mellifera(0.18), Acacia seyalvar.fistuala(0.18), Pithecellobium dulce (0.15), Acacia senegal (0.14), Acacia farnesiana (0.13), Calotropis procera (0.13)barks could be used in place of A. mearnsii(international commercial tannin materials) (0.16) because the degree of relative astringency or the ability of their tannin to combine with protein is close to that of A. mearnsii in other words these six species can give leather with characteristics comparable with that of A. mearnsii.

Acacia senegal gum attenuates systemic toxicity in CCl4-intoxicated rats via regulation of the ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway

Acacia senegal (AS) gum (Gum Arabic) is a natural emulsifier exudate from the branches and trunk of Acacia trees and it is recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agency as a secure dietary fiber. The present research evaluated the systemic oxidative and necroinflammatory stress induced by CCl4 administration and the alleviating effect of AS gum aqueous extract (ASE, 7.5 g/Kg b.w.). The results demonstrated the presence of certain phenolic compounds in ASE, as well as its in vitro potent scavenging ability against ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), NO, and lipid peroxide radicals. Also, the outcomes revealed an improvement in the CCl4-induced liver, lung, brain, and spleen toxicity by reducing the levels of ROS, lipid peroxidation, NO, and the gene expression of NF-κB and its relevant ROS-mediated inflammatory genes. In contrast, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), as well as the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, were significantly upregulated in these organs after the treatment with ASE. These results were confirmed by improving the morphological features of each organ. Therefore, ASE can ameliorate the systemic toxicity caused by CCl4 via regulation of the ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway in the rat organs, which is owed to its phytochemical composition.

Assessment of Coffea Shade Value through Comparison of Mountainous Area with Farm Land Coverage, in Arsi Gololcha District, Oromia, Ethiopia

Coffea cultivation with shade tree is used for improving soil health, increasing coffea production, sustaining agro ecology. The study was attended in two kebele, on 36 farmers’ fields, at Gololcha district of East Arsi zone. The study was intended to assess the influence of coffea shade trees on farm lands versus mountainous area. Household interviews were used to get imperative separately, i.e. from old farmers, middle age farmers and young farmers. Significant difference value was observed between farm land and mountainous area coverage. Based on this respondents’ idea, before 25-30 years; the ‘condition of tree coverage at mountainous’ area in Arsi Gololcha district was ‘medium condition’ but not normal that means as deforestation of mountainous area have been starting before 30 years’ time; while the condition of tree coverage at farmland area also has been starting before 30 years’ time. The third respondents’ idea was interpreted with the real situation of the district, that it gave us a constructive inspiration on the role of coffea shade tree to enable the farm land to be taken as regular natural forest. The existing coffea shade trees are Cordia africana followed by Erythrina abyssinica and Acacia senegal. Farmers accounted 95% of coffea shade users and 4.6% without shade users. The respondents said that even if the rainfall intensity is increasing at farmland rather than mountainous area occasionally due to shade tree effect. On the contrary side, mountainous area exposed to deforestation since the farmers have been shifting to hilly side for their livelihood dependency.

Characterisation of briquettes from forest wastes: Optimisation approach

: Waste from a forest environment constitutes an enormous quantity of renewable energy resources. In this study undesirable forest materials, such as jatropha seed shells (JSSs) and Eucalyptus camaldulensis wood shavings (EcWSs) were used in the production of briquettes with Acacia senegal as the binder using mixing proportions of 0 : 100, 25 : 75, 50 : 50, 75 : 25 and 100 : 0 while the binder was varied from 50, 60, 70, 80 to 90 g. Some physical properties, such as the density, moisture content, water resistance and shatter index, were optimised using the response surface methodology at these mixing proportions. The outcome of the production showed the briquettes to have mean values of 0.66 kg·m^–3, 11.51, 91.12 and 99.7 % for the density, moisture content, water resistance and shatter index, respectively. The optimum mixing ratio and binder quantity of 75 : 25 and 60 g, respectively, would result in a briquette having a 0.70 kg·m^–3, 10.88, 98.11 and 99.86% density, moisture content, water resistance and shatter index, respectively. It has been revealed that the JSS and EcWS are potential organic wastes which could be used as a feedstock for the production of briquettes. It could be concluded that the variation in the mixing proportion of the JSSs, EcWSs and A. senegal significantly affected the properties of the produced briquettes.