Woody Species Composition, Diversity And Structure of Vegetation of Peri-Urban Park in Leo, Burkina Faso

This work aims to fill a gap in knowledge of the Burkina Faso Southern Sudanese flora and vegetation. The woody vegetation of the forest park of the Scholl Complex in Léo comprises a total of 26 families, 63 genera and 81 species including native and introduced ones. The fallow is the unit that contains all families and genera and 93% of species. The most abundant species of units of the Park are Terminalia avicennioides (Combretaceae), Piliostigma thonningii (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae), Daniellia oliveri (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae), Vitellaria paradoxa (Sapotaceae), Detarium microcarpum (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae), Diospyros mespiliformis (Ebenaceae), Annona senegalensis (Annonaceae) and Pteleopsis suberosa (Combretaceae).The species that regenerate the most and that will ensure the sustainability of the peri-urban forest resources are Gardenia erubescens (Rubiaceae), Piliostigma reticulatum (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae), Vitellaria paradoxa, Annona senegalensis, Terminalia avicennioides (Combretaceae), Diospyros mespilifomis and Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae). The most threats on vegetation and flora of the School Complex are fraudulent human exploitation, parasitic pressure and progressive intrusion of Azadirachta indica.Peri-urban park resources conservation measures concern the replanting of vegetation in degraded areas and incentives for wood production for local populations. A management program for threatened or rare species, control of invasive alien plants and domestic animals and the development and improvement of habitat to create a future urban park.

PHENOL removal in refinery wastewater using mixed oxides prepared by green synthesis

Mixed solid oxides are known for their excellent catalytic property and applications in environmental remediation. This study presents a green-synthesis route for magnesium oxide–titanium oxide, a mixed oxide here demonstrated to possess high performance of phenol removal from hydrocarbon refinery process wastewater. Mixed oxide (MgO-TiO2) was prepared by using the whole extract from leaves of Piliostigma Thonningii as reducing agent. A structural attribute of the mixed oxide was investigated using X-ray Diffractometer, High-Resolution Scanning Electronic Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray. Petroleum refinery raw wastewater having phenol concentration of 19.961 mg/L was treated using the green-synthesized mixed oxide. Adsorptive phenols removal up to 99.5% was achieved with a dosage of 0.04 g/100 mL at temperature of 35 °C, and contact time of 1.167 h. By this, the treated water meets the standard acceptable phenol concentration (0.1 mg/L) in wastewater of hydrocarbon refinery.

Toxicity Study and Anticonvulsant Effect of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Piliostigma thonningii Milne-Redhead (Fabaceae)

Background: Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach) Milne-Redhead [Fabaceae] is a plant widely used locally for the treatment and management of several ailments which include epilepsy in Northeastern Nigeria.Objectives: This study aimed at evaluation of the toxicity and anticonvulsant effect of ethanol leaf extract of Piliostigma thonningii in rats and mice with a view to determining the efficacy of the plant as an anticonvulsant drug.Methods: Fresh leaves of Piliostigma thonningii were air-dried, pulverized and extracted using soxhlet extraction apparatus. Acute toxicity study was carried out by Lorke’s method and the anticonvulsant activity of the ethanol leaf extract was carried using pentylenetetrazole and strychnine-induced convulsion model on Wistar strain albino rats and mice respectively.Result: The soxhlet extraction yielded 21.04% w/w of extract after being concentrated. The oral and intraperitoneal LD50 were ≥ 5000 mg/kg implying that the extract is relatively safe according to literatures. Anticonvulsant effect of the ethanol leaf extract using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), revealed the ability of the extract to confer protection on rats treated with doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/Kg bd. wt. by exerting 60%, 80% and 80% protection on rat against PTZ induced convulsion respectively in a dose dependent manner as well as protected 20%, 60% and 80% of mice against death induced by strychnine when treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of ethanol extract.Conclusion: The ethanol leaf extract of Piliostigma thonningii was able to provide anticonvulsant effect and is relatively safe for consumption as medicine.

Efficacy of Leaf Extract of Piliostigma Thonningii for Control of Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) on Eggplant

Extracts of Piliostigma thonningii were tested for their effectiveness in controlling Meloidogyne javanica eggs and juveniles in the laboratory and on eggplant cv ‘Yalon Data’. A thousand juveniles were placed in 12 petridishes and extracts of P. thonningii (Crude extracts, 5 ml dilution and 10 ml dilution of the crude extracts) were dispensed into the petridishes. One thousand eggs of the M. javanica were placed in 12 petridishes and treated with the same extracts used on the juveniles. For the field experiment, 12 plots of size 2m x2m were prepared and planted with nine plants of eggplant cv ‘Yalon Data’. Seedlings of eggplants were transplanted after three weeks in the nursery to the field into holes drenched with 10 ml of the extracts used in the laboratory tests. Subsequent applications of extracts were done weekly for eight weeks. The results showed that the crude extract was the most effective against both the eggs (87.43 % hatch inhibition) and juveniles (90.23 % mortality). In the field, eggplants treated with the crude extract recorded the tallest plants ((124.78 cm -2017 and 125.00 cm-2018), highest number of fruits/plant (18.51-2017 and 19.55-2018), highest yield (50.45t/ha-2017 and 53.78t/ha-2018) and the lowest galling indices and final nematode population. It is therefore concluded that the crude extract of P. thonningii can be employed for the control of M. javanica in the field.

Thermal and mechanical characteristics of local firewood species and resulting charcoal produced by slow pyrolysis

The main source of fuel for domestic cooking applications in Sub-Saharan Africa is either locally available firewood species or charcoal produced by slow pyrolysis of these species. However, very few studies exist that characterize and quantify physical properties, burning rates, peak temperatures, and calorific values of typical firewood species and resulting charcoal fuels produced by slow pyrolysis. This study evaluated the mechanical and thermal properties of firewood and charcoal from five tree species namely: Dichrostachys cinerea, Morus Lactea, Piliostigma thonningii, Combretum molle, and Albizia grandibracteata. Characterization was done by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, bomb calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, bulk density measurements, and durability, water boiling and absorption tests. SEM images showed the development of macropores on charcoal after slow pyrolysis. Peak temperatures during firewood and charcoal combustion ranged between 515.5–621.8 °C and 741.6–785.9 °C, respectively. Maximum flame temperatures ranged between 786.9–870.8 °C for firewood and 634.4–737.3 °C for charcoal. Bulk densities and calorific values of charcoal species were higher than those for firewood species. Drop strengths for firewood were all 100% while for charcoal were between 93.7 and 100%. Water boiling tests indicated that firewood fuel performed better that charcoal fuel for low amounts of water due to higher maximum flame temperatures obtained during combustion of firewood.

Ethnobotany of an indigenous tree Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne-Redh. (Fabaceae) in the arid and semi-arid areas of South Omo Zone, southern Ethiopia

Background Trees are important components of terrestrial ecosystems; they provide ecological, economic, and cultural services to humans. There is an urgent need for undertaking ethnobotanical investigations and documentation on the indigenous botanical knowledge of the local communities of a given area. This study was conducted to assess and document the categoric ethnobotany of Piliostigma thonningii and the associated indigenous knowledge of the local people related to use, management practices, and the threatening factors in the South Omo Zone of southwestern Ethiopia. Materials and methods Six Kebeles were purposively selected from two districts of the zone and a total of 84 respondents were sampled, with consideration of gender, age, and wealth status. Data were collected using structured and semi-structured interviews, field observations, and group discussions. Relevant descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Ethnobotanical knowledge held by informants were computed using Pearson’s chi-square test and direct matrix ranking and pair-wise ranking was used to prioritize the uses according to community preferences and the level of the destructiveness of the reported threats. Results The results showed that P. thonningii provides different functions to people’s livelihoods as shade, food, fodder, soil fertility, fuelwood, medicine, rope, multipurpose materials (e.g., Borketa for sitting and head support), huts, beehives, farm implements, chairs, fences, and timber. The indigenous knowledge of local people on the uses of P. thonningii has shown significant (P < 0.05) relationship to age groups (being higher for elderly people). The consumption practice of respondents has significant (P < 0.05) association to the Kebeles, age, and income, with higher value for Hamer, lower aged groups, and low-income families. It provides nutritious animal feed to improve browse intake, survival, and productivity of domestic animals and also improve productivity of farm through amelioration of soil fertility. The status of P. thonningii has been decreasing due to agricultural expansion, collection of the species for firewood, dry fencing, and due to browsing. Respondents’ attitude and interest to maintain and conserve the species has shown a significant (P< 0.05) association to gender, wealth, and level of education. Higher interest was observed in men than women, mid-high wealth class households than low income, and people with education than uneducated. Conclusions This study attempted to provide information on the multiple uses of P. thonningii. Given the key roles of P. thonningii for the people and the environment to improve household food security, agricultural productivity, and income sources and the threats to it, the need to protect it in natural forests and woodlands and optimize its uses in agroforestry systems is high. Serious consideration of this species will ultimately allow households to reap the benefits expected to accrue from it in the arid and semi-arid areas of Ethiopia where plants of this nature are usually rare.

Ethnobotany of an Indigenous Tree (Piliostigma Thonningii (Schumach.) Milne-Redh) ) in the Arid and Semi-Arid Areas of South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

BackgroundTrees are important components of terrestrial ecosystems; they provide ecological, economic and cultural services to humans. There is an urgent need for undertaking ethnobotanical investigations and documentation on the indigenous botanical knowledge of the local communities of a given area. This study was conducted to assess and document the categoric ethnobotany of Piliostigma thonningii and the associated indigenous knowledge of the local people related to use, management practices, and the threatening factors in the South Omo Zone of southwestern Ethiopia. Materials and methodsSix kebeles were purposively selected from two districts of the zone and a total of 84 respondents were sampled, with con­sideration of gender, age and wealth status. Data were collected using structured and semi-structured interviews, field observations, and group discussions. Relevant descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Ethnobotanical knowledge held by informants were compared using One-way ANOVA and a two-tailed t-test in SPSS version 26.0 and direct matrix ranking and pair wise ranking was used to prioritize the uses according to community preferences and the level of the destructiveness of the reported threats. ResultsThe results showed that P. thonningii provides different functions to people's livelihoods as shade, food, fodder, soil fertility, fuelwood, medicine, rope, multipurpose materials (e.g. Borketa for sitting and head support), huts, beehives, farm implements, chairs, fences, and timber. The indigenous knowledge of local people on the uses of P. thonningii was significantly (P < 0.05) different between different age groups (being higher for elderly people). The consumption practice of respondents was significantly (P < 0.05) different, higher for Hamer, lower aged, and for low income families. It provides nutritious animal feed to improve browse intake, survival, and productivity of domestic animals and also improve productivity of farm through amelioration of soil fertility. The status of P. thonningii has been decreasing due to agricultural expansion, collection of the species for firewood, dry fencing, and due to browsing. Respondents’ attitude and interest to maintain and conserve the species, significantly (P< 0.05) different, higher interest were observed in men than women, mid-high wealth class households than low income and people with education than uneducated.ConclusionsThis study attempted to provide information on the multiple uses of P. thonningii. Given the key roles of P. thonningii for the people and the environment to improve household food security, agricultural productivity, and income sources and the threats to it, the need to protect it in natural forests and woodlands and optimize its uses in agroforestry systems is high. Serious consideration of this species will ultimately allow households to reap the benefits expected to accrue from it in the arid and semi-arid areas of Ethiopia where plants of this nature are usually rare.

Détermination des teneurs en polyphénols totaux, flavonoïdes totaux et tanins de jeunes feuilles non encore ouvertes de Piliostigma thonningii (Caesalpiniaceae)

Les jeunes feuilles non encore ouvertes de Piliostigma thonningii sont expressément utilisées par des tradipraticiens de Côte d’Ivoire pour la prise en charge de diverses pathologies. La présente étude visait à déterminer les teneurs en polyphénols totaux, en flavonoïdes et en tanins condensés d’extraits et de fractions de ces jeunes feuilles non encore ouvertes. Leurs métabolites secondaires ont été extraits par macération dans un mélange éthanol-eau (70/30 : v/v) avec un rendement de 36%. Le fractionnement successif de l’extrait hydroalcoolique obtenu par l’hexane, le dichlorométhane, l’acétate d’éthyle, l’éthanol et l’eau a donné des rendements variant de 5,55 à 33,33%. Le dosage des polyphénols totaux, des flavonoïdes et des tanins condensés a donné des teneurs variant entre 0,23 ± 0,05 et 146,67 ± 4,25 mg EAG/g d’extrait sec, entre 5,33 ± 0,62 et 112,11 ± 0,83 mg EQ/g d’extrait sec et entre 23,33 ± 0,94 et 38,33 ± 0,47 mg EAT/g d’extrait sec respectivement. De façon générale, l’extrait hydroalcoolique et la fraction à l’acétate d’éthyle sont les plus riches en métabolites secondaires, en polyphénols, en flavonoïdes et en tanins condensés.Mots clés : Piliostigma thonningii, rendements, polyphénols totaux, flavonoïdes, tanins.

Regeneration indicators of Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perl. in the Mbe plain of the Adamawa, Cameroon

Background In Africa, the Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. species is extremely important culturally, ecologically and socio-economically. This importance has led to its over-exploitation leading to an in situ rarity of its individuals. As a consequence, a conservation alert is increasingly reported across the continent due to the risk of extinction of this multipurpose plant. Unfortunately, indicators of regeneration and conservation guidelines for this species have been not developped yet. The objective was to evaluate the habitat, population distribution, dendrometric characteristics and structure of the plant which are indicators of regeneration in Cameroon. Methodology A floristic inventory as well as the vegetation transect method was used in the villages Def, Karna Manga and Karna Petel located in Adamawa, Cameroon. Results A total of 109 individuals of the plant were counted with a density of 3.5 individuals per hectare. No plant individuals regenerated in human-controlled habitats (bush fields and home gardens). Population distribution, companion species (Bombax costatum, Piliostigma thonningii and Terminalia macroptera) more recurrent, species of the family Caesalpiniaceae in majority, dendrometric characteristics with a significant difference (P ˂ 0.05) between sites, horizontal and vertical structures although all significant at Karna Manga, showed site-specific patterns. Conclusion The regeneration indicators (habitat, population distribution, structure and dendrometric characteristics: crown diameter, diameter at breast height, height of the first large living branch and tree height) showed that conservation in situ requires accounting for local, site-specific conditions. For the continuation, the less expensive domestication techniques specific to the plant are recommended.

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Effect of the Extracts of the Pods of Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne-Redh. (Fabaceae)

Plants have been used traditionally by people in treating and the management of diseases since time immemorial. Traditional medicines including the herbal medicines are used for primary healthcare in some domains in almost every country. Approximately 80% of the population in developing coutries depend on plants as their source of medicine for combating diseases. New and effective antimicrobial agents that have novel mechanism of actions are required. Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne-Redh. is a species of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. Different parts of the P. thonningii plants such as the roots, leaves, seeds, and fruits have been used in treating wounds, heart pain, and gingivitis and as cough remedy. This study focused on determining the antimicrobial properties found in the pods of P. thonningii. The sample was prepared by grinding the dried pods into a fine powder. Successive extraction and extraction with 1 : 1 DCM: methanol was used. The antimicrobial assay was carried out using the broth microdilution and MTT assay. The microorganism used for the tests was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida krusei and Mycobacterium smegmatis. The most potent extract was then used to determine its effect on microbial cell membrane integrity. The results showed that methanol extract had the highest percentage yield of 5%. The extract with the highest antimicrobial effects was ethanol extract with the 100 μg/mL concentration inhibiting the growth of cells to 26%, 87%, and 90% for P. aeruginosa, M. smegmatis, and C. krusei, respectively. The ethanol extracts caused significant leakage of proteins in these microorganisms. In conclusion, the pods of P. thonningii contain phytochemicals with antimicrobial properties. The pods of the plant can be a source of phytochemicals that can serve as sources of lead compounds with antimicrobial effects. One of the mechanisms of action of these phytochemicals is via membrane-damaging effects on microbes.