SCIENCE AND LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

Bryophyllum pinnatum, commonly known as “Miracle Leaf,” has long been employed in traditional medicine for the treatment of infections and various oxidative stress-related ailments. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of B. pinnatum. Fresh leaves were collected, authenticated, air-dried, pulverized, and subjected to Soxhlet extraction using ethanol and distilled water. The extraction yields were determined, revealing a higher yield for the aqueous extract (18.3%) compared to the ethanol extract (14.3%). Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening indicated the presence of diverse bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, and anthraquinones in both extracts. Quantitative analysis showed that the ethanol extract contained higher concentrations of flavonoids (31.63 mg/g), phenolics (37.06 mg/g), and alkaloids (21.06 mg/g), whereas the aqueous extract exhibited elevated saponin content (31.57 mg/g). The antioxidant potential of the extracts was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The ethanol extract demonstrated superior free radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 63.11 µg/mL) and reducing power (345.5 µmol Fe²⁺/g) compared to the aqueous extract, correlating with its higher phenolic and flavonoid contents. ntimicrobial activity was evaluated against clinically relevant pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger using agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration/minimum fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) methods. Both extracts displayed dose-dependent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects, with Gram-positive bacteria being more susceptible than Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi showing the least sensitivity. Notably, the ethanol extract exhibited greater potency, requiring lower concentrations to inhibit and kill test organisms. These findings collectively validate the ethnomedicinal use of B. pinnatum and highlight the influence of extraction solvent on bioactivity. The study underscores the potential of the ethanol leaf extract as a promising source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents, warranting further pharmacological and mechanistic investigations for therapeutic development

The need for sustainable energy and waste management solutions around the world has made it essential to look into locally available and affordable organic feedstocks for biogas production. This study looks at the possibility of creating biogas through cold (psychrophilic) anaerobic codigestion of two common and often problematic wastes in Nigeria: water hyacinth(WH) and cattle rumen content (CRC), As part of the study, the feedstocks were characterized, daily biogas production and pH variation were calculated, and the efficacy of a 2:1 (CRC:WH) mixture at room temperature without external heating was evaluated. The experiment was carried out with a 5kg batch digester over a 30-day retention time. The feedstock analysis revealed a high moisture content (80.25%) and a chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 69 g/L, indicating a substantial organic load suitable for digestion. After an 11-day lag period, biogas production began, coinciding with a pH increase from 6.13 to 6.73, putting it in the optimal range for methanogenic activity. On the 30th day, a peak biogas yield of 2090 ml was recorded at a pH of 8.46, indicating a direct correlation between increasing pH and increased biogas production. The cumulative production profile clearly demonstrated the sequence of hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and methanogenesis. The study comes to the conclusion that it is both technically possible and efficient to cold co-digest water hyacinth and cattle rumen content in a 2:1 ratio. A balanced microbial environment was produced by the carbonrich water hyacinth and nitrogen-rich rumen content working together to support long-term biogas production.

With Earth facing challenges such as increased urbanization, land degradation, pollution, and population growth, the search for alternative human settlement sites has gained momentum. Scientists are exploring space colonization as a potential solution, but microgravity presents significant obstacles to plant growth and food production in space. This study investigates the growth of maize seeds under simulated microgravity conditions using a clinostat. Maize seeds treated with growth stimulators (Vitamin C and Indole butyric acid) were subjected to clinorotation for 120 hours. Conducted at the Space-Earth Environment Research Laboratory, University of Benin, the experiment revealed morphological changes in maize seedlings exposed to microgravity. Height and length increased, while girth decreased compared to the control group. Minimal differences were observed in leaf number, sugar, and protein content between the control and microgravity-stimulated groups. These findings highlight the need for further research to understand the molecular mechanisms driving plant responses to microgravity and optimize space agriculture for future human habitation beyond Earth.