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This study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical properties and antioxidant properties of the methanol stem bark extract of Detarium microcarpum and its fractions. In the quantitative estimation of phytoconstituents total phenols, alkaloids, tannin, saponin and flavonoids were estimated from the samples. The antioxidant properties of methanol stem bark extract and its fractions were evaluated by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-l-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assays. The qualitative phytochemical analysis shows that alkaloids, terpenoids, reducing sugar, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phlobatanins, anthraquinones, phenols and cardiac glycoside were found to be present in the samples while the quantitative phytochemical investigation indicated that the level of phenols, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids in fraction II was higher when compared with methanol extract and fraction I while the level of saponins in methanol extract was high when compared with fraction I and fraction II. FRAP, DPPH and TBARS assay indicate that all the samples (extract and its fractions) inhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity when compared to L-ascorbic acid and the inhibition activity was dose dependent, thus indicating their antioxidant activity. The highest activity was observed in fraction II.

Terminalia ivorensis A. Chev (Combretaceae) is a medicinal plant used in folk medicine in the management of pain, rheumatic condition, gastroenteritis and as a tranquilizer in psychotic disorder. The sample was washed, air-dried and milled. The moisture content of the milled sample was measured 0.7%, Total ash value of 6.5%, Water extractive value of 3.5% and Alcohol extractive value of 1.45%. The crude extract was screened for the presence of some phytoconstituents and was found to contain Saponins, Flavonoids, Tannins, and traces of alkaloid. This study evaluated the pharmacognostic, neurobehavioral and analgesic activities of the ethanol bark extract of T. ivorensis (EBETI). Effects of EBETI (20, 40, and 60 mg/kg) on novelty-induced behaviours were determined using novelty induced rearing and grooming test and open field test. Analgesic property of EBETI (40, 60, and 80 mg/kg) was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing, and tail immersion tests. The extract was administered once intraperitoneally. The LD50 of EBETI was 89.44mg/kg. EBETI (20, 40, and 60 mg/kg) significantly reduced rearing and grooming as compared with controls. EBETI (40, 60, and 80 mg/kg) significantly inhibited abdominal constriction in writhing assay as compared with control. However, the extract could not alter response to thermal stimulus in tail immersion test. Therefore, EBETI is sedative and has analgesic effect, thus supporting its folkloric use in pain management and as a tranquilizer.

The aim of this study is to develop a cost effective, nutritious, homemade homogeneous blend of locally available food ingredients into a complementary baby food for 6-24 months of age that will be acceptable, deployable and prevent malnutrition in this age bracket. The nutritional and anti-nutritional values of the formulated foods were compared with imported baby food and two locally available baby formulas. Two baby food formulas were developed based on protein contents of available food commodities: DFA (Yellow corn 60%, Soya beans 20%, Groundnut 15% and Crayfish 5%) and DFB (Yellow corn 65%, Soya beans 15%, Groundnut 15% and Crayfish 5%). Standard procedures of the AOAC (2016) and other methods were used to determine proximate, phytochemicals and anti-nutrient properties of the foods. The mean± standard error of mean for moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat and carbohydrate contents of the DFA respectively are; (4.08±0.04), (2.27±0.14), (15.19±0.08), (0.95±0.04), (10.14±0.10) and (67.37±0.27) while for DFB they are; (4.09±0.19), (1.76±0.03), (15.96±0.20), (0.69±0.02), (14.50±0.2) and (62.99±0.03) respectively. The overall results indicated that the proximate parameters and energy contents of the developed homogeneous blends were similar, lower or higher than values in the control formula but all within the acceptable limits. Samples were also rated using a 9-point hedonic scale range from “like extremely” (9) to “dislike extremely” (1) for sensory evaluation. Conclusively, it is believed that complementary foods from locally available food commodities have great potential in providing nutrients aimed at combating the problem of malnutrition among infants and toddlers between the ages of 6 to 24 months.

The nutritional adequacy of micronutrients depends on their amount and bioavailability in the complementary foods. The aim of this study is to develop a cost effective, nutritious, homemade homogeneous blend of locally available food ingredients into a complementary baby food for 6-24 months of age that will be acceptable, deployable and prevent malnutrition in this age bracket. Two baby food formulas were developed based on protein contents of available food commodities: DFA (Yellow corn 60%, Soya beans 20%, Groundnut 15% and Crayfish 5%) and DFB (Yellow corn 65%, Soya beans 15%, Groundnut 15% and Crayfish 5%). Standard procedures of the AOAC (2016) and other methods were used to determine the micronutrient contents (minerals and vitamins) of the foods. The mean± standard error of mean for iron, zinc, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus contents of the DFA respectively are; (6.73±0.01), (3.24±0.02), (180.72±0.23), (135.74±0.00), (385.65±0.17), (31.51±0.26) and (350.80.37±1.57) while for DFB they are; (6.79±0.17), (3.53±0.01), (150.93±0.34), (132.81±0.05), (365.83±0.03), (32.27±0.16) and (354.37±2.23) respectively which showed a significant difference (p<0.05) with the control baby food. Vitamins A, B1, B9, C and E for DFA from the analysis are respectively: (1391.38±3.15), (3.76±0.04), (20.21±0.06), (13.67±0.41) and (4.74±0.10) while for DFB are: (1072.48±7.97), (3.34±0.08), (22.15±0.16), (11.52±0.00) and (3.82±0.11) respectively which also showed significant difference with the control baby food. Samples were also rated using a 9-point hedonic scale range from “like extremely” (9) to “dislike extremely” (1) for sensory evaluation but showed no significant difference statistically with the control baby food. The study revealed that it is possible to prepare nutritionally adequate and acceptable complementary diet (rich in vitamins and minerals) from readily available and affordable food commodities.