Moringa oleifera has attracted growing interest due to its nutritional value and therapeutic potential. This review focuses on the essential oil derived from the plant (MOEO), examining its methods of extraction, chemical composition, biological activities, and possible applications in functional food systems. Genuine MOEO is typically obtained through steam or hydrodistillation, yielding a mixture rich in hydrocarbons, terpenoids, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds. These constituents have been linked to a range of bioactivities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects, as shown in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The oil also shows potential in enhancing food stability and nutritional quality, particularly in animal-based products. However, variations in extraction technique, plant part used, and environmental factors contribute to inconsistencies in composition and efficacy. Further research is needed to standardize production methods, assess bioavailability, and evaluate safety in clinical settings to support its broader application in health and food industries.

Starch and protein are key components of the human diet, forming the structural basis of many food systems and are widely used in food processing for improved product quality. Large volumes of food waste, especially starch-rich and plant-based protein materials, emphasize the need for effective preservation strategies, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Food processing techniques, such as fermentation and drying, enhance food quality and shelf life. Drying; one of the oldest and most common methods, extends the shelf life of foods by reducing water activity, thus simplifying packaging, storage and transport. Hot-air drying is widely used due to its simplicity and low cost, but it often leads to longer drying times, reduced product quality and low energy efficiency. Additionally, drying can affect nutritional quality through starch gelatinization; a phenomenon characterised by the breakdown of starch granules when heated in water to disrupt food structure. Gelatinization depends on drying phase, rate, micronutrients and affects the physical properties, including texture. However, when well-controlled, drying can preserve food integrity and improve rehydration properties. With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2030 and over 20 % of food currently lost to spoilage, achieving SDG 2 remains challenging. Enhancing preservation methods like drying is therefore crucial. While gelatinization is commonly viewed as a drawback, emerging evidence suggests its negative effects can be mitigated. This study explores the impact of partial gelatinization on the quality of dried food products, demonstrating how controlled processing can improve food preservation outcomes and contribute to global food security.

Garlic is a popular food spice with diverse and well-established medicinal properties. Many research interests have been directed toward the biological activities of the phytochemical constituents of garlic. However, prospects of its bioactive proteins and peptides have been understudied to date. With the advances in food proteomics/peptide research, a review of studies on garlic bioactive proteins and peptides, especially on their nature, extraction, and biological activities, is timely. Garlic has been reported to express several proteins, endogenous and protein-derived peptides with interesting bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-proliferative, antiviral, anti-hypertensive and immunomodulatory activities, suggesting their therapeutic and pharmacological potentials. Compared to legumes, the low protein contents of garlic bulbs and their low stability are possible limitations that would hinder future applications. We suggest adopting heterologous expression systems for peptide overproduction and stability enhancement. Therefore, we recommend increased scientific interest in the bioactive peptides of garlic and other spice plants.

The search for natural plant extract as an alternative therapy to diabetes management has received enormous recognition globally. In this study, the effects of the methanol extracts of Gongronema latifolium leaves (GLE) on glycaemic responses to carbohydrate diets [obtained from cassava (Manihot esculenta), yam (Dioscorea rotundata) and plantain (Musa paradisiaca)] in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Forty five adult male Wistar albino rats were induced diabetes by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (65 mg/kg b.w.) dissolved in citrate buffer, pH 4.5. The diabetic rats were divided into nine groups of 5 animals each. Group 1: the Positive control (diabetic, untreated) was fed with water only, group 2: the standard control (diabetic, treated) received 2.50mg/kg b.w of glibenclamide, a standard drug for diabetes, group 3, 4 ad 5 (carbohydrate diets treated only) were orally fed with 200 mg/kg b.w. of cassava diet, 200 mg/kg b.w. of yam diet and 200 mg/kg b.w. of plantain diet respectively, group 6, 7 ad 8 (GLE mixed with carbohydrate diets treated) were orally fed with 200 mg/kg b.w. of cassava mixed with 100 mg/kg b.w. of GLE, 200 mg/kg b.w. of yam mixed with 100 mg/kg b.w. of GLE and 200 mg/kg b.w. of plantain mixed with 100 mg/kg b.w. of GLE respectively, while group 9 (GLE treated only) was fed with 100 mg/kg b.w. of GLE only. The experiment lasted for 21 days with free access to feed and water. Animals’ weights were measured on weekly basis as well as estimation of fasting blood sugar (FBG) and postprandial blood glucose (PBG). Results revealed that, administration of carbohydrate diets led to a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in body weights of the diabetic rats fed with carbohydrate diets. Conversely, administration of the GLE mixed with the diets caused a significant (p > 0.05) increase in body weights of the diabetic rats compared to the positive control. However, treatment with GLE alone showed a more effectuality which is comparable to that of the standard drug in restoring weight loss. In addition, the results of blood glucose estimation revealed a significant (p < 0.05) elevation in both fasting blood glucose (FBG) and Postprandial blood glucose (PBG) in animals fed with carbohydrate diets when compared to the positive control, but a significant (p < 0.05) decrease was observed in both parameters upon the admiistration of GLE mixed with carbohydrate diets. Similarly, administration of GLE alone caused an increase in both FBG and PBG which was significant (p < 0.05) compared to group fed with GLE mixed with carbohydrate diets. Howbeit, GLE elicited more potent and efficacious response when compared to the standard drug. Herein, we therefore deduce that methanolic extracts of G. latifolium leaves exhibited hypoglycaemic responses in the diabetic rats and the plant could be a worthwhile candidate in the design of a potent antidiabetic drug.

Background and Objective: Nauclea latifolia (Smith) (Family: Rubiaceae) also known as 'Pincushion Tree' or 'African Peach' is a struggling shrub, native to tropical Africa and Asia where the use of folk medicine is prevalent and the search for an herbal cure is but common practice.Consequently, the effect of Nauclea latifolia ethanolic root extracts on hematological indices in rats was investigated in this research.Materials and Methods: The root of Nauclea latifolia was extracted with ethanol.A total of twenty Wister albino rats were used in this study.The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each.Varying doses of the extract such as 10, 50 and 250 mg kgG 1 were orally administered to groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively for 42 days.Results: The ethanolic extract of N. latifolia showed a significant elevation (p<0.05) in haematological parameters of the experimental rats after 42 days of administration in the Packed Cell Volume (PCV), white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count as compared with the control group which could be a protective mechanism against infection. Conclusion:If the results obtained from this study are applicable to man, ethanolic extracts of Nauclea latifolia root can be used as immune boosters and blood tonics in herbal medicine.However, it seems that it may contain particles that may exert or have allergenic and inflammatory properties.

Chemicals used for storage majorly possess insecticidal activities – deterring destructive insect pests and microorganisms from stored agricultural produce. Despite the controversy about their safety, local farmers and agro-wholesalers still predominantly use these chemicals in developing countries, especially Africa, to ensure an all-year supply of agriproducts. These chemicals could have short- or long-term effects. Despite the state-of-the-art knowledge, factors such as poor education and awareness, limited agricultural subventions, quests for cheap chemicals, over-dosage, and many more are the possible reasons for these toxic chemicals' setback and persistent use in developing countries. This paper provides an up-to-date review of the environmental and ecological effects, as well as the health impacts arising from the indiscriminate use of toxic chemicals in agriproducts. Existing data link pesticides to endocrine disruption, genetic mutations, neurological dysfunction, and other metabolic disorders, apart from the myriad of acute effects. Finally, this study recommended several naturally sourced preservatives as viable alternatives to chemical counterparts and emphasized the invaluable role of education and awareness programs in mitigating the use in developing nations for a sustainable society.

Meats consist of edible portions originating from domestic and wild animals. Meat's palatability and sensory accessibility largely depend on its tenderness to consumers. Although many factors influence meat tenderness, the cooking method cannot be neglected. Different chemical, mechanical, and natural means of meat tenderization have been considered healthy and safe for consumers. However, many households, food vendors, and bars in developing countries engage in the unhealthy use of acetaminophen (paracetamol/APAP) in meat tenderization due to the cost reduction it offers in the overall cooking process. Acetaminophen (paracetamol/APAP) is one of the most popular, relatively cheap, and ubiquitous over-the-counter drugs that induce serious toxicity challenges when misused. It is important to note that acetaminophen during cooking is hydrolyses into a toxic compound known as 4-aminophenol, which damages the liver and kidney and results in organ failure. Despite the reports on the increase in the use of acetaminophen for meat tenderizing in many web reports, there have not been any serious scientific publications on this subject. This study adopted classical/traditional methodology to review relevant literature retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect using relevant key terms (Acetaminophen, Toxicity, Meat tenderization, APAP, paracetamol, mechanisms) and Boolean operators (AND and OR). This paper provides in-depth information on the hazard and health implications of consuming acetaminophen tenderized meat via genetic and metabolic pathways deductions. Understanding these unsafe practices will promote awareness and mitigation strategies.

Background and Objective:The plant Nauclea latifolia (Smith) (Family: Rubiaceae) also known as 'Pin Cushion tree' or 'African Peach' is a struggling shrub, native to tropical Africa and Asia where the use of folk medicine is prevalent and the search for a herbal cure is but common practice.This report described the biochemical effects of Nauclea latifolia ethanolic root extract in rats. Materials and Methods:Extraction of the root of Nauclea latifolia with ethanol was carried out.A total of twenty Wister albino rats were used in this study.The rats were randomly divided into four groups of five rats each.The various biochemical tests were then conducted on the experimental rats. Results:The acute toxicity study on ethanol extract in mice established an intraperitoneal LD 50 greater than 4000 mg kgG 1 .The phytochemical analysis of the Nauclea latifolia ethanol extract indicated the presence of flavonoids, saponins and reducing sugars.The liver alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and the serum concentrations of conjugated and total bilirubin measured suggest mild damage to the liver hepatocytes of rats treated with ethanolic extract of Nauclea latifolia root when compared to the control.The result of urea and creatinine indicate that the kidney may be damaged when compared to the control group.The extract caused a slight but nonsignificant increase (p>0.05) in blood glucose concentration as administration of the extract continued on days 28 and 42.Conclusion: The present study established that the continuous administration of the ethanol crude extract of Nauclea latifolia is lethal to the hepatocytes and kidneys.

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been known for its potent medicinal activities and its interesting culinary role since ancient times. With over 200 phytochemicals and flavoring compounds elucidated and many others yet to, garlic promises to improve human health and vitality. Just like other phytochemical classes, essential oils for garlic have been reported to show interesting medical activities delving across diverse antimicrobial, cardio-protective, anti-cancer, anti-Alzheimer, anti-diabetic, and immunomodulatory activities. Garlic essential oils contain mainly volatile and non-volatile allyl-sulphur-based compounds, which are a product of the stream decomposition of Allicin (a major component of garlic extract). Although a lot of work has been done on Allicin, there is little substantive work on the bio-availability and toxicities of its essential oil. This study, however, reviewed the methods that in recent times have been used to extract essential oils from garlic, recent studies on composition and therapeutic activities of Garlic essential oils, and a predictive overview of their bioavailability and toxicity. Finally, recommendations for future studies and other interesting prospects of garlic were also highlighted.

This study evaluates the medicinal and therapeutic importance of aqueous pulp extract of Irvingia gabonensis (APEIG) fruit on some biochemical indices in adult male albino rats. Thirty-six adult male rats were grouped into 3 groups of 12 rats each. Group 1 was the control, while groups 2 and 3 received 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively. The quantitative and qualitative phytochemical constituents present in the APEIG were alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids in moderate amounts, while saponins, tannins, glycosides, sterols, and phenols were detected in trace amounts. The treatment lasted for 21 days and biochemical parameters were analyzed following standard procedures. Results obtained indicated a reduction in the bodyweight of the treated groups. The serum cholesterol, LDL, and VLDL concentrations were significantly moderated in the treatment groups, although, the serum HDL concentration was elevated dose-dependently on days 14 and 21. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was elevated in the treatment groups on days 7 and 14 while aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, urea, uric acid, total protein, and albumin were not affected by the administration of (APEIG) on days 7, 14 and 21. Serum bilirubin was significantly lowered in the treatment groups on days 7, 14, and 21 while fasting blood glucose (FBS) of the treated groups was moderate. The results revealed that the administration of APEIG had promising medicinal potentials and could be harnessed in disease management.

Human activities have contributed immensely to the large amount of lignocellulose waste globally and are poorly utilized for their economic importance. Lignocellulolytic enzymes provides a sustainable and green solution to the valorisation of these lignocellulosic biomass, yielding products of high economic value while also playing an important part in environmental decontamination and detoxification. Lignocellulose biomass is abundant in nature and gives better choices to environmentally friendly resources for biofuel production, and biotechnology utilization. Although lignocellulose waste degradation poses great challenges to the microbial communities, white rot fungi have been harnessed efficiently in biological degradation and biomass valorisation due to their ability to produce ligninolytic enzymes. This review focused on the different characteristics, features, and properties of lignocellulolytic enzymes and their biotechnological applications in waste management, and wastewater decontamination for a green ecosystem. Additionally, the application of lignocellulolytic enzymes in bioethanol, biofuel, and animal feed productions was reviewed and analyzed. The properties of some fungal and bacterial lignocellulolytic enzymes were critically compared so as to identify the microbes with optimum efficiency. This paper provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the different characteristics and properties of lignocellulolytic enzymes and their applications in a green ecosystem. Finally, this review describes the limitations and challenges associated with lignocellulolytic enzymes application and its future prospects for a sustainable green ecosystem.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) can be associated with dietary intake of high-fat, high-carbohydrate food. This study was aimed at formulating a new high-fat diet that could induce MS. Twelve male Wistar rats were separated into two equal groups. The control group received standard rat chow with tap water while the treated group received a beef tallow-enriched high-fat diet with fructose in drinking water (HFD-FDW) for 8 weeks. The food/water intake, body weight (BW), body size parameters, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose were estimated. Serum total cholesterol (TC) triacylglycerol (TAG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were determined. The control group consumed significantly (p < 0.05) more food than HFD-FDW group. However, water and calorie intakes were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the HFD-FDW than control group. Body mass index (BMI), body weight (BW) gain, abdominal circumference and tissue weight, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased significantly (p < 0.05) in HFD-FDW group when compared with control group. Male Wistar rats that consumed HFD-FDW developed biochemical features of metabolic syndrome such as significantly (p < 0.05) increased fasting blood glucose, TC, TAG, HDL-C, and LDL-C. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that our dietary model of HFD consumed with FDW was capable of inducing MS with associated conformational and biochemical or metabolic abnormalities.

Medicinal chemists and pharmacognosists have relied on terrestrial sources for bioactive phytochemicals to manage and treat disease conditions. However, minimal interest is given to sea life, especially macroalgae and their inherent phytochemical reserves. Phlorotannins are a special class of phytochemicals mainly predominant in brown algae of marine and estuarine habitats. Phlorotannins are formed through the polymerization of phloroglucinol residues and derivatives via the polyketide (acetate–malonate) pathway. Studies over the past decades have implicated phlorotannins with several bioactivities, including anti-herbivory, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-proliferative, anti-diabetic, radio-protective, adipogenic, anti-allergic, and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) properties. All these activities are reflected in their applications as nutraceuticals and cosmeceutical agents. This article reviews the chemical composition of phlorotannins, their biological roles, and their applications. Moreover, very few studies on phlorotannin bioavailability, safety, and toxicity have been thoroughly reviewed. The paper concludes by suggesting exciting research questions for further studies.

Considerably large quotas of insect species worldwide are prospective sources of food with high nutrient value, which suggests their importance in human diets. This study investigates and compares the nutrient and anti-nutrient contents of Oryctes rhinoceros larva and Zonocerus variegatus. The nutrient and anti-nutrient compositions of both Oryctes rhinoceros larva (palm beetles) and Zonocerus variegatus (grasshopper) were determined following standard procedures. The proximate results revealed that Oryctes rhinoceros had higher amounts of crude protein (34.76 ± 0.44%) and carbohydrate (10.37 ± 1.73%) compared to those in Zonocerus variegatus ((30.73 ± 1.15%) and (5.36 ± 2.15%) respectively), while crude lipid (20.00 ± 0.00%) was higher in Zonocerus variegatus. Rich mineral components were also obtained in both insects. Potassium and sodium (1905.01 ± 185.01 mg/100g and 1656.00 ± 46.00 mg/100g) were moderately high in Zonocerus variegatus compared to Oryctes rhinoceros (1070.00 ± 260.00 mg/100g and 931.50 ± 11.50 mg/100g), while calcium (368.00 ± 16.00 mg/100g) was comparably higher in Oryctes rhinoceros. The anti-nutrient values of both insects fall within tolerable levels, and subsequently pose no threat to life, indicating that these insects are good sources of several macro and micronutrients. Oryctes rhinoceros, however, may likely serve as a better source of nutrients, considering its more valuable contents of macromolecules.

This study investigates the curative response of ethanol extract of Cassia sieberiana leaves (EECSL) on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Thirty rats of 11-12 weeks old weighing 120-160 g were grouped into six of five rats each. Group 1 was the normal control; groups 2-6 were induced with testosterone (5 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days following standard procedures. Group 2 serves as BPH-control, groups 3 received finasteride while 4-6 received orally 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg of EECSL, respectively for 14 days. Biochemical and BPH indices were analyzed. Oral administration of EECSL showed a decrease in prostate weight, Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), malondialdehyde (MDA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) whereas an elevation in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), GSH and likewise antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were recorded. The histology photomicrographs showed that EECSL restored lesions of testosterone induction in the treated groups. Our study reveals that EECSL exerts potent on BPH, hypolipidaemic, and antioxidant potentials and justifies the claims by the traditional doctors in BPH management.

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of a plethora of diseases. In this research, pilot studies were carried out in the methanol extracts of the ten fruit peels to screen for antioxidant activity. Two fruit peels with the highest antioxidant activity were selected. The methanol peel extracts of the selected two; Citrus sinensis (orange) and Ananas comosus (pineapple) were evaluated for their in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Twenty-eight adult Wistar rats of both sexes were used in this experiment and grouped into seven of four rats each. Group 1 and 2 served as normal and positive controls. Groups 3 to 7 were pre-treated with Silymarin (100 mg/kg), A. comosus methanol peel extract (ACMPE) 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg C. sinensis methanol peel extract (CSMPE) 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively for seven days before intraperitoneally inducing oxidative stress with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) on day eight. Serum analysis of biochemical parameters and histological examination of the liver was carried out using standard methods. The DPPH assay showed that the fruit peel of C. sinensis had the highest antioxidant concentration followed by that of A. comosus. Acute toxicity test (LD50) showed that ACMPE and CSMPE were tolerable at 5000 mg/kg. Phytochemical analysis of the two fruit peels extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, and acidic compounds. Administration of the extracts significantly elevated serum enzymatic levels of SOD and CAT in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the extracts substantially normalized altered MDA, ALT, AST, total protein, and total bilirubin levels. The lipid profile of the animals was greatly improved and histopathological studies confirmed the biochemical observations. The results of this study demonstrate that ACMPE and CSMPE possess antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced oxidative stress in experimental animals.

The mineral elements, amino acid constituents and fatty acids present in Myristica fragrans seeds extracts were identified and quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry and flame photometry, Technicon sequential multi-sample amino acid analyzer (TSM) and Shimadzu GC–MS machine respectively. Six hundred grams of powdered seeds were extracted in methanol and n-hexane (2:1 v/v) using a rotary evaporator. Calcium, magnesium, and iron were the most abundant in methanol extract with concentrations of 3.21 ± 0.05 part per million (ppm), 3.00 ± 0.05 ppm, and 1.00 ± 0.02 ppm respectively. The major essential amino acids in the seed were leucine 6.24 g/100 g, valine 3.72 g/100 g, and threonine 3.50 g/100 g while the non-essential amino acids were glutamate 10.6 g/100 g, aspartate 7.60 g/100 g, and arginine 5.50 g/100 g. The major biological compounds in the methanol extract as revealed by the GC–MS analysis were 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (RT: 20.768, 27.13%), Cyclododecyne (RT: 26.458, 19.33%) and octadecanoic acid (RT: 14.360, 12.24%) while the hexane extract constituents were margarinic acid (RT: 14.746, 27.04%), oleic acid (RT: 20.947, 18.96%) and 9,12-octadecadien-1-ol (RT: 26.523%, 15.10%). These compounds have shown nutritional, pharmacological, and medicinal importance in different studies.

This work evaluated the effects of different doses of the human urine on normal and alloxaninduced diabetic rats. The experimental design comprises of five (5) groups of four (4) animals each. At the end of the treatment period, blood glucose levels, protein, MDA, catalase, Glutathione and vitamin C concentrations were determined in both the normal and diabetic rats. Oral administration of low and higher doses (5ml/kg and 10 ml/kg) of human urine for 7 days resulted in significant (p < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose and protein concentrations of the diabetic rats compared to the untreated diabetic rats. However, the catalase concentration of the rats treated with (5ml/kg and 10 ml/kg) of human urine showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase compared to the untreated diabetic rats. This results show that human urine has great potentials of increasing the ascorbic acid concentration of diabetic rats treated with standard drug, 5ml/kg and 10ml/kg of urine when compared to diabetic untreated group and with a concomitant antioxidant effect on alloxan-induced lipid peroxidation in rats. However, it was observed that there is a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the mean concentration of catalase of the groups treated with standard drug, 5ml/kg and 10ml/kg of urine when compared to diabetic untreated group. Furthermore, there was an observed significant (p < 0.05) increase in the mean concentration of glutathione and SOD of the groups treated with standard drug, 5ml/kg and 10ml/kg of urine when compared to diabetic untreated group which proves human urine to have an antioxidant property.

It is believed that while normal people may suffer complications of active and passive cigarette smoking, diabetes patients may suffer more. This study therefore aimed at investigating the toxicological effects of cigarette smoke on some biochemical parameters of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Adult male Wistar rats (n = 8/group) were divided into three groups, 2 experimental groups group 1 was diabetic and exposed to cigarette smoke while group 2 was diabetic but unexposed and one control (group 3). Animals were sacrificed after 2 weeks of exposure to cigarette smoke and the blood glucose, total protein, total (cholesterol, vitamin C and malondialdehyde concentrations were determined. Diabetic rats exposed to cigarette smoke (group 1) showed significant increases (p < 0.05) in the blood glucose and MDA concentrations and significant decreases (p < 0.05) in the total protein, total cholesterol and vitamin C concentrations compared to groups 2 and 3. From the results, it could be deduced that exposure to cigarette smoke may increase diabetic complications.Key words: Cigarette smoke, glucose, diabetes, lipid peroxidation