Eastern Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Effectiveness Test and Phytochemical Screening of Ethanol Extract of Cashew Leaf (Anacardium occidentale Linn.) against Bacillus cereus

2025-06-16T20:15:06+00:00

Indonesia is a tropical country that has very abundant biodiversity and great potential to explore its benefits in the health sector, including as a source of natural antibacterial ingredients. One of the potential plants is cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.), which is known to be able to grow in an environment with a dry climate, the leaves have long been used in traditional medicine and have antibacterial activity. This study aims to assess the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) value and effectiveness of cashew leaf ethanol extract against Bacillus cereus bacteria, as well as the identification of phytochemical compound groups. The methods used include well diffusion for MIC test from 1%-0.025% concentration and effectiveness test from 5%-20% concentration, as well as qualitative phytochemical screening to identify active compound groups in the extract. The results showed the MIC value obtained at a concentration of 0.05% inhibition zone of 5.93 mm. The antibacterial effectiveness test of 5-20% concentration increased as the concentration increased. Phytochemical screening identified the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and terpenoids. These results indicate the potential of cashew leaf extract as a natural antibacterial agent against B. cereus.

Utilization of Red Onion Waste, Coconut Water, and Bean Sprouts as Natural Plant Growth Regulators on the Growth of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr)

2025-07-14T19:35:32+00:00

Edamame plants are one of the food crops that have long been cultivated by the Indonesian people for their dietary needs as a source of plant-based protein. The beneficial content of edamame in improving nutrition has led to an increase in demand for edamame both domestically and internationally (exports). The high export demand is not matched by edamame production. One of the efforts to increase edamame plant production is the application of natural plant growth regulators (PGRs). Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) are organic compounds that are not plant nutrients, active at low concentrations, capable of stimulating, inhibiting, or altering plant growth and development. This research was conducted to determine the effect of types of natural PGRs on the growth and production of edamame. This research method uses a Random Group Design (RAK) with one factor, which is the type of natural PGR with 4 levels consisting of no PGR (control), 10% red onion extract, 10% coconut water extract, and 10% bean sprout extract, and was repeated 6 times. The parameters observed in this study were plant height, number of leaves, root length, wet weight, number of pods and chlorophyll content. The results of the study indicate that the treatment of natural plant growth regulators has an effect on the vegetative growth parameters of edamame. The study concludes that the treatment of 10% onion extract gives the best effect on the growth of edamame

Analysis of rainfall Trends and changes for Sustainable Agricultural Planning in Southern Taraba, Northeast Nigeria

2025-07-14T20:07:41+00:00

This paper examined trends and changes in annual precipitation. Precipitation data for the period 1993-2022 were obtained from WorldClim.org. Onset, cessation and length of rainy season were analyzed to determine the changes in the rainfall characteristics using relevant equations. SPSS was used to determine the descriptive statistics of precipitation; linear trend analysis was used to determine the trend of the changes while Fisher's F-test was used to determine the statistical significance of the change. The result of the study shows that annual precipitation amounts between the periods 1993-2022 vary from 733.85 mm to 2238.4. Rainy days in the study area also vary from 164 days to 262 days. Onset of rain in the last decade (2012-2022) has change from March-April to April-May in Ibi, Wukari and Donga while at Takum and Ussa, the shift was observed from March to April. Cessation on the other has no significant changes. Rainfall trend analysis shows that Ibi, Donga and Takum were characterized by negative values of the linear trend (Takum -217 mm/10 years, Donga -64.5 mm/10years and Ibi-25 mm/10years) indicating decrease in the precipitation amount in the period (1993-2022). The study recommends proper dissemination of agro-climatic information for appropriate adjustment and adaptations by farmers in the study for sustainable agricultural development

Article review: Global Burden of Brucellosis in Animals and Human

2025-07-15T07:28:05+00:00

Brucellosis is one of the most neglected zoonotic diseases, which caused by different species belong to the genus of Brucella resulting in a significant threats to both animals and human, impacting agricultural economies and public health systems worldwide. In animals, the disease can cause severe reproductive losses (in particular abortion), decreasing in meat and milk productivity, and long-term health complications (arthritis, lameness, and mastitis) in addition to expensive treatment costs and trade-restriction schemes to prevent the transmission of infection to human as well as other animals. In human, brucellosis (also known Malta fever or undulant fever) can be transmitted due to direct contact with infected animals or their unpasteurized dairy products causing diverse and non-specific debilitating symptoms that making the diagnosis is challenging such as fever, chills, sweats, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, and weight loss. In chronic phase, human brucellosis leads to arthritis, spondylitis, endocarditis, and neurological manifestations that require prolonged therapy. Despite advancements in control and prevention, several challenges remain due to the lack of safe and effective human vaccines, resource constraints, limited infrastructure, and inadequate surveillance systems. In conclusion, extensive knowledge and awareness are the cornerstones of prevention. Educating the public especially those at high risk of exposure about the routes of transmission and clinical manifestations of the disease is essential. Additionally, effective communication and collaboration among public health agencies, veterinary services, research institution and community stakeholders are paramount for successful prevention of brucellosis. Removing barriers to communication among human and veterinary medicine, agronomy, and ecological and environmental science encourages multidisciplinary strategies

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS FROM SPOILT TOMATOES VENDED IN GWAGWALADA MARKET, ABUJA

2025-07-16T19:36:36+00:00

Aspergillus flavus is an important food borne pathogen reported to have caused serious respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in humans and animal worldwide including Nigeria. This necessitated a microbial study on spoilt tomatoes sold at various stands at the Gwagwalada market. Randomly 120 samples were collected for mycological studies. Samples were inoculated on PDA agar as on a petri dish for 3-7 days at 30⁰C. Positive isolate of A. flavus were further confirm using morphological identification and microscopy. The overall prevalence of A. flavus for this study was 28.2%. The prevalence was distributed in the varoius tomato stands in the market. Antifungal sensitivity testing of 6(5%) positive A. flavus isolates was carried out using antifungal drugs like the susceptibility discs, comprising of Nystatin (100iu) Itraconazole (50µg), posaconazole (5µg), Caspofufungin(5µg), Voriconazole (1µg), Fluconazole (100µg) , Griseofulvin (10µg) , Metronidazole (50µg), Ketoconazole (15µg). The result indicated that the A. flavus isolates were sensitive to Posaconazole, Itraconazole, Caspofufungin, Voriconazole, and Nystatin as such are still potent drugs. However resistant to Fluconazole, Griseofulvin, Metronidazole, Ketoconazole and Amphotericin B. The study provides information on A. flavus as a potential food borne pathogen. Therefore it is recommended that public should be properly educated on antifungal drug use and also on the dangers of consuming spoilt tomatoes contaminated with A. flavus