Impact of edaphic factors on active components of Tridax procumbens L. and its effect on Aspergillus spp
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Date
2013
Authors
Orotope, O. M.
Umebese, C. E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Abstract
A study was conducted on the impact of edaphic factors on the phytochemicals of Tridax procumbens L. and their
ability to inhibit the growth of three Aspergillus spp. (A. fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger). Plants and their habitat
soils were collected from five different locations: L1-L5 at the University of Lagos. Variations were observed in
the soil pH, soil moisture content, soil profile and soil texture. Using the American soil texture standard triangle,
L1-L5 had the following soil textures: silt-clay-loam (L1), silt-loam (L2), silt-loam (L3), clay-loam (L4) and siltloam
(L5). Though locations L2, L3 and L5 were classified as silt-loam, L5 soil had higher silt content and lower
clay content (60 % and 10 % respectively). Location L5 soil was also slightly more acidic (pH 6.34) and drier
(1.9% moisture content) than the other soils. Silt-loam locations produced Tridax plants with the highest
-1 -1 concentrations of phytochemicals (0.240 mg g carotene and 0.0607 mg g flavonoids by L3 plants and 0.0897
-1 mg g tannins by L5 plants). All the aqueous extracts of plants from the five locations, were observed to inhibit
the growth of the three Aspergillus spp that cause aspergillosis but L5 plant extract which had the highest tannin
content, induced the highest growth inhibition. The zone of inhibition exhibited by the plant extract from
location L5 was higher than that exhibited by antimycotic drug which served as positive control. This research
reveals that the best soil type for growing Tridax procumbens L. for the highest concentrations of phytochemicals
and the most effective antifungal activity is silt-loam with low clay and high silt contents, a pH of 6.34 and
moisture content of 1.9 % in the dry season.
Description
Keywords
Tridax procumbens , Edaphic factors , Phytochemicals , Antifungal , Aspergillus spp.
Citation
Orotope, O. M. and C. E. Umebese, 2013. Impact of edaphic factors on active components of Tridax procumbens L. and its effect on Aspergillus spp. Ife Journal of Science 15:331-338.