Abstract: Medicinal and aromatic plants are industrial plant that are primarily used for therapeutic, aromatic and culinary purposes as components of cosmetics, medicinal products, health foods and other natural health products. Like other cereal crops, these potential medicinal and aromatic plants are constantly in grave danger from disease attack. The aim of this study was to assess the most prevalent diseases on prioritized medicinal and aromatic plants. Survey was conducted at Wondo Genet Agricultural research stations and herb growing companies in Ethiopia. Survey fields were observed from vegetative to maturity stage of the plant to assess the pest status. A total of 11 medicinal and aromatic plants were assessed in four different locations and these herbs were attacked by various diseases. Rust disease was the most serious problem on Aloe vera and Lemon grass, accounting for 30-40 percent of disease severity at Wondo Genet. In Butajira, powdery mildew was the most common disease found on sage, with a 20 percent severity. Downy mildew was recorded as a major disease on basil plants in Hawassa and Debre Zeit, with a 30-35 percent severity. Therefore, identification of the pathogen's causing agents and integrated disease management for the major recorded diseases of medicinal and aromatic plants needs further research.
Abstract: Medicinal and aromatic plants are industrial plant that are primarily used for therapeutic, aromatic and culinary purposes as components of cosmetics, medicinal products, health foods and other natural health products. Like other cereal crops, these potential medicinal and aromatic plants are constantly in grave danger from disease attack. The aim ...Show More
Abstract: Over the years, traditional societies and ethnic nationalities have engaged plants with medicinal properties for the treatment of a range of diseases without any scientific knowledge of it inherent bioactive compounds that are responsible for its medicinal and pharmacological potentials. The aim of this study is to screen for the presence of phytochemical constituents and to identify the bioactive compounds domicile in the stem bark of Picralima nitida by the use of Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry. The result of the quantitative investigation of the stem bark extract of P. nitida showed the presence of some phytochemical compounds such as saponins (3.22%), alkaloids (2.43%), flavonoids (6.05%) tannins (6.25%), oxalate (12.70%), phytate (2.87%), anthracene glycosides (2.14%) and cyanogenic glycosides (1.37%). Eleven (11) different bioactive compounds were recognized in the stem bark extract of P. nitida by Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry analysis. The percentage of major bioactive compounds were vitamin E (69.31%), Cis-Myrtanol (5.57%), Octadecanoic acid methyl ester (4.52%), 11-Octadecenoic acid methyl ester (4.42%), 9-Methyl-2-phenyl-9H-imidazo (1,2-a) benzimidazole (3.70%), Pentadecanoic acid 14-methyl- methylester (3.21%) and 7,9-Dimethyl-6H-Indolo (2,3-b) quinoxaline (3.11%). From these findings, it could be concluded that P. nitida stem bark is rich in various bioactive compounds which possess antioxidant, laxative and other diverse medicinal properties. Therefore, it can be recommended as a plant of phytomedicinal value.
Abstract: Over the years, traditional societies and ethnic nationalities have engaged plants with medicinal properties for the treatment of a range of diseases without any scientific knowledge of it inherent bioactive compounds that are responsible for its medicinal and pharmacological potentials. The aim of this study is to screen for the presence of phytoc...Show More