Commentary
Malomo OE, Yaro SA, Yawas DS,
Abstract
The present work evaluates the amenability of Chrysophyllum albidium (CA) and Heliotropium indicum (HI) leaves extracts for bioprocess application. The plant extracts were initially characterized to determined their phytochemical constituents; alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins were found to be present. Proximate analysis and physico-chemical parameters such as pH, density, viscosity and solubility were evaluated and discussed. Degree of solubility of extracts increase with increased in temperature from 30°C-60°C which indicates the water absorption characteristic of plant extracts while organic solvent (ethanol and acetone) gives higher values of solubility as compared to distilled water. The rheological and biodegradability of extracts were studied, CA showed a shear-thickening behaviour while HI gives a shear-thinning behaviour, rapid biodegradation occurs in the formulated plant extracts during OECD marine BOD tests. FTIR analyses were used to characterize the bio-active compounds present in the leaves extracts.