Research Article
Phytochemical Study and Characterization of the Fixed Oil of Melothria Maderaspatana Fruit
Wade Moustapha*
,
Thiam Abdoulaye,
Mbow Bedie,
Sy Papa Biram,
Diop Serigne Mbacke,
Diop Awa,
Fall Alioune,
Sene Madieye,
Fofana Mouhamadou
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
1-10
Received:
24 January 2026
Accepted:
4 February 2026
Published:
21 February 2026
Abstract: This study aims to evaluate the phytochemical composition of Melothria maderaspatana (L.) Cogn. fruits, a plant recognized in African and Indian pharmacopeias, and to physicochemical characterize its fixed oil extract, in order to enhance its potential in phytomedicine. Fruits harvested in Taïba Ndiaye (Senegal) in December 2021 underwent qualitative phytochemical screening on hexane, ethyl acetate, methanolic, and aqueous extracts, followed by Soxhlet oil extraction (yield: 7.98%). Detected secondary metabolites include polyphenols (except hexane extract), flavonoids (aqueous extract), alkaloids (hexane and aqueous extracts), sterols/polyterpenes (except aqueous extract), leucoanthocyanins (except hexane extract), coumarins (hexane/ethyl acetate extracts), and gallic tannins (aqueous extract); saponins, mucilages, and catecholic tannins were absent. Oil characterization according to AFNOR standards reveals: iodine value (II) = 4.8 ± 0.07 g I₂/100 g, acid value (IA) = 1.0 ± 0.1 mg KOH/g, saponification value (IS) = 145.8 ± 0.05 mg KOH/g, peroxide value (IP) = 8.0 ± 0.3 µg O₂/g, and ester value (IE) = 144.8 ± 0.05 mg KOH/g. These results indicate a non-drying oil with low unsaturation, oxidation stability, and low free fatty acid content, highlighting the potential of M. maderaspatana as a source of lipids and bioactive compounds for nutraceutical and therapeutic applications, warranting complementary fatty acid analysis and toxicological evaluation.
Abstract: This study aims to evaluate the phytochemical composition of Melothria maderaspatana (L.) Cogn. fruits, a plant recognized in African and Indian pharmacopeias, and to physicochemical characterize its fixed oil extract, in order to enhance its potential in phytomedicine. Fruits harvested in Taïba Ndiaye (Senegal) in December 2021 underwent qualitati...
Show More
Research Article
Isolation, Phenotypic Characterization, and Distribution of Normal Bacterial Flora from the Hand Skin of Healthy Female Students at Wolkite University, Ethiopia
Debebe Landina Lata*,
Abera Kenea,
Tesfaye Giza,
Eyasu Milkias,
Kaleb Kamayla,
Dawit Regasa
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
11-18
Received:
27 May 2026
Accepted:
8 June 2026
Published:
23 June 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijpc.20261201.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: The cutaneous microbiota serves as a critical first line of defense through bacterial interference, but can transition into opportunistic pathogens if introduced into deep tissues via mechanical trauma. This study aimed to isolate, phenotypically characterize, and assess the distribution profile of normal hand skin bacterial flora among healthy female students at Wolkite University, Ethiopia. A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to June 2025 at the Department of Biotechnology Laboratory. Hand skin swab samples were collected from 60 healthy female students using simple random sampling. Isolated colonies were purified and classified to the genus level based on macroscopic morphology, Gram reaction, cellular shapes, and standard biochemical verification arrays. A total of 27 distinct bacterial isolates were recovered from the 60 samples. Phenotypic and biochemical profiling identified seven distinct bacterial groups. The family Enterobacteriaceae was the most prevalent group (10 isolates, 37.07%), followed by Staphylococci (6 isolates, 22.22%) and Lactobacilli (4 isolates, 14.81%). The findings demonstrate that while female hand skin maintains protective resident commensals (Staphylococci and Lactobacilli), it frequently harbors transient enteric and environmental bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae) due to continuous exposure to shared institutional touch points. This underscores the critical importance of implementing consistent personal hygiene, systematic hand-sanitation protocols, and enhanced public health awareness within the university campus ecosystem to minimize hand-borne opportunistic infections.
Abstract: The cutaneous microbiota serves as a critical first line of defense through bacterial interference, but can transition into opportunistic pathogens if introduced into deep tissues via mechanical trauma. This study aimed to isolate, phenotypically characterize, and assess the distribution profile of normal hand skin bacterial flora among healthy fem...
Show More
