Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The research project focuses on the characterization of oil extracted from Ethiopian pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) seeds. Ethiopian pepper, also known as "Ethiopian cardamom" or "Guinea pepper," is a plant native to West Africa and widely used in traditional medicine and culinary practices. However, limited scientific studies have been conducted to analyze the chemical composition and potential applications of the oil extracted from its seeds. The study aims to investigate the physicochemical properties, fatty acid profile, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity of the oil obtained from Ethiopian pepper seeds. Various analytical techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and spectrophotometry will be employed to determine the chemical composition and bioactive compounds present in the oil. The physicochemical properties of the oil, including density, refractive index, color, and viscosity, will be evaluated to understand its physical characteristics. The fatty acid profile analysis will identify the types and concentrations of fatty acids present in the oil, which play a crucial role in determining its nutritional value and potential health benefits. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity of the Ethiopian pepper oil will be assessed using different assays such as DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radical scavenging assays. This investigation aims to determine the oil's ability to neutralize free radicals and its potential as a natural antioxidant agent. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the oil will be evaluated against a panel of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. The study will assess the oil's efficacy in inhibiting the growth of these microorganisms, highlighting its potential applications in food preservation and pharmaceutical formulations. Overall, the characterization of oil extracted from Ethiopian pepper seeds will provide valuable insights into its chemical composition, functional properties, and potential health benefits. The findings of this research project can contribute to the development of new products in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, utilizing the bioactive compounds present in the oil for various applications.

Thesis Overview

1.0       INTRODUCTION

Every food substance consumed by humans has either a therapeutic nutritional or toxic effect on the body. Those food substance when got in their crude form can be ofimmense help in the curing of some ailments plants have been used for therapeutic purposes and their uses are as old as the history of man. In the past decades, pharmacologists and organic chemists have synthesized a large number of interesting chemical substances from medicinal plants, which have been of great help in the practice of optometry and medicine. Example is Belladonna plant from which atropine is derived.

The aromatic plantxylopiaaethopicaDurial (Annonacea) commonly known as Elhiopia or Negro pepper has been used in Europe, Asia and Africa as pepper substitute an spice in local cooking. Various parts of the plant have been traditionally employed in differently therapeutic preparations. Something, a combination of xylopia aethiopica is used to achieve the desired effects (fall et al, 2003; Ogunkunle and Ladejobi, 2006) in Nigeria, xylopia aethiopica combination with the roots of strychosinogia, Gardenia tennifolia, Uvariachamea and Annonasenegalensis, service as a remedy for stomach ache and coughs. The sauce is usuallygiven to women after delivery to relieve pains, promote healing and lactation.

Preliminary studies have shown that xylopia aethiopica fruits contain pharmaceutical constituent such as alkaloids, tennins and flavonoids. The essential oil from various parts of xylopia aethiopica had also been well characterized (Kouninkiet al, 2006; Kouninkiet al 2007).

Several plants lipids have been reported to enhance healing from diverse ailments due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Azeb et al, 2004, Mortin, 2005) in the present study, we report the physico-chemical analysis and further characterization of the oils of xylopia aethiopica. The effect to this plant oil on membrane stabilization and prostaglandin synthase activity were also studies to provide an insight into its action on the inflammatory response which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many disorder as well as the healing process.

Ethiopian pepper originated from tropical Africa (Ethiopian to Ghana) where both the species xylopiaaethiopica andxylopiastraita are used for local cooking. In South Africa, xylopia aethiopica(burro pepper) has found similar application among Brazilian xylopia is compression from Greek kylonpikron “bitter wood”, aethiopica refers to the origin of the tree (thought most if it grows in Ghana). Negro pepper has been used as pepper substitute in Europe (Ayedun, Adeot, Sossou and Leclecq 1996).

A study conducted by Guiques de souza et al (1996) described the structure of the secretory apparatus responsible for the production of the essential oil.