1.1 Introduction
Mango has anti malaria effect (Tsabang et al., 2011) and was found to display in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum (Rasoanaivo et al., 2004). Methanol extract of M. indica seeds was done against 61 bacterial strains. The extract showed potent antibacterial activity against all strains tested (Vaghasiya et al., 2011). The leaves of M. indica have been reported to possess antibacterial activity against E. coli and other bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae and the bioactive component mangiferin which was isolated from M. indica was reported to possess remarkable anti-influenza activity (Doughari et al., 2008).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The leaves use of medicinal plants as herbal remedies to prevent and cure several ailments differs from community to community Traditionally used medicinal plants have recently attracted the attention of the biological scientific communities. This has involved the isolation and identification of secondary metabolites produced by plants and their use as active principles in medicinal preparations plants have limitless ability to synthesize aromatic secondary metabolites, most of which are phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives.
Ojewole (2005) found anti-inflammatory, analgesic and hypoglycemic effects on the aqueous extract of the stem-bark of M. indica. Doughari and Manzara (Doughari et al., 2008) found that both acetone and methanol extracts inhibited the growth of gram positive bacteria, with acetone extract exerting more activities on all the gram positive bacteria with zone of inhibition between 15 16 mm, and a gram negative bacterium S. typhi (14 mm) at 250 mg/mL. Stem park of activities against Streptococcus pneumonia, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia and Candida albicans with MIC of 0.08 mg/mL (Singh et al., 2010).
Extraction methods involve separation of medicinally active fractions of plant tissue from inactive/inert components by using selective solvents and extraction technology. Solvents diffuse into the solid plant tissues and solubilize compounds of similar polarity. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most important tropical plants in the world. It grows in the tropical and subtropical regions and its parts are commonly used in folk medicine for a wide variety of remedies. Many phenolic compounds have been detected in mango peels mango bark (Nong et al., 2005), mango puree concentrate mango pulps and seed kernels. Several pharmacological activities of mango extracts have been reported including anti-inflammatory (Garrido et al.), antioxidant antiallergic and antihelmintic and antiamoebic.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Identification and Isolation of Mango (Mangifera Indica).
1.3 Statement of Problems
Mango stem-bark aqueous extract has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunoprotective effects (Ojewole, 2005). A number of biological activities of mangiferin have been suggested, including anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory abilities (Vyas et al., 2012). The presence of phytoconstituents in the leaf extracts may be responsible for the antibacterial activity of the plant (Marjorie, 1999). No research has been carried out on antimicrobial activity of seeds extract of mango (M. indica). In this study, the Identification and Isolation of Mango (Mangifera Indica) (Mangifera indica L.) was investigated.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Identification and Isolation of Mango (Mangifera Indica). In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify the HPLC Profiling of Aqueous Bark of mango
- To analyze the Hexane-ethyl Acetate Extract of mango
- To examine the antimicrobial activity of leaf extract of Mangifera Indica
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Identification and Isolation of Mango (Mangifera Indica) in Nigeria.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
