Preliminary investigation into the allelopathic and cytotoxic activities of Mucuna sloanei and Chrysophyllum africanum seed coats methanol extracts in weed and pest control

The seed coat, as a primary defense structure for the seed against adverse environmental conditions, contains properties that contribute to seed quality and viability for germination, vigour and storage potential. They also contain fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated), vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This work sought to investigate the allelopathy and cytotoxicity of the methanol extracts of Mucuna Slonei (MSCM) and Chrysophyllum africanum (CSCM) seed coats.
The seed coats of MSCM and CSCM were removed and macerated in 70 % methanol for 72 hrs to obtain crude extracts. Allelopathy activity was evaluated using germination rate and root elongation tests. While cytotoxicity test was carried out using the brine shrimp lethality assay.
Methanol extract of seed coats of MSCM and CSCM had no significant difference on maize root and shoot length when compared with the control. This implies that MSCM and CSCM seed coat exhibit no allelopathy activity. The MSCM and CSCM seed coat extracts however showed cytotoxicity activity at 0.6 mg/ml and 0.8 mg/ml respectively.
The seed coat could thus be useful in industries for the production of manure for promoting crop production. But the cytotoxic activity suggests its application in pest control and potential hazard to aquatic lives and the environment when improperly disposed.