Research Article
Phytochemical, Antifungal and Antioxidant Potential of Cashew (Anacardium Occidental L.) Leaf Methanolic Extract Grown Under Controlled Field for Medicinal Uses
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
218-224
Received:
11 August 2026
Accepted:
22 August 2026
Published:
9 September 2026
Abstract: The Cashew nut (Anacardium occidental L.) tree is recognized for its medicinal importance and is widely used in many products for its therapeutic potential. However, the plant’s distribution is limited to tropical climates due to its sensitivity to frost. The aim of this study was to grow cashew nuts under a controlled environment and evaluate their potential for medicinal applications. Cashew nut seeds were germinated at 35°C and 55% humidity in a glasshouse. Fresh leaf of four-month-old cashew seedlings were collected, air-dried, and reduced to fine powder. The extraction was carried out by five-day maceration process using the powdered leaf into methanol. After five days, the solution was filtrated, and filtrate was stored at 4°C until utilization. Phytochemical screening was performed to characterize the extract. The antifungal potential was assayed against Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans using the agar well diffusion method, while the antioxidant activity was evaluated through a 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. It was found that the extract contained Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Phenols, Steroids, and Terpenoids. The cashew nut leaf extract demonstrated antifungal activity against A. flavus and C. albicans, with mean ± standard deviation values of 1.106 ± 0.03 cm and 1.17 ± 0.15 cm respectively. The extract exhibited concentration- dependent inhibition of DPPH radicals with high antioxidant activity (93.28%) at 100 μg/ml while 82.88% at 20 μg/ml. The finding suggests that cashew nuts cultivated in a controlled environment (glasshouse) can be used for medicinal purposes and further pharmaceutical applications.
Abstract: The Cashew nut (Anacardium occidental L.) tree is recognized for its medicinal importance and is widely used in many products for its therapeutic potential. However, the plant’s distribution is limited to tropical climates due to its sensitivity to frost. The aim of this study was to grow cashew nuts under a controlled environment and evaluate thei...
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Research Article
Design of Flexible and Rigid Pavement Based on ERA Manual (2013) Empirical Method and Mechanistic Approaches: The Case of Study Dire Dawa – Harar
Habtamu Girma Teferi*
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
225-245
Received:
29 November 2022
Accepted:
27 August 2026
Published:
22 September 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.scif.20260204.12
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Abstract: Flexible pavements usually consist of a bituminous surface under laid with a layer of granular material and a layer of a suitable mixture of coarse and fine materials. Traffic loads are transferred by the wearing surface to the underlying supporting materials through the interlocking of aggregates, the frictional effect of granular materials, and cohesion of fine materials. Rigid highway pavements are normally constructed of Portland cement concrete and may or may not have a base course between the subgrade and the concrete surface. The traffic class of flexible pavement is T6, it has been derived (with a total of ESAs on the order of 8.89 million over the design period). From the table given on ERA, for that class of traffic, it is readily apparent that the use of the design charts in the catalog of structures. From types of rigid pavement the selection is CRCP design in ERA method design consideration. Because CRCP shall basically be considered only for rather high design traffic (>30msa) so, the ESAL values is 85.41*106. They can also be included for less heavily trafficked schemes where the advantage of lower maintenance throughout the design life may be worthwhile. They are particularly suitable were settlement of the sub-soil is expected. For instance, for heavily traveled facilities in congested locations, the need to minimize the disruptions and hazard to traffic may dictate the selection of CRCP. The continuous reinforcement increases the resistances of slabs but the compressive strength remain limited and the slab is prone to expansion failure. It is thus preferable to cast CRCP slabs during the hottest time of the year to limit the potential of thermal expansion.
Abstract: Flexible pavements usually consist of a bituminous surface under laid with a layer of granular material and a layer of a suitable mixture of coarse and fine materials. Traffic loads are transferred by the wearing surface to the underlying supporting materials through the interlocking of aggregates, the frictional effect of granular materials, and c...
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