XVI International Botanical Congess

Three bags of plant material collected in Ghoma in the Democratic Republic of Congo were received to identify. The specimens were used to treat anaemia.Objectives & Methods: To identify specimens received. 4 Stubs were prepared for scanning electron microscope photos from the bag marked Igifurafura", 3 from the bag Urusogo" and 2 from the bag Umuhe". The stubs were sputter coated with gold and sixty-two photographs taken over eight hours. Thin layer chromatography was done on extractions to test for Vit C and B12 generally prescribed to patients with anaemia. Results:Igifurafura and Urusogo contained a mixture of different plants, whilst Umuhe contained parts of possibly only one plant. TLC detected no Vit C, but Vit B12 was detected in two of the specimens. Discussion. As there are global movement towards the use of traditional plant medicines, a better co-operation system between countries should be initiated pertaining to the potential poisonings involved in unknown medicines.