European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

THEOBROMA CACAO (COCOA) TREE STEM BACK EXTRACT AS A HISTOLOGICAL DYE FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF GENERAL TISSUE STRUCTURE

Esan Ebenezer Olubunmi, Ajileye Ayodeji Blessing* and Adeluwoye Adekunle Oluwatosin

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Theobroma cacao is the taxonomic classification for the plant also called the cocoa tree and the cocoa tree, which is a small [(4 – 8m), (13 – 26ft)], evergreen tree in the family Malvaceae, native to the deep tropical regions of central and South America. Its seeds, cocoa beans, are used to make cocoa mass, cocoa powder and chocolate. Aims and Objective: To ascertain the suitability of Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) stem back tree extract as a histological stain and to compare the staining effects of Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) back tree extract with Eosin as a counterstain in histological staining procedures. Materials and Method: Tissue samples were gotten from the skin, kidney, stomach, lungs, liver and heart at post mortem examination. The tissues were histologically processed and sectioned with a rotary microtome. Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) stem back tree was obtained from a show-boy cocoa farm in Ore, Ondo State, Nigeria. Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) stem back was extracted in 2 (two) different ways; acqueous extraction and Methanolic Extraction, thereby giving rise to a crude extract, which was used as counterstain for haematoxylin. The control tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin and counterstained with eosin. Result: Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) tree bark extract solution stained collagen fibres, muscle fibres and cytoplasm brown within 5minutes when it was used as a counterstain but methanolic extract was more intense in staining color than aqueous extract. Conclussion: Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) stem back tree extract is a promising histological dye that is not only cheap but readily available which can serve as a useful alternative to eosin.

Keywords: Theobroma-Cacao, Methanolic, Kidney, Liver, Stomach.