EUREKA: Life Sciences
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Evaluation of feed intake, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of West African dwarf rams fed mango leaves, Napier grass, Neem Seed Cake, and concentrate for fattening
Full text linkThis study assessed the growth performance, feed intake, carcass, and non-carcass characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams fed diets containing mango leaves (ML), neem seed cake (NSC), Napier grass (NG), and concentrate over 92 days. The research aimed to address the problem of forage scarcity and rising feed costs in tropical regions by evaluating the potential of ML and NSC as alternative feed resources. Forty rams were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, each with ten replicates, and monitored for feed intake, weight gain, and carcass parameters.
The results demonstrated that diets containing ML and NSC (Diets B and D) significantly improved growth and carcass characteristics. Diet B recorded the highest hot carcass weight (6.01 kg), while Diet D showed superior organ weights, including liver and kidney. Average feed intake ranged from 10.67 kg (Diet C) to 11.13 kg (Diet A), with notable differences in slaughter weights and carcass yields. ML and NSC diets provided superior nutrient profiles, with crude protein content of 18.4 % and 23.88 %, respectively, contributing to improved productivity.
The findings indicate that ML and NSC can serve as sustainable, cost-effective alternatives to traditional feeds, addressing the challenges of feed scarcity and high costs. These results are particularly applicable for smallholder farmers in tropical regions, offering a practical approach to enhancing sheep production and food security. Future research should focus on determining optimal inclusion rates and evaluating the economic feasibility of these feed resource
Antimicrobial resistance as a global public health threat: the way forward
Full text linkIncreased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacterial and fungal pathogens pose a significant threat to public health, as it reduces the effectiveness of antibiotic and other antimicrobial drugs, making the control of infections difficult or almost impossible. This condition arises when microorganisms evolve and develop adaptive mechanisms to withstand the effects of the drugs which are designed to kill them. The emergence and spread of these antimicrobial pathogens that have acquired new resistance mechanisms continue to endanger and undermine efforts to treat common infections. As a result, an increase in morbidity and mortality due to bacterial and fungal infections has been observed with a ripple effect of economic hardship. The primary drivers of AMR include misuse and abuse in human, animal and the environment. To address this threat, it is important to have a good understanding of the cause, consequences, as well as the potential control strategies. Due to the cause and nature of AMR, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary in combating the threat posed by this condition. Some of the strategies through which AMR can be combatted include public health awareness, proper antibiotic use, accurate diagnosis, and research into the development of newer antimicrobial agents and alternative treatments. Additionally, the use of improved surveillance and monitoring systems are important in tracking patterns of resistance and provide guide towards the development of effective intervention strategies. Hence, this review focused on bacterial and fungal resistance to increase awareness and the way forward on this growing threat to human existenc
The potential of rabbit meat in combating malnutrition and food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa
Full text linkIn Sub-Saharan Africa, food insecurity and malnutrition continue to be a major problem that calls for long-term solutions to increase protein intake and dietary diversification. Rabbit meat, a high-protein, low-fat, and nutrient-dense alternative, offers tremendous potential for resolving these issues. Despite its potential, rabbit meat remains underutilized in Sub-Saharan Africa hence, this study evaluated the existing literature on the potential of rabbit meat in combating malnutrition and food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa. This review used a qualitative method to thoroughly examine the literature on the potential of rabbit meat to combat malnutrition and food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Targeted keywords were used to find relevant peer-reviewed studies, policy reports, and reliable organizational publications in databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, African Journal Online, and FAO's resource platform. Inclusion was based on English-language studies that examined rabbit farming, nutritional value, and socioeconomic consequences in Sub-Saharan Africa. Thematic analysis found key patterns and trends, which aided the synthesis of the discussion. The findings show that food insecurity and malnutrition are persistent concerns in Sub-Saharan Africa, exacerbated by climate variability, low agricultural output and inequitable food distribution systems. Rabbit farming has emerged as a feasible solution due to its versatility, high reproduction rates, low resource requirements and nutritional benefits. Despite its promise, rabbit farming in the region is affected by socio-cultural, environmental and institutional challenges. Based on findings, several recommendations are proposed aimed at unlocking its potential in reducing malnutrition and enhancing food security in Sub-Saharan Afric
Physicochemical and bacteriological study of an urban stream in Bida north-central Nigeria
Full text linkFreshwater pollution by human activities is becoming a matter of urgent concern as it threatened it productivities and sustainability. This study was carried out to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological study of Water from Chikke Stream, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria. Samples were collected using standard method and procedure. The result showed all the measured physiochemical parameter differs significantly (p<0.05) among the sampled station except water temperature and pH which does not show significant difference (p>0.05) among sampling stations. A total of four (4) bacteria species were isolated with three-gram negative species namely; Klebsiella sp., Escherichia coli and Shigella sp. While Staphylococcus aureus is the only gram-positive species. Station 2 and 3 recorded the presence of four bacteria species while station 1 recorded the presence of three bacteria species. The presence of these species of bacteria in the stream is indication of poor water quality as a result of incessant anthropogenic factors such as agricultural activities and faecal contamination around the water body. Overall, there is need to minimize anthropogenic activities in or around water bodies for effective utilization of this unique resource
Differences on the modifying inheritance between the species; Fragaria vesca L. and Fragaria ananassa
Full text linkBy modifying variability, let’s mean that a certain feature of the organism undergoes changes and does not maintain uniformity during its appearance (ie during the transfer of information from the genetic structure to the phenotypic one). In this paper, it is shown how the modifying inheritance is presented in the two types of the strawberry plant, in the one that grows in nature, Fragaria vesca L., and in the one cultivated in greenhouses, Fragaria ananassa. The number of leaf teeth, of these species, has served as the analyzed feature, on which our search for this type of inheritance is based. The paper sheds light on the great role of the environment in elaborating the inheritance of organisms by causing modifying changes in their phenotype in function of the status of the environmental factors in which this organism grows and develops. When these phenotypic modifications manage to become heritable, then it is possible to deal with the action of the epigenetic effect in inheritance. For this reason, studies of modifying inheritance in the phenotype of organisms are necessary. From the comparison of the results obtained, in terms of the modification changes observed between these two species, the null Hypothesis (Ho) is rejected; so, the observed changes have a real basis and are not a random finding. Thus it becomes clear to us that the modifying changes in the inheritance of the plant grown in the natural environment (with significant changes in environmental factors) are greater than those of the species grown in strict conditions – in greenhouses (without large variations in environmental factors). Of course, these changes have an impact on the nutritional and taste values of their fruits, as they affect the nutrient processing laboratory, the leave
Nutrient intake and digestibility of West Africa Dwarf rams fed basal diet supplemented with multi-nutrient block
Full text linkThirty-five (35) West African Dwarf rams (WAD) with an average weight of 13.60+0.2 kg were used to evaluate nutrient intake and digestibility of WAD rams fed basal diet supplemented with multi-nutrient block in a Completely Randomized Design. Multi-nutrient blocks were compounded containing varying levels of Corn Bran (CB) substituting Molasses (M) with CB 0:M 0 %, CB 10 %; M 20 %, CB 20 %; M 10 %, CB 30 %; M 0 % and CB 0 %: M 30 % as treatments 1,2,3,4 and 5 respectively. The trial lasted for fourteen (14) weeks. After the feeding study, the animals were allotted into metabolic cages for separate feeding, faecal and urine sample collection for digestibility trial of WAD rams. The basal diet fed was (Megathyrsus maximus). Data collected data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results obtained showed that multi-nutrient feed block did not significantly affect nutrient intake (p>0.05). The dry matter intake of the basal diet (Megathyrsus maximus) ranged from 278.81–326.66 g/day and varied significantly across dietary treatments (p<0.05). Multi-nutrient supplementation had a positive significant (p<0.05) effect on all nutrient digestibility parameters. The digestibility of dry matter ranged from 88.94 to 90.44 %, crude protein from 79.92 to 86.26 %, and neutral detergent fiber from 64.42 to 78.57 %. Based on this recent finding, a multi-nutrient feed block supplemented to a basal diet (Megathyrsus maximus) has no significant influence on nutrient intake but has the potential to be utilized to feed ruminants during the dry season for higher feed utilization of WAD ram
Impact of sprouted wheat grain flakes on the quality characteristics of dough and bread made from wheat flour
Full text linkBread is an essential food in many countries of the world, so it is important to increase its nutritional value. For this purpose, products of processing of plant raw materials with a high content of useful substances are effectively used. An important stage in the development of the technology of such products is the study of the influence of enriching raw materials on the formation of bread quality. This article presents the results of a study of the course of microbiological processes of dough ripening, changes in its structural and mechanical properties, organoleptic and physicochemical indicators of the quality of baked bread with the addition of sprouted wheat grain flakes.
It was found that in dough with sprouted wheat grain flakes (10…20 % instead of wheat flour) the indicators of titrate acidity and the amount of released carbon dioxide are 7.0…17.0 % and 9.0…26.4 % higher than in the control sample, which indicates the intensification of lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation. This is explained by the activation of fermentation microflora due to the increase in the amount of mono- and disaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals present in sprouted wheat grain flakes in the dough.
A 9.0…26.4 % higher indicator of dough spreading with flakes indicates a weakening of the dough structure, which is associated with their high enzymatic activity, which causes more intensive hydrolysis of gluten and starch in wheat flour.
To obtain bread with high organoleptic and physicochemical properties, it is advisable to use no more than 15 % of sprouted wheat grain flakes. The use of flakes will allow creating a bread technology that can be recommended for the nutrition of people living in extreme condition
Evaluation of functional-technological and organoleptic properties of cooked sausages with the addition of hemp oil
Full text linkThe use of vegetable oils as a source of polyunsaturated (omega-3 and omega-6) fatty acids in the production of meat products has been considered in order to increase their nutritional and biological value.
The issue of partially replacing pork fat in the minced meat cooked sausage with hemp seed oil has been investigated without deteriorating functional-technological and consumer properties, such as taste, aroma and color of the product, water-binding capacity and weight loss after temperature treatment, was investigated.
The work studied samples of cooked sausages with a replacement of pork fat with hemp oil in amounts of 1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 7 %. The hemp oil was added at the second stage of minced meat cutting in its pure form or in an emulsion state. The emulsion with hemp oil was prepared in a ratio of protein:oil:water 1:5:5. Soy protein was used for a stable emulsion.
It has been proven that the addition of hemp oil in its pure form practically does not change the pH of minced meat, and the addition of oil in the emulsion increases the value of active acidity in the alkaline direction.
When adding oil in the amount of 5...7 % in the state of emulsion, the water-binding capacity increased by 2.4...2.9 % compared to the control sample. The addition of oil in its pure form slightly reduced the water-binding capacity of the samples with 5 % and 7 % oil compared to the control sample by 0.2 % and 0.4 %, respectively.
Based on the results of organoleptic studies, the addition of hemp seed oil in the form of an emulsion in the amount of 3...5 % is proposed.
The obtained results prove the prospects of using hemp seed oil in the form of an emulsion in the composition of cooked sausages to improve the nutritional and biological value, enrich the product with unsaturated fatty acids and increase the yield after heat treatmen
Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of five Ethmia (Hübner, 1819) morfo-species from Türkiye
Full text linkThe genus Ethmia (Hübner, 1819) is a medium-sized moth with a global distribution that includes species and species groups with controversial systematics in terms of morphology. In modern systematic studies, determining species boundaries is an important step in revealing biodiversity. DNA barcoding allows testing species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships of controversial morpho-species. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene used as a DNA barcode is a universal marker used for species identification and delimitation in the animal kingdom. In this study, the COI genes of Ethmia amasina, Ethmia hakkarica, Ethmia caradjae, Ethmia similis and Ethmia tripunctella species from Türkiye, documented morphologically and recorded in the CESA collection, were sequenced for the first time. Genetic distances between close congeners were determined using the Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model using the barcodes of five Ethmia species. Bayesian inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) algorithms were used to reveal the phylogenetic relationships among the members of the genus. According to the genetic distance analysis results, Ethmia caradjae, E. similis, E. tripunctella and E. amasina are distinct taxa with strong species boundaries (>0.02). However, no significant genetic distance (0.01) was detected between Ethmia amasina and Ethmia hakkarica populations. According to the results of phylogenetic analysis, in the clade where the presented species are located, Ethmia caradjae and E. bipunctella are sister and form a clade by branching to these species, respectively, E. similis and E. similis. A clade formed by sister positions of E. amasina and E. hakkarica was connected to this clade, and E. tripunctella was closely related to these species. In addition, while the branch lengths of Ethmia caradjae, E. similis, E. tripunctella and E. amasina were at the species level, it was determined that although a lineage split was seen in the E. amasina and E. hakkarica distinction, it was not at the species level. Therefore, Ethmia hakkarica is a synonym of E. amasina according to the priority rul
Statistical analysis of the soil activity in Sheki-Zagatala economic region
Full text linkThis paper synthesizes findings from recent studies on the biological dynamics within these ecosystems. The aim of the work is to establish the limits and causes of variability of biological activity of soils in mixed forests of the Greater Caucasus, to identify existing relationships and to display them in the form of mathematical models. The selected Sheki-Zagatala economic region territories that receive the largest number of tourists and have high potential for ecotourism in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Gakh, Sheki, Oguz and Gabala regions located on the southern slopes of the Great Caucasus Mountains in the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic were selected as the study area. The ecological indicators of the research area were studied. Bioecological studies of modern soil cover are very relevant; young soil scientists can use the results obtained as literary material. The results of the study of the composition of mountain-forest brown soils of the Azerbaijan Republic provide grounds for recommending agrotechnical and soil-protective measures aimed at maintaining, preserving, and, if necessary, recreating the structure of the soil to improve the productivity and yield of agricultural crops. To increase the biological activity of soils, it is necessary to manage their redox potential and density by optimizing the species composition of stands and regulating their density. On forest nurseries, biological activity of soils is increased by liming, balanced application of organic and mineral fertilizers, use of siderates on the correct selection of which the efforts of researchers should be directed. The article shows changes in the amount of carbon dioxide, biomass and phytomass depending on the agrochemical properties of soil