EUREKA: Life Sciences
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Response of broiler chickens to raw, heat-treated and heat-treated dehulled sweet lupin seed (Lupins angustifolius) meals on feed intake, growth and carcass performances
Full text linkThe experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the partial substitution of soybean meal with raw and processed lupin seed (Lupinus angustifolius) meals on growth and carcass performances of Cobb 500 broiler chickens. Two hundred unsexed day-old chicks with similar body weight were randomly assigned to four treatment diets in completely randomized design with 5 replicates. The four dietary treatments diets were 0 % lupin seed meal (T1), 15 % raw lupin seed meal (RLS, T2), 15 % heat-treated dehulled lupin seed meal (HDLS, T3) and 15 % heat-treated lupin seed meal (HLS, T4). The CP content of RLS, HDLS, and HLS were 33.5, 37.1, and 35.4 %, respectively. The highest total and daily feed intake was observed in chickens reared in control diet (T1) while the lowest from T2 and T4 diets and differed (p<0.05) with the T1 diet. However, no significance effect was observed in feed conversion ratio among the treatment diets. Chickens fed with T1 diet had higher (p<0.05) final body weight, total and daily weight gains than those reared in T2 and T4 diets while these values were comparable to those fed on T3 diet. Similarly, higher (p<0.05) values were observed for slaughter weight, dressed carcass weight, drumsticks, keel bone meat, wings, neck and back and thorax in chickens fed with T1 diet than those of T2 and T4 diets; but these values did not differ with chickens fed on the T3 diet. The gizzard weight was similar between chickens fed with T1 and T3 diets while those on T2 and T4 diets had lower (p<0.05) values than those of T1 diet. The highest liver weight was observed in T1 diet while the lowest in T2 and differed (p<0.05). In conclusion it would be economically beneficial to replace 15 % of the soybean meal with heat-treated dehulled blue lupin seed meal in broilers ration under tropical environmen
Study of the quality indicators of the osmotic solution obtained after dehydration of apricot fruits
Full text linkThis study is designed to determine the feasibility of using osmotic solutions formed after dehydration of apricot fruits for sugar fortification. The purpose of the study is to analyze the quality indicators of osmotic solutions obtained as a result of osmotic dehydration of apricot fruits and to develop a rational direction for their further use. The subject of the study was apricot fruits (Prunus armeniaca) of the Aurora variety and enriched sugar. It is proposed to enrich sugar with a derivative product formed during the production of candied fruits using the method of osmotic dehydration and drying from apricot fruits. The results of the study showed that, according to organoleptic indicators, the osmotic solution formed after the production of candied apricot fruits corresponded to the raw material. The mass fraction of dry substances in the osmotic solution is reduced by 25,24 %, and sucrose by 20,3 % due to dilution with cell juice of apricot fruits. The osmotic solution had a fairly high color, probably due to saturation with carotenoids, the concentration of which is 15,87 mg/100 ml. Due to the addition of osmotic solutions, the color of sugar increases by 87.3 units. ICUMSA, however, the sugar solution is transparent, without insoluble sediment, mechanical and other impurities. In addition, sugar is enriched with carotenoids, the mass concentration of which is 1.13 mg/100 g. The analysis showed that the addition of osmotic solutions to sugar does not entail a deterioration in their microbiological composition. A model has been developed for the rational processing of apricot fruits and the use of waste osmotic solutions, which can become the basis for sugar enrichment technolog
Production and evaluation of the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of fruit jam from star fruit, hog plum and black plum
Full text linkTropical fruits such as black plum, star fruit, and hog plum are excellent sources of phytochemicals which are essential for human health but the back drop of these fruits is their perishability, leading to tones of postharvest losses. To address these concerns, these fruits could be utilized in jam processing to further extend their shelf lives. This research work on production and quality evaluation of mixed-fruit jam produced from star fruit, hog plum, and black plum using mixture experimental design of response surface methodology was undertaken to improve the utilization of these underutilized fruits in jam processing. The produced mixed fruit jams were assessed for physicochemical and antioxidant properties using standard methods. Statistical analysis and optimization of mixture variables were carried out using Design-Expert software version 6.0.8 while means were separated using ANOVA and significance accepted for p≤0.05 using Duncan ranged multivariate test using the IBM SPSS Statistics software version 22. Result of analysis for physicochemical properties showed that pH of the fruit jams ranged from 3.41 to 4.46, titratable acidity 0.33 to 0.48 %, total solids 44.35 to 75.07 %, while the range of 53.22–74.65°Brix was recorded for total sugar and 19.94 to 25.64 mPas for viscosity. Antioxidant properties of the fruit jams ranged from 310.34 to 471.57 mg/ml for DPPH and ranged from 526.64 to 650.26 mmol.AAE/g for FRAP. The result of mixture variable optimization showed that optimal responses, jam should be produced from fruit combination comprising 8.43 %-star fruit, 91.57 % black plum and 0 % hog plum with 60 % desirability or experimental run comprising 5.08 %-star fruit, 90.39 % hog plum and 4.53 % black plum with 58 % desirabilit
Growth performance and rumen microbial loads of west african dwarf rams fed diet containing garlic (Allium sativum) meal
Full text linkThe study investigated the effects of Garlic (Allium sativum) on growth performance and rumen microbial loads of West African Dwarf (WAD). Twenty-five (25) WAD rams with an average live weight of 17.38±0.04 kg were used in a completely randomized design for 16 weeks. Five concentrate diets containing varying levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 %) of Allium Sativum were formulated while Panicum maximum was fed as a basal diet. Rumen fluid was collected at the end of feeding trial to determine rumen microbial loads. Data collected were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results showed the daily dry matter grass intake was found to be higher at 2 % inclusion level (348.51 g/day) and lowest at 0.5 % inclusion which were significantly affected (p<0.05) by inclusion levels of garlic meal. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained (8.54) at 1 % inclusion compared to rams fed meal at 0 % which has 10.97 feed conversion ratio (FCR). The total bacterial values ranged from 2.87x107 cfu/ml to 4.47x107 cfu/ml in rams feed containing 1.0 % garlic meal which were significantly affected (p<0.05) by inclusion levels of garlic meal. The highest total protozoan counts 5.00x105 cfu/ml was obtained with rams fed diets containing 1.0 % garlic meal while the lowest total protozoan count 2.67x105 cfu/ml was recorded with diets containing 0.0 % garlic meal which was significantly affected (p<0.05) by inclusion levels. It was therefore concluded that Allium sativum meal can be incorporated into the diets of rams at 1 % for effective rumen fermentation and better nutrient utilization of West African Dwarf rams without any adverse effects on the health status of experimental ram
Contribution to the fight against post-harvest rot of tomato fruits (solanum lycopersicum.) Through the use of the aqueous extract of ageratum conyzoides
Full text linkTomato production in Cameroon faces numerous constraints, including post-harvest rot. This study was carried out with the aim of contributing to the fight against post-harvest rot of tomato fruits through the use of the aqueous extract of Ageratum conyzoides. To achieve this objective, the pathogen responsible for tomato fruit rot was isolated and the microscopic and macroscopic characters determined; the antifungal activity of the aqueous extract of A. conyzoides was evaluated in vitro using three doses (30, 60, and 120 mg/ml) with three repetitions at three different periods (before, during and after) fruit treatment by the extract and inoculation of the pathogen on scarified and non-scarified fruits. A synthetic fungicide Pencozeb served as a positive control. Parameters such as mass loss of tomato fruits, surface area of lesions induced on scarified and non-scarified tomato fruits, were measured using a balance and graph paper respectively. The results show that Fusarium oxysporum was the pathogen responsible for rotting tomato fruits and having the macroscopic characteristic of a cottony texture and a white aerial mycelium, macroscopically, Fusarium oxysporum presents two types of asexual spores, namely macroconidia which are curved, pale-colored spores, and microconidia which are ovoid spores with septate and branched hyphae, a smooth and thin cell wall. The antifungal test revealed that the aqueous extract showed an effect inhibitor on the development of the lesion surface and mass loss at the highest dose 120 mg/ml when the extract applied twenty-four hours (24 hours) before inoculation on the fruits was fungicides at a concentration of 120 mg/ml on Fusarium oxysporum. The pathogen-induced lesion area and mass loss of scarified tomato fruits were 6.000±3.09 and 10.04±9.37 respectively. In non-scarified fruits these values were 8.45±3.43 and 48,000±13.66 respectively for lesion area and mass loss. This extract can therefore be used as an alternative to chemical pesticides in fruit preservatio
Species composition and seasonal density of major mosquito vectors in relation to physicochemical and meteorological factors of the breeding habitats: a sign for mosquito-borne diseases in Niger, Nigeria
Full text linkWithin disease-endemic regions in Nigeria, specifically Niger State, mosquito-borne diseases lead to extensive morbidity and mortality. Species composition and seasonal density are vital in determining the prevalence of adult mosquitoes and associated diseases, hence, the existence of mosquito species. From May 2019 to March 2020, mosquito species were assessed. An experimental field closed-cage study was employed, and mosquitoes were sampled every two weeks by agitation and subjected to microscopy. A total of seven species of mosquitoes belonging to three genera (Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex) were collected. These include Aedes aegypti, Ae. dorsalis, Anopheles gambiae, An. coustani, Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. nigripalpus and Cx. salinarius. Mosquito density in large water bodies was significantly higher followed by the gutters and Swamps. Bosso demonstrated the highest species variation, followed by Katcha, Shiroro and the least was Lapai. The highest means density of mosquitoes was observed in August while the lowest was recorded in November. The overall peak density of adult mosquitoes was recorded in the rainy season and lower in the dry season. Mosquito density was correlated with temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorine, potassium, alkalinity, biochemical oxygen demand, conductivity, and pH. A positive correlation was found between mosquito density with rainfall and relative humidity. Only Anopheles in large water habitat was significant), indicating a positive influence of these habitats on mosquitoes. Mosquitoes vary across habitats and correlated positively with certain physical and chemical characteristics in different habitats. Manipulation of these parameters is essential to minimize mosquito disease
Wisdom of honey bees: colony foraging is governed by colony needs
Full text linkHoney bees visit the flowers for two essential nutritional requirements, viz., pollen and nectar. Sometimes the foraging bees collect more nectar, whereas at other times they collect more pollen. What makes them take such decisions has been the interest of many honey bee scientists. The objective of this article was to find out about the drivers causing such changes in the foraging decisions of the honey bee colony. The published literature was examined to find an answer to this question. For this, published research on foraging behavior of honey bees was scanned on different search engines. From the published reports, it has become evident that for making a choice between these two food sources, a high level of colony wisdom is involved. Sometimes the colony engages in brisk pollen collection, whereas on other occasions it engages in brisk nectar collection. Given the scarcity of a particular food type in the colony, the latter takes immediate and wise decisions. The colony makes these changes in the foraging decision depending on the needs of the colony. For example, with the addition of the unsealed brood and honey stores in the colony, the latter increases pollen foraging and decreases nectar foraging activity. However, with the addition of the sealed brood, the colony does not significantly change foraging activity. Likewise, with the addition of pollen stores, the honey bee colony decreases pollen foraging and increases nectar foraging activity. However, these colony decisions are not long-lasting. After some 20 days, the colony resumes its normal behavioral plasticity of usual nectar and pollen foraging activity. This knowledge of honey bee wisdom regarding its foraging decisions will be highly useful in colony management for honey production and/or pollination of crop
In vitro gas fermentation kinetics of compounded diets containing varying levels of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal
Full text linkThe study investigated in vitro gas fermentation kinetics of compounded diets containing different quantities of Tetrapleura tetraptera (TTFM). Three replicates of each dietary sample (200 mg) were incubated in buffered rumen liquor for 48 hours and the parameters such as in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and methane gas (CH4) were determined using in vitro gas production technique. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the gathered data. The IVDMD exhibited substantial variation (p<0.05) among treatments. The diet with 1.0 % Tetrapleura tetraptera had the highest in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), which may be useful for effective feed conversion efficiency. The acetate and propionate with total volatile fatty acids raised the inclusion levels of TTFM in the rams' diet by 1.5 to 2.0 %. Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal can be added to ruminant diets at a rate of up to 2.0 % to increase daily weight gain, nitrogen utilization, and nutrient digestibility, resulting in better storage of energ
Research of phenolic compounds content in yoshta berries for the perspective of cultivation and use in healthy nutrition in the steppe zone of Ukraine
Full text linkUnfavourable socio-economic conditions and unbalanced nutrition, expressed in the deficiency of biologically active substances, determine the need to use fruit crops as a source of biologically active substances. In world practice, priority is given to fruit plants that have biological activity useful for the human body. The relevance of the concept of balanced natural nutrition is increasing with the growth of the global population. Products containing pesticides, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors or other chemicals are included in the "black" list of all natural food advocates.
Jošta fruits is a low-calorie berry, 100 g of berries contain only 45‒48 calories. Nutritional value of yoshta (per 100 g of product): carbohydrates ‒ 9.1 g; fats ‒ 0.2 g; proteins ‒ 0.7 g; water ‒ 80 g. Jošta fruits contains vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in large quantities, vitamin P (rutin), pectin substances, phytoncides, organic acids, sugar, anthocyanins, potassium, iron, iodine, copper, etc. And the anthocyanins included in its composition accelerate metabolic processes and are capable of breaking down fats. Pectins improve and normalize intestinal microflora, which in turn contributes to cleansing. The aim of the work was the study of Jošta plant as a promising species for further possible ecological diversity of the territory of the right bank of the Dnieper in Ukraine.
The rare currant-gooseberry hybrid Jošta plant can be recommended for growing and using fruit products in functional human nutrition. The Jošta can be recommended for the cultivation and use of fruit products in functional human nutrition and, in particular, in the restaurant business namely locavores for the presentation of the author's intellectual interpretation of local product
Abundance, foraging behavior and pollination efficiency of insects visiting the flowers of Aonla (Emblica officinalis)
Full text linkMany insect species visit the flowers of a plant and play an important role in their pollination. Of late, the interest of the pollination biologists has been to determine their relative contribution towards the reproductive success of the plant. Such information is lacking on the pollinators of Aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), a plant of very high nutritive and medicinal importance. Therefore, let’s attempt to make this study to generate such information on this plant. The study was conducted on three varieties of Aonla (viz. Chakaiya, NA-7 and NA-10) for two years. An entire range of flower visitors of this fruit plant was captured with hand net from its field during its flowering period and were identified. On the basis of foraging mode, the flower visitors were characterized as pollinators and non-pollinators. Their abundances, foraging rates, activity durations and number of pollen grains carried on the surface were recorded, and these parameters were used to determine their relative contribution towards the reproductive success of this plant. Among the 12 insect species visiting the flowers of Aonla at the study site, 5 belonged to Hymenoptera, 6 to Diptera and one to Lepidoptera. Apis dorsata was the most abundant visitor having maximal foraging rate and carried maximal number of loose pollen grains, followed by A. mellifera, A. florea and Sarcophaga sp; other visitors had lesser values of these parameters. On the basis of these parameters, melittophilous mode of pollination was found to predominate in Aonla. However, the plant was found to be benefitted from the multispecies pollinator guild, and the pollinator diversity seemed to matter for maximization of pollination in Aonla. Therefore, there is a dire need to conserve the pollinator diversit