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NEMATICIDAL POTENTIAL OF EXTRACTS OF NEEM (Azadirachta indica) AND LEMON GRASS (Cymbopogon citratus) ON ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES (Meloidogyne spp) INFECTING SWEET POTATO
Get PDFThe nematicidal potential of extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves and Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) on root-knot nematodes infecting sweet potato was evaluated between the months of June and November, 2012 at the Botanical Nursery of the University of Jos. The root-knot nematodes were obtained from galled roots of tomato and potato in Jos farms. A total of forty (40) sweet potato cultivar TIS 87/0087 were raised in steam-sterilized soil in clay pots and used for the study. Thirty (30) of the test plants were inoculated with 2250 juveniles of root-knot nematodes each while 10 were not inoculated serving as positive control. Ten of the inoculated plants were treated with extracts of neem leaves, 10 were treated with extracts of lemon grass while 10 were not treated, they served as negative control. Growth and yield parameters were then measured from 42 days after planting to 120 DAP using agronomic traits as a measure of growth and yield. Growth and yield parameters such as number of leaves, length of vines, number of tubers, weight of tubers etc were highest in the positive control, followed by sweet potato infected with nematodes and treated with lemon grass extract, then those treated with Neem leaves extract while those not treated with extract had the least growth and yield. Statistical analysis showed that the positive control produced significantly higher (P˂ 0.05) growth and yield parameters than all the other treatments. Infected plants treated with the extracts were also found to have significantly higher growth and yield parameters than the plants that were infected but not treated with extracts (negative control) at 0.05 level of probability. Number of galls was highest among the plants from the negative control, followed by plants treated with lemon grass extracts. The findings indicated that extracts of Lemon grass and Neem leaves improved growth and yield data of nematodes infected sweet potato and thus could be utilized in the control of root-knot nematodes in garden
RESPONSES OF DIFFERENT TOMATO VARIETIES TO DISEASE STRESS UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS OF GRAVITY
Get PDFA study was carried out to evaluate the responses of different tomato varieties to fungal disease stress under different conditions of gravity, in Lafia, Nasarawa State Nigeria. Seeds of three local tomato varieties namely; UTC, Teema and Dan Syria were plated on plant agar inoculated with culture filtrates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Pythium ultimum, and rotated on a clinostat at a speed of 20 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 96 hours in a dark growth chamber. Seedlings of Dan Syria subjected to the condition of normal gravity had the highest Frequency of germination (79.61%), seedling height (4.01mm) and stem girth (0.19mm). Teema had thehighest width of vascular bundles (1.18mm) under normal gravity condition. Under conditions of microgravity, the highest number of trichomes (15.38), plant height (3.25mm), width of epidermis (0.19mm), and frequency of germination (66.63%), were observed in the UTC variety. The least frequency of germination (27.75%) and seedling height (1.06mm) was observed in Dan Syria under the condition of microgravity. Trichomes were absent in seedlings of Dan Syria under normal gravity. Seedlings of Dan Syria, UTC, and Teema subjected to disease stress revealed absence of stomata on exposure to microgravity conditions. Differences in effect of gravity conditions on morphological and anatomical features of the seedlings were significant (P≤0.05). The UTC tomato variety showed higher disease tolerance under microgravity stress, and could be considered for genetic studies aimed at selection of stress tolerance genes in the tomato variety, for enhanced yield and productivit
TRANSVERSE VIBRATION AND STABILITY PARAMETERS ANALYSES OF AN OFFSHORE FLUID-CONVEYING PIPE
Get PDFThe vibration and the stability behaviour of a simply supported offshore pipe conveying fluid was investigated in this research work. The governing differential equation for the transverse vibration of the system was derived according to Euler Bernoullis’ equation for the fluid-pipe system and solved using the integral Fourier- Laplace Transformation. The effect of some flow parameters like mass ratios, Coriolis force and velocity of flow were analysed. The results revealed that natural frequency increased with increase in mass ratios and pipe thickness while it decreased with increase in pipe length. Flutter instability was observed in the system due to the presence of complex natural frequency where the imaginary part dominated the flow situation. The instability was made worse when Coriolis force was neglected 
INDUCTION OF NORMOCYTIC-NORMOCHROMIC ANAEMIA IN Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) EXPOSED TO ACUTE CONCENTRATION OF 1, 1-dimethyl 4,4-bipiridillium (PARAQUAT) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS
Get PDFfish were exposed to test water separately diluted with acute concentrations of paraquat of 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30mg/L. A 96Hrs exposure to acute concentrations of the toxicant resulted in normocytic-normochromic anaemia in the exposed fish. Blood indices attributable to normocytic-normochromic anaemia was observed with a significant (p<0.05) decrease in haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cells compared with fish in the control test: Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscularhaemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were not significantly different (p>0.05). White blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, Neutrophils, eosinophil and basophil were also not significantly different (p>0.05) with increasing concentrations of the toxicant 
PULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS AMONG HIV PATIENTS WITH TB SMEAR NEGATIVE ATTENDING AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL
Get PDFAspergillosis is a life threatening disease especially among the immunocompromised, like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infected patients, whether they are smear positive or negative. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Aspergillosis among HIV patients with TB smear negative results. Early morning sputum samples were collected from HIV patients with TB smear negative results. The samples were screened using Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique before direct Gram’s staining was done and cultured onto Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (DCA) supplemented with chloramphenicol and incubated for 48hrs at 37°C. The fungal isolates were examined morphologically using macroscopy and microscopically identified using lactophenol cotton blue staining under the microscope. One hundred and eighty seven (187) participants were included in the study in which 81(43.3%) were males and 106(56.7%) were females, out of which a prevalence 32(17%) was obtained
Prevalence and Antifungal Susceptibility of Fungal Isolates Associated with Otomycotic Patients in Lafia
Get PDFThis study assessed the fungal pathogens associated with otomycosis and their antifungal profile. A cross-sectional study was done to collect, examine and culture 177 exudate swabs from patients presenting with otomycosis at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital for three months. Fungal isolates were identified using their morphological and microscopic structure and characteristics. Mycological assessments showed that 20.90% were positive for fungal agents. Males (70.27%) had more positive cases than females (29.73%). Age group 31-40 had the most predominant number of cases (49.95%) than any other age group. A. niger (51.35%) was the most predominant, followed by Candida spp. (32.43%), while A. flavus (16.22%) was the least prevalent. The month of May had the most positive cases (16; 43.24%), and March had the least (24.32%). Antifungal assay showed varied susceptibility of the isolates to the antifungals. A. flavus showed no resistance to Itraconazole. However, multiple drug resistance was observed amongst the samples, with A. niger showing high resistance to ketoconazole and fluconazole. This study showed that A. niger, A. flavus and Candida spp. are etiological agents associated with otomycosis in Lafia. Caution also needs to be taken in managing this infection as multiple drug resistance was also observed
Comparative Evaluation of Analytical Techniques Used in Estimating Acetylation of Lignocellulosic Materials
Get PDF The techniques commonly used in estimating the extent of acetylation are based on the principle of substituting hydroxyl groups with acetyl groups. In this study, three lignocellulosic materials were modified using a solvent-free method of acetylation with NBS (N – bromosuccinimide) as a catalyst. The extent of modification of these materials was estimated using three techniques – weight percent gain (WPG), extent of acetylation (R), and degree of substitution (DS). Six (6) factors were considered in the acetylation of the lignocellulosic materials. Equality of variance – covariance matrices of the techniques across the factors in all the materials were tested with Box’s M test. The performance and response of the techniques to variation of the factors studied were compared statistically using multivariate analysis (MANOVA) and Duncan multiple range test. MANOVA results showed no statistical difference in the response of the techniques towards variation of the factors studied in acetylating these materials. However, it also showed that there was a significant difference in the performance of the techniques used in estimating the extent of acetylation. Duncan multiple range test analysis indicated that WPG performed best in estimating the extent of acetylation. Thus, any of the techniques can be used to estimate the extent of acetylation satisfactorily.
Proximate, Phytochemical and Amino Acid Compositions of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) Leaves and Fruits
Get PDFIn light of the escalating global challenges, the exploration of unconventional edible wild plants gains significance. This study focuses on Calotropis procera, renowned for its medicinal and toxic properties, particularly in its leaves and fruits. Analysis of these plant parts, following the Association of Official Analytical Chemists\u27 procedures, revealed nutritional and phytochemical compositions (dry weight). Proximate composition (%) of leaves and fruits were: Moisture (9.03, 8.37), crude protein (20.81, 19.55), crude fiber (10.20, 20.91), crude fat (3.58, 3.41), ash (17.21, 16.83), and carbohydrate (39.19, 31.04), respectively. The predominant phytochemical was phytate with values of 116.5 and 83.72 (mg/100g) for leaves and fruits. Amino acid analysis revealed total contents of 72.43 and 70.82 g/100g crude protein for leaves and fruits, with the highest concentration in both being Glu (9.45 and 9.39 g/100g cp). Essential amino acids (with His) were 38.14 g/100g cp (52.67%) for leaves and 36.81 g/100g cp (51.98%) for fruits. While these findings highlight their potential as dietary supplements, further research is essential to develop processing methods that mitigate risks. This study contributes to understanding the nutritional and ant-nutritional profile of Sodom apple, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach to harness its benefits effectively
PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTEASE EXTRACTED FROM “YATSIN BIRI” GINGER (Zingiber officinale) CULTIVAR OF NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA
Get PDFenzymes for cheese making and related processes have ignited a flame of scientific enquiries on the possibility and suitability of their substitution by other enzymes of plant sources. In this study, ammonium sulphate fractionation, characterization and milk clotting activity (MCA) of protease extracted from YatsinBiri ginger rhizome cultivar of the family Zingiberaceae from northwestern Nigeria were analysed. The protease extracted showed optimum activity at 50 °C and pH value of 5.5. Relative activity of the enzyme was also observed within a broad pH range of 4.5 to 7.0 accordingly. The enzyme was completely denatured at 100 °C and alkaline pH of 11.5. The milk clotting property of the protease indicated 2.83 and 1.81 folds of MCA and MSCA respectively in relation to commercial calf rennet with MCA/PA ratio of 2.18. These properties of YatsinBiri ginger protease, especially its milk clotting activity, broad pH ranges and moderately elevated temperature of 50 °C, may favour its suitability as substitute calf rennet in the food industries, especially incheese making and related product
INDUCTION AND PURIFICATION OF DIPHENOL OXIDASE FROM Lenzite elegans
Get PDFLaccase (EC.1.10.3.2. Diphenol oxidase) are multicopper oxidases that catalyze oxidation of many substituted phenolic compounds, aromatic amines including some inorganic substances by using molecular oxygen as electron acceptor. Nevertheless, most laccases that have been studied so far are not well-suited for industrial applications due to their low stability at high temperatures or pH values. This research focused on identifying and characterizing novel fungal laccases that have potential for industrial applications as well as developing efficient production methods for laccases. Lenzite elegans, a white rot fungi was screened by plate tests using indicator compound 2,2’ Azinobis(3-thylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic ) acid (ABTS). The ability of Lenzite elegans to produce laccase was studied in liquid media. This fungal species produced significant amounts of laccase in titers (958 U), and the enzyme was preliminarily characterized. The novel laccase was found to be rather typical basidiomycete laccase