Lafia Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research
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Isolation and Optimization of Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria from Maize Rhizosphere in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Get PDFPhosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are a type of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria which has the ability to convert insoluble phosphate into plant available forms. They are used as biofertilizers to restore soil health and fertility. In the present investigation, isolation, characterization and optimization of phosphate solubilizing activity of these microbes at different pH, temperature and carbon source was carried out. Eight phosphorus solubilizing rhizospheric bacteria (PSRB) isolates isolates were recovered from different farms in six local government from maize rhizosphere using the spread plate method on Pikovskaya agar. Amongst these eight isolates, five were recovered from Lafia local government while three were recovered from Kokona local government with the development of a prominent halozone. All isolates were morphologically characterised, amplified, and sequenced for taxonomic identification using 16S primers. The results indicated they belong to member of the genus Acinetobacter, Ochrobactrum, Brucella, Curtobacterium, Leifsonia and Microbacterium respectively. These strains when grown at different conditions of external carbon sources, temperature and pH showed highest phosphorus solubilizations of 326.23 µg/ml ± 0.21 at 30 °C, 325.50µg/ml ± 1.13 at a pH of 7 and 320.30µg/ml ± 0.36 with glucose as carbon source. The results from these findings could indicate the use of these isolate as trial biofertilizers on the field which will help improve crop yield and enhance plant growth promotio
Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis Among Primary School Pupils in Keffi Local Government Area, Nasarawa State
Get PDFSchistosomiasis, also known as bilharziasis or snail fever is primarily a tropical parasitic disease caused by eggs of adult stages of Schistosoma haematobium. Schistosomiasis has significant economic and public health consequences in many tropical and subtropical countries. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among pupils of primary schools in Keffi LGA. A survey of S. haematobium was carried out among primary school pupils between the ages of 4 - 12 years in three primary schools that were selected randomly. A Questionnaire was administered to obtain demographic data. A total of 250 urine samples were examined, comprising 152 from males and 98 from females. The sedimentation technique was used, and urine deposits were examined microscopically. The overall prevalence of infection with Schistosoma haematobium in this study was 31.6%. Prevalence of disease varied among different schools, with the highest prevalence recorded at NSUK Demonstration School (20.8%) followed by LEA Primary School GRA (7.2%) while ECWA Primary School had the least prevalence of 3.6%. Males had 20.8% while females had 10.8% prevalence about Gender. Infection prevalence based on age was recorded as highest among the 10 – 12 age group with a prevalence of 20.4%. For prevalence based on source of water, those who used well water had a prevalence of 23.2%; while for prevalence based on parent’s occupation, Farmers had the highest with 22.4%. The study confirmed the prevalence of S. haematobium in the study area.
Proton Beam Therapy-Based Computation in the Treatment of Human Ovarian and Liver Cancer using Srim
Get PDFProton beam therapy is a promising technique used to cure various types of cancer diseases in the human body. This technique can selectively damage cancer cells while leaving surrounding cells unaffected thereby minimizing collateral damage to the healthy cells. The position and the width of the cancerous cells are determined to calculate the energy required to destroy the affected cells. The energy loss to the damaged cells and other body parts is calculated separately with high accuracy. Computational analysis indicates that proton beams with energies of 46 MeV, 47 MeV, and 48 MeV effectively destroy localized cancerous cells of the ovary from the epithelial cells to the more invasive cancerous growth while proton beam energy range of 50 MeV to 89 MeV should be considered for the treatment of liver cancer of both the periphery tumours and tumours in the hilum. Transport of ions in matter (TRIM) data shows that more than 80% of proton energy is given off during ion bombardment at Bragg’s peak, while the remaining percentage is lost by phonon production and by recoils
Nutritive and Antinutritive Values of Fermented Guinea Corn (Sorghum bicolor L.) Fortified with Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.) Flour
Get PDFThe fermented guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor L) is a processed “ogi baba” and a popular starchy porridge in the west coasts of Africa. Although it is consumed by both young and old as a breakfast cereal, its main use is as weaning food for infants. In this study, the nutritive values of “ogi baba” from a composite mixture of guinea corn and bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L) were evaluated using standard processing techniques. Sorghum flour was substituted with bambara flour at ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40 guinea corn:bambara groundnut; with 100% sorghum–ogi and 100% bambara groundnut flours as controls. The results showed that the contents of ash, crude fat, crude protein and crude fibre were enhanced with increased bambara groundnut flour substitution. All the nutritive minerals such as Na, K, Ca, Mg and P also recorded increased concentrations in the fortified samples. Harmful metals such as cadmium and lead were not at detectable range of atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The total essential amino acids ranged from 28.74–37.14 g/100g crude protein or from 43.70–44.26% of the TAA while 60:40 substitution ratio has the best essential amino acid score values amongst the fortified samples based on the provisional FAO/WHO standards. There were decrease in the values of saponins, phytate, oxalate and alkaloids in the fortified samples compared with the controls. The results of sugars showed that there was gradual increase in the total sugar concentration with increased bambara groundnut flour substitution from 1.54 g/100g (90:10 ratio) reaching 2.41 g/100g (60:40 ratio).
Hand Carriage of Microorganisms by Students of Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Get PDFMicrobes from the body\u27s regular flora and transient microorganisms from the environment are found on human hands. Hands can also be used to spread disease from one person to another, especially among close persons. This study aimed to isolate and identify microorganisms from students\u27 hands and assess the occurrence of these bacteria based on gender, level of study, faculty, and hand area (palm and nails swab). Using the pour plate method, a total of sixty (60) hand swab samples (thirty (30) from both palm and nails) were collected and tested for bacterial and fungal presence. Bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus epidermidis (80.00 %), Staphylococcus aureus (75.00 %), Enterococcus spp (50.00 %), Micrococcus spp (46.67 %), Escherichia coli (45.00 %), Klebsiella spp (45.00 %), Bacillus spp (30.00 %), Salmonella spp (13.33 %) and Streptococcus spp (10.00 %). The fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger (45.00 %), Penicillium spp (23.33 %), Mucor spp (21.67 %), Candida spp (20.00 %) and Saccharomyces spp (15.00 %). Gender, level of study, faculty, and area of hand swab revealed no statistically significant variation in the presence of numerous bacterial and fungal species at p<0.05. These findings revealed that the microbial burden on students\u27 hands was significant and was unaffected by gender, level of study, or faculty. To improve students\u27 overall health, appropriate hygiene, including regular handwashing practice, and public education about the importance of hands in disease transmission should be supported
Wind Speed Characteristics and Energy Potentials in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Get PDFRenewable energy, specifically wind power, is vital for reducing fossil fuel dependency, greenhouse gas emissions, and improving energy security. With advancements in technology, wind energy has become cost-effective and competitive. Wind energy research in Lafia is essential to developing solutions in harnessing its potential as a significant renewable energy source for Nigeria, which has abundant but untapped wind energy resources. This study investigates the wind energy potential in Lafia, Nasarawa State, using daily averaged wind speed data from MERRA-2 measured at 2, 10, and 50-metre altitudes. The Weibull distribution function was applied to determine Lafia\u27s wind energy potential, and the outcomes revealed that the highest yield for wind harvest occurred during the peak of the dry season in February, while the lowest yield for wind harvest occurred during the beginning of the dry season in October. Moreover, the monthly mean power densities peaked in February, 2001 at 341.87 W/m2 (class 3: 300 < PD ≤ 399), indicating moderate potential, and in January, 2002 at 454.12 W/m2 (class 4: 400 < PD ≤ 499), indicating good potential. However, the peak monthly mean power densities in December, 2003 and February, 2004 were poor and marginal, respectively, according to the Wind Resource Potential (WRP) classification. Furthermore, at 50 metres altitude, the recorded wind speeds were above the recommended minimum (3.00 – 4.00 m/s) for most wind turbines to start producing electricity. The findings indicate significant wind resource potential at high altitudes (50 metres) in Lafia, which suggests great potential for wind energy generation
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
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.