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Levels of aflatoxin M1 and selected heavy metals in the breast milk of lactating mothers in Owerri, Nigeria
Get PDFThe master's thesis contains tables and figuresMother's breast milk which is the basic diet for infants is loaded with proteins, fats, carbohydrates and essential minerals which are necessary for proper nutrition of the infant. Regrettably, breast milk is also a likely source of aflatoxins and toxic metals which are unsafe for the breastfeeding child. In Nigeria, there is a paucity of information on aflatoxin and toxic heavy metals exposure, especially in the southeast region. In the present study, we assessed the level and frequency of breast milk AfM1 and some heavy metals as biomarkers of
maternal exposure. Breast milk samples were collected from a selected group of 40 lactating mothers of infants attending the Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo State, between June and August 2019. Some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Fe, As, and Hg) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry while AfM1 levels were assessed by HPLC with
fluorescence detection after aflatoxin extraction. The mean (±standard deviation) concentration of AfM1 in the breast milk samples was 4.02±1.12 ng/L and 100% of all the samples contained AfM1 at 2.33 – 7.08 ng/L. AfM1 concentration was positively and significantly (p0.05) was observed between AfM1 concentration in breast milk with employment status and educational level in nursing mothers. The mean (±standard deviation) values of these heavy metals were Cd: 0.029±0.013 mg/L, Cr: 0.019±0.011 mg/L, Cu: 0.035±0.013 mg/L, Fe: 0.049±0.039 mg/L, Pb: 0.038±0.013 mg/L and Zn: 0.009±0.008 mg/L. The result of the estimated daily intake of breast milk by the breastfed infants shows that heavy metals such as Pb, Fe, and Cd are ingested more daily than other metals analyzed. There was a weak positive but non-significant correlation between heavy metal content and daily intake of maternal diet except for beans where a significant correlation (p<0.01) was found with Cr, Cu and Zn. A weak positive but non-significant correlation was also observed between exposure to heavy metals such as Cu, Fe and Pb and maternal diets. None of the samples exceeded the national and international legal regulatory limit for AfM1 and the selected heavy metals in breast milk except for chromium. Generally, their presence still poses a health risk
Microbial assessment of grey water samples treated with activated carbon forms of selected agro-wastes
Get PDFIt is an original research article with tablesThis study evaluated the efficacy of activated carbon from rice husk, corn cob and coconut husk wastes in the reduction of microbial properties of grey water samples harvested from students’ hostels. Microscopic characterization, enumerations and identification of microbial isolates were carried out to determine the microbial community before and after the treatment with activated carbon. Staphylococcus sp, Micrococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Salmonella sp, Saccharomyces sp and Penicillium sp were observed to be present in the grey water. Before treatment, Total Heterotrophic Count (THC) was 1.2 x 1011cfu/ml, Total Coliform Count (TCC), 6.4 x 106cfu/ml and Total Fungi Count (TFC) 2.2 x 1010cfu/ml. THC after the treatment ranged from 1.69 x 109 - 7.6 x 1010cfu/ml; TCC, 2.2 x 105 - 7.3 x 108cfu/ml and TFC 1.0 x 108 - 1.2 x 109cfu/ml. Reduction in the microbial load after treatment revealed that activated carbons from rice husk, corn cob and coconut husk can be used singly or in combined states for the treatment of wastewater
Ammonia variations in Owerri metropolis and ecological impact
Get PDFA research article with figures and tablesAmmonia emissions inventory is rarely reported in Nigeria and when at high levels is toxic to animals including humans. It is instructive to evaluate the levels of ammonia in metropolitan area as a priority to promote a clearer understanding of its distribution and interaction. The study investigated the levels of ammonia in different parts of Owerri Metropolis and its ecological impact. Ambient atmospheric NH3 concentrations have been measured for Owerri metropolis, away from point sources, for a period of three consecutive months in 2018 calendar year. Measured lowest mean NH3 concentrations have been in August at 0.04633 mg/L, which exceeded the critical loads and occupation exposure limits. There has been no significant change in the spatial variation in NH3 concentrations between the months albeit different locations varied significantly. The ecosystems where lichens and bryophytes are key species within the studied area may be under threat from loss of biodiversity while levels of human exposure to NH3 are completely unacceptable and require reducing and controlling measures. Hence, excess ammonia will induce elevated nitrification and denitrification driving higher greenhouse gas emission
Effect of austempering process parameters on the mechanical properties of ductile cast iron quenched in moringa seed oil
Get PDFThis research was conducted in collaboration with a staff of FUTO. It contains tables and figuresThe use of Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI) is rapidly gaining ground because of its excellent properties such as high strength, high wear and abrasion resistance, excellent fatigue, high toughness and high strength-to-weight ratio, that are suitable for most of engineering applications. However, determination of the right process parameters needed to developADI products with combination of desirable properties that are most appropriate for specific application is a major challenge that faces production and material design engineers. There is need to ensure that ADI materials are either over-or under- processed to guarantee the development of the candidate material required for an engineering application. Hence, the effects of austempering process parameters on the mechanical properties of austempered ductile cast iron were studied. Ductile cast iron was developed by alloying cast with 0.06% magnesium. The cast samples were machined and then austenized at 9500C, held at this temperature for 1 hour before quenching in moringa seed oil. Thereafter, the samples were subjected to isothermal treatment at different austempering temperatures of 2400C, 3500C and 4200C for different time durations of 2.5, 3.5 and 4 hours. The samples of the austempered ductile cast iron were examined for microstructural details and then subjected to tensile testing, hardness and percentage elongation. The results obtained within the time range of 2.5 – 4 hours for the various temperatures of 2400C, 3500C, 4200C indicate that the values of tensile strength, hardness and percentage elongation were within the ranges of 1151 – 849MPa, 306 – 267BHN and 2.86 – 5.97% respectively. It was found that austempering temperature range of 350 - 4200C yielded increase in percentage elongation with decrease in tensile strength and hardness. This is due to the presence of coarser ausferrite matrix with higher amount of carbon diffusion. However, lower temperature austempering process such as 2500C showed improved tensile strength and hardness with low ductility. This shows that optimum tensile strength value of ADI is obtainable at low austempering temperature while maximum elongation requires higher austempering temperature. It was therefore concluded that at specific austempering temperature, the mechanical properties of austempered ductile cast iron could vary with time and temperature. Thus, there is a strong correlation between specific engineering properties of austempered cast iron and the austempering parameter
Inhibition of mild steel corrosion in acidic medium using theobroma cacao pod
No full textThis research was conducted in collaboration with a staff of this institutionCorrosion inhibition effect of cold water extract of Theobroma cacao pods - Cocoa pod (TCP-CP) on mild steel corrosion in 1 M HCl base stock solution has been studied. The study was conducted using weight loss measurement narrowed down to the effect of immersion time, inhibitor concentration and temperature on the corrosion behavior of mild steel in 1 M HCl in the absence and presence of TCP-CP. The study also investigated the thermodynamic properties of the inhibitor in the corrodent and revealed that the adsorption of the cold extracts of TCP-CP on mild steel surface was concentration dependent and obeyed Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The equilibrium constant of adsorption process (Kads) for TCP-CP inhibitor evaluated mathematically is 0.00266, 0.0271, 0.1795, 0.0253 and 0.0147 (mg/L) with a free energy of adsorption (∆Goads) value of -0.978, -1.060, -6.173, 0.942 and 0.737 kJ/mol at 303, 313, 323, 333 and 343 K respectively. The small values of Kads suggest weak absorption which is corroborated by the low negative values of the free energy of adsorption, ∆Goads, values obtained from thermodynamic measurements. The negative value of ∆Goads suggests that the adsorption of TCP-CP inhibiting particles on the mild steel surface was favourable from thermodynamic point of view and provided proof that TCP-CP extracted with cold water is an efficient inhibitor and the thermodynamic properties of the examined concentrations determine
Antibacterial activity and identification of metabolites from the semi-purified fraction of chrysophyllum albidum leaf (African Star Apple)
No full textThis article contains tables and figuresThe medicinal uses of natural products especially medicinal plants have increased tremendously due to the multidrug resistance of some microorganisms and due to the availability and
affordability of these plants. This study was aimed at the identification of metabolites from the fractions of Chrysophyllum albidium and their antibacterial activity. The phytochemical analysis and antibacterial analysis were done using standard methods; Harborne and Agar-disc diffusion methods, respectively. The metabolite identification was done using infra-red (IR) and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The preliminary result of the antibacterbial screening showed that the neutral metabolite possessed the highest antibacterial activity and was then chosen for the IR and GC-MS study and purified using preparative thin layer chromatography. Various fractions were obtained from the chromatographic purification and in particular N3 fraction demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity against the test microbes with the zones of inhibition indicated against the test organism as follows: Streptococcus spp (18 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (20 mm), Salmonella typhi (25 mm), Escherichia coli (20 mm) and no inhibition zone against Enterobacter cloacae. The results confirm that the plant has some antibacterial activity
The World of Mineral Deposits A Beginner`s Guide to Economic Geology-Springer
No full textThis is a book with 10 preliminary pages, 371 main pages, fully illustrated with index
Phytochemistry and antimicrobial properties of gmelina arborea (Verberaceae) ethanolic leaf extract and its secondary metabolites
Get PDFThis article contains tablesThe aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial potential of Gmelina arborea ethanolic leaf extract which is used in traditional medicine for treating different ailments such as hallucinations, piles, abdominal pains, burning sensation, diabetes and fever. It is also intended to study its acidic, basic and neutral metabolites with a view to identify the phytochemical compounds responsible for the observed antimicrobial properties. Phytochemical screening was carried out on the airdried ethanolic leaf extract and its secondary metabolites in the Research Laboratory of Phytochemistry/ Chromatography, N4 Alaenyi Street, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The antimicrobial study was carried out using the Agar disc diffusion method and determination of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) in the department of Microbiology, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The ethanol leaf extract and its secondary metabolites (acidic, basic and neutral) were prepared and assayed for antimicrobial activities. The test microorganisms used were Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp, Escherichia coli and Coliform bacilli. Inhibition zone diameter was used as a measure of the antimicrobial activity. The results of the antimicrobial screening of the crude extract and metabolites showed that the crude extract, acidic and neutral metabolites possessed antimicrobial activity to various extents against the microorganisms tested whereas the basic metabolite showed no activity at all. The results showed that the crude extract exhibited its greatest activity against Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with inhibition diameter of 20 mm at 1.0 mg/ml and MIC of 0.5 mg/ml. The least activity was against Salmonella spp with inhibition zone diameter of 15 mm and MIC of 0.5 mg/ml. The acidic metabolite exhibited its greatest activity against Escherichia coli with inhibition zone diameter of 35 mm at 1.0 mg/ ml and MIC of 0.25 mg/ml. The least activity was against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp with inhibition zone diameter of 25 mm at 1.0 mg/ml and MIC of 0.5 mg/ml respectively. The neutral metabolite exhibited its greatest activity against Salmonella spp and Coliform bacilli with inhibition zone diameter of 30 mm at 1.0 mg/ml and MIC of 0.5 mg/ml. The least activity was against Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zone diameter of 22 mm at 1.0 mg/ml and MIC of 0.5 mg/ml. The phytochemical screening results showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, cyanogenic glycosides, steroids, carbonyl compounds and carbohydrates. Saponins, carbonyl compounds and carbohydrates were shown to be much higher in concentration than other phytochemicals. The results obtained in this study confirm the antimicrobial properties of Gmelina arborea leaf extract and suggest that this property resides in the acidic and neutral metabolites since the basic metabolite showed no activity at all. The study supports the use of this plant in folk medicine for treatment of ailments such as stomach disorders, healing of wounds, burning sensation and fever
Genetic differentiation of six improved tropically adapted chicken breeds in Imo State Nigeria using mitichondrial DNA
Get PDFThis thesis is for the award of Master of Science (MSc.) in Animal Breeding and GeneticsThis study investigated the genetic differentiation (degree of divergence) of six Improved Tropically Adapted Chicken Breeds (iTABs), raised under semi-intensive management system in Imo State. Blood samples were collected from 77 chickens belonging to these six populations of iTABs in the ratio (12:12:14:13:13:13), for Noiler, FUNAAB-Alpha, Shika Brown, Kuroiler, Sasso and Fulani chickens, respectively. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples in the same ratio for the same populations, respectively. A 592-bp of mtDNA D-loop region was amplified followed by partial sequencing of the mtDNA D-loop region. A 315 bp long sequence fragment was subsequently realized and used for the various analysis using different softwares. Results showed that 14 haplotypes were identified from 62 polymorphic sites. The highest (H=10) and the lowest (H=5) number of haplotypes were found within FUNAAB-Alpha, and Shika Brown/Noiler, respectively. The haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide diversity (Pi) within population ranged from 0.731 (Sasso) - 0.970 (FUNAAB Alpha), and 0.383 (Sasso) – 0.471 (FUNAAB Alpha), respectively while the Hd and Pi among population were 0.796±0.025 and 0.386±0.013, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis grouped the iTABs into three main clades out of the seven clades identified in Asian domestic chicken with 97.39 % of the total maternal genetic variations occurring within population. Sasso and Shika Brown had the least (0.385) genetic distance. The analysis of mutation type associated with SNP revealed a total of 157 SNPs in the six breeds. There was an abundance of non-synonymous transition mutations within and across the breeds‟ except in Shika brown that have higher abundance of synonymous transition mutations. There was a moderate to high genetic differentiation between the six populations of iTABs as revealed by Arlequin 3.5.1.3 software, but significant value was observed only between Sasso and FUNAAB-Alpha (0.517). Tajima‟s D and Fu‟s F statistics were positive both within and among populations but was only statistically significant among the populations. Significant Fu‟s F was observed within the population of Noiler, Shika Brown, Kuroiler, and Fulani. Diversity indices of this study revealed that mtDNA polymorphism was high within populations and low among populations. All the breeds shared a common ancestry with Sasso while Shika Brown was more closely related. The iTABs originated from three distinct maternal lineages from Southeast Asia, Indian subcontinent and Southwest China. Results of the mutation analysis gives an indication that there is a conservation substitution in which case the alteration of the observed SNPs are less likely to have any severe effect on the protein structure and function. Therefore, it is recommended that the findings of this study could be utilized for the long term genetic improvement and stabilization of the breeds