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Citric Acid Production by Aspergillus niger Cultivated on Parkia biglobosa Fruit Pulp
No full textThe study was conducted to investigate the potential of Parkia biglobosa fruit pulp as substrate for citric acid production by Aspergillus niger. Reducing sugar was estimated by 3,5‐dinitrosalicylic acid and citric acid was estimated spectrophotometrically using pyridine‐acetic anhydride methods. The studies revealed that production parameters (pH, inoculum size, substrate concentration, incubation temperature, and fermentation period) had profound effect on the amount of citric acid produced. The maximum yield was obtained at the pH of 2 with citric acid of 1.15 g/L and reducing sugar content of 0.541 mMol−1, 3% vegetative inoculum size with citric acid yield of 0.53 g/L and reducing sugar content of 8.87 mMol−1, 2% of the substrate concentration with citric acid yield of 0.83 g/L and reducing sugar content of 9.36 mMol−1, incubation temperature of 55°C with citric acid yield of 0.62 g/L and reducing sugar content of 8.37 mMol−1, and fermentation period of 5 days with citric acid yield of 0.61 g/L and reducing sugar content of 3.70 mMol−1. The results of this study are encouraging and suggest that Parkia biglobosa pulp can be harnessed at low concentration for large scale citric acid production
Microbiological, Nutritional, and Sensory Quality of Bread Produced from Wheat and Potato Flour Blends
No full textDehydrated uncooked potato (Irish and sweet) flour was blended by weight with commercial wheat flour at 0 to 10% levels of substitution to make bread. Comparative study of the microbial and nutritional qualities of the bread was undertaken. The total aerobic bacterial counts ranged from 3.0 × 105 cfu/g to 1.09 × 106 cfu/g while the fungal counts ranged from 8.0 × 101 cfu/g to 1.20 × 103 cfu/g of the sample. Coliforms were not detected in the bread. Bacteria isolated were species of Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Micrococcus while fungi isolates were species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, and Mucor. The mean sensory scores (color, aroma, taste, texture, and general acceptability) were evaluated. The color of the bread baked from WF/IPF2 (wheat/Irish potato flour, 95:5%) blend was preferred to WF (wheat flour, 100%) while WF/SPF1 (wheat/sweet potato flour, 100%) and WF/IPF1 (wheat/Irish potato flour, 90:10%) aroma were preferred to WF. However, the bread baked from WF, WF/IPF2 (wheat flour/Irish potato flour, 95:5%), and WF/SPF2 (wheat/sweet potato flour, 95:5%) was more acceptable than other blends. The use of hydrated potato flour in bread making is advantageous due to increased nutritional value, higher bread yield, and reduced rate of staling
Biological Treatment of Textile Effluent Using Candida zeylanoides and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Isolated from Soil.
No full textThis study evaluates the efficacy of yeasts isolated from soil in the treatment of textile wastewater. Two yeast species were isolated from soil; they were identified as Candida zeylanoides and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yeasts were inoculated into fask containing effluent and incubated for 15 days. Saccharomyces cerevisiae showed the most significant treatment capacity with a 66% reduction in BOD; this was followed closely by Candida zeylanoides with 57.3% reduction in BOD and a consortium of the two species showed the least remediation potential of 36.9%. The use of Saccharomy cescerevisiae and Candida zeylanoides in treatment of textile waste water will help to limit the adverse environmental and health implications associated with disposal of untreated effluent into water bodies
Phytoremediation of Lead Polluted Soil by Glycine max L.
No full textA study was designed to assess the phytoextraction potential of Glycine max L. for lead (Pb). Pots experiment was conducted. Viable seeds were planted in 5 kg of soil placed in each plastic pot having 0 ppm (control), 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 15 ppm, 20 ppm and 25 ppm of Pb respectively. The study was carried out for a period of 12 weeks under natural conditions. Physicochemical properties of the soil were determined using standard methods. The results revealed that pH, phosphorous and moisture contents increased while nitrogen and organic carbon contents decreased in polluted soil remediated with Glycine max L. compared to the unpolluted soil. Leaf, stem, seeds and roots of the plant were analyzed for Pb uptake after 12 weeks. The plants mopped up substantial concentration of Pb in the above plant biomass of the seeds (4.2 mg/kg), stem (1.37 mg/kg) and leaves (3.37 mg/kg) compared to concentrations in the roots (1.53 mg/kg). The phytoextraction ability of the plant was assessed in terms of its bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF). It was observed that the levels of Pb in the roots and shoots after 12 weeks showed that more bioavailable pool of Pb was translocated from the root to seeds, leaves and stem in that order. The results obtained suggest that the plant has phytoextraction ability and could be used in restoring soil polluted with P
Dramatic Script Writing and Its Effect on the Performance of Actors and Actresses in Nollywood Films
No full textThe Nigeria film industry called Nollywood is universally recognised as the third largest film industry in the world. As a film producing industry, it is important to know that the survival of such industry depends more on the quality of products produced. Scripts are the foundation of any film or video producing organisation as presentations seen on video productions come with the dynamics of a script. The Nigerian film industry, despite its record of achievements still battle with the problem of script writing which affects the performance of Nollywood actors and actresses. This study evaluates the quality of a good dramatic script and the role of a dramatic script on the quality of films produced. The study examines how the Nigerian films industry is affected by the quality of script used in its production. It proffers recommendation on how improvement can be achieved for professional development.
It clearly states the usefulness of the study to both the film industry, governments and non-governmental bodies who seek to use the medium of film for national development. As an evaluative and prescriptive study, data for analysis were generated through documentary or historical sources. Finally, the study concludes that film industries and home vidoes generally are fundamental weapons for development in the global world. Nollywood should rise to the global challenge facing the industry and the right drive should be put in place to tackle the problems. Nollywood as a film producing institution should know that it is important for Nollywood script writers to undergo a formal training on drama script writing. Also thorough field research work must be conducted by script writers for practical improvement in the art of drama script writing
Assay of the Level of Calcium, Magnesium and Inorganic Phosphorus in HIV Infected Patients in Owerri, Southeast Nigeria
No full textHIV is a retrovirus, but differs from other retroviruses such as Human T Lymphotrophic Viruses (HTLV) 1 and 2, is transmitted sexually and pre-natally. A total of eighty HIV/AIDS patients attending heart to heart in a Federal Medical center were assayed for the presence of Calcium, Magnesium and inorganic Phosphates which are among trace elements found in the human body, in relation to their CD4 cell counts. The mean (mMol/l) value and Standard Deviation of Calcium, Magnesium and Inorganic phosphates on the HIV infected male patients were investigated to be 1.96 ± 0.49(Ca),1.01± 0.80(Mg), and 1.03 ± 0.09(P) respectively, while the mean (mMol/l) value and Standard Deviation (SD) were 1.96 ± 0.49 (Ca), 0.99 ± 1.70 (Mg), and 1.07 ± 0.25 respectively. The infection rate was high on the female between the age range of 21-30 and 31-40 years with a prevalence rate of 33.5% (27) and 15.0% (12) respectively. Spectrophotometric assay using flow cytometer counter reported that the CD4 cell count of each individual infected with HIV is not dependent or have positive correlation or significant effects at (p>0.05) on the level of concentrations of Calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphates in the plasma, when compared to the controls and the normal estimate value for trace elements in human plasma. Based on the assay and statistical significance, the CD4 cell count of each individual patient infected with HIV or not, was assumed to be dependent on the anatomical composition and physiological state of their body, dietrary and environmental factors as well as educational exposure of the individual.Ni
Effects of exercise on PR intervals, QRS durations and QTC intervals in male and female students of University of Abuja.
No full textA study was conducted to determine the effect of exercise on Electrocardiogram (ECG) variables in students of University of Abuja, and gender variation of these variables was compared. Forty medical students were considered (22 males and 18 females), ages 18-30 years. The volunteers were subjected to exercise stress test by using bicycle ergometer. They exercised till exhaustion or attainment of 85% Heart Rate Maximum (HRmax) (Modified McArdle Protocol). ECGwas recorded pre and post-exercise. QTcintervals pre and post-exercise were 386.55 +/- 4.4ms and 415.82 +/- 4.89ms (range: 346 - 468ms) in males and 399.39 +/- 4.81ms and 409.11 +/- 4.44ms (range: 367 - 446ms) in females respectively. QTC was significantly raised post-exercise in male subjects. PR interval pre and postexercise were 153 +/- 5.09ms and 154.75 +/- 3.35ms (range: 116 - 206ms) in males and 160.44 +/- 6.5ms and 153.33 +/- 4.53ms (range: 116 - 243ms) in females respectively. QRS duration pre and post-exercise were found to be 90.86 +/- 0.97ms and 94.09 +/- 2.09ms (range: 83 - 122ms) in males and 87.44 +/- 1.36ms and 88.89 +/- 2.06ms (range: 80 - 113ms) in females respectively
Screening of Bacterial Consortium Isolated from Oil Contaminated Soil for its Potential to Degrade Crude Oil.
No full textEnvironmental pollution arising from oil spillage, especially hydrocarbon is a major environmental and public health concern. This environmental threat has led to the development of methods used to remediate an oil polluted site, which include the use of physical, chemical, and biological methods. Biological methods have been developed and improved for cleaning up oil contaminated sites and have become an alternative to chemical and physical methods. The potential of bacterial consortium to degrade crude oil was studied for 28 days at 30 C in mineral salt media containing one gram of crude oil. Three bacterial species (Pseudomonas, Micrococcus and Bacillus) were used and their potential to degrade crude oil was tested separately. The best three degrader, were used to construct a bacterial consortium. The highest percentage (98.4%) of total petroleum hydrocarbon degradation was recorded for a bacterial consortium, as compared to the percentage of degradation recorded for single isolate Micrococcus sp. IM6 (77.6%), Pseudomonas sp. IM2 (73.1%) and Bacillus sp. IM4 (67.7%) species, respectively. The result obtained from the study shows that a bacterial consortium is more effective than its single components and it can be used in reclaiming crude oil polluted soil
Effects of exercise on PR intervals, QRS durations and QTC intervals in male and female students of University of Abuja.
No full textA study was conducted to determine the effect of exercise on Electrocardiogram (ECG) variables in students of University of Abuja, and gender variation of these variables was compared. Forty medical students were considered (22 males and 18 females), ages 18-30 years. The volunteers were subjected to exercise stress test by using bicycle ergometer. They exercised till exhaustion or attainment of 85% Heart Rate Maximum (HRmax) (Modified McArdle Protocol). ECGwas recorded pre and post-exercise. QTcintervals pre and post-exercise were 386.55 +/- 4.4ms and 415.82 +/- 4.89ms (range: 346 - 468ms) in males and 399.39 +/- 4.81ms and 409.11 +/- 4.44ms (range: 367 - 446ms) in females respectively. QTC was significantly raised post-exercise in male subjects. PR interval pre and postexercise were 153 +/- 5.09ms and 154.75 +/- 3.35ms (range: 116 - 206ms) in males and 160.44 +/- 6.5ms and 153.33 +/- 4.53ms (range: 116 - 243ms) in females respectively. QRS duration pre and post-exercise were found to be 90.86 +/- 0.97ms and 94.09 +/- 2.09ms (range: 83 - 122ms) in males and 87.44 +/- 1.36ms and 88.89 +/- 2.06ms (range: 80 - 113ms) in females respectively
In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Jatropha curcas Seed Extract.
No full textThe antimicrobial effects of the methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts of J.curcas seed at concentration ranging from 50-200mg/ml were tested against some pathogenic organisms using agar diffusion method; the extracts exhibited antimicrobial activities with the zones of inhibition ranging from 10-25, 8-23, 10-20 and 12-21(mg/ml) for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Candida albican, respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) which ranges from 3.13-12.5mg/ml was determined using the broth dilution method; the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) ranges from 25-2.25mg/ml. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloid, glycosides,flavonoid and carbohydrate. The ability of the crude seed extracts of J.curcas to inhibit bacteria and fungi is an indication of its broad spectrum antimicrobial potential which may be employed in the management of microbial infections. It is necessary to determine the active dosage level so as to be able to formulate it into a pharmaceutical dosage for use in chemotherapy