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Assay-Guided Extraction and Kinetics of Radical Scavenging Activity of Curcumin from the Rhizome of Curcuma longa Linn: Assay-Guided Extraction of Curcumin from C. longa
No full textExtraction of phytoceuticals from medicinal plants need to be optimized to produce standardized, dose-dependent and reliable extracts to meet food or drug administration regulations for translation into approved nutraceutical or pharmaceutical products. Effect of selected limiting extraction variables on yield and antiradical activity of curcumin-rich extract from Curcuma longa rhizomes was investigated. Assay-guided response (free radical scavenging activity) was used to determine the optimized set of extraction parameters. Curcumin-rich extract was produced using solvent boiling process at 65 oC with absolute methanol of weight ratio 1:50 (w/v) within 1 h. Relative radical scavenging activity of the extract derived using the optimized set of parameters recorded an IC50 of 497 μg/ml and its total antiradical capacity determined within 6 h (76 - 85 % at a concentration of 400 – 600 μg/ml) was not significantly different from that of commercially available natural curcumin used as reference. Time-dependent kinetic analysis revealed an initial fast burst in rate of activity (2.27 – 7.77 min-1) followed by a slow reaction rate in a steady second phase (0.12 – 0.54 min-1). Conclusively, appreciable amount of curcumin-rich extract of enhanced antiradical activity was extracted from the rhizome of C. longa using assay-guided procedure.
Keywords: assay-guided extraction; antioxidant; curcumin; Curcuma longa; free radical; kinetic
Entrepreneurial Activities as Antidotes to Retirement Penury in Nigeria: A Study of Southwestern States
Get PDFThis paper examines entrepreneurial activities as alternative to retirement penury in Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to identify whether or not entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation are ways to retirement penury, seek ways of making entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation relevant at retirement and confirm or otherwise, the effects of entrepreneurial activities on retirement penury. The descriptive research design was employed. 106 respondents were randomly sampled with structured questionnaire. The result revealed that 82.08% of the respondents were in active service while 17.92% had retired with the implication that respondents in the study area should know what retirement plan entailed. The coefficient of determination (R2) obtained was 0.8145 indicating that 81.45% of antidotes for penury might be entrepreneurial activities. Moreover, the F-statistics computed for the test is 38.052 with the probability value of 0.0000 which is less than 5% critical value showing that entrepreneurial activities is statistically significant. The regression coefficients of EA and RLMR were -0.013 and -0.005 respectively. The null hypotheses were rejected because the p-values of EA and RLMR were 0.0003 and 0.018 respectively, all significant at 5% meaning that entrepreneurial activities are antidotes to retirement penury. The study concludes that retirees in any sector in Nigeria needed to engage in entrepreneurial activities at retirement
Polyhydroxyalkanoate Producing Potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Get PDFPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are inclusion bodies accumulated by some microorganisms as reserve material under unbalanced growth condition such as limited oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous or sulphur and excess carbon source. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains were screened for Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) producing potential using plate assay technique with Sudan Black B stain. Saccharomyces cerevisiae efficiency for PHA production was analysed utilizing sawdust as carbon source and the production rate was compared with glucose (control). Thus, PHA synthesising enzymes, PHA carbon chain distributions and concentrations were determined using gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GCFID) while microbial growth (biomass yield) during production was determined using Uv-Visible spectrophotometric technique at 600 nm. PHA was extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells using solvent extraction technique and the extract was further dissolved using acetone derivatisation process. PHA-synthesising enzymes such as Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Pyruvate dehydrogenase, 3-Ketothiolase, Acetoacetyl-CoA reductase, 3-Ketoacyl reductase and Polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase were extracted from cell-free supernatant obtained from glucose and sawdust media. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells grown in sawdust medium had the highest PHA yield of 75.12 % while 64.66 % PHA was obtained from cells grown in glucose medium. Consequently, utilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in limiting condition using agricultural residue could reduce the cost of industrial production of PHA required for plastic production due to its ability to accumulate the polymer intracellularly.
Keywords: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Polyhydroxyalkanoates, Sawdust, PHA synthas
National Youth Service Corps Programme and the Quest for National Integration: Issues for Policy Consideration
Get PDFAbstractNigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi religious nation and sadly all thesediversities have impacted adversely on her socio-political existence. The events of1966–1970 call to question the unity and continued existence of Nigeria as anethnically segmented nation. The Federal Military Government led by General YakubuGowon (rtd.) established the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme as ameans of achieving national integration in the face of mutual suspicion and hostility.Adopting the descriptive analytical method, this paper identifies insecurity, generaldiscontent among parents, inadequate facilities, poor funding, and rejection of corpsmembers among others as challenges confronting the programme. The paper thereforerecommends improved funding of the programme, greater and sincere fight againstinsecurity, ethical re-orientation and religious tolerance as panacea to the challengesbeing faced by NYSC
A Qualitative Study of Signal Strength Coverage of Digital Terrestrial Television in Ibadan South Western Nigeria
Get PDFThis work investigated the quality of signal strength coverage of the existing Digital Terrestrial Television (DTTV) operator in Nigeria using Startimes Ibadan as a case study. Signal strength and altitude data at different locations within a 40km radius of the Startimes transmitting station were measured to determine the quality of signal strength reception of Startime\u27s digital television in Ibadan metropolis. A signal analyzer, a 10-meter cable, Yaggi external antenna and Global Positioning System (GPS) were used for the measurements at various locations in Ibadan within 40km radius distance of Startimes based station at Agodi in Ibadan. The city was grouped into six different zones for proper signal testing and efficient data collation. Parameters such as signal strength, distance, altitude, signal to noise ratio, modulation error rate, pre-bit error rate and post-bit-error rate were measured and recorded. The effects of distance and altitude were analyzed. It was observed from the result that there is a direct relationship between power level and altitude. In addition, there is an inverse relationship between power level and distance.
Keywords: DTTV, Signal Strength, Altitude, Distance, DVB-
Impact of Fiscal Policy on Balance of Payments in Nigeria
Get PDFThis study investigates the impact of fiscal policy on balance of payments adjustmentin Nigeria within the periods, 1981-2015. Using the bound testing approach, the studyestablished the relationship that exists among fiscal policy instruments (tax andgovernment expenditure), investment, output and balance of payments adjustment inNigeria. The result revealed that in the long-run, government spending, investment andoutputs have positive impact on balance of payments adjustment in Nigeria. However,tax revenue had negative impact on balance of payments in Nigeria. The high deficitfinance by the Nigerian government where government spending is greater than taxrevenue in most of the years considered had sustained the current account surplus inthe country. Therefore, expansionary policies on fiscal policy measures should beencouraged as they play vital role for the enhancement of balance of payments inNigeria.
Keywords Tax, government spending, investment, income, current account balanc
Social and Health Dimensions in Museum’s Patronage and its Implications for Sustainable Livelihood
Get PDFMuseums have been established as a veritable instrument for a virile tourism industrybecause of advantages inherent in them. Their potentials for showcasing the people andtheir culture is also a case that cannot be ignored. For the purpose of clarity, this paperhighlights the historical antecedents of museums in Nigeria with a view to helping inthe understanding of museum as a concept and that it is not alien to indigenous Africansocieties before the advent of the Europeans. It traces the development of modernmuseums in the colonial period, up to the present and notes the problems andassociated difficulties attached to the effective management and funding of museumsin Nigeria. Specifically, the paper investigates the community knowledge and attitudetowards Museums and its implication on sustainable livelihood in Ile-Ife City, withparticular focus on Ife National Museum. The study made use of questionnaire and indepth
interview to collect data from the study population. A total of 180 copies ofquestionnaire were retrieved from the respondents and analysed. The findings revealeda high level of awareness about the existence of Museums among the people and a lowlevel of patronage for leisure and tourism purposes, which implies poor appreciation ofits social and health benefits. This poor patronage was traced to poor appreciation ofculture, which inherently has implication on sustainable livelihood and developmentalprocesses. The need to address this consequently becomes apt in view of empiricaldeclaration that existing models of sustainable development forged from economic orenvironmental concern are unlikely to be successful without cultural considerations.
KeywordsMuseums, knowledge, attitude, sustainable livelihoo
Managing Land Borders and Smuggling of Food Commodities in Saki South-Western Nigeria: Socio-Economic Implications
Get PDFBorder is one of the most visible signs of the sovereignty of a state on its territory. Inspite of the resilient efforts of Nigeria’s border security agencies to ensure thesafeguarding of Nigeria\u27s territorial sovereignty, smuggling remains unabated and itsdynamics is characterised with strong link between the smugglers and itineraries. Themain objective of this paper is to examine the socio-economic effects of smuggling offood commodities from Republic of Benin to Nigeria through Okerete borderlandroute, Saki. The methodology used for the paper involves descriptive survey designwhile interviews were conducted among the patrol teams of custom officers in Saki,and secondary sources such as journal article, internet materials and current situation inthe country serves as sources of data collections. The paper concluded that the spate ofsmuggling of foods commodities mostly rice and frozen foods across Saki borderlandshas undermined income generation, rule of law, social vices in the communities,uncontrolled market economy and price fluctuation of commodity like rice andvegetable oil, health deterioration from these substances, and encourage drop-out (childabuse) in these communities.
KeywordsBorder, smuggling, food commodity, border managemen
Aqueous Leaf Extract of Duranta repens Promotes Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Salinity-Stressed Solanum lycopersicum Seedlings.
Get PDFAqueous extract of Duranta repens leaves was investigated for its allelopathic effect on Solanum lycopersicum seedlings germinated and grown under salinity condition. The study was carried out using both laboratory petridish and pot assays to simulate the plant’s immediate environmental conditions. The experiment consisted of 5 groups (1-5) each containing 4 replicates (of 10 seeds). Group 1 was treated with distilled water; Group 2 was treated with 5 mM NaCl; Group 3 was treated with Duranta repens aqueous leaf extract, Group 4 was treated with a mixture of 5 mM NaCl and the extract (2:1 v/v) and Group 5 was treated with a mixture of 5 mM NaCl and the extract (1:2 v/v). Results from the studies revealed that treatment with NaCl caused significant (p < 0.05) reduction in percentage germination and growth parameters (plumule and radicle lengths) of S. lycopersicum seedlings, when compared to those treated with distilled water and D. rupens aqueous leaf extract. NaCl treatment (Group 2) also caused an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and also increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) while reducing chlorophyll concentration of the plants. However, in the presence of the extract, the adverse effects of the NaCl were attenuated, implying that the extract improved tolerance of S. lycopersicum seedlings. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that the constituents of the extract may play a positive role in plant survival under saline conditions and could be employed in the management of soil salinity problem in agriculture.
Keywords: Duranta repens; Solanum lycopersicum; Salinity Stress; Allelopathy; Aqueous Extrac
Assessment of Students\u27 Comprehension of Binary Concept Using Computer-Science-Unplugged-Method in a Selected Secondary School in Ilorin, Kwara State
Get PDFComputer-Science-Unplugged (C-S-Unplugged) is a method of teaching Computer Science in an interesting, engaging and entertaining way through collection of free learning activities without using a computer. Lack of computer facilities, inadequate computer systems and epileptic power supply in Nigerian Secondary Schools have deprived students of practical and hands-on activities. The C-S-Unplugged method can be used to teach computer studies concepts without using a computer. This study focused on assessment of students’ comprehension of Binary concept using the computer-science-unplugged approach in a selected Secondary School in Ilorin, Kwara State. The study investigated the students’ comprehension level of Binary concept using the C-S-Unplugged method performance test and determined students’ Self-Assessment of their learning with it. The researchers demonstrated the use of this method with the teaching of the Binary concept by engaging students in class activities to ensure that they understand the concept of this method and assess their comprehension level before attempting the survey. The study adopted a mixed method design, which comprised of one-short case pre-experimental design and descriptive research design of survey type. Fifteen Senior Secondary School One students were purposively selected as an intact class from the selected school. Mean, standard deviation and percentage values were used to answer the research questions, while t-test with value of 1.04 was used to test the only hypothesis: Ho1. There was no significant difference between male and female students’ self-assessment of learning with C-S-Unplugged method at 0.05 level of significance. These implied that students comprehended the Binary concept using this method and had a positive assessment of their learning with it. There were no gender differences on the students’ self-assessment using Statistical Product and Service Solution. It was recommended, among others, that secondary school teachers should employ the C-S-Unplugged method since the students enjoyed learning with it.
Keywords: Game-based learning, C-S-Unplugged method, Binary Concept, Computer studie