Fountain University Journals
Not a member yet
443 research outputs found
Sort by
The use of Gamma Distribution to Evaluate Water Pollutants in Asejire Reservior, Ibadan
Get PDFThis research work under-studies the application of probability functions to water pollution data with some related works. It figures out two parameter gamma distribution fitted to monitor the concentration of five water pollutants in Asejire reservoir; Turbidity, Colour, pH, Dissolved Oxygen and Alkalinity, by estimating the parameters and testing the goodness of fit. It was discovered that all the considered pollutants could be modeled with gamma distribution as confirmed by the Kolmogorov Smirnov (KS) test. It was also found that all the pollutants were significant except Dissolved Oxygen. The technique and results presented in this study provide a foundation for the use of gamma distribution to model water pollutants. The model is used as decision support tools for the management of the reservoir, as the attention of government and stake-holders must be drawn to keeping water safe for sustainable development.
Keywords: Pollution, Kolmogorov Smirnov test, Gamma Distribution, Estimation, Shapiro-Wil
Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Underground Water around the Viccinity of Balogun-Biiro Dump Site, Oke Bale, Osogbo, Nigeria
Get PDFWell-water samples were collected from the vicinity of Balogun–biiro dump site located in Okebaale Osogbo, Osun state, Nigeria. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined qualitatively and quantitatively using GC-FID. The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the water samples ranged from 0.01235 µg/kg to 0.05365 µg/kg with mean concentration ranging from 0.00094 µg/kg to 0.00335 µg/kg respectively. The highest concentration of ∑16 ð‘ƒð´ð»ð‘ was recorded in S6 and it was observed that there is decline in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations from point of water pollution. There was a significant concentration of both the lower and higher rings polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the samples. These distributions as well as various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons diagnostic indices calculated showed that the sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the samples were both petrogenic and pyrogenic. The mean concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons recorded in the water samples showed a little bit enhanced values than the recommended tolerable limits, which indicated some level of pollution in the water samples.
Keywords: PAHs, BOD, COD, Balogun-biiro, Dump-sit
Assessment of Erythrocytes as a Model for In Vitro Drug Toxicity
Get PDFMitochondria and lysosome have been used to study drug-cell interactions both in vitro and in vivo. However, their preparations to free them from other sub-cellular organelles are tedious and cumbersome. Erythrocytes (being a simple type of cells without sub-cellular organelles and very easy to obtain in pure form) was assessed for in-vitro toxicity testing of selected chemical compounds by monitoring the release of its hemoglobin content as an index of damage to cell membrane. Washed erythrocytes from male wistar rats were prepared in sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) incubated with and without acetylsalicylic acid (a membrane stabilizer) and chloroquine (a membrane labilizer). The light scattering properties of the suspensions and the hemoglobin released were determined using standard methods. Acetylsalicylic acid did not significantly alter the degree of hemolysis (P > 0.05) whereas the chloroquine alone as well as the mixture of acetylsalicylic acid and chloroquine significantly increased (P < 0.05) it. Acetylsalicylic acid stabilized the erythrocytes membrane while chloroquine destroys it causing lysis of the cell membrane. Results obtained in this study suggest that the drugs have interacted with the erythrocytes in a manner that corresponds to their mode of action. Erythrocytes can therefore be used to study interactions between drug molecules and cell membrane.
Keywords: Acetylsalicylic acid; Cell membrane; Chloroquine; Erythrocytes; Hemoglobi
Comparative Response of Conventional and Quality Protein Maize Hybrids to High Population Densities in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria
Get PDFOptimum plant population is very important in enhancing high and stable grain yield especially in quality protein maize (QPM) production. A field trial was therefore conducted to compare the performance of six hybrids (three each of QPM and normal endosperm) at three population densities using a split-plot design at the sub-station of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Oke-Oyi, in the southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria during the 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. Plant population -1 densities (53,333, 66,666, and 88,888 plants ha ) constituted the main plots and the six hybrids were assigned to the subplots, replicated three times. Our results showed a differential response of maize -1 hybrids to high densities, with plant populations above 53,333 plants ha reduced grain yield, and this is more pronounced in QPM than normal endosperm hybrids. This is contrary to the results observed in many other countries. This might be that the hybrids were selected in low yield potential area at low plant densities, and hence not tolerant to plant density stress. It may also be due to low yield potential of the experimental site, which does not allow yield increases at high plant densities. Though normal endosperm hybrids 0103-11 and 0103-15 as well as QPM Dada-ba were superior for grain yield among -1 the hybrids at 53,333 plants ha , hybrid 0103-11 was most outstanding. Therefore, genetic improvement of QPM and normal endosperm hybrids for superior stress tolerance and high yield could be enhanced by selection at higher plant population densities.
Keywords: Quality protein maize, normal endosperm, stress tolerance, grain yiel
Incidence of Faecal Coliform in Well Water Obtained from Sabon-Gari Area, Osogbo
Get PDFWell water samples obtained from Sabon gari area of Osogbo, Osun state were analysed for the bacteriological qualities, physico-chemical and organoleptic properties. The spread plate technique was adopted using MacConkey, mannitol salt and thiosulphate citrate bile salt sucrose (TCBS) agars. The total coliform, faecal coliform, and staphylococcus counts on MacConkey and mannitol salt agar were 7.3 x 106, 3.9 x 106 and 1.1 x 106 cfu /mL respectively but there was no growth on TCBS agar. Escherichia coli (27%), Klebsiella pnuemoniae (19%), Shigella dysenteriae (25%), Salmonella typhi (16%) and Staphylococcus species (13%) were identified as the major bacteria isolated from the well water. The pH value ranged from 6.25 to 7.93 while the temperature ranged between 26.1 and 28.90C respectively. Microbiological quality is the most important aspect of drinking water in relation to waterborne diseases. Thus, detection of bacterial indicators in drinking water means the presence of pathogenic organisms related waterborne diseases.
Keywords: Well water; coliform; incidence rate; pH; temperature; Escherichia col
n-Alkane Profile of Underground Water near a Dump-site at Balogun-biiro in Okebaale, Oshogbo Osun State
Get PDFWell-water samples were collected from the vicinity of Balogun–biiro dump-site located in Okebaale Oshogbo, Osun state, Nigeria. The aim of this research work is to provide background information on the concentration of n-alkanes in the well-water in order to assess its pollution status and probable sources. The n-alkane was determined qualitatively and quantitatively using GC-FID. The concentration of n-alkanes in the water samples was, 8.07, 9.64, 9.75, 8.43, 10.4, and 10.1 mg/L in S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6 respectively. The highest concentration of n-alkanes was recorded in the water samples collected from a well located in a residential building very close to the dumpsite as well as the mechanic workshop (i.e. S5) while the lowest concentration was recorded in S1 (well-water relatively far from the dump-site). Various n-alkanes diagnostic ratios obtained indicated anthropogenic sources (i.e. bothpetrogenic and pyrogenic) and showed moderate level of pollution in the area under study.
Keywords: GC-FID; aliphatic hydrocarbon; pollution; anthropogenic; mechanic worksho
Effects of Organic Nitrogen and Carbon Supplementation on Biomethanation of Rice Bran
Get PDFThe effects of organic nitrogen, sucrose and starch on the bio-methanation of rice bran were investigated using digesters of 1-litre capacity operated at ambient temperature (30- 32oC) and pH of 7 for 20 days. Rice bran and organic nitrogen supplement were varied at ratios 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 and 5:1, while 20g of sucrose and 20 g of starch were added to rice bran as supplements. Fresh strained cow rumen liquor was used as inoculum. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) between non-supplemented and sucrose supplemented feedstock. Starch supplemented feedstock produced more biogas than the sucrose supplemented and the non-supplemented feedstock (P>0.05). Varying the organic nitrogen had no significant effect on the biogas yield (P<0.05).
Keywords: Inoculum; feedstock; sucrose; starch; poultry dropping
Phytochemical Content, Radical Scavenging and Antibacterial Properties of Aqueous Extract of Jatropha curcas Linn Leaves
Get PDFThis study investigated phytochemical content, radical scavenging and antibacterial activities of aqueous extract of leaves of Jatropha curcas Linn. Quantitative phytochemical analyses of alkaloids, phenols, tannins and flavonoids contents were carried out; radical scavenging activity was assessed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and hydrogen peroxide inhibition assays while Disc diffusion and Agar well (ditch) diffusion methods were used for antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphilococcus aureus and Proteus species at 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/mL. The extract contained alkaloids (1.600 ± 0.58 %), tannins (0.121 ± 0.00 mg/mL), phenols (0.463 ± 0.06 mg/mL) and flavonoids (0.672 ± 0.00 mg/mL), and showed radical scavenging activities against DPPH (IC50 = 21.24) and hydrogen peroxide (15.67 mg/mL) which were less than that of Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); IC50 = 3.92 (DPPH) and 6.19 mg/mL (hydrogen peroxide) respectively. It also showed antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 250 and 500 mg/ml (MIC = 125 mg/mL), which were resistant to ampicillin, chloxacillin and erythromycin, and the extract was inactive against Staphilococcus aureus and Proteus species at these concentrations, though all were sensitive to gentamycin. This shows that the aqueous extract of leaves of Jatropha curcas Linn may possess some of the folkloric properties claimed.
Keywords: Jatropha curcas; Euphorbiaceae; aqueous extract; antibacterial activity; radical scavenging activit
In Search of a General IFPUG-Cosmic Conversion Method
Get PDFInternational Function Point User Group Function Points (IFPUG - FP) is the earliest function size estimation method; however, with the introduction of a more scientific method like the Common Software Measurement International Consortium Full Function Points (COSMIC -FFP) which has a wider applicability than the IFPUG, and both methods using the same measuring unit and principle, the continued relevancy of the IFPUG is called to question. In order to save organizations from losing all their investment because of migrating to using COSMIC, researchers have been trying to explore the possibility of converting the output of one method to the other. Several formulas have been proposed but none that can be generally applied yet. This paper reviews some of the popular conversion formulas that have been suggested so far, then, it used each formula to convert the IFPUG values presented in the different studies to equivalent COSMIC values. The converted COSMIC values are compared to direct measurement values to see a trend or how generalized, consistent and reliable the formulas have a tendency to or could be. It also collated IFPUG and COSMIC values of all the applications used in the different experiments plus three new ones and generated a new formula – a formula borne out of heterogeneous data. The result varied widely and nothing conclusive can be said, though, two of the formulas gave closer estimation range than others. Also, the new formula generated from the fifty eight applications gave improved results over others.
Keywords: IFPUG; COSMIC; project estimatio
Influence of Microbial Contamination on the Antioxidant Composition and Free Radical Scavenging Effects of Fresh and Decaying Spices
Get PDFThis study examined the influence of microbial contamination on the antioxidant composition and free radical scavenging effects of fresh and decaying spices: Lycopersicon esculentum, Capsicum frutescens S, Capsicum frutescens T and Capsicum annum used by food vendors. Microbial load was enumerated with potato dextrose agar (PDA) using the pour plate technique, phytochemical components were determined using Folio-Ciocalteu, Aluminium chloride, acetone-hexane methods for phenolic, flavonoids and β-carotene & lycopene respectively while free radical scavenging capacity was determined using DPPH method. Decaying L. esculentum had highest microbial population of 7.14 X 105 cfu/g and fresh C. annum had the lowest microbial population of 0.72 X 101cfu/g. Microbial population in decaying spices were generally significantly higher than fresh spices. Aspergillus spp were found in all decaying spices and in fresh C. frutescens T. Microsporum spp were found in all fresh spices except in C. frutescens and T. Microsporum spp and in decaying spices except in C. annum. There were significant decreases (p <0.05) in phenolic, flavonoid, β-carotene and free radical scavenging capacity contents of all decaying spices compared to fresh spices except for phenolic content in C. annum while significant decrease (p < 0.05) in lycopene content was obtained for only decaying L. esculentum compared to fresh one. Reduction in antioxidant activity and phytochemical contents could not be unconnected with the high microbial population in decaying spices because antioxidant activity and phytochemical contents significantly correlate with antibacterial activity. Thus, consumption of decaying spices as shown by our study could pose a serious health challenges due to the presence of high number of microbes detected and loss of healthprotecting ability of the spices.
Keywords: Microbilogical quality; moisture content; decaying spices; Aspergillus spp; Micosporum sp