Federal University of Kashere Journals
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Vitamin and mineral composition of four non-conventional leafy vegetables
Full text linkFour Non-conventional vegetables frequently consumed among some rural communities in Adamawa State, Nigeria were analysed for vitamins and minerals composition. The vegetables are Hibiscus cannabinus, Haematostaphis barteri, Balanites aegyptiaca and Sesamum indicum. Mineral content varied appreciably among the samples; B. aegyptiaca and H. cannabinus contain high levels of calcium (3.80g/100g and 3.14g/100g respectively). Potassium content was high in all the vegetables analysed, the values ranged from 1.25mg/g in H. cannabinus to 1.49g/100g in S. indicum. Concentrations of Fe, K, Mn, P and Zn were highest in S. indicum. The Vitamins determined namely vitamins C, B1, E and K were found in varying amounts in all the samples. Vitamin C ranged from 0.7 – 1.72mg/g, vitamin B1 (0.08 – 0.12mg/g), vitamins E (0.06- 0.10mg/g) and vitamin K (2.40 -2.96mg/g). Vitamin K content was notably high in all the vegetables. The results indicate that the vegetables could serve as supplementary sources of essential nutrient to their consumers
Genetic relatedness of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains from Lettuce and flies collected from irrigation farms in Kano metropolis
Full text linkThe genotypic characteristics of 17 E. coli 0157:H7 strains from lettuce and 11 flies around lettuce farms were investigated. Relatedness was determined by plasmid DNA analyses and chromosomal DNA restriction digest with Sma 1. Plasmid analyses revealed 3 different plasmids profiles that contained plasmids ranged from 1 – 4 (0.523 kilobase (kb) to 11.495 kb) in some strain. Most strains (76.5%) had only one plasmid (11.495 kb) mainly strains from flies. While restriction digests analyses revealed 9 clusters, strains in cluster one had up to 70% similarity. Similarly, most strains from flies (FS1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 19, 22 and 26) were closely related (> 50%) than that from lettuce. Nevertheless, a strain from lettuce was observed to be similar at more than 56% with a strain from flies (LS96 and FS 1). Other observed to be similar were FS30/LS72, FS11/LS96 and FS8/LS69 at 39%, 48% and 49% respectively. The result showed a considerable level of relatedness, this indicates they were probably transmitted from same source. The ubiquitous nature of flies made this relationship of public health importance, and therefore further researches are needed to identify the original source of the organism for proper mitigation
Synthesis and Characterization of Polynuclear Complexes of Chromium (III) ions using β – diketonate Ligand and Oxalic, Succinic and Nitrite as Bridging Ligands
Full text linkPolynuclear complexes of chromium (III) ions using β –diketone and either oxalic, succinic, or nitrite as bridging ligand have been synthesized successfully. The complexes formed binuclear compounds linked through the bridging ligand (nitrite, succinate or oxalate) and they were insoluble in all the tested solvents, with high decomposition temperature (>250 oC). The elemental analysis was conducted and the observed values were in agreement with theoretical values
A Study of Students’ Understanding of the Concept of Hybridization in Chemistry
Full text linkThe main purpose of this study was to examine National Diploma (ND) students’ understanding of the concept of hybridization in chemistry. The design adopted was the correlation survey. The sample for the study comprised of 25 NDI and 25 NDII students randomly selected based on their interest to participate in the study. The instrument for data collection for the study was a four-item multiple choice question. The method of data analysis employed were mean, frequency, percentages and linear regression analysis. Hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that both NDI and NDII students have a low level of understanding of hybridization in chemistry. Findings were interpreted in terms of the need to devise appropriate ways of teaching abstract concepts in Chemistry to students
Proximate analysis of root bark of Terminalia glaucescens
Full text linkThe aim of this study is to determine the proximate composition of root bark of Terminalia glaucescens. Standard procedures were followed to analyze the composition. The caloric value was calculated from crude fat, crude fiber, moisture content, acid insoluble, water soluble and total ash value. The results revealed that root bark of Terminalia glaucescens contained crude fat (10.92±0.01%), crude fiber (2.02±0.02%), moisture content (5.82±0.06%), acid insoluble (0.46±0.02%), water soluble ash (3.05±0.01%) and total ash value (6.05±0.03%). This study concluded that the test contained root bark of Terminalia glaucescens highest percentage of fiber and low percentage of ash. Therefore is a good candidate as medicinal plant as it has been used in folk medicine
A survey of fungal infestation in some commercially important fishes from Lapai – Agaie reservoir, Niger State. Nigeria
Full text linkFish spoilage caused by fungi is one of the constraints to the quality of fish supply in Niger State. A survey of fungi infestation of two commercially important fishes (Tilapia zilli and Clarotes macrocephalus) was carried out in Lapai – Agaie Reservoir, in Lapai Local government Area, Niger State, Nigeria, from April to July, 2012. Samples of fresh live fish were randomly selected from the fishermen monthly during the study period. The samples were transported in a sterile polythene bag to the laboratory where the scale and the gills were aseptically collected, and cultured on Potatoes Dextrose Agar (PDA). The fungi isolated were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus wentii, Aspergillus nidulans, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium roqueforti, Aspergillus janthinellum and Saccharomyces cerevisae. Some of these fungi isolated were known to cause various fungal diseases in fish and invariably spoilage. This study therefore recommends proper smoking of the fish before consumption
Nickel (II) And Lead (II) Removal from aqueous solution using Immobilized Lonchocarpus laxiflorus, Barkstem as an Adsorbent
Full text linkBatch adsorption techniques were used to study the biosorption of Lead and Nickel from aqueous solutions by immobilized Lonchocarpus laxiflorus stembark. The effects of optimum pH, contact time, metal ion concentration, biosorbent dose, solution temperature were investigated. Experimental results showed that Lonchocarpus laxiflorus stembark was effective in removing these metals from aqueous solutions as the equilibrium biosorption of both metals was attained within 20 minutes of interaction with 99% of the metals removed within this period. Sorption of these metals was dependent on pH as maximum removal was attained at pH 4 and pH 6 for Lead and Nickel ions respectively. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were suitable for describing the adsorption of Ni (II) and Pb (II) on Lonchocarpus laxiflorus stembark. The capacity of Lonchocarpus laxiflorus stembark for the adsorption of Ni (II) and Pb (II) was 19 and 19.54 mg/g respectively. The FTIR spectrum exhibited that Lonchocarpus laxiflorus stembark biomass structure have hydroxyl and carbonyl groups on their surfaces and the results obtained from SEM micrograph shows its surface exhibited a rough structure with irregular surface
Isolation and identification of entomopatogenic fungi from unlittered soil in Bauchi metropolis used as pest control.
Full text linkEntomopatogenic fungi were isolated and characterized using insect as bait collected from unlittered soil in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi at three different locations. Metarhizium anisopliae was isolated from 5 of 9 (55.5%) holes (soil samples) baited. The isolate was obtained from all the locations sampled except soil from the onion garden, and it was more frequently obtained from soils under pepper cultivation compared to soils with natural vegetation. The pathogenicity of Metarhizuim anisopliae isolate was determined using spray and immersion method. The isolate extracted by immersion method was more effective in the control of agricultural pest. The result also showed that entomopathogenic fungi isolated locally, could be used for integration of control for various agricultural pests
Identification of medicinal plant species in Bauchi State – Nigeria
Full text linkWith the help of structured questionnaires, medicinal tree species in Bauchi state were identified and their ecological status noted. The state was stratified based on the prevailing three ecological zones and within each ecological zone, three Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly selected. The LGAs selected were Toro Dass and Bogoro from Northern Guinea Savanna, Alkaleri, Ganjuwa and Ningi from Sudan Savanna and Jama’are, Zaki and Gamawa from Sahel Savanna ecological zone. Within each LGA, twenty five questionnaires were distributed. The study reveals that twenty nine (29) tree species from nineteen (19) Botanical families are being used to cure such health problems as hypertension, cough and respiratory disorders, rheumatism, cancer, yellow fever, whitlow, pile, dysentery, diarrhea, tooth ache and ulcer among others. The study also reveals that nine of the identified tree species were rare, four occasional and five were ecologically frequent with only four trees each, for abundant and very abundant respectfully. Majority of the respondents (90%) claimed to be aware of tree planting campaign but only 5% had ever participated, even though, most of them have indicated their willingness to take part in future. Concerted effort towards production and planting of medicinal tree species and the need for orienting the herbalist on the importance of sustainable collection of plant resources were recommended