Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Journal
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Antioxidant effects of ethanol seed extract of Mucuna Sloanei (Hamburger Bean) on Monosodium Glutamate intoxicated albino rats
Get PDFSome antioxidant effects of Mucuna sloanei ethanol seed extract (MSEE) were investigated in monosodium glutamate (MSG) intoxicated rats. Thirty (30) female albino rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=5) and treated once per day per os for 28 days as follows; Group A received only clean water; Group B was intoxicated with MSG at the dose of 8000 mg/kg b.w only; Group C received 400 mg/kg b.w of the extract only; Groups D-E were intoxicated with MSG (8000 mg/kg b.w) and also received different doses of the extract; 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg b.w respectively. Thereafter, blood was collected for assay of reduced glutathione GSH, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, as well of malondialdehyde (MDA). The results showed that MSG reduced GSH level from 63.08±3.98 IU/L in rats given only MSEE to 37.37±2.27 IU/L. This was however reversed by MSEE in intoxicated rats at all doses, with 400 mg/kg giving a significant (P<0.05) increase in GSH of 50.25 IU/L. The extract at 800 mg/kg, significantly (P<0.05) increased SOD and CAT activities from 20.15 IU/L in MSG intoxicated rats to 25.43 IU/L, and 3.75 IU/L to 29.80 IU/L respectively. The extract also reduced the level of malondialdehyde, a marker for peroxidation, which was increased by MSG intoxication. We conclude that MSEE reverses oxidative effects of MSG in intoxicated rats. 
EFFECT OF PARITY ON THE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF NIGERIA INDIGENOUS SOWS AND THEIR PROGENY GROWTH PERFORMANCE DURING THE RAINY SEASON
Get PDFThe effects of parity of dam on the reproductive performance of Nigeria Indigenous (NI) sows and progeny growth performance in a commercial breeding farm in Enugu state, Nigeria was investigated in this study. One hundred (100) apparently healthy third trimester pregnant NI sows were randomly assigned to four (4) treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD) of twenty five (25) sows per group according to their reproductive parities as groups I, II, III and IV representing the first (P1), second (P2), third (P3) and fourth (P4) parities respectively. The mean litter size (LS) of P1 piglets (6.00±0.71 Head) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower when compared to the mean of P4 (8.50±0.65 Head) but showed no significant (P > 0.05) difference when compared to P2 (6.75±0.75 Head) and P3 (7.75±0.75 Head). The mean male LS was highest at P3 and lowest at P1 while there was a progressive increase in the mean female LS reaching top level at P4. The mean birth weight (BW) and mean male BW increased progressively from P1, reaching peak at P3 and then declined at P4 while the mean female BW reached peak at P2, declined at P3 and then increased at P4. The mean weaning weight (WW) and mean male WW were highest at P3 and lowest at P4 while the mean female WW was also highest at P3 (4.18±0.33 kg) but lowest at P1 (3.78±0.27 kg). The mean number of piglets weaned of P1 (5.25±0.63 Head) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than P3 (7.00±0.41 Head), P4 (7.25±0.25 Head) but showed no significant (P > 0.05) reduction when compared to P2 (5.50±0.65 Head). The mean number of males weaned was highest at P3 and lowest at P2 which is similar to P4 while the mean number of females weaned was highest at P4 and lowest at P1. It can be concluded from this work that the reproductive performance of NI sows and its progeny growth performance were best at fourth parity (P4) of reproduction and the highest return on investment by swine breeders may be expected at this level of reproductio
THE HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) GOATS ON FREE RANGE IN UMUAHIA, SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA
Get PDFhe effects of age and gender (sex) on the haematological parameters of 140 apparently healthy WAD goats consisting of 70 adults (35 Does and 35 Bucks) and 70 young ones (35 Doe-kids and 35 Buck-kids) were studied. The goats were selected from a flock of goat at Olokoro in Umuahia and assigned into four groups I, II, III, IV in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment of thirty five (35) animals each according to their ages and sexes. Groups I, II, III and IV represent the Doe-kid, Buck-kid, Doe and Buck respectively. The study lasted for 90 days and animals had no visible signs of ectoparasities. The haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in Doe-kid (8.46±1.32 g/dl) when compared to Buck-kid (9.18±0.51g/dl), Doe (10.1±0.35g/dl) and Buck (12.26±0.11g/dl). The packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in Buck-kid (18.48±0.12%) when compared to Doe-kid (19.68±0.65%) but showed no significant (P>0.05) difference when compared to the Doe and Buck respectively. The lymphocyte count was significantly (P<0.05) lower in Buck (6.90±0.22 103 /µl) when compared to Buck-kid (5.07±0.60 103 /µl) and Doe-kid (5.40±0.40 103 /µl) but showed no significant (P>0.05) difference when compared to Doe (7.31± 0.75 103 /µl). The neutrophil count was significantly (P<0.05) lower in Doe (2.97 ±0.30 103 /µl) when compared to Buck-kid (4.53±0.42 103 /µl) and Doe-kid (4.39±0.42103 /µl) but showed no significant (P>0.05) difference when compared to Buck (3.94 ±0.51 103 /µl). The monocyte count was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Doe-kid when compared to Buck but showed no significant (P>0.05) difference when compared to Buck-kid and Doe respectively. The mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) was significantly (p<0.05) lower in Doe-kid when compared to Doe and Buck but showed no significant (p>0.05) difference when compared to Buck-kid. The mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Buck (32.32±1.20g/dl) when compared to Doe-kid (28.46±1.34g/dl) but showed no significant (p<0.05) difference when compared to Buck-kid (29.12±0.77g/dl) and Doe (31.14±0.68g/dl). There were however no significant (p>0.05) differences in the mean red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, eosinophil count, basophil count and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) among all the groups. It was concluded that age and sex of WAD goat have significant influences on their haematological values such as Hb, PCV, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, monocyte count, MCH and MCHC but have no effects on their RBC count, WBC count, eosinophil count, basophil count and MCV
FACTORS AFFECTING SOME SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) GOATS IN UMUAHIA, SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA
Get PDFThe effects of age and gender on the serum biochemical profile of 160 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats consisting of 80 adults (40 Does and 40 Bucks) and 80 young ones (40 Does-kids and 40 Bucks-kids) were studied. The goats were randomly selected from the flocks of goats in breeding farms located at Umuahia North LGA, Umuahia South LGA and Ikwuano LGA of Abia State and divided into four groups of forty (40) animals each according to their ages and sexes as follows: Groups I, II, III and IV representing the Doe-kid, Buck-kid, Doe and Buck respectively. This study lasted for 90 days. The mean serum globulin concentration was significantly (P<0.05) lower in Doe-kid (1.27±0.21g/dl) compared to Doe (3.93±0.11g/dl) and Buck (3.43±0.31g/dl) but showed no significant variation (P>0.05) when compared to Buck-kid (2.58±0.37g/dl). The mean serum urea concentration was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Buck (28.39±3.73mg/dl) compared to Doe-kid (15.69±2.32mg/dl) but showed no significant difference (P>0.05) when compared to Buck-kid (21.79+0.96mg/dl) and Doe (24.25±4.73mg/dl). The mean total protein was significantly (P<0.05) lower in Buck-kid (5.25±0.31g/dl) compared to Doe-kid (6.47±0.35g/dl), Doe (6.63±0.16g/dl) and Buck (6.33±0.26g/dl). There were no significant variations (P>0.05) in the mean serum concentrations of Albumin, Cholesterol, Creatinine and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) for all the groups. This present findings suggest that the serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, total protein, albumin, ALT, cholesterol and globulin of WAD goat similarly fed, could alter depending on gender and age which have to be taken into consideration for precise interpretation of serum chemistry in this species. In conclusion, this study has reported some serum biochemical values which could serve as baseline information for comparison in conditions of nutrient deficiency, physiological and health status of West African Dwarf goats in South-Eastern Nigeria
Optimization of mixed spices from scent leaf, curry and African Black Pepper
Get PDFD-optimal mixture design and the numerical optimization technique were used to optimize mixed spices produced from three leafy vegetables Scent leaf (Ocimum grastissimum), Curry (Murray koemigii) and African black pepper (Piper guineense), as the factors. The spices were blended according to the mixture design combinations generated based on the three factors and modelled with three sensory attributes (flavour, appearance and general acceptability) as the responses. Results indicated that 80:10:10 (scent leaf:curry:African black pepper leaves) mixed spice which was outstanding in sensory evaluation with scores of 8 (flavor), 7 (appearance) and 8 (general acceptability), was selected as the optimized product. Further evaluation of the optimized product showed a mineral profile of 1.462 (zinc), 0.326 (copper), 489.476 (calcium), 6.418 (magnesium), and 6.169 mg/100g (iron). Phytochemical profile showed the presence of phenol (0.15), tannin (0.72), phytase (0.56), flavonoid (0.73), sterol (0.14), alkaloid (0.95), oxalate (0.53) and saponin (0.94 mg/100g). Meanwhile the heavy metal screening showed that lead and cadmium were not detected. These results show that local spices, besides possessing excellent nutraceutical properties, can be processed into highly acceptable novel flavor enhancing products
Comparison of Different Methods for the Assessment of Soil Organic Carbon in Northern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria
Get PDFIn Nigeria, Walkley-Black is the most widely used method for soil organic carbon determination. The organic carbon content of the Northern Guinea Savanna soil is low and incomplete oxidation of carbon occurs in the method of determination (Walkley-Black). Three different methods; Tube digestion, Loss on ignition and Potassium permanganate were evaluated and the results obtained compared with Walkley-Black. Soil were sampled from the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria and amount of carbon evaluated using the aforementioned methods. Percentage of carbon recovered ranged from 50.637 to 132.059 and correction factor (CF) varied from 0.757 to 1.975. The result showed low correlation among the used methods.The highest and lowest coefficient of determination (R2) was found in Tube digestion (0.113) and loss on ignition methods (0.014) respectively. The results of the recovery percentages indicates that the loss on ignition and tube digestion were almost similar with the results obtained using the Walkey-Black and as such may be used as an alternative to Walkley-Black method in soil testing laboratories for soils of the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria
Optimising the effects of Additives and Briqetting on the Calorific Values of Oilpalm Fiber Using Response Surface Methodology
Get PDFThirty grammes (30gms)of oil palm fiber were mixed with three different weights of sawdust and slurry oil (5,10,and 15gm) respectively, dried and compacted to three bulk density levels of 1.86,2.0,and 2.14g/ml with a briquetting machine. Calorific values of the samples were determined using a bomb calorimeter. (Model XRY-1A). The experimental design used was Response Surface Methodology, exploring the effects of the three levels of the three factors of quantity of sawdust, slurry oil and compaction density of the oil palm fiber on the calorific values of the samples. The factors that affected the calorific yield of the oil palm fiber are the linear and quadratic effects of the quantity of slurry oil added to the mixture. This factors accounted for about 92.2% of the variation in effects. Also the linear and quadratic effects of compacted density were significant at 5% probability levels
Rainfall and Temperature trends in Samaru and Minjibir, Northern Guinea and Sudan Savannas of Nigeria
Get PDFThe changing trend of rainfall and temperature has been shown to vary in magnitudes in different regions of the globe and this has raised a lot of concerns with regards to the changing climate. This study investigated the rainfall and temperature trends from data collected from two research centers located in Samaru, Zaria (11º 11’N; 7º38’E and Minjibir, Kano (11º59’N; 8º 34’E), both in the northern Guinea and Sudan Savannas of Nigeria respectively. Mean annual rainfall from 1968 to 2017 was 1015.9 mm in Samaru and shows a trend of later onset and early cessation. In Minjibir, mean annual 744.5mm of rainfall (1975 -2017) whose onset was almost the same for the years studied, show a trend of early cessation. Standardized rainfall anomaly was experienced in 43% of years between late 1960’s to early 1990’s with varying degrees of drought from moderate to severe, while conditions of no drought to extreme wetness was observed from 2000’s till date with exception of few years. Similar trend was observed in Kano, with 39% of the years in the 1970’s to 1990’s with moderate to severe droughts, with no drought in the years from 2000’s till date. An increasing trend at the rate of 0.61oC and 0.34oC at Samaru and 0.67oC and 0.76oC at Kano for the maximum and minimum temperatures respectively was experienced, with mean minimum temperatures of 17.2 ºC in 1995 (the lowest recorded from 1968) and 20.9 ºC in 2013 in Samaru. Mean maximum temperatures were 29.5 ºC in 1970 and increased to 34.5 ºC in 2017 in Samaru, while the highest mean maximum temperature was 35.4 ºC recorded in 2011 for Minjibir. These results show the climatic cycles for rainfall and drought events and the increasing global temperatures, confirming a changing climate. Mitigation and adaptation strategies in these agroecological zones and the globe in general remain a crucial option to the consequences of climate change
Quality Evaluation of Stored Tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus) Pretreated With Selected Spices
Get PDFFish quickly deteriorates immediately after harvest. Nowadays instead of using synthetic preservatives, spices are now being used as flavoring and preservative agents. This study sought to arrest the development of deterioration in fish using different spices. Fresh fish samples were pretreated with selected spices before oven drying and stored at ambient temperature. The samples were labeled according to the spice used as ginger (A), garlic (B), clove (C), and mixed-spices (D). The untreated fish served as control (E). The physicochemical, microbial and sensory properties of the fish samples were evaluated after 2 months of storage. The results showed that the fish samples were high in protein (46.41 - 53.12%). The moisture content was lower in the treated fish samples (7.85 to 9.02%) than in the control, E (10.12%). The lipid quality-indices indicated that the treated samples had lower Free Fatty Acids (5.50-6.34%), Trimethyl amine (9.10-11.34mg/100g) and Peroxide value (3.70-4.12 mEq/kg) than the control, E. The mineral analysis indicated that highest iron (0.58 mg/kg), manganese (0.40 mg/kg), lead (0.08 mg/kg) and potassium (3.16 mg/kg) contents were respectively recorded in fish samples B, E, D and C. The bacterial (9.2x102cfu/g) and fungal (7.3x101cfu/g) counts were highest in the control sample, E. Coliform Count was <3 cfu/g in all the samples except in the control, E which had 14 cfu/g. Sample D was the most acceptable (6.5) while sample C (4.40) was the least acceptable to sensory panelists. This study demonstrated that pre-treating fish sample with spices prior to processing significantly (p< 0.05) reduced fish deterioration during storage; and that blends of different spices was more effective than a single spice. The application will increase shelf life and utilization of fish
Environmental Risks Management Practices among Rice Farmers in Rice Producing Areas of Imo State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe study estimated environmental risks management practices among rice farmers in rice producing areas of Imo State, Nigeria. Multistage, purposive and random sampling techniques were used to sample 120 rice farmers across four LGAs of Imo State. Using well structured close-ended questionnaire, data were collected from 120 rice farmers. Out of the 120 questionnaires administered, 133 were properly responded to and considered suitable for analysis. Data were analysed using frequency, percentage, means and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) multiple regression analysis. The results show that pests and diseases outbreak, occasional flooding, destruction by birds, soil fertility depletion and injury during field operation are some of environmental risks facing the rice farmers. Some environmental risk management measures practiced by rice farmers include: wearing of boots in rice farms, construction of Birds scaring objects and planting of pest and disease resistant variety of rice. The result of the Ordinary Least Squares regression analysis shows that the semi-log functional form had the best fit with R2 value of 0.9438, F-value of 158.38 and Prob>F value of 0.0000. Out of the 11 explanatory variables specified in the model, eight variables which include: education, gender, household size, cooperative, access to credit, extension contact, farm size and income statistically and significantly influenced rice farmers’ practices of environmental risk measures at 1% and 5% level of significance. Based on the findings, the study recommended proactive government’s intervention policies and programmes to rice farming in order to cushion the effects of environmental risks facing rice farmers among others