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Assessment of Forest Degradation Indices in Mokwa Forest Reserve, Niger State, Nigeria
Get PDFForest degradation has become a major concern in many countries around
the world as it has become one of the most debilitating land use crisis
in tropical ecosystems. Hence, this study assessed the forest
degradation indices in Mokwa forest reserve. Data were collected using
structured questionnaires and field reconnaissance survey. Five
settlements were selected in and around the forest reserve namely
Mokwa, Jangi, Epa, Kpataki and Tswanle. Data were analyzed using
descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that farming
(41.7%) was the main occupation of the people, artisan works (18.8%)
and studentship had the least (4.2%). Briquetting of charcoal (20.8%)
was the highest causes of forest degradation; commercial farming
(18.8%), overgrazing (16.7%) and population increase was the least
(4.2%).Global warming (22.9%) was the major effect of degradation in
the study area, soil erosion (20.8%) and the least was low rainfall
(9.4%). Agroforestry practices (27.1%) were recorded as the main
mitigation measure for reducing degradation in the area. This was
followed by Afforestation and enrichment planting (22.9%), tree
planting campaign (18.8%) and the least was forest conservation and
management (6.3%). The stepwise multiple regression analysis of the
causes with other variables showed that briquetting of charcoal had the
highest R2 (0.88), followed by commercial farming R2 (0.84), while
population increase had the least R2 (0.57). Nevertheless, sustainable
empowerment programs are recommended to boost the livelihood of the
rural populace and to reduce the overdependence of the people on the
forest reserve
Bacteriological Quality Evaluation of Ready-to-Eat Pineapple Fruit Slices Sold in Markets around Port Harcourt and it\u2019s Environ in Rivers State, Nigeria
Get PDFThirty-six samples of \u201cready to eat\u201d pineapple samples
collected in the morning and evening from six different markets in Port
Harcourt were analyzed to determine their bacteriological quality. All
the pineapple slices examined were contaminated with some bacterial
species. The average microbial load of the sample on Nutrient agar,
MacConkey agar and Mannitol salt agar for the morning and evening
samples were 6.6672
7106cfu/g, 2.5833
7104cfu/g and
8.0000
7103cfu/g respectively while those of the evening samples
were 1.2494
7107cfu/g, 3.9688
7104cfu/g and
8.8888
7103cfu/g respectively. The total heterotrophic bacterial
count on the different samples bought at different times (morning and
evening) were significantly different at probability P<0.05 while E.
coli and Staphylococcal counts on the different media at the
different times (morning and evening) were not significant at
P>0.05. The predominant genera of bacteria observed were
Escherichia, Staphylococcus , Klebsiella , Shigella , Enterobacter
, Providencia , Proteus , Serratia , Salmonella and Citrobacter
with Escherichia having the highest frequency of occurrence (23.61%).
These findings suggest that most \u201cready to eat\u201d pineapples
hawked in the local markets may be implicated in Public Health issues
as bacterial agents responsible for food poisoning were isolated from
them. The need for improvement and maintenance of good hygiene
practices by food handlers and vendors in these markets and trading
outlets is recommended
Incidence of Maize Streak Disease in Maize Cultivated During Late Cropping Season in Three Agricultural Zones of Benue State, Nigeria
Get PDFMaize, an important staple crop is emerging as cash crop particularly
for smallholder farmers in Nigeria. This paper evaluates the frequency
of maize streak disease on maize sown during late cropping season in
three agricultural zones of Benue State, with three maize cultivars;
Super 98, Obasuper 1 and a local cultivar at the University of
Agriculture Makurdi Research Farm using standard methods. Maize plots
were sampled for streak disease from July to November. Data were
analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA with means separated
using FLSD(p=0.05). Spread of maize streak was low (< 20.0%) across
the agricultural zones. It was, however, significantly different
(p 640.05) among the zones with 17.2% average, although reached
19.2 % at Zone B in one occasion. Streak severity was equally
significant (p 640.05) but high (3.6%) across zones, reaching its
peak, 3.7 at Zone C while zone B (3.4) was least. Disease spread among
the LGAs in the State equally differed significantly (p<0.05). Gwer
West (21.8%) and Otukpo (19.3%) had the highest spread. Lowest
percentage spread of 12.7% and 14.0% were recorded in Konshisha and
Katsina Ala, respectively. Streak severity also differed statistically
(p<0.05) among the LGAs. Ado and Konshisha were highest with 3.9 and
3.7, respectively while Gwer West, which was highest for disease spread
was least in severity. Disease spread in maize experimental plots was
more or less comparable to spread in farmers' fields. It was low
averaging 10.3%, in plots while severity of disease was high
( 653.5) in experimental plots
Incidence and Management of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Canker on Jatropha curcas L. in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria
Get PDFThe Impact of fungal pathogens on man is enormous, stretching from
infecting humans to destroying a third of all food crops annually
thereby causing economic losses and impacting global poverty. As a
result, fungal disease incidence was assessed under natural field
infection and data were collected randomly from 12 months old jatropha
seedlings with cankers. Colletotrichum spp. isolated from the diseased
sampled were interacted with known fungi and bacteria biocontrol
agents. The experiment was carried out on completely randomized design
(CRD) in the laboratory. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and
statistically different means were separated using LSD (p 640.05).
The dual culture interaction proved that all the BCA used, possessed
antagonistic potential, and could serve best for prophylactic
protection. Plant diseases may be suppressed by the activities of one
or more plant-associated microbes hence keeping them in check below
threshold levels. This will help to maintain the quality and abundance
of food, thereby mitigating hunger. Negative environmental consequences
caused by excessive use and misuse of agrochemicals, requires that
healthier and costeffective approaches to disease management should be
adopted
Effect of spray drying at 150, 160, and 170 \ub0C on the physical and chemical properties of maqui extract ( Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz)
No full textMaqui (Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz) is a native Chilean berry
that has the highest antioxidant level compared with other fruit.
Anthocyanins, which are the compound with the highest functional level
found in maqui, are relatively unstable and quite susceptible to
degradation during processing and storage. In addition, maqui is a
highly perishable seasonal fruit and it is necessary to find
conservation methods for the developed products. Microencapsulation is
one way to protect anthocyanins from degradation reactions; it is
defined as a process by which certain bioactive substances are
introduced in a matrix or wall systems aimed at impeding their loss and
protecting them from the reaction with other compounds and/or prevent
them from suffering oxidation reactions caused by light or oxygen. The
objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of drying
inlet temperature on the physical properties, total polyphenol content,
total anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity of spray-dried
maqui extract. Inlet temperatures were 130, 150, and 170 \ub0C, while
other parameters were constant, such as feed flow (18 mL min-1) and
encapsulating agent concentration (maltodextrin and gum Arabic). The
best drying inlet temperature was 170 \ub0C; it produced powders with
lower moisture content (1.61%), water activity (0.15), and L*
coordinate (11.16), as well as increased hygroscopicity (24.01%) and
solubility (92.70%). The lowest total polyphenol content loss (23.05 mg
gallic acid equivalents g-1), total anthocyanin content (21.46 mg
cyanidin-3-glucoside g-1), and antioxidant activity (85.76%
2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl inhibition) occurred at 170 \ub0C. The
size of the powder particles allowed classifying them as microcapsules.
Maqui extract microencapsulation provides powders with adequate
stability during storage
Pseudomonas fluorescens affects nutrient dynamics in plant-soil system for melon production
No full textThe excessive use of agrochemicals to increase yield and fruit quality
can result in soil, freshwater, and groundwater contamination.
Designing and using new products based on microorganisms, such as
rhizosphere bacteria, could reduce intensive agrochemical application
and subsequent potential contamination. Therefore, the effect of a
biocontroller (Pseudomonas fluorescens) on the nutrient balance and
yield quality of melon ( Cucumis melo L.) was evaluated under field
conditions. Control and treatment plots without and with a
biocontroller applied with an irrigation system were assayed. Soils
were monitored by physicochemical and biochemical analysis and plants
by nutrient and yield quality analysis during crop development.
Pseudomonas fluorescens application significantly promoted salt
solubility (416 and 1128 \u3bcS cm-1), available Cu concentration (3.8
and 4.3 mg kg-1), P availability (104 and 123 mg kg-1), and microbial C
biomass (56 and 93 mg C kg-1) for control and treatment plots,
respectively. In addition, biocontroller application did not
significantly increase soil total N and exchangeable Na, Mg, and K
concentrations. Pseudomonas fluorescens also promoted Mn, N, Zn, and P
absorption, which causes competition among nutrients, limiting Cu, Na,
Ca, and K absorption by melon plants. The \u3b2-glucosidase activity
was also responsible for releasing Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, P, and N in the
soil. Finally, P. fluorescens application increased fruit size and
weight (3.0 to 3.8 and 3.3 to 4.3 kg for control and biocontroller
treatments, respectively); therefore, biofertilization with this
bacterium is a sustainable alternative to increase yield and fruit
quality without increasing the use of chemical fertilizers and
pesticides
Milk fatty acid profile of dairy cows fed diets based on sugarcane bagasse in the Brazilian semiarid region
No full textLittle is known about milk fatty acid (FA) profile of cows fed diets
based on sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum L.) bagasse. This study
aimed to evaluate FA profile and nutritional quality indexes of milk
fat of cows fed sugarcane bagasse and concentrate in the Brazilian
northeast semiarid region. Multiparous Girolando cows were allocated in
four diets based on different levels of sugarcane bagasse (30%, 38%,
46%, and 54% total DM) added to concentrate. Fatty acids C18:1 trans-11
(lowest value for 46% inclusion) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cis-9, trans-11 (lowest value for 46% inclusion) in milk fat presented
a quadratic pattern (P < 0.05). This trend was also observed for
C18:1 cis-9 (P < 0.05), but at a lower magnitude. There was a
reduction in concentration of C18:1 trans-10 (0.320 to 0.148 g 100 g-1
total FA)and CLA trans-10, cis-12 (0.008 to 0.004 g 100 g-1 total FA)
according to the levels of sugarcane bagasse increase. The greater
inclusion of bagasse and consequent reduction in the proportion of
concentrate, notably corn, cause an increase in concentration of
medium-chain saturated FA and a linear reduction of C18:3 n-3 and C18:2
n-6, with a consequent increase in the indexes of atherogenicity (2.82
to 3.2) and thrombogenicity (3.39 to 3.84) and a decrease in ratio of
hypo/hyper-cholesterolemic (0.44 to 0.37) and \u3c9-6:\u3c9-3 (12.44
to 8.80) in milk fat. Results indicate that different levels of
sugarcane bagasse change the FA content in cows\u2019 milk when
bagasse is an exclusive roughage source in the diet. The greater
inclusion of sugarcane bagasse reduces the quality of milk fat of dairy
cows. The lowest level of sugarcane bagasse inclusion tested (30%)
promotes greater milk yield and healthier milk fat
Evaluation of tigernut accessions in Ghana for proximate and mineral composition
Get PDFTigernut ( Cyperus esculentus L.) is a nutritious, yet underutilised
crop in Ghana. The objective of this study was to characterise Ghanaian
tigernut accessions for proximate and mineral composition, as a guide
for breeders for varietal development. Field and laboratory studies
were conducted on 24 tigernut accessions from major growing areas of
Ghana. The accessions were cultivated during the minor the growing
season (September - November), at the Multipurpose Nursery of the
University of Education, Winneba, Asante Mampong in Ghana. The nuts
were analysed for proximate (carbohydrate, energy, moisture, ether
extract, crude fiber, crude protein and ash) and mineral (potassium,
phosphorus and calcium) composition. There were significant (P<0.05)
differences among accessions for all traits studied. Accessions were
clustered in a dendrogram by colour and geographical origin and PC1 and
PC2 explained more than 80% of the total variations among the
accessions, with carbohydrate and energy being the major contributors
to the total variation. Accessions DY, BKB, KAB, TPY, CCY, WY2 and WY1,
which recorded high levels of proximate and mineral compositions, may
be considered for breeding programmes to provide high nutrient
varieties of tigernut in Ghana.Le Tigernut ( Cyperus esculentus L.) est une culture nutritive mais
sous-utilis\ue9e au Ghana. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude
\ue9tait de caract\ue9riser les accessions de souchet Ghan\ue9en
pour leur composition imm\ue9diate et min\ue9rale, comme un guide
pour les s\ue9lectionneurs pour le d\ue9veloppement vari\ue9tal.
Des \ue9tudes sur le terrain et en laboratoire ont \ue9t\ue9
men\ue9es sur 24 accessions de souchet provenant des principales
zones de culture du Ghana. Les accessions ont \ue9t\ue9
cultiv\ue9es pendant la petite saison de croissance (Septembre -
Novembre), \ue0 la p\ue9pini\ue8re polyvalente de
l\u2019Universit\ue9 de l\u2019\ue9ducation, Winneba, Asante
Mampong au Ghana. Les noix ont \ue9t\ue9 analys\ue9es pour leur
composition proche (glucides, \ue9nergie, humidit\ue9, extrait
d\u2019\ue9ther, fibres brutes, prot\ue9ines brutes et cendres) et
composition min\ue9rale (potassium, phosphore et calcium). Il y avait
des diff\ue9rences significatives (P <0,05) entre les accessions
pour tous les caract\ue8res \ue9tudi\ue9s. Les accessions ont
\ue9t\ue9 regroup\ue9es dans un dendrogramme par couleur et
origine g\ue9ographique et PC1 et PC2 expliquaient plus de 80% des
variations totales entre les accessions, les glucides et
l\u2019\ue9nergie \ue9tant les principaux contributeurs \ue0 la
variation totale. Les accessions DY, BKB, KAB, TPY, CCY, WY2 et WY1,
qui ont enregistr\ue9 des niveaux \ue9lev\ue9s de composition
proximale et min\ue9rale, peuvent \ueatre envisag\ue9es pour des
programmes de s\ue9lection afin de fournir des vari\ue9t\ue9s
riches en nutriments de tigernut au Ghana
Non- pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour presenting with hypoglycemia in an elderly patient
Get PDFBackground: Hypoglycemia is a common, symptom seen in individuals.
Hypoglycemia in the elderly is both under-recognized and misdiagnosed
due to nonspesific hypoglycemic symptoms and accompanying comorbidities
in this population. In diabetic individuals, hypoglycemia is most
commonly caused by administering insulin or sulphonylureas and insulin
secretagogues. Other drugs, such as antibiotics or beta-blockers, have
been reported to reduce blood glucose to abnormally low levels.
Hypoglycemia in non-diabetic patients is considered a rare event, and
the possible reasons may be reactive hypoglycemia, insulin-secreting
tumours and other malignancies, hypopituitarism, hypocortisolism,
alcohol abuse, inappropriate insulin self-administration, malnutrition,
renal failure and sepsis. Case: An 86- year- old male was admitted to
the emergency department with hypoglycemia diagnosed with
non-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (NET) on lung secreting insulin.
No surgical intervention or chemotherapy was planned due to patients
age and comorbidities so best supportive care was planned. We used
prednisone for symptomatic treatment of hypoglycemia and the patient
has been followed up periodically. In this period he had no
hypoglycemic attack. Conclusion: For patients with hypoglycemia who are
unable/decline to receive any further treatment, low dose
glucocorticoid is a good choice to achieve normoglycemia. It seems to
be more cost effective compared to other treatment options. Furthermore
hospitalisation rates may decrease due to decreased hypogylcemic
attacks
The relationship between Vitamin D deficiency and polycystic ovary syndrome
Get PDFBackground: Vitamin D deficiency is frequently seen in patients with
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and has been shown to exhibit multiple
effects on the disease process. The purpose of this study was to
investigate the role of vitamin D deficiency in complex PCOS
pathophysiological pathways. Methods: Two hundred sixty-seven patients
with PCOS were divided into two groups Group 1 with 25(OH)D3
deficiency, and Group 2 with normal 25(OH)D3. Biochemical and hormonal
parameters (androgen hormones, gonadotropins, and thyroid function
tests) were compared between the two groups. Results: Eighty-six
percent of the patients (n=231) were in Group 1 and 14% (n=36) in Group
2. Statistically significantly higher concentrations of serum
testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and LH were determined in
Group 1 (p<0.05). 25(OH)D3 concentrations were negatively correlated
with body mass index (r= 120.459), serum testosterone (r
= 120.374) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels
(r= 120.418); (all; p< 0.05). Conclusion: The study findings
show that low 25(OH)D3 levels are associated with high androgen levels
in women with PCOS. Vitamin D deficiency should be considered as an
additional risk factor in the development of PCOS. We think that
providing vitamin D supplementation for women from identified
deficiency areas can reduce the risk of PCOS development