15 research outputs found
Metal hazard on the health safety of the people of two towns in the oil producing area of Akwa-Ibom State
No full textGarri processed from cassava, one of the most common staple crop throughout tropical Africa, Asia and South America, were traditionally done. The effect of processing methods on the chemical pollutant loads were studied using twenty four matured, male wistar rats fed with blends of garri, while the control rats fed with rat ration only. The raw cassava and smoked fish used for the experiment were examined to assess the level of their contamination. Garri processed from the raw materials sourced from the two towns were compared by evaluating the effect the processing had in reducing the concentration of the pollutants. It was shown from the results that the feed had metal pollutants that would ultimately affect consumers of the food and, equally the effect of processing on the reduction of the metal pollutant load of the various feed ratios. The results also showed the prospect of processing on the safety of the foods and invariably, the health of consumers.Keywords: Garri, Consumers health, metal – pollutants, food safety, processing method
Is rheumatoid arthritis an innocent bystander in female reproductive problems? A comparative study of fertility in Nigerian women with and without rheumatoid arthritis
No full textPhysical, chemical and sensory properties of cassava (Manihot esculenta) - sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) gari
No full textQuality assessment of different polyethylene-packaged groundwater in the Ilorin metropolis of Nigeria for compliance with standards
No full textThere is a notable proliferation of sachet water brands in the Ilorin Metropolis of Nigeria. However, more information regarding their safety for human consumption is required. This study aimed to determine the quality attributes of sachet water produced within the Ilorin metropolis of Nigeria to ascertain their conformity with regulatory standards. Three sachet water companies were each selected from three Local Government Areas within the study area. Physicochemical and microbial analyses were conducted on the collected water samples within 24 hours of production and monthly during 4-month storage. The results showed that temperature (25.10-30.13 ℃) and turbidity (0.37-2.84 NTU) were within permissible limits. Total hardness (36.0-136.33 mg/L) and pH (6.42-8.86) significantly (p ≤0.05) increased during storage and were above standards in some samples. There were significant (p ≤0.05) variations in chlorides (2.83-8.57 mg/L), nitrates (0.15-0.64 mg/L), sulphates (4.70-7.12 mg/L), and sodium contents (10.16-18.74 mg/L) but all were within standards. While five of the nine sachet water brands complied (2-100 CFU/mL) with the limit of 100 CFU/mL for the total viable count, all the samples failed the zero-tolerance requirement for coliform. Possible fecal contamination was concluded as the main concern with the sachet water brands produced within Ilorin Metropolis, suggesting their unfitness for human consumption. The water brands may, therefore, pose severe health hazards to consumers and threaten public health. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the likely unfitness of some sachet water brands in the Ilorin Metropolis of Nigeria for human consumption, owing to fecal coliform. This underscores the need for regulatory agencies to intensify the certification process of prospective sachet water factories. Furthermore, regular inspections of certified factories and their practices and products are recommended to ensure continued compliance with regulatory standards
A review on the physicochemical properties of starches modified by microwave alone and in combination with other methods
No full textNative starches are unsuitable for most industrial applications. Therefore, they are modified to improve their application in the industry. Starch may be modified using enzymatic, genetic, chemical, and physical methods. Due to the demand for safe foods by consumers, researchers are focusing on the use of cheap, safe and environmentally friendly methods such as the use of physical means for starch modification. Microwave heating of starch is a promising physical method for starch modification due to its advantages such as homogeneous operation throughout the whole sample volume, shorter processing time, greater penetration depth and better product quality. More recently, the use of synergistic methods for starch modification is being encouraged because they confer better functionality on starch than single methods. This review summarizes the present knowledge on the structure and physicochemical properties of starches from different botanical origins modified using microwave heating alone and in combination with other starch modification methods.The Faculty-University Research Committee Fellowship at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ijbiomachj2022Consumer ScienceFood Scienc
Physical characteristics, nutritional composition and acceptability of gluten-free crackers produced from germinated pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), defatted-sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) and defatted-tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) composite flours
No full textAbstract Crackers are flat, crispy, baked snacks typically prepared from wheat flour. Recently, increasing efforts are being made towards the use of novel ingredients with health, economic and nutritional benefits in the production of crackers. In this study, physical, chemical and sensory characteristics of gluten-free crackers (GFCs) developed from germinated pearl millet, defatted-sesame seed and defatted-tigernut composite flours (90:0:10, 80:10:10, 70:20:10, 60:30:10) against those of 100% wheat cracker (WHFC) were investigated. Compared to wheat flour, formulated composite flours demonstrated higher water and oil absorption capacities but swelling indices were comparable. While WHFC showed higher (P 6 on a 9-point Hedonic scale indicated that the GFCs were generally accepted by the panellists. The study revealed the potentials of composite flours prepared from germinated pearl millet, defatted-sesame seed, and defatted-tigernut flours in the production of acceptable, nutritious and healthy crackers
A Knowledge Representation Model Based on Select and Test Algorithm for Diagnosing Breast Cancer
No full textThere exist several terminal diseases whose fatality rate escalates with time of which breast cancer is a frontline disease among such. Computer aided systems have also been well researched through the use intelligent algorithms capable of detecting, diagnosing, and proffering treatment for breast cancer. While good research breakthrough has been attained in terms of algorithmic solution towards diagnosis of breast cancer, however, not much has been done to sufficiently model knowledge frameworks for diagnostic algorithms that are knowledge-based. While Select and Test (ST) algorithm have proven relevant for implementing diagnostic systems, through support for reasoning, however the knowledge representation pattern that enables inference of missing or ambiguous data still limits the effectiveness of ST algorithm. This paper therefore proposes a knowledge representation model to systematically model knowledge to aid the performance of ST algorithm. Our proposal is specifically targeted at developing systematic knowledge representation for breast cancer. The approach uses the ontology web language (OWL) to implement the design of the knowledge model proposed. This study aims at carefully crafting a knowledge model whose implementation seamlessly work with ST algorithm. Furthermore, this study adapted the proposed model into an implementation of ST algorithm an obtained an improved performance compared to the simple knowledge model proposed by the author of ST algorithm. Our knowledge mode resulted in an accuracy gain of 23.5% and obtained and AUC of (0.49, 1.0). This proposed model has therefore shown that combining an inference-oriented knowledge model with an inference-oriented reasoning algorithm improves the performance of computer aided diagnostic (CADx) systems. In future, we intend to enhance the proposed model to support rules. Keywords— Semantic web, ontology, OWL, breast cancer, Select and Test (ST) algorithm, knowledge representatio
