Evaluation of the Ergonomics of Carpentry and Furniture-Making Enterprise at the Illoabuchi Cluster Sawmill/Wood Market in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Over the years, forestry-related professions have been consistently considered as one of the most hazardous occupations around the world. Awareness to address this issue through ergonomic improvement interventions is increasing, yet insufficient information is available about ergonomic conditions of Nigerian carpentry and furniture-making (CFM) enterprise. This study evaluated the ergonomics of CFM at the Illoabuchi cluster sawmill/wood market in Port Harcourt, Nigeria using qualitative and quantitative approaches. The carpenters/furniture makers (CFMs) were exclusively males 51.9% of them were within the age of 26 and 35 years with 72.2% of them being married. The height of tables is weakly positively correlated with the height of CFMs (r = 0.250, p < 0.026), implying that a vast number of the tables used were not anthropometrically matched. The occupational hazard outcomes frequently suffered by the CFMs included bruised/hands cut (34.4%), back pain (25.9%), nasal infection (25.9%), muscle pain (8.6%), and eyes infection (5.2%). These findings provide evidence by which the ergonomical target interventions to reduce future hazards and also to lessen the impacts of previous hazards on CFMs can be implemented

Preventive and Remedial Measures to House Termite Infestations in Two Ikwerre Communities of Rivers State, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

From forests to human dwellings, infestations of woods by termites are on the increase. Despite the increasing occurrences of termite infestations in human dwellings in the Niger Delta region, there is still insufficient information about the preventive and remedial measures towards house termites by house-owners (HOs) in the region. Through a survey of Omuoko [n = (50%) = 82] and Omuihechi [n = (50%) = 57] communities in the Ikwerre area of Port Harcourt, this study analyzed a 139-house owner samples using standard methods. Data obtained show that 64.7% of HOs use preventive measures which include chemicals (43.2%), chemicals and non-wood materials (20.9%), and non-wood materials (0.6%). A sub-total of 73 HOs representing 52.5% of the total respondents use remedial measures with chemicals (34.2%) being dominant, followed by Chemicals and replacement (27.4%), Replacement (17.8%), Scraping (12.3%), Chemical and scrapping (6.8%), and cement (1.4%). This study indicates that old, wooden, and thatched houses are highly susceptible to termites’ infestations, thus deserving periodic preventive and remedial treatments through expert consultations and/or do-it-yourself methods

Occurrence and Severity of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) P. Karst. on Azadirachta indica Trees in University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable Harvesting and Replacement

Abstract: More than 40% mortality of the 35 years old Neem trees (Azardirachta indica) used as avenue tree in University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has been observed. This phenomenon is strongly believed to have been caused by Ganoderma lucidum -a fungus which causes root rots, cracking of the root and stem barks, heartwood rots, die-back of the branches, deformation of crown and eventually death. Therefore, occurrence and severity of Ganoderma lucidum on the Neem trees from Delta axis road to Ofrima/Senate roundabout were examined for 3 years. Epidemiological observations showed that two genera of Ganoderma appeared early in the years when there was rain and gradually reduce with decreasing rainfall intensity. High occurrences of G.lucidum were observed between April and July for the 3 years of study. Over the years, there were progressive increase in the damaging impact of G.lucidum in all trees and the total mortality associated with its occurrence was greater than 40% at the end of 2013. Occurrence-severity indicated that A. indica trees were affected mostly by decays of roots and stem butts that were associated with tree age (old), soil contact and moisture. Occurrence of Ganoderma lucidum in living trees is recognized as a distinct disease and is strongly associated with declining of A. indica among ornamental trees in University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A disk obtained from one of the dying tree was still hard enough without any visible xylem decay, stain, tunnel and discolouration to produce furniture and other indoor wood products for the University community. This study suggests that the trees could be selectively harvested for furniture while replacement with non-vulnerable and fast growing tree like Gmelina arborea is advised before complete harvesting is carried out

In vitro Anticancer Screening of 24 Locally Used Nigerian Medicinal Plants

Background: Plants that are used as traditional medicine represent a relevant pool for selecting plant candidates that may have anticancer properties. In this study, the ethnomedicinal approach was used to select several medicinal plants native to Nigeria, on the basis of their local or traditional uses. The collected plants were then evaluated for cytoxicity. Methods: The antitumor activity of methanolic extracts obtained from 24 of the selected plants, were evaluated in vitro on five human cancer cell lines. Results: Results obtained from the plants screened indicate that 18 plant extracts of folk medicine exhibited promising cytotoxic activity against human carcinoma cell lines. Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan was found to demonstrate potent anti-cancer activity in this study exhibiting IC50 = 0.2-1.3 $\mu$g/ml. Conclusions: Based on the significantly potent activity of some plants extracts reported here, further studies aimed at mechanism elucidation and bio-guided isolation of active anticancer compounds is currently underway.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum.): poor products development wood but good environmental tree in Nigeria

Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum.) is a large tropical tree, the wood products of which are either in solid or reconstituted forms. These items are extremely vulnerable to concomitant insect attack. Although established as a successful plantation species for veneering and plywood production, Obeche is also considered as a good environmental tree in Nigeria. However, there is very little specific information that substantiates this potential. We report on the organisms inducing biodeterioration of Obeche wood products and describe the characteristics of Obeche trees in terms of environmental suitability between 2012 and 2016. All the 47 Obeche wood-based products (OWBPs) studied, comprising 12 beehives, 10 food canteen stalls, 10 office tables, 10 laboratory cabinets and 5 office walls were economically and dominantly co-infested by beetles and termites. Interestingly, during the four-year observation period, all the eight Obeche trees encountered were found to exhibit high stability with excellent resistance to hollowness and to degradative pests, even at around 2 m Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). This reflects its robust biophysical protective barrier mechanisms. Additionally, there were observations of enhanced coexistence with other tree species, including shrubs and grasses. This indicates a tolerance potential role at improving the relative contributions of several species (plants community) to ameliorate tropical environmental degradation

Fatty Acid Profile of Atlantic Horse Mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) oil Obtained using Different Extraction Methods

The effect of three extraction methods which include soxhlet, gas and charcoal powered smoking kiln on extraction of oil from Trachurus trachurus were investigated. Chemical analyses of the oil was carried out to determine its quantity and quality in terms of fatty acid composition by using standard laboratory methods. The results obtained indicated that the highest oil yield (14.0%) was recorded in oil extracted with soxhlet method, while the lowest (0.93%) in oil extracted with charcoal powered kiln extraction method. Based on the fatty acid profile of the oils, there are sixteen fatty acids in all the extraction methods with stearic acid (53.62%) as the highest saturated fatty acid (SFA); oleic acid (7.05%) as the foremost monounsaturated (MUFA) and linolenic acid (23.31%) as the major polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). The Soxhlet methods consistently recorded the highest oil yield, and can be used to extract oil for industrial use. While, the gas powered kiln can be used to extract oil for consumption purpose