Effect of cold temperature storage on the quality attributes of pawpaw and guava leathers

The effect of cold temperature storage on the quality attributes of pawpaw and guava leathers was evaluated. Pawpaw leather was significantly higher than guava leather in calorific content, water activity, pH and total mould count throughout the duration of storage. However Guava leather was higher in texture. Sensory scores in relation to period of storage showed that Guava leather gave better result in overall acceptability at zero, one and two months of storage at 8 ± 10C. Guava leather also gave better sensory qualities in fruitiness, smell, chewiness, toughness, colour, and overall acceptability when varietal influence is considered. Guava leather is better accepted. (African Journal of Biotechnology: 2002 1(2): 61-63

IN-VIVO ANTI-PLASMODIAL ACTIVITY AND IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA AND ITS POSITIVE EFFECT ON HEMATOLOGICAL AND LIPID PARAMETERS IN SWISS ALBINO MICE INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM BERGHEI NK 65.

The study was conducted to determine the effect of in vivo anti-plasmodial and in vitro antioxidant properties of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and its positive effect on hematological and lipid parameters in Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65. Swiss albino mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with Plasmodium berghei NK65. The mice were grouped into six groups, five per group. Group I were not infected with P.berghei, Group II and III served as both the negative and positive control while Group IV, V, and VI were treated with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight of methanolic leaf extract of A. indica. The secondary metabolites in the extract include tannin, flavonoids, glycosides and saponin etc. The extract does not have any toxic effect that can lead to the death of the animals. The median lethal dose LD50 was estimated to be >5000mg/Kg body weight. The extract caused 47.80%, 50.96% and 52.30% suppression in parasitaemia at 200, 400 and 800mg/kg body weight respectively while Chloroquine exerted 100% suppression at 5mg/kg body weight. The curative test shows that the different concentration of the extract exert a growth inhibition of 50.1%, 74.57% and 73.68% at 200, 400, 800mg/kg body weight respectively while Chloroquine cleared the parasites by 94.07% at 5mg/kg body weight. The Hematological parameters showed that the extract is not hematotoxic since it significantly increase (P<0.05) RBC, HGB, and HCT values while their WBC count reduced significantly when compared to the infected untreated mice. There is a significant decrease (P<0.05) in plasma TC, TG and LDL-C in the treated groups and their HDL-C significantly increase when compared to infected untreated group. This study shows that A.indica extract has hypolipidemic effect. In the in-vitro antioxidant assay, the extract significantly increase (P<0.05) the level of SOD, CAT and GSH in the liver homogenate induced with oxidative stress using H2O2 while the MDA values reduced significantly with the administration of the extract of A.indica

IN-VIVO ANTI-PLASMODIAL ACTIVITY AND IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA AND ITS POSITIVE EFFECT ON HEMATOLOGICAL AND LIPID PARAMETERS IN SWISS ALBINO MICE INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM BERGHEI NK 65.

The study was conducted to determine the effect of in vivo anti-plasmodial and in vitro antioxidant properties of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and its positive effect on hematological and lipid parameters in Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65. Swiss albino mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with Plasmodium berghei NK65. The mice were grouped into six groups, five per group. Group I were not infected with P.berghei, Group II and III served as both the negative and positive control while Group IV, V, and VI were treated with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight of methanolic leaf extract of A. indica. The secondary metabolites in the extract include tannin, flavonoids, glycosides and saponin etc. The extract does not have any toxic effect that can lead to the death of the animals. The median lethal dose LD50 was estimated to be >5000mg/Kg body weight. The extract caused 47.80%, 50.96% and 52.30% suppression in parasitaemia at 200, 400 and 800mg/kg body weight respectively while Chloroquine exerted 100% suppression at 5mg/kg body weight. The curative test shows that the different concentration of the extract exert a growth inhibition of 50.1%, 74.57% and 73.68% at 200, 400, 800mg/kg body weight respectively while Chloroquine cleared the parasites by 94.07% at 5mg/kg body weight. The Hematological parameters showed that the extract is not hematotoxic since it significantly increase (P<0.05) RBC, HGB, and HCT values while their WBC count reduced significantly when compared to the infected untreated mice. There is a significant decrease (P<0.05) in plasma TC, TG and LDL-C in the treated groups and their HDL-C significantly increase when compared to infected untreated group. This study shows that A.indica extract has hypolipidemic effect. In the in-vitro antioxidant assay, the extract significantly increase (P<0.05) the level of SOD, CAT and GSH in the liver homogenate induced with oxidative stress using H2O2 while the MDA values reduced significantly with the administration of the extract of A.indica

RECYCLING BROILER LITTER AND CAPRINE RUMEN CONTENT AS LOW COST BY PRODUCT FEEDING STUFFS FOR GOAT PRODUCTION

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the potentials of broiler litter (BL) and caprine rumen content (CRC) as low cost by product feeding stuffs for goats. Twenty (20) West African Dwarf goats (WAD) with average weight of 10kg were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments of 0%CRC/30%BL, 10%CRC/20%BL, 20%CRC/10%BL, 30%CRC/0BL% and 0BL%/0%CRC (control) for diets A to E, respectively. Results indicated that dry matter (DM) intake of goats decreased (p>0.05) with increasing level of CRC in the diets. Goats on diet A had the best performance in terms of daily gain (g/day) and feed: gain ratio with goats on diet D having the least (p<0.05) performance.  The DM and CP digestibilities followed the same trend across the dietary treatments with goats fed diet D having significantly (p<0.05) lower digestibility compared to the other treatments.  Blood parameters monitored fell within the range required for goats and varied (p<0.05) across the treatments with exception of total protein and blood glucose. The carcass characteristics of WAD goats as a result of feeding BL with CRC were not influenced (p>0.05) by the dietary treatments, while the meat composition varied (p<0.05) in the CP and fat contents. It is concluded that supplementing BL in CRC diets at 20 and 30%BL, respectively, has the potential of improving feed intake, weight gain, digestibility and carcass quality in WAD goats for profitable performance. &nbsp

RECYCLING BROILER LITTER AND CAPRINE RUMEN CONTENT AS LOW COST BY PRODUCT FEEDING STUFFS FOR GOAT PRODUCTION

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the potentials of broiler litter (BL) and caprine rumen content (CRC) as low cost by product feeding stuffs for goats. Twenty (20) West African Dwarf goats (WAD) with average weight of 10kg were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments of 0%CRC/30%BL, 10%CRC/20%BL, 20%CRC/10%BL, 30%CRC/0BL% and 0BL%/0%CRC (control) for diets A to E, respectively. Results indicated that dry matter (DM) intake of goats decreased (p>0.05) with increasing level of CRC in the diets. Goats on diet A had the best performance in terms of daily gain (g/day) and feed: gain ratio with goats on diet D having the least (p<0.05) performance.  The DM and CP digestibilities followed the same trend across the dietary treatments with goats fed diet D having significantly (p<0.05) lower digestibility compared to the other treatments.  Blood parameters monitored fell within the range required for goats and varied (p<0.05) across the treatments with exception of total protein and blood glucose. The carcass characteristics of WAD goats as a result of feeding BL with CRC were not influenced (p>0.05) by the dietary treatments, while the meat composition varied (p<0.05) in the CP and fat contents. It is concluded that supplementing BL in CRC diets at 20 and 30%BL, respectively, has the potential of improving feed intake, weight gain, digestibility and carcass quality in WAD goats for profitable performance.Â

GEOELECTRIC PARAMETERS AND ELEMENTAL COMPOSITIONS OF THE TOP SOIL OF CAMP AREA, ABEOKUTA, SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and elemental composition surveys were carried out at twenty-two (22) sites atª¤? Camp Area, Alabata Road, Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria. This was with a view to determining depth to water«¤??bearing zones and extent of soil contamination thereby saving residents not just the pain of recurrent losses incurred for investing in dry wells, but also not to invest in contaminated waters. The study area is underlain by associated rock suites which includes pegmatite and quartz veins. Field data obtained was modeled and interpreted to obtain the geophysical parameters of the area and delineate the groundwater potential zones. Soil samples were also collected at the 22 VES points, at depths of 10 cm and 100 cm; the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) equipment was used to obtain the geographical position of each sample point. Determination of the elemental composition of soil samples collected at the 10 cm and 100 cm depths was made using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Two heavy metals (Pb, and Cr), five major elements (K, Ca, N, P and Mg) and five trace elements (Zn, Mn, Cu, Al and Fe) were detected. It was observed that the values, representing the amount of the heavy metals, the major elements, and the trace elements were far less, mostly insignificant, at the 100 cm depth representing about the interface between the first and second layers in majority of the VES stations sampled, than at the 10 cm depth, representing the topsoil of the first layer. The implication of this is that the elements are not strictly domiciled within the area studied but may be due to runoffs as the area slopes down. Moreover, going by the values at the 100 cm depth, the elements may not be capable of percolating into the underground water zones in the area of study, and thus might not have contaminated the underground water. Thus, at the current level, the underground water can be adjudged safe for human consumption.ª¤

EFFECTS OF AESTIVATION DURATION ON TESTOSTERONE, HAEMOLYMPH BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND REPRODUCTIVE TRACT DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT OF GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAIL (Archachatina marginata) DURING DRY SEASON

Aestivation is a process of metabolic inactivity under which energy reserve are manipulated for survival. Reproductive apparatus and haemolymph biochemical agents also undergo phase manipulation as the duration continues. To determine the physiological influence on key hormone of reproduction and reproductive apparatus, seventy five A. marginata snails were used for this study. The snails were divided into five treatments with fifteen replicate each. Treatment include: Zero (0) week, Three (3) weeks, Six (6) weeks, nine (9) weeks and six (6) weeks post-aestivation. Parameters measured were: Testosterone concentration, haemolymph biochemical parameters (Total protein, albumin, globulin, Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT), dimensions (length) and weight of the organs and tissues of the reproductive tracts (Ovo-testis, penis, vaginal, oviduct, little hermaphrodite duct, common hermaphrodite duct, vas deferens and albumen gland) gonado-somatic index and percentage mortality. Result showed that level of testosterone at three and six weeks of aestivation significantly reduced compared to the control. Also, at nine weeks of aestivation, the reduction was significantly greater than what was recorded at both three and six weeks of aestivation. But the testosterone levels were reversed at nine weeks post aestivation. Total protein and globulin were significantly influenced with both reaching a peak value at 9 weeks of aestivation while ALT, AST and albumin were not significantly affected. So also, of all the reproductive tract parts measured, organ weight, ovo-testis weight, penis weight and length were significantly influenced (P<0.001; P<0.001; P<0.05; P<0.001). Similarly, vaginal weight, oviduct weight, little hermaphrodite duct weight and length were also significantly affected  together with vas deferens  length and albumen gland length while aestivation duration had no significant influence on reproductive tract weight, ovo-testis length, vaginal length, oviduct length, little hermaphrodite duct length, vas deferens weight and albumen gland weight. Similarly, gonado-somatic index was also not significantly affected by aestivation duration. It was also obvious from this study that the highest mortality was recorded at 6 weeks of aestivation, followed by 9 weeks of aestivation while 3weeks and 6 weeks post-aestivation had the least mortality with the control intact. In conclusion, it is clear from this study that aestivation duration significantly influenced testosterone concentration, haemolymph biochemical parameters and some selected reproductive apparatus of A. marginata.       &nbsp

The ameliorative effects of a phenolic derivative of Moringa oleifera leave against vanadium-induced neurotoxicity in mice

Vanadium, a transition series metal released during some industrial activities, induces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Ameliorative effect of a pure compound from the methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves, code-named MIMO2, in 14-day old mice administered with vanadium (as sodium metavanadate 3 mg/kg) for 2 weeks was assessed. Results from body weight monitoring, muscular strength, and open field showed slight reduction in body weight and locomotion deficit in vanadium-exposed mice, ameliorated with MIMO2 co-administration. Degeneration of the Purkinje cell layer and neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region were observed in vanadium-exposed mice and both appeared significantly reduced with MIMO2 co-administration. Demyelination involving the midline of the corpus callosum, somatosensory and retrosplenial cortices was also reduced with MIMO2. Microglia activation and astrogliosis observed through immunohistochemistry were also alleviated. Immunohistochemistry for myelin, axons and oligodendrocyte lineage cells were also carried out and showed that in vanadium-treated mice brains, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells increased NG2 immunolabelling with hypertrophy and bushy, ramified appearance of their processes. MIMO2 displayed ameliorative and antioxidative effects in vanadium-induced neurotoxicity in experimental murine species. This is likely the first time MIMO2 is being used in vivo in an animal model

EVALUATION OF THE AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND NUTRITIVE VALUES OF TEPHROSIA BRACTEOLATA GUILL. & PERR. AND GMELINA ARBOREA ROXB PRUNNINGS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH

This study was carried out to investigate the growth, dry matter yield and chemical composition of Tephrosia bracteolata and Gmelina arborea at Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different stages of growth of T. bracteolata and G. arborea on their agronomic performance, herbage yield and nutritive value in the humid zone of Nigeria. Data were collected at 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after planting (WAP). Results showed that T. bracteolata attained the height of 161 cm at 20 WAP, though not significantly different from the height at 16 WAP. The leaf number (24), branch number (7) and dry matter yield of T. bracteolata were recorded highest at 16 WAP. The height of G. arborea was on constant increase throughout the experimental period. The crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) contents of the two browse plants were highest at 8 WAP and thereafter, declined throughout the experimental period. Fibre fractions, the neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) had a least value for both browse species at 8 WAP and highest values at 20 WAP. From the study, considering the dry matter yield and nutritive value, T. bracteolata being an annual species, can be harvested at 16 WAP when the quality and quantity will support livestock productivity and can be conserved to be fed to ruminant animals during dry season when feed availability and quality are extremely low. However, planting of G. arborea should be encouraged being a perennial browse plant that will support livestock productivity during the dry season in the tropics. In conclusion, T. bracteolata and G. arborea grow rapidly and are recommended as forage of high nutritive values that meet ruminant animal protein requirements especially during the dry season