Humic Substances and Mineral Elements Contents of White Grubs and Waste Deposit

The humic substances and mineral elements content of white grubs (WG) and waste deposit (WD) were analyzed. WG was found to contain higher amount of fulvic acid (16.05 ± 4.28%) and humic acid (9.50 ± 2.06 %) compared to the respective value of 2.75 ± 0.38% and 4.25 ± 1.05 %. It could be inferred that WG accumulate these humic substances (humic and fulvic acids) from the environmental waste and these probably contribute to medicinal properties of the grubs. The mineral elements Fe, Mn, Na, K, Ca, and Co were significantly (p Mg > Na > Ca > Mn > Zn > Fe > Cu. These elements were found in appreciable amount to meet nutritional requirements. WG could, therefore, be nutritionally and medically relevant

Optimum pH and pH Stability of Crude Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) Extracted from Five Fruit Samples Commonly Consumed in Kano State, Nigeria

The effect of pH on the activity and stability of crude polyphenol oxidase (PPO) extracted from garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum), pawpaw (Carica papaya), pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), guava (Psidium guajava) and bush mango (Irvingia gabonnensis) fruits were studied. Catechol at concentration of 20 mM was used as a substrate while sodium acetate buffer (0.2 M), pH range between 3.0– 5.5 and sodium phosphate buffer(0.2 M) , pH range between 6.0– 8.5 were used to determine the effect of pH on the PPO activity. Optimum pH values were found to be 6.0,6.5,6.0, 4.5 and 4.0/or 8.0 for the enzyme extracted from Solanum aethiopicum, Carica papaya, Cucurbita pepo, Psidium guajava and Irvingia gabonnensis respectively. The enzyme was found to be stable at the pH range of 5.0-7.5 for the enzyme extracted from garden egg, 6.0-8.0 for that from pawpaw, 4.5-7.0 for that from pumpkin, 4.0-6.5 for that from guava and 3.5-5.5 and 7.0-8.0 for that from bush mango respectively. Increase or decrease of pH from the ranges would cause decrease in the activity of the enzyme, and can be a good way of controlling undesirable changes caused by it in foods. Keywords: Optimum pH, pH stability, Polyphenol oxidase, Common fruits

Quality Assessment of Sachet Water Packaged Around Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Thirty brands of sachet water packaged within Kano metropolis were analysed for physico – chemical characteristics; colour, taste, odour, alkalinity, total hardness, pH, chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium, lead, zinc, chromium, copper, cobalt, nickel and manganese using standard methods. All samples were tasteless, colourless and odourless. The mean pH value fall within the range of 4.68 – 8.81, of which 20% were acidic. Alkalinity and total hardness are within WHO (1983) permissible limit, the value ranged between 3.33 to 31.67 and 0.00 to 66.8 mg/l respectively, except for a sample from site A that has no hardness. The concentration of sodium, potassium and calcium was found to be within the acceptable limit and the chloride of most of the sample (ranging 123 to 166 mg/l) is above the WHO acceptable limit (125mg/l). Of the heavy metals analysed lead, chromium, and nickel concentrations were found to be above the WHO permissible limit, while concentrations of copper and zinc were below the WHO (1983), permissible limit. Manganese concentration was found to fall within WHO permissible limit in 70% of the total samples, while 17%of the samples have concentrations above the WHO standard and four of the samples have concentration below the WHO recommendation.Key word: Physico-chemical characteristics, Sachet water, Kano Metropoli

Ideal hepatotoxicity model in rats using Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)

A study to produce ideal Hepatotoxicity rats’ models using varying concentrations of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was carried out. A total of seventy five rats were divided into five (5) groups of twenty five (25) rats each; rats in group I are negative control, were not induced with lipid peroxidation. Rats in groups II, III, IV and V were induced with lipid peroxidation and liver damage using, 90, 105 and 120mg/Kg body weight CCl4 respectively. Five (5) rats were removed from each group after 48 hours, 72 hours (3 days) and 144 hours (6 days) of inducement with CCl4 and sacrificed for blood sample collection. Sera obtained were analyzed for alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, and for Malondialdehyde (MDA), total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) concentrations. After 48hours, rats treated with various concentrations of CCl4 had mean serum activities/ levels of AST, ALT, ALP, MDA, TP and ALB significantly higher (p0.05) increase of serum AST, ALT, ALP, and MDA after 96 hours of CCl4 treatment compared with control group. However, rats treated with 90, 105 and 120mg/kg of CCl4 showed persistently high serum AST, ALT, ALP in U/L, MDA in μM/L, TP and ALB in g/L. even at 144 hours after the treatment. Ideal hepatotoxicity rat model using CCl4 requires a dosage that can cause massive liver damage. Key Words: carbon tetrachloride, hepatotoxicity rats modeling, natural healing

Effects of Aqueous White Grubs Extract on Some Markers of Liver Injury in Guinea Pigs

The effects of aqueous white grubs extract on some markers of liver injury was studied in guinea pigs with CCl4-induced liver damage. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cholesterol and triglyceride were analysed in guinea pigs after subcutaneous administration of 100mg/kg CCl4 followed by oral treatment with 0.834g/kg of white grub extract in order to asses the curative effect of the extract against liver damage. Guinea pigs treated with 0.834g/kg extract for 48 hours following subcutaneous injection of 100mg/kgCCl4 had serum AST, ALT and ALP levels not statistically different compared to normal control (at p>0.05) but decreased significantly compared to toxicity control (p>0.05). The serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in the test showed no statistical difference (at P>0.05) compared to normal control. However, comparing the test values with toxicity control shows a significant increase in both cholesterol and triglyceride levels (at P<0.05). The serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, cholesterol and triglyceride when the treatment was extended to 96 hours also showed no statistical difference compared to normal control (at P>0.05). However, there was a significant decrease in serum AST, ALT and ALP while serum cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly increased compared to toxicity control (at P<0.05). This result clearly indicates aqueous that white grubs’ aqueous extract possess hepatoprotective property against CCl4 induced liver damaged in guinea pigs

In vitro effect of Aqueouscalotropis procera root extract on ammonium sulphate precipitated liver marker enzymes of albino rats

The in vitro effect of aqueous root extract of C. procera on liver marker enzymes; alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of albino rats was evaluated. ALT was precipitated at 40% ammonium sulphate saturation whilst AST and ALP were precipitated at 35 % saturation from rat liver homogenate. The   enzymes were assayed at varying concentrations (mg/ml) of the extract (0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45. 0.50) at 37oC. At 0.00µmg/ml extract; ALT, AST and ALP activities of 5.91 ~ 10-4, 2.70 ~ 10-4 and 3. 74 ~ 10-5 µmol/min respectively. Upon incubation with  extract, the enzymes had respective mean activities of 6.38 } 0.35 ~ 10-4, 4.07 } 0.62 ~ 10-4and 2.80 } 0.44 ~ 10-5µmol/min. The activities of ALT and AST were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in presence of C. procera extract with significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the activity of ALP. It  indicates that the aqueous root extract of C. procera activated ALT and AST and inhibited ALP in vitro.Keywords: in vitro, C. procera,liver marker enzymes, ammonium sulphat

Proximate and elemental composition of white grubs

This study determined the proximate and mineral element composition of whole white grubs using standard methods of analysis. Proximate analysis showed on percentage dry matter basis: 65.86 ± 1.23% (protein, lipids, carbohydrates and ash) and (moisture content) 34.01 ± 1.00%. The lipid and protein contents showed the highest mean ± standard deviation percentage of 29.67 ± 1.34% and 12.75 ± 3.65% respectively. Mineral contents of white grub in terms of relative concentration was found to be in the order of K > Mg > Na > Ca > Mn > Zn > Fe > Cu. These elements in white grubs are appreciable to meet nutritional requirements. Therefore, consumption of white grubs is advised. Keywords: White grubs, Proximate Analysis, Essential element, Nutrien

Study of Correlation Between Heavy Metal Concentration, Street Dust and Level of Traffic in Major Roads of Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

This study was aimed at evaluating heavy metal contents in street dust of five major roads within the trunk of Kano metropolis. The dust were collected from heavy traffic roads of the city which include Zaria road (ZR), Maiduguri road (MR), Katsina road (KR), Hadejia road (HR) and Bayero University Kano road (BR). Triplicates samples were collected and the number of vehicles that pass through each road was recorded for one hour. The metal concentration of the dust was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Strong positive correlation exist between the amount of dust collected and the number of vehicles that passed in all the roads except for Hadejia road with r2 = 0.32 which is less positive. The metal contents in dust of the five streets were higher than the WHO reference value. The positive correlation between the number of vehicles and metal type was significant (P<0.05) for Zn, Fe, and Mg in ZR, Pb and Fe in HR; Fe and Mn in BR, while between street dust and metal type was significant (p<0.05) for Zn and Fe in ZR; Fe and Cu in KR; Ca in HR and Fe in BR. The high positive correlation observed in this study may mean that the metals in the street dust originate from common anthropogenic sources. Higher than reference values of the heavy metals in street dust, indicate hazard associated with residing or conducting business along the major street in the city. The finding is in support of government effort in protecting its citizenries by prohibiting road site business

Heavy Metal Content of Agricultural Soils in a Tropical Sudan Savannah Area: Katsina State, North-Western Nigeria

This work contributes to the monitoring of Agricultural soil pollution in Katsina State North western Nigeria by assessing the degree of heavy metal pollution in Agricultural soil samples The study was conducted in the year 2017 within some catchment areas located within the 3 senatorial zones that constitute to make up the state Katsina senatorial zone Birchi Dutsinma and Katsina Daura senatorial zone Daura Ingawa and Zango Funtua senatorial zone Dabai Funtua Kafur Malunfashi and Matazu Analysis for the concentration of these heavy metals Cr Cd Fe Ni Mn Pb and Zn was conducted by the use of AAS by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry method Several indices were used to assess the metal contamination levels in the Agricultural soil samples namely Geo-accumulation Index Igeo Enrichment Factor EF Contamination Factor CF Degree of Contamination Cd and Pollution Load Index PL

Association Between Glomerular Filtration Rate And Body Mass Index Among Orthopaedic Patients In Kano-Nigeria

Any association between body mass index and kidney disease has so far proved inconclusive. Therefore, this study is aimed to provide association between glomerular filtration rate and body mass index among orthopaedic patients. A total of sixty (60) patients irrespective of gender were recruited. Weight and height were measured prior to the sample collection. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain the demographic data of the subjects. Blood samples were collected from each patient by venepuncture from the antecubital vein of the forearm using disposable syringes. Serum creatinine was determined by method of Rosano et al. Body Mass Index and Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) were calculated using creatinine-based equation of Modification of Diet in Renal Disease. Mean BMI was found to be higher in females (25.48±5.65) than their male counterparts (21.44±4.52), while eGFR was found to be higher in males (184.14±53.23) than in females (152.06±32.71). Subjects with eGFR ≥60 were observed to be more frequent (98.30%); normal weight individuals had higher frequency (48.33%). Positive correlation exists between BMI and eGFR in males whereas negative correlation was found in females which indicates association between body mass index and kidney function is gender related