Screening of sweet potato feathery mottle virus resistant sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L., Lam.) cultivars in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Sweet potato is a food security crop because of its ability to withstand adverse climatic conditions. This security, however, is being threaten by viral diseases and use of resistant cultivars remain the best management. This research was conducted to screen cultivars of sweet potato against sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) infection. The treatments consisted of five cultivars coded as CV1, CV2, CV3, CV4 and CV5, respectively. The asymptomatic experimental plants were established, maintained under screen house conditions and graft-inoculated using infected vines which were tested SPFMV positive using both Double Antibody Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and replicated three times. Results obtained from disease incidence and symptom severity indicated that there was significant difference (P <0.05) among cultivars in their reaction to SPFMV infection. CV2 had the highest mean disease incidence (60.67%) while, CV3 had the lowest mean disease incidence (36.67%). CV1, CV3, and CV5 have the same lowest mean symptom severity score of 2.00 while, CV2 had the highest mean severity score of 4.00. Based on the reaction of the cultivars after inoculation, it could be concluded that, all the cultivars screened were susceptible to SPFMV but CV1, CV3 and CV4 cultivars have some degree of resistance to SPFMV infection and were therefore recommended for use by the farmers in the study area. This is the first research that screened sweet potato cultivars for resistance to SPFMV in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Synergistic antibacterial effect of stem bark extracts of Faidherbia albida and Psidium guajava against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The study was aimed at screening the stem bark extracts of Faidherbia albida and Psidium guajava for synergistic antibacterial effect against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The powdered plant materials were extracted with methanol using cold maceration technique and the extracts were screened for alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and steroids using standard methods. The test organism was isolated from subjects with boils in Gombe State and confirmed using Gram staining and standard biochemical procedures as well as cefoxitin susceptibility test. Confirmed MRSA were subjected to susceptibility test of the plant extracts using agar well diffusion and broth dilution techniques. The results of the study showed percentage extraction yields of 15.7% and 7.5% for F. albida and P. guajava stem barks respectively. Sensitivity test of MRSA isolates to the extracts using agar well diffusion method revealed zone diameters of 8-10mm while combination of extracts showed activity of 21mm .The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts combination was found to be 0.25mg/ml while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined to be 0.5mg/ml. The study revealed that stem bark methanol extracts combination of the two plants possess synergistic antibacterial activity against MRSA and so can be exploited as a viable option in production of safer plant-based drugs against the bacterium.Keywords: Synergistic, Faidherbia albida, Psidium guajava, Methicillin Resistant, Staphylococcus aureu

Immunomodulatory functions of Moringa oleifera (Lam.)

Consumption of herbs as dietary supplements leads to beneficial effects on human health by maintaining a competent physiological system that balances homeostasis. It has been widely known that herbal-based products preserve good health by preventing or ameliorating chronic diseases such as metabolic, cardiovascular, inflammatory, neurodegenerative and neoplastic diseases. Although many herbs are known to boost the immune response via various mechanisms, only a few herbs are known traditionally to have a holistic beneficiary effect on the entire immune system, ranging from enhancing the stem cells pool to improving the quality of functional immune cells. In this review, significant scientific discoveries of Moringa oleifera’s immunomodulatory functions discussed in both in vitro and in vivo models. Besides its immunomodulatory actions, other reported biological functions of Moringa oleifera are also highlighted, along with relevant phytochemicals

Evaluation of Pollution and Clean Index of Municipal Solid Waste Compost Used as Organic Fertilizers from Sokoto State Metropolis, Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of compost obtained from ten (10) municipal solid waste dumps in the Sokoto metropolitan area, Nigeria. The Compost was characterized to understand its fertilizing and polluting potential to soil. The fertilization index (FI) was determined empirically from the values of TOC, TN, TP, TK and C:N ratio and the cleaning index (CI) using heavy metal concentrations. The results were compared with quality control metrics. The FI values for the composts ranged from 4.00 to 4.70, while the CI values ranged from 2.60 to 4.00, respectively. Most of the MSW composts analyzed showed good fertilizing potential and were of good quality for use as soil fertilizers

Occurrence and antibiogram of bacteria isolated from some sachet drinking water brands sold in Gombe metropolis, Gombe State, Nigeria

Background: Diseases contracted through consuming contaminated water present health challenges globally, hence this study aimed to assess occurrence and antibiogram of bacteria isolated from various brands of sachet drinking water sold in Gombe metropolis. Methods: Twenty brands of samples were collected randomly, serially diluted, and cultured on nutrient agar (NA). Isolates were identified morphologically and biochemically, with antibiogram determined using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: All the 20 samples produced positive bacterial growths with counts ranging from 1.0x103 to 9.8x103 CFU/ml with identified colonies of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae). Antibiogram revealed the isolates were all resistant to augmentin, cefixime, cefuroxime and ceftazidime, but E. coli and S. aureus were also resistant to gentamicin. Conclusion: The samples were contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria that were resistant to some antibiotics. Hence there is need for enforcement of drinking water standards to avoid consequences of unsafe drinking water, thus improving the health of the population

Comparative analysis of gum Arabic and molasses (binders) in briquettes produced from millet husks

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of binders (molasses and gum Arabic) on millet husk in the production of briquettes. Fixed quantities of millet husk were used to produce briquettes with varying percentage of binders (10%, 20% and 30%). Low pressure fabricated briquetting machine was used for compression to produce the briquettes, after sun drying to reduce the moisture content to minimum value. The proximate analysis conducted, indicated the range of moisture content% (2.1-3.0) ash content% (7.8-11.4) volatile matter% (61.9-76.6) and fixed carbon% (13.0-26.5). The physical properties had the values ranging from (0.52-0.60), (0.18-0.24) (1.69-1.80), (2.31-3.14), (3.5-23.2), (4.7-30.2) for compressed density (g/cm3), relaxed density (g/cm3), compaction ratio, relaxation ratio, durability (%) and water resistant (sec) respectively. The fuel density included ignition time (sec), after glow(sec), boiling time (minutes) and calorific value (J/kg) with the value ranging from (2.3-8.3), (2.0-24.4), (16.10-19.13) and (29830.95-30119.84) respectively. The study shows that millet husk with gum Arabic serves as a better combination for the production of briquettes

Gas Flaring Effects and Revenue Made from Crude Oil in Nigeria

The study examines gas flaring and crude oil revenue in Nigeria. The study used secondary data for 14 years from 2000 to 2014 inclusive to analyze the issue using multiple regression analysis. The study employed time series data hence, a unit root test is conducted and found that they are stationary at level. Using three variables, gas flaring as the aggregate amount of gas flared by oil producing companies in Nigeria as an independent variable and crude oil revenue as an aggregate of revenue generated from all oil companies crude oil as dependent variable and tax as penalty on flaring is used as a control variable, the findings of the study show that gas flaring has a negative impact on Nigerian crude oil revenue and is statistically significant. From the research there are strong indications that the implementation of regulations and incentives to abate gas glaring in Nigeria has to be improving in other to increase revenue generated from crude oil. The author suggests that government should embark seriously on gas utilization policy and increase the penalty for companies who still engage in gas flaring. In addition, the government should utilize the gas flaring for electricity generation or implore another means of either utilizing it or curtail it. Keywords: Gas Flaring; Carbon Emission; Crude Oil Revenue JEL Classifications: Q51, Q53, Q5

PM3 and DFT Computational Studies of the Reaction Mechanism of Formaldehyde and Isoleucine

The reaction of formaldehyde and Isoleucine was studied using semi-empirical and density functional theory methods. Possible reactive sites are proposed and reaction mechanism postulated. It was found that the Isoleucine nitrogen attacks the carbonyl carbon of formaldehyde and forms a methylol intermediate that undergoes a condensation with another Isoleucine to produce a Methylenediisoleucine through a methylene bridge (cross-linking). The enthalpies of the reaction are -78.79 kJ/mol and -39.14kJ/mol for PM3 and DFT respectively also ΔSo and ΔGo, for the PM3 and DFT studies predicted. The reaction was found to be exothermic and second order

Assessment of groundwater vulnerability to anthropogenic pollution and seawater intrusion in a small tropical island using index-based methods

In this work, the DRASTIC and GALDIT models were employed to determine the groundwater vulnerability to contamination from anthropogenic activities and seawater intrusion in Kapas Island. In addition, the work also utilized sensitivity analysis to evaluate the influence of each individual parameter used in developing the final models. Based on these effects and variation indices of the said parameters, new effective weights were determined and were used to create modified DRASTIC and GALDIT models. The final DRASTIC model classified the island into five vulnerability classes: no risk (110–140), low (140–160), moderate (160–180), high (180–200), and very high (>200), covering 4, 26, 59, 4, and 7 % of the island, respectively. Likewise, for seawater intrusion, the modified GALDIT model delineates the island into four vulnerability classes: very low (130) covering 39, 33, 18, and 9 % of the island, respectively. Both models show that the areas that are likely to be affected by anthropogenic pollution and seawater intrusion are within the alluvial deposit at the western part of the island. Pearson correlation was used to verify the reliability of the two models in predicting their respective contaminants. The correlation matrix showed a good relationship between DRASTIC model and nitrate (r = 0.58). In a similar development, the correlation also reveals a very strong negative relationship between GALDIT model and seawater contaminant indicator (resistivity Ωm) values (r = −0.86) suggesting that the model predicts more than 86 % of seawater intrusion. In order to facilitate management strategy, suitable areas for artificial recharge were identified through modeling. The result suggested some areas within the alluvial deposit at the western part of the island as suitable for artificial recharge. This work can serve as a guide for a full vulnerability assessment to anthropogenic pollution and seawater intrusion in small islands and will help policy maker and manager with understanding needed to ensure sustainability of the island’s aquifer

Kinetic analysis of the adsorption of lead (II) onto activated carbon from Tridax procumbens

Adults who are exposed to high levels of lead may develop hypertension and kidney damage. Lead exposure is dangerous for everyone, but it can have devastating effects on pregnant women and their babies. Methods such as membrane separation, ion exchange, precipitation, and biosorption are currently in use for the removal of lead pollution. Biosorption has the fewest negative aspects of these technologies due to its low operating costs, high efficiency at detoxifying low concentrations of toxicants, and small volume of disposal materials. The biosorption of the biosorption of lead (II) onto the activated carbon from Tridax procumbens is remodeled using nonlinear regression and the optimal mode was determined by a series of error function assessments. The best kinetic model for adsorption of lead (II) was Pseudo-1st order with a reasonable difference in terms of corrected Akaike Information Criterion to the next best model, which was pseudo-2nd order, and followed by the Elovich. However, the error function analyses especially the AICc was not conclusive in ranking the pseudo-1st order model as the best model due to the low (less than 5) absolute values of differences between the model. The pseudo-1st order kinetic constants obtained were qe (mg/g) of 6.181 (95% confidence interval from 5.009 to 7.352) and k1 (per min) of 0.007 (95% confidence interval from 0.004 to 0.009). Nonlinear modeling enables the determination of a 95 percent confidence interval for the uncertainty range, which can be used in model comparison and discriminant analysis