Use of screened fish retail table to improve the hygiene of fish sold in local markets

Screened retail table was designed to improve the hygiene of fish sold in our local markets. Investigation was carried out on the microbiological population on Tilapia fish. Overall value obtained from plate counts show that fish were more infested outside the table. The sensory values are 4, 13, and 6 for on-sport open table and screened respectively, also microbial load range between 7x10-5 to 88 x 10-5 cfu/g for open table where 3x 10-10 - 33 x 10-10 for screened table. This shows that fresh fish on open retail table in our markets were prone to deterioration

ASSESSMENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF FOOD SECURITY AMONG EXTENSION AGENTS IN OYO STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The study was carried out to identify and describe extension agents’ knowledge levels of food security in order to ascertain their education and training needs within the extension system. Simple random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 50% of all the extension agents across the four agricultural zones in the state. A total of 85 extension agents were proposed for the study but 82 extension agent were eventually considered due to number questionnaires retrieved from them. Majority (63.4%) of extension agents sampled were in the active age of 31 – 40 years with a mean age of 43 years. About 84.% of the extension agents were males and 85.4% were married. Majority of extension agents had higher educational qualifications. Some of the respondents participated in different food security related programmes which include National Food Programme on Food Security (NPFS) (32.9%), Root an Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) (17.0%) and 18.3% participated in Agro processing Marketing Expansion Group (AMEG). The means years of working experience in food security related programmes was 5 years The constraints militating against the implementation and attainment of food security related programmes as identified by the agents include inadequate/insufficient funds passive participation of farmers and financial indiscipline among the farmers. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) shows no significant difference between the extension agents’ educational background and their knowledge of food security programmes. The study concluded that knowledge levels of extension agents in food security were probably due to their exposure and participation in food security programmes and not educational background. Therefore agents need to be trained and encouraged to participate in food security programmes in to address the needs of their clienteles

Ethnobotanical and in vitro cytotoxicity studies of Moringa oleifera, Andrographis paniculata and Asystasia vogeliana extracts

Ethnobotanical and in vitro cytotoxicity studies were carried out on three different multi- purpose medicinal plants; Moringa oleifera (Lam) (Moringaceae), Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f) and Asystasia vogeliana (Benth) (Acanthaceae). The ethnobotanical information was collected by one to one interview and discussions using semi-structured questionnaires with indigenous people from selected locations in Nigeria. Plant samples collected were identified and authenticated in Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, Oyo State. Each of these three plant samples was extracted in 95% ethanol using a soxhlet extraction apparatus and concentrated to dryness at 45 °C. M. oleifera showed the highest incidence of occurrence (17.5%), fidelity level (74.9%) and multi-purpose usage. The ethnobotanical study revealed the medicinal relevance of the three plants in the treatment of myriads of diseases and ailments including malaria, fever, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes among others in local herbal medicine. The in vitro cytotoxicity activities of ethanol extracts of the three plant species were screened in two cancer cell lines (BGC-823 and HeLa cells) using the sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay. Cytotoxicity assay on the two cell lines BGC-823 and HeLa cells revealed that only the ethanolic extract of A. paniculata exhibited some level (moderate) cytotoxicity activity with IC50 values of 24.7 and 23.1 μg/ml respectively. M. oleifera and A. vogeliana did not show any significant activity on the cell lines. The study highlights the importance of ethnobotanical information in finding cost effective, potent and safe herbs for people and screening of the plant species for their activities against cancer cell lines. Further studies on the isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds responsible for cytotoxic effects of A. paniculata is recommended

Application of holistic approach for sustainable fisheries: a case study of Kainji Lake Basin

The sustainability of the resources requires much more than paying attention to a single factor, rather looking at it in a holistic manner. Specifically, other economic infrastructure and resources that form the essential components of the fisheries system and fishers livelihood needs to be considered. This to a greater extend will permit choice and mobility of livelihood portfolios, hence reduction in fishing efforts and sustainability of the sector, which eventually translate into development of the sector. However, provision of these facilities are often capital intensive and often left for the government along to provide

The concept of Adopted Villages and Agricultural Research Outreach Centres -implications for fisheries development in Nigeria: a review

Adopted village/Agricultural Research Outreach Centres (AROC) initiative is specifically conceived by the Federal Government of Nigeria in order to avoid the weaknesses and shortcomings of the conventional method of technology transfer to the farmers through the extension staff of the Agricultural Development Projects. This paper examined the relevance of the concept in the development of the fisheries sector. Methods and guidelines adapted so far and modalities for actualization of targeted aims and objectives were also examined. The economic importance of fish to the economy of Nigeria was highlighted. Recommendations were given as way forward for the success of the project and its continuity

Responses of selected inflammatory, kidney and liver function markers in Serum of Nigerian Children with Severe Falciparum Malaria to treatment with artesunate/artemether-lumefantrine combination therapy

Malaria tolerance is a defence strategy that limits the damage caused by Plasmodium species irrespective of pathogen burden. The mechanisms responsible for this, responses of these mechanisms and their impact on organs to treatment have not been extensively studied. Thus, in this study, serum levels of selected pro- and anti-inflammatory markers, liver and kidney function indices with leucocytes indices in 100 children (1-10 years) with severe falciparum malaria were determined before treatment, at 48 hours during treatment and 48 hours after treatment with WHO recommended dosage of artesunate/artemether-lumefantrine combination therapy using standard methods. Data were analysed using SPSS, differences were considered significant at p<0.05. The results revealed that the serum levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12), interleukin-4 (IL-4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), creatinine, albumin, total protein and conjugated bilirubin were not significantly changed at higher parasite densities before treatment. Only serum IL-4, CRP, total bilirubin, urea and creatinine levels and alanine aminotransferase activity were significantly reduced below the ranges of those with severe malaria. The results suggest a self-protective feed-back control, indicating tolerance, which reduced the adverse effects of the disease on kidney and liver functions at higher parasite densities. The results also suggest serum IL-12, IL-4, TNF-α, IFN-γ, CRP and NO levels as immune-protective markers for tolerance and serum IL-4 level as an effective marker for disease severity and recovery from the disease in children with severe malariaKeywords: Immunity, falciparum malaria, inflammatory markers, childrenAfr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 22 (May, 2019); 165-17

Effect of Fermented Lagenaria (Adenopus breviflorus) Fruit Extract on the Heamatological and Serum Biochemical Indices of Broiler Chickens

The experiment involved 126 day old broiler chicks (Arbor acre plus) which lasted for six weeks after two weeks of acclimatization. The project was carried out in a completely randomized block design to evaluate the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of broilers served fermented lagenaria fruit extract (FLFE) at three days interval. The birds were weighed and randomly distributed into six dietary treatment group. Birds in treatment A (control) were given vaccine and drugs only, birds in treatment B were given vaccine only, birds in treatment C were given drugs only, but birds in treatments D, E and F were served (100, 200 and 300)ml of FLFE in 250ml of water, respectively. Each treatment was replicated three times with seven birds per replicate. The birds were maintained on starter and finisher marsh for starter and finisher phase, respectively. Feeds and water were served ad libitum. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and comparisons were made using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test and significance was accepted at (P<0.05). The parameters tested were packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), platelet (P), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration(MCHC), lymphocyte (LYM), heterocytes (HET), monocytes (Mn), eosinophils for haematological indices and total serum protein (TSP), albumin(Al), globumin (Gb), creatinine (Cr), alanine amino transminase (ALT), aspatate amino transminase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and cholesterol (CH) for serum biochemistry. The results showed significant (P<0.05) effects of the parameters studied across the treatment groups. The PCV was highest (40.00%) on the birds placed in control, and least on the birds served 100-300ml FLFE (29.50-33.00%). Similar scenario was observed for the birds in control for the Hb (13.20%) compared to those served 100-300ml FLFE (9.40-10.70%). The birds in treatments C (drugs only), D (100ml FLFE) and those in F (300ml FLFE) had the highest concentration of white blood cells which were 1.92, 2.12 and 1.87x104/ml, respectively. The birds served 100-300ml FLFE had reduced concentration of Hb of 21.25% compared to control, and they had elevated concentration of WBC of 25.82% compared to control. The birds placed on vaccines only and drugs only had elevated WBC of 26.00 and 34.50%, respectively compared to control. The FLFE of 100-200ml had elevated platelet (353.00-314.50x103/ml) with reference to control. The FLFE had no significant (P<0.05) effect on TSP, GB, AL, ALP and BUN. However, concentration of CH increased with increased concentration of FLFE as the bird offered 100ml had CH of 42.50mg/dl, compared to those on 200ml and 300ml whose value were 68.50 and 89.00mg/dl, respectively. Broiler chicken can tolerate 100-300ml FLFE for improved blood formation. Keywords: Lagenaria, Hematology, Serum biochemistry, Broiler, Vaccin

Synergistic interaction between two linear inhibitors on a single enzyme: Vanadate and L-phenylalanine inhibition of rat liver alkaline phosphatase

The combined effect of two linear inhibitors of rat liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP). vanadate (Van) and L-phenylalanine (L-phe) were studied using a modification of the common Yonetani-Theorell procedure proposed for studying synergistic inhibition. The modes of inhibition of ALP by Van and L-phe as analysed using the double reciprocal plots of the Michaelis-Menten equation were mixed and uncompetitive inhibition respectively. Analysis of the combined effect of the two inhibitors showed that their inhibitory effects were mutually enhanced. The mechanistic aspects and practical applications of the procedure are discussed.Key words: alkaline phosphatase, synergistic inhibitio

Fruit Morphometric and RAPD Evaluation of Intraspecific Variability in Some Accessions of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst. ex. A. Rich. Harms)

African Yam Bean (AYB) (Sphenostylis stenocarpa, Hochst. ex A. Rich, Harms) is an indigenous underutilized legume mainly grown in Sub-saharan African as a source of protein. Intraspecific variability studies were carried out on 10 accessions of AYB obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Nigeria. Fourteen (14) fruit morphometric characters and nine (9) arbitrary RAPD primers were employed for evaluation of genetic intra-specific variability among the accessions. A total of 410 bands were generated with 261 (63.66%) polymorphic bands. There is significant correlation among some reproductive characters; days to 50% flowering, pods per peduncle, number of locules per pod, number of seeds per pod, pod length and seed set percentage. These characters represent good markers of the taxon suitable for breeding and genetic improvement purposes. Morphometric and RAPD cluster analysis using UPGMA resulted in a dendrogram each; with membership similarity ranging from 72% to 93%. Two accessions (TSs56 and TSs94) recorded higher level of similarity index of 93% based on RAPD profiling. The morphometric evidences shows inherent stability of AYB across varied eco-geographical settings, which demands further investigation and exploitation. However, the RAPD evidences show that the species have evolved and adapted to distinct geographical setting with a clear Nigeria and Ghana demarcation. This fact can be engaged to guide future studies, germplasm collection, characterization, documentation, utilization and conservation of AYB to boost knowledge and awareness on the genetic diversity and utility of the species

Studies on Local Knowledge and In vitro Cytotoxicity of Moringa oleifera L., Andrographis paniculata N. and Asystasia vogeliana B. Extracts

Multi-Purpose Medicinal Plants (J\.1J'v1Ps) are gaining nnprecedented attention apparently because of their potency to contribute to the prevention and treatment of myriads of diseases. As such the toxicity of many herbs including the J\.1J'v1Ps has always been a concern particularly relating to internal organs. The present study investigates the local knowledge use and in vitro cytotoxicity against two cancer cell lines; BGC-823 and HeLa cells on three (MMPs); Moringo oleifero (Lam) (Moringaceae) Androgrophis poniculoto (Burm. f) and Asystasia vogeliana (Benth) (Acanthaceae). The local knowledge was collated through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) approach from selected locations in the Oke-Ogrm area of Oyo state, Nigeria. Ethanolic extracts were used for the in vitro cytotoxicity study. The extracts were screened in two cancer cell lines (BGC-823 and HeLa cells) using the Sulpha Rhodamine B (SRB) assay. For the treatment of diseases, the local knowledge shows that A. poniculoto recorded higher fidelity level on the treatment of malaria (95% ), diabetes (80% ), high blood pressure (87 .5% ), cancer and tlllllor ( 65.7% ). The infusion of A. vogeliana in combination with the leaves of Cassia alata, Cymbopogon citrutus and fruit juice of Citrus aurantifolia recorded higher fidelity level in the treatment of malaria and chronic fever (74.8%), gonorrhea (65%) and leprosy (40%) suggesting better alternative toM. oleifera and A. paniculata. The medicinal relevance of the species in the treatment of diseases such as malaria, fever, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes among others in local herbal medicine were revealed. Cytotoxicity assay on the two cell lines, BGC-823 and HeLa cells revealed that only the ethanolic extract of A. paniculata exhibited some level (moderate) of cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 24.7 and 23.1 ).lg/mL, respectively. M. oleifera and A. vogeliana did not show any significant activity on the cell lines. The study highlights the importance of local knowledge in finding cost effective, potent and safe herbs for people and screening of the plant species for their activities against cancer cell line