Proximate and mineral composition of four edible mushroom species from South Western Nigeria

Results of proximate analysis of four edible species of mushroom collected from Akoko land in Ondo state, Nigeria indicate that Termitomyces mammiformis was a very good source of crude protein (37%), crude fiber (7%), ash (10%), calcium (216 g/kg dry weight) and manganese (136 mg/kg dry weight (dw)). Russula vesca was the richest in carbohydrate (71%) and magnesium (14 g/kg), while Lactarius triviralis was richest in moisture content (37%), iron (1230 mg/kg) and copper (8 mg/kg). It is also a good sourceof carbohydrate (64%), calcium (210 g/kg) and manganese (120 mg/kg). Lentinus tigrinus was, however, the richest in dry matter (94%), and is also rich in carbohydrate (62%), magnesium (11 g/kg) and copper (6 mg/kg). It was observed that lipids, sodium and phosphorus contents of the four species weregenerally very low

Assessment of Tourists Flow and Revenue Generation in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess tourists’ flow and revenue generation from 1999 to 2009 in Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP), north central Nigeria. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data collection was carried out through the use of structured questionnaire and oral interviews. Secondary data were collected from the park records and reports. Simple random sampling technique with 50% sampling intensity was used to draw representative samples from the staff population. In all, a total of 158 respondents were sampled. Data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that KLNP is well visited, with a total number of 39,138 tourists and ₦40,135,223.85 revenue generated within the period under review. Fluctuation in tourists flow was discernible, with the highest number of tourists (5,593) recorded in 2005, while the lowest (1,143) was in 2003. About 97.5% of the visitors were local tourists. The highest revenue generation (₦ 5,445,198.96) was in the year 2009, while the lowest (₦ 1,705,524.00) was in 1999. There was no significant correlation between revenue generation from ecotourism and tourists flow across the years (N = 11; Pearson Correlation = 0.526; P = 0.096). Proceeds from ecotourism contribute to conservation activities and park management, especially in times of inadequate funding from the federal government. The authorities of KLNP would have to explore the full range of income generation opportunities in ecotourism. There is need to improve upon the state of facilities in the park and orient these towards meeting visitors’ needs and wants for improved revenue generation.Key words: Kainji Lake National Park, Ecotourism, Tourist flow, Revenue generatio

Natural multi-occurrence of mycotoxins in rice from Niger State, Nigeria

Twenty-one rice samples from field (ten), store (six) and market (five) from the traditional rice-growing areas of Niger State, Nigeria were analysed for aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2), and patulin (PAT) by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) respectively. T-2 toxin was determined using TLC only. AFs were detected in all samples, at total AF concentrations of 28–372 μg/kg. OTA was found in 66.7% of the samples, also at high concentrations (134–341 μg/kg) that have to be considered as critical levels in aspects of nephrotoxicity. ZEA (53.4%), DON (23.8), FB1 (14.3%) and FB2 (4.8%) were also found in rice, although at relatively low levels. T-2 toxin was qualitatively detected by TLC in only one sample. Co-contamination with AFs, OTA, and ZEA was very common, and up to five mycotoxins were detected in a single sample. The high AF and OTA levels as found in rice in this study are regarded as unsafe, and multi-occurrences of mycotoxins in the rice samples with possible additive or synergistic toxic effects in consumers raise concern with respect to public health

Perceived risk of infection and death from COVID-19 among community members of low- and middle-income countries: A cross-sectional study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background: Risk perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are considered important as they impact community health behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 and to assess the factors associated with such risk perceptions among community members in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa, Asia, and South America. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 LMICs in Africa, Asia, and South America from February to May 2021. A questionnaire was utilized to assess the perceived risk of infection and death from COVID-19 and its plausible determinants. A logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with such risk perceptions. Results: A total of 1,646 responses were included in the analysis of the perceived risk of becoming infected and dying from COVID-19. Our data suggested that 36.4% of participants had a high perceived risk of COVID-19 infection, while only 22.4% had a perceived risk of dying from COVID-19. Being a woman, working in healthcare-related sectors, contracting pulmonary disease, knowing people in the immediate social environment who are or have been infected with COVID-19, as well as seeing or reading about individuals infected with COVID-19 on social media or TV were all associated with a higher perceived risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. In addition, being a woman, elderly, having heart disease and pulmonary disease, knowing people in the immediate social environment who are or have been infected with COVID-19, and seeing or reading about individuals infected with COVID-19 on social media or TV had a higher perceived risk of dying from COVID-19. Conclusions: The perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 are relatively low among respondents; this suggests the need to conduct health campaigns to disseminate knowledge and information on the ongoing pandemic

Effect of planting date on incidence and severity of leaf smut of cowpea in northern Nigeria

The effect of planting leaf smut-susceptible cowpea cultivars in Kano, Nigeria at 2-weeks intervals from July to August under rain-fed conditions on incidence and severity of the disease was investigated. Time of planting played a major role on incidence of leaf smut as cowpea planted around 5-13 August had a low disease incidence. Observations showed that leaf smut appeared early in the season when there was rain and progressed rapidly under conditions of relative humidity (35-54%) and rainfall (5.6-103.0mm). It is suggested that planting of cowpea in this location should be restricted to this specific period to obtain maximum cowpea production especially in the case of vegetable cultivars that are used as fodder for cattle. The effect of delayed planting on grain yield and other agronomic parameters needs to be investigated further. Key Words: Cowpea; leaf smut; planting dates; vigna unguiculata Moor J. Agric. Res. Vol.4(1) 2003: 106-11

Yield losses in cowpea by leaf smut caused by Protomycopsis Phaseoli in Nigeria

Yield losses from leaf smut was determined in 10 cowpea cultivars planted as subplots in a split-plot experiment in Mokwa and Ibadan in Nigeria. Different levels of the disease were maintained in the main plot by spraying with a fungicide. There were highly significant differences in disease levels, yield between the resistant, moderately susceptible and susceptible cultivars and between the sprayed and unsprayed plots. Highly significant yield losses of 23-43% occurred in the susceptible cultivars and 30-36% in the moderately susceptible cultivars. Key Words: Yield loss; cowpea; Vigna unguiculata; leaf smut Moor J. Agric. Res. Vol.4(1) 2003: 123-13