Optimizing bio-coagulants for brewery wastewater treatment using response surface methodology

Coag-flocculation process was used to treat brewery effluent stream with Detarium Microcarpum seed powder (DMSP) and oyster dried shell powder (ODSP) as coagulants. The proximate analyses of the coagulants were obtained using AOAC standard method. Percentage moisture, ash, fat, crude protein, crude fiber and carbohydrate content were determined for both coagulants. Jar test experiments were employed for the coag-flocculation process and response surface methodology (RSM) optimize the process. A box-Behnken design (BBD) of Design Expert 6.0.8, implementing RSM was used to evaluate the effects and interactions of three factors: coagulant dosage, pH and stirring time on the treatment efficiency. The optimal conditions obtained were coagulant dosage of 100.53mg/L, pH of 2.001 and stirring time of 24.47mins with 90.44% solid particle (SP) removal (desirability value of 1.0) and coagulant dosage of 104.19mg/L, pH of 3.34 and stirring time of 27.54 with 96.55% SP removal (desirability value of 1.0) for DMSP and ODSP, respectively. These agree reasonably with the experimental optimum for both coagulants. A determination coefficient, R2, of 97 and 98%; F-value of 45.8056 and 55.3045; and prob.-value of 1.92E-07 and 2.39E-07 for DMSP and ODSP respectively were used to evaluate the model adequacy.RSM has been demonstrated to be appropriate approach for the optimization of this process.Keywords: Coag-flocculation, Detarium Microcarpum, oyster shell, optimization, response surface methodolog

Flood Menace in Nigeria: Impacts, Remedial and Management Strategies

Flood menace in Nigeria have become a normal and re-occurring phenomenon which sometimes has devastating impacts on human livelihoods and infrastructural development. Causes of this problem such as rapid population growth, poor governance, poor drainage facilities and decaying infrastructures, lack of proper environmental planning and management strategies, poor practice of dumping waste/refuse and climate change coupled with inadequate preparedness have been traced and among others, human activities in terms of developmental involvements adjudged to be very important factors in accelerating the rate of this disaster which often leaves in its wake spread of diseases, loss of thousands of lives from various parts of the country and properties worth billions of naira being destroyed. The impacts of floods are more pronounced in low-lying areas. In more recent years, 2011 and 2012 appears to be the worst incidence of flooding in Nigeria with a lot of reported cases indicating how flood menace ravaged affected states of the country when water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon was released. Although the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had alerted Nigeria that there would be an above normal rainfall in strategic parts of the country which might lead to flooding incidents in 12 states of the federation, yet nobody gave consent to that warning. This paper provides an overview of how Nigerian cities have been affected by flood menace incidences as it takes a look at the devastating impacts, remedial and management strategies at curbing flooding in Nigeria. A review of literature on flood menace was done. The articles were accessed from public libraries, as well as online through internet search engines and relevant information extracted. Onsite assessment of some areas affected by flood was done and pictures taken with the aid of a camera. Flooding in Nigeria is a serious issue requiring the attention of all stake holders aimed at preventing and remedying its adverse effects which threatens human existence. Keywords: Flood, Menace, Nigeria, Infrastructure, Impacts, Remedial and management strategies

Ethnomedicinal Uses and Therapeutic Activities of Piper Guineense: A Review

The use of medicinal plants in most developing countries as therapeutic agents for the maintenance of good health is a widespread practice. One of such plant products is Piper guineense, which is a West African spice used in many folklore medicines and has a number of verified pharmacological activities. Proximate analysis reveals that the plant contains crude protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals while preliminary phytochemical screening and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotoscopy of the methanol leaf and seed extract of Piper guineense revealed the presence of several constituents such as alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, terpenes; sesquiterpenoids and monoterpenoids, saponins and secondary metabolites such as Aromadendrene, 1,6,10- Dodecatriene,7,11-dimethyl-3-methylene and piperine, piperidine amongst other secondary metabolites. Studies have revealed that Piper guineense possess several pharmacological and therapeutic properties such as anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, aphrodisiac, anti-parasitic, antiinflammatory, anti-convulsant, molluscicidal, oestrogenic and oxytocic properties. This paper provides a review on the morphology, physicochemical and phytochemical constituents, ethnomedicinal and scientifically proven therapeutic activities of Piper guineense

Cryosurvival of goat spermatozoa in tris-egg yolk extender supplemented with vitamin E

The effect of vitamin E supplementation in tris-egg yolk extender on sperm parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat bucks was determined. Tris-egg yolk extenders supplemented with different levels of vitamin E (2, 4, 6 and 8 mM) were diluted with semen samples. The diluted semen samples were cryopreserved for 30 days and thereafter evaluated for sperm quality parameters. The results showed higher (P<0.05) sperm motility, acrosome integrity, membrane integrity, live sperm, acrosome reaction and capacitation, and reduced sperm abnormality in extenders supplemented with vitamin E compared to the control. These parameters were better sustained in extenders supplemented with 6 mM and 8 mM (P<0.05). Lower concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed at 6 mM and 8 mM compared to the control (P<0.05). Higher percentages of acrosome reaction and capacitation were observed in extenders supplemented with vitamin E compared to the control (P<0.05). Optimal percent (P<0.05) of acrosome reaction and capacitation were observed in extenders supplemented with 6 mM and 8 mM of vitamin. The findings revealed that supplementation of vitamin E at 6 mM and 8 mM in tris-egg yolk extenders were effective for improving sperm parameters of WAD goat bucks during cryopreservation.Keywords: Antioxidants, bucks, freezing, oxidative stress, sper

Cryosurvival of goat spermatozoa in tris-egg yolk extender supplemented with melatonin

The effect of melatonin supplementation in semen extenders on cryosurvival of spermatozoa obtained from West African Dwarf (WAD) goat bucks was studied. Tris-egg yolk extenders supplemented with different levels of melatonin (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mM) were diluted with semen samples. The diluted semen samples were cryopreserved for 30 days and thereafter evaluated for sperm quality characteristics. Following cryopreservation, acrosome reaction and capacitation of spermatozoa were induced in vitro. The results showed higher (P<0.05) sperm motility, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity in extenders supplemented with melatonin compared to the control and these parameters were optimal at 6 mM and 8 mM of melatonin (P<0.05). Extender supplemented with melatonin at 8 mM consistently improved acrosome reaction and capacitation of spermatozoa (P<0.05). The results showed reduced (P<0.05) sperm abnormality and malondialdehyde concentrations in extenders supplemented with melatonin compared to the control and these parameters were lower at 6 mM and 8 mM respectively. The findings revealed that 8 mM of melatonin supplementation in tris-egg yolk extender was consistently effective for improving viability of spermatozoa of WAD goat bucks during cryopreservation

Beta- Thalassaemia Trait Screening Using Capillary Electrophoresis Among Voluntary Blood Donor in North Central Nigeria

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Effects of pyridoxine in combination with different antioxidants on viability and oxidative stress parameters of cryopreserved goat buck semen

The effects of pyridoxine alone or combined with different antioxidants on viability and oxidative stress parameters of cryopreserved sperm of goat bucks were studied. Pooled semen samples diluted with tris-egg yolk extenders were supplemented in the Study I: with 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mM of pyridoxine; in the study II with 2 mM of pyridoxine (P) each combined with different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mM) of vitamin E (PE), vitamin C (PC) and melatonin (PM); and in study III: with 2 mM of pyridoxine each supplemented with different combinations of vitamin C, vitamin E and melatonin (PCEM) each at different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mM). The results showed higher (pSe estudiaron los efectos de la piridoxina sola, o en combinación con diferentes antioxidantes, sobre los parámetros de viabilidad y estrés oxidativo de los espermatozoides caprinos criopreservados. Muestras combinadas de semen, diluidas con diluyente yema de huevo-tris se complementaron, en el estudio I con 0, 2, 4, 6 y 8 mM de piridoxina; en el estudio II con 2 mM de piridoxina (P), en combinación con diferentes concentraciones (0, 2, 4, 6 y 8 mM) de vitamina E (PE), vitamina C (PC) o melatonina (PM); y en el estudio III con 2 mM de piridoxina suplementada con combinaciones de vitamina C, vitamina E y melatonina (PCEM) a diferentes concentraciones (0, 2, 4, 6 y 8 mM). Los resultados mostraron mayor (