Effect of processing on the proximate composition of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds

Over-exploitation of conventional protein-rich plant resources such as soybean and groundnut for human and livestock consumption has necessitated a search for other suitable and under-utilized alternatives such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of processing on the proximate composition of sunflower seeds. The processing methods employed were boiling, roasting, solvent extraction and mechanical extraction. There was a substantial recovery of crude protein after processing from 27.02% (in the raw undehulled sunflower seed sample) to values ranging from 32.21% to 45.31% in the dehulled and differently processed samples. Crude lipid ranged from 6.45 to 21.60%, nitrogenfree extract from 11.32 to 19.52%, moisture content from 6.44to 10.29%, crude fibre from 14.19 to 26.35% and ash content from 4.61 to 5.46%. Values of the above proximate parameters were observed to be statistically different (p < 0.05) between the raw and differently processed sunflower seed samples. The results showed that the processing methods employed had improved the nutritional value of sunflower seed. Therefore, in view of its considerably high crude protein content, the study recommends sunflower seed meal as a viable alternative to expensive and over-utilized soybean meal and groundnut cake in feed formulation for fish and livestock.Keywords: sunflower seeds, processing methods, chemical composition, nutritional potentia

Growth response and feed utilization in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed diets supplemented with processed flamboyant (Delonix regia) leaf meal

Expanding utilization of conventional fish feed ingredients by man and fish feed industries has necessitated consideration of cheaper and locally available alternatives. A 70-day feeding trial was conducted to assess the effect of substituting graded levels of sundried flamboyant (Delonix regia) leaf meal (SFLM) for groundnut cake on growth and feed utilization of 240 Clarias gariepinus fingerlings at six substitution levels of 0 (control), 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% in 12 plastic aquaria (50 × 40 × 40 cm). Each dietary treatment was randomly assigned in two replicates each to the aquaria making 12 treatment units and each aquarium had 20 fish. SFLM supplemented diets and fish carcass were proximately analyzed using standard procedures. Mean weight gain (MWG), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at p ≤ 0.05. Crude protein was highest (68.89%) in fish fed with diet 4, least (64.61%) in fish fed with diet 1 (control) and significantly (p < 0.05) exceeded 60.54% of the pre-treatment fish carcass. Fish fed with diet 3 had significantly (p < 0.05) higher values of MWG (11.73 g), SGR (2.13%/day) and superior FCR (0.451) above which growth and feed utilization indices progressively declined with increase in the substitution level of SFLM. This study revealed that 40% substitution level of the SFLM resulted in the best growth and feed utilization in C. gariepinus. The study demonstrated the considerable potential of flamboyant leaf meal as an alternative protein source, therefore other processing methods are recommended to increase its utilization, reduce feed cost and maximize aquaculture profitability

Bayesian Regression Model for Counts in Scholarship

Discrete Weibul (DW) is considered to have the ability to capture under and over-dispersion simultaneously and also have a closed-form analytical expression of the quantiles of the conditional distribution. There is a need to further investigate how effective the model is, as compared to other competing models in the context of classical and Bayesian technique. In this study, the strength of DW is investigated, for both on frequentist and Bayesian technique. The Bayesian DW adopts parameterization, which makes both parameters of the discrete Weibull distribution to be dependent on the predictors. Bayesian Generalized linear mixed model is also implemented and is compared with the BDW, since Bayesian generalized linear mixed model is known to be robust in handling over-dispersion in count data. A simulation study and real life data was carried out for over and under-dispersed count data. The empirical analysis shows the superiority of Bayesian Generalized linear mixed model over Bayesian DW in the case of over-dispersed data as identified in the simulated data and real life data, but not for under-dispersed data as in the case of simulated study.   Keywords: Discrete Weibull, Bayesian Statistics, MCMCGlmm, over-dispersion, under-dispersio

Penetrating injury caused by the gear pedal of a motor-cycle

This is a case of a penetrating injury to the left lower extremity caused by the gear pedal of a motor-cycle that pierced through the foot of one of the 3 passengers on a motor-cycle involved in a road traffic accident. He had no neurovascular injury but was found radiologically to have an ipsilateral tibia fracture. The object was removed in the operation theatre under general anaesthesia by gentle manipulation. The fracture was reduced conservatively on the 8th post-operative day using an above knee cast

Selectivity of three aquatic weeds as diet for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

A total of sixty juvenile Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) were fed three species of aquatic weed, namely Azolla filiculoides (water fern), Elodea sp. and Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) to determine which of the weeds will be selectively consumed, and preferred of all. A control group of twenty Nile tilapia was fed compounded feed. The selectivity of the weeds was observed based on their utilization as food source, and Azolla filiculoides was found to be highly utilized, followed by Elodea sp. and the roots of Pistia stratiotes. The growth response of the fish to the diets was found to be highest for fish fed compounded feed followed by Azolla filiculoides and Elodea sp., while Pistia stratiotes produced a negative growth trend. It is therefore postulated that Azolla filiculoides and Pista sp. are good feedstuffs for O. niloticus especially when used together with other feedstuff

Nodular hidradenoma of the breast: A case report

Nodular hidradenoma is a rare benign skin adnexial lesion of the breast. It is often located in the nipple areolar region and presents as a slow growing painless lesion.We report a case in a 62 yr old male who had a slowly growing left breast lesion of 10 yrs duration. Physical examination revealed an 8 cm superficial, spherical, mobile non tender lump in the nipple areolar region. Excision biopsy with clear margins was performed and histologic examination was nodular hidradenoma after wide consultations.Nodular hidradenoma of the breast is a differential diagnosis of sub areolar masses that must be considered by both pathologist and surgeons to avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment.Keywords: Nodular hidradenoma, Male breast, Nipple areolar regio

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. METHODS: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. FINDINGS: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). INTERPRETATION: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden

Effects of conventional food processing methods on the mineral and anti- nutrient composition of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Seeds

This study evaluated the effects of processing on the mineral and anti-nutrient components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds using boiling, roasting, solvent extraction and mechanical extraction. Mineral and anti-nutrient concentrations of differently processed meal samples were determined using standard analytical procedures and parameters were subjected to statistical analysis. Mineral content analysis revealed the following concentrations: Calcium (0.17 – 0.38 mg/g), Iron (0.25 – 0.52 μg/g), Sodium (0.10 – 0.25 mg/g), Potassium (1.87 – 2.12 mg/g), Phosphorus (1.57 – 1.72 mg/g), Magnesium (0.13 - 0.37 mg/g), Manganese (0.13 – 0.15 mg/kg), Copper (0.01 – 0.04 mg/kg) and Zinc (0.09 – 0.14 mg/kg). These values were statistically different (p<0.05) except for sodium and manganese. Phytochemical screening of the meal samples revealed the presence of some bioactive compounds including tannin, oxalate and phytate and their observed values were statistically different (p<0.05) except for oxalate and phytate. Tannin was highest in the raw undehulled meal (0.45 mg/g) and least (0.21 mg/g) in the boiled meal. Oxalate content was least (0.11 mg/g) in the roasted and boiled meals and highest (0.15mg/g) in the raw dehulled meal. Phytate content was highest (0.16 mg/g) in the raw undehulled meal and least (0.10mg/g) in the boiled meal. Boiled sunflower seed meal had statistically (p<0.05) lower values of anti-nutrients, higher percentage reductions in the levels of these anti-nutrients and appreciable amounts of macro- and micro-minerals. Therefore, in view of its considerably lower values of anti-nutrients, higher percentage reductions of anti-nutrients and appreciable amounts of minerals, the study recommends boiled sunflower seed meal as a viable alternative to soybean meal and groundnut cake in feed formulations for fish and livestock.Keywords: Sunflower seed, processing techniques, phytochemical screening, mineral content, anti-nutrient

Physicochemical properties of flour and starch from two cassava varieties

In this study, the physicochemical properties of flour and starch from two cassava varieties (TME 419 and TMS 326) were determined using standard methods. Cassava roots were obtained from University of Ilorin Agricultural research farm. Proximate composition of TME 419 cassava were different from that of TMS 326 roots. The two cassava roots had carbohydrate as their major components (approx. 84%). TMS 326 showed significantly higher protein, fats and ash contents than the TME 419 genotype. Amylose content (approx. 27 %) of TMS 326 starch was higher than TME 419 starch (approx. 22%). Cassava starch granules of both varieties had smooth surfaces with mostly round granules while some granules were spherical, elongated and irregular in shape. TME 419 had smaller granule (approx. 11 μm) compared to that of TMS 326 (13 μm). Both starch type showed the A-type crystallinity pattern. The peak gelatinisation temperature of TMS 326 starch (approx.71 oC) was higher than that of TME 419 starch (approx. 61oC). Peak viscosity of TMS 326 starch was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of TME 419 starch, which could be related to the higher amylose content. However, the peak viscosity of flour from TME 419 cassava was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of TMS 326. Cassava starches displayed higher swelling power than the flour samples. TME 419 flour and starch showed higher swelling power and cold paste viscosity suggesting that the starch could be used as thickening agents in various food applications.Keywords: Cassava, Flour, Starch, Pasting properties, Functional propertie

Effects of substituting melon seed peel meal for yellow maize meal on haematological and serum biochemical indices in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of substituting melon (Citrullus lanatus) seed peel meal (MSPM) for yellow maize meal on the haematological and serum biochemical indices of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings for 56 days. Fifteen fish each were stocked in eighteen plastic bowls (50-litre capacity) and fed six iso-nitrogenous diets at graded MSPM levels of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% twice daily at 5% of their body weight. Selected haematological and serum biochemical parameters were determined by standard procedures and data analyzed using analysis of variance at p = 0.05. The results showed that the fish fed with diet 6 had the highest PCV (45.00%), Hb (15.03 gm/100mL), RBC (4.81 x 1012/mL), Platelets (34.73 x 109/mL), MCH (31.32 μg/mL), total protein (74.00%) and albumin (40.00%). The fish fed with diet 4 had the highest WBC (12.68×109/mL) and globulin (35.00%) while those fed diet 3 had the least WBC (9.36×109/mL) and globulin (33.00%). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased and varied (p < 0.05) between 10.00 - 30.67 mg/dL and 11.00 –17.05 mg/dL respectively. Blood glucose significantly (p < 0.05) increased in fish fed with diets 3 to 6. This study revealed that melon seed peel meal can replace yellow maize meal in the diet of C. gariepinus without adverse effects on its haematological and serum biochemical indices