Farmers’ Notion of Climate Change and Response to Rainfall Variability in a Nigerian Coastal Settlement of Oron

The study investigated farmers’ notion of climate change and their response to rainfall variability in Oron, a Coastal settlement in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study is to determine farmer’s notion of climate and their response to climate variability. The farmers’ perception of climate change  is necessary for preparedness and planning purposes in an agrarian community in order to boost farm productivity. Through the use of structured questionnaires, data for the study was obtained from 400 farmers’ in 17 randomly sampled villages in Oron. The data was complemented by information obtained through focus group discussion, participatory rural appraisal, direct field observations and in-depth interviews of key informants. To aid the analysis, data on some climatic variables from 2003 to 2013 were obtained from the study area and analysed to show the behavior of annual precipitation, wet  and dry seasons precipitation and to compare results with the farmers’ notion of climate change. In the same vein, the number of drought years occurring in the study area was calculated using Shewale and Kumar (2005) method. The study reveals that (i)  most of the farmers’ were unaware of the concept of climate change, even though they have considerable knowledge of major changes taking place in their environment (ii)  The farmers have general feeling of uncertainty about the best time to plant crops due to the unpredictability of rainfall and the difficulties in planning farming activities  (iii) the number of extreme rain event per year in the study area does not appear to be increasing, indicating that farming has not become more vulnerable to such phenomena. All the farmers indicated the need for  planting early maturing seed and changing the timing of planting, as a response strategies to mitigate the effect of climate variability in the study area. The study, thus concludes that unless urgent steps are taken to educate the farmers’ about their notion of climate variability and the possible pathways to adaptation, the coastal settlement  is vulnerable to food insecurity. Keywords: Climate change; Farmers notion; Rainfall variability; Coastal settlement

Conceptual Design and Implementation of a Cloud Computing Platform Paradigm

In recent times, organizations all over the world have stopped expanding infrastructures and building competencies in IT for enhanced efficiencies. Rather, they focus on their primary lines of businesses and “simply” connect to an existing IT cloud in the neighborhood or on the internet for their IT demands. Cloud computing is a new paradigm of large-scale distributed computing that centralizes the data and computation on the virtual “super computer” with unprecedented storage and computing capabilities. This paper focuses on the design of a conceptual framework and implementation of a cloud computing platform. This study attempts to design a platform on which users can plug-in anytime from anywhere and utilize enormous computing resources at a relatively low cost. Alongside the design, the mathematical model structures that support the design of the framework are explicitly described. The study is of paramount importance because the new framework provides opportunity to avoid network congestions that degrade performance among other shortcomings being experienced in some implementation cases. Keywords: Cloud Computing, Framework, Platform, Paradig

Modelling of Moisture Loss and Oil Uptake During Deep-Fat Frying of Plantain (Dodo)

In this study, model was developed to predict moisture loss and oil uptake during deep-fat frying of plantain (dodo). Plantain samples were sliced and fried at different frying temperatures (150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 °C) in a deep fryer for periods varying from 2 to 4 min. Moisture and fat analyses were determined based on the AOAC standard method. Mathematical model was developed from fundamental law of mass diffusion with the aim of predicting moisture loss and oil uptake rate during DFF of dodo. The model was solved numerically using explicit Finite Difference Technique (FDT). Computer codes were written in MATLAB environment for moisture loss and oil uptake in the slices at different frying conditions. The predicted results were compared with experimental data and good agreement was obtained. The correlation coefficients between the predicted and experimental values of moisture and oil transfer models ranged from 0.988 to 0.994 and 0.958 to 0.978, respectively. The results show that the model is consistent and it may be used to predict moisture loss and oil uptake during deep-fat fried of dodo

Optimization of Deep-Fat Frying of Plantain Chips (Ipekere) using Response Surface Methodology

Deep-fat frying of plantain chips (ipekere) was investigated with the aim of predicting optimum operating conditions for plantain chips to minimize oil content in order to produce healthy products. The effect of frying temperature and time on moisture content, oil content, breaking force and colour difference of plantain chips was evaluated. Response surface methodology was used to analyze the results of the central composite design of the frying processes for the responses as a result of variation in the levels of frying temperature (150 – 190oC) and frying time (2 – 4 min). Response surface regression analysis shows that responses were significantly (p<0.05) correlated with frying temperature and time. Regression model was developed for the investigation of the effect of frying temperature and time on the responses. The polynomial regression models were validated with statistical tool whose values of coefficients of determination (R2) were 0.995, 0.982, 0.971 and 0.996 for moisture content, oil content, breaking force and colour difference, respectively. The optimum values of moisture content, oil content, breaking force and colour difference were 3.73%, 1.18%, 17.66 N and 65.53, respectively, at frying temperature of 183oC and frying time of 3 min. Therefore, frying conditions had a significant effect on the quality attributes of chips produced from plantain. Keywords: plantain chips, deep-fat frying, regression models, texture and colou

Fruits and vegetables moderate blood pressure, fibrinogen concentration and plasma viscosity in Nigerian hypertensives

Fruits and vegetables contain vital components such as potassium, antioxidants, vitamins and folic acid that might contribute to lowering blood pressure which is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disorders. However, the results of the few investigations on the correlation between intake of fruits and vegetables and cardiovascular disease have been inconsistent. Worse still, there is dearth of information on disease prevention with fruits and vegetables in Africans. Thus, we investigated the relative effect of fruits and vegetables on blood pressure, viscosity of blood and fibrinogen level. Ten weeks intervention study with ≥ 3 times daily consumption of fruits and vegetables by hypertensive patients was conducted. The fruits and vegetables included in the test diet were oranges, banana, pawpaw,  mango, pineapple, grape, tangerine, garden egg, okra, pumpkin leaf, spinach,  amaranthus and water leaf. The patients were allowed to consume the food servings while their eating habit was not restricted. Blood pressure, blood viscosity and plasma fibrinogen and nutrient intake were determined before and during  intervention. The complementary fruits and vegetables included in the normal dietary regimen of the patients during the 10 weeks study increased the levels of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, antioxidants and dietary fiber significantly  compared to the baseline values (P<0.01). The systolic and diastolic blood  pressure were significantly lowered; percentage differences of – 9.01 and –3.73 (P<0.01) respectively were observed after 10 weeks. Percentage differences of –6.02, -38.86 and –5.29 (P<0.05.) were observed for haematocrit, blood viscosity and plasma fibrinogen respectively compared with the base line. Fruits and vegetables lowered the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood viscosity and plasma fibrinogen. The decrease in haematocrit and fibrinogen could influence reduction in blood viscosity thereby preventing premature CVD in hypertensive. Daily intake of fresh fruit and vegetable might be beneficial for the prevention and as therapeutic regime for cardiovascular complications.Key Words: Hypertension, Fruits, Vegetables, Fibrinogen, Viscosit

Characterization of a thermostable Bacillus subtilis &#946-amylase isolated from decomposing peels of Cassava (Manihot esculenta)

&#946-Amylase (á-1, 4 glucan maltohydrolase; E.C:3.2.1.2) is used in the food processing, brewing and distilling industries due to its capacity to produce maltose syrup from starch. Here, we report the purification and characterization of â-amylase from Bacillus subtilis isolated from cassava peel waste obtained from a milling factory in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. The enzyme was extracted, fractionated at 90% (NH4)2SO4 and further purified using DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 34.67 Kd. The specific activity of the partially purified enzyme was approximately 1.35 units per mg of protein (Umg-1), Kinetic analysis of its starch hydrolysis activity gave a Km value of 2.496 ± 0.025% and a Vmax of 1.136 ± 0.055 units min-1. The optimum pH and temperature were determined to be 5.5 and 70 0C respectively, and the thermal stability curve gave a maximum activity of 9.75 U at 70oC for 60 min of incubation. Bacillus subtilis â-amylase is valuable for maltose production, which can be hydrolyzed further by other groups of amylase for the production of high cassava glucose syrup used as sweeteners in the food industry

Preliminary Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Proximate Analysis of Tender Leaves of Psidium guajava L in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Phytochemical screening, proximate, chromatographic analyses and the antimicrobial activities of tender leaves of Psidium guajava of the family Myrtaceae, were carried out. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of all metabolites and compounds tested for such as flavonoids, tannins, reducing sugar, terpenes, saponins, anthraquinones and alkaloids. The proximate analysis gave a moisture content of 3.67%, ash value of 3.295%, acid insoluble ash of 0.25%, alcohol soluble extractive value of 21.34%and water extractive value of 3.54 %. The antimicrobial screening of methanol extract showed activity against the tested organisms. The antimicrobial screening of hexane and ethyl acetate also showed activity against the tested organisms. The result indicated that the leaves had a potential antimicrobial activity and was concentration dependent. The chromatographic analysis of the extracts showed presence of variety of compounds. This therefore, supports the traditional medical use of Psidium guajava

Characterization of Thiosulphate: Cyanide sulphur transferase from the gut and body segments of Earthworm (Hyperiodrilus africanus)

Cyanide compounds that are by products of industrial activities are known to pose serious environmental pollution. The use of these cyanide compounds by the mining industry, along with limitations in the analysis and monitoring of these compounds, raises serious concerns regarding environmental protection and public safety. Hyperiodrilus africanus (earthworm) is directly employed within bioremediation strategies to promote biodegradation of organic contaminants and thus could be employed to rejuvenate cyanide contaminated soils. Cyanides detoxification could also prevent the risk of cyanide poisoning in poultry animals by converting cyanides in forages to a less toxic compound. This work is designed to extract and characterize rhodanese (thiosulphate: cyanide sulphur transferase, (EC 2.8.1.1) from the gut and body segments of H. africanus collected from the swampy area along Uren bank river in Ikenne community of Ogun State, Nigeria. Our results show total rhodanese activities of 1434.50 RU and 2274.28 RU and specific activities of 108.01 RUmg-1 and 83.1901 RUmg-1 in the gut and body segments of H. africanus respectively. The optimum temperature of 25 °C and optimum pH of 10.5 were obtained for both the gut and body segments enzymes. The enzyme obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics and the kinetic constants, Km and Vmax in the gut segment were 33.33 mM and 62.50 RU/ml for KCN substrate and 22.22 mM and 41.67 RU/ml for Na2S2O3 substrates. In the body segment, the Km and Vmax were 33.33 mM and 83.33 RU/ml; 15.38 mM and 4.00 RU/ml for the KCN and Na2S2O3 substrates respectively. Hence, we conclude that the enzyme is more specific for  Na2S2O3 than KCN as substrates, though maximum activity was observed in the body segment for KCN substrate. Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+, K+, Na+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ metal ion salts activated the body segment rhodanese at 1 mM and 5 mM concentrations while they have no effect on the gut segment rhodanese from earthworm. On the basis of these findings we conclude that earthworm could detoxify cyanide-containing wastes/forages and therefore promote biodegradation.Keywords: Rhodanese, earthworm, environmental protection, cyanide detoxification, bioremediatio

Activities of a Cellulase of the Termite, Ametermes Eveuncifer (Silverstri) Soldier: Clue to Termites Salt Intolerance

Table salt which contains predominantly NaCl is both toxic and lethal to termites and is therefore used to control the insect traditionally. In an attempt to find out a scientific explanation for this treatment and possibly design a pesticide for the destructive insect, we carried out some tests on the effects of NaCl (table salt), some other chloride and sodium salts on some important enzymes produced by termites. At 0.1mM concentration, all the chloride salts inhibited all the enzymes. Acid phosphatase and arginase were however mildly inhibited. Interestingly, some chloride salts were more potent than NaCl the conventional pesticide.  The greatest inhibition was by the chlorides of mercury (81%), manganese (78%), and sodium (76%). The inhibitory effect was more on cellulolytic enzymes; β-glucosidase and cellulase than on detoxifying enzymes; 3-MST and rhodanese. Again, all the sodium salts tested inhibited cellulase drastically with most of them more potent than NaCl. Thus both the sodium and chloride ions contributed immensely to the inhibition. Form these discoveries, one of the chloride salts of mercury, manganese and sodium or a combination of at least two can be used as a pesticide for termites. Almost all the sodium salts tested or a combination of at least two can also be used. Keywords: cellulase, cellulose, termites, salts, insects, enzyme

Wildbird abundance and richness in Forestry Research Institute Of Nigeria (FRIN), Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State

This study assessed avi-fauna species richness and abundance indices in environs of Forestry Research Institutes of Nigeria (FRIN).The study area,  FRIN, was divided based on landuse activities into three; residential, plantations (Teak (Tectona grandis), and Gmelina (Gmelina arborea)) and fallow  land. Ten (10) point counts were made in each of the land use areas at distance of 200m and visited between 06:00hrs- 10:00hrs and 0400hr-0600hr for a period of 10 minutes each. A pair of 8x42 binoculars, voice recorder and Helms field guide to the birds of Western Africa was used for species identification and confirmation. Species richness, sighting index, bird species diversity (Shannon and Simpson), and Sorenson index of similarity were deduced. Data were analyzed using frequency; PPMC, Percentage and correlation at α 0.05.A total 78 bird species belonging to 38 families were recorded. Yellow-billed kite (Milvus migrans parasitus) was the most abundant species with frequency (228) and sighting index (12.5%). The residential area had the highest mean bird species richness per point. The overall Shannon diversity index (3.52) and Simpson diversity index (0.95) indicated that the study site is highly diverse in bird species. Exotic trees species do not support bird abundance and richness in the  study area, therefore effort should be put in place to restore the depleted habitat planting of native tree species. Keywords: Species richness, Abundance, Wild birds, Landuse, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria