The Effect of Nescafe Brand of Coffee on the Fermentative Activity of Baker\'s Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) On Sucrose

The effects of increasing concentrations of Nescafe brand of coffee on the fermentative activity of baker\'s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on sucrose were investigated. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids in samples containing nescafe coffee. Using increasing nescafe coffee concentrations of 0.6g, 1.2g and 1.8g, respectively, per 500ml sample solution each, decreased the average pH value of the must from 5.12 for the control sample, to 4.76, 4.68 and 4.54, respectively, for the test samples. The average ethanol contents (% v/v) were increased significantly (

Effect of alcohol and paracetamol on aspect of the hematology of albino rats

Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte counts as well as serum cholesterol level were used to access the effects of administration of alcohol and paracetamol to albino rats. Fifteen male albino rats weighing between 75 – 160 grams were grouped into five and given various combinations of alcohol and paracetamol treatments such as 300 mgkg -1 paracetamol and 12% ethanol for two weeks. Thereafter, the rats were sacrificed and the various parameters determined. The Hb, PCV, WBC, Lymphocyte values were significantly lower in all the groups exposed to 12% alcohol and 300 mgkg -1 paracetamol. The reduction was more remarkable in rats exposed to four doses of 300 mgkg -1 and 12% ethanol compared to either control or others. The study suggests that alcohol and paracetamol ingestion could result in hematological abnormalities in albino rats. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2(1) 2006: 16-1

Extraction and characterization of vegetable oil from avocado pear (Persea Americana)

No Abstract.International Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Systems Vol. 1 (4) 2007: pp. 352-35

Effects of Some Tropical Plant Oils Supplemented Diet on Blood Serum Lipid Profile of Albino Rats

Oils were extracted from African pear (Dacryodes edulis) fruits, bullet pear (Cemarium schweinfurthii) fruits, melon (Colocynthis citrullus) seeds and groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea). Oil yields from each of these plants crops were not less than 52% and the fatty acids range were palmitic (19.25-27.37%), stearic (16.30-21.09%), oleic (15.07-26.75%), linoleic (18.60-26.10%) and linolenic (13.20-16.40%). The oils were respectively used at 10% level as supplement to formulate rat feeds. The supplemented feed and control feed (feed with none of these oils) were each fed to a group (seven) of albino rats for sixty days. The effects of the feeds on the blood  serum lipid profile of the albino rats were determined. The albino rat group fed with bullet pear fruit oil feed recorded the highest weight gain of 57.89%. There were no significant differences (p < 0.05) in the total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high density lipoprotein contents in the blood serum of the albino rats. However, the low density lipoprotein cholesterol content of 26.43mg/ dl in the blood serum of albino rat in group on bullet pear fruit oil supplemented feed was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the values obtained for the rat groups on the other oil supplemented feeds. Regression analysis results showed that there was no relationship between some of the fatty acids of the plant oils and blood serum triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol except that of palmitic and stearic acids of bullet pear fruit oil which showed strong relationship with total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol.Keywords: Pear fruits, groundnut, melon, fatty acids, cholesterol

Aspects of the hematology of fishes caught in contaminated water bodies

A study was carried out to determine aspects the hematological profiles of different species of fish caught in fresh water systems at Bodu and Choba in Rivers State, Nigeria. Cardiac blood was collected from 20 fishes per specie and subjected to hematological analyses which included hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell counts (WBC) and Glutathione-S-tranferase (GST). Catfish had the highest hemoglobin value (14.6 ± 3.5 g/100 ml), while Mudskipper and African Sleeper had the least (3.3 ± 1.3 and 2.9 ± 0.6 g/100 ml respectively). Similarly, the highest PCV value (43.9%) was recorded in Catfish, while the African Sleeper had the least (8.6%). The Mudskipper and African Sleeper on the other hand had the highest white blood cell values of 4.8 ± 0.9 and 4.2 ± 0.8 respectively. Glutathione - S transferase value for the Mudskipper at 24.9 ± 2.1 μl was highest while the 6.3 ± 0.6 μl recorded in Catfish was the least. Keywords: fishes, hematological profile, and glutathione-s- transferase, Nigeria Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 1(2) 2005: 102-10

Renal Dysfunction and Hyperlipidaemia in Hypertensive and Diabetic Patients

Hyperlipidaemia and renal dysfunction in four groups of patients( hypertensive diabetics, hypertensive , diabetic patients and normal individuals)was assessed using biochemical markers such as Urea, Creatinine , Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C and Fasting blood sugar(FBS) . A total of 84 adults’ subjects aged between 20 and 65 years consisting of 22hypertensive, 22 hypertensive diabetics, 20 diabetics and 20 apparently healthy individuals (which served as control) were used for the study all within Aba Metropolitan.The investigations were done with serum and the biochemical parameters were assayed based on calorimetric method. However, the results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. From the results, it was observed that there was a significant increase in the serum levels of Urea and Creatinine in hypertensive diabetics compared to hypertensive, diabetics and control subjects (P<0.05).Although, there was a slight increase in the levels of Triglyceride and LDL-C in the same group compared to others. Equally indicated was that diabetics exhibited slight increase in Fasting blood sugar (FBS) compared to the other three groups (control Mmol/L; 4.32±0.60 vs 7.34±0.92 vs 4.90± 0.50 vs 10.80± 1.05, P<0.05). The study has established a renal dysfunction in hypertensives and diabetics. Equally noted was hyperlipidaemia in the groups studied. The study is therefore stressing the importance of controlling hyperlipidaemia in Hypertensive diabetics, Hypertensive and Diabetic patients, since it is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.Key words:Renal Dysfunction, Hyerlipidaemia, Hypertensives, Diabetics