Lipid Altering Potential of Moringa oleifera Lam Seed Extract and Isolated Constituents In Wistar Rats

The use of natural products have become popular because of their minimal adverse effect, cost effectiveness and accessibility. Moringa oleifera, is a valued plant that has found use ethnomedicinally and economically. The leaves have been investigated in various researches for different activities. This study is aimed at evaluating the seeds for its serum lipid profile altering activities in animal models. Five groups of five animals (120-150 g) per group were made obese by feeding with a high fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks. The basal lipid profile was determined, and treatment commenced with methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera seed (MOSE) at 100 and 200 mg/kg b w for 6 weeks. Control groups were the Orlistat treated (50 mg/kg b w), untreated and normal diet groups. The antihyperlipidemic activity in-vivo and an enzyme anti lipase assay in-vitro were determined respectively. The characterisation of isolated compounds and derivative was by spectroscopic techniques. A significant decrease in Very Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLc) at p< 0.01 was observed across the five groups when compared with the standard Orlistat. A significant increase in High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) at p< 0.01 was observed in the group treated with 200 mg/kg MOSE. However, a dangerous significant increase in Athereogenic index (AI) was observed in the group treated with 100mg/kg MOSE The derived 4- acetyl benzylisothiocyanate-O –α-L rhamnopyranoside (2) from isolated 4- hydroxybenzylisothiocyanate-O-α-L rhamnopyranoside (1) revealed the highest activity of 99.17% at 0.5 mg/mL. The methanol extract of Moringa oleifera seed could alter lipid profile and a structure activity relationship was observed with respect to the isolated compound and its derivatized analogue

Perception of Appropriateness of Nigeria’s Computer Science Students’ Curriculum in Providing Technical Skills and Knowledge for the Labour Market

This study examined the perception of students on the contents of the computer programme’s curriculum, describing the extent to which they perceived the course content to be up-to-date, industry relevant and adequate. Also, the determining factors for choosing Computer Science as a discipline among the students were examined. The study further investigated the relationship between their perception of the curriculum and how the curriculum has been able to build their technical skills. Two hundred and eighty-three final year students responded to a survey from four selected universities in South west, Nigeria. Spearman Rank correlation shows a significant relationship between student’s perception of their course curriculum and technical skills acquired. Also, students reported reputation and personal interest as the most rated factor that influenced the choice of their course of study while social activities and advice were the least ranked factors that influenced their choice of the discipline. This study concludes that the curriculum is relevant to the technical skills requirement of the students and the industries. The paper recommends an inclusive-based approach to curriculum design and development to guarantee industry uptake after graduation

Utilization of Chromolaena odorata leaf meal as a supplement in broiler chickens’ diet

The utilization of Chromolaena odorata leaf meal (COLM) supplementation was studied in 120 broiler chickens for 42 days. The birds were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups in three replicates in a completely randomized design. The diets were supplemented with COLM at 0%, 2%, 4% and 6% levels. The results showed that COLM contained 19.61% crude protein, 2.90% crude fat, 10.78% crude fibre, 10.89% ash and 10.89% carbohydrate. The results of the phytochemical analysis showed that COLM contained 3.15mg/g oxalate, 2.09% phytate, 0.60% saponin, 6.30% flavonoid, 0.60mgGAE/g total phenol, 0.002% tannin and 1.66% alkaloid. The supplementation of COLM significantly affected (p<0.05) average weight gain, final body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) but no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in average feed intake. All the haematological parameters were similar (p>0.05) across the treatment groups except platelets where birds fed higher levels of supplements of COLM had significantly higher (p<0.05) values than the control (0% COLM) and 2% COLM supplementation group. The results of serum chemistry showed significant difference (p<0.05) in creatinine and glucose. It can be concluded from this study that the inclusion of COLM as feed supplements was non-toxic and did not suppress the growth of broilers

PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF GRAIN AMARANTH (Amaranthus spp.) ACCESSIONS FOR DROUGHT TOLERANCE BY MULTIVARIATE TECHNIQUE

Ciljevi ovog pokusa bili su usporediti različite pokazatelje tolerantnosti na sušu za predviđanje tolerantnosti na sušu i procijeniti trideset potomaka zrnatog amaranta (Amaranthus spp.) na tolerantnost na sušu primjenom nekoliko pokazatelja tolerantnosti na sušu. Sjeme trideset (30) potomaka zrnatog amaranta sakupljeno u Nacionalnom poljoprivrednom istraživačkom institutu (NIHORT) u Ibadanu selekcionirano je 2011. godine u Selekcijskom centru NIHORT-a. Sjeme je uzgajano u rasadniku tri tjedna i zatim presađeno u polietilenske vreće. Uveden je vodeni stres 4, 6 i 8 tjedana nakon presađivanja (WAT), a kontrola je provedena u 100% terenskim uvjetima. Pokus je bio potpuno randomiziran plan (CRD) postavljen u faktorijalnom rasporedu 4 x 30 u tri ponavljanja. Upotrijebljeni su agronomski podaci i pokazatelji tolerantnosti na sušu za procjenu performance zrna amaranta. Obavljena je analiza varijance (ANOVA) da se ustanovi značajan učinak (P0,05) je smanjio visinu biljke, te broj listova i grančica amaranta. Amarant je u terenskim uvjetima dao značajno (P<0,05) veći prinos sjemena od amaranta pod stresom od 8 WAT-a (54 odnosno 25 gbiljaka-1) Prinos sjemena bio je u znatnoj pozitivnoj korelaciji s duljinom korijena (r=0,86++), suhom težinom izdanka (r=0,79**), STI (r=0,96**, GMP (re=0,97** i HM(r=0,95**), ali ne sa SSI. Analiza klastera je pokazala da su potomci imali tendenciju kategorizacije u tri skupine na razini 96% sličnosti, potomci AMES 5647, PI576464, PI576483 i PI576483 imali su najviši STI, GMP, MP, HM i prema tome su smatrani najpoželjnijim klasterom u oba uvjeta. U zaključku, ovaj je rad pokazao da se selekcija na tolerantnost na sušu može temeljiti na STI, GMP, MP i HM na osnovi njihove značajne pozitivne korelacije s prinosom zrna.The objectives of this experiment were to compare different drought tolerance indices for drought tolerance prediction and evaluate thirty accessions of grain amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) for drought tolerance using several drought tolerance indices. Seeds of thirty (30) accessions of grain amaranth collected from National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan were screened in 2011 at the screen house of NIHORT. Seeds were raised in nursery for three weeks and later transplanted into polyethylene bags. Water stress was imposed at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after transplanting (WAT) and the control was maintained at 100 % field capacity. The trial was a completely randomized design (CRD) laid out in a 4 × 30 factorial arrangement replicated three times. Agronomic data and drought tolerance indices were used to assess the performance of grain amaranth. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to establish significant effect (P ≤ 0.05; F-test) of the treatments on the parameters taken, significant means were separated using standard error of the difference of means in post ANOVA t-tests. Result of the experiment showed that grain amaranth stressed at 4 and 6 WAT died before reaching maturity, water stress significantly (P < 0.05) reduced plant height, number of leaves and branches of grain amaranth. Grain amaranth at field capacity produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher seed yield than those stressed at 8WAT (54 and 25 gplant-1 respectively). Seed yield had significant positive correlation with root length (r = 0.86**), shoot dry weight (r = 0.79**), STI (r = 0.96**), GMP (r = 0.97**) and HM (r = 0.95**) but not with SSI. Cluster analysis indicated that the accessions tended to be categorized into three groups at 96 % similarity level, accession AMES5647, PI576464, PI576454 and PI576483 had the highest STI, GMP, MP, HM and was thus considered to be the most desirable cluster for both conditions. In conclusion, this study showed that selection for drought tolerance could be based on STI, GMP, MP, HM based on their significant positive correlation with grain yield

Evaluation of varying levels of Carica papaya leaf meal on growth, carcass, hematological parameters and its use as anticoccidial for broiler chicken

Medicinal plants have been traditionally used for treatments of various diseases in many countries. Carica papaya is one of potential feed supplements which have recently been reported as having a wide range of beneficial effects on production performance. A seven weeks trial was conducted to investigate the effect of graded levels of C. papaya leaf meal on broiler growth performance, carcass characteristics, hematological parameters and its anticoccidial properties. A total of one hundred and fifty day-old Marshal broiler chicks were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments with 30 birds per treatment, replicated thrice in a completely randomized design. The treatments were; diet with coccidiostat as a positive control (T1), diet without C. papaya leaf meal nor coccidiostat (T2), diet with 200 g of C. papaya leaf meal/100kg of feed (T3), diet with 400 g C. papaya leaf meal/100kg of feed (T4), and diet with 600 g of C. papaya leaf meal/100kg of feed (T5). The phytochemical component of the C. papaya leaf meal varied from positive to strongly positive. Significant differences (P&lt;0.05) were observed in the final weight, feed intake and the mortality percentage. The best liveability and final weight gain were obtained from the birds fed diets with 400 g of C. papaya leaf meal while non significance differences were observed on the carcass characteristics except on the live weight. The blood profiles were within the normal levels. It can be concluded that C. papaya leaf meal can be used at the rate of 400 g/100kg of feed for broiler chicken without any deleterious effect on the performance and carcass characteristics. Keywords: Carica papaya, performance, coccidiostat, phytochemical, carcass, hematological

The Role of Communication in Dissemination of Improved Agricultural Technology in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger, Nigeria

Purposive sampling technique using 40 farmers each from 4 villages in the study area was employed. Information was elicited from the respondents using well structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using percentages, frequency distribution, likert scale and probit analysis. Results indicated that among the factors influencing dissemination of improved technology, age, education and gender were significant at 5% level of significance. Most of the respondents do not understand the major language of instruction in Nigerian institutions due to absence of multilingualism in dissemination of techniques. Employment of more female extension agents, extension agents who can speak the farmers own language as well encouraging multilingualism will lead to increased productivity and subsequently enhance the food security status of the nation

Livestock value chain: Prediction of liveweight and cut yield of three indigenous breeds of cattle in Nigeria

Problems associated with prediction of saleable meat yield, price haggling and monetary worth of cattle purchased due to difficulties in accurately relating visual appearance of animals and the weight with their price have always been in existence. This study was carried out to determine the accuracy in the use of heart girth tape as an alternative to the use of weighing bridge and crush, dressing percentage and expected cut yield from three indigenous breeds of cattle in Nigeria using linear body measurement. Thus, a total number of 51 healthy and mature White Fulani (n=17), Sokoto Gudali (n=17) and Red Bororo (n=17) cattle breeds were randomly purchased from Ilesha Baruba cattle market Kwara State, Kotangora cattle market, Niger State and Akinyele cattle market, Ibadan, Oyo state and were subjected to heart girth measurements. The study lasted for 32 weeks. Live weights of animals were determined at the point of purchase using a specialized measuring tape (girth tape) calibrated in kilogram (kg) and centimeter (cm).The live weights were recorded in kilogram which was used in price negotiation at the market. The live weight of the cattle ranged from164 – 463 kg. The mean girth tape values were White Fulani (286.53 51.06)kg, Sokoto Gudali (293.35+77.51)kg and Red Bororo 261.88+60.65)kg respectively. Post slaughtering data collected were dressing percentage, weight of head (kg),neck (kg), shanks (kg), forearm (kg), thigh(kg),skin(kg),liver(kg),heart(kg), intestine(kg)and kidney(g).The study revealed that heart girth measurement had high correlation coefficient with live weight (r=0.99, p&lt;0.001). This implies that the use of heart girth tape in weight prediction is accurate and reliable. There were significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in the dressing percentage among the breeds (43.55-46.52) %. Significant (p&lt;0.05) differences were observed in the cut yield percentage between Red Bororo (33.16 4.12) and other breeds but none between White Fulani (37.14 4.50)% and Sokoto Gudali (34.53 5.26)%.There were significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in the head (13.52-13.42)kg, Neck (14.70-18.07)kg, left thigh (27.92-29.41)kg, right forearm (22.91-27.24)kg, left forearm(24.84-27.57)kg, liver (3.60 – 3.84)kg, skin (15.03 -15.39), shank (2.20-2.41)kg, tail (5.23-5.92)kg but none for right thigh, kidney and lungs among the breeds. The variations in the yield may be as a result of genetic, management, weight and age of the animals. It can be concluded that heart girth tape may be used where weighing crush is not available because of its accuracy and reliability. The study also revealed thatWhite Fulani has higher meat yield than Sokoto Gudali and Red Bororo and will therefore be more profitable to cattle sellers, abattoir centers, slaughter houses and meat shops

Impact of Contractors' Prequalification Criteria (CPC) on Time Performance in Construction Projects Execution

Delay in project delivery and abandonment could be linked to poor methods and procedures of selection of contractors. This research aims to examine the impact of Contractor Prequalification Criteria (CPC) on-time performance in construction projects execution. This study was carried out in Ondo State and the population of the study comprised of registered construction professionals in the study area who were registered members of their professional bodies, drawn from contracting organisations, consulting organisations and public client organisations. A total of 189 survey sample was drawn from 350 sample frame using the Digee bird statistics sample size calculator. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted and questionnaires were used to gather data. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; version 21.0 was used to analyse the data using frequency, percentage, factor analysis and regression. The frequency of use of contractors’ prequalification criteria was presented using frequency table and the results in order of hierarchy are personnel capability, technical capability, organization reputation, work experience and capability, management capability, health and safety practices and financial capability. Factor analysis was used to reduce and regroup the variable listed on the CPC, and multiple regression model to determine the relationship with execution time performance. It was found that management capability, personnel capability, organisation reputation, financial capability and work experience and capability have an impact on time performance in construction projects execution. In conclusion, not engaging contractors with these criteria is like calling for a project failure. It is therefore recommended that construction practitioners should ensure that Contractor Prequalification Criteria (CPC) should include management capability, personnel capability, organisation reputation, financial capability; and work experience and capability should be given high priority during contractor selection to ensure the contractor meet up the time frame of the project

Antibacterial properties of rain tree (Albizia saman) and Mexican sunflower (Tothonia diversifolia) used as fodder in ruminant nutrition

Acetone and ethanol extracts of Albizia saman (ASL) and Tithonia diversifolia (TDL) leaves used as fodder for ruminant were evaluated for their antibacterial properties against selected pathogenic bacteria. Phytochemical screening was determined according to standard procedures, while antibacterial activity was by agar well diffusion and broth micro dilution methods. The levels of tannin (0.29 and 0.34 mg/100g); saponin (0.75 and 0.59 mg/100g); oxalates (0.17 and 0.14mg/100g); and phytate (0.11 and 0.12 mg/100g) in the fodder plants were below critical levels that may affect digestibility in ruminants. Acetone and ethanol extracts from ASL and TDL showed maximum zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (19.00 and 14.50mm; 23.00 and 21.50mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.50 and 12.00mm; 18.50 and 17.00mm), respectively compared to Gentamycin (9.97mm). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of acetone and ethanol extracts fromASL ranged from 0.10 to 0.28 mg/mL and 0.13 to 0.22 mg/mL, while TDL extracts ranged from 0.20 to 0.32 mg/mL and 0.20 to 0.31 mg/mL, respectively for all the tested organisms. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of ethanol extracts from both plant ranged from 0.5-0.80 mg/mL and 0.7-0.90 mg/mL compared to MBC values (0.02-0.04 mg/mL) of the reference antibiotic (gentamycin) for all the tested bacteria species. In conclusion, antibacterial properties exhibited by the plant extract implied that the bioactive compounds are potential antibacterial agents against pathogenic bacteria of ruminant or foodborne pathogens in vitro

Assessment of conventional and non-conventional estimation of live weight, carcass characteristics and dressing percentage of Nigerian breeds of goats as panacea for livestock entrepreneurship

The price tag on goat at the farm gate or market is usually by visual appraisal as the use of weighing scale for body weight determination is cumbersome and technical. This study was carried out to determine the reliability of using the girth tape as a non-conventional method of live weight, carcass characteristics and dressing percentage estimation for economic gain of goats. Female goats (n=75) were purchased from Akinyele goat market to comprise of WAD (n=25), Sahel (n=25) and Maradi (n=25) with the age range of 22-24 months. The weights were measured using a conventional weighing scale. Also, a calibrated girth tape was used to measure the heart girth of the circumference of the chest. The goats were humanely slaughtered and properly processed for the determination of dressing percentage. The carcasses were carefully sectioned into five parts namely: neck, right forearm, left forearm, right thigh and left thigh and the weights were determined. The values for scale and girth tape measurements were 15.90±4.15kg and 16.28±4.17kg, 20.81±5.80kg and 19.97±5.56kg, and 25.47±3.70kg and 25.20±3.48kg, respectively. There were not significant (p&gt;0.05) differences between scale and girth tape measurements for the goats. The dressing percentages were 51.29±3.87%, 49.26±3.51% and 43.11±4.17% for WAD, Maradi and Sahel goats, respectively. There were apparent (p&lt;0.05) differences in the dressing percentage among the breeds. There were significant (p&lt;0.05) variations in the neck (0.87-1.21kg), right thigh (1.09-1.50kg), left thigh (1.85-2.42kg), right forearm (1.79- 2.45kg) and left forearm (1.82-2.39kg) among the breeds. There were significant differences in the weights of liver (0.41-0.51g) and kidney (0.11-0.15g) but none for heart and lungs among the three breeds of goats. There was also significant (p&lt;0.05) difference in the weights of liver and kidney (0.51±0.12g) for Sahel goats. The results of the coefficients of correlation between weighing scale and girth tape measurements of body weights of goats were significant, positive and high. The result of the regression analysis showed an adjusted R2 of 0.992. It can be concluded that the girth tape may be a reliable tool without weighing scale while the WAD goats may also be more economical to slaughter for sales as it yielded more meat than Maradi and Sahel goats.Keywords: Estimation, Conventional, Non-conventional, Girth tape, Dressing percentag