Optimization of canning process conditions for fermented African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) seeds in three different media

 Victor N. Enujiugha1, Charles T. Akanbi2(1. Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria;2. Department of Food Science and Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria) Abstract: The thermal processing variables for starter culture fermented African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) seed product ugba in three media (brine, refined groundnut oil and tomato sauce) and at three temperatures (110℃, 116℃ and 121℃) were investigated.  Thermal inactivation studies using Bacillus stearothermophilus 1518 spores showed that the z-values for the thermal processing were 10.5℃, 12.5℃ and 11.0℃ for brine-, oil- and sauce-canned samples, respectively.  At 121℃ processing temperature, the D values of 2.2 min (brine), 3.5 min (oil) and 3.2 min (sauce) would give 5D process times of 11.0, 17.5 and 16.0 min, respectively, as the targeted F values, which are lower than the experimental F values obtained for the three media.  Heat penetration studies showed that process times according to general method were in the range 39.3–42.7 min at 121℃, 45.5–49.4 min at 116℃, and 51.4–57.2 min at 110℃.  Brine-canned samples had the shortest process times at 121℃.  The process times by the general method were higher than those by the formula method.  The heating rate index fh was lower in the sauce-canned samples than that in the other samples, especially at 121℃ also higher sterilization temperatures resulted in lower fh values for all the media employed in the canning process.  This was attributed to an increase in sterilization value due to faster heat penetration.Keywords: Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth, fermented product, canning process, Bacillus stearothermophilus spores, processing variables Citation: Victor N. Enujiugha, Charles T. Akanbi.  Optimization of canning process conditions for fermented African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) seeds in three different media.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(2): 95-103. &nbsp

Colour and Fatty Acids Analysis of Fermented and Canned African Oil Bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) Seeds

The variations in the colour and fatty acid profiles as influenced by the processing steps and changes in canning media during thermal processing of fermented African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) seeds were investigated. The seed cotyledons were prepared as slices and fermented at 30oC for 72 h. The fermented product was then filled into cans containing the selected media and processed using conventional canning procedures. Cooking and canning steps slightly darkened the light brown colour of the cotyledons. However, overall, thermal processing did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect the colour profile of the fermented seed product ‘ugba’ as shown from a*/b* ratios, hue and chroma values. Although fermentation significantly (p > 0.05) affected the composition and concentrations of fatty acids in the seed oil, the effect of canning of the fermented seed product in three different media (tomato sauce, refined groundnut oil and brine solution) on the fatty acid profiles of the seed oil was not significant (p > 0.05). Linoleic acid, which was the major fatty acid in the raw seed oil (67.20 wt.-% of total fatty acids), increased significantly during fermentation, but further thermal processing in lacquered cans did not affect the fatty acids profile. Keywords: Oil bean seed; fermented product; thermal processing; colour; fatty acid

ERGO-ANALYSIS OF SCHOOL FURNITURE IN USE BY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

The anthropometric data of the students in secondary schools was obtained and possible mismatch between the relevant dimensions of students and the classroom furniture they use were examined.A total of 480 students in Junior Secondary 1 through Senior Secondary 3 in sixteen (Eight Public and Eight Private) Secondary Schools participated in the study with ages ranging from 10 years to 18 years. Fourteen anthropometric measurements and the dimensions of four types of chairs and four types of desks prevalent in the students' classrooms were measured. The means, standard deviations, fifth, fiftieth and ninety fifth percentiles were calculated. The anthropometric dimensions of the students in the public schools were statistically compared with those in the private schools with use of SPSS 16.0 Statistical Package. Moreover, the student body dimensions and furniture dimensions were compared. The results show that that all the measured dimensions of the students in the public schools (Popliteal Height: 39.5 cm, Sitting Height: 77.3 cm, Knee Height: 53.0 cm, Elbow Height Sitting: 16.0 cm, Buttock-Popliteal Length: 43.8 cm; using the 50th percentiles) and private schools (Popliteal Height: 40.2 cm, Sitting Height: 80.3 cm, Knee Height: 53.3 cm, Elbow Height Sitting: 16.5 cm, Buttock-Popliteal Length: 44.0 cm; using the 50th percentiles) were not significantly different (p = 0.00) except Buttock-Popliteal Length (p = 0.08) and Hip Breadth (p = 0.12). Moreover, a degree of mismatch between the students' bodily dimensions and the classroom furniture available to them was established. It was concluded that the anthropometric data of the .Nigerian Students were not employed in the manufacture of the school furniture and may be an indication that school furniture and students anthropometric dimensions are at variant nationwide

Geospatial Analysis of Hydrologic Nitrogen in Ohio Using Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI) and Terrain Position Index (TPI)

Hydrologic nitrogen in ecosystems can significantly impact water quality. Excessive nitrogen, often originating from agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge, and industrial activities, can lead to eutrophication – the over-enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, resulting in excessive algal growth and depleted oxygen levels. This study aims to use geospatial analytics to identify areas in Ohio that are more susceptible to high nitrogen levels due to their topographic characteristics. Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI) and Terrain Position Index (TPI) are two key metrics derived from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) that can help characterize the landscape. TRI measures the variability in elevation of adjacent parts of a DEM, while TPI compares a data point in a DEM to its neighbors. By analyzing terrain ruggedness and position, we can statistically identify locations that are more likely to have higher nitrogen levels. Nitrogen tends to flow towards areas with lower elevation relative to their neighbors. By using geospatial techniques to identify points on the DEM with lower TPI and TRI values, we can locate areas that could have higher nitrogen runoff compared to others. If left unchecked, hydrologic nitrogen can cause disastrous consequences for ecosystems, as evidenced by the algal blooms in Lake Erie caused by nitrogen runoff from fertilizers. In this study, we propose to use geospatial analytics to estimate areas in Ohio that are more likely to have higher nitrogen levels based on their topographic characteristics. We will visualize our findings using a Shiny App to effectively communicate the spatial distribution of potential high-nitrogen areas

Effects of Pinching Time on the Performance of three Tomato Varieties (Lycopersicon lycopersicum Mill) in Ogbomoso and Mokwa, Nigeria

Field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and Niger State College of Agriculture, Mokwa, in 2012 cropping season to examine the effects of pinching on fruit yield and nutritional qualities of three tomato varieties. The experiment had twelve treatments of three varieties (Ogbomoso Local, Mokwa Local and UC82B) of tomato and four pinching times (0, 2, 4 and 6) weeks after transplanting (WAT), replicated three times. The experiment was laid out as split plot arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design. Data were collected on plant height, number of flowers, number of fruits and total fruit yield. The determination of fruit phytochemical contents at full ripening, 6 fruit samples were randomly selected per plot and analysed for nutritional qualities such as crude Protein, Carotene, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Lycopene, Magnesium, Vitamin C contents. Data was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) SAS package and treatment means compared using least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. There were varietal differences in fresh fruit yield among the three varieties of tomato. UC82B gave the highest fruit yield (23.10 t ha-1) while Mokwa Local recorded the least (12.00 t ha-1). Pinching improved fruit yield of tomato. Plants pinched at 4 WAT gave the highest fruit yield (19.60 t ha-1) and the least obtained from un-pinched plants (12.50 t ha 1). Nutritional qualities (Lycopene, phosphorus, potassium) was best at PT of 6 WAT. It could be concluded from this experiment that, though highest yield of tomato (19.60 t ha-1) occurred with pinching at 4 WAT, the best nutritional qualities were obtained when pinched at 6 WAT. Also, UC82B was better than other varieties in terms of yield performance

Effects of neem seed cake and NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Soils of the southern Guinea savannah zone of Nigeria are low in organic matter content, inherently infertile due to intensive weathering and leaching caused by high temperature and rainfall. A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ilorin, during the 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons, to determine the effect of neem seed cake and NPK fertilizer on the performance of sesame crop (Ex Sudan cv). Treatments consisted of three levels of NPK fertilizer 20:10:10, applied at 0, 100 and 200 kg ha-1 and neem seed cake (NSC), applied at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a 3 x 5 factorial arrangement replicated thrice. Data were collected on soil parameters (some physical and chemical properties), plant growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves and leaf area) and yield components (number of capsules per plant, weight of seeds per plant and weight of seeds per hectare). The result of the study indicated that using the highest level of application of NPK fertilizer, neem seed cake and their combinations significantly (p<0.05) increased the growth of sesame plants, in the 2 years of study. However, the 100 kg ha-1 of NPK and 3 tha-1 and their combinations gave the highest yield and yield components of sesame during the period of study. The result of the study revealed that using high levels of NPK, neem seed cake and their combinations favoured vegetative growth at the expense of seed formation. Farmers are therefore encouraged to use organic and inorganic fertilizer moderately to prevent excessive vegetative growth of sesame

Serum Lipid Indices and Renal Function Among Persons with Chronic Kidney Disease in Jos, North Central Nigeria

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Investigating Predictors of Inflation in Nigeria: BMA and WALS Techniques

The recent economic conundrum arising from the fall in the international oil price has threatened the maintenance of price stability, a key function of the central bank, therefore the need to investigate predictors of inflationary measures arises. The model averaging method considers uncertainty as part of the model selection, and include information from all candidate models. We analysed a wide spectrum of inflation predictors and all the possible models for Nigeria CPI inflation using the Bayesian Model Averaging and Weighted Average Least Squares. The study uses fifty-nine (59) predictor variables cutting across all sectors of the Nigerian economy and three (3) measures of inflation, namely; all items consumer price index, core consumer price index and food consumer price index. The results from both model averaging techniques showed that maximum lending rate, world food price index and Bureau de change exchange rate are the significant drivers of inflationary measures among focus variables, while foreign assets, credit to private sectors, net credit to government and real effective exchange rate are the drivers of inflationary measures, for the auxiliary variables, strongly supporting the monetarist and open economy views on inflation. The structuralist view is reported to be relatively weaker because government expenditure is only significant at 10.0 per cent.

Forecasting Nigerian Inflation using Model Averaging methods: Modelling Frameworks to Central Banks

As a result of the adverse macroeconomic effect of inflation on welfare, fiscal budgeting, trade performance, international competitiveness and the whole economy, inflation still remains a subject of utmost concern and interest to policy makers. The traditional Philips curve as well as other methodologies have been criticized for their inability to track correctly the pattern of inflation, particularly, these models do not allow for enough variables to be included as part of the regressors, and judgment is often made by a single model. In this work, model averaging techniques via Bayesian and frequentist approach were considered. Specifically, we considered the Bayesian model averaging (BMA) and Frequentist model averaging (FMA) techniques to model and forecast future path of CPI inflation in Nigeria using a wide range of variables. The results indicated that both in-sample and out-of-sample forecasts were highly reliable, judging from the various forecast performance criteria. Various policy scenarios conducted were highly fascinating both from the theoretical perspective and the prevailing economic situation in the country