Effect of Bioprocess on Nutritional Quality and Chemical Properties of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranean (L) Verdc.) Flour

The effect of bioprocess on the nutritional quality of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L) Verdc.) flour was studied and in-vitro protein digestibility of the raw (non-bioprocessed) flour was found to increase from 70.74 to 89.70% after fermentation while anti-nutritional factors was found to decrease from 4.72, 870.30, 1470.15, 1.85 and 8.40 mg/100gm to 2.08, 383.70, 1023.10, 0.55 and 3.30 mg/100 gm for tannin, polyphenol, phytate, oxalate and trypsin inhibition activity (TIA) respectively. The results was evident that the antinutrient concentration in bambara groundnut can be eliminated or reduced to tolerable level through the bioprocess of fermentation, thus increase protein digestibility. The crude protein content of raw bambara seeds was found to be 20.80% and slightly decreased after fermentation (19.70%). The results showed that bioprocess had no significant effect on protein content. Crude fat content significantly (p ˂ 0.05) increased from 6.80 to 8.79% after fermentation while carbohydrate content was found to decrease from 57.20 to 52.25% and this was attributed to the possible breakdown and utilization of the sugars by the fermenting organisms as a ready source of energy. Fiber content significantly (p ˃ 0.05) decreased from 6.60 to 3.98%; and this can also be attributed to the partial solubilization of cellulose and hemicellulosic type of material by microbial enzymes. Ash content was found to decrease from 3.45 to 3.18%; while dry matter slightly increased from 93.80 to 94.50%. Results obtained for gross energy showed that bioprocess significantly (p ˂ 0.05) increased the energy value to 425.10 kCal/100 gm. The calculated metabolizable energy values, which ranged between 368.10 and 425.10 kCal/100 gm showed that bambara groundnut have energy concentrations favorably comparable to cereals. Keywords: Bioprocess, Bambara Groundnut, Anti-nutrients, Protein Digestibilit

Fermentation of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranean (L) Verdc.) to Complement Infant Foods

The potential of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L) Verdc.) to be used as food in complementing infant formulations was studied by blending in proportions with Ogi (a traditional weaning food) and the physical, chemical and sensory qualities was compared to samples made from 100 percent Ogi and Nutrend (commercial weaning diet). The formulated diet containing 50% Ogi and 50% fermented bambara groundnut (Formula 1) had the highest energy value of 384.4 kcal and comparable to 383.5 kcal and 397.1 kcal for Ogi and Nutrend respectively. The high energy value of the formulated diets when compared to Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of infants (≤ 1 year) was above requirement. The protein content of formula 1 (13.8 g) was significantly higher than ogi (5.60 g) and other formulated foods, but significantly lower than Nutrend (16.00 g). Carbohydrate content (78.8) was significantly higher than Nutrend (64.0) while fat content for Formula 1 (8.1) showed no significant difference to Nutrend (8.5). For all the minerals studied, Formula 1 showed higher content to Nutrend and Ogi with exception to sodium, this was observed to be slightly higher in Ogi. The functional properties of the formulated diets decreased as the proportion of bambara groundnut increased but not to the extent that affected the sensory attributes of the food. However, all the sensory attributes of the formulated diets were significantly low when compared to Nutrend and Ogi and this could be attributed to the familiarity of the panelist to these foods. Keywords: Fermentation, Infant Foods, Proximate Composition, Sensory Evaluatio

Hematological Indices and Growth Performance Studies of Albino Rats Fed Bioprocessed and Non-Bioprocessed Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranean (L) Verdc.)

The hematologic indices and growth performance of albino rats that was fed bioprocessed and non-bioprocessed bambara groundnut was studied to ascertain its suitability for use as food and feed. Among the 3 groups of albino rats used for the study; group A was fed diet 1 (control), while group B and C was fed the experimental diets 2 and 3 (non-bioprocessed and bioprocessed bambara groundnut) respectively. When hematological indices obtained from all the groups were compared, only group 2 had a significant (p ˂ 0.05) increasing effect on the red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PVC) and hemoglobin (Hb) counts; however, the counts obtained for all the groups where within hematologic reference range for rats, thus could not indicate or give specific information about infections, toxicity, allergy, immune-suppression or poisoning. When values for feed intake, weight gain, protein efficiency ratio, biological value and net protein unit were compared, rats fed basal had the highest feed consumption (286.10g); while feed intake varied for rats fed non-bioprocessed and bioprocessed samples with values of 209.50 and 191.30g respectively. The study observed that weight gain of rats was proportional to feed intake but when results for protein efficiency ratio, biological value and net protein unit were compared; the highest PER value was obtained for diet 1 followed by diet 3 and the BV values for the test groups fed diets 2 and 3 were comparable while diet 2 showed a much higher values for NPU. However, dietary nitrogen (DN) was used as an index of diet quality to ascertain nitrogen intake, fecal and urinary nitrogen, digested and retained nitrogen of the albino rats. Keywords: Bioprocess, Bambara Groundnut, Hematology, Growth Performanc

Synergistic Effects of Probiotics and Autogenous Bacterin Against Inositol Negative Motile Salmonella Species

Salmonellosis, a disease caused by pathogenic strains of Salmonella, has been reported to have an essential degree in morbidity and mortality of humans (especially farmers) and poultry resulting in low productivity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the synergistic effects of probiotics and autogenous bacterin against inositol negative motile Salmonella species isolated from different poultry feed collected from Orlu-west Local Government Area of Imo State. A total of 40 representative feed samples were aseptically collected and screened for the presence of inositol negative motile Salmonella species using pour plate method. The colonies generated from the primary isolation were sub-cultured, characterized and identified using their colony description, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The pathogenic potentials of the organism in broiler chicks were investigated by challenging the chicks orally using 0.5ml of the inoculum (108cells/ml).The protective effects of locally prepared autogenous bacterin (B), commercially prepared probiotics (P) and autogenous bacterin plus commercially prepared probiotics (BP) were investigated using in vivo technique. The study revealed the presence of inositol negative motile Salmonella species in the studied samples. There significant (p<0.05) pathological features and lesions in the liver and spleen of the infected chicks. The mean plate counts were significantly (p<0.05) recorded more in the liver than spleen. The in vivo study showed that P, B and BP showed pronounced activity against the tested isolates of which BP proved to be more effective

Toxicological effects of prolonged exposure of soot-polluted air on some haematological and biochemical parameters of residents of Port Harcourt

Background: Soot is a by-product of incomplete combustion of carbon derived from substances that contains carbon like hydrocarbons, which is associated with various human diseases. The objectives of the studies are to evaluate the toxicological effects of prolonged exposure of soot polluted air on some haematological and biochemical parameters.Methods: One hundred apparently healthy residents of Port Harcourt residing in soot polluted environment for a minimum of 12 months and one hundred apparently healthy subjects residing in non-soot polluted environment outside Port Harcourt were recruited for this study. 5ml of venous blood was collected from each subject after 10hours of overnight fast to estimate the PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, lymphocytes, neutrophils, bicarbonate, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein using automated autoanalyzer.Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in the PCV, Hb, RBC and increase in WBC, Lymphocytes and neutrophils. There was also a significant increase in the bicarbonate, total cholesterol and LDL with a decrease in HDL cholesterol as compared to the control.Conclusions: It is concluded that prolong exposure to soot polluted air is harmful and associated with deterioration of haematological parameters and also induces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation which may increase morbidity and mortality

Soluble transferrin receptor levels among pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is one of the medical problems that affect pregnant women in developing countries. It contributes considerably to the morbidity and mortality in pregnancy especially in areas where malaria is endemic. The concentration of soluble transferrin receptor is a reflection of body iron status. It is therefore, a valuable tool for assessing bone marrow erythropoetic activity and can also be a marker of iron deficiency.Methods: This study evaluated the levels of soluble transferrin receptor in pregnant subjects. A total of 275 pregnant subjects of age 20 to 45 years and 88 age-matched apparently healthy control subjects were involved in this study. Individuals who had severe anaemia, HIV infection, sickle cell disease or Hookworm infestation were excluded from this study. Five millilitres (5ml) of blood were collected from each consenting subject for the analysis of soluble transferrin receptor, haematological parameters and iron parameters using appropriate methods.Results: The mean value of parameters for the study subjects were sTfR( 21.16±9.11 nmol/L), Hb(9.05±1.22 g/dl), TIBC(332.61±80.87 µg/dl), Serum Iron(97.91±39.44 µg/dl), LIBC(239.36±80.52 µg/dl), TS(30.24±11.00 %) while for control subjects were sTfR(18.21±3.77 nmol/L), Hb(12.19±0.66 g/dl), TIBC(261.94±52.49µg/dl), Serum Iron(107.10±34.77 µg/dl), LIBC(155.52±61.25 µg/dl), TS(42.81±18.03 %). The mean sTfR levels in pregnant women was significantly lower (p<0.001) than in control subjects. The pregnant women also had significantly lower values of Hb (p<0.001), serum iron (p=0.038) and TS( p<0.001) values, and significantly higher values of TIBC(p<0.0001) and LIBC(p<0.0001). There were also increases in soluble transferrin receptor levels from first to third trimesters. The sensitivity of sTfR as against Serum iron parameters from this study was 76% while the specificity was 50%. The positive predictive value was 60% while the negative predictive value was 50%.Conclusions: sTfR may be a useful supplementary diagnostic tool in the management of anaemia in pregnancy

The question of a writers commitment: Two points of view

Two African writers give their point of view on the above question. Elechi Amadi is a Nigerian writer whose major novels, The Concubine and The Great Ponds deal with the traditional past of the people. Ngugi wa Thiong\u27o is a Kenyan writer whose novels deal with the Kenyan war of Independence and present-day political oppression in Kenya. His involvement with theatre in the vemacular has eamed him a year\u27s imprisonment and he is at present in exile. The editor invites comments and opinions from readers who might like to pursue this discussion