Performance Evaluation of Some Potential Bionematicides on Leaf and Fruit Production of Capsicum annuum

Plant-derived pesticides has become a mainstay in the control of pest, due to the fact that synthetic pesticides induce environmental degradation. The effective control of plant nematode has been found to improve the yield and economic value of farm produce. Certain growth parameters are visible in diseased plant, these in turn affects the final output of the produce. The performance evaluation of some bionematicides were investigated with five plants (Azadirachta indica, Vernonia amygdalina, Manihot esculenta, Carica papaya. and Citrus sinensis) using Capsicum plant in a two trial sessions, within exposure periods of 30, 60 and 90-days, at different concentrations (20, 30 and 40g). The growth parameters monitored were numbers of leave and fruit produced. Results showed that, compared to the control, all treatments similarly demonstrated significant improvement in leaf and fruit production, with much more improvement in the second trial (p < 0.05). Thus the applied treatment significantly (p < 0.05), induced varying degrees of nematotoxicity resulting to improved leaf and fruit production of Capsicum annum (Pepper plant. Based on the findings of this research, we therefore conclude that all treatments (i.e. tested plant), demonstrated significant improvements in the development of Capsicum plant and as such can be recommended as Bionematicide

Ecological perception of fish farmers in Yenagoa Metropolis, Nigeria

The environment plays a keystone role as a hub for biotic and abiotic interaction. Ecological interactions (positive or negative) are reflection of the environmental status quo. Some human activities have grossly infringe on vital components of the ecosystem. A total of 100 questionnaires were administered to fish farmers in Yenagoa metropolis, Nigeria and 80% were retrieved (55% male and 45% female). Furthermore, about 62.50 – 77.50% is with the opinion that temperature, flooding rate, precipitation and pollutants depositions have increased and wind pattern getting warmer, while 43.75 – 52.50% responded that there is change in spawning time, decrease in fish production and juvenile availability, extinction and presence of invasive species. The study confirm the need to adopt multifaceted approaches in sustaining our ecosystem in order to mitigate adverse effects as well as ensure the bioavalability of keystone species

Comparative Study of the Physicochemical Properties of Some Refined Vegetable Oils Sold in Mile One Market and Some Departmental Stores in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Physiochemical properties of some brands of edible oils (namely:- Turkey, Grand, Gino, tropical, Power, Mammador, local vegetable oil and kuli-kuli (raw/locally extracted groundnut oil)  sold in mile 1 market, Everyday supermarket and Next-time supermarket in Port Harcourt, Rivers state were studied to determine their quality and compare the results with some standards. All the oils were characterized for flash point, cloud point, iodine value, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter, acid value and peroxide value using standard methods of analysis. The results obtained show that the free fatty acid contents of the local and kuli-kuli oils were higher (0.709 and 1.96 respectively) than the maximum recommended value of 0.3 by SON and NIS while other brands were within the range. The measured moisture content values for Turkey, Grand, Gino and Mammador were higher than the standard range of 0.05 in the samples from Mile 1 market and in some supermarkets. Specific gravity, melting point, and cloud point were satisfactory except for Grand that showed a different cloud point of less than 2. Iodine value for the local oil is 20.25 (Wij’s) indicating the predominance of lauric acid while that of kuli-kuli (94.6 Wij’s) suggests the predominance of Oleic acid. The other brands showed iodine value of 46-50 Wij’s which indicates predominance of palmitic acid except the Grand oil that had the highest value of 125-128 (Wij’s). Saponification values and unsaponifiable matter were within the standard range of saponification value (245- 255) and unsaponifiable matter (0.1-0.15) for all the brands. Acid and Peroxide values of all the brands showed results within the standard. These results of the measured parameters show that the oils sold in the supermarkets are better protected from light induced oxidation (photoxidation) than those sold in open markets.  Keywords: Flash point, Cloud point, Iodine value, Saponification value, Unsaponifiable matter, Acid value, Peroxide value, Photoxidation, Hydroperoxide and Light

Comparative Study of the Oxidative Stabilities of Palm Oil and Olive Oil.

Palm oil and olive oil samples were subjected to methylene blue sensitized photoxidation in 10% methanol in dichloromethane in order to compare their oxidative stabilities using duration for oxidation to be observed and extent of product formation. Progress of the reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC) which indicated that products were formed in the palm oil after 13 hours of irradiation and 10 hours for the olive oil. Chemical analysis of the reaction mixtures with triphenylphosphine (TPP) and potassium iodide/ starch indicator/thiosulphate solution indicate that peroxy compounds are formed during the sensitization. TLC results indicate that the TPP-reduction products showed lower Rf values than their precursors suggesting that alcohols are obtained from hydroperoxides. TLC also shows a dark polar spot indicating the formation of triphenylphosphine oxide. Column chromatographic separation of reaction mixtures on silica gel isolated reaction products for both oils. The proton NMR spectra of the unoxidized oils samples and their reaction products show that the major components of the oils are triacylglycerols. The spectra of the reaction products showed reductions in intensities in the peaks due to the protons of olefinic (5.2-5.4ppm), allylic (1.9-2.0 ppm) and bis-allylic (2.2-2.3 ppm) groups, indicating that oxidation preferentially affected these double bonds systems in the structures of the triacylglycerols.  Additional peaks were observed at 5.7-5.8 ppm and 7.0-7.3 ppm in the spectra of the palm oil and at 5.6-5.7 ppm and 6.8-8.0 ppm in the spectra of olive oil. The reduction in peaks and heights of new peaks observed were more pronounced in the spectra of the olive oil indicating its higher abundance in unsaturated fatty acids and a corresponding lower oxidative stability. Keywords: Palm oil, Olive oil, Methylene blue, Photoxidation, Dye-sensitizer, Hydroperoxide, Singlet Oxygen

Bionematicidal Potentials of Azadirachta indica (A. juss), Vernonia amygdalina (DEL), Manihot esculenta, Carica papaya. L. and Citrus sinensis on Meloidogyne incognita of Capsicum annuum, Var. Bell

Plant parasitic nematodes especially Meloidogyne species are linked to global reduction or loss in the yield of agricultural produce. If plant diseases are left unchecked, it could lead to food shortage. Synthetic nematicide could induce toxicity, environmental degradation and are expensive. Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are devastating as it affects many economically important agricultural crops globally. The bionematicidal potential of pepper plant nematode was investigated with five plants (Azadirachta indica, Vernonia amygdalina, Manihot esculenta, Carica papaya. and Citrus sinensis) in a two-phased trial, at concentrations of 20, 30 and 40g within exposure periods of 30, 60 and 90-days. Generally, Compared to the control, all bionematicides similarly showed significant nematotoxocity for both trials with significant difference (p < 0.05). Thus the degrees of nematotoxicity is reported as: A. indica > V. amygdalina > C. sinensis > C. papaya > M. esculentus. Based on the findings of this research, we therefore conclude that the tested plant demonstrated significant levels of nematotoxicity and can be so regarded as Bionematicides

Estimation of potential chronic daily intake of heavy metal through consumption of potable water in South-south Nigeria

Industrialization and urbanization has increase the emission of pollutant into the environment; as such sensitive media subject to pollution (water, soil and air) has been infringed upon. Heavy metal is a potential pollutants found in Nigeria water sources. This study assessed the chronic daily intake (CDI) of heavy metal from potable water sources (surface and ground water) in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Secondary data (literatures) were used for the study. The study found the concentration of heavy metals under study to be above the permissible limit recommended by Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The CDI of heavy metal for both children and adults were high ranging from 0.57 to 1436.33 μg/kg·day (iron), 0.00 to 323.33 μg/kg·day (zinc), 0.00 to 37.14 μg/kg·day (cadmium), 0.00 to 29.67 μg/kg·day (chromium), 0.00 to 116.67 μg/kg·day (lead), 0.00 to 123.33 μg/kg·day (copper), 0.00 to 21.33 μg/kg·day (nickel) and 0.00 to 78.0 μg/kg·day (manganese). The CDI value indicates that the consumption of these water sources without treatment could cause disease conditions. Hence, the water requires treatment prior consumption

Physicochemical Quality of Treated and Untreated Borehole Water in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The suitability of water for human consumption is based on but not limited to its general physiochemical parameters. This study assessed the physicochemical quality of borehole (i.e. groundwater), in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA (KOLGA), Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Treated borehole water samples, as well as their respective untreated counterpart were randomly collected from domestic boreholes in KOLGA. The samples were similarly analyzed for some physicochemical parameters using standard analytical methods. Results showed that there was significant difference (P < 0.05), between treated and untreated water as well as amongst all monitored parameters. Generally lead, copper and mercury were not detected in any of the samples, while traced level of zinc, cadmium and chromium were only detected in some untreated samples.  Notwithstanding, after treatment arsenic and iron levels decreased from 0.011 - 0.135 in untreated water to 0.00 - 0.033 mg/l in treated water and 3.063 - 4.753 to 0.00 - 0.016 mg/l respectively (P < 0.05). Similarly, pH increased from 4.313 - 5.786 in the untreated water to 6.180 - 6.636 in the treated water (P < 0.05). Based our findings we recommended that potable borehole water in KOLGA should be subjected to routine toxicity assessment prior to their consumption

Biomolluscicidal Activities of Some Solvent Extracts of Jatropha Curcas Leaves against Vectors of Schistosomiasis

Jatropha curcas has emerged as a mantra amongst bioactive therapeutic plants due to it multipurpose application, bioavalability and especially certain envisaged metabolites. Notwithstanding, some problems envisaged with chemotherapeutic intervention of schistosomiasis includes; ecotoxicity, mobidity abatement and vector proliferation. The biomolluscicidal Activities of solvent extracts (chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane) of the Leaves of J. curcas against Bulinus globosus and B. rholfsi in a 24-h static non-renewal test was assessed. Results indicated varying degrees of mortalities, the chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts against B. globosus had LC50 values of 25.00, 18.75, 41.63 and 37.40ppm respectively. Comparatively, the solvent extracts against B. rholfsi demonstrated a slightly higher LC50 values of 31.25, 25.00, 50.00 and 38.70ppm for chloroform, ethanol ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts respectively. While, the positive control induced mortality at 1ppm in less than 24h, the snails survived the negative control within the same period. These results showed that the above named solvent leaf extracts of J. curcas can be applied in the integrated management of schistosomiasis

Spectral Studies and Photo-Sensitized Oxidation of Melon Seed Oil

Purified samples of melon seed (Citrullus lanatus) oil extracted from melon seeds obtained from a local market in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria were analyzed by FTIR,1H NMR, 13C and DEPT-135 NMR. The frequency data shows the oil to contain unsaturated acyl chains in its triacylglycerols. The FTIR shows stretch vibrations of the cis-olefin double bond and the ester carbonyl at 1748 cm-1. The 1H NMR confirms the presence of allylic, 1.99-2.04, bis-allylic, 2,726-2.753 vinylic, 5.265-5.328 and glyceryl 4.097-4.238 (Sn-1,3) and 5.421-5.328 (Sn-2) protons. These are further confirmed by data from carbon-13 NMR; signals between 27.17 and 27.18 (allylic carbons); the signal at 25.2 (bis-allylic carbons); signals between 120 and 130 (vinlylic carbons), signals at 68.91 (Sn-1,3) and 62.07 (Sn-2) (glyceryl carbons). Some deductions of the 13C NMR data were further confirmed by data from the DEPT-135. Sensitized oxidation of a sample of the oil in the presence of methylene blue and monitored by thin layer chromatography and chemical analysis shows the formation of peroxide. The results from the sensitized photooxidation indicate that exposure of the oil in the presence of sensitizers such as chromophoric impurities is likely to reduce the shelf-life of the oil