Quality Evaluation and Sensory Properties of Gari Enriched with Pigeon Pea Flour

Gari is a staple food for many families in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries, but it is very low in protein. However, pigeon pea has the potential of increasing its protein content, thereby, improving the protein intake of the people. The study aimed at evaluating the proximate composition, antinutrients content and sensory properties of gari-pigeon pea flour blends. Seven blends were produced from different proportions of gari and pigeon pea flour in the ratios of 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, 75:25, 70:30 and 100:0 (control). The proximate composition, antinutrients content and sensory attributes of the blends were determined using standard methods. Significant differences (p<0.05) exist in the values of the proximate composition, antinutrients content and sensory properties. The proximate composition indicated significant (p<0.05) increase in protein (1.87 – 3.66 %), ash (1.01 – 1.60 %), fat (0.72 – 1.30 %), crude fibre (0.68 – 1.26 %), and significant (p<0.05) decrease in carbohydrate (88.51 – 84.96 %) and energy value (368.0 – 366.18 Kcal/100g) as the inclusion of pigeon pea flour into gari increased. The antinutrients content significantly (p<0.05) decreased with increase in the addition of pigeon pea flour. The sensory scores were significantly (p<0.05) affected with increase in pigeon pea flour inclusion. However, the samples with up to 15% pigeon pea flour inclusion were acceptable to the panelists. The study has shown that enriched gari with increased protein content and acceptable qualities can be produced from gari-pigeon pea flour blends.   &nbsp

Citizenship behaviour, organizational integrity, and the practice of ‘discretion’ among members of a Nigerian Paramilitary Organization

Organizational citizenship behaviour could be roughly understood as extra role behaviours engaged in by members of an organization that are not formally rewarded by the organization, but which in the long run contribute to making the organization more efficient and effective. This paper examines the ramifications of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) among members of a Nigerian paramilitary organization, the Federal Road Safety Commission of Nigeria (FRSC), with particular reference to a strand of extra-role behaviour that the members describe as “discretion”, which in some instances amount to outright justification for corrupt (and even anti-citizenship) behaviour. The paper also examines the implications of “discretion” for the Organizational Integrity of the FRSC, which relates to the ethical climate of this paramilitary organization as well as members’ perception of it. The paper ultimately attempts, relying on an on-going fieldwork and the thinking of members themselves, to understand the rationale for “discretion” among members of the FRSC and the implications of “discretion” and similar behaviour among members of the FRSC of Nigeria and indeed other governmental bureaucracies in the “modernization” agenda of the current Nigerian (and, by extension, African) political regime

Eggshell and egg yolk proteins in fish: hepatic proteins for the next generation: oogenetic, population, and evolutionary implications of endocrine disruption

The oocyte is the starting point for a new generation. Most of the machinery for DNA and protein synthesis needed for the developing embryo is made autonomously by the fertilized oocyte. However, in fish and in many other oviparous vertebrates, the major constituents of the egg, i.e. yolk and eggshell proteins, are synthesized in the liver and transported to the oocyte for uptake. Vitellogenesis, the process of yolk protein (vitellogenin) synthesis, transport, and uptake into the oocyte, and zonagenesis, the synthesis of eggshell zona radiata proteins, their transport and deposition by the maturing oocyte, are important aspects of oogenesis. The many molecular events involved in these processes require tight, coordinated regulation that is under strict endocrine control, with the female sex steroid hormone estradiol-17β in a central role. The ability of many synthetic chemical compounds to mimic this estrogen can lead to unscheduled hepatic synthesis of vitellogenin and zona radiata proteins, with potentially detrimental effects to the adult, the egg, the developing embryo and, hence, to the recruitment to the fish population. This has led to the development of specific and sensitive assays for these proteins in fish, and the application of vitellogenin and zona radiata proteins as informative biomarkers for endocrine disrupting effects of chemicals and effluents using fish as test organisms. The genes encoding these important reproductive proteins are conserved in the animal kingdom and are products of several hundred million years of evolution

The in vivo effect of combinations of octylphenol, butylbenzylphthalate and estradiol on liver estradiol receptor modulation and induction of zona radiata proteins in rainbow trout: no evidence of synergy

Juvenile rainbow trout were given intraperitoneal (IP) injections of (i) octylphenol (OP) and butylbenzylphthalate (BBP) or (ii) octylphenol and estradiol (E). Both pairs of compounds were administered singly and in combination, at two different dose levels. Modulation of the hepatic estradiol receptor (ER) binding capacity and induction of hepatic zona radiata proteins (Zrp) were utilised as indicators of estrogenic effect. In treatment (i) OP caused a significant (approx 2-fold) upregulation of the ER and a significant (approx 3-5 fold) increase in Zrp at both doses compared to control, vehicle-injected fish. In contrast, no effect on the ER was observed in BBP-treated fish, but plasma Zrp levels were significantly reduced. No synergistic effect was observed on ER modulation or Zrp induction in fish receiving OP and BBP in combination. In treatment (ii) both OP and E caused a significant (approx 2-fold) upregulation of the ER and a significant (approx 6-7 fold) increase in plasma Zrp at both dose levels compared to controls. The effect of OP and E in combination, on both ER modulation and induction of Zrp, was additive and not synergistic

Fish zona radiata (eggshell) protein: a sensitive biomarker for environmental estrogens.

Environmental estrogens have recently caused great concern because of their ability to mimic natural hormones and influence vital endocrine functions in humans and wildlife. The induction of vitellogenin (Vtg) synthesis by environmental estrogens in viviparous vertebrates has been proposed as an effective and sensitive biomarker of estrogenicity. Immunochemical analysis of plasma from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) exposed to 4-nonylphenol (NP) or to effluent from oil refinery treatment plant (ORTP), shows that NP and ORTP effluent induces Vtg and zona radiata proteins (Zrp) in a dose-dependent manner. However, Zrp-beta cross-reactive proteins are more responsive than Zrp-alpha, Zrp-gamma, and Vtg. The sensitivity of Zrp induction points to the zona radiata proteins as alternate biomarkers of estrogenicity

Production and Evaluation of Cookies from Composites of Sprouted Wheat, Sorghum and African Yam Bean Seed Flours

This study investigated the production of flours from sprouted wheat, sorghum and African yam bean seeds and evaluation of their proximate composition, blending of the composite flours and determination of the functional properties, and production of cookies from the blends and determination of the proximate composition and sensory properties. Flours were produced from sprouted wheat, sorghum and African yam bean seeds and their proximate composition evaluated. The sprouted wheat, sorghum and African yam bean flours were blended at the ratios of 100:0:0, 50:35:15, 40:35:25, 30:35:35, 20:45:35 and 10:55:35 each, where sample 100:0:0 served as control. The proximate composition of the sprouted seed flours showed significant differences (p<0.05) in protein, fat, crude fibre, ash and carbohydrate contents. The functional properties of the blends showed that bulk density decreased, while water absorption, oil absorption, foam, emulsion and swelling capacities increased with increased ratio of incorporation of composite flours to wheat flour. The cookies proximate result depicted increased ash, fat, protein, crude fibre and reduced carbohydrate with increasing addition of composite flours to wheat flour. The sensory result showed that the sensory scores for appearance, taste, flavor, texture and general acceptability of the cookies deceased with increased inclusion of composite flour to wheat flour. However, the composite cookie sample 50:35:15 was more acceptable compared to the other composite cookies. Sorghum and African yam bean flour gave a good flour blend with wheat in cookie production

Ecotoxicological properties of ketoprofen and the S(+)‐enantiomer (dexketoprofen): Bioassays in freshwater model species and biomarkers in fish PLHC‐1 cell line

The increased use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has resulted in their ubiquitous presence in the environment. The toxicological properties of these two widely prescribed NSAIDs, namely - racemic ketoprofen (rac-KP) and its enantiomer S(+)-ketoprofen (dexketoprofen, DKP) were evaluated. Firstly, by acute and chronic toxicity tests using three representative model organisms (Vibrio fischeri, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Ceriodaphnia dubia). Secondly, by evaluating the responses of biotransformation systems and multidrug resistance associated proteins (MRP1/MRP2) using the PLHC-1 fish hepatic cell-line. Toxicity data from both acute and chronic DKP exposure indicated higher sensitivity through inhibition of bioluminescence and algal growth and through increased mortality/immobilization compared to rac-KP exposure. The growth inhibition test showed that rac-KP and DKP exhibited different values for EC50 (240.2 µg/L and 65.6 µg/L, respectively). Furthermore, rac-KP and DKP did not exert cytotoxic effects in PLHC-1 cells, and produced compound-, time- and concentration-specific differential effects on CYP1A and GST levels. For CYP1A, the effects of rac-KP and DKP differed at transcriptional and catalytic level. Exposure to rac-KP and DKP modulated MRP1 and MRP2 mRNA levels and these effects were also dependent on compound, exposure time and concentration of the individual drug. The present study revealed for the first time, the interactions between these NSAIDs and key detoxification systems, and different sensitivity to the racemic mixture compared to its enantiomer. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Production and quality evaluation of cake from wheat and red banana flour blends

Cakes are convenient food products prepared from flour basically wheat and other principal ingredients and often baked. This study investigated the quality of cake produced from flour blends of wheat and red banana. Cakes were produced from eight formulations of flour blends of wheat and red banana at 10-80% ratios. Cakes from 100% wheat flour served as the control. The flour blends were analysed for functional properties while the cakes were subjected to proximate, physical and sensory evaluation. Results of the functional properties of the flour blends significantly (p<0.05) increased with increased proportion of banana flour in all the parameters evaluated. The same trend was observed in the proximate composition of the cakes in the ash, fibre and carbohydrate contents. Amongst the physical properties (weight, height, volume) of the cakes evaluated the weights were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the flour blends than the control sample (100% wheat flour). The sensory evaluation showed high scores of preference and acceptance in cakes containing up to 30% banana flour and were comparable to the control (100% wheat) in all the parameters analysed. The study revealed that cake produced from wheat/banana flour blends possesses good nutrient quality comparable to the control (100% wheat flour)

Novel organ-specific effects of Ketoprofen and its enantiomer, dexketoprofen on toxicological response transcripts and their functional products in salmon.

Racemic ketoprofen (RS-KP) and its enantiomer, dexketoprofen (S(+)-KP) are widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and commonly detected in the aquatic environment. The present study has evaluated the toxicological effects of RS-KP and S(+)-KP on biotransformation and oxidative stress responses in gills and liver of Atlantic salmon. Fish were exposed for 10 days using different concentrations of RS-KP (1, 10 and 100 μg/L) and S(+)-KP (0.5, 5 and 50 μg/L). Biotransformation and oxidative stress responses were analysed at both transcript and functional levels. In the gills, significant inhibitory effect at transcriptional and enzymatic levels were observed for biotransformation and oxidative stress responses. On the contrary, biotransformation responses were significantly increased at transcriptional and translational levels in the liver, while the associated enzymatic activities did not parallel this trend and were inhibited and further demonstrated by principal component analysis (PCA). Our findings showed that both compounds produced comparable toxicological effects, by producing organ-specific effect differences. RS-KP and S(+)-KP did not bioaccumulate in fish muscle, either due to rapid metabolism or excretion as a result of their hydrophobic properties. Interestingly, the inhibitory effects observed in the gills suggest that these drugs may not undergo first pass metabolism, that might result to downstream differences in toxicological outcomes

Novel organ-specific effects of Ketoprofen and its enantiomer, dexketoprofen on toxicological response transcripts and their functional products in salmon

Racemic ketoprofen (RS-KP) and its enantiomer, dexketoprofen (S(+)-KP) are widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and commonly detected in the aquatic environment. The present study has evaluated the toxicological effects of RS-KP and S(+)-KP on biotransformation and oxidative stress responses in gills and liver of Atlantic salmon. Fish were exposed for 10 days using different concentrations of RS-KP (1, 10 and 100 μg/L) and S(+)-KP (0.5, 5 and 50 μg/L). Biotransformation and oxidative stress responses were analysed at both transcript and functional levels. In the gills, significant inhibitory effect at transcriptional and enzymatic levels were observed for biotransformation and oxidative stress responses. On the contrary, biotransformation responses were significantly increased at transcriptional and translational levels in the liver, while the associated enzymatic activities did not parallel this trend and were inhibited and further demonstrated by principal component analysis (PCA). Our findings showed that both compounds produced comparable toxicological effects, by producing organ-specific effect differences. RS-KP and S(+)-KP did not bioaccumulate in fish muscle, either due to rapid metabolism or excretion as a result of their hydrophobic properties. Interestingly, the inhibitory effects observed in the gills suggest that these drugs may not undergo first pass metabolism, that might result to downstream differences in toxicological outcomes