31 research outputs found

    Microbiological, proximate analysis and sensory evaluation of processed Irish potato fermented in brine solution

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    The microflora, proximate analysis and sensory evaluation of Irish Potato (Solanum tuberosum) slices fermented in 2.0% brine solution under micro-aerophilic condition for five days at room temperature were studied. The Nutritive qualities of the brined- fermented samples were analyzed and organoleptic parameters were accessed through trained panelist. There was an increase in microbial load of the brined-fermented samples especially within the first three days of fermentation as a result of hydrolysis of carbohydrate and subsequent conversion to sugars and minerals by the fermenting microorganisms. The organisms isolated from the fermentation set up include Bacillus, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus, Lactobacillus and Staphylococcus species. Decrease in microbial counts at the latter stages of fermentation was attributed to the high total acidity of the medium with reduction in pH from 7.50 to 5.03, while the lactic acid bacteria increased continuously throughout the period of fermentation. The results of the proximate analysis showed that there was a reduction in the crude fiber content from 28.96 to 20.04 mg/g, reducing sugar from 127 to 72 mg/g and ash content from 8.01 to 4.08 mg/g. The fried fermented chips were more desirable and preferred to the unfermented control

    Flood and cassave productivity in Kogi State, Nigeria: A quantitative analysis using cross-sectional data

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    The study assessed the effect of the 2012 flood disaster on cassava productivity in Kogi State and identified the adaptation measures and resilience capacity of the cassava farmers affected by the flood. To achieve the objectives of the study, the “with and without” approach involving the flood affected farmers and control group was employed to ascertain and compare the effect of the flood on cassava productivity. Simple descriptive statistics, productivity index, z-test of two means and multiple regression analysis were employed to analyse the data collected. The result indicated a significant cassava productivity differentials of about 56% between the flood affected farmers and the control population. The multiple regression analysis result further confirmed that flood had a significant effect on cassava productivity amongst the respondents at 5% level of significance. Against this backdrop, there is the need for farmers to continue to diversify their farming practices with a view to mitigating the effect of future flood occurrence, adopt drought resistant cassava varieties while the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) should in conjunction with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Kogi State Government and the Media create effective climatic situation awareness for  cassava farmers within the State with the view to containing and minimizing the adverse effect of flooding. Key Words: Flood, Disaster, Adaptation, Resilience, Cassava farmers, Productivity

    Detection of fungi and aflatoxin in shelved bush mango seeds (

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    A survey of the fungi and aflatoxin contamination of bush mango seeds (Irvingia spp.) was conducted in Akwa lbom State, Nigeria. Bush mango seeds sold at four major markets, located at Abak, Uyo, IkotEkpene and Itam in Akwa Ibom State were heavily contaminated with moulds. Eight different fungi were found associated with the bush mango seeds; Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus tereus, Aspergillusflavus, Aspergillus candidus, Penicillium expansum, Aspergillus niger, Candida tropicalis and Aspergillus glaucus. A. niger have the highest rate of occurrence with high colony counts (1.0 x 103 –4.3 x 103 colonies/g). The aflatoxins B1 and G1 concentrations ranged from 0.2 – 4.0 and 0.3 – 4.2 ìg/kg, respectively. The result showed that bush mango seeds sold in Akwa lbom markets require quality control and proper preservation

    Reasons for delay in accessing free treatment of obstetric fistula in South-East Nigeria – A qualitative study

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    Obstetric fistula continues to be a menace in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries. The national policy for its elimination makes surgical repair free in dedicated national centres. However, the majority of the clients present late for repair. The aim of the study was to explore the reasons for this delay in seeking treatment. It was a qualitative (exploratory) study carried out at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre (NOFIC), Abakaliki, Nigeria among obstetric fistula patients who presented for treatment with a duration of leakage of over six months. A consecutive sampling technique was used for patient recruitment. Data was collected from twenty patients using in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis of the responses and recurring patterns was done, with themes illustrated using the word cloud. The mean age of the participants was 37.1 years (range = 21-75 years) while the mean duration of leakage was 64.3 months (range = 8-564 months). Reasons for delay in accessing treatment of obstetric fistula were lack of awareness of the availability of free treatment in a specialized centre, delay in referral from index health care facilities, wrong information from health care workers, failed repairs at other health facilities, secondary delay due to transportation challenges, cultural beliefs and other issues peculiar to the patients. The commonest reason for the delay in accessing treatment for obstetric fistula is a lack of awareness on the part of patients, the public, and health workers. We recommend improved campaigns, advocacy, and community mobilization. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26 [12]: 23-31). La fistule obstétricale continue d'être une menace au Nigéria et dans d'autres pays à revenu faible ou intermédiaire. La politique nationale d'élimination rend la réparation chirurgicale gratuite dans des centres nationaux dédiés. Cependant, la majorité des clients se présentent en retard pour la réparation. L'objectif de l'étude était d'explorer les raisons de ce retard à se faire soigner. Il s'agissait d'une étude qualitative (exploratoire) réalisée au Centre national de la fistule obstétricale (NOFIC), Abakaliki, au Nigeria, chez des patientes atteintes de fistule obstétricale qui se sont présentées pour un traitement avec une durée de fuite de plus de six mois. La technique d'échantillonnage consécutif a été utilisée pour le recrutement des patients. Les données ont été recueillies auprès de vingt patients à l'aide d'entretiens approfondis. Une analyse thématique des réponses et des schémas récurrents a été effectuée, avec des thèmes illustrés à l'aide du nuage de mots. L'âge moyen des participants était de 37,1 ans (intervalle = 21-75 ans) tandis que la durée moyenne des fuites était de 64,3 mois (intervalle = 8-564 mois). Les raisons du retard dans l'accès au traitement de la fistuleobstétricale étaient le manque de sensibilisation à la disponibilité d'un traitement gratuit dans un centre spécialisé, le retard dans l'orientation des établissements de soins de santé de référence, les informations erronées des agents de santé, l'échec des réparationsdans d'autres établissements de santé, le retard secondaire dû aux difficultés de transport, aux croyances culturelles et à d'autres problèmes propres aux patients. La raison la plus courante du retard dans l'accès au traitement de la fistule obstétricale est le manque de sensibilisation de la part des patientes, du public et des agents de santé. Nous recommandons d'améliorer les campagnes, le plaidoyer et la mobilisation communautaire. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[12]: 23-31)

    Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

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    Five insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

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    The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 provides a rules-based synthesis of the available evidence on levels and trends in health outcomes, a diverse set of risk factors, and health system responses. GBD 2019 covered 204 countries and territories, as well as first administrative level disaggregations for 22 countries, from 1990 to 2019. Because GBD is highly standardised and comprehensive, spanning both fatal and non-fatal outcomes, and uses a mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive list of hierarchical disease and injury causes, the study provides a powerful basis for detailed and broad insights on global health trends and emerging challenges. GBD 2019 incorporates data from 281 586 sources and provides more than 3.5 billion estimates of health outcome and health system measures of interest for global, national, and subnational policy dialogue. All GBD estimates are publicly available and adhere to the Guidelines on Accurate and Transparent Health Estimate Reporting. From this vast amount of information, five key insights that are important for health, social, and economic development strategies have been distilled. These insights are subject to the many limitations outlined in each of the component GBD capstone papers.Peer reviewe

    Antibacterial activity and phytochemical analysis of leaf extracts of Lasienthera africanum

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    The phytochemical analysis of both the aqueous and methanolic extracts of edible indigenous medicinal plant Lasienthera africanum (“Editan”) and their antibacterial activities against clinical isolates, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus wereinvestigated. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides,  nthraquinones and cyanogenetic glycosides in varying concentration. Both the methanolic and aqueous extracts inhibited the growth of the test organisms with Sal. typhi showing the highest susceptibility. This research supports the local use of the leaf of the plant, L. africanum (“Editan”) for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes against bacterial infection

    Microbial and physico-chemical quality of powdered soymilk samples in Akwa Ibom, South Southern Nigeria

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    Branded and unbranded powdered soymilks were evaluated for microbial quality, physicochemical parameters and aflatoxin level. The total bacterial count ranged from 4~104 to 1.1~105 cfu/g and 2.0 ~104 to 7.2 ~ 104 cfu/g for branded and unbranded powdered soymilk samples, respectively. Coliform were not detected in the branded and unbranded powdered soymilk samples. The fungal count rangedfrom 2.1~104 to 4.9 ~104cfu/g and 1.5 ~104 to 2.6 ~104 cfu/g for branded and unbranded soymilk, respectively. The isolated microorganisms were Micrococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillussubtilis, Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp., Aspergillus flavus, Candida pseudotropicalis, Saccharomyces cerevisae, Penicillium citrium and Cladosporium sp. in branded samples while Pseudomonas sp., B. subtilis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Streptococcus sp., A. flavus, Aspergillus niger, C. pseudotropicalis, Saccharomyces sp. were isolated from unbranded samples. The pH ranged from 7.9 .8.0 and 7.8 . 8.0 while the lactic acid ranged from 90.08 . 144.13 mg and 81.07 . 162.144 mg for branded and unbranded samples in that order. The moisture content ranged from 12.76 . 13.05%. The proximate analysis revealed that the crude protein ranged from 16.68 . 17.74% branded and unbranded powdered soymilk samples. Aflatoxin B1 were detected in the samples and it ranged from 7.87 . 19.76 ƒÊ/kg and 4.58 . 16.74 ƒÊ/kg for branded and unbranded samples respectively while Aflatoxin B2 ranged from 3.43 . 11.74 ƒÊ/kg and 2.57 . 9.79 ƒÊ/kg. The microbial population in terms of numbers and types reflected poor standard of production constituting a serious health hazard among populace. Thus, this calls for proper monitoring and quality assurance
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