Economic Analysis of Mobile Food Vendors in Nnewi Metropolitan City, Anambra State, Nigeria

The study examined the economic analysis of mobile food vendor marketing in Nnewi metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria. The study specifically, described the socioeconomic characteristics of mobile food vendors, various mobile food vendors prevalence in the area, profitability of mobile food vending, influence of socioeconomic characteristics on net income of mobile food vending and constraints associated with mobile food vending in the study area. Multistage sampling procedures involving purposive and random sampling methods was used to select respondents (marketers) for the study. Findings from socioeconomic characteristics shows that most of these mobile food uses wheelbarrow, bike, truck and or head to carry their product to sell to their customers. Findings on various mobile food vendors prevalence in the area showed that Abacha vendors had 25.83% which stands to be the highest mobile vending in the study area. Finding on profitability shows that marketers return 76 kobo for every 1 Naira invested in the business, a profitable enterprise. Stakeholders should work together to reduce the hike in transportation to enable these small businesses to thrive and government should formulate a programs to train these vendors to attain to world class vending business in food marketing were recommended

Crustacean nanochitosan-based bioremediation of nanoplastic-polluted aquatic habitat: A review pursuant to SDG 6

Microplastic and nanoplastic pollution is a growing environmental concern with potentially adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. The development of effective and sustainable methods for the removal of micro-/nanoplastics from water sources is of paramount importance. Crustacean nanochitosan, derived from chitosan, a biopolymer obtained from crustacean shells, has emerged as a promising solution for micro-/nanoplastic removal. This scientific abstract presents an overview of the application of crustacean nanochitosan for micro-/nanoplastic removal, highlighting its unique properties, adsorption mechanism, and potential advantages over other methods. Though the unique properties of crustacean nanochitosan that enable it to adsorb, bind, immobilize and effectively reduce contamination have been demonstrated, complex scalability, regeneration and cost effectiveness issues still hinder the adaptation of this technology in pursuit of SDG 6. The report thus addressed key factors necessary for the optimization of the purification mechanisms of nanochitosan. The integration of crustacean nanochitosan into water treatment systems thus offers a promising approach for mitigating micro-/nanoplastic pollution, hence the paper explored new research paths, highlighting nanochitosan modification, optimization of process parameters such as pH, contact time, dosage, and agitation speed for enhanced adsorption efficiency for healthier ecosystems; towards the attainment of sustainable development goal 6 aimed at achieving clean water and sanitation. Regeneration, reusability, scale-up and the scalability of the suggested technology were assessed and the cost-effectiveness, system integration, and long-term performance under varying water conditions were reported. The paper evaluated the effectiveness of the suggested techniques, and assessed the possible environmental impacts and implications for policies

Toxicological and biochemical investigations in rats administered “kaun” (trona) a natural food additive used in Nigeria

Trona, a geological mineral, is often used as a natural food additive in many parts of Nigeria. This work was done to evaluate trona for metal content, acute toxicity and biochemical effects on vital organs such as the liver and the kidney. Consequently, graded doses of 10, 100, 1000, 1500 and 5000 mg trona per kg body weight were administered to determine their effects on body weight changes, relative organ weight, acute toxicity, liver and renal function indices and oxidative status of rats. Elemental analyses revealed the presence of high levels of sodium and iron, the presence of heavy metals such as cadmium, zinc and lead were also detected. There were losses in weights only at the 5000 mg/kg dose levels; relative liver and kidney weights were not affected. Acute toxicity tests recorded no mortality and no visible sign of toxicity. There were significant increases in ALT, AST and ALP activities at all dose levels except at the 10 mg/kg dose level. Liver MDA levels were significantly increased while catalase and SOD activities were significantly reduced in all the test rats compared with control. Kidney MDA levels were only affected at dose levels 5000 mg/kg; kidney SOD and catalase activities were not significantly affected. Creatinine, sodium and potassium levels were also not affected. These results show that trona may elicit toxic effects on the liver on prolonged administration, however no toxic effect was observed on the kidney within the duration of this study

Marine Green Microalgae Biomass Production and Application

Green marine microalgae are an important component of marine ecosystems and have significant ecological, economic, and nutritional importance. Efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and provide more environmentally sustainable alternatives have rightfully gained traction in recent times. Hence, green marine microalgae and its extensive uses and applications have been brought to the forefront. These organisms play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and bioremediation. They can also be used to produce biofuels, bioplastics, food supplements, and highvalue compounds such as pigments, antioxidants, and pharmaceuticals. Strategies to improve the biomass yield of these functional organisms have been implemented, including genetic engineering, mixotrophic cultivation, nutrient recycling, and biofilm cultivation. Studying microalgae is essential for advancing the understanding of fundamental biological processes, promoting environmental sustainability, developing new biotechnologies, preserving biodiversity, and improving aquaculture. The potential benefits of microalgae research are vast and have important implications for planet and human well-being. This chapter encapsulates the physiology, ecology, cultivation and production, bioprocessing, and applications of microalgae, which can help harness their potential to mitigate climate change, promote sustainable agriculture, and restore degraded ecosystems

The role of Mobile Phone Penetration on Foreign Direct Investment Inflow: Evidence of Sub-Saharan Africa

This study assesses the enhancing effect of mobile phone penetration on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for a panel dataset of all the 48 Sub-Saharan African countries, which is extracted from World Bank database between 2000-2018. This study adopts three distinct regression techniques such as Ordinary Least Square (OLS), Fixed Effect Regression (FE) and Generalized Moment of Method (GMM). Ordinary Least Square and Fixed Effect Regression tends to be biased and inconsistent. The results are defined as follows: (i) the coefficient estimates of the mobile phone penetration on FDI are positive and statistically significant; (ii) the net effect of mobile penetration remains positive on the FDI. The paper recommends that considering the low investment in the technology infrastructure and resultant benefits of the infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa, the governments in the region should make substantial investment in the localized technology, which in turn will encourage the foreign direct investment inflows into the region

Distribution of radionuclides and assessment of risk exposure to the miners on a kaolin field

Mining of kaolin deposits are common in Nigeria without considering the background radiation in such environment and the health risks it might pose on the miners. In this study, in-situ measurements of the naturally occurring radionuclides were carried out with the aim of determining the distribution of these radionuclides on the mining field and estimation of the hazard indices exposure risks (γ- and α-radiation risks) to the miners. The study was achieved with the aid of gamma ray detector Super-Spec (RS-125) and global positioning system. The detector used has ability to measure activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K and gamma doses. For the purpose of this study, only the concentrations of the three radionuclides were considered. For each location, measurements were taken four times, while its mean value was estimated for better accuracy. In all, nineteen locations were occupied in order to cover the study area. Basic kriging method was adopted for the production of spatial distribution of these radionuclides and their corresponding γ- and α-radiation hazard indices. The mean values of 238U, 232Th and 40K are 46.7, 71.8 and 108.7 Bq kg-1 , respectively. When compared to the global standard, it was revealed that 238U and 232Th are greater than the global standard, while 40K fall below the permissible limit. The γ- and α-radiation exposure risks estimated revealed that the mean values of Iγ and Iα are 0.6 and 0.2 respectively. Though the estimated γ- and α-radiation indices showed that the kaolin field is safe for the miners, periodic check is required in order to monitor the rate at which these natural primordial radionuclides (238U and 232Th and their progenies) are being enhanced

Risk Assessment and Management in Nanotoxicology

Risk assessment and management in the realm of nanotoxicology represents an indispensable and multifaceted discipline that is profoundly committed to comprehending and mitigating the potential perils inherently associated with nanoparticles. Nanotoxicology, as a central component of this field, delves into the systematic exploration of the detrimental effects that nanoparticles can impose upon both living organisms and the delicate environment. It is thus imperative to meticulously scrutinize and evaluate the multifarious risks posed by nanoparticles. It is a nonnegotiable imperative that these risks are subjected to thorough analysis and subsequently managed with a suite of highly effective strategies, all oriented toward preserving human health and the ecological equilibrium. The armamentarium of these strategic approaches encompasses a diverse array of tools, including the formidable instrument of regulatory oversight. This not only serves as a sentinel guarding against potential hazards but also lays down the law when it comes to the utilization of nanoparticles, making sure that it is consistent with safety and environmental preservation. Research and development emerge as another cornerstone in this protective agenda. This involves a rigorous and relentless pursuit of knowledge, where the toxicological aspects of nanoparticles are painstakingly scrutinized and safer alternatives are earnestly sought. Furthermore, workplace safety protocols stand as a bulwark against potential perils. These protocols codify the correct methods for handling, storing, and disposing of nanomaterials, taking into account critical elements such as engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and comprehensive worker training. Consumer safety requires proper labeling and transparent disclosure of nanoparticle usage that are critical components of this approach, for they enable consumers to make informed choices and therefore reduce potential health risks. The mitigation of long-term hazards associated with nanoparticle waste is coupled with measures to prevent unintended releases into the environment. An equally potent strategy involves collaborative research and information sharing, where the combined efforts of scientists, regulatory authorities, and industries are harnessed to collectively assess risks, identify best practices, and forge comprehensive safety guidelines. This harmonious collaboration fosters transparency, shaping the responsible nanoparticle use while facilitating early hazard identification, risk mitigation, and informed decision-making, all of which are instrumental in shielding public health and the environment from potential harm. The aim of the chapter is to present the secure and responsible deployment strategies of nanoparticles while diligently minimizing their potential adverse impacts on society and the environment. The report represents a vanguard of vigilance, ensuring that the vast potential of nanotechnology is harnessed without jeopardizing the well-being of humanity or the ecological balance of ecosystems