Monitoring of metals in Tilapia nilotica tissues, bottom sediments and water from Nworie River and Oguta Lake in Imo State, Nigeria

Tilapia (Tilapia nilotica), bottom sediments and water were collected from Nworie River and Oguta Lake. The muscle, liver and gills of the fish as well as the bottom sediments and water were analysed for Al, Cr, Cd, Pb, As, Zn, Mn, Co, Se, Cu, Ni and Fe using atomic absorption spectrophotometer to highlight the importance of tissue selection in monitoring research, contamination studies and human health risk assessment. Higher concentrations of metals were found in the gills and muscle tissues than in liver, except for Fe and Ni in the liver of T. nilotica from Nworie River and Fe in the liver of T. nilotica from Oguta Lake. Fe was the highest accumulating metal in the gills of fish samples collected from the two study areas, while Mn was the lowest. All metals were found to be below the international permissible limits. In water samples and bottom sediments, none of the metals exceeded the legal limits for the protection of the aquatic biota. The estimated daily intake (EDI) was below the reference dose (RfD) established by the US-EPA and the hazard quotient values indicated that there was no carcinogenic risk to humans.Key words: Bottom sediment, water, metals, Tilapia nilotica, River Nworie, Oguta Lake

Serum Level of Antioxidant Vitamins (Vitamin A, C and E) in ,i>Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Infected Children in Owerri, Eastern Nigeria

The levels of antioxidant vitamins were estimated in Plasmodium falciparum malaria infected children. Forty-three children with P.falciparum infection were selected based on the clinicalsymptoms. Twenty-two apparently healthy children with no malaria parasitaemia were included as the control subjects. P.falciparum parasitaemia and serum levels of the antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A,C and E) were determined using standard procedures. It was observed that all parameters measured were significantly lower in malaria infected children when compared with the respective control values. The relationship between malaria parasitaemia and serum concentration of vitamin E were positively correlated (r= 0.42), but vitamin A (r= -0.05) and C (-0.06) were negatively correlated. Children within 0-5 years of age had higher malarial parasitaemia (7379.82 ± 918 99/ìL) than thosebetween 6-12 years of age (5026.19 ± 1514.58/ìL), and these children had lower concentrations of vitamin A (21.27 ± 8.68 ìg/dL), C (0.45 ± 0.19 mg/dl) and E (0.69 ± 0.22 mg/dL) when comparedwith children between 6-12 years (vitamin A = 25.19 ± 8.12 ìg/dL, vitamin C = 0.53 ± 0.16 mg/ dL and vitamin E = 0.86 ± 0.41 mg/ dL). Results suggest that in Owerri, Eastern Nigeria, the degree ofmalaria parasitaemia in especially children between 0-5 years could comprise immunity (as judged by the correlation) and reduce serum antioxidant vitamin levels. Health care providers should recognizethese effects in planning malarial treatment and control programs. Changes in serum antioxidant levels during post-treatment periods should be investigated and documented

Anti-diabetic effect of ethanol leaf extract of Cissampelos owariensis (lungwort) on alloxan induced diabetic rats

Cissampelos owariensis (lungwort) is a medicinal plant used in Ayurveda for treating diseases. One of such disease is diabetes mellitus. In the present study, ethanol leaf extract of this plant was prepared, and phytochemical composition, acute toxicity, blood glucose lowering effect and improvement of body weight gain in alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg weight) induced diabetic rats were measured and compared with that of a patent drug glibenclamide. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanol leaf extract of C. owariensis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins. The median lethal dose (LD50) in rats was 2154 mg/kg body weight (b.wt). Rats were administered C. owariensis extract at dose rate of 100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt orally for 14 days, respectively. Blood glucose concentration and body weight was measured by Accu Chek Glucometre test kit and electronic balance and compared with a patent drug glibenclamide at a dose rate of 100 mg/kg b.wt. The data were compared statistically by using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The herbal preparation of C. owariensis significantly (P<0.05) increased body weight gain and decreased blood glucose when compared with patent drug. The present study clearly indicated anti-diabetic activity of C. owariensis and supports the traditional usage of the herbal preparations for the therapy of diabetics.Key words: Cissampelos owariensis, glibenclamide, alloxan, toxicology, diabetes, rats

Tigernut: An Underutilized Source of Dietary Fiber

Dietary fiber can contribute to the prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disorders associated with poor of dietary fiber intake. They have several physical properties such as capacity to hold water and increases ion binding in the digestive system. There is currently no available data on the daily fiber consumption by Nigerians. An excellent but relatively unknown and underutilized potential source of dietary fiber in the country is the tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L). This paper reviews the potentials of tigernut as an excellent source of fiber in human nutrition. Keywords: Tigernut, Cyperus esculentus, fiber, human nutritio

Nutritive Value of Nigerian Tigernut (Cyperus Esculentus L.)

The proximate, mineral, vitamin and amino acids composition of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) flour were determined using standard analytical techniques. The physicochemical characteristics of the oil were also investigated. The proximate composition of the raw tubers was, crude protein (8.07±0.37%), crude fat (24.3±0.58%), crude fiber (24.0±1.58%), ash (1.80±0.10%) and carbohydrate (30.0%), while that of the roasted tubers was, crude protein (6.80±0.89%), crude fat (25.2±0.10%), crude fiber (23.3±0.58%), ash (1.78±0.10%), and carbohydrate (31.7%). The minerals (mg/100g) of the raw tubers included sodium (34.13±1.53), calcium (100.0±2.65), iron (4.12±0.10), zinc (3.98±0.31), potassium (486.0±59.9), magnesium (94.4±1.28), copper (0.92±0.05), manganese (0.26±0.01) and phosphorus (219.0±10.0). The roasted tubers on the other hand contained (mg/100g) sodium (34.1±1.44), calcium (99.9±2.86), iron (4.11±0.26), zinc (3.96±0.50), magnesium (96.0±0.68), copper (0.88±0.15), manganese (0.30±0.02) and phosphorus (217.0±12.1). The vitamins (mg/100g) in the raw tubers included vitamin A (0.21±0.01), vitamin C (7.30±0.97), vitamin D (0.42±0.02) and vitamin A (0.21±0.01), while the roasted tuber contained vitamin A (0.20±0.01), vitamin C (4.59±0.09), vitamin D (0.41±0.01) and vitamin E (0.57±0.10). Amino acid analysis revealed that tigernut flour contained nutritionally important essential amino acids though in small quantities. The first and second limiting amino acids were leucine (0.07) and lysine (0.08). The result of the physicochemical properties of the tigernut tuber oil showed the color to be golden brown, refractive index (1.464), specific gravity (0.965), acid value (0.81±0.03 mgKOH/g), saponification value (210.15±1.67 mgKOH/g), iodine value (89.33±1.46 mgIodine/g), peroxide value (1.01±0.01 MeqO2/kg), free fatty acids (0.41 mg/g), ester value (209.34 mgKOH/g). These values indicated that the tuber oil is edible, non-drying and suitable for soap making. Keywords: Tigernut, Cyperus esculentus, nutritive composition, physicochemical characteristic

Vulnerability and adaptations of Niger-delta coast to sea level rise

Human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use and land cover are increasing the atmospheric concentration of green house gasses, which alter radioactive balance and tend to warm the atmosphere. Changes in green house gases are projected to lead to regional and global changes in temperature, precipitation, and other climate variables- resulting in increases in global soil moisture, mean sea levels and prospects for more severe extreme high temperature events, floods and drought. In Africa, while some countries are classified as water scarce due to successive back to back drought years having devastating effects on ground water quality, others in the coastal zones, particularly Gulf of Guinea where the Niger Delta is located, could be inundated due to climate change induced sea level rise. Both climate change scenarios, results in not only water quality being impacted negatively, but also threatens fisheries. This paper addresses the threat to aquatic ecosystems in Africa due to climate change in general and the vulnerability and adaptation options for Nigeria’s Delta coast in particular. Challenges on the path of Africa’s effort to combat climate changes, such as the Kyoto Protocol (with its flexibility mechanism, joint implementation, and clean development mechanism approaches, among others); social justice and Global Coupled Circulation Models (GCCMs) as it relates to climate prediction in the region, will be focused. Resilient and adaptation approaches to climate change mitigation, will be highlighted also for Africa’s and Nigeria’s Delta coast.Keywords: Climate change, aquatic ecosystems, Niger-Delta, sea level rise, Africa International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(3): 281-288, 201

Phytochemical Composition and the Effects of Aqueous Extract of Tigernut Tuber on the Haematology and Serum Biochemistry of Albino Rats

The phytochemical composition of the tigernut tuber was determined and the effects of its aqueous extract on haematological and biochemical parameters were determined in rats administered different concentrations of the extract. The presence of alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, resins, tannins, sterols, and saponins were observed in the raw tuber, however only alkaloids, sterols and resins were observed in the roasted tuber. Analysis of the antinutrient composition yielded oxalates (0.25±0.65 g/100g), phytate (1.97±0.81 mg/100 g), saponins (0.88±0.02 g/100 g), tannins (9.50±0.46 mg/100 g) and cyanogenic glycosides (1.80±0.69 mg/100g). Roasting numerically decreased the levels of the anti-nutritive factors analysed. At the end of the treatment period, the mean weights of the animals increased. The blood glucose level decreased significantly in concentration dependent manner (p<0.05), while serum albumin level increased significantly in a concentration dependent manner (p<0.05) in the groups administered the different concentrations of the extract. There was no significant effect (p>0.05) on serum cholesterol and protein and on total and differential white blood cell, red blood cell, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The results therefore indicate the absence of undesirable effect in the use of the tigernut tuber even in the raw form at least at the administered concentration and for the duration of feeding. These findings are of nutritional, health and industrial relevance since the tuber is currently being used as food in many homes in Nigeria.     &nbsp

Biochemical Characteristics of the African Nutmeg, Monodora Myristica

Proximate, mineral, phytochemical and antinutrients composition of African nutmeg (Monodora myristica) flour were determined using standard analytical techniques. The physicochemical characteristics of the oil were also investigated. The mean values of various parameters for proximate composition (%) were: moisture (13.15±2.73), total ash (3.90±1.05), crude fat (27.77±2.57), crude protein (10.13±1.95), crude fibre (23.38±4.45) and carbohydrate (by difference) (21.2%). The calculated fatty acids were 23.28% and energy was 1591.8 KJ/100g. Minerals (mg/100g) included: Mg (86.96±4.01), Ca (416.01±1.42), K (869.64±4.03), P (112.03±4.63), Mn (1.05±0.35), Fe (21.71±0.52), Na (17.66±0.32), Cu (0.19±0.02), Al (4.98±0.68), and Zn (1.52±0.11), while Pb was not detected. The relationship between Na and K as well as Ca and P were desirable with respective ratios of Na/K (0.02) and Ca/P (3.71). The results of physicochemical properties of African nutmeg seed oil with the mean value of the following parameters-colour (yellow), refractive index (1.477), specific gravity (1.464 g/cm3), acid value (66.50±2.23 mgKOH/g), saponification value (414.53±10.29 mgKOH/g), iodine value (101.61±2.30 mgIodine/g), peroxide value (4.13±0.40), and free fatty acids (33.26±1.12 mg/g) indicated that African nutmeg oil is a drying oil, may not be suitable for cooking of foods and for soap making. The results of phytochemical screening which revealed the presence of glycosides, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, oxalates, and phytates and the antinutrients composition which included tannins (0.64±0.08), oxalates (1.05±0.02), cyanogenic glycosides (0.32±0.08), saponins (1.58±0.60), and phytates (4.08±0.10) suggest that the African nutmeg is relatively safe for consumption. Keywords: African nutmeg, Monodora myristica, antinutrient composition, oi

Haematological and Histological Changes in Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio L.) After Chronic Dietary Copper Exposure and Recovery

Effects of exposure of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) to dietary copper and its recovery rate were investigated with the aim of determining the haematological and histological impact. In this study, fish were fed elevated copper diets (1000mgCukg-1 and 2000 mgCukg-1 as diet 2 and diet 3 respectively) and control diet (diet 1) for 42days and were then fed the control diet for a further 21days. Fish fed diet 2 (1000 mgCukg-1) showed significant increase (p<0.05) in haematocrit, red blood cell, white blood cell and neutrophil and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in lymphocyte and mean cell haemoglobin compared to diet 1 and diet 3. This increase in blood indices is indicative of stress onset to which fish fed diet 2 (1000 mgCukg-1) is subjected. Fish fed diet 3 (2000 mgCukg-1) showed significant reduction in haematocrit, red blood cell, white blood cell and increased lymphocyte (p<0.05) and became anaemic with severe skin discoloration, indicative of a worsening effect of excess dietary copper exposure on the fish. Gills and intestines of both diet 2 and diet 3 were normal during and after exposure, but fatty change was observed throughout the experiment. In conclusion, increasing the copper level of common carp, which it required for its normal physiological function, beyond tolerable dose, impacted negatively on its normal physiology

Phytochemical characteristics and in vitro antibacterial activity of caesalpinia pulcherrima stem bark extracts against some clinical isolates

The aqueous and ethanol stem bark-extracts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Pride of Barbados) were screened for phyto-constituents and in vitro antimicrobial activity on clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae using paper disc diffusion method. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins in the extracts. The in vitro antimicrobial assay result showed that both ethanol and aqueous extracts displayed concentration dependent activity against all the test isolates. The ethanol extract demonstrated higher and better activity comparable to those of conventional antibiotics (Chloramphenicol and Ampicillin) used, especially at the highest concentrations of test extract( 200 mg/ml). The most and least sensitivity organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.0+0.10 mm zone of inhibition) and Proteus mirabilis (5.2+0.01 mm zone of inhibition). The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values ranged from 6.25 - 50 and 12.5-100 mg/ml respectively. The results obtained in this study showed that this plant could be used in treating diseases caused by the test organisms.Keywords: Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Pride of Barbados, antimicrobial activity, disc diffusion International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(3): 329-336, 201