Studies on the pH and protein content of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) fruits deteriorated by Aspergillus niger.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruits obtained from the local market in Sango Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, were inoculated with Aspergillus niger from cultures grown in the laboratory and incubated under appropriate conditions of temperature and moisture to initiate infection for seven days. Extensive lesions and subsequent collapse of the tomato fruits inoculated with A. niger occurred within a week of incubation. The uninoculated fruits retained the bright red colour and remained firm throughout the seven days. The pH and the probable implication of the results obtained from this research work can be very useful in utilizing tomato fruits in tomato processing companies in Nigeria

Extraction and clarification of apple juice with polygalacturonase obtained from apple (Malus domestica) fruits deteriorated by Aspergillus niger

Pectinase is used commercially in the clarification and extraction of fruit juice from different fruits. Green apples and Red apples obtained from the fruits section of a supermarket, Idiroko road, Ota were surface sterilized and inoculated with Aspergillus niger. The stock culture was subcultured on Sabouraud Dextrose agar plates and 72-hr-old culture of Aspergillus niger served as the inoculum. The fruits were incubated for twenty-five days at room temperature (25 °C). Control fruits were similarly treated except that sterile inoculum was used for the inoculation. Extracts from the inoculated fruits exhibited appreciable polygalacturonase activity while those from the uninoculated fruits possessed only traces of the enzyme activity. The polygalacturonase obtained after enzyme extraction was applied to freshly ripe apple fruits under controlled experimental conditions to investigate the role of polygalacturonase in the production of apple juice. The juice in the cylinder to which polygalacturonase was added was visually clearer and more than that with distilled water. The optimum temperature of incubation for the clarification of apple fruits with polygalacturonase obtained from apple fruits deteriorated by Aspergillus niger was 25 °C. © 2011 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved

Nutritional Value of some Edible Mushrooms from Egbe Farmland, West Yagba Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria

Studies were carried out on four different Species of wild mushrooms: Lentinus subnudus, Chlorophyllum molybditis, Marasmus species and Pleurotus tuberregium. The fungal species were analyzed for their nutritional compositions, biological and Structural characteristics. The fungal species were rich in proteins (amino acids) and carbohydrates. The fibres contained in the different species were also good sources of roughages. Moreover, their low acidity confirms their edibility. This study strongly recommends the commercialization of mushroom production as a means of additional source of protein requirements and income to the people in the developing economy of Nigeri

Classes of Ordinary Differential Equations Obtained for the Probability Functions of inverse Rayleigh Distribution

Differential calculus was used to obtain the ordinary differential equations (ODE) of the probability density function (PDF), Quantile function (QF), survival function (SF), inverse survival function (ISF), hazard function (HF) and reversed hazard function (RHF) of inverse Rayleigh distribution. The parameters and support that define the distribution inevitably determine the nature, existence, uniqueness and solution of the ODEs. The method can be extended to other probability distributions, functions and can serve an alternative to estimation and approximation. Computer codes and programs can be used for the implementation

Studies on microorganisms associated with pre-harvest deterioration of guava (Psidium guajava Linn.) fruits

Women form the largest percentage of sellers and buyers in markets all over the world. There are lots of benefits to be derived from guava (Psidium guajava Linn.) fruits but a large percentage of guava fruits produced annually are lost to pre harvest deterioration caused by microorganisms. Four fungal pathogens, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus sp., Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp. and yeast cells were found to be associated with pre-harvest deterioration of Guava (P. guajava Linn.) in Ota, Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. A. niger, Penicillium sp. and yeast cells were the most prevalent while Penicillium sp. was the most pathogenic, inducing a rot of 61 mm in diameter within seven days of incubation. The ash and moisture contents of the uninfected fruits were higher than that of the infected ones. The results of this present investigation could be utilized in juice making industries in Nigeria as well as for the local women who deal directly with the selling and buying of these fruits in our markets