Marketing and Utilization of Prosopis Africana Condiment in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

The study assessed and evaluated the marketing and utilization of Prosopis Africana condiment in Makurdi metropolis. Four major markets where prosopis condiment is sold in Makurdi were randomly selected for this study. The markets are wurukum market, north bank market, modern market and high level market. Structured questionnaires, oral interviews and field assessment were used to generate primary data. The data generated were analysed using descriptive statistics. Approximately 6.3%, 8.8%, 78.8% and 6.3% of the marketers of prosopis condiment in Makurdi metropolis fall within the age brackets of 15-25, 26-35, 36-45 and 46-55 years respectively. It was also observed that all the marketers of prosopis condiment in Makurdi are females. Seventy-two percent (72%) of the marketers of prosopis condiment in Makurdi obtain their supply from within the state while 28% get their supply from other states. Production of prosopis condiment in Makurdi is usually done locally with most of the marketers going to the bush by themselves to gather the seeds before processing them. Inadequate storage facilities, poor processing techniques and high cost of transportation are some of the problems encountered in the production and marketing of prosopis condiment in Makurdi metropolis.Keywords: Prosopis, condiment, production, marketin

ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATIONS OF SOILS FROM DUMP SITES IN JOS METROPOLIS, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

A study was carried out to determine the heavy metal contamination of the soils in three refuse dumpsites in Jos metropolis located in Rayfield Resort, Dariye Park and Farin Gada within the Jos-Bukuru Complex of Younger Granite Province of northcentral Nigeria. Six (6) soil samples were collected at depth of 40 cm from the three dumpsites. The soil samples were subjected to X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis to determine the concentrations of heavy metals. The values of heavy metals in the soils from the three dumpsites were foundto be: zirconium (382.537-1045.734 ppm), strontium (54.584-185.030 ppm), uranium (8.496-12.055 ppm), rubidium (60.189-111.280 ppm), thorium (13.305-30.138 ppm), lead (26.790-277.342 ppm), arsenic (7.971- 27.819 ppm), zinc (129.790-734.643 ppm), copper (31.899-247.048 ppm), nickel (42.454-72.670 ppm), iron (22162.547-64319.262 ppm) and manganese (214.146-449.344 ppm).&nbsp

Obesity and Insulin Resistance Components of Metabolic Syndrome Induced by High-fructose Diet in Wistar Rats could be attenuated by Spices-Supplemented Diets

Constant consumption of fructose-sweetened diets and beverages has led to increasing incidences of metabolic disorders such as metabolic syndrome (MS). This research was designed to evaluate the potentials of supplementing diets with some locally available spices in ameliorating obesity and insulin resistance in induced metabolic syndrome. Thirty out of thirty-five rats weighing 128.08±5.29g were induced with MS, divided into six groups and treated with diets supplemented with powders of garlic, ginger, turmeric, black pepper and equal mixture of the spices while the other 5 rats were maintained on normal diet throughout the experiment. The weight and blood glucose were recorded weekly, while serum insulin level was determined on the 56th day of the treatment after which HOMA-IR was computed. The group of MS-induced rats fed normal diet had significantly (p<0.05) higher weekly average weight gain of 11.43g±0.63g compared with other groups. Our data show that blood glucose level (mmol/L) ranged from 4.61±0.22 - 5.99±0.17; Insulin (μU/mL) 8.00±0.41 - 22.00±0.58 and HOMA-IR 1.65±0.14 - 5.47±0.07. The treated groups had significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage decrease in blood glucose and HOMA-IR when compared with the control but all the MS-induced rats maintained on supplemented diets had significantly (p<0.05) lower blood glucose and HOMA-IR when compared with MS-induced rats maintained on normal diet. From our finding, obesity and insulin resistance due to consumption of MS-causing diets could be ameliorated by consumption of diets fortified with any of the four spices, but fortification with a blend of the spices could give a better result

YIELD EVALUATION OF SOME CULTIVARS OF MUNGBEAN (Vigna radiata (L) WILCZEK) IN SOUTHERN GIUNEA SAVANNA LOCATION OF NIGERIA

ABSTRACT: Field experiment was conducted in the early and late seasons of 2006 to determine Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L) Wilczek) cultivars that are high yielding in the guinea savanna zone of Nigeria. The experiment was sited at the research farm of the university of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria. Treatments included five mungbean cultivars (local variety, Vc 2768A, Vc 1178A, Vc 2778A, and Vc 1973A) arranged in a complete randomized block design with three replications. Parameters assessed included plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of nodules per plant, number of pods per plant, 1000 seed weight (g) and grain yield (kg/ha). The result showed that there was no significant difference between the cultivars in terms plant height and the number of branches per plant, Vc 2768A was the tallest cultivar while Vc2778A was the shortest. Number of nodules per plant differed significantly between the cultivars. Vc 2768A gave the highest grain yield of 2266.67kg/ha while the lowest yield of 441.67kg/ha was obtained from Vc 2778A lower than the yield obtained from local variety (891.67kg/ha). In conclusion, cultivar Vc 2768A which gave the highest grain yield can be used by resource poor farmers in the southern Guinea Savanna Agro-ecological zone of Nigeria

Comparative Study on Mechanic Workshop Polluted Soil Treated With Lime (Citrus Aurantifolia) Juice, Powder and Inorganic Lime Fertilizer

An assessment of mechanic workshop polluted soil treated with 16.6% lime juice (MSAL), mechanic workshop polluted soil treated with lime powder (MSLP) and mechanic workshop polluted soil treated with inorganic lime fertilizer (MSLF) was conducted for a period of 56 days. The study revealed higher microbial counts in the treated soils compared to mechanic oil free soil (MFS). The total viable bacterial counts observed ranged from 1.6×104 cfu/g to 6.8×104 cfu/g for MSF, 2.2×104 cfu/g – 26.2×104 cfu/g for MSAL, 1.2×104 cfu/g -17.2×104 cfu/g for MSLP and 6.8× 104 cfu/g – 16.0 × 104 cfu/g for MSLF while fungi counts ranged from 2.5×104 cfu/g to 6.4×104 cfu/g for MFS, 4.0×104 cfu/g – 16.4×104 cfu/g for MSAL, 2.6×104 cfu/g -3.8×104 cfu/g for MSLP and 2.1× 104 cfu/g – 4.0 × 104 cfu/g for MSLF. Organisms isolated  in the course of the study includes Pseudomonas sp,  Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Micrococcus sp, Escherichia coli,  Proteus sp, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Mucor sp,  Saccharomyces sp, and Rhizopus sp. The physicochemical results showed that MSAL had higher moisture content, organic matter content, organic carbon, and nitrate than MSF, MSLP and MSLF. There were significant differences in pH, organic matter content, organic carbon, nitrate and phosphorus at 0.05 probability level, but there was no significant different in the moisture content of the soil undergoing treatment. This is an indication that Lime juice has a greater potential in bioremediation of mechanic workshop polluted soil compared to lime powder and inorganic lime fertilizer

Web-Based Advanced Traveller Information System for Minna Metropolis, Nigeria

Advanced Traveller Information System (ATIS) is used to provide accurate, integrated and comprehensive travel and traffic information to road users. The information helps in both pre-trip and en-route decision making. This study developed a web-based ATIS for Minna metropolis in Nigeria. The information provided is from both primary and secondary sources. The developed ATIS provides information on route guidance, available intercity transport services and hotels in the metropolis. It also allows users to determine both weather and traffic flow conditions. A component of the system makes provision for electronic fare payment and booking of trips and hotel accommodation. The deployment of the ATIS is a source of static and dynamic information

Determination of gross alpha and beta radioactivity concentration along Jakara waste water canal, Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria

This research undertook an assessment of the radioactivity level along the Jakara waste water canal. Six soil samples and five water samples were taken for gross alpha and beta activity concentration using the gas–flow–proportional counter (IN20). Results for gross alpha activity concentration for the soil samples range from 4.597E-03 Bq/g to 1.425E-02 Bq/g, while that of gross beta activity for soil has the range from 3.341E+01 Bq/g to 8.092E+01 Bq/g. In the same vein, results for gross alpha activity concentration for the water samples have the range from 6.035E-03 Bq/L to 1.433E+00 Bq/L while the value for the gross beta activity concentration ranges from 5.038E+00 Bq/L to 2.853E+01 Bq/L for the same water samples. These results show that the alpha and beta activity concentration in the analysed samples are higher than the minimum permissible concentration by World Health Organisation (WHO, 2003). This may pose health risk because the waste water is used by people to irrigate vegetables along the waste water canal. Keywords: Background Radiation, Activity Concentration, Gross Alpha, Gross Bet

Physicochemical Assessment of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with a Mixture of Ginger, Garlic and Cinnamon

Some physicochemical changes in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with a mixture of ginger, garlic and cinnamon was evaluated. During starter phase, 150 broiler chicks were divided into groups A and B of 75 birds each, and were randomly fed diets 1 and 2 respectively for 3 weeks. The average weekly weight gain by the chickens maintained on the mixed spices supplemented diet (235.15±15.55g) was significantly lower (p<0.05)compared with the weight gain by the control (274.26±20.23g) in the Starter phase. In the Finisher phase, group A was sub-divided into groups C and D while group B was subdivided into groups E and F and fed for additional 3 weeks. The average weekly weight gain by groups C (242.31±4.97g), D (282.46±15.04g), E (260.14±81.11g) and F (236.67±24.29g) did not vary significantly. The evaluated carcass characteristics and haematological indices when compared with the control did not vary significantly. The serum cholesterol levels (mg/dl) in groups D (101.40±4.13), E (106.60±4.59) and F (100.20±9.83) were significantly lower (p<0.05) in comparison with the level in group C (127.00±8.83). Groups E (46.96±8.62mg/dl) and F (47.44±6.35mg/dl) had significantly (p<0.05) lower LDL-C compared with the control (70.56±8.75mg/dl). Therefore, mixture of ginger, garlic and cinnamon may have no effects on the overall weight gain, carcass traits and haematological profiles but could decrease the risk of atherogenesis and CVD in broiler chickens. Keywords: Cinnamon; ginger; garlic; spices; physicochemica

Modelling the impact and cost-effectiveness of combination prevention amongst HIV serodiscordant couples in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the impact and cost-effectiveness of treatment as prevention (TasP), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and condom promotion for serodiscordant couples in Nigeria. DESIGN: Mathematical and cost modelling. METHODS: A deterministic model of HIV-1 transmission within a cohort of serodiscordant couples and to/from external partners was parameterized using data from Nigeria and other African settings. The impact and cost-effectiveness were estimated for condom promotion, PrEP and/or TasP, compared with a baseline where antiretroviral therapy (ART) was offered according to 2010 national guidelines (CD4 <350 cells/μl) to all HIV-positive partners. The impact was additionally compared with a baseline of current ART coverage (35% of those with CD4 <350 cells/μl). Full costs (in US $2012) of programme introduction and implementation were estimated from a provider perspective. RESULTS: Substantial benefits came from scaling up ART to all HIV-positive partners according to 2010 national guidelines, with additional smaller benefits of providing TasP, PrEP or condom promotion. Compared with a baseline of offering ART to all HIV-positive partners at the 2010 national guidelines, condom promotion was the most cost-effective strategy [US$1206/disability-adjusted-life-year (DALY)], the next most cost-effective intervention was to additionally give TasP to HIV-positive partners (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio US $1607/DALY), followed by additionally giving PrEP to HIV-negative partners until their HIV-positive partners initiate ART (US$7870/DALY). When impact was measured in terms of infections averted, PrEP with condom promotion prevented double the number of infections as condom promotion alone. CONCLUSIONS: The first priority intervention for serodiscordant couples in Nigeria should be scaled up ART access for HIV-positive partners. Subsequent incremental benefits are greatest with condom promotion and TasP, followed by PrEP