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

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

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

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

EVALUATION OF HYPOGLYCAEMIC, HYPOLIPIDAEMIC AND NON TOXIC EFFECT OF HYDRO-METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF ZIZIPHUS MAURITIANA, ZIZIPHUS SPINA CHRISTI FRUIT AND GLIBENCLAMIDE ON ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The use of plant products in the management of diabetes has gained ground in pharmacotherapy. It becomes imperative to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of fruit extracts of Ziziphus mauritiana (HMZM), Ziziphus spina christi (HMZS) and Glibenclamide on blood glucose, total protein, albumin and lipid profile in alloxan induced diabetic rats. 68 albino rats weighing 70 - 130g were used in this study. 26 rats were used for acute toxicities of Ziziphus mauritiana and Ziziphus spina christi. 42 rats of 7 groups of 6 rats each were used to test antidiabetic effects of Ziziphus mauritiana and Ziziphus spina christi plant extracts. Group 1 served as the negative control, groups 2-7 were intraperitoneally administered 360mg/kg of alloxan in normal saline respectively. Group 2 served as positive control, groups 3 and 4; 5 and 6 were respectively administered daily dose of 200 and 400mg/kg of HMZM and HMZS, group 7 was administered 0.21mg/kg of glibenclamide. Results showed Ziziphus mauritiana and Ziziphus spina christi non toxic at dose of 5000mg/kg. 48 hours after alloxan administration, blood glucose levels were found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) in groups 2-7 compared to group 1, thus confirming induction of diabetes. In groups 3-7, on 7th and 14th days of administration of extracts and Glibenclamide, there was a significantly lower (p<0.05) serum glucose, triacylglycerol, High density Lipoprotein, Low density lipoprotein and significantly higher (P > 0.05) serum level of total protein and albumin compared to group 2. The results obtained showed a significantly lower (P < 0.05) serum level of glucose. The effects of HMZMand HMZS fruit extracts on blood glucose, total protein, albumin and lipid profile was dose dependent. Conclusively, this study has demonstrated the antidiabetic effects of HMZM and HMZS with HMZS having a more pronounced effect on Blood glucose and lipid profile. Keywords: Antidiabetic, Blood glucose, lipid profile, Glibenclamide, Ziziphus mauritiana, Ziziphus spina Christi

SOME PSYCHOSOCIAL PREDICTORS OF ANGER IN SCHOOL CHILDREN

A cross sectional survey of children in secondary school was conducted to determine the association between family relation and anger in school children. The participants were one hundred and seventeen (117) senior secondary (SS) school 1-3 students drawn from a Government-owned school in Lagos, Nigeria. 34% of the respondents were in SS1, 33% were in SS2, and 33% were in SS3. They ranged between 12-18 years in age (X =15.51, SD = 1.28). The participants included 12-18 years. Family relation was measured using the Index of Family Relations (Hudson, 1992), while the STAS (Spielberger, 1994) was used to measure anger. The result of a hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed a statistically significantly positive association (β = .52, !! change = .27, p<.05) between family relations and anger. Family relation also positively correlated with state anger (β = .48, !! change = .228, p<.05), trait anger (β = .44, !! change = .19, p<.05), and anger temperament (β = .54, !! change = .29, p<.05). Religion correlated significant with trait anger (β = -.18, p<.05). There was a moderate correlation between gender and anger temperament, and a moderate interactive effect of family relation and age on anger temperament. However, family relations did not predict angry reaction in the participants. The findings suggest the role of family relations on school children’s disposition to angry emotions. It also indicates qualitative difference between angry emotion and angry behaviour, which may require additional conditions to manifest. Thus, intervention programmes that are specifically designed for angry school children should incorporate programmes that target the effect of address family background of the individual, as well as the teaching of strategies for coping with anger eliciting situations