INFLUENCE OF EXTRACTION METHODS ON THE HEPATOTOXICITY OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA BARK EXTRACT ON ALBINO RATS

The influence of extraction methods: Cold aqueous (CA) hot aqueous (HA) and alcoholic extraction (AE) methods on the hepatotoxic effect of Azadirachta indica bark extract (ABC) was investigated using albino rats. A total of forty eight rats were divided into three groups of sixteen rats equally for the extraction methods. Each group was subdivided into four rats to represent control, low, medium and high doses of the extract. The control group received no extract while the other groups were administered the various concentrations (doses) intraperitoneally twice daily for seven (7) days before they were all sacrificed under light chloroform and used for the analysis. Parameters determined include glucose, cholesterol and triglycerol. Also alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALP) activities were determined. The result shows that glucose levels decreased from 85.75+2.85 to 65.00+12.05 in high concentration of C.A. Similar decreases were obtained from HA and AE extraction methods. Cholesterol levels also decreased from 111,63+1.02 to 53.75+0.90 in the high concentration CA, and similarly decreased in HA and AE extraction methods. Also triglycerol levels decreased from 66.49+0.95 to 21.02+0.30 in the high concentration of CA, and also decreased respectively in both HA and AE extraction methods. Similarly, the activities of the enzymes decreased in all the extraction methods, and for the different concentrations over the control except for the activities of ALP which increased generally in CA method. This implies that ABE using HA and AE methods in non hepatotoxic while there is possibility of hepatotoxicity of the obstructive type if CA extraction method is used

Measuring the Degree of Market Power in the Export Demand for Nigerian Cocoa: An Analysis of Dutch Market

The study examined the degree of market power in the export demand for Nigerian Cocoa with focus on the Dutch Market. The study covered the periods of 1961–2007 and data comprised published national aggregates on specific trade and macroeconomic variables from reputable sources. Two Stage Least Squares (2 SLS) approach was used in the estimation after instrumenting for simultaneity and establishing stationarity alongside cointegration relationship. Findings, on the demand side, showed that the demand for cocoa increases as income of Netherlands (importing country) increases. Total production of the non– participating countries traced out a positive relationship with demand for cocoa by the importing country while the coefficient of price of Coffee (substitute crop) possessed a negative sign. On the supply relation side, the demand for the export crop has a negative sign, indicating decreasing marginal output with respect to cost while the proxy for ocean freight rate with its negative sign, imply increasing export cost. The result further showed that there is relative competitiveness in the Dutch market on the strength of a market power coefficient -0.712 with a Lerner index of 0.122. Based on the findings, the study calls for government intervention in the agricultural export subsector with the aim to revitalize the country’s agricultural export capacity and enhance her market power via increased market shares. These interventions could be in the form of input/production subsidies, targeted export promotion programs, farm settlement, expanded export processing zones to mention but a few

History, land and conflict in Nigeria: The Aguleri-Umuleri experience, 1933-1999

This paper studies the place of history, and land in the outbreak of conflicts in Nigeria, with focus on the Aguleri- Umuleri communities’ experience. Both communities were engulfed in intractable conflicts over the ownership of Otuocha land. Aside the contest over land, both communities have been engaged in the reconstruction of their history with each claiming to be the direct descendant of Eri, who both refer to as their progenitor. Studies exist on the Aguleri-Umuleri conflicts, but these works focused only on the contest over Otuocha land as the sole cause of the conflict, neglecting the aspect on the perceived distortion of history, which appear to be the underlying factor. This paper addresses this imbalance. The paper adopts the multi-disciplinary approach, as well as the thematic method of presentation. The paper basically draws from primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are derived from oral interviews, while the secondary sources are mainly obtained from books and journal articles. The conflict led to loss of lives and property, destruction of the economic base of the belligerent communities, high crime wave, and historical revisionism of the area. Though the conflict may seem to have ceased, the issues at stake remain unresolved. This paper among other things recommends a revision of the Eri mythology to establish the true nature of the relationship between the two communities

Seedling emergence and growth of some accessions of African walnut (Plukenetia conophora ) in different growing media

In this study, nursery experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of planting media on seedling emergence and seedling growth among some accessions of Plukenetia conophora (Mull. Arg.) with the aim of determining the most appropriate method of obtaining optimum and uniform germination of seeds of this species. Seeds of eight accessions of Plukenetia conophora were collected from five States in Nigeria and were in three different growing media. Results show that planting media significantly affected seedling emergence and seedling growth of Plukenetia conophora. Accession AC4 recorded the highest emergence percentage and quicker seedling growth and was significantly (P<0.001) different when compared with the other accessions, while AC8 recorded the least emergence percentage 90.0%). Sawdust recorded the highest effect on emergence and seedling growth and was significantly (P<0.001) different from other planting media, while topsoil recorded the least effect on emergence and seedling growth of P.conophora. Sawdust produced superior plant growth in terms of plant height, collar girth and leaf number

Town Union Governments and Community Development in Igboland: the Amakofia Ututu Case, 1979-2015

The town union government has shown to be a major player in rural community development efforts in Igboland. Being a major element of change in the socio-political organization of the people introduced by colonialism, town union government turned out to be a very important instrument of self-help approach to community development in post-colonial period, and by the end of the Nigeria-Biafra war, its effect became very visible. By 1979, the Amakofia Development Union (ADU) was formed. Its foundation accelerated community development in Amakofia Ututu community

The Free Trade Debate, Economic Recession and the Global South since 2000AD

The end of the Cold War, which came on the heels of the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the near-collapse of the Soviet-styled communist ideology, paved the way for globalization and the entrenchment of a Western-styled economic system hinged on free enterprises. Free enterprises encourage such liberal economic programmes as private initiative and entrepreneurship, accumulation of capital, de-regulation, competition, and trade liberalization, among others. Most developing countries, without much choice, got integrated into this global capitalist system. How they fare as regards economic growth and development is determined by an objective research and interpretation of available data on their economic performance since the trend of “free trade” absorbed them in the global capitalism. The debate on the credibility of “free trade” as a determinant of mutual economic growth and development has been prevalent in international political economy discourse since the 18th century. The credibility of “free trade” has been called into question, especially its effects on the countries of the global South or the developing economies. This study assesses the debate on free trade over the years and how this trend affects the countries of the South in the 21st century economic recession. Most of the scholars and experts of the developing world extraction vehemently kick against the premature integration of the developing economies into the already established western capitalism. They blame the adverse effects of the recession on the South on this unequal relationship. This study also presents some of their arguments. The work makes use of diverse secondary and tertiary sources and the thematic historical approach in the interpretation and discussion of the accounts presented.Key words: Free trade, globalization, economic recession, and global Sout

Review and assessment of mechanic village potentials for small scale used engine oil recycling business

Mechanic village should be adapted in developing countries rather than the city-wide auto mechanic workshop practice. This is suggested because developing countries are yet to enforce environmentally friendly automobile workshops and mechanic practice. If all automobile repair works in different cities are confined to mechanic villages, collection, preservation, recycling and reuse of spent oil will become effective. The goal is to stop the habit of disposing spent automobile oil on the ground, which results in excessive trace metal pollution of topsoil and insecurity of food products in the affected areas. Beside environmental quality, business and employment opportunities will improve. Small-scale refining or reprocessing of used oil in mechanic villages is lucrative and recycling plants are affordable and available. Cost benefit analysis indicate strong environmental benefits and annual turnover in excess of $2,234,375.00.Key words: Changed oil, reprocessing, re-refining, cost benefit analysis, auto repair, Nigeria

Effects of “Lesser Known” Leafy Vegetables (Vitex doniana and Corchorus oletorius) on the Oxidative Stress Indices of Albino Rats

Aim: To evaluate the effects of two “lesser known” leafy vegetables- Vitex doniana and Corchorus oletorius on the oxidative indices of Albino Rats. Study Design: Forty eight rats, mean body weighty 351.83±1.39g were grouped into four to represent a control, and three diet groups. Dried powdered form of the vegetables was mixed with the normal rat chow in the ratio of 1:4 and pelleted before feeding to the rats. Feeding lasted for a total of three (3) months. The first analysis was done within two weeks, and thereafter repeated every two weeks throughout the study. Place and Duration of Study: The research work was done at Biochemistry laboratory of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri and National Root Crop Research Institute, Umuahia. The study lasted for a period of three months and two weeks (104 days). Methodology: Clean uninfected leaves of the samples were selected and sun dried to constant weight before grinding with a milling machine. The resulting powdered form was used to formulate the experimental diet with the normal rat chow in the ratio of 1:4 as shown in the text. Enzyme activities were determined according to standard methods as referenced in the text. Malonyladehyde and vitamin C contents were also determined Results: Values of malonyladehyde, Vitamin C and activities of catalase significantly (P≥0.05) increased when the sample vegetables were administered to the rats as compared with the control which received no vegetables. However, the activities of peroxidase decreased also significantly as compared with the control. However, only the increase in the values of indices determined were sustained throughout the period of study. Conclusion: The studied vegetables may possess antioxidant components which may play important role in the management of diseases associated with oxidative stres

Iron removal in waste water using expanded polystyrene as an artificial media

This study focused on the use of Expanded Polystyrene as an artificial media for the removal of iron from raw water. The experimental set-up consisted of continuous flow process and the mechanism for iron removal was by adsorption. Water sample of initial concentration 5.5mg/l was stored in a 50l container situated at an elevation of 4.4m above the floor and was connected to a plastic transparent container which contained the filter media” Polystyrene”. The effects of adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH and temperature were studied. Results showed that adsorption capacity increased with time for the time range of 0.68-47.6mins investigated and slightly with an increase in temperature until 40oC when it began to decrease, suggesting favorable adsorption at medium temperatures. The results showed that the procedure was efficient in reducing iron concentration from 5.5mg/l to 3.5mg/l within contact time of 5minutes. Better efficiencies could be achieved at higher contact times. The use of EPS material would also offer an avenue for recycling polystyrene widely used in packaging of equipment.Keywords: Contamination, contact time, adsorption, residual iron concentration, pollutants