Length-weight relationships of nine fish species from Ologe Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria

This study describes the length-weight relationships of (LWR) of nine fish species from Ologe Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria. A total of 1635 specimens were collected by local fishing gears from January, 2007 to December, 2007. The slope (b) values obtained for the nine fish species ranged from 2.5 to 3.2, and deferred significantly (p < 0.005) from 3, which indicates that the fish species have allometric growth. The condition factors (K) of the fish species ranged from 0.91 to 8.46.Keywords: Length-weight, Ologe Lagoon, allometric growth, condition facto

Preliminary study on the antioxidative and antimicrobial effects of fresh garlic (Allium sativum) on the shelf life of hot smoked catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

The effects of fresh garlic (Allium sativum) at concentrations of 0 g/kg (control), 10 g/kg, 30 g/kg and 50 g/kg of fish on lipid oxidation and microbial growth of hot smoked catfish Clarias gariepinus during a 28 day storage period at ambient temperature of 20-260C was examined. The samples were subjected to chemical and microbial analyses during the storage period. The results of analyses suggest that fresh garlic possesses antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which can extend the shelf life of Clarias gariepinus

Work Environment and Employees’ Performance: Empirical Evidence of Nigerian Beverage Firm

Abstract The study examined the relationship between work environment as the determinant of employee performance in Intercontinental Distiller Limited. The objective of the study is to examine the effects of work environment on employees’ performance in beverage firm, Ado-Odo. Survey research design was adopted in this study. 132 questionnaire were returned and valid for the analysis of stated hypotheses. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and Simple Regression analysis were adopted to test the relationship among variables. The physical workplace setting correlate with job satisfaction at a value of r = 0.813 while work system significantly affects employees’ effectiveness at value of r2 =0.870. The results showed a strong relationship of physical workplace setting and job satisfaction in beverage firm in Ado-Odo. Work system significantly affects employee effectiveness. The study recommends that management should place more importance to employees’ safety by providing necessary facilities conducive for work environment

The effects of smoking on the nutritional qualities and shelf-life of Clarias gariepinus (BURCHELL 1822)

The effects of smoking on the chemical, microbiological and sensory qualities of a commercially important freshwater fish species, Clarias gariepinus stored at 4°C for 28 days were investigated. Thefish samples were collected from a research pond of Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria and Badagry Market, Lagos, Nigeria. The chemical profiles of the fresh and smoked fish were analyzed whilethe microbiological and sensory assessments were carried out weekly for a period of 28 days. Highest protein content (62.14 ± 6.67%) was recorded in smoked fish obtained from the fish pond while the least (14.23 ± 4.13%) was observed in fresh fish samples also from the fish pond. Similar results were obtained for the fat and ash contents. The differences in the proximate composition of the smoked and fresh samples were significant (p < 0.05). The total coliform count (Log10 Cfu/g) of smoked fish ranged between 3.777 - 6.871 which increases with duration of storage. Sensory evaluation of smoked fish samples showed that the quality of the smoked fish decreases with duration of storage. Therefore, C. gariepinus should be stored for a short period after smoking to retain its unique taste and flavour

Preliminary study on the antioxidative and anti-fungal effects of ginger oil on the shelf life of hot smoked fish

The anti-oxidative and anti-fungal effects of ginger oil on smoked Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus was examined during five week storage at room temperature (25-30)~'C. The ginger oil was extracted from fresh ginger through hydro-distillation. The fish samples were gutted washed thoroughly and each fish species was divided into three groups. Two groups were spiced with 1.0ml and 1.5ml of ginger oil/kg of fish respectively before they were smoke dried for 2 hours. The third group acts as the control which was not spiced with ginger oil. Chemical and microbiological analyses were performed to investigate quality changes, and to determine the shelf stability of the products. The lowest TBA (14.64 mg MDA/kg), and Peroxide (3.91 mEq/kg) values were recorded in 0. niloticus samples treated with 1.5ml ginger oil/kg of fish at week 1, while the highest TBA (30.48 mg MDA/kg), and PV (18.76 mEq/kg) occurred in the C. gariepinus control at week 5. The result also revealed that samples treated with ginger oil had lower mould count than the control, but there was no significant different (P~.0.05), when compared to the control after 5 weeks of storage

Phytoremediation of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) by water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

This study was carried out to investigate the ability of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.]Solms) to absorb and translocate iron (Fe) and copper (Cu). The study was conducted with three concentration gradients of Fe and Cu at 10mg/l, 15mg/l, 20mg/l and control (no metal); the whole set-up was done in triplicates and the experiment lasted for 12 weeks. The results showed that iron (Fr) had the highest accumulation value in the root (1.12 ~c 0.42), while copper (Cu) had the highest value in the leave (0.38 ~c 0.06); both at 20mg/l. Statistical analysis showed that there was significant difference among treatment (p&lt0.05). Translocation factor (TF) is the ratio between metal concentrations in aerial part to metal concentration in the root. Metals that are accumulated by plants and largely stort in the roots are indicated by TF values less than 1, when greater than 1, its indicate good translocation capabilities. The TF value for Fe ranged from 0.49 ~c 0.57- 0.68 ~c 0.27 in leaf, and 0.64 ~c 0.17- 0.77 ~c 0.18 in the stem. While the Translocation factor values for Ca ranged from 0.78 ~c 0.08- 1.12 ~c 0.12 in leaf and 0.72 ~c 0.32- 1.09 ~c 0.19 in the stem. This reveals that Cu had better translocation capability than Fe. Highest values of bioconcentration factor (BCF) for Fe and Cu were 2.32 ~c 0.65 at 20mg/l and 0.72 ~c 0.01 at 15mg/l obtained in the root and leaf respectively, indicating that the accumulation potential of Fe by water hyacinth is higher than Cu. In conclusion, according to the accumulation capabilities of the investigated plant (Eichhornia crassipes), this study showed that the plant was found to be a promising candidate for phytoremediation and adequate for bio-monitoring programs for contaminated water

Porridge, piety, and patience: young Qur’anic students’ experiences of poverty in Kano, Nigeria

Inequalities are growing on a global scale and rising consumerism has exacerbated the negative connotations of material deprivation in many places. What does this imply for how poor people experience their situation? What role does religion play in their lives? This paper explores these questions by studying how young Qur'anic students (almajirai) in Kano in northern Nigeria experience, and deal with, being poor. In the context of growing violent conflict related to the Boko Haram insurgency, poor Muslims, including the almajirai, have frequently been cast as being prone to violence in order to claim their share of highly unequally distributed resources. Religion has often been portrayed as a radicalizing force in their lives. This paper challenges such views. It describes how the almajirai deploy religious discourses to moderate feelings of inadequacy and shame triggered by experiences of exclusion. At the same time, recourse to religious discourses emphasizing the values of asceticism and endurance does not further an agenda of social change and thus risks perpetuating the almajirai's weak social position. The paper concludes that consumerism and wealth-based definitions of status are likely to silence demands for social justice

Growth Performance of the Reciprocal Hybrids of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) and Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Valenciennes, 1840)

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to determine the survival rate, fertilization rate, growth performance and feed utilization of the reciprocal hybrids of Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus, bidorsalis. Two genetic crosses were made: C. gariepinus& x H. bidorsalis% (clariabranchus) and H. bidorsalis& x C. gariepinus% (heteroclarias). The experiment was divided into two phases; artificial propagation of the fish species using synthetic hormone and rearing the fry for 14 days; and rearing the 14 days old fry for 35 days. In the first phase of the experiment, survival of frys were estimated in each experimental unit (genetic cross) while in the second phase, growth and nutrient utilization were investigated. The result revealed that the highest %fertilization, hatching rate and %survival occurred in H. bidorsalis& x C. gariepinus% (heteroclarias) and the differences were significant (p<0.05). Percentage weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly (p<0.05) higher in clariabranchus than heteroclarias. Based on the result of this study, reciprocal hybrids of Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus, bidorsalis is recommended for commercial aquacultural practices