Responses of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa [Hochst. Ex A. Rich]) accessions to viral diseases and serological identification of the associated viruses

African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) is an orphan crop with lofty nutraceutical benefits grown in Africa. However, pests and diseases often hinder its productivity. Twenty accessions of African yam bean (AYB) were screened for resistance to viral diseases and symptomatic leaves were indexed for the presence of viruses. The Field experiments were conducted during the 2015/2016 cropping seasons (wet and dry seasons). The twenty accessions were grown in triplicates in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) on the field under natural infection and the resistance or susceptibility responses were recorded using visual symptom expression. The characteristic symptoms that were highly prevalent were leaf mosaic and leaf distortion. In both seasons, there were significant (P< 0.05) differences in the severity of these viral symptoms. Also, based on the severity of the symptoms observed in this study, 2 accessions were classified as resistant, 16 as susceptible and 2 accessions as highly susceptible. Two viruses were identified serologically namely Cowpea Mild Mottle Virus (CPMMV) and Blackeye Cowpea Mosaic Virus (BlCMV). The sources of resistance identified in this study would be useful for breeders in developing virus resistant varieties for African yam bean improvement. Keywords: African yam bean, Virus, Symptoms, ACP-Elisa, Screening

Peptic ulcer disease in pregnancy: A rare cause of rapidly progressing anemia in mid‑trimester of pregnancy – A case report and literature review

Peptic ulcer disease is a rare cause of rapidly progressing anaemia in pregnancy, especially during the second trimester of pregnancy. Making a definitive diagnosis in this group of patients is usually very tasking, especially when the common causes of anemia in pregnancy such as Malaria, Sickle Cell Disease, Upper respiratory tract infection, nutritional anemia, e.g., iron and folate deficiency anemia and ruptured ectopic gestation are excluded. We present a rare cause of rapidly progressing mid‑trimester severe anemia in pregnancy secondary to peptic ulcer disease in pregnancy, along with the diagnostic challenges, multidisciplinary management, literature review, and the follow‑up care.Keywords: Eosophagogastroduodenoscopy; Havana Specialist Hospital Limited; peptic ulcer disease in pregnancy; rapidly progressing severe anemi

Effects of preservatives on the proximate and sensory analysis of smoked-dried Clarias gariepinus during ambient storage

The effect of food grade chemical and natural preservatives on the proximate and sensory analysis of smoked catfish Clarias gariepinus during six weeks ambient storage were determined. Eleven pre-smoking treatments were applied: 25% sodium chloride (NaCl) and 1% ascorbic acid for Iht 25% NaCI and 1% ascorbic acid for 30mins; 3% sodium lactate for 30mins; 3% sodium lactate and ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract for 30mins; 5% sorbic acid for 3Omins; 5% sorbic acid for 1h; 3% sodium lactate and Tetrapleura tetraptera extract for 30mins; 3% sodium lactate and Ethiopian pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) extract for 30mins; Z. officinale extract for 30mins; X aethiopica extract for 30mins and T. tetraptera extract for 30mins. The samples were smoked, cooled and packed for analysis at 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks of ambient storage. The values of the proximate analysis ranged between 13.0-19.5%, 3.5-5.5%, 12.3-17.6% and 58.4-68.7% for moisture, ash, lipid and protein respectively. There were no significant change of proximate composition and sensory evaluation (p< 0.05) within each treatment groups during the 6 weeks storage without refrigeratio

The Pharmaceutical Properties, Microbial Quality, In-vivo Aphrodisiac Effect and Safety of Some Herbal Bitters Sold in Southwest Nigeria

Aphrodisiac drugs are used to enhance sexual activity and rectify erectile dysfunction especially among older men. In Nigeria, herbal medicinal products formulated as herbal drinks/bitters are prevalent and sold in various locations including motor parks, store and markets. Despite their wide use, the potency and safety of the herbal drinks have not been ascertained. Thus, pharmaceutical and aphrodisiac properties of five randomly selected herbal drinks with aphrodisiac claim have been evaluated. Pharmaceutical and microbial qualities were evaluated using standard procedures and the in vivo aphrodisiac activities were evaluated in male Wistar rats. The effects of chronic consumption of the bitters on the biochemical and tissue histology were assessed. The herbal bitters exhibited low viscosity (&lt; 10 cP), high alcohol content (30 – 52 %), acidic pH (3.33 - 5.40), and low density (0.942-1.070 g/ml). The phytoconstituents include alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardenolides, tannins and anthraquinone. Microbial contaminations were with the limits for oral preparations. The bitters exhibited significant (p &lt; 0.001) aphrodisiac effect but had no significant effect on fertility and hematological parameters. Chronic consumption of the herbal drinks at 250mg/kg following was hepatotoxic while two brands were cardiotoxic and nephrotoxic. There is therefore the need to monitor and control the quality and use of herbal bitters/drinks sold in the Nigerian market to safeguard public healt

Nutritional, texture, and sensory properties of composite biscuits produced from breadfruit and wheat flours enriched with edible fish meal

Open Access Article; Published online: 30 Sept 2020This study aimed to develop biscuits with improved nutritional contents using edible fish meal from catfish as the source of macro‐ and micronutrient enrichment while trying to reduce the input of wheat flour in biscuit‐making process. The biscuit was produced using edible fish meal (EFM: 0%–40%) from catfish, improved quality breadfruit (IQBF: 0%–60%), and wheat flours (WF: 0%–40%). Macro (crude protein, fat, fiber, ash, and carbohydrate)‐ and micro (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and iron)‐nutrient contents of the biscuit were determined. The color (lightness—L*, redness—a*, and yellowness—b*), texture (hardness, springiness, and adhesiveness), and sensory (taste, texture, and overall acceptability) attributes of the biscuits were assessed using standard methods. Model characteristics of the responses were profiled, and numerical optimization technique was used to predict combination/blends that produce biscuits with desired nutritional contents. Moisture, crude protein, fat, fiber, and ash values were in the range of 3.50%–5.57%, 3.06%–15.52%, 13.62%–26.00%, 0.31%–1.40%, and 1.98%–5.32%, respectively. The iron, calcium, and phosphorus contents of the biscuit ranged from 103.85 to 201.30 mg/100 g, 100 to 754 mg/100 g, and 8 mg/100 g to 304 mg/100 g, respectively. Interaction between the models for WF and EFM was significant and this significantly affected the L* (36.37–51.90) and adhesiveness (0.01–0.29) values for color and texture, respectively. Similar observations were also noticed for most of the nutrients. The quadratic models selected for the nutrients were all significant (p < .05) and the adjusted R2 ranged from 0.61 to 0.84 and 0.59 to 0.97 for the macro‐ and micronutrients, respectively. In conclusion, a biscuit from IQBF, WF, and EFM of 61.33, 0.07, and 38.60 with protein, fat, ash, iron, and calcium contents of 10.41%, 17.59%, 2.05%, 120.52 mg/100 g, and 500.00 mg/100 g, respectively, was produced

Occurrence and Treatment of Common Health Problems in a Nigerian Community

Medicines are cost-effective interventions for the treatment and management of health problems. This research was carried out to determine the common health problems and medicine-use practices in treating health problems in Lamingo, Jos, Nigeria. A total of 109 households covering 676 individuals were recruited and followed up for a period of one month between 6 November 2010 and 11 December 2010. A structured interview was conducted on weekly visits to households to identify illnesses suffered by household members and treatment given. The results showed that 146 common health problems representing 1.3 cases per household per month were found. The cost of treatment per household per month was found to be $14.7. Infectious and parasitic diseases (44.6%), diseases of the digestive (11.0%) and respiratory system (9.6%) were common in the community. Self-medication was common (34.6%) and the patent medicine stores were the most common sources of medicines. Common classes of medicines used by community members were analgesics (23.6%), antimalarials (17.9%) and antibiotics (14.2%). Factors that influenced choice of treatment were previous knowledge and experience of family members with service provider and treatment (44.4%), cost (18.9%) and severity of condition (16.7%). There is, therefore, high occurrence of health problems and self-medication practices in the Lamingo community

Response of Sweet Potato Storability with Different Pre-storage Treatments at Ambient Temperature

The storage of sweet potato tuberous roots in tropical countries is a major challenge to farmers and retailers due to unfavourable climatic conditions. In this study, the storage performance of sweet potato roots in an ambient condition was investigated over a 12-week duration. The three different pre-storage treatments used were ash, alkaline solution (1.5 mol dm-3) and Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) extract – to evaluate their effects on weight loss, shrinkage, weevil damage and sprouting. The control comprised tubers with no pre-treatment. It was observed that weight loss increased linearly from the inception of storage while shrinkage became apparent only after two (2) weeks. The percentage shrinkage of the tuber pre-treated with Siam weed increased at decreasing rate from 8 WAP. Treatment of tuber with Siam weed extract provided significantly higher protection against weevil damage (p &gt; 0.05). After this, sprouting was initiated. By the 12th week, the Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) extract treatment yielded better results. The Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) treatment also recorded the lowest weight loss of 28% and lowest shrinkage of 2.8%. It also sustained less weevil damage at 33.5% compared with the other treatments. Sprouting was higher in the tuber without pre-storage treatment. The alkaline solution and ash treatments had varied degree of performance for all the indicators. Keywords: Sweet potato storability, Ambient condition, Pre-storage treatment, Chromolaena odorat