Mineral Elements Content of some Coarse Grains used as staple Food in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Analysis of mineral elements were carried out on some coarse grains used as staple food in Kano metropolis. The levels of Magnesium, Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Copper and Zinc were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), and that of Sodium and Potassium were obtained using flame photometer (FES). The result of the study shows that the mean results of the mineral elements ranged in mg/kg from 62.50±0.55 - 84.82±0.74 sodium, 73.33±0.35 - 317±0.10 magnesium, 89.22±0.26 - 193.33±0.19 potassium, 70.00±0.52 - 186.67±0.29 calcium, 1.00±0.11 - 20.50±1.30 manganese, 25.00±0.11 - 80.50±0.36 iron. 4.00±0.08 - 13.00±0.24 copper and 15.00±0.34 - 50.50±0.24 zinc. There was significant difference (p<0.05) in levels of sodium, potassium and calcium between the varieties of coarse grains whereas no significant differences (p>0.05) occur in levels of magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc between the varieties of coarse grains. In comparison with Recommended Dietary Allowances of essential and trace metals set by international standard organizations, the coarse grains analyzed in this work contribute little to the provision of essential and trace elements requirements.Keywords: Mineral Elements, Coarse Grains, Staple Food, Kano, Nigeria

Lead and Cadmium Levels of Five Commonly and Widely Consumed Leafy Vegetables in Kano State, Nigeria

The levels of the hazardous metals (Pb and Cd) in five different leafy vegetable plant samples ( viz: Hibiscus cannabinus, Cassia tora, Vernonia amygdalina, Corchorus olitorius, and Corchorus tridens) consumed by Kano inhabitants were investigated and found to be at concentration below the environmental lead action level set by US EPA/WHO. Cadmium was not detected in the samples. Low concentration of Pb and absence of Cd in all the plant samples analyzed are clear indication that these may not exhibit toxicity effects due to any of these metals. The consumers are therefore safe from their toxicity effect.Keywords: Lead, Cadmium, Leafy Vegetables, Kano, NigeriaNigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (2011), 19(2): 304-30

Acute bbdomen at El Obeid Hospital,Western Sudan.

Background: Acute abdominal pain is the presenting complaint in emergency departments of all hospitals worldwide, resulting in a huge drain of human and non-human resources.Objectives: To study the pattern, causes and management outcomes of patients presenting with acute abdomen to El Obeid Hospital, Western Sudan.Patients and Methods: This was a prospective study. All patients who presented with acute abdomen to the University Surgical Unit at El Obeid Hospital between January 1999 and December 2000 were included. The patient characteristics, clinical features, investigations, management andpostoperative care were recorded in a pre-designed sheet.Results: There were 421 patients. 242 were males (57.5%). Acute appendicitis was the commonest cause accounting for 63% of the patients, followed by acute intestinal obstruction 20.4% and abdominal trauma 11.6%. One third of the patients with acute appendicitis reported withcomplications. The majority of acute intestinal obstruction cases were due to obstructed and/or strangulated hernia. Acute cholecystitis and perforated duodenal ulcers were not common. Perforated typhoid ulcers and tuberculous peritonitis were less frequent but had high mortality. Theoverall mortality was 8.5% and those deaths occurred mostly in patients presenting late with generalized peritonitis.Conclusions: Acute abdomen was a common surgical emergency at El Obeid Hospital, Western Sudan. The leading causes were acute appendicitis, acute intestinal obstruction and abdominal trauma. Awareness of the seriousness of the condition and better hospital facilities and care may reduce an unacceptable high mortality.Key words: Appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, abdominal trauma; Western Sudan

Physicochemical Properties of Oil Extracts from Sesamum Indicum L. Seeds Grown in Jigawa State – Nigeria

Many physical and chemical properties of fats and oils have been investigated. In this study the oil content, Iodine value, specific gravity and some chemical analyses on oil extracted from the white and red seeds of sesame seeds were determined and compared with those reported by the other workers. The white and red sesame seeds have mean percentage oil contents of 48% and 50%, mean iodine value of 103 and 116gI2/100g and specific gravity of 0.915 and 0.923g/cm3 respectively. The chemical analysis carried out on the oil of white and red sesame seeds have the following properties: acid value of 0.5 and 0.45 mg KOH/g, saponification value of 189 and 191 mg KOH/g and peroxide value of 8 and 7.45 meq KOH/g respectively. The high oil content of the sesame seeds obtainedin this study strongly indicates its prospects for commercial extractio

Analysis of some metals in some brands of tea sold in Kano, Nigeria

Tea leaves can be a source of mineral components and trace elements as well as some undesirable substances due to exposure to the environment. In this study, Mg, Fe, Ca, Zn, Mn, Cu and Pb were analyzed by Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), K and Na were also determined by flame photometer. Among the metals analyzed, K was the most abundant, ranging from 30.00mg/dm3 in china sample to 34.60 mg/dm3 in Srilanka sample, followed by Mg with 9.03 mg/dm3 in India sample to 9.21 mg/dm3 in Srilanka sample. Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, Na and Cu were also found in reasonable amounts. Fortunately, toxic heavy metal (Pb) had the lowest concentration in all the tea samples with concentration ranging from 0.04 mg/dm3 in India and Srilanka samples to 0.09 mg/dm3 in China sample. Keywords: Essential metals, Trace metals, Tea, Kan

Acute Intestinal Obstruction in El Obeid Hospital, Western Sudan.

Objectives: To study the pattern, causes and management outcomes of acute intestinal obstruction in El Obeid Teaching Hospital, Western Sudan. Patients and Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study. The medical records of all patients admitted to the University Surgical Unit in El Obeid Teaching Hospital, with the diagnosis of acute intestinal obstruction in a 10-year period were studied. The data were analyzed for gender, locality, causes, operative findings and outcomes. Results: There were 198 patients (152 males and 46 females). The age ranged from one day to 85 years with the mean age of 38.9 ± SD 21.9 years. Strangulated external hernias were the commonest cause (35.6%), followed by intestinal adhesions (18.2%) and sigmoid volvulus (11.6%). Indirect inguinal hernias were more frequently seen (70%), followed by para-umbilical (22.9%). Previously performed emergency operations as appendecectomy, Caesarean section and abdominal trauma were the commonest causes of intestinal adhesions. The overall mortality was 13.6%, mainly due to late presentation and scarce health facilities. Conclusions: Acute intestinal obstruction is a serious surgical emergency. In the current situation, the hospital facilities were scarce. A welcoming health delivery system providing mass elective hernia repair with health education will reduce this mortality and a lot of unnecessary morbidity. Keywords: bowel obstruction, strangulated hernia, sigmoid volvulus, intussusception, postoperative adhesions, Western Sudan.Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 3 (3) 2008: pp. 191-19

Proximate, caffeine and tannin analyses in some brands of tea consumed in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

The determination of proximate, caffeine and tannin contents of five different (China, Kenya, India, Srilanka and Mambilla) tea leaves samples sold in Kano markets was conducted. The moisture content was generally high in all the tea samples and ranged from 5.6% in Mambila to 7.5% in India samples. Ash content was relatively low and ranged between 4.90% in Srilanka to 7.20% in Mambila and Kenya samples respectively. Crude fibre ranged from 14.00% in China to 18.82% in Srilanka samples, while ether extract content was within the range of 9.30% to 10.60% with the highest value found in Mambila sample and the least value in Kenya sample. Total nitrogen contents were low when compared with other workers’ results and ranged from 0.88% in Kenya to 1.75% in Mambila and Srilanka samples respectively. Caffeine and tannin contents were found to be 1.4% in Kenya to 2.80% in China, 6.00% in Mambilla to 7.80% in India samples respectively. Keywords: Proximate, Analysis, Caffeine, Tannin, Tea, Kan

Effect of Heat Treatment on the Lycopene Content of Tomato Puree.

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. Epidemiological studies have associated its consumption with numerous health benefits. In this study the effects of heating on lycopene were investigated by exposing tomato (lycopersicon esculentum) puree to different temperature treatments (60, 90, 100, 120, and 1500C) for 5, 10, 30, and 60 minutes respectively in the dark. The concentrations of total lycopene in the puree were 6.76, 12.97, 11.00, 12.07, and 11.41 mg/5g at 600C, 14.54, 16.11, 13.97, 13.60, and 13.72 mg/5g at 900C, 10.55, 11.73, 11.98, 11.35, and 10.85 mg/5g at 1000C, 8.80, 9.82, 11.94, 12.68, and 10.21 mg/5g at 1200C, and 17.30, 16.97, 16.66, 17.28, 17.53 mg/5g at 1500C for 0, 5, 10, 30, and 60 minutes respectively. The result shows that lycopene was relatively stable during thermal treatment and however, the result suggested that thermal processes might break down cell walls and enhance the release of lycopene from the tomato matrix.Keywords: Antioxidant, Lycopene, Thermal Treatment, Tomato

Trichobezoar: Case Report and Literature Review

A bezoar is an agglomeration of food or foreign material in the intestinal tract usually noticed in ruminants. It can be classified as trichobezoar (hair) or phytobezoar (plant material). Stomach is the commonest site for bezoar formation, which may result in obstruction, gastric wall ulceration andmalnutrition. They present with abdominal pain, small bowel obstruction or malnutrition. Trichobezoars are associated with trichotillomania. This is a case report of trichobezoar in a Sudanese girl who presented with abdominal pain. This to our knowledge is the first case to be reported from Sudan.Key words: Bezoar, Trichobezoar, Trichotillomania, Sudan

Comparison of Levels of some Metals in the Water and Sediment from Challawa Gorge Dam, Kano, Nigeria

Level of some Metals (Cd,Cr,Mn,Pb,Zn,Na and K) was seasonally determined in the water and sediments of Challawa Gorge dam.The result obtained showed that the values of the metal contents were generally higher in the dry season than the wet season. The metal contents of the water and sediment were obtained using the nitric acid digestion method. All the metals analyzed except Na and K were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (flame emission spectroscopic method). Variations in concentrations were found for the heavy metals ranging between (0.01and1.41mg/l) in water and (1.0 and 1.64 mg/kg) in the sediments. Sodium and potassium were found in concentrations ranging between 7.65±0.28 and 11.32±8.62mg/l in water and between 50.32±18.08mg/l and 144.19±12.09mg/kg in the sediments respectively. The statistical comparison of the values between the wet and dry season in water as well as those in sediment shows no significant difference at P>0.05. All the metals were found to be within the permissible limits as recommended by WHO/NOAA for quality water and sediments except for the levels of iron (Fe) in water which was found to be above the acceptable limit. The sediments contained higher concentration of heavy metals than the water. This may be attributed to the fact that sediments usually serves as repositories in an aqueous environment.Keywords: Heavy metals, sediment, wet season, dry season, water