Assessment of bacterial quality of some fruits sold in selected markets within Kaduna metropolis

Microorganisms are known to contaminate or destroy fruits there by reducing the quality and the profits derived from them. Consumption of raw fruits often lead to food related disease outbreaks. The purpose of the study was to isolate, and identify bacteria present in fruits that are commonly sold in three different markets within Kaduna metropolis. A total of 54 different fruit samples of avocados, apples, and Sour sops were purchased from Bakin Dogo, Station and Kawo markets. All samples were analyzed for the density of microorganisms present using standard plate count method. The frequency of occurrence of the different types of bacteria present on the fruit samples were also determined using standard microbiological methods. The composition of nutrient in each fruit sample was also analyzed using standard method. The results of the study showed that the microbial loads of all the fruits examined ranged between 1.02 x 105 ± 0.60 x 105 CFU/ml to 1.38x105 ± 0.30x105 CFU/ml and the differences were found to be significant (P < 0.05). The sour sops obtained from Bakin dogo market had the highest mean microbial load of 1.38x105 ± 0.30x105 CFU/ml, followed by Avocado (1.24 x 105 ± 0.07 x 105 cfu/ml) from Kawo. The least microbial load of 1.02x105 ± 0.60 x 105 CFU/ml was each for apples obtained from Bakin dogo and Station markets respectively. The species of bacteria isolated from the fruit samples were Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella. Of the 81(100 %) total isolates of bacteria the most frequently isolated species were Staphylococcus (35.8 %) followed by Bacillus, Streptococcus and Escherichia coli (29.2, 16,0 and 9.9 %) while the least frequently isolated species were Pseudomonas (6.2 %) and Salmonella (2.6 %). Soursop has high ash, fiber, protein and carbohydrate contents while avocado has high fat content. Reduction of risk for illnesses associated with fruit consumption can be achieved by adequate microbiological knowledge of fruits, and adopting proper hygienic ways of harvesting, processing, handling and storage

Interactive persuasive learning elements among elderly: A measurement model

The increasing usage of computer technology in myriad fields involves almost all level of the society to interact with the technology. Although the receptions are going well, however, for certain level of ages in the society, the need seems to be difficult to them.Of the level, elderly is a must to be considered for designing and developing computer technology systems that suit them better.Hence, our study proposes a conceptual model of an interactive persuasive learning system to encourage the elderly to use a computer application for learning.This paper is part of our study that evaluates a measurement model of interactive elements of persuasive learning among elderly.This study used empirical study as a method for data collection. Data was collected from 300 elderly respondents and each respondent was supplied with a laptop to enable him/her to use the interactive course ware.The data was analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS).The results have shown that the measurement model fits the data.Therefore, the model is suitable for interactive media among elderly. Further, this study intends to identify the relationship between the interactive media features and persuasive learning elements among elderly

Elaboration and characterisation of novel low-cost adsorbents from grass-derived sulphonated lignin

AbstractThis study investigated the use of water-soluble sulphonated lignin (SL) extracted from grass, which has not been used before as a precursor of activated carbon (AC). Chemical activation of SL with three dehydrating salts (ZnCl2, KCl, Fe2(SO4)3·xH2O) at various salt concentrations (10%, 20%, 30%w/w), charring temperatures (600,700°C) and charring times (1,2h) has been carried out. The surface characteristics and removal efficiencies of cadmium, copper and zinc ions from aqueous solutions were affected by the activation conditions. The sulphonated lignin-based activated carbons (SLACs) with the highest specific surface area, total pore and micropore volume were produced at the lowest dehydrating salt concentration (10%w/w) and at 700°C and 2-h charring. These optimal sulphonated lignin-based ACs were named SLAC-ZC (optimal grass-derived SLAC activated by zinc chloride); SLAC-PC (optimal grass-derived SLAC activated by potassium chloride) and SLAC-FS (optimal grass-derived SLAC activated by ferric sulphate). The central composite design and surface response methodology of different SLACs characteristics showed that the optimal responses were achieved at the same operating conditions. These SLACs also achieved the highest removal efficiencies of Cd2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions from aqueous solutions. The chemical activation had significantly increased the total porosity, microporosity and surface area of water-soluble SL. The activation mechanism depended on the used dehydrating salt where the porosity developed by the dehydration effect of ZnCl2, and by a series of hydrolysis and redox reactions for the other two salts. The results of this research demonstrated that water-soluble SL has a great potential as a novel precursor for the production of activated carbons

Tribological performance of paddy straw reinforced polypropylene (PSRP) and unidirectional glass-pultruded-kenaf (UGPK) composites

In standard preparation and fabrication of natural-fibre embedded composites, 5 wt. % of natural fibre is enough to strengthen and homogenized in parental matrix as the mechanical strength was observed to increase by more than 25% of pure matrix. Hence, paddy straw and kenaf has been a potential candidate in northern region of Malaysia due to its abundance and easily replenished. A unidirectional glass-pultruded-kenaf (UGPK) and paddy straws reinforced polypropylene (PSRP) was studied focusing on its tribological performance. Meanwhile, friction and wear properties were examined using pin-on-disc machine under ambient temperature with dry contact condition. The tests were conducted at various sliding velocities (1.178-2.749m/s) and applied normal loads (9.82-19.64N). The results showed that specific wear rate and friction coefficient decreased with increasing applied normal load and sliding velocity, but the applied normal load was more influential. The coefficient of friction ranges from 0.5 to 4 and wear rate varies from 0.5 to 4 x 10-5 mm3/Nm for PSRP. The friction coefficient of UGPK is within a range of 2.76 to 4.54 at the given test parameters while its wear rate ranging from 0.8 to 1.79 x 10-5mm3/Nm. The failure mode observed during the test was micro-buckling and followed by splitting while fiber-matrix interfacial failure occurred

Zea mays stem agricultural waste for in-vitro shoot propagation of Clinacantus nutans

No AbstractKeywords: Clinacanthus nutans; in-vitro; phytochemicals; shoot propogation; Zea mays ste