Effect of Deep-Fat Frying on the Vitamins, Proximate and Mineral Contents of Colocasia esculenta Using Various Oils

Colocasia esculenta (Cocoyam) is cultivated primarily for its edible tubers. The objective of this work was to study the effects of frying on the vitamins, proximate and mineral contents of cocoyam by using three different oils (canola oil, soya oil and vegetable oil). It was also oven-dried which served as the control sample. The HPLC method was used for the vitamin analysis. The vitamin A content of dried cocoyam was the highest (0.275±0.007 mg gG1) but it was greatly reduced in cocoyam fried with canola oil (0.034±0.048 mg gG1) and totally lost in cocoyam fried with soya oil and vegetable oil. Vitamins D, E and K were totally lost in cocoyam fried with canola oil. The results of the mineral analysis revealed that the dried cocoyam sample contained high amounts of sodium (257.500±2.121 mg gG1), potassium (128.350±0.354 mg gG1) and calcium (320.050±0.000 mg gG1) and there was a general decrease in the values of most minerals especially sodium, magnesium and iron. The dried cocoyam samples had high levels of protein (26.64%), carbohydrate (44.91%), moisture content (13.2%), ash content (2.14%), crude fibre (11.27%) but low level of lipid in comparison with the fried samples. Cocoyam fried with vegetable oil had the lowest level of protein (22.41%) and carbohydrate (16.8%) but the highest level of lipid (23.03%) and moisture content (27%). The results show that oven-drying retains most of the nutrients of cocoyam compared to deep-fat frying and that each oil sample has its own disadvantag

An Investigation into Some Factors Influencing the Intention to Use Internet Banking among Undergraduates in Nigeria.

The advent of globalization has brought innovation to business and development to the world in general. This development is also pronounced in the banking sector where internet facilities are used to bring about better banking services thereby leading to the achievement of the one of the cardinal goals of the Millennium Development Goals. This study investigated some factors that can influence the intention to use internet banking among undergraduates in a private university in Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria. The subjects were made up of students from a private university drawn from three faculties. The study employed survey research with questionnaire used as data collection instrument. Three hundred and fifty-seven subjects cutting across different departments in the university. Five hypotheses were tested using multiple regression, correlation analysis and t-test. The study revealed that the six factors (triability, capability, compatibility, perceived risk, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) used in this study had positive significant relationship with the intention to use internet banking. These factors also influenced the intention to use internet banking. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended among others that banks in Nigeria should take into consideration technological development of the country when introducing innovative services. The banks should also consider the level of education before the introduction of world class technology. Keywords: Perceived usefulness, perceived risk, triability, capability, intention to us

Geoelectric Investigation Of Araromi Area Of Akure, Southwestern Nigeria

Geoelectric resistivity sounding has been carried out at Araromi area, Akure, southwest Nigeria, an area underlain by Basement complex rocks. Eighteen wenner vertical electrical sounding were carried out along six traverses. Three geologic units which are Topsoil/Laterite, weathered Basement and fresh Basement were identified. Isopach, corrosivity, total longitudinal conductance, iso-resistivity and coefficient of anisotropy maps were generated from the combination of the first and second order geoelectric parameters. Isopach map of overburden revealed bedrock depressions, which serve  as groundwater collection center. The longitudinal conductance map enabled the classification of the area into zones of good (0.7-1.0),moderate (0.2-0.65) an weak protective capacity(0.15).The results not only reasonably provide a basis for which groundwater potential zones were appraised for safety in case industrial facilities are planned for the area but also present environmental factors that should be considered at planning stages of residential and industrial estates. Key words:Geoelectric,Resistivity,Sounding,Parameters,Basement,groundwater,Environmental

Effects of Deep-Fat Frying using Canola Oil, Soya Oil and Vegetable Oil on the Proximate, Vitamins and Mineral Contents of Unripe Plantain (Musa x paradisiaca)

Musa x paradisiacal (plantain) is among the major tropical staple foods. This study was designed to determine the proximate, mineral, and fat soluble vitamins constituents of unripe plantain fried with three different oils (canola oil, soya oil and vegetable oil) and unripe plantain oven dried sample was used as the control. The vitamins were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The result of the proximate analysis showed that the dried samples had higher levels of protein (25.2%), carbohydrate (50.1%), moisture content (13.3%), ash content (2.02%), crude fibre (7.73%) but low level of crude fat in comparison with the fried samples. Plantain fried with vegetable oil had the lowest levels of protein (20.84%), carbohydrate (26.93%), moisture content (13.1%), ash content (1.72%), crude fibre (6.57%) but the highest level of crude fat (30.84%). Plantain fried with vegetable oil had the highest level of calcium (211.80 ± 0.1mg/g) while the dried plantain samples had high level of sodium (233.80 ± 0.07mg/g). Lead (Pb) was absent in the dried plantain samples. Dried plantain samples gave a higher value of vitamins A (0.08 ± 0.01mg/g), D (0.02 ± 0.01mg/g), E (0.01 ± 0.00mg/g), K (0.05 ± 0.00mg/g) compared to plantain sample fried with canola oil which gave low level of vitamin D (0.03 ± 0.00mg/g), E (0.25 ± 0.00mg/g) and K (0.03 ± 0.00mg/g). However, there was a very high level in vitamin A (0.72 ± 0.02mg/g). The result showed that drying in oven retains the nutritional contents of plantain compared to deep-fat frying. Canola oil is recommended for frying although soya oil is also good

Development of a petroleum pipeline monitoring system for characterization of damages using a Fourier transform

Significant damage to the environment and huge economic losses are potential problems caused by leakage from petroleum pipelines. The occurrence of a leakage in a pipeline throughout its lifetime is very difficult to prevent. To minimize environmental damage and high economic losses, an efficient pipeline monitoring system is required to carry out damage characterization thereby enhancing quick response. The signal processing technique of sampling and reconstruction was adopted and mathematical algorithms for the characterization of damages in pipes were developed using the Fourier transform method. These were simulated with the results showing a good agreement between the shapes and magnitudes of the measured original and reconstructed pulses. The simulation was verified with experiments on the test rig. The results showed an underestimation in the magnitudes of the reconstructed pulses in the range of 40 – 45 %. This problem was solved by using a factor K obtained by dividing the maximum amplitude value of the original pressure pulse by that of the reconstructed pulse. Reconstruction of the measured original pulse at a damage location was achieved from combining the measured pulses from two other close locations using the developed Fourier transform based model. Keywords: Damage Pipeline-monitoring Characterization Fourier transform Reconstructio

Optimisation of process parameters for M.A.G welding of API X70m material to predict tensile strength using Taguchi method

Girth welded replica of API X70M material have been produced on NG-GMAW welding technique. The particular area of interest is to develop suitable girth welding process parameter using NGGMAW. The major aim of the work was to replicate welds having tensile strength between 650 and 680 MPa. Design of Experiment (DoE) method by Taguchi design, using some selected welding processes was adopted. Two process parameters (factors) – arc voltage and wire feed rate, (the variables), and three levels were used. The resultant joint property on tensile strength of X70M pipeline was examined. The targeted mechanical property was achieved by selecting the best process parameters. Their effects on ultimate tensile strength – UTS was analysed using statistical technique – analysis of variance - ANOVA and Signal to Noise - S/N ratio with ‘thebigger-the–better’ value. Validation was done using MIDAS NFX (an FEA) mechanical engineering software. In conclusion, process parameters that affects or influences the girth welded properties of API X70M under field conditions were identified. Guidance for the specifications and selection of processes that could be used in field-welding for optimum performance has been recommended. Keywords: Optimization, Girth-Weld, Process Parameters, Tensile Strength, NG-GMA

Investigation of the Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Welded API X70 Pipeline Steel

The mechanical properties of pipelines particularly those in marine environments are influenced by corrosion activity of seawater throughout their service lives. The degree to which these properties are influenced in seawater compared to those exposed to air needs to be better understood. In this study, the chemical composition of API X70 pipeline steel plate, microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded joints of same steel plates exposed to ambient air and seawater respectively were investigated. It was found that the base metal consisted of manganese (0.51wt% Mn), low carbon content (0.051 wt% C) and small quantities of alloying elements such as vanadium (0.021wt% V), molybdenum (0.118 wt% Mo), chromium (0.240 wt% Cr), copper (0.002 wt% Cu), and a carbon equivalent (CE IIW) of 0.38. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed that the microstructure of base metal sample has large grains formed in packets which have certain crystallographic orientation but contain submicron grains arranged in a chaotic interlocking manner. The tensile tests performed using a UNITED type universal testing machine confirmed that the yield strength of the base metal was 573.045MPa which conforms to API standard for X70 steel pipe. The manual metal arc (MMA) welding technique was applied to produce the welded joints.  For the welded joints exposed to ambient air at room temperature, the yield strength was 680.624MPa while the compressive strength was 1500.2MPa, and the impact energy at -10°C was 112.68J. Air tests referred to tests conducted in the laboratory at room temperature. For the welded joints exposed to seawater for 12 weeks, the yield strength was 609.154MPa while the compressive strength was 1219.34MPa, and the impact energy at -10°C was 61.48J. The above results for air and seawater exposures were used to determine the environmental reduction factors of the two environments.  Hardness tests conducted using Vickers hardness tester revealed variations in hardness across the base metal, the HAZ and the weld, with the weld having the highest average Vicker’s hardness value (223.8HV) followed by the base metal (217.3HV) and the HAZ had the least (214.5HV

Geological Characterization of Azara Barite Mineralization, Middle Benue Trough Nigeria

The Azara Barites Mineralization in The Middle Benue Trough Occurs as Vein Infilling Materials associated with Lead-Zinc Lodes. A Fracture Formed as Single Linear Structures with thickness of  generally not more than 0.5m. The Geological Characterization of The Azara Barite Deposits which Include; Geotechnical, Petrological And Geochemistry Were Studied Within The Four (4) Selected  Veins Samples: V1 N (08020’40.6’’) E (0090 17’21.3’’) V 12 N(08021’59.0’’) E(009021’13.6’’) V13 N(08021’44.0’’) E (009021’14.6’’) V17 N(08022’27.1’’) E(0090 17’31.7’’). Soluble Alkaline Earth Metal Test (100mg/L) Indicate Presence of Calcium or  Magnesium which is Good for  Drilling Fluid, Hardness Capacity of  the Veins Mineralization ranges From 3.0 to 3.5 with an average Specific Gravity of 4.2. this classify the Veins as a High Grade Barite. Fluid Performance was Measured based on Yield Point and Plastic Viscosity which is high even at aging and at high Temperature. Quantitative Mineralogical Analysis reveals Barite as the Main Mineral with an  average  of 92 Wt.%   and Quartz as an associated Minerals with average  of  8wt.%.The Mineralogy revealed a Mineralization with One of the purest Veins and less  Number of Impurity, the Colour Index  Criteria also classify the Veins to be Melanocratic (60-90).The Elemental Composition of the Veins show  classes of Major Elements with average weight Percentage of greater than 1% (Sio2, SO3, Bao , Sro,) also  reveal  the Veins Are Oversaturated Based on The Composition of Sio2 And Metaluminous Group ( K2O+Na2O+Ca2>Al2O3>Na2O+K2O) With Modal Minerals Of Feldspar and Normative Minerals of Anorthite + Diopside. These have contributed to the grade and value of Azara Barite Mineralization Veins  and its Purity and Quality for Exploration Purposes. Keywords: Barite, Mineralization, Quartz,Benue Trough,Petrology,Veins,Azar

Offshore Topside Rotating Packed Bed as Process Intensified Alternative for Natural Gas Sweetening and Dehydration

This work is aimed at investigating the benefits of replacing conventional process unit operations with process intensified ones in offshore applications. This ensures that better use is made of raw materials, lower energy consumption and a reduced plant volume was achieved. Specifically, a rotating packed bed technology has been used for gas dehydration and sweetening. To achieve the aim of this study, a process intensification approach is used to redesign mature absorption processes to more compact and efficient one. Process simulation using Aspen Hysys was carried out for Triethylene glycol dehydration and monoethanolamine sweetening. More than 36-fold absorption unit size reduction was achieved thereby effecting large decrease in capital and operating costs compared to the conventional packed columns currently utilized in the offshore oil and gas industry. The process intensified technologies therefore can be deployed for offshore applications where space and size considerations are of utmost importance

Geophysical and Sedimentological Characterization o f a Tar Sand Rich Area in South-western Nigeria.

Although huge deposits of tar sands have been disco vered in parts of south-western Nigeria, detailed g eological studies of many locations are yet to be executed. S uch studies would not only help in quantitative eva luation but also help in generating baseline data that would he lp in evolving exploitation technique that will be environmentally friendly. Vertical electrical Sound ings of southwest Okitipupa were extensively carrie d out while core samples were studied in order to generat e subsurface model of the study area. Detailed sedimentological studies of core samples were also executed. Correlations of geoelectric sections with borehole litho-logs revealed three layers from top to bottom of lateritic soil/clay, shale and sand/bituminous sand. The depth to tar sand horizon ranged from 0.5 to 50.0 m . Groundwater level of about 13 to 15m measured in dug wells occur above tar sand horizon. The most abunda nt mineral in the tar sand is quartz with subordina te amounts of microcline, muscovite and biotite. The m edium grained and moderately sorted nature of the t ar sands coupled with low amount of fine particles, indicate that the oil sand reservoir is of good quality. Op en cast mining can be employed but precaution must be taken to prevent blowout that may be induced by the over lying water bearing horizon. The fairly thick impervious clayey overburden will prevent pollution of groundw ater by waste likely to be associated with tar sand exploit ation