Review of electrical energy losses in Nigeria

The Nigerian electric power sector holds a lot of unfulfilled potentials for the economic development of Africa’s most populous country; the electric energy generated is not up to 30% of the national demand and worse still, over 50% of this paltry sum is recorded as losses—this is not indicative of commercial viability. The visible efforts being made to address the problems, though laudable, do not fully demonstrate complete appreciation of the underlying root causes. In this paper, an examination of the structure of the Nigerian electricity industry is provided followed by a technical review of factors responsible for the excessive losses (technical and non-technical) in the system. The solutions proffered would enable improved response, first to efficiently manage the available energy and also to grow the industry for the good of the nation. Keywords: Nigerian power distribution system, electric energy theft, power losses in Nigeria

Effects of Chemical Mutagen (Sodium Azide) on Onion Grown in Organic and Inorganic Fertilized Soil

The effects of chemical agent (Sodium Azide) on Onion growing in organic and inorganic fertile soil was to be examined during this study. The analysis work was carried out within the green house of the research laboratory technology of the Oke Ogun Science Laboratory Technology, Saki, Oyo State. Onion seeds were soaked inside different beakers containing the mixture of Sodium Azide and water mixed with 10 ml of Phosphate solution for 4 hours. Also, the control was soaked with normal water and 10 ml of Phosphate buffer solution. The treated seeds of onions was planted in plastic containers containing 4.2 g of weighed humus soil within the green house at the Department of research lab Technology of The Oke Ogun polytechnic school, Saki Oyo State. The samples parameter were taken daily for six consecutive months. The result obtained was additionally subjected to statistical analysis by using DMRT techniques. The results showed that the stem length was ranged from 11.39±0.62 and 9.98±0.52 with sample of onion without sodium Azide and inorganic had the highest stem length values and samples of onion with Sodium Azide and inorganic had very cheap stem length. However, the leave length ranged from 29.63±0.12 and 22.45±0.10 with the Onion samples with inorganic and Organic fertilizers which had the highest leave length and sample of onion without Sodium Azide was very low leave length. The results of this study showed that each one the parameters studied within the plant were low with Sodium Azide treatment. The decrease in plant growth, plant heights, root lengths, and Phaonerogam survival, fruit yield per plant and height at maturity with agent concentration. It is hereof suggested that Sodium Azide (NaN3) was expected to produce mutation in onion that area unit extremely liable to harmful pathogens and making them cheap to be useful for farmers

Tree Species Diversity and Abundance of Akure Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to examine the tree species diversity and abundance in a natural forest ecosystem in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. Data were collected from a four equal size sampling plot of 50×50m in a permanent sample plot section of Akure Forest Reserve. All living trees with DBH ≥ 10cm were measured and identified. A total of 956 trees were encountered. These trees were from 42 genera and 20 families. Celtis zenkeri belonging to the family of Ulmaceae was the species with the highest population distribution while Sterculiaceae was the dominant family in the study area. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (Hˈ) of 3.196 and species evenness of 0.84 were obtained from the study area. The high values of diversity indices obtained indicated that the forest is rich in biodiversity and hence should be protected from any forms of disturbance to enhance sustainability as well as protect the rare species in it from going into extinction

In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity of partially purified enterocin produced by Enterococcus faecalis and its application in wound healing

Background: The recent global upsurge in antibiotic resistance among bacteria associated with wounds has contributed to high treatment failures in wound management. Enterocin are produced by enterococci and has been reported to inhibit the growth of many bacteria including those associated with wound infections.Objectives: In this study, antibacterial and physico-chemical properties of partially purified enterocin (PPE) from Enterococcus faecalis was determined. Also, the possible application of the enterocin in wound management was evaluated.Materials and Methods: Eight different enterocin were tested and that with highest antibacterial (E3) was partially purified using standard methods. The molecular weight of the PPE was determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after which the in vitro anti-Staphylococcus aureus potential of the PPE was determined.Results: Enterocin (E3) was effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloaca, Listeria monocytogenes and Proteus vulgaris. The activity of the E3 was very prominent at pH of 4 and 8. The molecular size of the isolated enterocin was 5.5 KDa. The photomicrograph of the skin tissue of the skin treated with partially purified enterocin for day 7showed epidermis covered by atrophic stratified squamous epithelium. A synergistic interaction was noticed when Eusol was used with the enterocin.Conclusions: From this study, enterocin from E. faecalis has a low molecular weight and inhibited bacteria isolates from wound and also aids physiological healing of wound.The antibacterial potency of this bacteriocin indicates that it is an alternative therapeutic agent that can be employed in wound care and management.Keywords: Enterocin, Enterococcus faecalis, wounds, bacteriocin, Staphylococcus aureus, ski

Effect of Pretreatments on the Drying Characteristics and Quality of African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum)

Fruits, due to high moisture content, deteriorate quickly when not adequately preserved. Drying, a common preservation method, will affect quality of final product if not properly controlled. Pretreatments prior to drying have been established as a way of retaining product qualities. This study investigated the effect of pretreatments on the qualities of dried African star apple flesh. African star apple fleshes were sliced (2, 4, 6 and 8 mm) and subjected to pretreatments [blanching (80 ºC for 3 min), lime juice (100%), ascorbic acid and salt solution (1:25 w/v)]. Untreated samples served as control. Samples were dried in cabinet dryer (50, 55 and 60 ºC) at 2 m/s constant air flow-rate, monitored at intervals, until constant weight was obtained. Ascorbic acid and colour measurement of the fresh and dried sample were determined using standard method. The moisture contents of the African star apple flesh were observed to reduce from a mean value of 70.44%, 71.55% and 73.24% to 2.38%, 1.91% and 3.23% at temperatures of 50, 55 and 60 °C, respectively. The total drying time ranged between 7 to 8 h. Colour of the dried African star apple was significantly preserved by the pretreatments used, and low overall color change (ΔE) was obtained at the lowest drying temperature (50oC). The ascorbic acid and lime pretreatments however had better colour overall. Lime pretreatment for 2 mm thick at 50ºC gave the best result in terms of ascorbic acid retention. Hence, lime juice pre-treatment has potentials of retaining quality of dried fruits