Influence of sweet potato flour diastatic activity on rheological, baking and sensory characteristics of wheatsweet potato composite bread

No Abstract

A survey of ethnoveterinary botanical remedies in Ogun State and their public health implications

Twenty four villages were visited during a cross sectional survey of ethno veterinary botanical remedies used for the management of animal diseases in four local government areas randomly selected cutting across the four geopolitical zones in Ogun State. A total of 323 households were purposively selected and administered with a semi structured questionnaire. A total of 319 questionnaires out of 323 were used for the analysis in the study.The farmers were assisted by the enumerators to fill the questionnaires in their homes: information on household demography, common animal diseases in the area, botanical remedies used for treatment, part of plant used, and source of prescription, methods of preparation and administration of these remedies were gathered.Most of the respondents were farmers, majority keeping goats. Out of the 319 respondents 110 (34.4%) admitted using plants in treatment of livestock diseases. Thirty two plant species were identified in the study area for treating livestock ailments. Leaves were the plant part mostly used. Adenopus breviflorus(Pseudocolocynth) is the most commonly used plant for treatment of many animal diseases in both ruminants and poultry. Most common livestock diseases condition is mange followed by Peste des petits ruminants; however in poultry the most important diseases are Newcastle disease and diarrhoea. Losses to livestock owners were mostly due to infection.There is need for government and non-government intervention in curbing the menace of diseases in livestock production. Reasons for utilization of botanical remedies were identified and public health implications of usage of these herbs were discussed. In conclusion,there is an urgent need for more of this documentationcum scientific and clinical validation of the claims;if not ethno-veterinary botanical knowledge faces the risk of going into extinction due to increasing modern veterinary medical intervention.Keywords: Ethnoveterinary, Botanical remedies, Public Health

Assessment of the knowledge and effects of foot and mouth disease amongst cattle farmers in Ogun state, Nigeria

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a disease of economic importance that is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa  and contributes significantly to cattle morbidity and mortality. A major factor useful in the control of this disease is  the ability of cattle farmers tosuspect FMD cases. This paper assessed the knowledge and effects of FMD amongst  cattle farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria.Perception of the respondents about the effects of FMD is fair as 64.4% of the  respondents are aware of its direct and indirect losses. The respondents indicated that the outbreak of FMD is   always during the latewet and early dry seasons. This implies that vaccination may be scheduled in order to   achieve  adequate immunization of vaccinated animals since FMD vaccine provide only short lived immunity.Majority of the farmers can identify animals with the infection through the physical signs exhibited by sick animals. This will help in early reporting and confirmatory diagnosis for appropriate action to be taken.Although 61.5% of the    farmers  agreed that vaccination is useful for FMD prevention, the animals of those that do not accept this fact may serve as a means of maintaining the virus in the area, since there is no restriction of movement of animals within Nigeria.In conclusion, the farmers indicated that there is need for government assistance in the provision of  adequate and  timely vaccines and vaccination against FMD which is the ultimate remedy for FMD in Nigeria.Keywords: Assessment, Knowledge, Foot and Mouth Disease, Nigeri