Nutrient content and anti-nutritional factors in shea butter (Butryospermum parkii) leaves

Sample of shea-butter leaves were analyzed for, anti-nutrients and proximate composition. The proximate result showed that the leaf has high content of carbohydrate (13.82%) compared to other types of leaves. The content of anti-nutrients observed is low; phytate (0.19%), tannic acid (1.50%) andoxalate (0.80%) and these can be tolerated by the body system. The low level of these constituent will not pose a serious nutritional problem in consumption of shea-butter leaves. The leaf extract was also observed to be a good source of iron (3.80 mg/kg), magnesium (19.16 mg/kg) and potassium (0.61 mg/kg). Three amino acids; valine, phenylalanine and leucine were as well found in the leaf extract

Cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Yoruba version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire

Background. Health literacy is an important multidimensional concept of public health concern and a determinant of health outcomes and access to healthcare which requires robust measurement. The objective of this study was to culturally adapt and establish the psychometric properties of the Yoruba version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire. Methods. A cross-sectional survey of Nigeria Yoruba speaking adults was conducted with the Health Literacy Questionnaire following its translation and adaptation. Data were subject to psychometric evaluation (confirmatory factor analysis, composite reliability, Cronbach’s alpha, intra class correlation) and association with sociodemographic variables. Results. A total of 258 adults with mean age 26.7 years participated in the study. The easiest scale to score highly was ‘Actively managing my health’ and hardest was ‘Ability to find good health information’ and ‘Navigating the healthcare system’. Six one-factor models fitted well without correlated residuals but the other three had a good fit after model modification. Composite reliability and Cronbach’s α of ≥0.7 were observed for all scales, suggesting good internal consistency of the scales. Test-retest reliability of the Yoruba translation of the Health Literacy Questionnaire was moderate to good in all scales, intra class correlation ranging from 0.66 to 0.76. Conclusion. The Health Literacy Questionnaire was successfully translated and culturally adapted and demonstrated good content and construct validity and high composite reliability. The Yoruba translation of the Health Literacy Questionnaire has the potential of being a useful clinical tool for the assessment of health literacy, especially among Yoruba speaking community of Nigeria. Thereby helping to improve the health outcomes through access to healthcare

Removal of Pharmaceuticals from Water Using Laccase Immobilized on Orange Peels Waste-Derived Activated Carbon

The ongoing discharge of containments into the environment has raised concerns about the potential harm they pose to various organisms. In the framework of eliminating pharmaceutical chemicals from aqueous solutions, enzymatic degradation by laccase is an environmentally friendly option. In this investigation, laccase immobilized on biochar derived from agricultural waste (orange peels, OPs) was used for the first time to remove carbamazepine and diclofenac from aqueous media. Different characterizations, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), specific surface area (SBET), Boehm titration, proximate and ultimate analysis, as well as the point of zero-charge (pHPZC) analysis, were used in this study. The immobilization of laccase results in enhanced stability with respect to storage, temperature, and pH compared to laccase in its free form. The findings showed that the ideal conditions for immobilization were a pH of 4, a temperature of 30 °C, and a laccase concentration of 4.5 mg/mL. These parameters led to an immobilization yield of 63.40%. The stability of laccase immobilized on biochar derived from orange peels (LMOPs) was assessed over a period of 60 days, during which they preserved 60.2% and 47.3% of their initial activities when stored at temperatures of 25 °C and 4 °C, respectively. In contrast, free laccase exhibited lower stability, with only 33.6% and 15.4% of their initial activities maintained under the same storage conditions. Finally, the use of immobilized laccase proved to be effective in eliminating these pollutants in up to five cycles. Upon comparing the two systems, namely LMOPs and modified orange peels (MOPs), it becomes apparent that LMOPs exhibit an estimated 20% improvement in removal efficiency. These results affirmed the viability of activated carbon derived from OPs as a cost-effective option for immobilizing laccase. This approach could potentially be further scaled up to effectively eliminate organic pollutants from water sources

Changes in some surface soil properties of an Alfisol under long-term land uses

The study investigated changes in selected soil physical and chemical properties of an Alfisol under different land uses (citrus plantation, continuous arable land, bush-fallow land, and pasture). Soil samples were collected from a plot of 20 m × 20 m (0.04 h) under these land uses and analyzed in the laboratory for selected soil physical and chemical properties. Continuous arable land had the lowest aggregate stability, followed by citrus plantation, bush fallow and pasture in increasing order. Bulk density was significantly higher in arable land compared with the other land uses. Total sand was significantly higher under arable and citrus cultivation when compared with pasture and bush-fallow land. Organic carbon was highest in pasture (2.55 %), while it was lowest in continuous arable land (0.78 %). Available phosphorus was significantly lower under citrus and bush-fallow land compared with continuous arable land and pasture. The pH of pasture (5.19) was significantly lower than the values for the other land uses. Continuous arable land, with a pH of 5.85, followed this. The pH of citrus plantation (6.58) and bush-fallow land (6.42) were not significantly different. This study shows that land uses can have significant impact on some surface soil properties and, thus, must be carefully managed for sustainable land use. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 38, 2005: 73-7

Development Of Rainfall Erosivity Map For Nigeria

Rainfall data spanning about a period o 36 years, were used to compute rainfall erosivity indices for some selected stations in Nigeria. About 38 locations were selected, cutting across all the five agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. The Fournier index, which is defined as quotient of the squared sum of rainfall of wettest month of the year to the annual rainfall was used. Values of rainfall erosivity indices ranged from 26.0mm at yandev in the south –eastern of Nigeria, to 106.7 mm at Yelwa in the north-eastern part of the country. The indices were used to develop a rainfall erosivity map or Nigeria. The map reveals that Nigeria may be broadly divided into five major erosion risk zones. The south-western part is generally in the low erosion zone, with the exception of the coastal portion of Lagos, Ondo, Edo and Delta states. The south-east and central portions are generally in the moderate to severe erosion rise zone, while the extreme north-west and north-eastern part are in the severe to extremely sever risk zone. KEY WORDS: Erosivity, Rainfall, Erosion, Fournier-Index. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.11(2) 2005: 253-25

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

No Abstract

Planning sustainable soil management under intensified crop production system in Nigeria: an ecosystem approach

No abstractKeywords: sustainable; management; intensified; crop production; ecosystemGlobal Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 4(1) 2005: 45-5

Prevalence of Self-Reported Low Back Pain among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Preliminary Survey

Background: Low Back Pain (LBP) is increasingly becoming a major health concern among patients withtype-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who are often times managed primarily for their diabetic related problems at the expense of other musculoskeletal conditions.Objective: This preliminary survey aimed to determine if prevalence of self-reported LBP (srLBP) anddisability in patients with T2DM was comparable to that of patients without T2DM.Design: Cross-sectional study.Methods: Socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained from 143 patients with T2DM receivingtreatment at Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. The twelve month and point prevalence of srLBPwas thereafter compared between the 143 individuals with T2DM and 143 age and sex matched apparentlyhealthy controls. Pain intensity, disability and care-seeking practices for LBP were then compared between T2DM patients with srLBP and their age and sex matched non-diabetic patients with srLBP.Results: Twelve months and point prevalence of srLBP was higher among patients with T2DM (46.2%,41.3%) than their age and sex matched non-diabetic counterparts (31.5%, 12.6%). Compared with nondiabetic patients, those with T2DM reported higher disability scores (U =1029.0, p =0.001) despite reporting lower pain intensities (4.15±2.15 vs. 4.75±0.76, p= 0.05).Conclusion: Low back pain should be accorded necessary attention when treating patients with T2DM.Keywords: Low back pain, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Prevalenc

Effect of sole maize and maize –lablab silage on the ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFAS) of grazing calves in the dry season

Silages of sole maize and mixtures of maize-lablab were made at harvest in plastic bags. The experimental Unit consists of twelve cross-bred yearling bulls (White Fulani x N’dama) calves weighing 71-72kg and were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments: Grazing + sole maize silage, Grazing + mixtures of maize-lablab silage and Unsupplemented grazing as control. The experimental design was a completely randomized design and lasted 84days. Silage diets were given between 07:30 and 11:00 hours daily before grazing. Rumen fluid was collected at the end of the study to evaluate the co-efficient of ruminal fluid. The crude protein content in sole maize silage was half of that in mixture of maize-lablab silage. Inclusion of lablab in maize stover silage increased the mineral content as well as the lignin fraction. The mean pH value of sole maize silage (3.80) was less (P < 0.05) than 4.25 obtained with addition of lablab. The buffering capacity (5.37%) of sole maize silage significantly (P < 0.05) increased to 5.71% in mixture of maize-lablab silage. Lactic acid contents differed was influenced significantly (P < 0.05) with a mean value of 8.4% and 8.5% respectively in the sole maize silage and with lablab inclusion. Total volatile fatty acid (VFA) ranged from 56.7 μmoles/ml in calves without supplementation to 95.2 μmoles/ml in the calves fed mixture of maize-lablab silage. Mixture of Maize-lablab silage had the highest values for all the minerals determined in the feed materials while sole maize had the least. It was concluded from this trial, that forage legumes are relatively good sources of degradable nitrogen and fermentable energy, so their inclusion in the diet is likely to increase the rumen population of cellulolytic microbes and also proves that, mixture of maize-lablab silage could be used as supplement to enhance the growth and survival of calves during the dry season, when animal feeds are relatively scarce.Keywords: Grazing calves; maize stover; natural pasture; volatile fatty acid