Comparative Evaluation of Nutritional Composition of African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) Fruits from Two Locations

The most logical approach towards the improvement and efficient use of indigenous fruits to supply nutritional requirement for human diet is through the investigation of their nutritional values. This study wascarried out to investigate the nutritional value of African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) fruit collected from two different agro-ecological zones. The fruit was separated into outer yellow pulp and inner seed and were analyzed for proximate, vitamins and mineral contents. The result obtained from the study shows that locust bean pulp from rain forest vegetation had the highest value for crude protein (15.34%), crude fibre (19.45%) total ash (4.50%) and dry matter (91.1%). Locust bean pulp from derived savannah vegetation had the highest values in all the vitamin variables except vitamin E (18.07 ìg/100g) and â–carotene (11.34 ìg/100g). The result of mineral composition shows that locust bean pulp in the rain forest had the highest value in all the variables except Iron(29.85 mg/kg). Locust bean fruit collected from rain forest had the highest  proximate and mineral value, while fruit collected from derived savannah had the highest proportion of vitamins. The study has shown that location significantly affects the nutritional composition of locust beans fruit.Keywords: Comparative evaluation, Parkia biglobosa, nutritional value, rain forest, savanna

Evaluation of the contributions of Ikere Forest Reserve to sustainable livelihood of adjoining communities in Ekiti State

The use of forest products in the recent times has involved provision of employment opportunity, provision of food and provision of health care delivery for the rural people. This study examined contributions of Ikere forest  reserve to adjoining communities in Ekiti-State. Ninety pre-tested questionnaire were administered to forest  products collectors in adjoining villages. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Twenty five  (25) different products were collected from the reserve with timber having the highest frequency of mention by  respondents (67), followed by Fuelwood (62), Oil palm (58), Chrysophyllum albidum (40), Mushrooms (35) and  Irvingia gabonensis (35). The study revealed that 97.8 % of the respondents have over 10 years of  collection experience, with 61.1 % of them visits the reserve every day. The study also showed that 81.1 % of the respondents engaged in other business for means of livelihood, while 84.1 % of the respondents obtained permit to enter the forest. The results show that picking and plucking were the major harvesting method, while lack of storage facility constitutes a major problem for collectors of products. Consequently, it is  recommended that these products should be artificially raised in nursery for plantation establishment to ensure production in perpetuity.Key words: Ikere forest reserve, forest products, sustainable livelihood, adjoining communities and Ekiti Stat

SURVEY OF EDIBLE FOREST INSECTS UTILIZED BY THE PEOPLE IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

This study was conducted to take inventory of edible forest insects and evaluate their contributions to the livelihood of the people of southwest Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select three states (Lagos, Ogun and Kwara). Four towns were selected in each of the states while five respondents were randomly selected from each town. Sixty (60) Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was administered to selected respondents in the study area. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study showed that majority of the respondents are married (53.4 %), female (61.7 %) with (75 %) having at least secondary education. The study also revealed that 10 different insects were collected and utilized for various purposes by the respondents with Macrotermes bellicosus and Apis mellifera being the most sort after insects, (18.2 %) each, while 66.7 % of the respondents collect/harvest their products during raining season mostly by hunting (30.1 %). Majority (70.7 %) of the respondents generate over ₦20,000 from sales of edible insects annually, while 21.5 % of the respondents opined that seasonal availability and irritating physical structure are the major constraints militating against the consumption of edible insects in the study area. Avoiding deforestation and indiscriminate forest fire were the major conservation measures suggested by the respondents. It was recommended that government should enforce legislation against bush burning and illegal felling of trees