EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF COCOA BEAN DRIED USING DIFFERENT DRYING TECHNIQUES

Processing techniques, particularly drying because cocoa beans are extremely sensitive to moisture, have a significant impact on the quality of the final product. Fermented cocoa beans were dried using the NSPRI parabolic solar tent dryer (PSTD), wooden solar dryer (WSD), and open-air drying (OAD). The dried cocoa beans’ respective moisture contents (MCs) for PSTD, WSD, and OAD were 5.94%, 6.01%, and 6.82%, respectively. The corresponding MCs for the dried cocoa beans from PSTD, WSD, and OAD were 5.94%, 6.01%, and 6.82, respectively. It was found that the cut test scores for PSTD, WSD, and OAD were 1000, 985, and 965, respectively. This showed that, in contrast to those from WSD and OAD, the dried cocoa beans obtained from PSTD were fully brown. For WSD, OAD, and PSTD, respectively, the obtained pH values were 5.60, 5.65, and 5.80, and the total titratable acidity was 11.70 meq NaOH 100–1 g, 14.10 meq NaOH 100–1 g, and 18.30 meq NaOH 100–1 g for PSTD, WSD, and OAD, respectively. Food products’ shelf life may be indicated by the titratable acidity value. Due to its enclosed design, the NSPRI PSTD has an advantage over other drying methods because it completely eliminates the possibility of external and microbial contamination of the cocoa beans

Experiences of Girls with Hearing Impairment in Accessing Reproductive Health Care Services in Ibadan, Nigeria

Delivery of health services to people with hearing impairment is poorly understood in Nigeria and limited research has been done to throw more light on the process involved. This study described experiences of 167 girls with hearing impairment in accessing reproductive health services in Ibadan using a validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Almost 95.0% of respondents had ever visited health facility for reproductive health issues. Of these 6.2% and 4.6% went for treatment of STIs and pregnancy termination respectively; 36.7% were embarrassed to ask questions in the presence of an interpreter, communication (40.5%) and cost (10.8%) were key barriers to access and 85.6% would use facility if hearing impairment-friendly services are provided. Respondents who were currently working were 20 times more likely to receive services they wanted (OR=20.29, CI=1.05-392.16). Availability of certified interpreters and ensuring confidentiality are key to effective service delivery for the hearing impaired.RésuméLa prestation des services de santé aux personnes atteintes de déficience auditive est mal comprise au Nigéria et il n’y a pas eu assez de recherche faite pour jeter plus de lumière sur le processus impliqué. A l’aide d’un questionnaire validé, cette étude décrit les expériences de 167 filles atteintes de déficience auditive, face à l'accès aux services de santé de la reproduction, à Ibadan. Les statistiques descriptives et de régression logistique binaire ont été utilisées pour analyser les données. Près de 95,0% des interviewées avaient déjà visité un établissement de santé pour les questions de santé de la reproduction. Parmi elles, 6,2% et 4,6% sont allées pour le traitement des ISTs et l'interruption de grossesse, respectivement; 36,7% étaient gênées de poser des questions à la présence d'un interprète ; la communication (40,5%) et le coût (10,8%) étaient les principaux obstacles à l'accès et 85,6% se serviront des établissements de santé si les services adaptés à la déficience auditive sont assurés. Les interviewées qui travaillent actuellement étaient 20 fois plus susceptibles de recevoir des services qu'ils voulaient (OR = 20,29, IC = 1,05 à 392,16). La disponibilité des interprètes certifiés et l’assurance de la confidentialité sont essentielles à la prestation efficace des services pour les personnes atteintes de déficience auditive.Keywords: disability, reproductive health, health care access, hearing impaired girl

Management of inputs resources in small-scale catfish farming in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined management of pre-stocking, stocking and harvest activities of small-scale catfish farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the needed information and descriptive statistics was use to analyze the collected data. The results show that earthen and concrete pond are the two major ponds utilized by catfish farmers. The cost of pond construction varied with size, location, soil type and the cost of materials; so most farmers rented their ponds. The dimension of earthen pond varies between 53.51m2 and 891.87m2 with a mean of 197.34±2.48m2. The dimension of concrete pond varied between 13.94m2 and 83.61m2, with a mean of 45.89 ± 8.04m2. Many (41.5%) catfish farmers financed their business with their personal savings. Most fish farms are located close to streams for steady supply of water. Most (68.5%) farmers stocked juvenile while 31.5% stocked fingerlings. Farmers fed their fish with respect to their weight, satiation or availability of feed; but majority fed twice per day. Most farmers harvest catfish twice per year. Farmers should therefore know that proper and efficient management of input variables are prerequisite for profitability in catfish production. Keywords: Earthen pond; juvenile; fingerlings; feed; Water; Profitabilit

Effects of methanolic leaf, bark and fruit extracts of Kigelia africana on haematology and erythrocyte membrane stability in rats

The toxicity, haematological and erythrocyte membrane stabilizing effects of different parts of Kigelia africana were evaluated. The different parts namely bark, leaf and fruit were subjected to phytochemical tests and  flavonoids, saponnins, phlobatannin and tannins were found. Sub-acute toxicity study showed no adverse effect on erythrocytic indices at the doses tested for 28 days, Kigelia africana leaf (KAL) at 1000mg/kg caused  leucopaenia in the rats. In vitro, Kigelia africana bark and fruit were able to protect red cell membrane against heat and hypotonicity induced lysis. Oral acute toxicity assays did not show any mortality at 5 g/kg of the  plant extracts. The results indicated that the methanolic extracts of different plant parts K. africana had on adverse effect on haematology of rats at sub-acute dosing and is safe.Keywords: Erythrocyte membrane, Haematology, Kigelia africana, Phytochemistry, Toxicit