AQUATIC PHYCOMYCETES AND ASCOMYCETOUS FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ARTEMISIA ANNUA L. PLANTATION SOIL IN A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

Survey was carried out on the ascomycetous and aquatic fungi present in the soil of University of Jos Artemisia annua Plantation in Gangnum, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Portions of the soil samples collected from three (3) locations were steamed in glass beaker placed in a steamer for 4-10 minutes at 100o C before inoculation. Fungal isolation was carried out using soil plate method incubated at 25 ± 2o C. Aquatic phycomycetes were isolated using baits. Two (2) genera of aquatic phycomycetes were isolated, including Achyla dubia and Allomyces arbuscular. Fifty–eight ascomycetous fungi were also isolated from the soil samples. The predominant ascomycetous fungi isolated include among others; Chaetomium bastrychodes, C. cancriodeum, C. cochloides, C. globosum, C. nigricolor, C. senegalensis, C. spirale, Aspergillus candidus A. flavus, A. fumigatus , A. glaucus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. oryzae, A. terreus, F. avenaceum, F. oxysporum, F. roseum, F. solani, F. sporitrichioides, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P.notatum, P.expansum, Trichoderma harzianum, T. piluliferum, Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium sp, Curvularia lunata, Scopulariopsis sp, Torula herbarum, Unidentified sp and a Basidiomycete. The physico-chemical properties of the soil samples were found to be varied, and were found to affect the distribution and population of fungi. The soil was found to be high in organic matter content which could have been as a result of activities of the species of fungi numerous in the soil. The implications of the results are discussed

AQUATIC PHYCOMYCETES AND ASCOMYCETOUS FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ARTEMISIA ANNUA L. PLANTATION SOIL IN A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

Survey was carried out on the ascomycetous and aquatic fungi present in the soil of University of Jos Artemisia annua Plantation in Gangnum, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Portions of the soil samples collected from three (3) locations were steamed in glass beaker placed in a steamer for 4-10 minutes at 100o C before inoculation. Fungal isolation was carried out using soil plate method incubated at 25 ± 2o C. Aquatic phycomycetes were isolated using baits. Two (2) genera of aquatic phycomycetes were isolated, including Achyla dubia and Allomyces arbuscular. Fifty–eight ascomycetous fungi were also isolated from the soil samples. The predominant ascomycetous fungi isolated include among others; Chaetomium bastrychodes, C. cancriodeum, C. cochloides, C. globosum, C. nigricolor, C. senegalensis, C. spirale, Aspergillus candidus A. flavus, A. fumigatus , A. glaucus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. oryzae, A. terreus, F. avenaceum, F. oxysporum, F. roseum, F. solani, F. sporitrichioides, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P.notatum, P.expansum, Trichoderma harzianum, T. piluliferum, Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium sp, Curvularia lunata, Scopulariopsis sp, Torula herbarum, Unidentified sp and a Basidiomycete. The physico-chemical properties of the soil samples were found to be varied, and were found to affect the distribution and population of fungi. The soil was found to be high in organic matter content which could have been as a result of activities of the species of fungi numerous in the soil. The implications of the results are discussed

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF EARLY AND LATE HARVESTED IMPROVED AND LOCAL SWEET POTATO (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam) CULTIVARS ON THE JOS PLATEAU

The physicochemical composition and the energy values of the flours of both identified improved sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam) cultivars: CIP4400168, Ex-Igbariam, Tanzania, TIS 8164 and TIS 87/0087 and three local varieties (Land-races) of sweet potato were investigated. The cultivars were harvested after 4 months (early harvest) and 6 months (late harvest) to determine their suitability for the formulation of sweet potato secondary products. The root of each harvestwas weighed, washed, scrubbed, chipped to 1 x 1 x 6mm dimension, dried, milled into powder, sieved through 250μm mesh size sieve to obtain sweet potato flour. The flour was proximately analysed for moisture content (MC), Protein, Lipid, Fibre, Ash, Starch, Calorific value and pH using standard methods.The late harvest differed significantly in the parameters examined. The flour had low percentage moisture content ranging between 5 and 7.04% for late and early harvests respectively, indicative of long shelf life characteristics and low chances of attack by microorganisms. The crude protein values were higher (7.04%) in the flours of the early harvest but low (0.77%) for late harvest. The lipid concentration of the cultivars was low, 0.24 and 1.67% for the flours of 4 and 6 months harvests respectively. The fibre mean values of the flours were high (3.80%) in the 6 months harvest but low (1.24%) in the 4 months harvest.The ash content of the samples ranged between 0.83 and 2.56% for the flours of 6 and 4 months harvest respectively. The mean percentage values for starch of the flours were high ranging between 79.43 and 89.76% for 4 and 6 months harvested cultivars.&nbsp

Gentrification and Environmental Justice in Nigerian Cities

Gentrification is a process of urban revitalization by which the original inhabitants of an area are displaced, owing to the purchase and upgrading of their deteriorated properties by the middle or high income households. An aspect of gentrification that is of particular interest to Nigerians is the issue of displacement, with its attendant socio-economic alienation of the poor from the city, which has evoked some environmental justice concerns. Focusing on the city of Aba, this study examined gentrification and the environmental justice question in Nigerian cities. The study adopted survey research design, making use of qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse gentrification. Cluster and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 158 displaced household heads of gentrified buildings across the various neighbourhoods in Aba, who were surveyed. Data collected were analyzed with appropriate parametric tests using SPSS. Findings show that about 698 households are displaced in the city every year due to gentrification, with an annual displacement rate of 7.5%. This gentrification induced displacements have been found to constitute significant environmental injustice to the low income city residents as it leads to their dislocation from kin, and communal heritages; forces them to move into substandard housing at the urban fringes; and constrains some to relocate to the rural areas, limiting their abilities to cope with life’s challenges. The study therefore recommends among other things, that the Town Planning Authorities should create a platform to educate owners of rundown properties to adopt the model of market-led gentrification as presently practiced in Lagos city

Medical and Healthcare Waste Management In African Cities: A Case Study

Medical wastes consist of all types and categories of waste generated by medical establishments. Infections and hazardous health care waste pose a substantial danger immediately or over a period of time to human, plant and animal life if not properly managed.  This study evaluated the generation, collection transportation and management of medical waste in selected private and public medical establishments in thirteen local government areas (LGAs) of Lagos State, Nigeria.  Field observations, interviews and questionnaire were employed in the course of this research to collect data.  The data collected were analysed and discussed.  The results showed that the medical waste generated out weighted the current management strategies employed by the medical establishment authorities and regulatory bodies in Lagos State, Nigeria.  There is no structured staff training and development policies, plans and practices for staff members involved in medical waste management.  The on site handling, storage, processing and collection facilities of medical waste are obsolete.  The study therefore recommend the need for federal ministry of health, Lagos State ministry of health, professional bodies, regulatory agencies, and the management of health care establishments to review the current medical waste management strategies, upgrade the on-site medical waste handling facilities and embark on training and retraining of staff members involved in medical waste management in Lagos State and other States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Phytochemical assessment, elemental composition, and biological kinetics of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. stalks

Introduction The essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) has been extensively studied for phytochemical and elemental compositions, biochemical significance, and biological activities. However, the literature has a dearth of information on the Fennel stalk as a potential source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical and elemental composition of Fennel stalks and also, to investigate the kinetic DPPH scavenging property and antibacterial activity of Fennel stalk extracts. Methods Fennel aqueous extract (FVAE) was prepared by mixing of powdered fennel stalks with sterile distilled water, followed by heating and filtration. Methanol (FVME) and ethanol (FVEE) extracts of F. vulgare were prepared by macerating the stalk with respective solvents, followed by filtration. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), determination of total phenols, and X-ray fluorescence were conducted to analyze the chemical composition of the extracts. Biological activities, including DPPH scavenging and antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli, were evaluated through spectrophotometric methods and well diffusion assay, respectively. Results The GCMS analysis revealed 15 compounds including anozol, myristyl iodine, flexiricin, dutadrupine, cycloheptaciloxane, neophytadiene, phthalic acid, and ribitol. Some of these compounds have not been reported from this plant before. FTIR analysis suggested hydroxyl (OH), alkane (CH), carbonyl (C = O), aromatic (C = C), and ether (CO) functional groups in the Fennel extracts. X-ray fluorescence identified elements including titanium, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, rubidium, and strontium. The ethanol extract had higher total phenolic content (72.45±0.01 mg GAE/g) than the aqueous (54.3 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g) and methanol (51.3 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g) extracts. In addition, a high% DPPH scavenging activity was observed in the ethanol extract (85.1 %) compared to that of ascorbic acid (96.2 %). Fennel's stalks methanol extract showed significant inhibition against the growth of E. coli 0157 and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus B-4420, having zones of inhibition diameters of 16 mm and 13 mm, respectively. This is similar to what was observed for chloramphenicol and azithromycin. Conclusion The current study has demonstrated that Fennel stalks contain potentially useful antioxidant and antibacterial properties, in addition to the well-studied essential oil of its fruits and seeds

Microbial quality of two man-made lakes in Lokpa Abia State, Nigeria

The microbial quality of two man-made lakes that serve as sources of water to a rural community was investigated

Effect of Age and Weight on Laying Performance and Egg Weight among Harco Hens

This study was designed to determine the effect of age and weight on laying performance and egg weight among Harco hens. Laying performance and egg weight were compared between three weight ranges of beak trimmed commercial Harco hens in conventional battery cages. Seventy two Harco hens, age 32 weeks were divided into three groups corresponding to 3 weight ranges; 1.35 – 1.59kg (WRI), 1.60 – 1.80kg (WR2) and 1.81 – 2.20 kg (WR3). The hens were fed a commercial layers ratio for three months (12 weeks) during which the average egg weight and hen day egg laying performance of each weight range was determined. The average monthly production of WR3 layers was 295 eggs per 24 layers, whereas, those in WR2 range and WR1 laid 283 and 232 eggs per 24 layers respectively. WR3 hens laid 63 eggs more than WR1 hens per month, while age significantly (P < 0.05) affected laying performance. The effect of body weight on laying performance was significantly different (P <0.05). The average weight of eggs laid by WR1, WR2 and WR3 hens were 53.20 – 60.4g, 53.50 – 64.6g and 56.5 – 63.2g. There were therefore, significant differences (P < 0.05) in weights of eggs laid by hens in three weight ranges. The results therefore, show that laying performance and egg size are positively affected by age and body weight in Harco breed