Ethnobotany of raffia palm (Raphia hookeri), productivity assessment and characterization of raffia palm oil from the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Raffia palm (Raphia sp) occurs abundantly in the wild in the freshwater zone of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. This study was carried out to assess the use, biomass productivity and characterization of raffia palm oil. Ripe raffia palm fruits were sampled from the three core Niger Delta States (Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers). The oil was extracted using mechanical method and was characterized. Results show that the relative density of the oil was 0.8700 – 0.9039, free fatty acid (FFA) content of 1.13% (Delta), 6.92% (Bayelsa) and 9.74% (Rivers), acidity value of 2.26% in Delta state, 13.94% in Bayelsa state and 19.48% in Rivers state (P<0.05), iodine value of 26.79% was recorded in the raffia palm oil from Rivers state, 28.60% from Bayelsa and 31.10% from Delta state. The peroxide value of the raffia oil was 5.58 mg KOH/g (Rivers state), 7.22 mg/KOH/g (Delta state) and 7.68mg/KOH/g (Bayelsa state) (P<0.05). The saponification number was 25.16 mgKOH/g in the oil from Bayelsa, 32.72 mgKOH/g from Delta and 213.18 mgKOH/g for Rivers state (P<0.05). The parameters fairly fell within the Nigerian standard for vegetable oil. The wild palm has a biomass productivity of 933 trees/ha in Bayelsa and Delta states and 1066 trees/ha in Rivers, but the apparent differences was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Raffia palm is currently underutilized by indigenous people for building construction, production of brooms, basket, ropes and constriction of fish, crab and turtle traps. Edible insect larva is obtained from the palm. Palm wine and locally fermented gin are the major uses of raffia palm. We conclude that raffia palm can be utilized as second generation biofuel feed stock to mitigate food versus fuel conflicts

Proximate composition and antimicrobial effect of Ocimum gratissimum on broiler gut microflora

The poultry industry is challenged by microbial infections, but the use of antibiotic growth promoters is restricted in many countries. This study is designed to assess the use of Ocimum gratissimum for the control of pathogenic gut microflora (E. coli and Salmonella sp). One hundred day old (ANAK 2000) commercial broilers were purchased and used for the experiment. The birds were brooded for seven days before random distribution to their respective treatments and replicates. Aqueous Ocimum gratissimum (0.11g/l) was administered to one set of 50 birds for 7 days (ocimum treatment), while the second sets of 50 birds which were not given the Ocimum extracts served as the control. Result show that the herb had a crude protein content of 4.56%, carbohydrate 13.40% and dry matter of 78.63%, but low in crude fibre (1.06%) and ash (1.21%). Prior to the administration of Ocimum extract the population of Salmonella was highest at the ileum (2.05 log cfu/g) followed by the crop (1.79 log cfu/g) and least at the caecum (1.77 log cfu/g). E. coli was highest at the ileum (2.05 log cfu/g), followed by the caecum (1.93 log cfu/g) and least at the crop (1.83 log cfu/g). Lactobacillus followed the pattern of E. coli but with different population, being highest at the ileum (1.95 log cfu/g) flowed by the caecum (1.90 log cfu/g) and least at the crop (1.79 log cfu/g). One week after the administration of Ocimum extracts to the chickens, the population of microbes in the gut decreased significantly (P<0.05) in relation to the control, suggesting the efficacy of Ocimum at reducing the population of enteric bacteria

Estimation of potential chronic daily intake of heavy metal through consumption of potable water in South-south Nigeria

Industrialization and urbanization has increase the emission of pollutant into the environment; as such sensitive media subject to pollution (water, soil and air) has been infringed upon. Heavy metal is a potential pollutants found in Nigeria water sources. This study assessed the chronic daily intake (CDI) of heavy metal from potable water sources (surface and ground water) in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Secondary data (literatures) were used for the study. The study found the concentration of heavy metals under study to be above the permissible limit recommended by Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The CDI of heavy metal for both children and adults were high ranging from 0.57 to 1436.33 μg/kg·day (iron), 0.00 to 323.33 μg/kg·day (zinc), 0.00 to 37.14 μg/kg·day (cadmium), 0.00 to 29.67 μg/kg·day (chromium), 0.00 to 116.67 μg/kg·day (lead), 0.00 to 123.33 μg/kg·day (copper), 0.00 to 21.33 μg/kg·day (nickel) and 0.00 to 78.0 μg/kg·day (manganese). The CDI value indicates that the consumption of these water sources without treatment could cause disease conditions. Hence, the water requires treatment prior consumption

In-vitro antibacterial effect of Ocimum gratissimum on Broiler gut microflora

Ocimum gratissimum  Linn is a medicine herb that is used in tropical world particularly in Asia, Africa and South America. Because of the restrictions in the use of antibiotics in animal health, alternative drugs are being considered. This study was designed to assess the antibiotic activity of O. gratissimum for the control of gut microorganisms. Proximate and phytochemical analysis of the herb was carried. To 100 day old chicks, aqueous extract of the herb was administered to a set of 50 chicks (Ocimum treatment) but was not given to the second set (control). Antibiotic sensitivity testing of gut microbes (Salmonella and E. coli) isolated from the chicks was tested using 0.11 g/l dried O. gratissimum extract. In the control , the zone of inhibition (ZOI) of Salmonella was 13.2, 11.8 and 14.8mm at the crop, ileum and caecum respectively whereas in the Ocimum treatment, the ZOI were significantly higher (P<0.05)  being 15.0, 15.6 and 15.6 mm respectively. The pattern of sensitivity of Salmonella and E.coli was similar. The zone of inhibition was significantly wider in the chicks administered with Ocimum gratissimum extract compared to the control. Antibiotic activity of the herb may be due to the presence of phytochemicals particularly sapronins, alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins. We conclude by recommending the use of the plant for the control of pathogenic microbes of broilers

Changes in the Treatment of Some Physico-Chemical Properties of Cassava Mill Effluents Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cassava is majorly processed into gari by smallholders in Southern Nigeria. During processing, large volume of effluents are produced in the pressing stage of cassava tuber processing. The cassava mill effluents are discharged into the soil directly and it drain into nearby pits, surface water, and canals without treatment. Cassava mill effluents is known to alter the receiving soil and water characteristics and affects the biota in such environments, such as fishes (water), domestic animals, and vegetation (soil). This study investigated the potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to be used for the treatment of some physicochemical properties of cassava mill effluents. S. cerevisiae was isolated from palm wine and identified based on conventional microbiological techniques, viz. morphological, cultural, and physiological/biochemical characteristics. The S. cerevisiae was inoculated into sterile cassava mill effluents and incubated for 15 days. Triplicate samples were withdrawn from the setup after the fifth day of treatment. Portable equipment was used to analyze the in-situ parameters, viz. total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, salinity, and turbidity. Anions (nitrate, sulphate, and phosphate) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were analyzed using spectrophotometric and open reflux methods respectively. Results showed a decline of 37.62%, 22.96%, 29.63%, 20.49%, 21.44%, 1.70%, 53.48%, 68.00%, 100%, and 74.48% in pH, conductivity, DO, TDS, salinity, sulphate, nitrate, phosphate, and COD levels respectively, and elevation of 17.17% by turbidity. The study showed that S. cerevisiae could be used for the treatment of cassava mill effluents prior to being discharged into the environment so as to reduce the pollution or contamination and toxicity levels