The Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of the Threadfin Fish, Polydactylus quadrifilis (Family: Polynemidae) in a Niger Delta Mangrove Creek, Nigeria

Abstract: This study which is the ninth in a series to provide data on the biology and ecology of fish species of Buguma Creek, is the first to provide information on the gastrointestinal helminth parasites of the threadfin fish, Polydactylus quadrifilis in any Niger Delta mangrove creek, estuarine or marine ecosystem in Nigeria. Threadfin fish, Polydactylus quadrifilis was isolated from fish samples collected monthly from November 2004 to June 2006 at flood tides in Buguma Creek, Niger Delta Nigeria. The fish samples were caught by the use of hooks and lines and cast nets. A total of 76 specimens were examined for gastrointestinal helminth parasites. All helminth parasites observed were nematodes. The fish species had a prevalence of 15.8%, i.e., 12 infected out of 76. A total of 7 nematode helminth parasite species belonging to 6 families were recorded. Of the 7 species recorded, Goezia sigalasi (Ascarididae) had the highest prevalence of 6.6% while the other species had equal prevalence of 1.3%. The family, Cathostomatidae was represented by two species: Phacochoerostrongylus sp. and Chapiniella sp., while other families were represented by 1 species each

Impacts of soil on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Growth responses of <em>Moringa</em> spp., plants sampled from Lake Victoria basin.

Depending on pressure on land, mineral turnover may not be able accommodate increased plant nutritional needs. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and symbiotic microbial consortia such as diazotrophs may improve and sustain plant production in Lake Victoria Basin (LVB), however soil factor may be bottlenecks to successful application. A biotest was conducted on the three rhizospheric soil types representative of the LVB. Plants established in vert+hist soils showed a rather superior germination rate of 62.5%, compared to loamy Oxisols at 33% and Alfisols with 58%. Moreover, vert+hist soils sustained a very high mycorrhizal colonization (&gt;90% full cortex arbuscle occupancy) compared to its archetypes. Since vert+hist soils registered higher K content in soil chemical analysis at 42 per K (K2O5-CAL m) mg/100 g content compared to oxisols (11) and alfisols (33). Independent experiment with K+ salt and cultured inoculum AMF using pure vermiculite set under strict growth conditions revealed K influence on plant performance at symbiosis. The results revealed that although a major component of the organic N and P cycles in symbiosis influence plant growth, the missing loop K+ could be adjusted by adding a little K+ salt in eco-sensitive low-input agriculture

Characterization of corn, cassava, and commercial flours: Use of amylase‐rich flours of germinated corn and sweet potato in the reduction of the consistency of the gruels made from these flours—Influence on the nutritional and energy value

Malnutrition appears in weaning age and is usually due to weaning food which is of low nutritional value. This problem led us to investigate the study of the physicochemical and functional properties of cassava flours and corn flours, and the fluidification of the gruels made from these flours by germinated yellow corn and sweet white potato flours. To do this, the approximate chemical composition, physical and functional properties, and ability of amylase‐rich flours to digest the starch in order to reduce consistency were evaluated. From these analyses, it emerges that the chemical composition, and physical and functional properties are influenced by the nature and the treatment undergone by the flours. It appears that the amylase‐rich flours that we used at a concentration of 1%–3% during the preparation of the gruels significantly reduced their consistencies. Given their strong liquefying power, this reduction was more marked with germinated corn flour where 1% permits to obtain desired consistency with 21.50 g of DM of bitter cassava flour, thereby multiplying the energy density and nutritional value of this flour by 5.18. It also appears that the action of flours rich in amylases was depending on the concentration, the nature of the flour, its composition, and the treatment undergone. In view of all these results, we can therefore consider the formulation of a weaning food with the consistency, and energy and nutritional value necessary for the proper growth of children