Foliage yield of fluted pumpkin (telfairia occidentalis hook f.) As influenced by organic manure and cutting frequencies on soil of calabar, nigeria.

Field experiment was conducted in the 2019 and 2020 early cropping seasons at the University of Calabar Teaching and Research Farm, Calabar, to assess the foliage yield of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) as affected by organic manure and cutting frequency on soil of Calabar. The experiment was a factorial combination of four poultry manure rates (0, 3, 6 and 9 tonnes per hectare) and three cutting frequency (2, 3 and 4 weekly intervals), laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on vine length, number of leaves, internode length, fresh leaves, dry matter weights and soil physico-chemical properties, and analyzed. Significant means were compared using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (FLSD) at 5 % probability. Results indicated that the sand proportions decreased after harvest while the silt and clay proportions, the soil pH, total nitrogen, organic carbon, organic matter, potassium, magnesium, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) and base saturation all increased after harvest in both cropping years. There were significant (p <.0. 05) effects of PM, cutting frequency and their interactions on vine length, number of leaves, internode length, fresh leaves and leaves dry matter weights in both years of study. Plots treated with 9 t/ha of PM produced the longest vines, higher number of leaves, heavier fresh leaf and leaf dry matter. This was followed by plots treated with 6 t/ha of PM while the lowest was the plot with zero PM treatment. Foliage harvest at 3-weekly cut intervals produced the highest cumulative number of leaves, fresh leaf and leaf dry matter weights, followed by the 4-weekly cut intervals while the lowest was the 2-weekly cut intervals. The interaction of 9 t/ha PM with 3-weekly cut intervals produced the best effect and is therefore recommended

Simulation studies on corrosion of stone coated roofing sheets sold in Nigeria

ABSTRACT. Acid rain condition were simulated on three selected stone-coated roofing sheets sold in Nigeria to assess the rate of metallic dissolution using (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 M) concentration of sulfuric acid, simulated acid rain (0.5 M  of HCl, HNO3 and H2SO4) for 30 days in a controlled environment. Six metals (Pb, Fe, Zn, Al, Si, and Cd) concentration were determined using same concentration of sulfuric acid and distilled water for three hours at elevated temperature of 55 ºC. The results showed that as concentration increases across the three samples, the corrosion rate of stone-coated roofing sheets increases. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the weight loss of the samples were significant by all input variables. The fourth order polynomial model conducted for weight loss and corrosion showed best fit with regression (R2) which ranged from 0.95 and 0.99 across three samples except for 1.00 M of sulfuric acid at 0.8953, 0.8862, and 0.8933 for Sample 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Metal dissolution conducted for three hours showed that zinc had highest dissolution across different concentration, followed by iron respectively, aluminum dissolved at 0.75 M sulfuric acid; lead dissolved at 0.25 M, 1 M and distilled water while silicon and cadmium had relatively low dissolution accordingly. Acid rain has negative impact on corrosion stone-coated roofing sheets thus influencing its lifespan and durability.                     KEY WORDS: Simulation, Acid rain, Metal dissolution, Corrosion, Stone-coated roof, Nigeria   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(2), 461-470. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i2.1

Water Quality Evaluation of Spring Waters in Nsukka, Nigeria

Water qualities of springs in their natural state are supposed to be clean and potable. Although, water quality is not a static condition it depends on the local geology and ecosystem, as well as human activities such as sewage dispersion, industrial pollution, use of water bodies as a heat sink, and overuse. The activities on land use around the water sources can increase the level and number of contaminants if not properly used. This study evaluates the water quality of four spring waters (Asho, Ajie, Iyi-Nsukka and Ikwoka-Obimo) in Nsukka, Enugu state Nigeria to ascertain their suitability for drinking since they are consumed directly without treatment. Water samples were collected from these four springs and analyzed accordingly. The physical, chemical and bacteriological tests were carried out on the water samples with appropriate equipment. After analyzing the samples, it was found that some of the water parameters tested were within WHO/NIS standard and some were outside the range provided by WHO/NIS standard. Among the parameters tested that falls outside the range provided by WHO/NIS standard that has significant health implication are coliform and E. coli. It was found that there is high concentration of coliforms especially at Ajie and Iyi - Nsukka springs with 150MPN and 280MPN per 100ml respectively. Ajie and Iyi-Nsukka springs also have E. coli of 3MPN/100ml each while Asho and Ikwoka-Obimo springs have <3MPN/100ml. The contaminations is as a result of indiscriminate dumping of refuse, defecation around the water sources especially at the uphill side of these spring and the agricultural activities. Base on the findings, the water from these four springs is not safe for drinking without treatment

Chemical and organoleptic evaluation of fermented maize (Zea mays) gruel supplemented with fermented cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) flour and roasted melon seed (Citrullus vulgaris) paste

This work examined the chemical and organoleptic profile of fermented maize gruel enriched with roasted melon and fermented local species of cowpea (oraludi). The chemical composition of the processed food samples were assessed using standard methods. Blends were formulated in the ratio of 70: 30 (14 g protein basis) of maize gruel and cowpea flour or melon paste; and 70: 20: 10 (14 g protein basis) of maize gruel, cowpea flour and melon paste. Young students of the University community were selected for sensory evaluation. Sensory attributes were assessed with a nine-point Hedonic scale. Fermented maize gruel was the control. The proximate result reveals that melon paste had higher values than cowpea flour in protein, ash, crude fibre and fat (35.00: 29.75; 3.60: 2.40; 4.85: 2.33 and 39.95: 3.15%, respectively). Cowpea flour showed superior percentage value to melon paste in moisture and carbohydrate (8.76: 2.28; 57.26: 14.32%, respectively). Melon paste and cowpea flour had close values for iron (5.53: 5.48 mg/100 g, respectively) and zinc (0.019: 0.012 mg/100 g, respectively). There was not much difference in the phytate and tannins values of melon paste and cowpea flour (0.12: 0.18; 8.81: 10.48 mg/100 g, respectively). The blends were generally acceptable (5.46 to 6.88; p>0.05). Composite blends of locally available and under-utilized legumes should be used to add variety to infant diet.Keywords: Complementary food, gruel, chemical composition, organoleptic test.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(36), pp. 5549-555

Nutrient composition of freeze-dried and oven-dried soursop (annona muricata) pulp powders and sensory evaluation of their drinks compared to fresh one

Background: Soursop is underutilized and highly perishable, tropical fruit rich in several nutrients. Objective: This study determined the nutrient composition of freeze-dried and oven-dried soursop (Annona muricata) pulp powders and sensory evaluation of drinks made from them compared with the fresh one. Materials and Methods: Mature soursop fruits were purchased at a local market in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.The fruits were allowed to ripen for 5 days at room temperature (37°C). The ripe fruits were washed, peeled, seeds handpicked and the pulp dried. Freeze-drying was done at -40°C for 72 hours, oven-drying at 70° C for 48 hours. Nutrient content was determined using standard methods. Each of the freeze-dried and oven-dried soursop powders (100g) was liquefied with 500mls of water to formulate unsweetened drinks. A hundred grammes each of the dried powders were liquefied with 500mls of water and flavoured with four tablespoons (60g) of honey to formulate sweetened drinks. Fresh soursop pulp (200g) was liquefied with 400mls of water and flavoured with four tablespoons (60g) of honey to formulate sweetened fresh drink. Sensory evaluation of all the drinks was conducted using a 9-point hedonic scale. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using the Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS) for Windows version 21. Results were presented as means and standard deviations. The researcher used Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's new multiple range tests to separate and compare means at p <0.05. Results: The freeze-dried powder had higher moisture (12.86±0.01%), fat (6.66±0.01%) and carbohydrate (43.70±0.01%) contents while the oven-dried sample had higher protein (20.37±0.01%), ash (12.26±0.01%) and crude fibre (16.36±0.01%) contents. Vitamin C content was 2.76mg/100g (Freeze-dried soursop, FrDS) and 1.69mg/100g (Oven-dried soursop, ODS), vitamin B was 0.05mg/100g (FrDS) and 0.04mg/100g (ODS) and 1vitamin B was 0.09mg/100g (FrDS) and 0.05mg/100g (ODS). Ca was 1.18mg/100g and 1.46mg/100g; Fe was 22 4.26mg/100g and 33.35mg/100g; Mg was 42.26mg/100g and 55.58mg/100g; Na was 20.15mg/100g and 25.58mg/100g; K was 23.35mg/100g and 36.67mg/100g; Zn was 0.87mg/100g and 1.56mg/100g while P was 29.36mg/100g and 66.57mg/100g for the FrDS and ODS soursop powders respectively. The drink from fresh soursop (FSD) had the best score for overall acceptability (7.75±0.85) at p < 0.05 compared to the other drinks. Conclusion: Dried soursop pulp, especially oven-dried, can be a good source of protein, fibre and minerals including K, Fe, P, Mg and Na while the freeze-dried soursop is a better source of carbohydrate, fat and vitamins than the oven-dried. Dried soursop pulp has potential in the prevention of micronutrient deficiencies as well as PEM

‘We only got Coca-Cola’: Disability and the paradox of (dis)empowerment in Southeast Nigeria

Background: Empowerment is the generic name for support services for persons with disability in Nigeria. In it, the elites of the society play leading roles. Special events such as anniversaries, Christmas seasons, wealthy people’s birthdays, investiture of new titles and campaigns before general elections often provide occasions for empowerment programmes. Objectives: This article explores discourses of empowerment of persons with disability in Southeast Nigeria. We concentrate on the relation between local elites and the disability community and how it impacts our understanding of empowerment. Conceptualising empowerment as worldmaking, and disability as something that is ambiguous, we challenge the assumption that the aim of empowerment of disabled people is to improve their (disabled people’s) quality of life. Method: This article relies on research data (collected between January 2014 and January 2017) comprising 72 interviews and participant observations from 27 persons with disability, and 13 social workers and senior government officials. Results: We conclude that discourses of empowerment of disabled people frame disability as loss and tend to conceal the personal stories and survival operations of disabled people. Conclusion: Empowerment discourses ironically provide the platform for local power elites to ‘ride’ to fame on the backs of disabled to extend their influence in society. In the current neoliberal environment of unequal access to opportunities, disabled people must ‘play along’ as a survival strategy. Our qualitative data provide opportunities to reflect on the tensions between the ‘local and the global’, thus indicating how disability issues intersect with other wider questions

Therapeutic Properties of Honey

Honey has been used traditionally for ages to treat infectious diseases. These amazing properties of honey are complex as a result of the involvement of various bioactive compounds. Honey is becoming sustainable as a reputable and effective therapeutic agent to practitioners of conventional medicine and to the general public. Its beneficial role has been endorsed due to its antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities as well as boosting of the immune system. Also, other medical conditions discussed here which can be treated with honey include but not limited to diarrhea, gastric ulcer, canine recurrent dermatitis, diabetics, tumor, and arthritis, and honey can also be used for skin disinfection and wound healing. Most of the known factors that give honey these properties include its acidity, high sugar, hydrogen peroxide, and other non-peroxide properties. Some factors may affect the therapeutic properties of honey such as exposure to heat and light

Echocardiographic partition values and prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive Nigerians

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a well known independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. It has been shown that combination of left ventricular mass (LVM) and relative wall thickness (RWT) can be used to identify different forms of left ventricular (LV) geometry. Prospective studies have shown that LV geometric patterns have prognostic implications, with the worst prognosis associated with concentric hypertrophy. The methods for the normalization or indexation of LVM have also recently been shown to confer some prognostic value especially in obese population. We sought to determine the prevalence of echocardiographic lLVH using eight different and published cut-off or threshold values in hypertensive subjects seen in a developing country's tertiary centre. METHODS: Echocardiography was performed in four hundred and eighty consecutive hypertensive subjects attending the cardiology clinic of the University college Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria over a two-year period. RESULTS: Complete data was obtained in 457 (95.2%) of the 480 subjects (48.6% women). The prevalence of LVH ranged between 30.9–56.0%. The highest prevalence was when LVM was indexed to the power of 2.7 with a partition value of 49.2 g/ht(2.7 )in men and 46.7 g/ht(2.7 )in women. The lowest prevalence was observed when LVM was indexed to body surface area (BSA) and a partition value of 125 g/m(2 )was used for both sexes. Abnormal LV geometry was present in 61.1%–74.0% of our subjects and commoner in women. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of LVH hypertensive patients is strongly dependent on the cut-off value used to define it. Large-scale prospective study will be needed to determine the prognostic implications of the different LV geometry in native Africans