Exogenous enzymes activities in the fore- and mid-gut of the African snail (Archarchatina marginata)

This study investigated the enzyme activities of two (2) microbial organisms in the fore- and mid- gut regions in the gastrointestinal tract, in Archarchatina marginata, a giant Land snail from the region of West Africa. Microbial analysis was conducted to verify the microbial organisms present in different parts of the snail gut while enzyme assay was performed to determine the type and level of enzyme activities taking place in the mouth and stomach regions. Results revealed the different bacteria inhabiting the regions of the alimentary tract in Archarchatina marginata. Azobacter chroococcum and Pseudomonas syringae, the two bacteria isolate that were further investigated, effectively digested starch, cellulose and casein. However, P. syringae exhibited the highest enzymatic activities for cellulase (8.72µmol/min/ml at 18h) and amylase (9.05 µmol/min/ml at 24h) while Azobacter chroococcum exhibited the highest enzymatic activity for protease (17.18 µmol/min/ml at 24h) during incubation. Consequently, the study validated amylolytic, cellulolytic and proteolytic bacterial activities within the digestive tract of A. marginata. This knowledge is informative for research and an aid to snail farmers in the choice of feeding materials for these land snails

Capacity and Quality Assessment of Awba River Basin

This study aims at determining the feasibility of a Mini Water Supply Scheme to meet the growing water needs of The Polytechnic, Ibadan community. The assessment focused on determination of population of the subject community vis-à-vis the location, discharge capacity and quality status of Oba river basin, being the only perennial stream within the community, seeking possible opportunities for capacity building in the areas water based developmental activities. The entire population of the community was obtained by enumeration method with 10years projection considered at a growth of 4 percent on yearly basis. Water budget was arrived at on the basis of per capita per day, in accordance with the United State specification. Raw water supply was obtained through impounding system of reinforced concrete chamber, which serves as an alternative to costly dam construction. Grid survey was carried out to determine the topographical nature along the stream axis at proposed location of the impounding house. Hydrological studies were carried out on the river to obtain its rate of flow and the harvestable volume of raw water at each month of a year. This was used to determine the size of chamber and the impounding hours before pumping. Physico-chemical analysis of the raw water was carried out and the results compared with that of W.H.O’s 1996 guide line for drinking water as to dictate the design of treatment plant and the recommendable chemical dosage. The study thus reveals that the available perennial stream within the community is a resource that could be utilized to alleviate the problem of acute water shortage and create better environment for research and other developmental activities of the institution. Key Words: Population, Raw Water, Capacity and Quality Assessment, Treatment

Evaluation of Technical Efficiency of Broiler Farms in Nigeria

The poultry industry of which broiler farming is an aspect, is the largest of the livestock sub-sector. Despite this, the industry is characterized by a high level of inefficiency. The focus of this research is on the technical efficiency of broiler farms in Nigeria. Data was collected from 646 respondents with the aid of a questionnaire and analysed with descriptive statistics and Stochastic Frontier Production Function (SFPF) -Cobb-Douglas functional form. Results showed that technical efficiency ranged from 11- 98% with a mean of 67%. The quantity of feed and labour positively influenced broiler output, costs of drugs and vaccines negatively influenced it. Factors that had an indirect influence on the level of technical inefficiency of farms are education, training, access to credit, and other means of livelihood. The sex of the farmer had a direct association with the farm’s level of technical inefficiency. Our findings strongly suggest that to increase broiler farm efficiency, feed, and labor should be adequately utilized, while bio-security measures to reduce expenses on drugs and vaccines should be promoted among broiler farmers. Also, policies that will see to adequate training of farmers and improvement in their level of access to credits should be put in place

Performance and blood profile of Noiler chickens fed diets containing graded Level of parkia biglobosa leaf meal

A study was undertaken for 56 days to determine the growth performance and blood profile of Noiler chicks fed diets with different levels of Parkia biglobosa leaf meal (PBLM) as a partial replacement of soya bean meal (SBM). A total of ninety-six unsexed Noiler day-old chicks were allotted into four dietary groups of 24 chicks with three replicates of eight per group based on weight equalization using a Completely Randomized experimental design. Group 1 containing 0% PBLM (control), groups 2 to 4 had SBM replaced at 5% 10% and 15% in their diets respectively. Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed cost reduction, haematological and serum indices. Results showed that PBLM had an effect (p 0.05) on the protein and albumin values. The result of this study, therefore, suggested that soya bean meal in Noiler chick diets can be replaced by up to 10% of PBLM without harmful effects on the growth and blood profile

Antimicrobial potentials of mucus mucin from different species of giant African land snails on some typed culture pathogenic bacteria

The study aims at evaluating the antibacterial activities of mucus mucin from three species of the giant African land snails; Archachatina marginata, Achatina achatina, and Achatina fulica. Snail slime was collected from forty-five snails comprising the three species of snails from the southwestern region of Nigeria. The antibacterial potential and bacteria growth rate (in hours) of the mucus mucin were determined using agar well diffusion method and liquid broth. Acetic acid (acid), ammonium bicarbonate (alkaline), and water (aqueous) were each used to extract the slime. The result showed that mucus secretions from the three snail species differed in color, degree of the sliminess, and volume. Snail mucus extract had antimicrobial effects on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The inhibitory effects of mucus extracts differed depending on the treatment method and storage time, with acid extracts having a higher inhibitory capacity regardless of snail species or storage time. A. marginata's mucus secretions had a stronger antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis when compared to mucus from A. achatina and A. fulica. The zone of inhibition of the mucus mucin in solid agar ranged between 24.0–19.5mm for A. marginata and ranged between 21.0-17.5mm and 21.0–15.0mm for A. achatina and A. fulica, within 2-72 storage hours). Mucus mucin seems to lose its antibacterial potential with time; however, the antibacterial capability of the giant African snail species could provide the much-needed solution to antibiotic resistance

EFFECTS OF PALM KERNEL CAKE SUPPLEMENT ON FATTY ACID PROFILE AND MILK COMPOSITION OF LACTATING WAD GOATS FED GRASS SILAGE

The scarcity of quality feed and cost-effective supplements necessitates verifiable concentrate as a supplement for goat milk production. Palm Kernel Cake (PKC), an oil palm by-product rich in protein and energy, gradually replaced Prepared Concentrate (PC) in this study. This replacement's impact on milk composition and fatty acid profile in lactating WAD goats fed grass silage basal diet was assessed. Five supplement concentrates with varying PC: PKC ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) were fed to 25 lactating WAD goats in a randomized setting of 5 animals per group. The replacement significantly affected (p<0.05) milk fat, protein, specific gravity, ash, and fat-corrected milk. The highest milk fat (2.17%) came from 100%PKC supplementation, while the lowest (0.77%) came from 25% PKC. Total solid fat values were not significantly affected. Fat Corrected Milk results mirrored the milk fat trend. The 100%PKC group had the highest crude protein (8.22%), while 25% and 75%PKC were not different (p<0.05). Fatty acid profile, expressed as total Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) g/kg, showed increased medium and long-chain fatty acids as PC was replaced. In conclusion, 100% PKC supplementation enhanced milk fat, while 50% PC replacement increased long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in goat mil

Incidence, Diagnosis and Treatment of Atresia Ani at Landmark University

Atresia ani has become a major clinical disease in Livestock especially pigs, cattle and small ruminants. It is a condition which do not often occur but requires a dogged approach in treating affected animals. Atresia ani is a congenital embryological condition that often suffice when the hindgut refuses to connect with the perineum for the proper discharge of muconium. In this study, a three-day-old calf was observed to be suffering from Atresia ani at the Landmark University Teaching and Research farm. This condition was obvious due to the inability of the calf to pass out faeces since parturition. The calf was operated on using standard clinical and surgical practices and also putting into consideration the Animal Welfare principles. The result from the surgical procedure showed that there was a massive improvement in defecation and general performance of the calf after the third day. Furthermore, there was no complication reported in the calf after fifteen days (15) of the procedure. This result shows that Atresia ani can be properly managed at the Landmark University Teaching and Research farm. This affirms the ability of the Institution to promote standard practices in Livestock Production Management