Microbial quality of ready-to-eat shrimps from three selected markets in Ibadan

The microbial load of shrimps and related products are not frequently checked in Nigeria, and consumers are unaware of the risk of ready-to-eat (RTE) shrimps purchased in Ibadan seafood markets. Therefore, this study determined the microbial quality of ready-to-eat shrimps from three major seafood markets in Ibadan. Ready-to-eat shrimps were collected from 80 outlets at the three major seafood markets in Ibadan (50 from Bodija, 15 from Alesinloye and 15 from Eleyele) and checked for microbial presence, microbial counts, and antibiotic sensitivity patterns of the isolated bacteria. The mean total bacterial and coliform counts were 6.40 log CFU/g and 6.24 log CFU/g, respectively. The total bacterial count was significantly lower in ready-to-eat shrimps sourced from Alesinloye [6.29 (6.24 – 6.33) log CFU/g] compared to those from Eleyele [6.43 (6.40 – 6.46) log CFU/g] and Bodija [6.43 (6.41 – 6.46) log CFU/g]. Of the 80 ready-to-eat shrimps samples, Escherichia coli was isolated from 52 (65.5%), Salmonella spp. from 68(85.0%), Shigella spp. from 52(65.5%), Bacillus spp. from 52(65.5%), Staphylococcus aureus from 56 (70.0%) and Staphylococcus epiderdimis from 43 (53.8%) samples. All the Salmonella and Shigella isolates were sensitive to ceftazidime, cefuroxime, ofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin but resistant to gentamicin, cefixime, augmentin, and nitrofurantoin. This study concluded that ready-to-eat shrimps in Ibadan are not safe, wholesome and fit for human consumption because of the high loads of bacteria. The bacterial and fungal organisms isolated from the shrimps indicate contamination from personnel and the environment

Preparation and Characterization of Biochar and Activated carbon derived from Cashew Bagasse Waste

Biochar and Activated carbon derived from cashew bagasse waste (CBB and CBAC), are veritable materials produced from agro-waste. They are currently under-utilized owing to paucity of information in their recycling methods which reduces agricultural waste from the environment. This study investigates the use of under-utilized cashew bagasse waste in the production of biochar and activated carbon using pyrolysis and chemical activation methods, respectively. Cashew bagasse waste was pyrolysed at 4000C for 20mins at 100C/min. The biochar was chemically activated using 0.3M orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) at an impregnation ratio of 1:2.36(w/w). It was heated at 1000C to form a paste and placed in a muffle furnace at 5000C for 30 mins. This was cooled and washed until pH was neutral. It was oven dried at 1050C for 24 hours to a constant weight to produce CBAC Characterization of CBB and CBAC for its pH, bulk density, and moisture content, dry matter, volatile matter, and fixed carbon were determined. FTIR and SEM analysis on CBB and CBAC was done to determine the functional groups and surface morphology, respectively. The Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at P value < 0.05. This study, therefore, revealed CBAC to have better characteristics than CB

Discerning potable water sources using Monte Carlo based simulation for health risk assessment in Omu-Aran, Nigeria

Human health is vulnerable upon exposure to persistent heavy metals (HMs) in environmental media such as groundwater even at trace levels. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the health risk posed by exposure to HMs using deterministic and probabilistic methods. Water samples were collected from 8 Hand dug wells (HWs) and 8 Boreholes (BHs) within Omu-Aran, Nigeria. The order of magnitude of the average contents for heavy metals are Zn > Fe > Al > Cu > Cr > Mn > Pb in HWs and Zn > Fe > Cu > Al > Cr > Pb > Mn for BHs. Pollution indices reveal that BHs were of better quality while HWs were more polluted. PCA shows contamination of HWs come from anthropogenic sources. Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) technique was used to evaluate non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk in children and adults. The computed Hazard Index (HI) values for children and adults show the likelihood of exceeding the HI value of 1 is greater in children (90%) than in adults (16%) upon exposure to Cr in HWs. Computed lifetime carcinogenic risk (LTCR) values via oral pathways for Pb exposure are well below the 10− 4 , hence, no carcinogenic risk is expected upon exposure to Pb. Conversely, for HWs, LTCR values for Cr exposure in children ranged from 0 to 2.14*10− 4, indicating that the current Cr levels pose a risk, especially for children. Hence, prolonged duration to HMs exposure via ingestion increases the possibility of having cancer. Sensitivity analysis reveal Exposure frequency and HMs concentration are the most significant input factors on the risk estimate. Overall, BHs represent a safe water source for both adults and children, while HWs could pose health risk in children due to elevated HMs level

Survival rate, growth and condition index of tank-raised Clarias gariepinus under different salinities

The study evaluated varying levels of salinity on survival, growth and condition index of tank raised Clarias gariepinus for ten weeks. A total of 120 healthy C. gariepinus fingerlings having a bulk weight and average length of 131.73 ± 0.85 g and 5.06 ± 0.24 cm respectively were procured from the hatchery complex of University of Calabar fish farm and used for the study. Sea water was collected from Ibeno Beach and diluted with borehole water to obtain various salinity concentrations of ≤1, ≤5, ≤10 and ≤15 ppt. This represented four treatments(Tanks A to D) and each treatment had three replicates. Evaluation of growth indices and culture water parameters followed standard procedure. Results revealed significant (p &lt; 0.05) differences with regards to food intake in the treatment Tanks A (≤1ppt), B (≤5ppt), C (≤10ppt) and D (≤15ppt). Food conversion efficiency (FCE), ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were significantly different (p &lt; 0.05). Body weight gain were observed to be higher in Tank A with a value of 75.83± 0.07g/kg and a total length of 11.13 ±0.38cm and the lowest weight gain was recorded in Tank D with a value of 43.56 ± 0.76g/kg and a mean total length of 6.67± 0.43cm. There were significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) in the final condition factor (K) of the fish. Hence, it could be established that C. gariepinus fingerlings can survive and be reared in 5ppt saline water without any adverse effect on growth. At salinity level above 5ppt, fish growth rate may be slow. Keywords: Survival rate, Growth, Clarias gariepinus, Salinity, Physicochemical parameter

Hypolipidemic and Antioxidants Properties of Methanol Leaf Extract of Laportea aestuans on Androgen-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Wistar Rats

Background: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease characterized by enlargement of the prostate gland and its associated complications. Objectives: Phytochemicals responsible for hypolipidemic and antioxidants effects of leaf extract of Laportea aestuans in androgen-induced BPH Wistar rats were evaluated. Methods: Thirty (30) male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of 6 rats each. BPH was induced by subcutaneous injection of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol-valerate (10:1) daily for 28 days. The diseased control and drug control groups were given subcutaneous olive oil and oral finasteride (5 mg/kg.bw) respectively after induction of BPH. Rats in the test groups were given 50 and 100 mg/kg.bw of the extract orally for 28 days respectively, following disease induction. The lethal dose LD50 and antioxidants activity of plant extracts, lipid profile and prostate specific antigen (PSA) level of the rats were assayed using standard biochemical tests. Results: Secondary metabolites detected were alkaloids (20.11±0.07 mg/kg), tannins (1.32±0.21), and saponins (11.41±0.14). PSA level was significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05) when compared with the diseased control. The lipid profile assay revealed a significant (P&lt;0.05) reduction in Triacylglycerol (62%), Cholesterol (27%) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (19%) but high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration increased by 41%. The extracts also improved SOD (26%), catalase (38%) and reduced glutathione (36%) levels but reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level by 28%. Conclusion: These findings therefore provide a scientific evidence for the traditional use of L. aestuans in the management of complications associated with BPH which could be a function of the various phytochemicals detected in the plant