Evaluation of Nutraceutical Properties of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm (Pleurotaceae)

Recently, consumption of mushroom is on the increase in many developing countries. They serve as food supplements in diets of the people. The present study was conducted to evaluate nutraceutical properties of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), a widely cultivated mushroom in Nigeria. Properties such as proximate composition, mineral ions and antioxidants contents were analyzed using standard methods. P. ostreatus was found to contain high percentage of crude fibre, moisture content, carbohydrates, crude fat, total ash, crude protein and oil matter. Percentage of mineral ion such as sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc were found to be lower in value. Antioxidants such as flavonoid, phenol, lycopene, β Carotene and ascorbic acid in P. ostreatus were found to be high in value. Overall, the percentage content of minerals in P. ostreatus was less than 1%, proximate composition was 33.64% and antioxidants was 66.16%. This showed that P. ostreatus had a high content of antioxidants, moderate amount of proximate composition and low amount of minerals. As P. ostreatus contains low calorific value and very high content of antioxidants, dietary fibres and minerals, it can therefore be said to be potentially good for medicinal purposes especially among the vegetarian consumer

Repair of spontaneous perineal laceration at delivery, a cultural taboo: a case report

Although genital trauma is a recognized maternal complication of vaginal birth, the presence of skilled birth attendants at delivery and judicious use of episiotomy has been shown to reduce this risk to the barest minimum. Prompt repair of these traumas averts the resultant complicationsthat may arise. A case of a booked 18-year-old nulliparous Guinea-Conakry woman with a  second-degree perineal tear who declined repairdue to a cultural reason is presented. The need for supervised delivery as well as immediate and long-term health implications of her decision isdiscussed.Keywords: Perineal laceration, Genital trauma,Skilled/unskilled birth attendant, vaginaldelivery/childbirth, custom, belief, haemorrhag

Genome-wide association studies of Striga resistance in extra-early maturing quality protein maize inbred lines

Open Access JournalIdentification of genes associated with Striga resistance is invaluable for accelerating genetic gains in breeding for Striga resistance in maize. We conducted a genome-wide association study to identify genomic regions associated with grain yield and other agronomic traits under artificial Striga field infestation. One hundred and forty-one extra-early quality protein maize inbred lines were phenotyped for key agronomic traits. The inbred lines were also genotyped using 49,185 DArTseq markers from which 8,143 were retained for population structure analysis and genome wide-association study. Cluster analysis and population structure revealed the presence of 3 well-defined genetic groups. Using the mixed linear model, 22 SNP markers were identified to be significantly associated with grain yield, Striga damage at 10 weeks after planting, number of emerged Striga plants at 8 and 10 weeks after planting and ear aspect. The identified SNP markers would be useful for breeders for marker-assisted selection to accelerate the genetic enhancement of maize for Striga resistance in sub-Saharan Africa after validation

Effects of Phosphorous Application on Growth Performance, Yield and Nutritional Value of Cockscomb (Celosia argentea L)

Effects of phosphorous (P) level on performance, yield and nutritional value of Celosia argentea L. were evaluated with the aim of determining the P level that supports the best growth, yield and nutritional qualities of the crop. The levels of P were: normal (1.348 mg·kg-1 of P/pot, NP), medium (6.743 mg·kg-1 of P/pot, MP), high (13.48 mg·kg-1 of P/pot, HP) and no P application (control, CP). The crop growth rate (CGR) increased with  increase in phosphorus gradients (NP = 0.05 g/m2·d-1, MP = 0.09 g/m2·d-1 and HP = 0.12 g/m2·d-1). High and medium P rates increased the relative growth rate (RGR), HP had the highest RGR (0.05 g·g-1/day) followed by MP (0.04 g·g-1/day). Addition of P increased leaf area (LA) of C. argentea. Crude protein of the control was higher (5.56%) compared to the other P treatments (NP = 5.14, MP = 5.11 and HP = 5.03%). Phosphorus applications were beneficial for growth and enhancement of nutritional quality of C. argentea. NP and MP are recommended for growing this vegetablecrop. Keywords: Cockscomb, Chlorophyll, Crude fibre, Stress, Vegetabl