Studies on the pH and protein content of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) fruits deteriorated by Aspergillus niger.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruits obtained from the local market in Sango Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, were inoculated with Aspergillus niger from cultures grown in the laboratory and incubated under appropriate conditions of temperature and moisture to initiate infection for seven days. Extensive lesions and subsequent collapse of the tomato fruits inoculated with A. niger occurred within a week of incubation. The uninoculated fruits retained the bright red colour and remained firm throughout the seven days. The pH and the probable implication of the results obtained from this research work can be very useful in utilizing tomato fruits in tomato processing companies in Nigeria

Male and female differences in self-report cheating

Cheating is an important area for educational research, not only because it reduces the consequential validity of assessment results, but also because it is anathema to widely held public principles of equity and truthfulness (see Cizek, 1999 for a comprehensive review of the topic). Moreover, modern education is centered on numerous situations that really depend upon a student’s honesty. The purpose of this paper is to review the extent of academic cheating and to describe any gender differences in self-reports. Accessed 66,268 times on https://pareonline.net from May 18, 2002 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

Nutritional Evaluation of Seed and Characterization of Crude Jack Bean (Canavalia ensiformis) OIL

The Canavalia ensiformis used for this study was cultivated and harvested in Owo, Ondo state of Nigeria. The seed was prepared by sun drying for two weeks; it was later dehulled and milled to flour. The proximate and the mineral compositions of the seed were investigated using standard analytical techniques. The oil in the seed was extracted using solvent extraction method. The resulting crude oil was assessed for physicochemical parameters and fatty acid composition. Canavalia ensiformis contains high protein content, high carbohydrate content, high fibre content, low lipid and adequate minerals. The oil was bright in colour, transparent with low thermal stability when in contact with air. The free fatty acid and acid value was low, have high iodine and peroxide values, and low saponification value. Oleic acid has the highest fatty acid composition with 32.88%, followed by Linoleic acid with 25.93%. The total saturated fatty acid was 8.41%,while the total unsaturated fatty acid was 86.49%. Having considered the proximate and mineral compositions,the study revealed that the seed have high potential for animal and human consumption. In addition, it compared favourably with some conventional edible legumes. The oil, if refined and consumed will supply essential fatty acid to the body based on the fatty acid composition

Nutritional Value of some Edible Mushrooms from Egbe Farmland, West Yagba Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria

Studies were carried out on four different Species of wild mushrooms: Lentinus subnudus, Chlorophyllum molybditis, Marasmus species and Pleurotus tuberregium. The fungal species were analyzed for their nutritional compositions, biological and Structural characteristics. The fungal species were rich in proteins (amino acids) and carbohydrates. The fibres contained in the different species were also good sources of roughages. Moreover, their low acidity confirms their edibility. This study strongly recommends the commercialization of mushroom production as a means of additional source of protein requirements and income to the people in the developing economy of Nigeri

Extraction and clarification of apple juice with polygalacturonase obtained from apple (Malus domestica) fruits deteriorated by Aspergillus niger

Pectinase is used commercially in the clarification and extraction of fruit juice from different fruits. Green apples and Red apples obtained from the fruits section of a supermarket, Idiroko road, Ota were surface sterilized and inoculated with Aspergillus niger. The stock culture was subcultured on Sabouraud Dextrose agar plates and 72-hr-old culture of Aspergillus niger served as the inoculum. The fruits were incubated for twenty-five days at room temperature (25 °C). Control fruits were similarly treated except that sterile inoculum was used for the inoculation. Extracts from the inoculated fruits exhibited appreciable polygalacturonase activity while those from the uninoculated fruits possessed only traces of the enzyme activity. The polygalacturonase obtained after enzyme extraction was applied to freshly ripe apple fruits under controlled experimental conditions to investigate the role of polygalacturonase in the production of apple juice. The juice in the cylinder to which polygalacturonase was added was visually clearer and more than that with distilled water. The optimum temperature of incubation for the clarification of apple fruits with polygalacturonase obtained from apple fruits deteriorated by Aspergillus niger was 25 °C. © 2011 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved

Evaluation of Arsenic Concentration in Rocks of Kaltungo Area, Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria

This research aimed at investigating the concentration of arsenic (As) due to their potential environmental impact and contamination, in the rocks (Coarse Porphyritic Granite, Biotite Granite, Bima Sandstone and basalt) of the Kaltungo area which is part of the Upper Benue Trough. Eight (8) fresh samples (two from each lithologic unit) were collected and analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICPOES) for arsenic (As). The results were presented using graphical presentations and this revealed that rocks in the study area host high concentration of arsenic (As) (87.54-237.65 ppm) compared with the average crustal abundance of 2ppm. These values can be attributed to high concentration of the element in the initial magma and/or hydrothermal and weathering processes which acted on the rocks. The high concentration of arsenic (As) in the rocks of Kaltungo area calls for further studies on its distribution and concentration in the soils, stream sediments and ground water. Keywords: Arsenic, Kaltungo, Upper Benue trough, environment

Assessment of anti-corrosion potentials of extract of Ficus asperifolia -Miq (Moraceae) on mild steel in acidic medium

FullThe inhibitory potentials of ethanolic extracts and four fractions of the stem bark of Ficus asperifolia Miq. for the corrosion of mild steel were assessed using weight loss method, Fourier atomi absorption spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of varying immersion period,concentration of the inhibitors and temperatures for mild steel corrosion in 5 M HCl acid solution were carried out. A detailed kinetic reaction, thermodynamic (Ea, ∆H, ∆S) and adsorption isotherm studies were obtained. The crude extract of F. asperifolia (EFA) has the highest inhibition efficiency of 55%. The inhibitory efficiency of the four fractions of F. asperifolia (EFA) compared with the crude extract was in the order ethyl acetate > n-hexane > butanol > EFA > Aqueous. The inhibition efficiency was found to increase with increase in the extracts concentration but decreased with temperature. Corrosion rate increases with time but decreases with extracts concentration. The kinetic studies of the data followed a first order reaction. Thermodynamic studies revealed that corrosion inhibition may be due to spontaneous mixed adsorption of the plant constituents on the metal surface. Experimental data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherms. The plant investigated showed a good potential for green corrosion inhibitors. Investigation of phytochemical constituents showed that the extracts contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins anthraquinones and reducing sugars

Studies on microorganisms associated with pre-harvest deterioration of guava (Psidium guajava Linn.) fruits

Women form the largest percentage of sellers and buyers in markets all over the world. There are lots of benefits to be derived from guava (Psidium guajava Linn.) fruits but a large percentage of guava fruits produced annually are lost to pre harvest deterioration caused by microorganisms. Four fungal pathogens, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus sp., Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp. and yeast cells were found to be associated with pre-harvest deterioration of Guava (P. guajava Linn.) in Ota, Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. A. niger, Penicillium sp. and yeast cells were the most prevalent while Penicillium sp. was the most pathogenic, inducing a rot of 61 mm in diameter within seven days of incubation. The ash and moisture contents of the uninfected fruits were higher than that of the infected ones. The results of this present investigation could be utilized in juice making industries in Nigeria as well as for the local women who deal directly with the selling and buying of these fruits in our markets