Assessment of variability in proximate/anti-nutritive composition of cocoyam within Nigeria and Uganda

The availability of cheaper food energy sources which compares favourably with other high priced cereals is of importance and should be encouraged. This study investigated the proximate/anti-nutritive contents of cocoyam collected from Southern Nigeria and Eastern Uganda to investigate if agronomic or climatic factors play a role in its composition. The proximate/mineral composition of cormels (crude protein:0.35 – 6.9%; carbohydrates: 60.01 – 83.66%; Fe: 3.65 - 16.80 mg/100g, Zn: 1.39 – 2.45 mg/100g) show that cocoyam can conveniently replace yams and potatoes in diets due to its similar carbohydrate contents though lower in crude fibre content (0.99 – 2.80%). Cocoyam samples contained high anti-nutrients (Cyanides 0.94 – 2.16 %; Oxalates 8.45 – 181.4 mg/Kg) which may limit its utilization. An analysis of variance indicate cocoyam differ significantly (p<0.05) in proximate/anti-nutritive contents across the two locations with a higher content of crude fibre, crude protein and carbohydrates observed in samples collected in southern Nigeria

The Effects of Storage on Sachet Water Quality in Ogun State, Nigeria

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of storage on the physicochemical status and bacteriological quality of sachet water produced and sold in  Abeokuta metropolis, Nigeria. Ten brands of sachet water were collected within 24 hours of production and stored at ambient temperature. Sub-samples were drawn from the stock samples immediately for physico-chemical and microbiological analyses and after two months. Physical parameters were determined by instrumental methods. Cationic and anionic constituents were determined by standard titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods, trace and heavy water were determined by Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer. The study revealed that all the brands of water analyzed were physically and chemically wholesome and met the WHO standards. Five brands (50%) of the water had total viable and coliform count above the recommended count of 100cfu/m and zero cfu/ml, respectively. pH values increased in all brands to acceptable WHO limits within 2 months of storage except for sample 3 and 4 which decreases below the acceptable limit.  Majorly dissolved oxygen and nitrate values decreased through the investigation period. Total and faecal coliform appeared in 50% of sachet water samples  analyzed immediately after production and were no longer detected after storing for two months except for sample 4. Results of the experiment indicate that 60% of the brands analyzed met the WHO guideline limit for drinking especially for the physico-chemical parameters while the majority failed in the microbiological essay when stored at ambient temperature for the two-month investigation period.KEYWORDS: Coliforms, Conductivity, Microbiological Assay, Physical and Chemical Parameters,Turbidity, Sachet Wate

Heavy metal content of soil and jute mallow (Corchorus olitorus L.) Collected from organic and inorganic fertilizer farms

This study determined heavy metal content of soils and jute mallow (Corchorus olitorus L.) collected from organic and inorganic fertilizer farms. Jute mallow and soil samples (at 0 - 15 and 15 - 30 cm depths) wererandomly collected from organic, inorganic and control (no fertilizer application) farms in Alabata community, Abeokuta, Nigeria. The samples collected were digested and analyzed for heavy metals: Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range (DMR) test. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the metals in jute mallow and soil. The concentrations of the metals in the soils and jute mallow were in the order of Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd and the values decreased with soil depth. Inorganic farms hadsignificantly (p < 0.05) highest concentrations of metals in soils and jute mallow. There was a significant (p< 0.05) positive correlation between the level of the metals in soils and jute mallow.Keywords: Heavy metal, Soil, Jute mallow, Organic and inorganic farms