Ameliorative effects of boiling and methionine supplementation of raw soyabeans given to weanling rats

A research study on the nutrition values of raw soya-beans.in ameliorating the effects on anti-nutritional factors in raw soyabean were determined using Wistar rats. Six soyabean-based diets made up of three cooking durations of the seeds (uncooked, and boiled for 15 and 30 minutes) and two supplementation levels (none and supplementation with methionine) were compared. Boiling and methionine supplementation improved the nutritional value of the soyabeans as indicated by the relatively higher weights of liver, spleen, adrenal, the whole brain and brain parts of the rats. Boiling and methionine supplementation also eliminated hyperthyroidism. The relative thyroid weights of the rats on heated and/or supplemented soyabeans were 47-63 per cent of those of the rats on raw un-supplemented soyabeans. Boiling for 15 min. was sufficient to inactivate the trypsin inhibitors present in unheated soyabean. The nutritional improvement of the heated soyabeans by methionine was greater than that of the unheated soyabeans similarly supplemented

Evaluation of sun-dried and roasted maggot meal as a source of protein for laying hens in the Tropics

A research paper on poultry-feed nutrition.An eight week feeding trial involving 126 Nera breed laying hens in a completely randomized block design, was carried out to evaluate sun-dried and roasted maggot meal as protein sources in laying chickens diet. The sun-dried and roasted maggot meals incorporated in the diets at levels of 0, 50 and 100 percent, in replacement of equivalents of soyabean meal and soyabean plus fish meal. There were significant effects on some performance characteristics with increasing levels of sun-dried and roasted maggot meal in the diets. Hen-day production was generally improved in the maggot-based diets but was higher in SMM diets than in RMM and control diets. Shell thickness and shell weight were significantly affected (p<.05). Egg shell weight as percent of egg weight was higher (p<0.05) for chickens-fed RMM than sun-dried maggot meal [SMM] and control diets. Egg yolk, albumin and percentage of blood/meat sport were significantly affected (p<0.05) but did not follow a specific trend attributable to the diets. Cholesterol and content of egg yolk were significantly reduced (p<0.05) by maggot meal. Maggot meal also reduced cost/kg of egg, which was slightly higher for RMM than SMM diets. The use of maggot meal as the sole protein source in laying chickens' diet is possible without detrimental effect. The reduction of egg yolk cholesterol by maggot meal is of nutritional and health importance to consumers, therefore the use of maggot meal in laying hens should be encouraged

Evaluation of lead exposure using Achatina achatina (Linné 1758) at varying traffic intensity

Ecotoxicological observations on Achatina achatina (Linné, 1758) were assessed for the bioaccumulation of lead in snail carcass as induced by traffic near abandoned battery factory (Niger Delta, Nigeria). Levels of lead bioaccumulation above European Commission limit of 1.5g/g at higher traffic intensity depressed (

Proximate composition of some unfamiliar plant seeds in Nigeria - A short report

The nutrient composition of some neglected and less familiar plant seeds was studied. The seeds showed wide variation in constituents and could be compared with commonly consumed food articles. The protein content ranged írom 29.2 g /kg in Callitris intratropica to 253.5 g/kg in Percopsis elata, while the carbohydrate content was found to be between 330.5 g/kg and 734.8 g/kg in P. elata and Dracena mannii, respectively. The highest fat and fibre content of 215 g/kg and 290.5 g/kg occurred in P. elata and C. intratropica, respectively. P. elata, D. mannii and C. intratropica promises a good source of protein, carbohydrate and fibre, respectively. The legumes showed high ash content but most seeds were rich in Mg, K and F and defficient in Na and Cu. Investigation of the antin utrients and possible toxic effects of the seeds is necessary before their full utilisation

Performance, blood chemistry and serum electrolytes of broilers given water from different sources

The role of water sources in broiler performance was assessed using 168 Abor Acre broiler birds. The birds were randomly allotted to 4 treatments (Treatment 1(T1) - tap water, Treatment 2 (T2) – bore-hole water, Treatment 3 (T3) – well water and Treatment 4 (T4) – river water), with 6 replicates each in a completely randomized design. The initial weight was measured at hatch and subsequently on weekly basis till the final week of study. Feed intake and conversion ratio were recorded and computed, while rectal temperature was obtained using a clinical thermometer inserted into the rectum of the broiler chicken. On day 42, blood was collected via the jugular vein into sample bottles for hematological and serum electrolyte assay. Data obtained were analyzed and means separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Water source was observed to significantly influence rectal temperature at the 4th week, with birds served borehole water having higher rectal temperature than birds served river water. Source of water offered to the birds was also observed to influence (p&lt;0.05) serum levels of sodium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus. Sodium level was significantly higher in birds offered river water, while borehole water resulted in significantly higher phosphorus level in broiler chicken.Keywords: Water source, broilers, serum electrolytes, rectal temperatur

Potential Hazards Due To Misuse Of Aluminium Phosphide In Kaduna State, Nigeria

Maize is a staple food in most African countries. One major factor mitigating against food production in Nigeria is pest infestation. Post-harvest losses pose critical constraint on food security. Insect pests are one of the major organisms that are responsible for reduction in quality, germination potential and quantity of maize grains/seeds in storage. The study was conducted in Kaduna State of Nigeria. Four local government areas (Giwa, Igabi, Kudan and Kaura) were selected at random from the state and from the each local government areas, two villages were selected at random. Fifty respondents were chosen at random from the two villages to make a total of 200 respondents in all. Information on the most commonly used maize preservative chemicals were obtained through structured questionnaires. The result of the survey indicated that the mean age ranged between 36-52%, modal age (42-60%), respondents with no formal education (8-44%), those with primary school education, quaranic education, secondary school and tertiary education ranged between 22-50%, 0-17%, 0-30%, and 20-25% respectively. Majority of the respondents are male (78-90%). The most commonly used maize storage pesticide was aluminium phosphide. Misuse of aluminium phosphide, a restricted pesticide in the study areas as case study seemed to be a serious issue since agricultural use of pesticides is left in the hands of illiterates. Key words: aluminium phosphide, maize, Nigeria, questionnaire, surve

Post Harvest Grain Management Storage Techniques and Pesticides Use by Farmers in South-West Nigeria

Post harvest facilities or appropriate storage technology has been the major problem of Nigerian agriculture for a long time that has resulted in considerable waste of agricultural output and hence considerable loss to the economy. This study therefore examines the post harvest choices of grain storage techniques and pesticides use by farmers in south-west Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 192 farmers from whom necessary information where elicited, while Multinomial logit model was used in analysing the data. The results revealed quantity of grain stored, education, gender of farmer, capital invested and price of grains, as factors that affect farmers’ choice of storage techniques. Also choice of pesticide used by farmers was influenced by quantity of grains harvested, cost of pesticide and cost of investment. The need to educate farmers on the use of pesticides in order to avoid problems of grain contamination and assist farmers’ to access loans and credit facilities becomes inevitable