Microbiological safety evaluation of street vended ready-to-eat fruits sold in Ota, Ogun state, Nigeria.

Microbiological safety evaluation of street vended ready to eat fruits was conducted in two vending sites, a local market and a University cafeteria. The mean total aerobic plate count ranges from 2.0x106 to 8.2x108 on Pineapple and Watermelon obtained from the local market and from 6.0x104 to 2.7x107 on apple and fruit salads from the University cafeteria. All the samples were contaminated with coliform and fungi with counts ranging from 2.2x105 to 4.2x106 and 2.0x101 to 1.0x103 in the samples from the cafeteria, and 2.0x105 to 3.5x106 and 2.0x102 to 1.1x103 for samples from the local market. Organisms identified include Bacillus spp 100%, S. aureus and Penicillium spp 80%, Aspergillus niger 60%, E. coli, Enterobacter, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Mucor spp 40%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus, Micrococcus, and Lactobacillus spp 20%. The presence of coliform, and counts of ≥ 106 in most of the samples is a reflection of the sanitary quality of the processing of the produce and calls for concern. Adequate training of food vendors to maintain high standard of personal and environmental hygiene, proper washing of fruits before consumption, regular washing of hands and effective application of hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) will help control contamination of products

Global utilisation of cereals: sustainability and environmental issues

Over the years, cereals have been the major food consumed by humans and have also been used in animal diet and therefore highly commendable for playing a major role in the preservation of human race. Studies have shown that half of the total percentage of calories consumed in the world is from cereals while it is also the most traded agricultural crop at the international market. This motivates the need to assess its utilisation in the past, present and future. This review shows that much driven by the use of cereals are factors like consumption and dietary pattern of a person or country, technological advancement in adding value to it, income status, market forces of demand and supply, level of affluence and policy. The trend in global cereals utilisation since its domestication has indicated an upward one with bulk of it being consumed as food in developing countries while majority of it goes into feeding livestock in developed countries. Evidence from this study also shows that the per capita utilisation of cereals directly for food is exceedingly great in developing countries than developed countries which is an indicator of malnutrition when not balance with other nutrients as it was observed in Bangladesh where calorie intake of an adult is about 90% from cereals. While there is a steady increase in global cereals utilisation due to its discovered industrial use as fuel, increased population and other factors, it will be expedient to focus on its sustainability and environmental issues that are likely to come up as a limitation to meet future demands

Prevalence of Rhesus C and D Alloantibodies among Rhesus-Negative Women of Child Bearing Age at a Tertiary Hospital in South-West Nigeria

Background: A major cause of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is an incompatibility of the Rhesus (Rh) blood group between the mother and fetus. Aim: To determine the prevalence of Rh c and D alloantibodies among Rh-negative women of childbearing age (18–49 years). We conducted a cross-sectional study among women who attended the antenatal, gynecology and blood donor clinics at a Tertiary Hospital in South-West Nigeria from January to August 2019. Serological typing of Rh c and D was done manually with the tube test using anti-c and anti-D antisera, while indirect antiglobulin test was then performed to screen for Rh antibodies. Subjects and Methods: Data was analyzed using Stata 16.1 software; Categorical data was summarized using frequency and percentages while continuous variables were described using the mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range. Pearson's Chi-square (or Fisher's exact) test was used to test for association between categorical variables and Rh status. P values of ≤0.05 were assumed to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 700 consenting women, comprising 505 pregnant (72.1%) and 195 non-pregnant (27.9%) women were recruited into this study. The mean age was 30.7 ± 4.9 years. All (100%) participants were Rhc positive while 641 (91.6%) were RhD positive and 59 (8.4%) were RhD negative. All 59 RhD negative subjects tested negative for anti-D. There was no statistically significant difference between proportion of RhD-negative women who had a jaundiced baby and the proportion of RhD-positive women who had a jaundiced baby (15.6% vs. 18.6%, P = 0.540). Conclusions: This study did not identify any Rhc and D alloantibodies in the study population suggesting there is a low risk of alloimmunization and HDFN due to anti-Rhc and D in this population

Development of a Modified Dehusking Machine for Local Varieties of Coconut

Traditional dehusking of coconut is time consuming, not effective, not economical, and a difficult process, coupled with high cost of importing previously developed dehusking machines. This work is aimed at developing a coconut de-husker that is affordable, user friendly, and has a higher productivity. Consideration was given to the three main varieties available in Nigeria; West African tall, hybrid and dwarf green varieties. All materials selected for the construction were locally sourced. The machine consists of two rollers made up of mild steel with spikes, shafts, electric motor, spur gears, block bearings and the mild-steel frame. Torque and speed reduction required for de-husking were calculated for average Nigerian coconut of 300-450 mm length, and 160-206 mm diameter. Spikes of length 20 mm at 1350 sharpened edge were arranged on the rollers. While the number of pinion teeth was 18 and gear teeth was 44. The total cost of production was ₦167,000 ($288). Performance test shows an efficiency of 90.4 % and dehusking of 80 coconuts per hour. No distortion of extracted fibre length was observed. It is appropriate for use in sub-Sahara region

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Parvovirus B19 Infection among Blood Donors: A Hospital‑Based Study in South‑West, Nigeria

Background: Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a transfusion transmissible infection that can result in severe consequences in vulnerable population that includes pregnant women, immunocompromised and chronic hemolytic anemia patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with B19V infection amongst blood donors in South–West Nigeria. Materials and Methods: We conducted a comparative cross‑sectional study to determine the seroprevalence of B19V immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody among 183 blood donors at the blood bank of a tertiary hospital. The results were analyzed with SPSS 23 software, prevalence and associated factors were determined using frequencies and logistic regression, respectively. Results: The prevalence of B19V IgM was 7.1% (95% confidence interval: 4–11) with a higher prevalence among male donors compared to females (84.6% vs. 15.4%, P = 0.54). There was a statistically significant difference in the seropositivity of B19V IgM amongst the ethnic groups with the Yoruba ethnic group having a higher proportion of B19V IgM‑positive participants P = 0.04. Ethnicity, gender, and steady employment were also associated with increased odds of infection, while increasing age appeared to be protective; though none of these factors were statistically significant. Conclusion: This study has shown that there is still high exposure to transfusion transmissible B19V infection. Keywords: Blood donor, parvovirus immunoglobulin M antibody, sickle cell anaemi

Protective Roles of Adansonia digitata (African Baobab), Cucumeropsis mannii (Melon), and Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro) Supplemented Diets against Cadmium-Induced Lipotoxicity, Bone Demineralization, and Cytotoxicity in Rabbits

The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective roles of Adansonia digitata (African baobab) Cucumeropsis mannii (Melon), Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro),  on lipid profile, bone health, and selected organs (liver, kidney, brain, and testis) against cadmium-induced toxicity in rabbits. Twenty male rabbits were grouped into five with four rabbits in each group. Group 1 served as positive control and received standard feed and 1.5 mg/kg body weight normal saline, group 2 served as negative control and were exposed to 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride, group 3 received 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium Adansonia digitata supplemented feed, group 4 received 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride and Citrullus lanatus supplemented feed, while group 5 were given 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride and Abelmoschus esculentus supplemented feed. All administrations were orally and lasted for 28 days. At the end of the administration, blood, liver, kidney, brain, and testes were harvested from the rabbits for biochemical and histological analysis. One-way analysis of variance followed by Turkey’s test was used to analyze the results with p < 0.05 considered significant. The results revealed that cadmium exposure caused a significant increase in serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, and atherogenic index in rabbits exposed to cadmium. Cadmium exposure also reduced bone calcium concentration. Adansonia digitata maintained the atherogenic index of plasma at 2.67 compared with the positive control group (2.66). The three vegetables reversed the cadmium-induced up-regulation of total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in the liver, kidney, and brain but not in the testis. All the vegetables also restored bone calcium. Citrullus lanatus and Abelmoschus esculentus prevented organ damage induced by cadmium exposure. These vegetables however play different protective roles against cadmium exposed rabbits

Isolation of a pentacyclic triterpenoid from the antiplasmodial bioactive fraction of Nauclea latifolia (Sm) roots

Purpose: To research the antiplasmodial property of aqueous extract, fractions, and residue of Nauclea latifolia roots and to isolate the components responsible for the antiplasmodial activity.Methods: Roots of N. latifolia were macerated with distilled water; the extract was obtained, successively partitioned with ethyl acetate and butanol. The extract, fractions, and the residue obtained were evaluated for their in vivo antiplasmodial activity and compared with amodiaquine and artesunate. The residue (which exhibited the best therapeutic index) was subjected to column and thin layer chromatography to isolate its components. Purification led to the isolation of betulinic acid, which was characterized with the aid of spectroscopic techniques (1H, 13C NMR, and EI-MS).Results: The residue significantly inhibited parasite growth from 42.8 % (D2) to 77.6 % (D5). Therefore, residue exhibited the highest therapeutic index against Plasmodium berghei in the three in vivo antiplasmodial (prophylactic, suppressive, and curative) models and it compared favourably with amodiaquine (80.5 %) and artesunate (85.9 %). The major component of the residue was betulinic acid.Conclusion: The results validate the antiplasmodial claims of the roots of N. latifolia in folkloric medicine, and demonstrated that the isolate has a high therapeutic index in this regard. Further investigations, however, are required to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of the compound/isolate

Isolation and characterization of antioxidant constituents of the fruit of Telfairia occidentalis Hook F (Cucurbitaceae)

Purpose: To evaluate the antioxidant property of the fruit of Telfairia occidentalis and isolate the components responsible for the antioxidant activity.Methods: The fruit pericarp was macerated with methanol and the extract obtained successively partitioned with n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the extract and fractions was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, reducing power, nitric oxide scavenging, total antioxidant and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. The n-hexane fraction, which had the highest DPPH scavenging and total antioxidant activities, was subjected to column and thin layer chromatography to isolate the components. The isolated compounds were identified by ultraviolet-visible (UV), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.Results: Among the fractions tested, n-hexane had the best total antioxidant activity of 99.44 % at 20 mg/ml (p < 0.05) compared to ascorbic acid at 99.71 % of 20 mg/ml. This fraction also had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity of all the fractions (p < 0.05) at all test concentrations. For nitric oxide scavenging activity, the whole extract, and the chloroform and aqueous fractions exhibited activity ranging from 92.29 to 97.66 % compared to 98.93 % for ascorbic acid. The hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity of the extract and fractions ranged from 92.60 to 96.23 % compared with of the standard, ascorbic acid (101.68 %). The major components of the n-hexane fractions were α- amyrin and β-amyrin.Conclusion: The fruit pericarp of Telfairia occidentalis possesses good DPPH radical scavenging activity. This is the first time the antioxidant activity of the fruit (pericarp) and the presence of α- and β- amyrins in Telfairia occidentalis have been reported.Keywords: Telfairia occidentalis, Fluted pumpkin, Amyrin, Antioxidant

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities of the leaves of Chrysophyllum albidum

Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don. (Sapotaceae) which is distributed in Nigeria is used for the treatment of yellow fever, malaria, diarrhea, vaginal disorders, etc [1]. The study was aimed at investigating the antioxidant properties using in vitro and in vivo models. The effect of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antiradical activity on ethanol, petroleum ether, ethylacetate, butanol, and water fractions of C. albidum was determined. The ethylacetate fraction was purified in column chromatography which led to the isolation and characterization of a myricetin rhamnoside [2]. The structure was elucidated by NMR and mass spectroscopic techniques. Furthermore, ethanol extract was administered to five groups of eight 04: 311-404 03: 207-308 | E10 02: 107-204 01: 1-100 rats per group.The positive control animals were administered with vehicle on the first four days, and with the vehicle and CCl4 on the fifth, sixth and seventh day [3]. The animals in the treatment category were respectively administered (by gastric intubation) with 500, 1000 and 1500mg/kg bw of extract & distilled water for the first four days, and with distilled water, extract and CCl4 on the last three days. Animals were anaesthetized and blood samples were collected for some antioxidant assays. Petroleum ether fraction showed the least antiradical activity (4057.5±809.6g/kg) while ethyl ether fraction exhibited the highest activity (414.4±92.0g/kg). Myricetin rhamnoside also exhibited an excellent radical scavenging activity (314.1±60.2). C. albidum exhibited significant (p<0.05) differences on the activity of malondialdehyde, catalase, and reduced gluthathione. The plant therefore possesses antioxidant activities and could be employed as natural antioxidant boosters

Climate Change and Potential Environmental Hazards with Perspective Adaptation Technologies in Nigeria, A review

Abstract. Climate change is a global phenomenon with multifarious unique regional consequences. Contemporary studies have established Climate change as a product of anthropogenic activities. Studies have linked extreme weather events, heat waves, increase pollution, crop failure as some of the many discernable effects of climate change. Hence, the spatial temporal effects of Climate change are of concern to policy makers, researchers, innovators and the entire public to develop veritable mitigation strategies. This paper examines climate change in Nigeria as a case study; the research adopted desk research method to collect secondary data from literature about hazards caused by climate change and potential adaptation strategies in Nigeria. The findings revealed that a potential environmental hazard caused by climate change in Nigeria includes that of biological, chemical, physical, mechanical and psycho-social. Moreover, this review further showed adaptation technologies that can be used in adapting and mitigating climate change in Nigeria