Extraction and application of dyestuffs from the leaves of guinea corn and onion skin

This research work is aimed at assessing the dyeing and colouring  potentials of ethanol extracts from the leaves of guinea corn and the skin of onion. It is intended to apply the purified dye extracts on textile, drinkand food. The leaves of guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor) and the skin of onion (Allium cepa) were collected, chopped, dried and pulverized. The powdered samples were extracted using ethanol absolute as solvent. Theguinea corn leaves yielded dark red colour while the onion skin gave brownish red colour. The crude dyestuffs were purified by recrystallization in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The percentage yields, melting points, pH andRF values are 10.64% and 9.83%, 186 °C and 194 °C, 7.10 and 5.96, 0.84 and 0.53 respectively. UV/visible absorptions and IR spectra of dye  samples were recorded. The dye samples obtained were used to colour food (pap) and drink (illicit gin). The dye baths made from these dyestuffs were used to dye some cotton fabrics, unmordanted and mordanted  scoured fabrics. The products got from these dyeings, showed varied colourshades and hues. Wash and light fastness properties were carried out on the dyed fabrics. Both dyed fabrics experienced improved wash and light fastness with mordanting.Keywords: Natural dyes, textile dyeing, wash and light fastness, food and drink colouring

Evaluation of chemical and fermentation parameters during the preparation of wine from berry (Maesobotyra standii)

Amilky red wine was produced from locally sourced berry (Maesobotyra standii) in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria using innate wild yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) augmented with baker’s yeast activated with 2, 5 and 10% (w/v) sugar solutions in activated yeast: fruit extract ratios of 1:2 and 1:3. It was observed that there was an inverse proportional relationship between percentage (%) titratable acidity and pH as well as for specific gravity (SG) and percentage (%) alcohol for 48 h after which both SG and % alcohol increased. Diauxic growth and malo-lactic fermentation were observed. Total aerobic counts followed same trend as for % alcohol. pH, % titratable acidity, specific gravity, % alcohol and total aerobic counts at 72 h fermentation ranged from 4.85 - 5.85, 0.955 - 1.152, 0.956 - 1.141, 0.54 - 2.62 and 0.95 - 185 x 103 cfu/ml, respectively. The baker’s yeast activated with 5% (w/v) granulated sugar was most suitable for home or commercial berry wine production which gave wine with lower alcoholcontent (1.84%, v/v alcohol) using 1:2 activated baker’s yeast : fruit extract ratio; it gave wine with slightly higher alcohol-content (2.62%, v/v alcohol) with 1:3 baker’s yeast : fruit extract ratio. Thus portable and/or commercial wine can be produced from berry (M. standii) with baker’s yeast activated with 5% (w/v) granulated sugar.Key words: Berry wine, sugar, baker’s yeast, malo-lactic, fermentation

SOCIAL PROTECTION POLICIES AND AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT IN NIGERIA: EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION USING HOUSEHOLD SURVEY DATA

Social protection programmes have been recognised and proven to be one of the most effective policies in fighting poverty, hunger and unproductive capacity of rural or poor farmers. Despite the fact that poverty have seen to be declining over the years, the number of people who are still undernourished remains high in Nigeria, and where little effort has been made in improving social interventions. Thus, this study explores the relationship between social protection policies and agricultural output in Nigeria using data from Living Standard Measurement Study-Integrated Survey on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA). The method of analysis engaged is the Propensity Score Matching (PSM). The result from the PSM shows that households who benefit from social protection programmes in form of agricultural credits experienced trice yields more than their counterparts who do not benefit from the programme

Plant Nutrition and Sustainable Crop Production in Nigeria

The aim of this study is to examine the determining factors of plant nutrition and sustainable crop production in Nigeria. The study applied an in-depth review of literature and observed that different biotic and abiotic factors interact together to determine the outcome of plant nutrition and sustainable crop production in Nigeria. These factors include; types of fertilizers applied, atmospheric emissions, level of technological development, infrastructural facilities, climatic conditions, irrigation method, and level of skilled labour force. The study recommended that there should be increased and equal access to credit facilities, social protection incentives, and more innovation and technological involvement in the agricultural sector in order to increase productivity and efficiency

Badanie wpływu edukacji na kobiety pracujące w rolnictwie w aspekcie tworzenia się kapitału ludzkiego w Afryce. Analiza interakcji

Agriculture plays a crucial role in Africa's economy, and women constitute a significant proportion of the agricultural workforce in the region. Impact of women's role in farming and women education in Africa is significant for the human capital development. Furthermore, women's engagement in agricultural activities has increased with time, leading to improved contributions to food security and livelihood. Against this background, this study investigates the impact of women's participation in agriculture and women education interaction on human capital in Africa with the data obtained from the World Development Indicators (WDI) of the World Bank and Human Development Index (HDI) covering 33 African countries for the time frame 2000 to 2018. To control endogeneity that may be present in fixed effects model, the study applied the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM). The results show that, across African sub-regions, while women's participation in agriculture has a significant negative effect, education has a significant positive impact on human capital outcomes. Additionally, the interaction between women participation in agriculture and education has a significant positive impact on human capital across sub-regions in Africa. The findings underscore the need for policies that promote gender equality, as this has the potential to significantly increase human capital formation and sustainable development. The study, through the the interaction between women's in agriculture and education highlights the contribution of these factors to various goals, such as no poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5) and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).Rolnictwo odgrywa kluczową rolę w gospodarce Afryki, a kobiety stanowią znaczną część siły roboczej w rolnictwie w regionie. Wpływ roli kobiet w rolnictwie i edukacji kobiet w Afryce jest istotny dla rozwoju kapitału ludzkiego. Ponadto zaangażowanie kobiet w działalność rolniczą wzrosło z czasem, co prowadzi do większego wkładu w bezpieczeństwo żywnościowe i zapewnienie środków do życia. Na tym tle w niniejszym artykule bada się wpływ interakcji kobiet w rolnictwie i edukacji kobiet na kapitał ludzki w Afryce na podstawie danych uzyskanych ze Światowych Wskaźników Rozwoju (WDI) Banku Światowego i Wskaźnika Rozwoju Społecznego (HDI) obejmujących 33 kraje afrykańskie w okresie od 2000 do 2018 r. Aby kontrolować problem endogeniczności, który może występować w modelu z efektami stałymi, w badaniu zastosowano uogólnioną metodę momentów (GMM). Wyniki pokazują, że w podregionach afrykańskich, gdy udział kobiet w rolnictwie ma znaczący negatywny wpływ, edukacja ma znaczący pozytywny wpływ na kapitał ludzki. Ponadto interakcja między udziałem kobiet w rolnictwie a edukacją ma znaczący pozytywny wpływ na kapitał ludzki w podregionach Afryki. Uzyskane wyniki podkreślają potrzebę prowadzenia polityki promującej równość płci, ponieważ ma to potencjał do znacznego zwiększenia tworzenia kapitału ludzkiego i zrównoważonego rozwoju. Badanie, poprzez interakcję między udziałem kobiet w rolnictwie i edukacji, podkreśla wkład tych czynników w różne Cele zrównoważonego rozwoju (SDGs), takie jak brak ubóstwa (SDG 1), brak głodu (SDG 2), wysokiej jakości edukacja (SDG 4), równouprawnienie płci (SDG 5) oraz godnej pracy i wzrostu gospodarczego (SDG 8)

Assessing the impacts of distributed generation on the protection scheme of a distribution network: trans Amadi 33 kV distribution network as a case study

Protection scheme of a radial network fails incoordination when additional powersource is provided to the network via distributed generator other than a single source of power. Trans Amadi, 33 kV radial distribution network in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, has manually operated isolators backing up circuit breakers at substation. This arrangement alone cannot overcome rising issues due to bidirectional/multidirectional flow of power in a radial network whenever distributed generators are connected. There is the refore, a need for a protection scheme to be adopted whose devices can “coordinate” as well as offer a reliable protection to the network. This paper proposes a protection scheme design using coordinated behaviours of relay - operated reclosers and sectionalizers, as well as manages the effect distributed generators has, in a radial network using fault current limiter. Proposed protection scheme show results of a good coordination, mis - cordination and an improved coordination, without distributed generator, with distributed generator and with a fault current limiter respectively. Keywords : distribution network, distributed generators (DG), protection scheme, coordination

The reinforcing potentials of Velvet tamarind seed shell as filler in natural rubber compounds

This work focused on the development of a reinforcing filler from renewable natural plant resources as part of the ongoing search for environmental friendly fillers that will substitute synthetic reinforcing fillers such as carbon black and silica in rubber manufacturing. The cure characteristics, physico-mechanical and equilibrium swelling properties of natural rubber, Standard Nigerian Rubber (SNR10) vulcanizates separately filled with commercial grade carbon black (CB), N330 and pulverized natural plant material, Velvet tamarind (VT), seed shell were investigated. The results of the analyses showed that the scorch and cure times decreased while the maximum torques increased with increasing filler loading for both filled-SNR10 vulcanizates. The tensile strengths of both VT-filled and CB (N330) filled-SNR10 vulcanizates increased to 30 phr and 40 phr respectively and decreased with increasing filler loading. The modulus at 100% strain, specific gravity, abrasion resistance and hardness increased while elongation at break, equilibrium swelling and rebound resilience decreased with increasing filler loading for both filled-SNR10 vulcanizates. The results showed that Velvet tamarind seed shell manifested a reinforcing effect on the SNR10 compounds but lower than that of CB (N330) filler.Keywords: Natural rubber, fillers, reinforcement and vulcanizate properties

Effect of Stray Currents on Underground Pipelines within the Niger Delta Region

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of stray currents on underground pipelines within the Niger Delta area. Two gas pipelines were selected for this experiment to investigate the presence of stray currents. The Stationary data logger and the Close Interval Potential Survey tool were used in measuring dynamic stray currents and static stray currents respectively. The sections on the pipelines for survey were selected based on their proximity to possible sources of stray currents. Three sections were surveyed for the first pipeline and two sections for the second pipeline. On survey of the pipelines, significant amount of stray current were detected, sufficient enough to cause corrosion on the pipelines. Furthermore, the effects of the stray current on the pipeline due to weight loss and errors in pipe to soil potential readings were determined. Finally, the sources of the stray currents were investigated and suitable control measures proffered in a bid to protecting the pipelines. Keywords: Niger Delta, corrosion, direct current, stray current, cathodic protection

Calamus deerratus fibre reinforced natural rubber vulcanizates

This research study investigates the potentials of Calamus deerratus fibre (CDF) as a reinforcing filler in natural rubber, Standard Nigerian Rubber (SNR10)   vulcanizates. The Calamus deerratus was cut, dried, pulverized, characterized and incorporated into the natural rubber compounds and the effects on the cure  characteristics and physico-mechanical properties of the CDF-reinforced natural rubber vulcanizates were determined. The results of the analyses, in comparison with a standard carbon black, CB(N330)-filled vulcanizates showed that the CDF manifested a reinforcing effect on the SNR10 vulcanizates but inferior to carbon black, N330-filled vulcanizates. The maximum torque, abrasion resistance, modulus, specific gravity and hardness increased while the scorch time, cure time,   elongation at break and rebound resilience decreased with increasing filler content. The cure time and scorch time were however higher in CDF-filled SNR10   vulcanizates compared to those filled with carbon black, N330. Tensile strengths of CB(N330)- and CDF- filled vulcanizates increased to optimum levels at 40 phr  and 30 phr respectively and decreased with increasing filler content. The results however showed that CDF imparted lower reinforcing potential as shown by the   lower tensile strength, abrasion resistance and modulus. The hardness results of the CDF-filled vulcanizates showed slight superiority over that of CB(N330)-filled vulcanizates.Keywords: Natural rubber, Calamus deerratus, fillers, reinforcement and vulcanizates

Characteristics of natural rubber – carbonized pawpaw seed composites

The search for eco-friendly and less expensive fillers and additives has necessitated the use of renewable natural resources of plant origin in rubber compounding. This research work utilized carbonized pawpaw (Carica papaya) seeds as filler in natural rubber compounds in a bid to determining the reinforcing potentials. The carbonized pawpaw seeds (CPS) and dried raw pawpaw seeds (RPS) were separately pulverized, screened with a 75 μm sized test sieve and incorporated into natural rubber, Standard Nigerian Rubber (SNR 10), loaded between 0 – 50 parts per hundred (Phr) of the rubber. The cure characteristics, physicomechanical properties as well as the percentage swelling characteristics of vulcanizates were measured as a function of filler loading and compared with the values obtained using industrial grade carbon black (N330) as a standard reinforcing filler. Results showed that the CPS and RPS filled SNR 10 influenced the cure characteristics and physicomechanical properties of rubber vulcanizates. The scorch and cure times of the vulcanizates decreased as filler loading is increased while maximum torque increased with increase in filler loading. Tensile strength and modulus at 100% strain for all SNR 10 filled vulcanizates increased to optimum level at 40 phr respectively, thereafter decreased, and elongation at break decreased as filler loading is increased. The hardness and abrasion resistance of the vulcanizates increased with increase in filler loading, while compression set and percentage swelling in both petroleum and aromatic solvents decreased as filler loading is increased. The vulcanizates tend to swell more in aromatic solvents than in petroleum solvents. Percentage swelling of the vulcanizates (N330 – SNR 10 < CPS – SNR 10 < RPS – SNR 10) and in the order benzene > toluene > kerosene > diesel solvents. The research work showed that CPS and RPS fillers exhibited considerable reinforcing potentials but somewhat inferior to carbon black, N330. Keywords: Natural rubber, pawpaw seeds, fillers, vulcanizates and reinforcement