Preservative Effect Of Gelatin Coatings On Carrot

Edible coating extends the life span of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is used to preserve food and prevent spoilage of fruits stored at room temperature. Preservative effect of gelatin coatings on the preservation of carrots was analyzed. Gelatin was prepared in four concentrations (0.5 g/ml, 1.0 g/ml, 1.5 g/ml and 2.0 g/ml). It was applied using dipping technique and allowed to dry before storage in sterile containers. Physiochemical parameters, weight loss and microbiological qualities of the coated and uncoated carrots were analyzed for a period of 7 days using standard procedures. Isolation and identification of bacteria was carried out using pour plate method and biochemical tests. Gelatin concentration at 0.5 g/ml attained nutrient retention with moisture content, total soluble solids and protein content of coated carrots ranging from 90.50 ± 0.01 – 85.40 ± 0.00 %, 12.20 ± 0.01 – 10.60 ± 0.00 Brixo and 1.50 ± 0.01 – 0.25 ± 0.01 % respectively. Weight loss of coated carrots at 0.5 g/ml concentration ranged from 0.35 ± 0.01 – 0.25 ± 0.02 g while 1.0 g/ml concentration ranged from 0.35 ± 0.00 – 0.28 ± 0.03 g. The bacterial and fungal counts of carrots coated with gelatin ranged between 0.20 ± 0.01 x 104 - 7.50 ± 0.05 x 104 Cfu/g and 0.20 ±0.01 x 104 – 18 ± 0.01 x 105 Cfu/g respectively. Eight bacterial and five fungal isolates namely Proteus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Enterobacter sp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., Aeromonas sp, Bacillus sp, Streptococcus sp, Fusarium sp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Rhizopus stolonifera, Penicillum sp. were the most occurring bacterial and fungal species respectively. Coating with gelatin extends life span, reduce water and helps maintain the phytochemical properties of the carrot

Effects of PID Controller on Performance of Dish Antenna Position Control for Distributed Mobile Telemedicine Nodes

Introduction of telemedicine into developing nation’s healthcare delivery scheme could be a solution to a number of challenges facing the scheme including acute shortage of medical personnel. Because of distribution and mobility nature of the system combined with Nigeria’s large land mass, the resulting propagation delay will be large which may lead to system poor quality of performance or instability if the system is not compensated. This study aimed at assessing the effects of introducing Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller into the control of the position of dish antenna mounted on distributed mobile telemedicine nodes within Nigeria when the link is via Nigcomsat-1R. The system closed loop composite transfer function was obtained and subjected to unit step forcing function which then yielded time domain parameters. There was reduction in the value of system time domain parameters obtained for PID controller compensated system compared to uncompensated system. Based on the value of the system time domain parameters obtained from the simulation, introduction of PID controller into this system has improved the system response significantly

Pectinolytic activity of aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus grown on grapefruit (citrus Parasidis) peel in solid state fermentation

The present study was aimed at studying pectinolytic activity of resident fungi isolated from decomposing grapefruit (Citrus parasidis) peels in solid state fermentation. Grape fruit peel was subjected to natural fermentation and the fermenting fungi were isolated, characterized and identified using standard microbiological methods. The isolated fungi were in turn used for fermentation to determine their pectinolytic activity through solid state fermentation technique. Culture parameters such as incubation period, temperature, moisture content and addition of salts supplements were optimized during the research for five days. The identified fungi were Aspergillus Niger and Aspergillus flavus. The peak of pectinolytic activity was at day three of fermentation when the highest pectinase activity of 13.32 μmol/mg/min was recorded for A. Niger and 11.32 μmol/mg/min for A. flavus. Optimum temperature and pH for pectinase activity by A. Niger and A. flavus was at 40 0C and pH 7.5 and 7.7 respectively. The use of salt supplemented substrate did not alter enzyme activity. In conclusion, the isolated fungi could be promising organisms for pectinolytic enzyme production on grape peel as substrate. Keywords: Grapefruit, Pectinolytic Activity, Fungi, Fermentation, Aspergillu

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SELECTED DISTANCE-BASED AND DISTRIBUTION-BASED CLUSTERING ALGORITHMS

Clustering is an automated search for hidden patterns in a datasets to unveil group of related observations. The technique is one of the viable means by which the patterns or internal structure of the data within the same collection can be revealed. Choosing the right algorithm to achieve clusters of good quality is usually a challenge, especially when the number of clusters cannot be pre-determined. This study focuses on evaluating a number of selected clustering algorithms in finding quality clusters in the data sets. To achieve the central objective of this study, prominent technique in both the distance-based and the distribution-based clustering algorithm, specifically k-means and EM clustering algorithm respectively are implemented in this study. The data sets on which the algorithms were implemented comprised of 1,309 records of passenger information that boarded a ship retrieved from rapidMiner open repository. Experiments were conducted and clusters were formed based on the number of chosen partitions, k. The qualities of the clusters formed are measured using the concept of external criterion, Normalized Mutual Information (NMI), to validate all the clusters formed. The resulting output of this study shows that, the distance-based algorithm find clusters of higher quality with NMI value of 0.912 out of a maximum achievable value of 1. The experiment further reveals the average execution time it takes each algorithm to form the cluster model. The findings of this study also unveiled some useful insight into the choice of clustering algorithm as regards their support for a particular data type and the ease of execution of each algorithm

Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from apparently healthy individuals in Malete, Kwara state, Nigeria

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common and continuously growing cause of nosocomial and community-acquired staphylococcal infections around the world. Screening for colonization with MRSA is a major aspect of control and limiting the spread of infections cause by this organism. We investigated the carriage of MRSA among apparently healthy individuals in four rural villages: Eleburu, Tapa, Atere and Apo all around semi-urban town-Malete, in Moro Local Government of Kwara State, Nigeria.Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from volunteered individuals and were cultured on mannitol salt agar and blood agar for isolation and identification of Staph aureus using standard microbiological techniques. Susceptibility to cefoxitin disc (30 ag) was used to determine MRSA status of the isolates. Molecular method was used to detect the gene responsible for resistance among MRSA isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility test to commonly prescribed antibiotics was carried out using discs diffusion method.Results: Total number of individuals carrying Staph aureus in their nostrils was 42 (37.2 %). Antibiotics susceptibility profile of Staph aureus isolates showed 100 % resistance to cefuroxime, cefotaxime, cloxacillin and augmentin, and were 87 %, 81 %, 69 % and 23.8 % and 19 % resistant to tetracycline, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, ofloxacin and gentamicin respectively. A total of 6 (14%) Community –Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) isolates were recovered from individuals living in these villages. Molecular method detected muc and mecA genes in all the 6 (100%) CA-MRSA isolates and lukS-lukF was detected in 3 (50%) of the isolates.Conclusion: Detection of CA-MRSA strains among these rural dweller indicates that they are harbouring enhance virulence organism that may manifest a more severe disease condition. The danger associated with high prevalence of multidrug resistant Staph aureus and CAMRSA; and its consequential effects of poor drug administration in Nigeria was discussed. There is need to establish a more strict legislation and enforcement on drug control; and a body that would monitor production and appropriate use of antibiotics in the Nigeria.KEYWORDS: CA-MRSA, Staph aureus, Antibiotics, Rural Villages and Molecular Characterizatio

PEER-TO-PEER BOTNETS: A SURVEY ON PROPAGATION, DETECTION AND DETECTION EVASION TECHNIQUES

Botnets have been identified as one of the major threats to users in the internet space, nowadays. Unlike other categories of malware, botnets use Command and Control channels to launch and propagate their attacks. These botnets have been classified as centralised and decentralised (Peer-to-Peer). Due to the structure, Peerto-Peer botnets have different behavioural characteristics from centralised botnets. Past researches have equally identified that Peer-to-Peer botnets are more difficult to detect and shutdown compared to centralised botnets. This work provides a survey on the propagation, detection and detection evasion techniques of Peerto-Peer botnets. The study was able to identify various machine learning-based classifiers that have been proposed to detect Peer-to-Peer botnets in the cyber space. It is believed that any identified gap in the detection mechanisms will bring better insights into P2P botnet researches. The work concluded that identifying some of the Peer-to-Peer botnet propagation mechanisms and their detection evasion techniques will enable security researchers and experts to come up with improved botnet identification and mitigation approaches

Prevalence and Characterization of Salmonella Isolates from Poultry Farms in Ilorin, Nigeria

Poultry birds are very important source of essential proteins in developing countries, but also play an important role in transmission of Salmonella to human and nonhuman. Exposure to this pathogen also occurs through use of poultry droppings as manure for crop and vegetable production. This study investigated prevalence of Salmonella in feces of poultry farms in Ilorin, Nigeria. Salmonella isolated were further characterized by molecular method. Fecal samples were cultured in pre-enrichment medium, Selenite F medium and finally sub-cultured on Salmonella-Shigella agar. None lactose fermenting colonies with black center were picked for presumptive identification using biochemical tests and confirmed by serological test by method previously described. Molecular characterization was carried out using 16S rRNA gene sequencing following standard procedure. Out of 170 samples collected and examined, 8 (4.7%) gave biochemical characteristics that resembled Salmonella, but only 6 (3.5%) were confirmed as Salmonella by polyvalent antisera. Molecular characterization revealed that serovars isolated were Salmonella Enteritidis 3 (1.8%) and Salmonella Paratyphi 3 (1.8%). Phylogenetic tree constructed by neighbor-joining method as derived from analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed close relationship to Salmonella Paratyphi strain FB0015 16S ribosoma RNA gene partial sequence to our Salmonella Paratyphi isolates. The detection of 3.5% prevalence rate of Salmonella serovar from feces of laying poultry birds my serve as potential source of transmission of this pathogen to human through chicken meat, egg or use of poultry dropping as manure in crop or vegetable production

Itaconic Acid Production from Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera L) Using Fungi in Solid State Fermentation

This study evaluates the potentials of Phoenix dactylifera L (Date fruits) as possible alternative raw materials for itaconic acid production using naturally occurring fungi. Date fruit (pulp) was used as a substrate in solid state fermentation for the production of itaconic acid using naturally occurring fungus.The date fruit (pulp) was de-capped from its seed manually with the aid of a knife and dried in an oven at 60 0C and was grounded using an Excella Mixer grinder. The fungus used was naturally isolated by fermentation of substrate (date pulp) and was identified as Aspergillus niger. Proximate analysis was carried out on the substrate using standard methods. Parameters such as substrate concentration, inoculum size and fermentation period were varied using standard methods to determine its effect on itaconic acid production. Assay for itaconic acid production was carried out using standard methods at a wavelength of 385nm. Amount of itaconic acid produced was derived by translation of absorbance values on the itaconic acid curve. The substrate had a high carbohydrate content of 72.29%. The fermentation results showed maximum production of itaconic acid of 20.75±0.25mg/ml using 40g substrate, 15.13±1.13mg/ml using 2 ml inoculums size of spore suspension (2×105 spores/ml) and a maximum yield of 16.88±0.13mg/ml at day 1 of fermentation period. On optimization with 40g substrate and 2 ml inoculums for 3 days a maximum yield was observed at day 2 of fermentation with a maximum yield of 25.00±1.00mg/ml. The highest acidic level throughout the fermentation period was observed to be at pH 4.2. From the study it was concluded that date pulp is a promising substrate and could be utilized by Aspergillus niger for the production of itaconic acid

Availability of fertiliser sulphate and elemental sulphur to canola in two consecutive crops

Aims: We compared elemental sulphur (ES) and sulphate fertilisers in terms of yield and S uptake. Methods: Two consecutive canola crops were grown on 35S-labelled soil amended with ammonium sulphate, ES-bentonite pastilles (90 % ES), or S-fortified ammonium phosphate (NP) fertilisers containing both sulphate-S and ES (5–8 % ES). The shoot yield, S concentration and specific activity of S in the shoot were determined. Results: In the first crop, the yield was significantly lower in the control (without added ES) and ES pastille treatments than in the other treatments. Sulphur uptake was highly correlated with the added sulphate rate. In the second crop, the yield and S uptake was highest for the S-fortified NP fertilizers. The contribution of ES to the S uptake was circa 20 % in the first crop and 43 % in the second crop for the S-fortified NP fertilisers, but was negligible for the ES pastilles. Modelling indicated an oxidation rate of 0.6 − 0.7 % per day for the S-fortified NP fertilisers and 0.03 % per day for the ES pastilles. Conclusions: The contribution of ES pastilles to S uptake was negligible in both crops. In contrast, S-fortified NP fertilisers showed a significant contribution of ES and higher S availability than sulphate-only fertiliser in the second crop.Fien Degryse, Babasola Ajiboye, Roslyn Baird, Rodrigo C. da Silva, Mike J. McLaughli

Seroprevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in the Middle-Belt of Nigeria

The aim of the study was to establish the seroprevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) among cattle and small ruminants received at abattoirs in Ilorin, Nigeria. A total of 643 blood samples were taken from 324 cattle and 319 sheep and goats. These samples were screened for CBPP and CCPP using rapid latex agglutination tests. The majority were from the north of Nigeria. Sera from cattle were screened for the causative mycoplasma of CBPP, Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm) and small ruminants were screened for the presence of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp), the cause of CCPP, using specific latex agglutination tests. Clinical signs including specific clinical signs associated with CBPP were also assessed. A prevalence rate of just over 56% was recorded for CBPP. In all, 22 of 324 cattle showed clinical signs but only 10 showed specific clinical signs associated with CBPP infection such as dyspnoea, nasal discharge and cough. A CCPP prevalence rate of about 33% was found among the small ruminants. In total, 52 of 319 small ruminants showed clinical signs of disease but only 22 of these were associated with seropositivity. The high seroprevalence of CBPP and CCPP in this study is suggestive of extensive CBPP and CCPP infection in Ilorin, Nigeria