Assessment of microbiological quality and nutritional values of a processed edible weevil caterpillar (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) in Port Harcourt, southern Nigeria

Investigation into the microbiological quality of processed Rhynchophorus species revealed the presence of bacteria and fungi. Total bacterial and fungal counts were 1.08 × 105 CFU/g and 9.2 × 102 CFU/g respectively. Bacterial isolates identified included, Lactobacillus plantarum, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris, while the fungal species included Cladosporum sp, Penicillium verrecosum, Aspergilus flavus and Fusarum poae and one species of yeast. Rhynchophorus sp is rich in protein (71.63%), indicating high nutritional quality. The crude fibre (1.59%) and ash (11.97%) are high and could aid bowel movement and increase mineral contents respectively in the human body. High moisture (12.14%) and protein contents could encourage spoilage by proteophilic and hydrophilic bacteria and fungi. Poor sanitation and inadequate storage and marketing conditions may contribute to contamination and recontamination of the products. Intensive education on pre and post-harvest (handling) activities, including proper disposal of intestinal contents, preservation with spices and the application of atmospheric packaging system could reduce contamination with microbes

Evaluation of the chemical composition of Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) seeds

The Chemical composition and the effect of heat treatment on seeds of Dacryodes edulis (G.Don) were studied. In the proximate analysis, the moisture (42.63 - 48.05%) and carbohydrate (35.94 - 38.35%) values were the highest. The values of the tannins (21.80 - 25.77%), alkaloids (10.40 - 10.60%) and saponins (5.92 - 6.72%) were higher than the other phytochemicals measured. Potassium (9.0 ± 0.005 - 11.00 ± 0.10 mg/100g), calcium (2.23 ± 0.006 - 5.88 ± 0.005 mg/100g) and phosphorus, (1.09 ±0.05 - 2.01 ± 0.5 mg/100g) were the predominant elements present in the seeds. Sodium, magnesium, selenium, zinc and iron were present in appreciable amounts but manganese was not detected. The ascorbic acid and vitamin A contents were (18.79 ± 0.81 - 25.76 ± 1.51 mg/100 g) and (1.12 ±0.04 - 1.64 ± 0.01 mg/100g) respectively. The results of this study showed that D. edulis seeds are potential source of essential nutrients to man and animal when properly processed.© 2010 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Food, phytochemical, chemoprotective, antioxidant, cofactor, deficiency, radical

The effect of extract of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) on blood glucose levels of diabetic rats

Twenty-four (24) adult albino Wistar rats (twelve males and twelve females) were used for the study. The animals were divided into six groups of four rats in each. Proximate analysis was carried out on the plant sample with the following results: crude protein 22.45 ± 0.01%; crude fat (3.45 ± 0.0%); crude fiber (16.0 ± 0.0%) and Ash (9.95 ± 0.2%). Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids (0.85 ± 0.11 mg), tannins (0.37 ± 0.2 mg), saponins (2.2 ± 0.0 mg), polyphenol (0.35 ± 0.11 mg), alkaloids (2.13 ± 0.10 mg) and HCN (12.25 ± 0.10 mg). Some of the vitamins analyzed included: Vitamin A 345.50 ± 0.0 IU), Vitamin C (228.40 ± 0.0 mg), Vitamin E (37.30 ± 0.01 mg), Vit.B1 (1.0 ± 0.00 mg), Vit.B2 (3.10 ± 0.00 mg), Fe (11.0 ± 0.0 mg) and Niacin (0.41 ± 0.0 mg) respectively. Hyperglycemia was induced in the rats using alloxan. The plant extract of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) was administered to the rats orally at concentrations of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% before meals for 5, 10 and 15 days respectively after which, blood samples were collected from the animals and analyzed for glucose levels using enzymatic methods. There was a remarkable decrease in blood glucose level from the mean value of 4.44 ± 0.2 to 1.66 ± 0.2 mmol/L. The decrease in the blood glucose level of the rats following the administration of the plant extract suggests that the plant extract possesses anti-diabetic, anti-hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effects on alloxan induced diabetic rats. The presence of phytochemicals, vitamins and other nutrients such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, ash and othercomponents in the extract must have acted synergistically to potentiate the anti-diabetic role of the plant extract.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, diabetic rats, Vernonia amygdalina

The antisickling effects of dried fish (tilapia) And dried prawn (Astacus red)

The antisickling effect of dried fish (Tilapia) and dried prawn (Astacus red) were investigated to ascertain the ability of the extracts of these samples to inhibit polymerisation of sickle cell haemoglobin (HbS), improve the Fe 2+/Fe 3+ ratio and lower the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in blood plasma. The samples were first ground into powder and soaked in chloroform/dichloromethane to defat them and in essence produce the fat soluble fraction (filtrate). The defatted residues were soaked in methanol for 24 hours to obtain a methanol soluble fraction. This was finally fractioned in a mixture of BuOH/H2O (1:1) to give the butanol-soluble (BUS) and water-soluble (WAS) fractions respectively. These fractions were subsequently concentrated by rotary evaporation. The fat-soluble (FAS), BUS, and WAS phases were able to inhibit HbS polymerisation to varying degrees from 50% for FAS to 95% for BUS. The water-soluble phases of these samples were also found to increase the Fe 2+/Fe 3+ ratio from 6% to 95%. The phases equally reduced LDII activity in serum of ten sickle cell disease patients to varying degrees from 12% to 40%. Nutritionally, the different fractions or phases were found to be rich in free amino acids which ranged from 951.05mg/100g of sample for tilapia to 1906.05mg/100g of sample for crayfish (Astacus; red). The soluble protein concentration of the samples was equally estimated. Dried tilapia has an aggregate protein content of 28.7.30mg/100g of sample while dried prawn has 1626mg/100g of sample. Dried fish (Tilapia) and dried prawn (Astacus red) could both be nutritionally and therapeutically beneficial in the management of sickle cell disease. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 9(3) 2005: 115-11