Ascorbic Acid Supplementation: Effects on the Growth and Packed Cell Volume of Broiler Chickens

This study was conducted to observe the effect of natural and artificial ascorbic acid supplementation on the growth and packed cell volume using broiler chicks. The chicks were divided into groups A, B, C and D. They were fed with the same quantity of feed but different type of ascorbic acid in a litre of water were also administered to groups B to D. Group A which served as the control group received no ascorbic acid and groups B was given 150 g of natural and 150 g of artificial ascorbic acid per litre of water, C received 300 g of natural and 300 g artificial ascorbic acid while D was given 300 g of artificial ascorbic acid per litre of water. The result of the supplement effects on the birds showed that birds feed with natural ascorbic acid recorded the highest weight gain 1.22 kg followed by those feed with mixture of natural and artificial ascorbic acid 1.09kg. Birds that were feed artificial ascorbic acid recorded a weight gain of 0.89 kg while the control group produced the least weight gain of 0.79 kg. The mixture of natural and artificial ascorbic acid proved to be most effective on PCV 21.23, followed by that of artificial ascorbic acid 18.1. Whereas control group recorded a PCV level of 12.84 natural ascorbic acid recorded the least PCV level of 9.93. The result of the experiment indicated that natural ascorbic acid elevated body weight while mixture of natural and artificial ascorbic acid boosted PCV in broiler when given in the right proportion. Keywords: ascorbic acid; packed cell volume; supplementation; natural; artifici

An Investigation of the Lethality of Picralima Nitida, Family Apocynaceae in Malaria Vector Control

Insecticides resistance and the corresponding health and environmental challenges that arises as a result of the use of synthetic chemical based insecticides prompts the search for better alternative control measures which are more effective, specific in action and less toxic. The 4th instar larvae of Anopheles spp, the vector of the deadly plasmodium were evaluated in this research against aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of the plant Picralima nitida. Results revealed that aqueous leaf extract of the test plant had a mean mortality of 11 at 24hrs exposure and concentration of 5.0mg/ml. 95% mortality was also recorded at 5.0mg/ml after 48hrs exposure. Methanolic leaf extract had a mean mortality of 7.7 at 48hrs exposure time and same concentration of 5.0mg/ml. however, at 72hrs exposure, (concentration 5.0mg/ml), the mean mortality increased to 19.3 (97% mortality). The Median Lethal Time evaluated using probit analysis at 95% Confidence Limit showed the average lethal time of the test organism Anopheles larvae to the methanolic extract to be 55hrs and 29hrs for the aqueous leaf extract. This result hence supports the fact that leaf extracts of P. nitida can be used as a source of eco-friendly alternatives in the control of mosquito vectors, if developed. Keywords: Resistance, Insecticides, Anopheles spp, Eco-friendly, Larvicidin