Evaluation of the nutritional value of a composite meal prepared from pearl millet (pennisetum typhoideum) and cowpea (vigna unguiculata)

Cereal/legume weaning food blends prepared in ratios of 70:30 and 60:40 from fermented pearl millet/roasted cowpea were evaluated for their nutritional values. The pearl millet used are SOSAT C – 88, an improved variety and a local (unimproved) variety while cowpea used is the Borno red. Standard methods were used for the analysis. The protein contents of the weaning food blends met the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for infants (0 – 1 year), though the fat contents were low. It is expected that the low moisture contents exhibited by all the weaning food blends might give good storage stability. Mineral element levels were comparable to commercial weaning foods Nutrend® and Frisocrem®, except for calcium and zinc. All the weaning food blends were satisfactory in meeting the FAO/WHO essential amino acid reference pattern for infants 0 – 1 year. Even though, the 70:30 ratio has been used in most literatures, the 60:40 ratios used in this study is superior to the 70:30 ratio in terms of nutritional value

Production and Evaluation of Nutritional Contents of Traditional Couscous from Sprouted Wheat Fortified with Glycine max (L.) merr (Soya Bean) and Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) Seeds

The study was carried to process, produce, and evaluate nutritional contents of traditional couscous from sprouted wheat (Triticum aestivum), fortified with Soya bean (Glycine max) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seeds. The composite couscous blends were traditionally produced and compared with commercial couscous. The sprouted wheat couscous blends were blended in different ratios, they include; unprocessed (Raw wheat, 100), blend 1 (sprouted wheat mixed with soya bean and pumpkin seeds, 70:20:10), blend 2 (sprouted wheat mixed with soya bean, 60:40) and blend 3 (sprouted wheat mixed with pumpkin seeds, 60:40). Traditional wheat couscous blends were fed to experimental albino rats of wister strain weighing between (35 g and 45 g) for a period of 28 days. The nutritional and physiochemical analysis were determined using standard laboratory methods. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20.0 was used to analyze the data collected which were expressed as means ± SE. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s multiple range tests were used to compare the means obtained after each experiment. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. Processing (Sprouting) decreases the levels of anti-nutrients, mineral elements and vitamins. Supplementation with soya bean and pumpkin seeds increased the nutritional composition of the sprouted wheat couscous blends. Results of chemical composition showed that blend 2, recorded high protein (29.95%), fat (8.95%) and low carbohydrate content (49.56%), followed by blend 1 and then blend 3, while commercial couscous crude protein, fat and carbohydrate were 12.53%, 1.42% and 75.10% respectively. There was improved level of in vitro protein digestibility at 1 hour (76.64% to 98.59%) and at 6 hours (96.80% to 99.33%). Results of in vivo studies showed that raw wheat couscous recorded protein quality when compared with spouted wheat couscous blends produced. The biological values of the composite couscous blends range from 95.04% to 95.73% and blend 2, recorded high net protein utilization (98.57%). In terms of sensory evaluation using hedonic method, blend 2 was most acceptable and differ significantly (p < 0.05) with other sprouted wheat couscous blends and commercial couscous. The cost of producing sprouted wheat couscous blends is cheaper than the commercial couscous. The study has therefore, revealed that with proper selection of locally available cereal, it is possible to produce nutritious complementary couscous blends that would be acceptable and nutritionally adequate to meet up the nutritional requirement for both children and adults. It also compares favourably with the commercial couscous in terms of nutrient contents

Experiences of multimorbidity in urban and rural Malawi: An interview study of burdens of treatment and lack of treatment.

Multimorbidity (presence of ≥2 long term conditions (LTCs)) is a growing global health challenge, yet we know little about the experiences of those living with multimorbidity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We therefore explore: 1) experiences of men and women living with multimorbidity in urban and rural Malawi including their experiences of burden of treatment and 2) examine the utility of Normalization Process Theory (NPT) and Burden of Treatment Theory (BOTT) for structuring analytical accounts of these experiences. We conducted in depth, semi-structured interviews with 32 people in rural (n = 16) and urban settings (n = 16); 16 males, 16 females; 15 under 50 years; and 17 over 50 years. Data were analysed thematically and then conceptualised through the lens of NPT and BOTT. Key elements of burden of treatment identified included: coming to terms with and gaining an understanding of life with multimorbidity; dealing with resulting disruptions to family life; the work of seeking family and community support; navigating healthcare systems; coping with lack of continuity of care; enacting self-management advice; negotiating medical advice; appraising treatments; and importantly, dealing with the burden of lack of treatments/services. Poverty and inadequate healthcare provision constrained capacity to deal with treatment burden while supportive social and community networks were important enabling features. Greater access to health information/education would lessen treatment burden as would better resourced healthcare systems and improved standards of living. Our work demonstrates the utility of NPT and BOTT for aiding conceptualisation of treatment burden issues in LMICs but our findings highlight that ‘lack’ of access to treatments or services is an important additional burden which must be integrated in accounts of treatment burden in LMICs

Effect Of Lead Exposure On Egg Production, Quality And Hatchability In Quail Birds (Coturnix Japonica)

Thirty Quail birds (9 males and 21 females) weighing between (50-55g) and (115-125g) were divided into three groups in a ratio 3:7 as males and females maintained on normal standard diet (ECWA feeds Jos) and water ad-libitum. Birds in groups II, test I and groups III, test II were exposed to lead acetate (0.05%) at the ages of two and eight weeks (postnatal & maturity onset) respectively. The experiment lasted for 13 weeks. Fluid and feed intake was monitored daily as well as body weight gain/loss. Egg quality was determined using egg quality factors, as egg weight, shell thickness, Haugh unit, albumin index and some biochemical parameters of the egg content. No significant difference was observed in the mean fluid and feed intake in the two treatment groups compared to control group. The weekly body weight was lower in the treatment groups (T1 & T11) compared to normal control, with the test I group being more pronounced and was statistically significant (

Laboratory scale production of glucose syrup by the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch made from maize, millet and sorghum

Glucose syrup production from maize, millet and sorghum starch was investigated. The starch extracted from yellow maize after steeping for 72hrs and purified by sedimentation method had the greatest yield of 86.71% (4.34 ± 0.37g) followed by the starch made from millet and sorghum with a yield of 65.94% (3.30 ± 0.25g) and 64.71% (3.23 ± 0.09g), respectively. The lowest gelatinization onset temperature of 59.25 ± 0.90°C was observed with sorghum starch. The glucose recovered with pure amyloglucosidase from Rhizopus mold produced 17.15 ± 0.10 mg/ml reducing sugar from yellow maize starch after 10 minutes. Millet and sorghum starch followed with a yield of 15.79 ± 0.20mg/ml and 11.32 ± 0.26mg/ml in 10 minutes, respectively. Liquid glucose produced with the pure amyloglucosidase revealed a dextrose equivalent of 78.28 ± 0.57%, 73.50 ± 0.66% and 65.66 ± 0.61% for sorghum, yellow maize and millet, respectively. Sorghum and yellow maize starch exhibited good potential as substrates for glucose syrup production

Short communication - EFFECT OF CRUDE GARLIC EXTRACT ON NICOTINE INDUCED HYPERGLYCAEMIA AND HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN RATS

The effect of curde garlic extract on nicotine induced hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia has been studied in albino rats. Four groups of 6 rats each were used. A control group received saline, a second group received 1mg/kg nicotine i.p., the third group received 305 per kg body weight o acqueous garlic extract orally and the fourth group, nicotine + garlic (i.p). These were sacrified 24 hours after last treatment. Serum cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides were assayed by standrd procedures. Garlic treated rats had lower serum cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels. The Nicotine + garlic combination also decreased the levels o these parameters but less than the garlic group. Nicotine group had higher levels of the parameters but less than the garlic group. Nicotine group had higher levels of the parameters. Effects of garlic alone and garlic + nicotine was significant (P<0.050. The results show that garlic reduces nicotine-induced hyperglyceamia and hyperlipidaemia in rats

Effect of combined feeding of various doses of honey and black caraway oil on some biochemical and haematological parameters in normal healthy rats

Both Black caraway oil and Honey feeding have shown some favorable effects on some biochemical parameters experimentally and these substances have been use as medicinal remedies in treatment of various diseases. Objective: This study is design to determine the effect of combined feeding of various doses of Black caraway oil and honey on some biochemical and haematological parameters in normal healthy white albino rats Methods: Thirty albino rats of Wister strain were separated in groups and fed growers mesh. In addition, the tests groups were administered various doses of honey and black caraway oil either alone or in combination into the stomach directly, through gastric intubations. Group I served as normal control fed un only growers mesh and water, while groups II and III serve as black caraway oil and honey controls to which in addition to the growers mesh and water were also given 920mg and 1420mg of black caraway oil and honey and black caraway oil. Results: Both the Black caraway oil and honey controls showed some degree of hypoglycaemia and Hypocholesterolaemia with insignificant increase in plasta triglycerides and albumin. But no effect on the other parameters when compared with normal control. However, the combine back caraway oil combined and honey fed showed significant decrease in plasma total cholesterol and increase in serum glucose and triglycerides with insignificant decreased in total protein and albumin. No changed in UREA, sodium, potassium as well as no significant change in all the hematological parameters were noticed among the groups. Conclusion: The combined feedings have hypocholesterolaemic. hyperglycerdaemic effects with insignificant hypoproteinaemic effect. It has no the renal as well as haematological systems