Proximate composition and mineral analysis of Brysocarpus coccineus grass

The proximate and some mineral compositions of Brysocarpus Coccineus in Nigeria were investigated. The grass was found contain 7.56 ± 0.06% moisture, 15.30 ± 0.22% Ash, 7.30 ± 0.26% crude lipid, 4.62 ± 0.11% crude fibre, 3.35 ± 0.22% crude protein, and 61.220 ± 0.90% was determined using standard methods. The mineral content showed 0.06 ± 0.02mg/100g calcium and 0.16 ± 0.08mg/100g magnesium using EDTA titration and 9.28 ± 0.26mg/100g sodium using flame photometer. The results indicated that Brysocarpus Cocccineus is not rich in crude protein, but found to be rich in carbohydrate and total ash content. The higher amount of total ash suggests a high value mineral composition comprising calcium, sodium and magnesium as the main elements. The present study inferred that Brysocarpus Coccineus would not serve as source of protein but a good source of energy.Keywords: Brysocarpus Coccineus, Grass, Mineral analysis, Proximat

A Survey on Teacher’s Variables Responsible for Student Poor Academic Performance in Biology. A Case Study of Zaria Educational Zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria.

This research work was undertaken to find out the teacher variables responsible for student poor academic performance in Biology (such variables are teacher qualification and teacher years of experience) in zaria educational zone of kaduna state, Nigeria. It was a survey research work and population for the study consisted of all the Science Teachers in Secondary Schools in Zaria Educational Zone where student performance was obtained from school records. The sample of the population was achieved by simple random (paper ballot) method. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. Two Hypothesis were put forward and tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Findings from the study showed that there is relationship between Teachers qualification, teachers  year of experience and student academic performance in Biology at P<0.001. Based on the findings, recommendations were made one of which is that Teachers should be encouraged to attend Workshop and conferences. Biology teachers should also be encouraged to further their education

The effect of washing with water and detergent on increasing the shelf life of pepper (Capsicum annum) on sale at Rimi and Tarauni markets of Kano State, Nigeria

Sample of pepper was collected from two selected vegetable markets and used to determine the most effective method of increasing shelf life of pepper. In the research two treatment methods used by marketers of vegetables washing with water and detergent were compared. The results showed that five fungal colonies were isolated from pepper samples obtained from the study aeas. The five fungal colonies isolated from the two markets have the following frequency of occurrence A. niger 17 ( 28.3 %) A. fumigatus 12 (23.3%), R. stolonifer 12 (20.0%), A. flavus 09(15.05%) and Mucor spp 08 (13.3%). Out of the total 60 fungal colonies isolated in the two markets, more colonies were counted from water wash pepper 37 ( 61.0%), while lower colony counts were recorded from detergent washed pepper in the two locations 23 ( 38.3%). It is clear therefore that, this investigation has established fewer fungal colonies counted from detergent washed samples in the two markets is that washing of pepper with detergent is more effective in increasing the shelf life of pepper by removing the surface contaminant micro-organisms