Economic Analysis of Yam Processing in Oyo State

The study examined the economics analysis of yam processing in Oyo state. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents for the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, profitability and budgetary analysis. The result of the study shows that majority of the respondents were female(70.8%) within the age bracket of 41-60(52.5%).Most of them are married(90%)with primary education(34.2%) and household size of 6-12(74.2%).The study identified two yam products  and the various steps in the production of the two products.The profitability analysis shows a net return of  6000 naira per 250kg of yam processed into yam flour which is the major product of yam processing in the area.0.38 rate of return was realized from 250kg bag of yam which implies 38k returns on one naira spent investment. A gross ratio of 0.73 was also recorded and this implies the business is profitable. Factors such as climate change, inadequate credit facilities, poor road network among others are major factors that hinder the processing activities in the area. The study therefore recommends that government should construct feeder roads, provide processing facilities and proper storage facilities to the processors to improve their production and enhance food security. Keywords: yam processing, profitability, yam products, gross rati

Bioactive constituents and antibacterial screening of two Nigerian plant extracts against selected clinical bacteria

Background: The growing desires to combat antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria necessitate the need to search for new antimicrobials agents from other sources such as plants. Objectives: The present study investigated the antibacterial activities and bioactive components of Nymphaea lotus and Spondias mombin against selected clinical bacteria Material and Methods: Extracts of N. lotus and S. mombin were prepared by 72 hours maceration in 70% methanol. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter freundi and, Klebsiella oxytoca against the two extracts was carried out by disk diffusion method while minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) was by agar-well dilution and broth dilution method, respectively. The bioactive compounds of the plants were identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Results: Extracts of N. lotus showed better antimicrobial activities than S. mombin against all the clinical bacterial isolates with an MIC range of 3.13 – >12.5mg/mL compared to S. mombin with MIC range of 6.25 – >12.5mg/mL. The GC-MS results revealed the presence of 21 and 25 compounds for N. lotus and S. mombin  respectively. Benzoic acid derivatives were in abundance in both plants with  approximately 71.5% and 82.1% in N. lotus and S. mombin respectively.  Conclusions: The findings from this study provided further evidence on their ethno-botanical claims and additional information on the potentials of the studied plants as effective medicinal plants with antimicrobial activity against clinical bacteria. This highlights the need for continuous exploration of medicinal plants for novel  compounds with better antimicrobial property as option for the treatment of resistant bacterial infection Keywords: Nymphaea lotus, Spondias mombin, Bioactive components, Antimicrobial

An appraisal of pattern and presentation of gynaecological malignancies in Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Southwest Nigeria

Background: Gynaecological malignancies are cancers that occur in or on a woman's reproductive organs and genitals which includes the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The prevalence of gynaecological malignancies varies from one country to another. The factors responsible for the observed variance includes lifestyle, dietary pattern, level of education and the sophistication of health care system. This study aims to identify the pattern and clinical presentations of gynaecological malignancies at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso over a five-year period.Methods: This was a retrospective study involving one hundred and twenty-three (123) patients with a histological diagnosis of gynecological malignancy.Results: Patients with gynaecological malignancies accounted for 3.6% of the patients seen in the period under review. Majority of these patients were multiparous and between the age range of 50 and 69 years. The commonest form of gynaecological malignancy seen was cervical cancer.Conclusion: Health care programs and policies that strengthen public awareness campaigns, health education and health promotion like human papilloma virus vaccination and follow up surveillance will help to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with gynaecological malignancies. Keywords: appraisal, pattern, presentation, gynaecological malignancie