CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND MICROBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF PELLETIZED CASSAVA BASED DIETS AT DIFFERENT DAYS OF STORAGE

This study was carried out to determine storability, microbiological assay and chemical composition of pelletized cassava based diets. Four nitrogenous sources were used in the experimental diets as follows: T1, contained 200g/kg palm kernel cake (PK); 200g/kg caged layers droppings (CL) (T2), 200g/kg Gmelina arborea (GA) leaves (T3) and 40g/kg urea (UR)(T4). All the diets were pelletized. Other ingredients (g/kg) that made up each of the treatments were as follows: cassava sievate, 205; molasses, 100; Sulphur, 3; corn bran, 80; salt, 7; vit./min. Premix, 5. Media used were Salmonella Shigella agar, Potato dextrose agar, Manitol salt agar and Eosine methylene blue agar. Samples (1g) were taken at intervals of 1, 15 and 30 days for microbial analysis, while chemical composition was analysed at  1 day and 30 days after storage. Data generated were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance using Completely randomized design. No visible colour change, caking and mould growth were observed. Most of the bacteria and fungi isolated (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter sp., Mucour sp., Aspergillus sp.,) were persistent throughout the storage period. There was no significant difference between microbial profile and total viable counts of the diets forms. GA had the highest level of crude protein. Proximate and fibre fractions of the diets reduced with increase in storage age. Thus, feeding animals with the pelletized cassava-based feed with urea as the non-protein nitrogen source either readily or after storage is recommended.     &nbsp

Development of a Test Statistic for Testing Equality of Two Means under Unequal Population Variances

In this paper, we propose a test statistic for testing equality of two independent sample means for unequal variances. When group variances differ, the pooled sample variance (  ) is inadequate as a single value for the variances. This problem is commonly known as the Behrens – Fisher problem. Instead, the sample harmonic mean of variances (  ) is proposed, examined and found to better represent the unequal variances. The distribution of  which is known to be generalized Beta is further approximated by the chi – square distribution with the degrees of freedom related to that of degrees of freedom of the chi – square distribution of   . Consequently, it is used to replace the pooled sample variance in the resulting proposed t – test. An example of application is provided. Keywords: Harmonic mean of variances, chi- square distribution, modified t – test statisti

Cassava: adding value for Africa - Strategic market initiatives that support wealth creation for women along the Cassava Value Chains in Southwest, Nigeria.

Empowering and creating wealth for cassava producing and processing smallholder farmers (of which women constitute the majority) through value addition and competitive market led opportunities for inclusive growth in agriculture is very important to counter poverty and ensure food security. This study attempts to examine the extent to which Cassava: Adding Value for Africa (C:AVA) project in Nigeria has created market led opportunities for smallholder farmers of cassava roots in Southwest Nigeria from 2008 to 2010. Data were collected through interview schedule administered on 237 randomly selected farmers who are participants in C:AVA project registered with the Agricultural Development Project (ADP) in Ogun, Ondo States and Justice, Development and Peace Movement (JDPM). Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta from Ogun State and Ondo State respectively. Data were analyzed descriptively by using measures such as frequency distribution, table, percentages and Chi-Square. The study revealed that 60% of the respondents were men and 40% were women. Men were more educated that women with 28.6% of women farmers having no formal education when compared with 10.3% of men. The difference in income between the third and fourth quartile was very high compared with other quartiles and the mean income earned by male farmers was more than twice the mean income earned by female farmers. With regards to level of production there was an increase in the yield of cassava roots on the farms surveyed from the average national range of 10-12 tonnes/ha in 2008 to an average range of 20-25 tonnes/ha in 2010. These improved varieties resulted in an average yield advantage of about 65% over local varieties. Owing to the observable increase in yield, farmers in the study area increased the hectares under cassava from an average of 0.5 - 1.5 ha in 2008 to an average of 10.0-20.0 ha in 2010. The average annual income of women farmers increased from $1000 in 2008 to an additional average income of$1700 in 2010. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations (p<0.05) between yield of improved varieties (X2=29.187), gender (X2=50.632), value addition (X2=32.547), improved technologies (X2=29.507); Types of market (X2=14.743), group membership (X2=10.973), capacity building (X2=68.490) with income. The study concluded that C:AVA has provided systematic development of specialization in which women cassava roots producers/ processors produce specifically for multiple markets to ensure wealth and household food security for women and their households

Selection of sites for the in situ conservation of four traditional leafy vegetables consumed in Benin

Acmella uliginosa, Ceratotheca sesamoides, Justicia tenella and Sesamum radiatum are four traditional leafy vegetables which are widely consumed in Benin. In order to document their origin, folk nomenclature, geographical distribution and ecology and to select adequate zones for in situ conservation of their genetic resources, 118 villages were randomly selected and surveyed throughout the country using a participatory research approach. All the species apart from Ceratotheca sesamoides were reported by farmers as introduced in Benin at different periods. The folk nomenclature comprising 93 different names is based on nine key criteria of variable frequencies according to the species. The geographical distribution maps revealed that the species under study are unequally distributed. Indeed, A. uliginosa is found exclusively in the northwest, J. tenella in the northeast and partially in the centre while S. radiatum and Ceratotheca sesamoides were found almost everywhere in Benin. Results from multivariate analysis combined with geographical distribution maps of the species and the soil and climate maps of Benin, leaded to the selection of the Northwest and of the Northeast regions as the appropriate conservation zones for the four species. Molecular analysis was recommended as it can help in describing genetic diversity and consequently in identifying additional sites for the widely spread species Sesamum radiatum and Ceratotheca sesamoides. Keywords: Folk nomenclature, biodiversity, geographical distribution, site selection, in situ conservation, Benin

Antimicrobial activity of Crataeva religiosa Forst against bacteria isolated from Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck

An attempt has been made to carry out a screening on the antibacterial activity of leaves of Crateva religiosa Forst used in Benin traditional veterinary medicine against bacterial infection of Thryonomys swinderianus (class of Mammalia, family of Thryonomyidae) commonly called agouti or kholan. The aim of this study was to select the most active extracts and fractions which may be useful to combat these bacterial infections. Seven extracts from C. religiosa were screened for their antibacterial. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by both microtest method using p-iodonitrotetrazolium and bioautography against five microorganisms obtained from T. swinderianus (Escherichia coli, Shigella sonei, Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurela pestis and Yersinia enterocolitica). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the total activity (TA) were determined. All extracts were effective against tested microorganisms at different levels (0.31 ≤ MIC ≤ 10 mg/ml). The screening experiment revealed that ethyl acetate extract was more potent than other extracts with the MIC values of 0.62 mg/ml against E. coli and 0.31 mg/ml against S. aureus, S. sonei, P. pestis and Y. enterocolitica. The results provide an evidence for the traditional use of C. religiosa for the treatment of infective diseases of T. swinderianus Temminck.Key words: Crataeva religiosa, Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck, ethnomedicine, Republic of Benin

Bio-preservative activities of Lactobacillus plantarum strains in fermenting Casssava ‘fufu’

The growth of three pathogens, namely Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhii were investigated in fermenting and non-fermenting cassava. The pH of the steeped cassava was also examined during fermentation. Antimicrobial effects of the Lactobacillus plantarum on the pathogens were also determined by agar diffusion method. All the pathogens were inhibited by L. plantarum strains with Staph. aureus having the highest inhibitory zone followed by E. coli and S. thyphii. However, in the fermenting cassava, the pathogens increased in population within the first 36 h of the process and decreased to complete extinction after the 96 h of fermentation. The L. plantarum exhibited high but varying degree of inhibition on the pathogens. The findings justify the bio-preservative roles of lactic acid bacteria in traditional cassava products.Key words: Bio-preservation, Lactobacillus plantarum, fermentation, cassava and pathogens

CASSAVA: ADDING VALUE FOR AFRICA - STRATEGIC MARKET INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT WEALTH CREATION FOR WOMEN ALONG THE CASSAVA VALUE CHAINS IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Empowering and creating wealth for cassava producing and processing smallholder farmers (of which women constitute the majority) through value addition and competitive market led opportunities for inclusive growth in agriculture is very important to counter poverty and ensure food security. This study attempts to examine the extent to which Cassava: Adding Value for Africa (C : AVA) project in Nigeria has created market led opportunities for smallholder farmers of cassava roots in Southwest Nigeria from 2008 to 2010. Data were collected through interview schedule administered on 237 randomly selected farmers who are participants in C: AVA project registered with the Agricultural Development Project (ADP) in Ogun, Ondo States and Justice, Development and Peace Movement (JDPM). Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta from Ogun State and Ondo State respectively. Data were analyzed descriptively by using measures such as frequency distribution, table, percentages and Chi-square. .The study revealed that 60% of the respondents were men and 40% were women. Men were more educated than women with 28.6% of women farmers having no formal education when compared with 10.3% of men. The difference in income between the third and the fourth quartile was very high compared with other quartiles and the mean income earned by male farmers was more than twice the mean income earned by female farmers. With regards to the level of production there was an increase in the yield of cassava roots on the farms surveyed from the average national range of 10-12 tonnes/ha in 2008 to an average range of 20-25 tonnes/ha in 2010. These improved varieties resulted in an average yield advantage of about 65% over local varieties. Owing to the observable increase in yield, farmers in the study area increased the hectares under cassava from an average of 0.5-1.5 ha in 2008 to an average of 10.0-20.0 ha in 2010. The average annual income of women farmers increased from $1000 in 2008 to an additional average income of$1700 in 2010. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations (p&lt;0.05) between yield of improved varieties (χ2= 29.187), gender (χ2= 50.632), value addition (χ2= 32.547), improved technologies (χ2= 29.507); Types of market (χ2= 14.743), group membership (χ2= 10.973), capacity building (χ2= 68.490) with income. The study concluded that C: AVA has provided systematic development of specialization in which women cassava roots producers/processors produce specifically for multiple markets to ensure wealth and household food security for women and their households

Acceptance and uptake of voluntary HIV testing among healthcare workers in a South African public hospital

Background: Healthcare workers are seen as being at the centre of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) management. They are also at risk of HIV infection from occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens during their daily work activities. Although many studies on HIV/AIDS and its management have been carried out globally, only a few address HIV counselling and testing among healthcare workers. The aim of this study is to determine factors associated with the acceptance and uptake of voluntary HIV testing among healthcare workers in a public hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Method: A cross-sectional quantitative descriptive survey was conducted among healthcare workers in a public hospital, by means of self-administered questionnaires. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant prior to participation in the study. Results: A response rate of 239 (59.4%) was achieved from a targeted population of 402 healthcare workers. Of the 239 participants, 208 (87.0%) indicated that they would accept having an HIV test, while 217 (90.7%) reported having had HIV counselling and testing. There were positive associations between participants’ having had HIV counselling and testing and having a close relative living with HIV/AIDS (p-value = 0.032), previous accidental exposure to blood-borne pathogens (p-value = 0.003) and the number of years of their work experience (p-value = 0.0006). No significant associations were noted between participants who reported having undergone HIV counselling and testing in the previous year, and their demographic variables, such as age (0.766), gender (0.876), marital status (0.715), and knowledge of hospital policy on post-exposure prophylaxis (0.5669). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed high levels of acceptance (208, 87.0%) and uptake (217, 90.7%) of HIV counselling and testing among healthcare workers in the designated public hospital. Several factors influenced this.Health Studie

Impact of Leadership Styles on Employee Engagement and Conflict Management Practices in Nigerian Universities

This study explores how leadership styles impact work engagement and conflict management practices in Nigerian universities. It utilises a qualitative research design, focusing on 40 semi-structured interviews with senior university management staff comprising Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, Bursars, Deans of Faculties and senior non-teaching staff (i.e. chief librarians) of some selected institutions. The findings reveal cultural values shaping the choice of authoritative, transactional and transformational leadership styles were commonly adopted. Results further indicate how Nigerian academic institutions and processes are considered as being overly bureaucratic and transactional. Additionally, some context-specific norms were found to influence leadership functions impacting work engagement and conflict management practices. In summary, the study suggests practice and policy implications that can enhance the direction and development of effective leadership in this context