Effect of frozen period on the chemical, microbiological and sensory quality of frozen tilapia fish (Sarotherodun galiaenus)

The study was designed to investigate the effect of duration of frozen storage on the chemical, microbiological and sensory profile of Tilapia fish (Sarotherodun galiaenus) collected from a research pond of the Agricultural Development Project, Akure, Nigeria and were subjected to sixty days of frozen storage and analyzed at intervals of ten days. Protein content (%) ranges from 43.70 &#177 1.17-60.65 &#177 2.40. Protein decreases with increasing duration of frozen storage with the fresh samples (not frozen) having the highest protein content (60.65 ± 2.40) while the least (43.70 &#1771.17) was recorded for fish samples that were frozen for sixty days. Similar results were obtained for the fat content (%) where the highest fat content (9.72 &#177 0.25) was recorded for the fresh samples and the least value was recorded for those stored for sixty days. Ash content (%) and moisture content (%) do not show any significant change during storage. Mineral composition (Fe, Ca, Mg, P and Zn in mg/100g) and iodine content (µg/100g) of the samples showed a slight change with respect to duration of storage. pH values ranges between 5.20-6.90 while the total coliform count range was between 3.0 x103-7.5 x 106 with increasing values, as the duration of torage increases. Sensory evaluation of the fish samples on storage revealed that quality of the fish samples with respect to taste decreases with increasing duration of storage with the best quality (texture, odor and color) when freshly prepared; and that better quality during storage is obtainable during the first ten days of storage. These, by implication simply mean that fish should be stored for a short period of time to retain the taste, and provide both the protein and fat at optimal level. Key words: Frozen period, chemical, microbiological, sensory quality, tilapia fish.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (8), pp. 852-85

Farmers' perception of the epidemic of African Swine Fever in Nigeria

Livestock diseases constitute a great threat to protein availability in Nigeria. It is thus necessary to examine how much farmers know about some deadly diseases prevalent in their stock as it would afford the farmer a timely re-adjustment to prevent foreseeable losses. The focus of this study was to determine farmers' level of awareness of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Agege Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected with the use of a questionnaire administered to one hundred and twenty (120) respondents selected using the purposive sampling technique. Twenty-seven (27) pig farms were also visited to obtain on-farm data on pig mortality during the ASF epidemic. It was revealed that there was inadequate awareness of the early symptoms and characteristic signs of ASF among the respondents. As such mortality of about 95 percent was recorded The Chi square analysis showed no significant relationship between farmers' level of awareness of ASF and the location of their pig farms. There was also no significant relationship between pig stock population and farmers ' contact with Extension agents. The study then concluded that extension services to pig farmers are currently inadequate. It therefore recommends that it be developed to ensure institutional support in cases of epidemic disease outbreaks. More so, possible ways should be sought to ensure a steady flow of agricultural information from the research institutes and universities to the ultimate users. Preventive measures should however be taught to farmers to avoid the incidence of future disease outbreaks. Lastly, pig farmers are also advised to form associations that could serve as a pressure group in such cases of sector specific emergencies.Keywords: Perception, epidemic disease, African swine feve