Sensory Evaluation and Feasibility Report of Plantain Sandwich for Nigerian Market

Protein-energy malnutrition is a common nutritional disorder in developing countries and constitutes a major public health problem in young children and elderly people. This project is aimed at evaluating the acceptability of plantain-peanut sandwich and roasted at different temperatures. A plantain-peanut sandwich consists of minced protein stuffed into a carbohydrate source made into a roll as a food product. The plantain was roasted at two different temperatures than later enriched with 5%, 10% and 15% peanut butter. The crude protein and crude fibre contents of the plantain samples roasted at 200oC and 240oC showed no significant difference (P˃0.05) while the ash, fat and carbohydrate contents showed that there was a significant difference (P˂0.05). The results of the proximate composition showed that there was a significant difference (P˂0.05) at the two different roasting temperatures of 200oC and 240oC when enriched at 5%, 10% and 15% levels with peanut butter. This pattern of significant increase was also observed with the amino acid profiles at the two different roasting temperature levels. The sensory evaluation record shows that the mean scores for the appearance, taste, colour, aroma, mouthfeel and overall acceptability of the enriched roasted samples varied, but the plantain roasted at 240oC enriched with 15% peanut butter had the highest acceptability level. A feasibility study was carried out to investigate the possibility of producing and marketing a plantain-peanut sandwich. The study revealed that a starting point of 60 packs at 4 fingers per pack sold at 600 Naira per day gave an estimated turnover of 9 million Naira per annum. A breakeven point analysis revealed that a price break even point of 19.14% is feasible while a product breakeven of 18.04% of the estimated annual sales of 15,000 packs is also feasible

Hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in subjects with metabolic syndrome

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a clinical condition characterized by insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity, has been linked with raised levels of serum ferritin (Sfr) concentrations. Objectives This study was carried out to compare hemoglobin (Hb) and Sfr concentrations in patients with MetS, regular donors and first-time donors. Materials and Methods A total of 102 subjects who were between 18 and 60 years were enrolled for the study. They were divided into three groups. The first group (n = 20) was made up of 5 males and 15 females, all who met the criteria that define MetS. The second group (n = 52; M = 34, F = 18) were regular donors, while the last group (n = 30; M = 16, F = 14) were first-time donors or those who had not donated before. Following an overnight fast, 20 mL of venous blood was drawn from each subject. About 5 mL of this was put into sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) specimen bottles for the full blood count parameters with Sysmex KX-21N hematology analyzer (made in Japan). The remaining 15 mL had serum separated for Sfr assay using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a commercial assay kit manufactured by Teco Diagnostics. Results Significant difference was found in the mean Sfr concentration of subjects with MetS (163 ± 136.92 ng/mL) and regular donors (41.46 ± 40.33 ng/mL), P = 0.001. The mean Sfr concentrations of subjects with MetS (163 ± 136.92 ng/mL) were also higher than that of first-time donors (102.46 ± 80.26 ng/mL), but it was not statistically significant, P = 0.053. The Hb concentrations of the three groups were not significantly different. Conclusion Sfr concentrations of regular donors were lower than that of subjects with MetS and first-time donors. The difference between regular donors and subjects with MetS was statistically significant. However, there is no significant difference in the Hb concentrations in the three groups. MetS is not associated with anemia or hyperferritinemia

Levels of Some Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons, Heavy Metals and Capacity of Microbes Isolated from Soil Contaminated with Diesel to Utilize Hexadecane

Soil samples contaminated with diesel were analysed to determine the bacterial and fungal diversity together with the concentration of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and some selected metals which are often targets in environmental checks. Bacteria and fungi were isolated and identified using standard microbiological methods. Identification and quantification of PAH, metal was accomplished using standard methods. A total of fifteen fungal species were isolated and identified. Enterobacter xiangfangensis isolated was identified using molecular tools. Degradation test using Rhizopus stolonifer and Enterobacter xiangfangensis separately was done. The fungal growth pattern revealed that there was an increase in viable cell number from 0.05 to 0.25 (80%) at 84ppm of nickel nitrate (highest). The highest bacterial count was 18.0× 106 cfu/ml. The results showed that six of the USEPA target PAH assayed were detected. The concentrations of the priority pollutants in the soil samples varied from 2.08 mg/kg to 1.28 mg/kg for site 1 and 1.99 mg/kg to 1.03 mg/kg in site 2. Cd was found below detection limit. These results are valuable in addition to other reports on decontamination of sites co-contaminated. Future efforts will be aimed at determining the extent that microorganisms can utilise both heavy metals and hydrocarbons

Synthesis of Flavonoids Derivatives using Polar and Non-Polar Extract of Red Onion Skin (Quercetin) with Cashew Nut Shell Liquid

Red Onion skin extract and Cashew nut shell liquid has been considered as one of the best antioxidant and anti-inflammatory precursors, as it contains various polyphenols and important flavonoids. In this research, flavonoid derivatives were successfully synthesized from polar and non-polar extract of red onion skin, non-polar extract of cashew nut shell liquid and a combination of the onion skin extracts and cashew nut shell liquid.  In this process, crude red onion skin extract was obtained using potassium carbonate via maceration process and acetone via soxhlet extraction. Cashew nut shell liquid was extracted using acetone via soxhlet extraction. The synthesis was carried out via the Williams ether synthesis using 1,2-dibromoethane in the presence of a base catalyst. FTIR of the products confirmed its modification. From the result, it can be concluded that the non-polar extract performed better than the polar extract. Hence for further studies, non-polar solvents should be considered for extraction

Patriotism in Nation-Building: A Study of Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle, also Known as the Black Scorpion

This article used data from descriptive background to examine the person of late Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle, the icon of the Nigerian civil war on the subject of patriotism in nation-building. Also, it delved into his life history. The study equally explored his unbeatable military strategies that granted victory to Nigeria during the civil war. Further to that, the study examined various criticisms levied against him on humanitarian grounds, mostly by the secessionists, using some of the existing literature on patriotism and on nation-building. The study concluded that The Back Scorpion was not a wicked person but a patriot par excellence

Poverty Alleviation Education Integration in Social Studies Curriculum: Implications for Developing Sustainable Skills in Nigerian Child

The descriptive survey design was adopted in investigating the extent of integration of poverty alleviation education contents in social studies curriculum of Nigeria junior secondary schools.  The study was carried out in the six states of the south-south geo-political zone of Nigeria.  180 social studies teachers were purposefully used as respondents for the study.  Five research questions guided the study.  The study utilized a social studies curriculum content analysis and a 50-item researchers developed questionnaire structured on a 4-point likert modified scale.  Mean rating scores were used to answer the research questions.  Research findings indicated that poverty alleviation education was not significantly integrated in the social studies curriculum.  There are qualitative benefits to be derived from the inculcation of  poverty alleviation education, social studies teachers were not aware of the need for the inculcation of poverty alleviation education through social studies instruction, in addition, there were potential obstacles mitigating the integration of poverty alleviation education in social studies curriculum.  Some of the established strategies for achieving integration of poverty alleviation education in social studies curriculum were: constant curriculum revision, expansion of social studies curriculum on national economic issues, emphasis on productive living amongst others.  Conclusions and recommendations were articulated based on research findings

The role of multinational corporations in local dairy value chain development: a case of Friesland Campina WAMCO (FCW) in Nigeria

Nigeria is arguably the largest importer of dairy products in Africa. Available statistics shows that up to 98% of the total dairy products consumed in the country are imported; and that about 75% of the entire dairy market is controlled by FrieslandCampina WAMCO (FCW). The purpose of this study is to examine the basis for the prevailing import orientation in the dairy industry since 1973. Is the orientation traceable to operations of multinational companies or the institutional and governance challenges in the country? Using triangulated data collected from FCW official reports and other relevant sources, and a content analytical technique, the study finds that the problem in the industry is multifaceted. Central to the challenges are persistent institutional and infrastructural defects, as well as faulty integration designs adopted by FCW. Based on this, the paper recommends that reversing the current trend requires government’s policies that dis-incentivizes importation. However, such policies canwork only when the right atmosphere for cattle farming and local dairy production is put in place.ASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

The Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease in Nigeria: A Case Report and Literature Review

The Kikuchi-Fujimoto is a rare, self-limiting disease, which is characterized by regional lymphadenopathy. It occurs worldwide with a higher prevalence among Asians and women below the age of forty years. We present 41-year-old Nigerian woman who was investigated extensively for unilateral left cervical lymphadenopathy. She was eventually diagnosed as having the Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and was managed conservatively thereafter. We describe a case report and review of literature for better awareness of the disease amongst medical practitioners and pathologists in Africa