26 research outputs found
Sensory and market attributes of wheat-Musa. spp-soybean (WPS) flour composite bread
Communication In Physical Sciences 2020, 5(2): 136-144
Authors: K. G. Ta’awu, M. C. Ekanem, *P. G. Udofia, & A. Mairo
Received 16 March 2018/Accepted 20 April 2020
In order to search for local raw materials that could meet the formulation of affordable, nutritious and functional bread that can compete or perform better than the 100% wheat flour, we conducted a study with, composite bread samples baked with blends ofwheat, soybeans and plantain flours. The composite flours were formulated using the augmented Simplex Lattice {3,3} design of the response surface methodology (RSM). Fourteen (14) samples from the respective blends were produced using standard method. The bread samples were subjected to sensory evaluation, using the semi-trained panelist of 20 members consisting of 10 male and 10 female, who were familiar with bread quality. The results indicated that the sensory attributes of the 100% wheat (standard) bread, the minimally supplemented bread samples scored higher values of the sensory parameters including shelf stability. Models of the parameters of the bread samples were not significant (p>0.05), but their response surface plots and calculated mathematical models indicated some levels of influence by the components. Optimization analysis of the sensory evaluation and shelf-stability data revealed that 0.590, 0.220, 0.195 proportions of wheat, Musa spp. and soybean floursproduced 7.163, 6.835, 6.653, 5.737, 5.301, 8.184, for taste, colour, texture, aroma, acceptability and preference respectively at100% desireability level. Acceptability and preference of the samples exhibited similar trends with the taste, colour, aroma, andtexture. The bread quality parameters were observed to be function of the proportions of the flour components in the samples. The mean mold-free day of the samples was 4.0, the highest hedonic value and shelf-stability were observed in the sample that had high substitution of wheat
Evaluation of safety of Azdirachta indica seed oil on Albino rat through haematological and some antioxidants by the rotatable central composite design (RCCD) of the response surface methodology (RSM)
Raw Azdirachta indica seed oil is gradually adopted by local farmers as a protector of stored grains and legumes against the common insects, but with some reservations on its safety. The study investigated the safety A. indica on mammalian objects using haematological and antioxidant indixes. A. indica seed was obtained from the trees in the same location in Utu Ikot Ukpong, Essien Udim Local Government Area, Nigeria. The Albino rats were obtained from the Animal House of Biochemistry Department of the University of Calabar, Nigeria. The animals were treated with varied A. indica seed oil at varied concentrations, periods of exposure and age. Haematological analyses revealed that models of packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white cell count (WCC) and hemoglobin content (Hb) were not significant. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) were also not significant (p>0.05). Linearity coefficients of the models however appeared to be significant (R2≤0.8000). The mathematical and pictorial models showed slight influence of the test substance on the parameters. The investigation revealed that A. indica seed oil showed no adverse effect on the haematological and antioxidant profile of the animal models at the level of administration, the slight statistical significance could be attributed to other experimental values. A. indica oil seems to be safe on mammalian subjects. More work is recommended on the topic using higher levels of the plant materials at a longer period of exposure
Increasing Shipping in the Arctic and Local Communities’ Engagement : A Case from Longyearbyen on Svalbard
publishedVersio
Male responsibility and maternal morbidity: a cross-sectional study in two Nigerian states
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nigeria continues to have high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. This is partly associated with lack of adequate obstetric care, partly with high risks in pregnancy, including heavy work. We examined actionable risk factors and underlying determinants at community level in Bauchi and Cross River States of Nigeria, including several related to male responsibility in pregnancy.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>In 2009, field teams visited a stratified (urban/rural) last stage random sample of 180 enumeration areas drawn from the most recent censuses in each of Bauchi and Cross River states. A structured questionnaire administered in face-to-face interviews with women aged 15-49 years documented education, income, recent birth history, knowledge and attitudes related to safe birth, and deliveries in the last three years. Closed questions covered female genital mutilation, intimate partner violence (IPV) in the last year, IPV during the last pregnancy, work during the last pregnancy, and support during pregnancy. The outcome was complications in pregnancy and delivery (eclampsia, sepsis, bleeding) among survivors of childbirth in the last three years. We adjusted bivariate and multivariate analysis for clustering.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The most consistent and prominent of 28 candidate risk factors and underlying determinants for non-fatal maternal morbidity was intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy (ORa 2.15, 95%CIca 1.43-3.24 in Bauchi and ORa 1.5, 95%CI 1.20-2.03 in Cross River). Other spouse-related factors in the multivariate model included not discussing pregnancy with the spouse and, independently, IPV in the last year. Shortage of food in the last week was a factor in both Bauchi (ORa 1.66, 95%CIca 1.22-2.26) and Cross River (ORa 1.32, 95%CIca 1.15-1.53). Female genital mutilation was a factor among less well to do Bauchi women (ORa 2.1, 95%CIca 1.39-3.17) and all Cross River women (ORa 1.23, 95%CIca 1.1-1.5).</p> <p>Interpretation</p> <p>Enhancing clinical protocols and skills can only benefit women in Nigeria and elsewhere. But the violence women experience throughout their lives – genital mutilation, domestic violence, and steep power gradients – is accentuated through pregnancy and childbirth, when women are most vulnerable. IPV especially in pregnancy, women's fear of husbands or partners and not discussing pregnancy are all within men's capacity to change.</p
Depression and loneliness in Jamaicans with sickle cell disease
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the commonest genetic disorder in Jamaica, and has life-long implications for those afflicted with it. It is well known that depression and loneliness may exist in those with chronic diseases, but the coexistence of depression and loneliness in people with sickle cell disease is not clear. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with depression and loneliness in the Jamaica Sickle Cell Cohort Study and its age and sex matched controls.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>277 patients with SCD and 65 controls were administered a questionnaire that studied demographics, disease severity, depression, and loneliness. Regression analyses were done to examine relationships between outcomes and associated variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Depression was found in 21.6% of patients and 9.4% in controls. Loneliness scores were also significantly higher in patients (16.9 ± 5.1) than in controls (14.95 ± 4.69). Depression was significantly associated with unemployment [OR = 2.9, p-value: < 0.001], whereas unemployment (p-value: 0.002), and lower educational attainment were significantly associated with loneliness.</p> <p>In patients with SCD, depression was significantly associated with being unemployed (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2,4.6, p-value:0.01), presence of a leg ulcer (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.7, 8.4, p-value: 0.001), frequent visits (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.2, 8.9, p-value: 0.019), and frequent painful crises (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.8, p-value: 0.035). Not being employed (Coef.: 2.0; p-value: 0.004) and higher educational attainment (tertiary vs. primary education, Coef.: -5.5; p-value: < 0.001) were significant associations with loneliness after adjusting for genotype.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Health workers need to actively look for and manage these problems to optimize their patients' total biopsychosocial care.</p
From cassava to gari: Mapping of quality characteristics and end-user preferences in Cameroon and Nigeria
User's preferences of cassava and cassava products along the value chain are supported by specific root quality characteristics that can be linked to root traits. Therefore, providing an evidence base of user preferred characteristics along the value chain, can help in the functional choice of cassava varieties. In this respect, the present paper presents the results from focus group discussions and individual interviews on user preferred quality characteristics of raw cassava roots and the derived product, gari, ‐ one of the major cassava products in Sub Saharan Africa ‐ in major production and consumption areas of Cameroon and Nigeria. Choice of cassava varieties for farming is mainly determined by the multiple end‐uses of the roots, their agricultural yield and the processing determinants of roots that support their major high‐quality characteristics: size, density, low water content, maturity, colour and safety. Processing of cassava roots into gari goes through different technological variants leading to a gari whose high‐quality characteristics are: dryness, colour, shiny/attractive appearance, uniform granules and taste. Eba, the major consumption form of gari in Cameroon and Nigeria is mainly characterized by its textural properties: smoothness, firmness, stickiness, elasticity, mouldability. Recommendations are made, suggesting that breeding will have to start evaluating cassava clones for brightness/shininess, as well as textural properties such as mouldability and elasticity of cassava food products, for the purpose of supporting decision‐making by breeders and the development of high‐throughput selection methods of cassava varieties. Women are identified as important beneficiaries of such initiatives giving their disadvantaged position and their prominent role in cassava processing and marketing of gari
African Journal of Food Science
Sensory evaluation of wheat-cassava-soybean composite flour (WCS) bread by the mixture experiment desig