Current Status of Alkaline Fermented Foods and Seasoning Agents of Africa

Fermented foods and seasoning agents play central roles in the food and nutrition security of nations across the world, but particularly so in Africa, Asia, South America and Oceania. As several people across the world gravitate back to “eating natural,” there is a new emphasis on these fermented foods and seasoning agents which are also critical cultural foods in countries and societies where they are important. The result is the growth in demand for these products beyond what the traditional kitchen technologies is able to cope with. In Africa, many of the seasoning agents are products of alkaline fermentation of legume seeds, pulses and in some cases animal proteins and sea foods. There is an upswing in the popularity of these seasoning agents and around them, new cottage industries are growing, as against the kitchen technology that sustained them through the ages. This chapter will explore the state of biotechnological developments around these foods and seasoning agents and point the way to good manufacturing practice and industrial development and the need to grow this value chain that has helped to sustain societies through ages

The Impact of Telecommunication Expenditure on Economic Growth in Nigeria

This paper examined the impact of telecommunication expenditure on economic growth in Nigeria using time series data from 1970 to 2010. In conducting the analysis, the unit root tests and co-integration tests were estimated using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller technique. The estimated results show that telecommunication, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the degree of trade openness have positive impact on economic growth in Nigeria while unemployment has negative impact. The unit root test shows that real GDP and the degree of trade openness are integrated of order one, I(1) while telecommunication is and the FDI are integrated of order zero. Key words: Economic Growth, Telecommunication, unemployment and Trade openness, Nigeri

Cost Implications of the Prevalence of HIV/AIDS on the Economic Development of Nigeria.

HIV/AIDS emerged in the last three decades as visible threat to health and the socio-economic conditions of developing countries including Nigeria. Against this background, this study sought to determine the cost implications of the prevalence of HIV/AIDs on the economic development of Nigeria. The study adopted mainly qualitative approach sourced from National Bureau of Statistics-(NBS) and Central Bank of Nigeria-(CBN) statistical Bulletin respectively for analysis. Findings seem to support claims that the incidence of HIV/AIDS exert serious negative influences on the economic growth of Nigeria. This is due to the fact that HIV/AIDS reduces to a large extent the proportion of the working population with its huge corresponding cost implications, which in turn affect economic resources in the country. The policy interventions strategies recommended for stemming the scourge of HIV/AIDS include; prevention of new infections, cost reduction of treatments for patients, positive adjustments of patients to employment environment and development of activities like pycho-educational programme to motivate and foster HIV/AIDS prevention and management  behaviours among the Nigeria populace especially the youth. Keywords: Cost, Economic Growth; Employment, HIV/AIDS, Productivit

Cost Implications of the Prevalence of HIV/AIDS on the Economic Development of Nigeria

HIV/AIDS emerged in the last three decades as visible threat to health and the socio-economic conditions of developing countries including Nigeria. Against this background, this study sought to determine the cost implications of the prevalence of HIV/AIDs on the economic development of Nigeria. The study adopted mainly qualitative approach sourced from National Bureau of Statistics-(NBS) and Central Bank of Nigeria-(CBN) statistical Bulletin respectively for analysis. Findings seem to support claims that the incidence of HIV/AIDS exert serious negative influences on the economic growth of Nigeria. This is due to the fact that HIV/AIDS reduces to a large extent the proportion of the working population with its huge corresponding cost implications, which in turn affect economic resources in the country. The policy interventions strategies recommended for stemming the scourge of HIV/AIDS include; prevention of new infections, cost reduction of treatments for patients, positive adjustments of patients to employment environment and development of activities like pycho-educational programme to motivate and foster HIV/AIDS prevention and management  behaviours among the Nigeria populace especially the youth. Keywords: Cost, Economic Growth; Employment, HIV/AIDS, Productivit

Evolution of Volatile Flavour Compounds during Fermentation of African Oil Bean ( Pentaclethra macrophylla

Fermented African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) seed is a successful and well studied seasoning and snack in parts of Western Africa. GC-MS analysis of fermenting seeds revealed a mixture of several volatile aroma compounds which changed with time and starter organism. During natural mixed culture process 36 volatile compounds including 12 hydrocarbons, 10 esters, 5 alcohols, 2 phenols, 2 ketones, and one each of furan, amine, acid, thiophene, and lactone were identified. When Bacillus subtilis was used in pure culture, 30 compounds comprising 10 hydrocarbons, 8 esters, 3 alcohols, 2 amines, 2 sulfur compounds, and one of each of acid, aldehyde, phenol, ketone, and furan were identified. Sample fermented with B. megaterium produced 29 aroma compounds comprising 9 hydrocarbons, 10 esters, 2 nitrogenous compounds, 2 ketones, 3 alcohols, and one of each of lactone, aldehyde, furan, and amine. Methyl esters of various long chain fatty acids may be key aroma compounds, based on consistency and persistence. Qualitative or quantitative contribution of individual compounds may only be determined following flavour threshold analysis

Quality Control of Conventional X-Ray Tube in Three Tertiary Hospitals in South-East, Nigeria

Background:Quality control of conventional x-ray tube ensures that the patient integral radiation dose is minimized and image quality is improved, by controlling the x-ray beam to reduce scatter radiation.  Objective:To assess x-ray tubes for half value layer (HVL), x-ray field and light field congruence using known standard. Methodology:The HVLs were measured using calibrated, non-invasive, digital multifunctional detector meter that incorporate computer output. The detector was positioned at the center of the collimated beam axis with focus-to-image distance (FID) of 100 cm. Tube potentials of 80 and 100 kVp were selected, and used to make exposures. The corresponding HVLs were then recorded. Also, x-ray field and light field congruence were measured by placing 18 cm x 24 cm cassette loaded with film at FID of 100 cm. The collimator light was in ON position and metal markers were used to delineate the periphery of the light field. Misalignment was calculated from the developed radiographs using standard formula. Results:The HVL ranged from 3.40 to 4.4mmAl. Also, the sum of the misalignment in both orthogonal directions ranged from 7.21 to 9.70 % of FID in all three centers. Conclusion:The HVL were within standard limit at 80 and 100 kVp in all the centers studied. However, x-ray field and light field were grossly misaligned.   &nbsp

Studies Of Heat Resistant Fungi In The Soil:Talaromyces flavus Isolated In Nigerian Soils

Abstract Heat resistant fungi are a group of fungi which are able to withstand thermal processes employed in the preservation of most acid foods. A total of 85 soil samples collected from gardens/farmlands in Ohodo, EnuguEzike, Ogbede, Adani, Oturkpo, Umuahia/Orlu, Imilike, and Gboko were examined for the presence of heat resistant fungi using standard methods.HRF were isolated from 74 soils representing approximately 94%. Fungal counts ranged from non-detectable to 437 colony forming units per 2g of soil. Neosartorya fischeri was the most common isolate. Other isolates were Talaromyces flavus, Eupenicillium cinnamopurpurem, Eupenicillium crustaceum,Emeriella rugulosa and Paecilomyces variotii/Byssochlamys fulva

Safety of Ionizing Radiation in Selected Conventional X-ray Diagnostic Centres in Calabar and Uyo metropolises, Nigeria

Background: Humans are inevitably exposed to background radiation in work and public environments. The aim of this work is to assess the effectiveness of the secondary barriers in conventional x-ray diagnostic centers in Calabar and Uyo metropolises. This is by determining the weekly and annual effective dose in their respective uncontrolled areas and comparing them with the international recommendations. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three x-ray diagnostic centers in Calabar, represented as C1, C2, and C3 respectively, and in four xray diagnostic centers in Uyo, represented as U1, U2, U3, and U4 respectively. Background radiation was measured using Radex 1212 A-A battery-powered survey meter, at a distance of 2.5meters away from the xray units. Radiation measurement was taken at three different spots, and the recorded data were analyzed. Results: The mean calculated effective dose per week in mSv/week for each diagnostic center was given as 0.130 ± 0.0068mSv/week. Also, the mean calculated effective dose per year in mSv/year for each center was given as 0.66 ± 0.35mSv/year. These values are below the National Commission on Radiation Protection (NCRP) recommendations of 0.02mSv/week and 1mSv/year respectively. From the results, the mean calculated chance of developing cancer was 2.33 ×10-3% which was lower than the NCRP recommendation for continuous public exposure of 5.5×10-3 %. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the integrity of the shielding designs and their dimensions assessed are safe