Effect of a typical rural processing method on the proximate composition and amino acid profile of bush mango seeds (Irvingia gabonensis)

Various researchers have confirmed the view that forest and wood lands, among other natural boundaries in West Africa supply a massive amount of protein and carbohydrates to the citizens; however industrialization and urbanization has  threaten many of the food species from these ecosystems. For instance Itugha known to be highly prized and delicious indigenous food is getting extinct and the possibility of it’s origin and composition being lost in antiquity is high, more so data on nutrient composition of processed lrvingia products is limited. Samples of Itugha were prepared as it is obtained in the local setting. These and fresh seeds from the same source of fruits were subjected to proximate analysis and amino acid profile determination. The synergistic effect of pounding and fermentation (two rural processing methods) on proximate composition and amino acid profile of Irvingia gabonensis seeds were evaluated. Proximate analysis differed significantly (p > 0.05) between the processed product and fresh Irvingia seeds in crude protein, fat, ash and dietary fiber contents. Protein value was 19.4+ 0.4% dry matter (DM) for the product, 7.6 + 0.8 of (DM) for fresh seed of var gabonensis, Crude fat 66.60+ 0.80% DM seed and 58.00+ 1.0% product; ash 9.50+ 0.30% DM seed and 11.60 + 0.6% DM product. Dietary fibre was 18.20+ 1.80% DM seed and 12.30+2.00% DM product. Percent sucrose in starch was 2.10 + 3.50% DM seed and 9.60+ 3.10% DM product. There were significant losses in fat, dietary fibre, moisture and carbohydrate due to processing. High moisture level in seed 5.20 +0.6% DM compared with product 2.10+ 0.8% DM is indicative of the presence of appreciable quantity of trapped water in the matrices of fresh Irvingia seeds which was  favourable for fermentation. Amino acid profile showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in their levels in the seeds and the product. All the essential amino acids (EAA) were quantified with Leucine recording the highest value. In all, eighteen  amino acids were quantified in both the fresh seed and processed product. They are Leucine 8.30+ 0.11g/16g Nitrogen (N) product and 7.60 + 0.12g/16gN seed, isoleucine 3.20+ 0.04g/16gN seed and 4.50+ 0.1g/16gN product; threonine 2.20+ 0.30g/16gN seed and 3.10+ 0.1g/16gN product, glutamic acid 13.40+  0.11g/16gN seed and 15.20 + 0.10g/16gN product. These recorded increases. Serine 3.10+ 0.04g/16gN seed and 2.80+ 0.01g/16gN product was the only amino acid that recorded a decrease in level due to processing. Other amino acids were methionine, tryptophan, valine, phenylalanine, histidine, aspartic acid, cystine, proline, glycerine, alanine, tyrosine, lysine and arginine. Processing method  resulted in slightly higher levels of essential nutrients in the product than the seeds. Further investigation to determine the micoflora involved in the fermentation is recommended. It would also be necessary to isolate and identify the food  enzymes in the endosperm of Irvingia gabonensis. It has been observed that  nutrient dense plant foodstuff are facing extinction due to urbanization and  increased patronage of fast foods, as such, there is need to increase available  information on their nutritive potentials to encourage utilization.Keywords: Pounding, Fermentation, Amino acids, Proximate, Irvingi

Protein quality and digestibility of different parts (spathe and spadix) of Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum flower

A rat growth and balance study was conducted to determine the protein quality and digestibility of the cooked spathe and spadix. Twenty-four (24) weanling male wistar rats were distributed in four groups of six elements. Test groups received respectively spathe- based, spadix-based and spadix + spathe-based diets. Each protein product was fed as the sole source of 10% dietary protein. The evaluated biological parameters were protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein ratio (NPR) and true protein digestibility (TPD). The cooked spadix contained higher values of crude lipid (10.8% DM), crude protein (18.73% DM), and crude fibre (34.47% DM) while spathe had higher values of crude ash (9.26% DM), cellulose (8.20% DM), phytate (0.06 mg/100 g DM), cyanide (0.25 mg/100 g DM) and total oxalate (880.0 mg/100 g DM). Spathe showed significantly (p 0.05) between the TPD of spadix and spadix + spathe mixture. The presence of higher levels of cellulose, phytate and hydrocyanide in spathe could have been responsible for the lower protein digestibility and quality observed.Keywords: Colocosia esculenta, cocoyam, cooked spadix, cooked spathe, PER, NPR, TPD

Proximate And Mineral Composition Of Two Soups As Prepared In The South-West And South-South Regions Of Nigeria

The proximate and mineral composition of okro and ogbono soups prepared with two different Nigeria traditional (South/West, i.e. Yoruba, and South/South, i.e. Efik/Ibibio) recipes was assessed in this study. The crude protein, fat, Ca and Na nutrient composition (30.53 + 0.15% dry weight, 32.58 + 1.32% dry weight, 1132.42 + 9.26mg/100DM and 1803.95 + 130.47mg/100DM respectively), of okro soup prepared with South/South (S/S) recipe were significantly higher (

Haematoxic Effects Following Ingestion Of Nigerian Crude Oil And Crude Oil Polluted Shellfish By Rats

The haematological effects following ingestion of shellfish exposed to crude oil polluted water or the pollutant perse were investigated in albino Wistar rats. Feeding of four groups of rats for 28 days duration with two reference casein or shellfish protein control diets (Group A and B), and two test diets (Group C and D) supplemented at varying levels with shellfish which had been previously exposed to crude oil polluted water and the oral gavaging with crude oil at the rate of 3, 6 and 9 ml/kg body weight per day to three groups (groups II, III and IV respectively) of rats for 7 days duration resulted in changes in packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, and haemoglobin concentration (Hb) of rats. Group C and D respectively fed 10% and 20% polluted shellfish diets recorded significant (P < 0.05) decreases in PCV and RBC counts while Hb concentration and WBC counts increased. Groups II, III and IV gavaged with varying doses of crude oil recorded significant (P < 0.05 – 0.01) dose dependent decrease in PCV and RBC counts when compared to controls (group 1). Hb and WBC counts also increased for these groups but the increase was only significant for WBC counts (P < 0.05) when compared with controls. The results suggest that the ingestion of shellfish exposed to crude oil polluted water or the polluted perse results in haematotoxicity. Key words: Haematological Indices, Crude Oil, Shellfish Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 1-

Effect Of A Typical Rural Processing Method On The Proximate Composition And Amino Acid Profile Of Bush Mango Seeds ( Irvingia Gabonensis )

Various researchers have confirmed the view that forest and wood lands, among other natural boundaries in West Africa supply a massive amount of protein and carbohydrates to the citizens; however industrialization and urbanization has threaten many of the food species from these ecosystems. For instance Itugha known to be highly prized and delicious indigenous food is getting extinct and the possibility of it&apos;s origin and composition being lost in antiquity is high, more so data on nutrient composition of processed lrvingia products is limited. Samples of Itugha were prepared as it is obtained in the local setting. These and fresh seeds from the same source of fruits were subjected to proximate analysis and amino acid profile determination. The synergistic effect of pounding and fermentation (two rural processing methods) on proximate composition and amino acid profile of Irvingia gabonensis seeds were evaluated. Proximate analysis differed significantly (p ≥ 0.05) between the processed product and fresh Irvingia seeds in crude protein, fat, ash and dietary fiber contents. Protein value was 19.4± 0.4% dry matter (DM) for the product, 7.6 ± 0.8 of (DM) for fresh seed of var gabonensis, Crude fat 66.60± 0.80% DM seed and 58.00± 1.0% product; ash 9.50± 0.30% DM seed and 11.60 ± 0.6% DM product. Dietary fibre was 18.20± 1.80% DM seed and 12.30±2.00% DM product. Percent sucrose in starch was 2.10 ± 3.50% DM seed and 9.60± 3.10% DM product. There were significant losses in fat, dietary fibre, moisture and carbohydrate due to processing. High moisture level in seed 5.20 ±0.6% DM compared with product 2.10± 0.8% DM is indicative of the presence of appreciable quantity of trapped water in the matrices of fresh­ Irvingia seeds which was favourable for fermentation. Amino acid profile showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in their levels in the seeds and the product. All the essential amino acids (EAA) were quantified with Leucine recording the highest value. In all, eighteen amino acids were quantified in both the fresh seed and processed product. They are Leucine 8.30± 0.11g/16g Nitrogen (N) product and 7.60 ± 0.12g/16gN seed, isoleucine 3.20± 0.04g/16gN seed and 4.50± 0.1g/16gN product; threonine 2.20± 0.30g/16gN seed and 3.10± 0.1g/16gN product, glutamic acid 13.40± 0.11g/16gN seed and 15.20 ± 0.10g/16gN product. These recorded increases. Serine 3.10± 0.04g/16gN seed and 2.80± 0.01g/16gN product was the only amino acid that recorded a decrease in level due to processing. Other amino acids were methionine, tryptophan, valine, phenylalanine, histidine, aspartic acid, cystine, proline, glycerine, alanine, tyrosine, lysine and arginine. Processing method resulted in slightly higher levels of essential nutrients in the product than the seeds. Further investigation to determine the micoflora involved in the fermentation is recommended. It would also be necessary to isolate and identify the food enzymes in the endosperm of Irvingia gabonensis. It has been observed that nutrient dense plant foodstuff are facing extinction due to urbanization and increased patronage of fast foods, as such, there is need to increase available information on their nutritive potentials to encourage utilization. i.Le effet synergétique du pilage et de la fermentation (deux méthodes rurales de traitement) sur la composition rapprochée et le profil de l&apos;acide aminé des graines d&apos; Irvingia gabonensis a été évalué. L&apos;analyse rapprochée a différé considérablement (p ≥ 0.05) entre le produit traité et les graines fraîches d&apos;Irvingia dans les protéine crues, les graisses, la cendre et les teneurs diététiques en fibre. La teneur en protéine était 19,4± 0.4% des matières sèches (m.s.) pour le produit, 7,6 ± 0,8 de m.s pour la graine fraîche de var gabonensis, les graisses crues 66,60± 0,80% de m.s. pour la semence et 58,00± 1,0% pour le produit; la cendre 9,50± 0,30% de m.s. pour la semence et 11,60 ± 0,6% de m.s pour le produit. La fibre diététique était 18,20± 1,80% de m.s pour la graine et 12,30±2,00% de m.s pour le produit. Le pourcentage de la saccharose dans l&apos;amidon était 2,10 ± 3,50% de m.s pour les graines et 9,60± 3,10% de m.s pour le produit. Suite au traitement, il y a eu des pertes significatives dans les grasses, les fibres diététiques, l&apos;humidité et l&apos;hydrate de carbone. Le niveau élevé d&apos;humidité dans les graines 5,20 ±0.6% de m.s par rapport au m.s du produit 2,10± 0,8% est une indication de la présence d&apos;une quantité appréciable d&apos;eau qui stagne dans les matrices de graines fraîches d&apos;Irvingia, et cette eau a été favorable à la fermentation. Le profile de l&apos;acide aminé a montré des différences significatives (p ≤ 0,05) dans leurs niveaux dans les graines et dans le produit. Tous les acides aminés essentiels (AAE) ont été quantifiés, la leucine enregistrant la valeur la plus élevée. Dans l&apos;ensemble, dix-huit acides aminés ont été quantifiés aussi bien dans la graine fraîche que dans le produit traité. Ces acides sont comme suit : la leucine 8,30± 0,11g/16g, le produit azote (N) et la graine 7,60 ±0,12g/16gN, l&apos;isoleucine 3,20± 0,04g/16gN graine et 4,50± 0,1g/16gN produit; thréonine 2,20± 0,30g/16gN graine et 3,10±0,1g/16gN produit, acide glutamique 13,40± 0,11g/16gN graine et 15,20 ± 0.10g/16gN produit. Ces acides ont enregistré des accroissements. La sérine 3,10± 0,04g/16gN graine et 2,80± 0,01g/16gN produit était le seul acide aminé qui a enregistré une diminution de niveau à cause du traitement. Les autres acides aminés étaient la méthionine, le tryptophane, la valine, la phénylalanine, l&apos;histidine, l&apos;acide aspartique, la cystine, la proline, la glycérine, l&apos;alanine, la tyrosine, la lysine et l&apos;arginine. La méthode de traitement a abouti à des niveaux légèrement plus élevés de nutriments essentiels dans le produit par rapport aux graines. Une enquête plus approfondie visant à déterminer les microflores impliquées dans la fermentation est recommandée. Il serait aussi nécessaire d&apos;isoler et d&apos;identifier les enzymes alimentaires dans l&apos;endosperme de Irvingia gabonensis

Accessing Marketing Information Services And Strategies Adopted By Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development Programme

This study was conducted to determine market information services and strategies adopted by Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP) to farmers in the state.The specific objectives of the study were to, i) identify the relationship between the extension approach adopted by extension agents and the marketing information strategies; ii) to find out the relationship between the information system and marketing of agricultural produce in the state; iii) to determine the period of disseminating information to farmers and iv) to identify the constraints to marketing information dissemination in the state.Structured pretested face and content validated questionnaire was  administered and data collected from 300 farmers randomly selected from four of the six agricultural zones in Akwa Ibom State. Similarly, 100 extension agents (EAS) randomly selected from the four agricultural zones, took part in the study. Data collected were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. Marketing of agricultural produce was found to be influenced by lack of awareness, over dependency on production information, non-availability of subject matter specialists, and tools to aid extension agents in the dissemination of market information

Theobromine rich cocoa powder induces weight loss and changes in lipid profile of obese wistar rats

No Abstract.Discovery and Innovation Vol. 18 (3) 2006: pp. 191-19

Proximate and mineral composition of flower (spathe and spadix) of Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum grown in Dschang, Cameroon

Samples of flower spathe and flower spadix of Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorumobtained from Dschang, Cameroon, were analysed for proximate and mineral compositions. Flower spadix was found to contain higher percentage of crude protein 18.34%DM), crude lipid (8.02%DM) and crude fibre (30.35%DM) compared to flower spathe 16.65% DM protein, 5.93%DM lipid, and 12.01%DM crude fibre) which had higher crude ash content (11.65%DM). The major dietary fibre found in flower spadix was hemicellulose (34.9%DM) while cellulose (14.64%DM) formed the major dietary fibre in flower spathe. Mineral analyses showed that flower spathe and flower spadix had high levels of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium but low levels of sodium. These materials form part of the daily dietaries of Dschang people of the Republic of Cameroon and from these investigations, they contribute significantly to the requirement of these people.Keywords: Colocasia esculenta, flower, compositionGlobal Journal of Pure and Applied sciences Vol. 11(4) 2005: 491-49

Hypertension enhances haemoglobin glycation in diabetics

No Abstract

Effect of alchol-kolanut interaction on brain nonoamine oxidase activity in wistar albino rats

No Abstract.Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 13 (3) 2007: pp.391-39