Oxalate Content of Some Spices and Seasonings of South-Eastern Nigeria

The oxalate content of fresh and dry samples of local spices and seasonings were determined. Oxalate contents were for fresh weight of the spices and seasonings: African red pepper (119.07 mg/100g); ginger (132.07 mg/100g); fermented melon (315.19 mg/100g); garlic (199.72 mg/100g); beet leaves (514.80 mg/100g) and for pepper fruit, the riped seed (78.30 mg/100g), riped coat (126.75 mg/100g), unriped seed (229.69 mg/100g), unriped coat (153.37 mg/100g). The oxalate contents for the dry weights were: African red pepper (130.03 mg/100g); ginger (138.82 mg/100g); fermented melon (486 mg/100g), garlic (210.28 mg/100g); beet leaves (600 mg/100g) and for pepper fruit, the riped seed (227.67 mg/100g), riped coat (330.34 mg/100g), unriped seed (400.49 mg/100g) and unriped coat (238.14 mg/100g). This revealed that the oxalate contents of dry samples were higher than those of the fresh samples. Therefore, it is safer to eat high oxalate foods fresh to avoid the risk of hyperoxaluria, goitre and all attendant consequences of oxalate poisoning. Keywords: Spices, seasonings, oxalate, fresh weight, dry weight. Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp.133-13

Profitability of Minituber Seed Yam Production Technique in South East Agro-Ecological Zone: Evidence from Abia State, Nigeria

An experiment was conducted at Umudike to evaluate the profitability of minituber production technique using selected improved white yam varieties developed in 2003 as a back up to the minisett technique. The three white yam varieties selected were TDr89/02677, TDr89/02665 and TDr89/02565 known for their high potential yield. Setts of 8-10 grams were planted directly in the field for two years with spacing of 10cm x 100cm between ridges 10cm x 20cm between rows on a ridge (double row) and 10cm x 10cm intra row. The data were collected using cost route approach were analysed using descriptive statistical and Net return analysis. The result on establishment count on average of 4 weeks after planting (WAP) + 8 weeks after planting (WAP) showed that TDr89/02677, TDr89/02665 and TDr89/02565) gave 52.2, 46.1 and 43.5% sprout count while percentage stand count were 63.0, 53.9 and 52.2% respectively. The result of the profitability of the study showed that the three improved yam varieties (TDr89/02677, TDr89/02665 and TDr89/02565) were profitable as incomes generated were N141, 100.00, N49, 900.00 and N46, 300.00 respectively and on average gave an income of N79, 100.00

Preparation and use of maize tassels’ activated carbon for the adsorption of phenolic compounds in environmental waste water samples

The determination and remediation of three phenolic compounds bisphenol A (BPA), ortho-nitrophenol (o-NTP), parachlorophenol (PCP) in wastewater is reported. The analysis of these molecules in wastewater was done using gas chromatography (GC) × GC time-of-flight mass spectrometry while activated carbon derived from maize tassel was used as an adsorbent. During the experimental procedures, the effect of various parameters such as initial concentration, pH of sample solution, eluent volume, and sample volume on the removal efficiency with respect to the three phenolic compounds was studied. The results showed that maize tassel produced activated carbon (MTAC) cartridge packed solid-phase extraction (SPE) system was able to remove the phenolic compounds effectively (90.84–98.49 %, 80.75–97.11 %, and 78.27–97.08 % for BPA, o-NTP, and PCP, respectively) . The MTAC cartridge packed SPE sorbent performance was compared to commercially produced C18 SPE cartridges and found to be comparable. All the parameters investigated were found to have a notable influence on the adsorption efficiency of the phenolic compounds from wastewaters at different magnitudes

Kinetic studies of alkaline phosphatase extracted from rabbit (Lepus townsendii) liver

Studies were carried out to ascertain some kinetic properties of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) extracted from Lepus townsendii liver. Incubation of ALP extract with 4-nitrophenylphosphate (4-NPP) formed the basis for determination of enzyme activity. Spectrophotometric method was used to assay the enzyme activity, and the kinetic constants-maximum enzyme velocity (Vmax) and Michealis-Menten constant (Km) were evaluated. The Km and Vmax values were 0.5 x 10-3 M and 20 x 10-6 M/min, respectively. Inhibition studies showed that ALP activity was competitively inhibited by 0.67 mM sodium hydrogen orthophosphate (NaH2PO4) and the inhibition constant (Ki) was 0.9 x 10-3 M. The optimum pH value for ALP activity was about 9.2, and optimum temperature registered was 45°C. ALP activity exhibited linear Arrhenius relationship at temperature greater than 44.95°C with corresponding catalytic energy of activation (Ea) = 15.23 KJ mole-1. The present study gave insights into characteristic catalytic properties of ALP extracted from L. townsendii liver.Key words: Alkaline phosphatase, Lepus townsendii,  4-nitrophenylphosphate (4-NPP), Arrhenius relationship, Michealis-Menten constant