Material Losses and Garri Recovery Rate during the Processing of Varieties of Cassava into Garri

Materials losses and garri yield during garri processing on different cassava varieties; TMS/92/0057, TMS/30572, TME/419 and Vitamin A: 01/1368 were conducted. The results showed that there were variations within the different processing unit as well as the cassava varieties during garri processing. Losses were recorded highest at grating, dewatering and fermentation processes with the values of 9kg from TMS/92/0057 recording the highest loss, 8.5kg from Vitamin A: 01/1368, 7.7kg from TMS/30572 and 7kg from TME/419. On roasting processes, TMS/30572 had 3.2kg loss, Vitamin A: 01/1368, had 2.5kg loss, while TME/419 and TMS/92/0057 had 2kg loss respectively. Material losses at peeling showed that Vitamin A: 01/1368 recorded 4.5kg loss being the highest, TMS/92/0057 and TME/419 recorded 3kg loss each, while TMS/30572 recorded 2.5kg loss. Sifting losses indicated that vitamin A: 01/1368 and TME/419 had 1kg loss each, whereas TMS/30572 had 0.8kg loss and TMS/92/0057 had 0.5kg loss. Overall material loss for each cassava variety based on fresh weight of 20kg and maturity age of 14 weeks was determined, which vitamin A: 01/1368 recorded the highest loss of 16.5kg, TMS/92/0057 had 14.5kg loss, TMS/30572 had 14.2kg loss and TME/419 recorded 13kg loss. The total garri yield from each variety was also determined with TME/419 having 7kg yield, TMS/30572 had 5.8kg yield, TMS/92/0057 had 5.5kg yield and Vitamin A: 01/1368 recorded 3.5kg yield. Percentage losses from the tested varieties showed that vitamin A: 01/1368 had the highest percentage of 82.5% loss, TMS/92/0057 had 72.5% loss, TMS/30572 had 71% loss and TME/419 recorded 65% loss. Percentage yield of garri was also determined on the cassava varieties, this showed that TME/419 had 35% yield being the maximum, TMS/30572 had 29% yield, TMS/92/0057 had 27.5% yield and Vitamin A: 01/1368 recorded 17.5% yield

Numerical Study of the Thermal Efficiency of a School Building with Complex Topology for Different Orientations

In this work a numerical model that simulates the thermal behavior of a building with complex topology and evaluates the indoor thermal and air quality, in transient conditions, is used for a school building thermal project. The program calculates the building surfaces solar radiation field, the building's temperatures, the internal environmental variables, and the occupant's comfort levels. Initially, after the numerical model is validated, the software is used to evaluate the school building's thermal response for four different orientations, either in winter or summer conditions. The work then aims to identify uncomfortable spaces in order to propose, as an example, several solutions that could be introduced for each orientation, that would improve the thermal comfort and air quality levels to which the occupants are subjected, and decrease the building's energy consumption levels. The information obtained from this study could be used to help a designer choose which thermal systems and solutions function best for a preferred school building orientation

In-Vitro Evaluation of Stem Bark Extracts of Daniellia oliveri (Hutch and Dalz) for Antimicrobial Activity

A comparative study of the antimicrobial properties of ethanol, methanol, acetone, cold and hot water extracts of Daniellia oliveri was carried out. The extracts were assayed by the minimum inhibitory concentration broth microdilution and minimum bactericidal concentration methods before they were submitted to phytochemical screening. Three Gram positive, three Gram negative bacteria and yeast were used in the assay. All the extracts showed varied activity levels against the test microorganisms. Ethanol, methanol and acetone extract had better antimicrobial activity than the aqueous extracts within the concentration range of 6.25 – 100 mg/ml assayed. The activity was more pronounced against the Gram positive and fungal organisms than the Gram negative bacteria. This study shows that ethanol is the best solvent for extracting pharmacologically active compounds from plant materials. Its extract had the lowest bactericidal concentration of 6.25-25 mg/ml on organisms challenged. Results suggest that the D. oliveri has potential for use as pharmaceutical as well as in ethnomedicinal treatment of infections and diseases.Keywords: Daniellia oliveri, Inhibitory concentration, Bactericidal concentration, Antimicrobial activit

Prevalence and determinants of anemia amongst HIV positive pregnant women in a tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Background: In pregnancy, anemia is associated with increased risk of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality especially in HIV situation. To determine the prevalence and determinants of anemia in HIV positive compared to HIV negative women.Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried out from June 2016 to December 2017 amongst pregnant women who presented to the antenatal clinic. Information on socio-demographic variables and laboratory test to determine the hemoglobin levels and CD4 count (for the HIV positive women) were carried out. A total of 350 subjects with equal number of HIV positive and HIV negative pregnant women were recruited. Variables were compared between the two groups using software package for social sciences version 20. P values<0.05 at 95% confidence interval are considered statistically significant.Results: The mean age for HIV positive and negative were 31.54 ±4.1 and 29.03 respectively while, mean gestational age at booking for HIV positive and negative were 20.41±8.61 and 22.37±7.4 weeks respectively. The HIV positive group had a mean parity of 2.02±1.5, and 2.56±1.2 was that of the HIV negative group. The mean hemoglobin statuses at booking were 9.92±1.8 g/dl and 10.6±1.1 g/df HIV positive and HIV negative women respectively. The mean CD4+ at booking for HIV positive group was 478±251 per microliter. The overall prevalence of anemia irrespective of HIV status was 36.6%. The prevalence of anemia in HIV positive and negative women were 44.6% and 28.6% respectively. There was statistically significant relationship between anemia and HIV status (p=0.002).Conclusions: There was inverse relationship between CD4+ count and anemia. Low CD4+ count and non-use of HAART at booking were important determinants of anemia among the HIV

Nitrogen fertilization and use efficiency in an intercrop system of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and soybean (Glycine max (L) Meril.)

Experiments were conducted at the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Research farm during the 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons to determine the effects of intercropping cassava and soybean on cassava tuber and soybean grain yields respectively and on nitrogen use efficiency of cassava at the intercropping system. The experiment for each year was laid out in a factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments were the nitrogen rates, sole soybean (TGM 579), sole cassava (TMS 30572) and cassava + soy bean intercrop. Intercropping cassava with soybean showed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) yield advantage over sole cropping system in 2008. Increased fertilizer rates up to 90 kg N/ha-1 increased fresh cassava yield in sole cropping system, while in the intercrop, increased application of nitrogen at 60 kg N decreased cassava tuber yield. The cassava nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) increased with increase in applied nitrogen up to 60 kg N/ha-1 and then decreased beyond this point. Similar trend was observed in 2009, except that total harvested cassava tuber yield was significantly higher in 2009 than that obtained in 2008. This result suggests that intercropping cassava with soybean with or without application of nitrogen is beneficial but high doses of nitrogenous fertilizer in sole soybean field is uneconomical and should be avoided.Key words: Cassava, soybean, intercrop, sole crop, nitrogen use efficiency

Perception of Sources, Accessibility and Consequences of Domestic Water Supply in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria.

The study focused on the accessibility  and consequences of domestic water supply(DWS) in Mbaitoli L. G.A. Structured questionnaire was administered  on 10 autonomous communities that were randomly selected.   Sources of  DWS  evaluated includes : bore hole, stream, pond, rainwater, underground water, water vendor and pipe borne water. The results revealed that rainwater consumption has the highest percentage of 24% with pipe borne water having the lowest percentage of 1%. Accessibility study revealed that 26% travelled between 1-2km, 51% between 3-4km and 23% revealed above &gt;4 km in search of water. The result hygienic condition shown that  69% affirmed the poor hygienic  conditions of sources of DWS, while 48% do not treat water meant for drinking and provision of potable water is on self-help basis constituting 76%,  with Government having 16%, and  Non-governmental Organizations(NGOs) constituting 8%. Based on the results, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) should be practiced to include Government and NGOs  involvement in water supply, operation and  maintenance  (O&amp;M) of rainwater harvesting (RWH) to: improves water availability, its proximity, its quantity and its quality in order to eradicate women's and girl’s children burden of collecting water for domestic use  and reduce the  amount of rainwater that goes to the drainage  in order to  avoid the floods phenomena. Keywords: Sources, Consequences,  Accessibility ,  Domestic, Water

Quality Aspects of African Salad

The proximate and microbiological quality of African salad a special salad recipe native to Nigeria was investigated in order to provide scientific, research based information on the nutritional and micro floral composition of this exotic delicacy. Samples of salad were purchased from six food vending sites which serve as the major business and residential area in Owerri. The predominant bacterial isolates from African salad belong to Bacillus spp, Staphylococcus spp, Escherichia coli, Enterococci and Serracia. The fungal spp isolated include Saccharomyces, Mucor, Rhizopus, Penicillium and Aspergillus. The mean total aerobic plate count range from 7.7x1011 to 4.8x1012, coliform count range from 8.5x1010 to 3.5x1011 and fungal count range from 6.6x109 to 4.7x1010. Based on the specifications by International Commission for Microbiological Specification for Foods (ICMSF), the level of contaminations was unacceptable and could pose health challenge. The chemical composition of the African salad samples consist of carbohydrate (21.07%), protein (4.38%), fat (7.80%), fiber (3.29%), and moisture (62.72%). Energy value of 169.30 kcal and minerals were recorded. African salad as seen from this report is a nutritious food, fit for all age groups. Special care however, has to be taken in its preparation as contaminants could be introduced through the ingredients. Education of food handlers and the general public on food safety measures, effective Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) application and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) implementation is imperativ