Growth performance of Heteroclarias fed maggot meal at varying inclusion levels

70-day growth trial was conducted with Heteroclarias: Heterobranchus bidorsalis X Clarias gariepinus (mean weight 0.64~c0.006g) fed diets based on various inclusion levels of Maggot Meal. The fishmeal in the control diet was replaced with maggot meals at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% levels to supply 40% crude protein in the final diets. The trails were conducted in glass tanks (60cmx30cmx30cm). Evaluation of growth parameters and nutrient utilization of the fish was based on weight gains, protein intake, protein efficiency ratio, net protein utilization, feed conversion efficiency and carcass analysis. Best growth and feed conversion efficiency were obtained with the 75% dietary inclusion of maggot meal. There was no significant differences (P>0.055) between the group of fish on 50% and 75% dietary inclusion maggot meal in growth performance and protein efficiency ratio but, there was a significant (P<0.05) difference in the NPU (Net Protein Utilization) and protein gain between the control diet and those fed on maggot meals. There was no marked variation in the survival rate of fish on all diet

Haematological response of Heterobranchus longifilis fed varying dietary protein levels

Hematological effects of feeding varying dietary crude proteins levels to one hundred and fifty (150) H.longifilis fingerlings was examined on biweekly basis. The fingerlings of mean weights 1.26g plus or minus 0.24g were stocked in eight hapa nets (1mx1m) at 15 fingerlings per hapa. Four experimental diets with crude protein; 35%, 40%, 45% and 50% coded diet 1-4 respectively were fed to the fish for 8 weeks. The blood sample was taken and examined for packed cell volume (PCV) total protein (TP) Hemoglobin (Hb), Serum album, Erythrocyte count (RBC), while blood cell (WBC) mean corpuscle volume (MCV) and mean corpuscle hemoglobin, concentration (MCHC). There was an increase in the values of the hematological indices studied with increase in protein inclusion levels. A higher positive correlation with no significant difference (P greater than or equal to 0.05) exists between the treatments RBC, WBC, Hb and TP. The best RBC (2.10x10 super(6) count/l). WBC (7.65x10 super(4) count/l), PCV (35.4%) and Hb (5.79mg/l) were presented in fingerlings fed 40% crude protein followed by 45% crude protein. The dietary crude protein of 40% is recommended for H. longifilis for sound and healthy conditio

Bioaccumulation and carbohydrate levels of Tilapia zillii exposed to sublethal concentrations of lead and copper

Tilapia zilili is a commonly cultured fresh water fish and of major economic importance in tropical and subtropical countries throughout the world. Effect of the sub lethal concentrations of copper and lead to T. zillii for 12-week exposure period was carried out. The elements were assayed using Shimadzu AA 6200 atomic absorption spectrophotometery and the results were given as ~k/g dry wt.The bioaccumulation factors of lead and copper were significantly (P<0.05) higher in treated fishes than the control. Effect of these metals on the quantitative carbohydrate levels in the plasma, muscle and liver were observed. The different concentrations of the various heavy metals caused significantly (p<0.05) corresponding decrease in the fish muscles and liver glycogen levels

Fertilization, hatchability, survival and larval biometry in interspecific and intergeneric hybrids of Clariid catfishes

Interspecific and intergeneric hybridization studies were carried out in H. longifilis, C. gariepinus and C. anguillaris under controlled hatchery conditions to estimate their aquaculture potential in terms of fertilizability, hatchability and survival. Fertilization rate in all the nine genetic crosses ranges from 60-87.5%, the fertilization rates of the parentals being significantly higher(P<0.05) with highest value of 87.5% obtained in C. gariepinus. The intergeneric hybrids had the lowest rate of fertilization. Hatchability ranges between 75- 88.1 %, with the parental C. anguillaris being slightly significantly higher than the other genetic combinations. C. anguillaris x H. longifilis I had the lowest hatchability and there was no significant difference (P<0.05) in percent hatching among the the interspecific hybrids. The survival of all the nine genetic crosses from hatching up to the end of the two weeks indoor rearing period ranges between 78-89%, which wasn't significantly different among the interspecific and intergeneric hybrids. C. anguillaris and C. gariepinus had the highest percent survival which was significantly different from all the other mating combinations. The intergeneric hybrid larval had significantly greater (P<0.05) length in comparison to the interspecific hybrids. H. longifilis and the hybrids produced from its eggs had greater body weight than that of C. gariepinus and C. anguillari

Influence of drying methods on heavy metal composition and microbial load of plantain chips

Open Access Journal; Published online: 24 Aug 2022Mature unripe plantain is usually processed into chips using the traditional sun-drying method without considering consumer safety. Thus, there is a need to assess the influence of solar tent and open sun drying on the heavy metal composition and microbial load of plantain chips. Thirty samples of dried plantain chips were collected randomly from 10 processing centers in Akure South and Idanre Local Government Areas of Ondo State, Nigeria. In addition, four popularly consumed plantain varieties (agbagba, bobby tannap, mbi egome, and pita 23) were processed to chips and dried using open sun and solar tent drying. The samples were analyzed for heavy metal compositions using an Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) and microbial loads using the serial dilution method. The heavy metal content of the dried plantain chips was in the range of 0.01–0.08 mg/kg for Cd, 0.01–0.07 mg/kg for Co, and 0.05–0.50 mg/kg for Pb. Seven fungi (Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus tamarii, Fusarium verticillioides, and Monilla spp.) of health importance were isolated. The drying methods had a significant effect on the Cd (p 0.05) on the bacterial, fungi, and total coliform counts. Since the heavy metal content and microbial loads were higher in the surveyed and open sun-dried samples, the solar tent-dryer may be more reliable in producing less contaminated plantain chips than the open sun drying methods

Evaluation of nutritive value of water hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) and guinea grass (Panicum maximum) mixture as animal feed in the tropics

The nutritive value of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) mixture as animal feed resources in the tropics were evaluated. The mixture of the treatments: A (0% water hyacinth + 90% Guinea grass + 10% concentrate), B (30% water hyacinth + 60% Guinea grass + 10% concentrate), C (45% water hyacinth + 45% Guinea grass + 10% concentrate), D (60% water hyacinth + 30% Guinea grass + 10% concentrate) and E (90% water hyacinth + 0% Guinea grass + 10% concentrate) were incubated in vitro for 96 hours to monitor total gas production (ml/200 mg DM) at post incubation. Methane  (mmol/200mg DM) was evaluated by introducing 10 M NaOH into the content. Metabolizable energy (MJ/Kg DM), organic matter digestibility (%) and Short chain fatty acids (mmol) were calculated. Results showed that the crude protein and neutral detergent fibre (g/100 g DM) ranged from 10.28 to10.42 and 55.62 to 56.29, respectively. Inclusion levels of water weed apparently reduced the total gas production. It was concluded that water hyacinth as forage may be a good combination with Guinea grass for livestock production, but must not be higher than 30 % inclusion for optimal performance.Key words: Guinea grass, in vitro gas fermentation, Ruminants, Secondary metabolites, Water hyacint

Genetic variations in non-specific immune response to experimentally induced infection with Aeromonas hydrophilia in strains of the giant African clariid catfish; Heterobranchus bidorsalis

Non-specific immune response in three strains of Heterobranchus bidorsalis challenged with the bacterium Aeromonas hydrophilia was evaluated. The study was undertaken in three strains of H. bidorsalis from different ecological zones in Nigeria and the percentage cumulative mortality was lowest and significantly different (P&lt;0.05) only in the Dadinkowa strain. There were significant disease and strains effects on both the serum lysozyme activity and leukocytes respiratory burst activity which increased in all the challenged group of fishes. The neutrophils numbers also increased while the lymphocytes decreased and these were also significant in the three strains except in the number of monocytes which wasn’t significantly different (P&gt;0.05). The possibility for genetic improvement for diseases resistance in H. bidorsalis through selection of strains with improved non-specific defense mechanism is highlighted.Keywords: H. bidorsalis, strain, non-specific immunity, selectio

Primary Intracranial Germinoma Presenting as a Central Skull Base Lesion

We report an unusual case of primary intracranial germinoma involving the sphenoid bone and sinus. To the best of our knowledge, paranasal sinus and bone invasion of primary intracranial germinoma has not been previously reported. Recognition of this rare form of presentation by imaging is important because early radiation and chemotherapy can result in a cure of this neoplasm

Physicochemical properties of flour and starch from two cassava varieties

In this study, the physicochemical properties of flour and starch from two cassava varieties (TME 419 and TMS 326) were determined using standard methods. Cassava roots were obtained from University of Ilorin Agricultural research farm. Proximate composition of TME 419 cassava were different from that of TMS 326 roots. The two cassava roots had carbohydrate as their major components (approx. 84%). TMS 326 showed significantly higher protein, fats and ash contents than the TME 419 genotype. Amylose content (approx. 27 %) of TMS 326 starch was higher than TME 419 starch (approx. 22%). Cassava starch granules of both varieties had smooth surfaces with mostly round granules while some granules were spherical, elongated and irregular in shape. TME 419 had smaller granule (approx. 11 μm) compared to that of TMS 326 (13 μm). Both starch type showed the A-type crystallinity pattern. The peak gelatinisation temperature of TMS 326 starch (approx.71 oC) was higher than that of TME 419 starch (approx. 61oC). Peak viscosity of TMS 326 starch was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher than that of TME 419 starch, which could be related to the higher amylose content. However, the peak viscosity of flour from TME 419 cassava was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher than that of TMS 326. Cassava starches displayed higher swelling power than the flour samples. TME 419 flour and starch showed higher swelling power and cold paste viscosity suggesting that the starch could be used as thickening agents in various food applications.Keywords: Cassava, Flour, Starch, Pasting properties, Functional propertie