Some Proximate Properties Of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas L) As Influenced By Cooking Methods

Abstract: The effect of cooking methods on some proximate properties of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L) was investigated. With the initial properties of the fresh sweet potatoes (sample A) determined, 600g each of samples B, C and D were boiled peeled, boiled unpeeled and roasted unpeeled respectively. The properties determined for the samples are moisture content, ash, fibre, protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins A and C. Data collected were analysed statistically to determine the effect of cooking methods on the properties of sweet potatoes. The results show that cooking methods used has no significant effects (p<0.05) on the moisture, ash and crude fibre contents of cooked sweet potato. Cooking generally increases the protein content but decreases the vitamin C and β-carotene content. Cooking of sweet potatoes unpeeled has the highest protein and carbohydrate content, it hence recommended for cooking sweet potatoes

Some Quality Indices of Gnetum Africanum (Afang) Leaves as Affected by Drying Methods

Gnetum africanum is a tropical plant with origin in the rain forest of Nigeria and contains valuable nutrients but susceptible to speedy spoilage due to its high moisture content. This necessitates its preservation, through drying, as it is not readily available for consumers in parts of Nigeria where it is not grown. This research, therefore, was carried out to evaluate the effect of three drying methods (solar drying, sun drying and oven drying) on some quality indices of Gnetum africanum leaves with a view to determine the most appropriate drying method for maximum nutrient retention. Fresh Gnetum africanum leaves were obtained from the local market, defoliated, washed, drained and sliced. The sliced vegetable was divided to four portions of 200g each. With the initial properties of the fresh vegetable (sample A) determined, samples B, C and, D were subjected to solar, sun and oven drying respectively. The properties evaluated were analyzed and the results showed that sun dried vegetable (sample C) had the least overall quality retention. Moreover, solar dried vegetable (sample B) had the highest quality retention in terms of protein (3.92%), fat content (6.67%) and carotene (6.10IU) while oven dried one (sample D) had the highest quality retention of crude fiber (0.63%), ash content (7.87%), carbohydrate (72.49%) and sensory properties (taste, colour, aroma and texture). These results indicated that drying, especially solar and oven drying can be used to preserve Gnetum africanum leaves with considerable retention in its nutritional and sensory properties

THE QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF GARI SOLD IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Work on the quality attributes of gari sold in southwestern Nigeria is reported .This was with a view to determine the extent to which the product has conformed to FAO standards. Ten samples of gari were randomly collected from five markets within the study area. The proximate composition and physical properties of the sample were determined using standard methods and data were analysed statistically. Results showed the crude fibre content ranged between 1.00-1.90%, moisture content 8.5-14.5%,ash content 0.24-1.97%,carbohydrate content 80.91%-87.4%,swelling capacity(29.70-57.40),water absorption capacity 3.85-6.10g/g, bulk density 2.39-2.79g/cm3  and ph 5.50-6.60. The statistical analysis of the physicochemical properties of the samples showed variations at  p≤0.05 level of significance in the properties of the samples within the same market . The crude fiber and moisture content of sample 1 and 4 respectively were not significantly different (p≤0.05) from the recommended FAO standard at 95% confident level. The nutritional compositions of gari though highly variable fall for all the quality assessed were lower than the recommended FAO standard except for the moisture content of samples 2 and 6 which were significantly higher at 95% confidence level . In conclusion, there is the need ,for enlightenment of all stakeholders to ensure the attainment and maintenance of the minimum quality standards for gari sold in the markets as recommended by FAO

OPTIMAL PLACEMENT OF UNIFIED POWER FLOW CONTROLLER ON POWER SYSTEM FOR VOLTAGE STABILITY ENHANCEMENT USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK TECHNIQUE

The desire for an enhanced power transfer capability and quality of electricity delivered to the customers has led to emergence of Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS). This work compares power system voltage stability with and without compensation. The compensation is done by optimal placement of Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technique. The algorithm to implement the stabilizing processes employed Newton-Raphson-based load flow equations in MATLAB R2018a environment. The stability of Nigerian 330 kV, 30–bus network was assessed before and after the implementation of UPFC and UPFC-ANN controlled. The results obtained without compensation showed: New Haven, Onitsha, Gombe, Jos, Kano and Calabar with voltage magnitude of 0.9003, 0.9468, 0.6608, 0.8141, 0.8138 and 0.9319 p.u, respectively violated the statutory limit of 0.951.05 p.u and total active power loss was 218.76 MW. With UPFC on bus Calabar, the total active power loss reduced to 200.85 MW, while buses New Haven, Gombe, Jos and Kano produced voltage magnitude of 0.9130, 0.6608, 0.8141 and 0.8138 p.u, respectively, still constrained. ANN based UPFC placement on bus Gombe - the most critical bus with Voltage stability index (VSI) of 0.9252, the voltage magnitude of buses New Haven, Onitsha, Gombe, Jos, Kano and Calabar enhanced to 0.9533, 0.9552, 1.0481, 1.0399, 1.0425 and 1.0081 p.u, respectively and total active power loss reduced by 28.81% compared with 8.19% reduction with UPFC. The study revealed ANN controlled UPFC is suitable and appropriate for improving voltage stability and reducing power loss on power system

Effective Doses and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risks from Absorbed Dose Rates Measured in Facilities of Two Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

This study was aimed at examining the radiation absorbed dose rate, annual effective doses and excess lifetime cancer risks of halls of residence, Radiotherapy Unit and Radiology Department of UI, UCH and UNIMEDTH respectively. Results of measurements show that the mean absorbed dose rate for male and female hall are 0.33 ± 0.05476 and 0.17 ± 0.05074 µSv h-1 respectively. The mean overall absorbed dose rates calculated for facilities studied are 0.269 ± 0.0992 µSv h-1, 0.121 ± 0.036 µSv h-1 and 0.123 ± 0.00931 µSv h-1 in UI, UCH and UNIMEDTH respectively. The mean annual effective doses recorded in both male and female halls in University of Ibadan ranges between 0.71 mSv y-1 and 2.67 mSv y-1. The mean annual effective doses obtained from the facility of University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo (UNIMEDTH) ranges between 0.17 and 0.44 mSv y-1. In addition, the mean annual effective doses calculated from the measured absorbed dose rate in Radiotherapy Department of University College Hospital, Ibadan ranges between 0.20 and 1.22 mSv y-1. As regards ELCRs, the mean values  determined in various facilities examined are 6.07 x 10-3 (Male Halls, UI), 3.27 x 10-3 (Female Halls, UI), 0.57 x 10-3 (UNIMEDTH- NE), 0.99 x 10-3 (UNIMEDTH- EX), 0.65 x x 10-3 (Teletherapy, UCH) and 0.57 x 10-3 (Brachytherapy, UCH).The mean ELCRs of both halls examined are higher than the world average of 1.45 x 10-3 and the standard value of 0.29 x 10-3 by at least a factor of 1.97 units

Phenotyping and genotyping of CYP2C19 using comparative metabolism of proguanil in sickle‐cell disease patients and healthy controls in Nigeria

Polymorphic expression of metabolic enzymes have been identified as one of the key factors responsible for the interindividual/ethnic/racial variability in drug metabolism and effect. In Nigeria, there is a disproportionately high incidence of sickle‐cell disease (SCD), a condition characterized by painful crisis frequently triggered by malaria. Proguanil, a substrate of the polymorphic CYP2C19, is a chemoprophylactic antimalarial drug widely used among SCD patients in Nigeria. This study aimed to conduct a comparative CYP2C19 phenotyping among SCD patients and healthy controls and to compare the results with those previously reported. One hundred seventy‐seven unrelated subjects comprising 131 SCD patients and 46 non‐SCD volunteers were phenotyped. This was carried out by collecting pooled urine samples over 8 h following PG administration. Proguanil and its major CYP2C19‐dependent metabolites were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Metabolic ratios (MRs) were computed and employed in classifying subjects into poor or extensive metabolizers. Among SCD group, 130 (99.2%) were extensive metabolizers (EMs) and 1 (0.8%) was poor metabolizer (PM) of PG, while 95.7 and 4.3% non‐SCDs were EMs and PMs, respectively. MRs ranged from 0.02 to 8.70 for SCD EMs and from 0.22 to 8.33 for non‐SCD EMs. Two non‐SCDs with MRs of 18.18 and 25.76 and the SCD with MR of 16.77 regarded as PMs had earlier been genotyped as CYP2C19*2/*2. Poor metabolizers of proguanil in SCD patients are reported for the first time. Regardless of clinical significance, a difference in metabolic disposition of proguanil and CYP2C19 by SCDs and non‐SCDs was established

WASTE TO WEALTH - CONVERSION OF POULTRY LITTER FROM RAW FORM TO PELLETED ORGANIC FERTILIZER

A review of the use of pelletized poultry litter for creation of wealth through use as organic fertilizer was done, using information from literature and data from field observation. Poultry wastes, which are a menace to the environment, are sources of wealth creation, especially for organic farming. There is an abundance of poultry wastes in Nigeria, as about 932.5 metric tonnes of poultry manure is produced annually from the well-established poultry houses which keep expanding at the rate of 8% per year. Also, global trend is shifting to organic fertilizer as the use of chemical fertilizer over the years has destroyed our soil. Organic fertilizer has much organic content, which can rejuvenate the already destroyed soil. Not only that, organic fertilizer is safe for human health. Pelletized poultry litter would compete successfully as a soil conditioner or soil amendment. It would also be priced competitively, as it provides a unique mixture of nutrients and conditioning properties. Consequently, there is more poultry farming profitability, efficient resources utilization and conservation of environment due to waste management

Determination of the LOQ in real-time PCR by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis: application to qPCR assays for Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum

Real-time PCR (qPCR) is the principal technique for the quantification of pathogen biomass in host tissue, yet no generic methods exist for the determination of the limit of quantification (LOQ) and the limit of detection (LOD) in qPCR. We suggest using the Youden index in the context of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for this purpose. The LOQ was defined as the amount of target DNA that maximizes the sum of sensitivity and specificity. The LOD was defined as the lowest amount of target DNA that was amplified with a false-negative rate below a given threshold. We applied this concept to qPCR assays for Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum DNA in maize kernels. Spiked matrix and field samples characterized by melting curve analysis of PCR products were used as the source of true positives and true negatives. On the basis of the analysis of sensitivity and specificity of the assays, we estimated the LOQ values as 0.11 pg of DNA for spiked matrix and 0.62 pg of DNA for field samples for F. verticillioides. The LOQ values for F. proliferatum were 0.03 pg for spiked matrix and 0.24 pg for field samples. The mean LOQ values correspond to approximately eight genomes for F. verticillioides and three genomes for F. proliferatum. We demonstrated that the ROC analysis concept, developed for qualitative diagnostics, can be used for the determination of performance parameters of quantitative PCR

Perceived risk of infection and death from COVID-19 among community members of low- and middle-income countries: A cross-sectional study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background: Risk perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are considered important as they impact community health behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 and to assess the factors associated with such risk perceptions among community members in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa, Asia, and South America. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 LMICs in Africa, Asia, and South America from February to May 2021. A questionnaire was utilized to assess the perceived risk of infection and death from COVID-19 and its plausible determinants. A logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with such risk perceptions. Results: A total of 1,646 responses were included in the analysis of the perceived risk of becoming infected and dying from COVID-19. Our data suggested that 36.4% of participants had a high perceived risk of COVID-19 infection, while only 22.4% had a perceived risk of dying from COVID-19. Being a woman, working in healthcare-related sectors, contracting pulmonary disease, knowing people in the immediate social environment who are or have been infected with COVID-19, as well as seeing or reading about individuals infected with COVID-19 on social media or TV were all associated with a higher perceived risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. In addition, being a woman, elderly, having heart disease and pulmonary disease, knowing people in the immediate social environment who are or have been infected with COVID-19, and seeing or reading about individuals infected with COVID-19 on social media or TV had a higher perceived risk of dying from COVID-19. Conclusions: The perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 are relatively low among respondents; this suggests the need to conduct health campaigns to disseminate knowledge and information on the ongoing pandemic