Development of a model rotatory fish smoking kiln using agro-wastes as source of fuel

A model fish smoking kiln was designed and fabricated to use agro-wastes (sawdust, palm kernel shell and rice bran) as alternative to conventionally used charcoal (control) as fuel energy source for smoking fish. Clarias gariepinus was washed, brined and smoked in chunks or whole in the kiln. The smoking kiln has an estimated capacity of 40kg of fish/batch with six fish trays and 36 fish hooks. Heat transfer is by conduction and convection. The rotatory wheel and axle on which the fish drying trays were anchored ensured even distribution of heat. The kiln has 69.4% energy efficiency and drying period of 10 hours at an average temperature range of 60 - 120degreesC, depending on the type of agro-waste used as source of fuel energy. The fuel conversion ratio, drying rates and calorific values of the different agro-waste products were also determined. Calorific value of the four agro-wastes ranged between 16.2MJ/Kg in palm kernel to 30MJ/Kg in charcoal. The drying rates of sawdust and rice bran compare favourably with charcoal and they produced smoked fish similar in dryness and quality with fish smoked with charcoal. Palm kernel had the least drying rate of smoked fish (weight/hour) during the 10-hour smoking duration

Fermentation and Effect on the Microbial Loads of Atlantic Cod, Gadus morhua

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of fermentation on the microbial loads of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Eviscerated samples of Atlantic cod were fermented in three media: sterile distilled water, 14% saline medium and 14% salt with potash for 24 hours. The fermented Atlantic cod samples were oven-dried at 600C for one hour and thereafter, 1000C for three hours, cooled and stored in plastic baskets at ambient  temperature for four weeks. Analyses of the dried fermented Atlantic cod was carried out weekly for Salmonella shigella, total bacterial,  Staphylococcal, total fungal and total coliform counts. Results from the mean values indicated variations in the effects of the additives and  processing treatments over the 24 hours fermentation period which were significant (p < 0.05). The dressed fish sample fermented with both salt and potash (DRSFP), recorded the least mean microbial counts during the 4-week storage period, followed by the sample which was fermented with salt (DRSF) while the highest occurrence of microorganisms was recorded in the sample which was fermented with sterile distilled water (DRF). Hence, fermentation of fish with salt and potash is recommended. Meanwhile, in relation to the standard recommended microbial limits, the loads of microbes on the fermented Atlantic cod samples from the three treatments still fall within the safe and acceptable level. Keywords: Gadus morhua, Fermentation, Salt, Potash, Microbial loa

Effect of smoking duration on the microbiological quality of cold-smoked Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua (Linnaeus, 1758)

This study evaluated the effect of varying smoking durations of 6, 6.5, 7 and 7.5 hours on the microbiological quality and percentage moisture content of cold-smoked Atlantic Cod, Gadus morhua. The fish sample were cold-smoked using the traditional drum oven. Four batches of the smoked fish were stored in metal baskets at ambient temperatures for a period of 12 days and assessed for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli loads, Mould count, Total Plate Count and Total Coliform Count. Analyses of the smoked fish samples were carried out at the initial stage (day 0) and subsequently every alternate days (i.e. days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12). Significant variations (P < 0.05) were obtained for all the microbial counts on the four smoked fish samples. The best microbiologically stable cold-smoked samples were that smoked at the longest duration of 7.5 hours. This produced the least mean microbial load range of TPC (1.50 x 103 - 2.00 x 105cfu/g); TCC varied from 0.0MPN/g to 12.0 MPN/g ; Mould count (1.32 x103 - 2.55 x 105 cfu/g) and Staphylococcus aureus (3.0 x103 - 1.35 x 105cfu/g) while percentage moisture content ranged between 25.3% to 15.2%. All the samples tested negative to Escherichia coli

A NEURAL NETWORK SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE OPTIMAL PROFITABILITY OF SMOKED FISH BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

Small scale smoked fish business is a lucrative business venture in Nigeria as market fish sellers especially women living inriverside areas of the country earn a living from this business. However, these fish sellers they may not know thecombination of smoked fish type that will yield optimum profit. In this research, a neural network model was designed forachieving this purpose and was used to predict the profitability of smoked fish business based on the analysis from thesample survey of smoked fish sellers/retailers in selected markets in Ota, in Ogun State, Nigeria, and its environs, . Thisprediction results could help government and small scale smoked fish retailers to fashion out best practices to help achievemaximum profitability in the smoked business.Keywords: Neural Network, Profitability, Smoked Fish Business, Voice Communication, Ogun State, Nigeri

Effect of cold and hot smoking of Clarias gariepinus on consumer preference

The objective of this study was to determine the best smoking method that will enhance consumer preference for Clarias gariepinus without affecting negatively the nutritive value. Two methods of smoking were used: cold and hot smoking. The fish were smoked with improvised drum smoking kiln and oven. Smoked fish samples obtained were subjected to chemical analyses and sensory evaluation. Chemical analyses showed that the smoked fish were still rich in protein (66.0067.52%) and fat (9.83-12.28%); while the moisture content ranged between 7.82-8.24% and ash, 12.86-14.16%. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the protein, ash and moisture contents. Significant differences (P0.05) in the colour and taste ratings of the smoked fish samples. However, significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the odour, texture and overall acceptability. Hot smoke-dried and cold oven-dried Clarias gariepinus had the best overall acceptability in ratings

Assessment of landuse/landcover dynamics of Kaduna watershed, using remote sensing data and GIS techniques

Watershed assessment and developmental strategy demands precise measurement of the past and present land use parameters. Failure of Shiroro dam in 1999 and 2004 was attributes to upstream soil erosion. Hence, the study of land use change within the corridors of the reservoir for proper understanding of the watershed dynamics becomes very crucial. These dynamics was studied for a period of 38 years (1975-2013) in the Kaduna watershed, north central Nigeria using Soil and Water Assessment Tool. The land-use land cover of the year 1975, 2000, and 2013 was reclassified into nine (9) classes in 1975 and eight (8) classes in 2000 and 2013, because of the extinction of Forest evergreen land use between 1975 and 2000. The classification shows the percentage land area of each of the land use type and the area in hectares. Findings revealed total extinction of the 0.03% of Forest evergreen land before 2000, in 2013 range grasses, forestmixed and wetlands-forested land-use have lost 23.92%, 2.06%, 3.77%, watershed land area respectively while, wetlands-mixed, agricultural land, water, barren and built-up land gained 0.18%, 27.81%, 0.53%, 0.02% and 1.25% respectively as at 2013. The lost in land-use area was attributed to human activities such as clearing and degradation of the natural landscape to another land-use type which posed a stern threat to the Shiroro dam downstream and the environment. If this persists it might contribute to global warming problems and land exposure to agents of erosion. Thus, appropriate best management practice of the watershed become essential

The simplicity of electrochemical degradation of materials and its susceptibility

The study of corrosion is vital to reducing the overhead costs in the manufacturing industries. However, finding suitable application methods for prevention is a concern due to manufacturer specification and resource investment procedure. The coating is recognized as one of the foremost ways of applying resistance to corrosion damage. Electro deposition is a unique technology because of its excellent control of the chemical properties, mechanical strengthening behavior, and structural evolution over time. Thus, these overview studies discuss the possible simplicity of electrochemical degradation of metal, the susceptibility within the metal range, and the protective coatings characteristics

Electrocatalytic urea mineralization in aqueous alkaline medium using NiIIcyclam-modified nanoparticulate TiO2 anodes and its relationship with the simultaneous electrogeneration of H2 on Pt counterelectrodes

NiIIcyclam-modified nanoparticulate TiO2-coated ITO electrodes (ITO/TiO2//NiIIcyclam) were prepared by electropolymerization of NiIIcyclam monomers to TiO2-coated ITO electrodes (ITO/TiO2) to improve electrocatalytic urea CO(NH2)2 oxidation in alkaline aqueous solutions. A high value adding secondary effect was the collection of electrons at Pt cathodes, to simultaneously generate H2 from water reduction. NiIIcyclam-modified ITO electrodes (ITO//NiIIcyclam) were also prepared by electropolymerization of NiIIcyclam monomers to bare ITO electrodes (ITO) for comparison purposes. In the presence of the TiO2 nanoparticles, the urea mineralization on NiIIcyclam coatings was doubled (23.95% – organic carbon removal at 120 min of electrolysis) compared to those without TiO2 nanoparticles (13.02% – organic carbon removal at 120 min of electrolysis). In agreement, the faradaic efficiency for H2 generation at the Pt cathode, electrically connected to an anode having TiO2 nanoparticles (0.99 at 120 min of electrolysis), was also twice as effective than that observed when the same Pt cathode was electrically connected to an anode without TiO2 nanoparticles (0.46 at 120 min of electrolysis). The experimental results indicated that the poisoning of NiII centers (which is caused by an excessive production of CO intermediates during the urea oxidation on both NiIIcyclam-modified anodes) was strongly inhibited in the presence of the nanoparticulate TiO2|NiIIcyclam junction. A final comparison between our results and those reported in selected publications revealed that the NiIIcyclam-modified nanoparticulate TiO2-coated ITO anodes here developed, constitutes a promising electrocatalytic system for performing direct urea mineralization at a relative short electrolysis time. Furthermore, the combination of the following phenomena: (a) effective charge separation on the semiconducting ITO|nanoparticulate TiO2 junctions, (b) remarkable capabilities of the nanoporous TiO2 films for tuning the load of OH� anions demanded by the urea oxidation and, (c) outstanding capabilities of the TiO2 nanoparticles for capturing CO intermediates (at Ti3+ donor sites), successfully promoted the enhancement of the electron external transport to Pt cathodes, and consequently improved the faradaic efficiency associated to the cathodic generation of H2