Functional and Nutritive Properties of Spent Grain Enhanced Cookies

The generation of large tonnages of spent grains as byproduct has become major disposal problem in brewing industry. This necessitate sourcing utilization alternatives to complement present use as animal feeds. The incorporation of this brewery spent grain, BSG, into cookie formulations to 15% maximum levels and its effects on the nutritional and functional properties of cookies was investigated. About 6.14% dried and 610 μm milled BSG were added to cookie formulation mix at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15% levels. Other recipes added include: wheat flour, salt, sodium carbonate, water, non-fatty milk and additives. The trace metal content of the blended products were also compared with local and imported cookies. The results obtained indicated free fatty acid, moisture content, extracted fat and sensory evaluation of the final cookies were limited to 6% optimum inclusion while the spread ratio analysis suggested 3% BSG usage. The undesirable flavor of BSG as additives influenced the taste of the cookies to a great extent and did not change the nutritional status of the samples from 6% BSG inclusion. The trace metals statistical analysis of the BSG supplemented cookies compared well with both locally baked and imported cookies (p≤0.05). However, addition of brewery spent grains significantly increased the nutritional properties of the cookies up to 6% level of BSG addition

Evaluation of Mallotus oppositifolius

Objective. Mallotus oppositifolius (Geiseler) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is folklorically used to “treat” diabetic conditions in some parts of Nigeria therefore the study, to investigate the extract of the leaves for activities on hyperglycaemia, lipid peroxidation, and increased cholesterol levels in vivo in alloxan diabetic rats as well as its potential antioxidant activity in vitro. Methods. Albino rats (240–280 g) were given an injection of 120 mg/kg body weight, i.p. of alloxan monohydrate. After 8 days, diabetic animals with elevated fasting blood glucose levels (>9 mmol/L) were considered and selected for the study. Results. Oral treatment with the extract administered every 12 h by gavage at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the extract to the test rats, for 14 days, resulted in a significant dose-dependent decrease in blood glucose levels from 12.82 ± 1.02 mmol/dL to 4.92 ± 2.01 mmol/dL at the highest dose of 400 mg/kg compared to the control drug and glibenclamide as well as attendant significant decline in diabetic rats employed in the study. Conclusion. The extract also showed in vitro concentration-dependent antioxidant activity following the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing assays. Findings further suggest the presence of active antidiabetic and antioxidant principles in M. oppositifolius leaves

Evaluation of Mallotus oppositifolius Methanol Leaf Extract on the Glycaemia and Lipid Peroxidation in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats: A Preliminary Study

Objective. Mallotus oppositifolius (Geiseler) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is folklorically used to "treat" diabetic conditions in some parts of Nigeria therefore the study, to investigate the extract of the leaves for activities on hyperglycaemia, lipid peroxidation, and increased cholesterol levels in vivo in alloxan diabetic rats as well as its potential antioxidant activity in vitro. Methods. Albino rats (240-280 g) were given an injection of 120 mg/kg body weight, i.p. of alloxan monohydrate. After 8 days, diabetic animals with elevated fasting blood glucose levels (>9 mmol/L) were considered and selected for the study. Results. Oral treatment with the extract administered every 12 h by gavage at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the extract to the test rats, for 14 days, resulted in a significant dose-dependent decrease in blood glucose levels from 12.82 ± 1.02 mmol/dL to 4.92 ± 2.01 mmol/dL at the highest dose of 400 mg/kg compared to the control drug and glibenclamide as well as attendant significant decline in diabetic rats employed in the study. Conclusion. The extract also showed in vitro concentration-dependent antioxidant activity following the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing assays. Findings further suggest the presence of active antidiabetic and antioxidant principles in M. oppositifolius leaves

Biodegradation of Kerosene by Soil Bacterial Species from Contaminated Site

In this study, we investigated the use of indigenous bacterial species from contaminated site to degrade kerosene. The method of continual enrichment on kerosene, yielded bacterial isolates with potential of utilizing kerosene as growth substrates. The time course studies monitored by the optical density (OD) and pH fluxes of the pure cultures in varying concentrations of kerosene resulted in exponential increase in cell numbers and decline in the pH values. From the morphological and biochemical characterization and comparison with respect to the standard references, the isolates were presumably the members of the genera Rhodococcus Bacillus and Aerobacter species. All the strains readily utilized the kerosene as sole sources of carbon and energy.Key Words: kerosene, degradation, enrichment, optical density, p

base extract

The neuropharmacological effects of aqueous methanolic extract of leaf base of Sorghum bicolor were studied on Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice; evaluations were done on spontaneous motor activity, exploratory behaviour, apomorphine-induced stereotypic behaviour, pentobarbitone sleeping time and rota-rod performance for motor coordination. The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the spontaneous motor activity. The treated animals exhibited: (i) A reduction in the exploratory behaviour as did diazepam (1 mg/kg i.p.); (ii) No change in Apomorphine-induced stereotypic behaviour; (iii) Prolonged pentobarbitone-induced sleep as did diazepam (1 mg/kg i.p.) and cimetidine (100 mg/kg p.o) and no significant (P < 0.05) effect on rota-rod performance for motor coordination. These findings suggest that leaf base extracts of S. bicolor contains sedative substances that act via centrally-mediated actions rather than peripheral neuromuscular blockade and may also be microsomal enzyme inhibitor like cimetidine. Key words: Sorghum bicolor, spontaneous motor activity, exploratory behaviour, stereotype behaviour, pentobarbitone sleep, motor coordination

Risk Factors of Diarrhoea among Children Under Five Years in Southwest Nigeria

Diarrhoea is the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day or more frequent passage than is normal for an individual. Diarrhoea alters the microbiome, thus the immune system, and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in young children. This study evaluated the association between the risk factors and diarrhoea prevalence among children under five years in Lagos and Ogun States, located in Southwest Nigeria. Participants included 280 women aged 15–49 years and children aged 0–59 months. The study used quantitative data, which were assessed by a structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Software Version 25.0 and Microsoft Excel 2013. The relationships and/or association between variables were evaluated using Pearson's Chi Square and logistic regression tests. One hundred and eighteen (42%) of the children were male, and 162 (58%) were female. The majority of the children belonged to the age group 0–11 months (166). Age (p=0.113) and gender (p=0.366) showed no significant association with diarrhoea among the children. The majority of the mothers belonged to the age group 30–34. Multivariate analysis showed that the mother's level of education (95% CI for OR = 11.45; P=0.0001) and family income (95% CI for OR = 7.61, P=0.0001) were the most significant risk factors for diarrhoea among children. Mother’s educational status, mother's employment, and family income were the factors significantly associated with diarrhoea in Southwest Nigeria. The study recommends that female education should be encouraged by the right government policy to enhance the achievement of the sustainable development goal three (SDG 3) for the possible reduction of neonates and infants' deaths in Nigeria

Evaluation of the aqueous extract of Boswellia dalzielii stem bark for antimicrobial activities and gastrointestinal effects

The aqueous extract of Boswellia dalzielii Hutch (family: Burseraceae) was investigated for therapeutic properties using aspirin-induced ulceration in rats, gastrointestinal motility in mice and castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was carried out via the oral route in mice. Antimicrobial and preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract was also investigated. The extract did not show toxicity signs or death at doses ≤2000 mg/kg p.o. The extract (50-200 mg/kg i.p.) dose dependently reduced acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) (200 mg/kg p.o.) - induced ulceration in rats. The results obtained compared favourably with cimetidine (100 mg/kg i.p.). The extract (25-100 mg/kg p.o.) dose also dependently reduced intestinal propulsion of charcoal-treated mice. However, the extract (25-100 mg/kg i.p) did not produce significant (P >O.O5) protection against castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats. No antimicrobial effects were shown by the extract (200 mg/kg) against any of the tested organisms. Tannins were detected in the aqueous extract. The above results show that B. dalzielii stem bark probably contains some active ingredients that could be developed for such gastrointestinal problems as have been claimed by traditional medical practitioners