Effects of honey-supplemented diet on the parasitemia and some enzymes of Trypanosoma brucei-infected rats

Trypanosoma brucei-infected rats were treated with natural honey and honey-supplemented diet at three days before infection (prophylaxis), early and late stages of infection. Proximate percentage composition of the honey was 71.19±0.90% carbohydrate, 3.28±0.05% protein and 10.68±0.27% lipid among others. Prophylactic treatment with natural honey extended the lifespan of infected rats by 13 extra days from a control of 12 days post infection while early and late stage treatments extended the lifespan by 10 and 5 days, respectively. Prophylactic feeding with honey-supplemented diet extended the lifespan by 6 extra days while early and late stage feeding extended it for 5 and 3 days, respectively. A specific pattern could not be established for alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) enzyme activities in the liver and serum. We conclude that honey even as part of a regular diet could be a useful, cheap and readily presentable agent in the management of African sleeping sickness for residents of disease endemicarea

ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIALS OF SOIL FUNGI METABOLITES, MOLECULAR DYNAMICS AND THEIR 3D PROTEIN STRUCTURAL PREDICTION USING BIOINFORMATICS TOOL

Objective: To determine the antimicrobial potentials of secondary metabolite of soil fungi and predict their 3D structure and molecular identity. Methods: Pure soil fungi were isolated from soil samples and cultured under submerged fermentation (Smf) for their metabolites using Potato Dextrose Agar and Broth. The secondary metabolites of the isolated fungi were obtained intracellularly after 21 d of incubation in a rotary shaker incubator. The antimicrobial potentials of the metabolites were investigated against four (4) clinical isolates, namely: Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp, Candida albicans and Escherichia coli. These soil fungi were further characterized to the molecular level and their evolutionary relationships established using bioinformatics tools. Protein structure of each of the fungi isolates was predicted using PHYRE-2. Results: Out of all the soil fungi isolated, the metabolite of Aspergillus aculeatus showed the highest antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (23.00±2.34 mm), Escherichia coli (9.00±1.44 mm) and Klebsiella spp (24.00±3.45 mm). The 3D protein structure predicted showed that each of the organisms consists of different amino-acid compositions such as: serine, tyrosine, proline, arginine, glycine, phenylalanine leucine with other notable biological properties. Conclusion: The work revealed that secondary metabolites of the isolated fungi carry an important role in combating infectious agents thereby, providing roadmaps for the biosynthesis of many synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs and bio-products which are environmentally friendly

Growth Response and Feed Utilization of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings Fed with Bambara Groundnut as protein source

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the use of Bambara groundnut as plant protein to replace Fish meal (FM) dietary animal protein in Clarias gariepinus. A diet with 100% FM (control diet A) as sole protein source was compared to diets with 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of Bambara Groundnut Meal (BGM) replacement for diets B, C, D and E respectively. The experimental feeds were fed to replicate groups of fingerlings at 5% body weight twice daily. The effect of varied inclusion of BGM was evaluated on the growth performance and feed utilization by the experimental fish species. At the end of the study, the highest percentage weight gain (188.30±25.56), specific growth rate (0.82±0.69) and utilization of feed conversion rate (9.75±1.26) were recorded with fish fed the diet D. The result showed that growth performance and feed utilization were  better in 75% BGM inclusion than 100% FM, although there was no significant difference (P<0.05) between fish fed diets A, B, C and D. The findings showed that bambara groundnut meal was accepted and digested by the experimental fish as the conventional fish meal. Conclusively, substitution of FM with 75%, 25% and 50% BGM did not compromise growth performance and feed utilization by the fish. However, maximum recommended levels of fish meal replacement by Bambara groundnut meal in diets for Clarias gariepinus can be established at 25%- 75% total protein. Keywords: Growth response, Feed utilization, Bambara groundnut, Clarias gariepinu

EFFECTS OF VARYING LEVELS OF ORGANIC MANURE AND FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF Mansonia altissima (A. Chev.) SEEDLINGS

Mansonia altissima is a good source of timber usually known for its natural durability and medicinal potentials. This study is undertaken to investigate the effects of varying levels of organic manure and fertilizer application on the growth performance of Mansonia altissima seedlings. The organic manure used for this experiment is poultry manure, while the fertilizer application used is urea. The two treatments used are poultry manure and urea, at the levels of 0g (control), 0.1g, 0.3g, 0.5g, and 1g. Each of the levels for both poultry manure and urea was replicated 10 times. Result shows that poultry manure and urea applied improved the growth characteristics but varied significantly among the treatments. For poultry manure, leaf number, plant height and collar diameter, the highest mean value obtained are 11.20g, 22.76g and 10.04g when applied at 1g while 0.1g has the lowest value in all the parameters checked. The same parameters were also checked for urea and 1g performed best with the mean value of 10.80g, 22.08g and 9.32g. The study indicated that Mansonia altissima seedling responded well to the treatments applied and also suggest that the application of 1g of poultry manure and urea is the best for the optimum growth of Mansonia altissima

Radiation Effects: Recommendations for Safe Plasma/Flame Cutting Operation

Plasma cutting has been a revolutionary method of processing metals as it provides precision cutting with a smooth finish. The Plasma Arc Cutting machine is an important machine used for producing fine cuts and creating shapes in materials. In addition to high energy radiation (ultraviolet and visible) which plasma arc cutting generates, the intense heat of the arc also generates substantial quantities of fumes and smoke from vaporizing metal in the kerf. With a reflection on a case study, this paper examines the working processes of the machine and the effect on the health of operators or any unsuspecting member of the public. With the safety regulations and recommendations from certified bodies, recommendations are made to ensure safety and limitations of health hazards during the use of the machine

Mycomeat Production through the Solid State Fermentation of Soymilk Waste by Lentinus Subnudus

Lentinus subnudus was cultured on soy milk waste with the view of using it to produce edible mycomeat. The solid state fermentation of soymilk waste was done singly without any additive. The basal substrate was then variously constituted with 5 g/l each of sucrose, citric acid and yeast extract. The set-ups were incubated in the dark and monitored daily until full ramification was obtained. The best mycomeat obtained within the shortest time frame was oven dried at 600C and then blended to powder. The pH, proximate and mineral composition of the mycomeat was determined. L. subnudus grown on soymilk wastes took only 11 days in which the resultant mycomeat of L. subnudus was found to be meaty-like in appearance and aroma. Oven-dried samples became coarse in texture with a pH of 3.91. Proximate analysis of the mycomeat showed 2.13% moisture content, 14.44% crude protein, 51.8% carbohydrate 9.56% crude fibre, 15.82% ether extract and 5.75% ash content. The percentage mineral composition revealed it to contain; Ca2+ (0.62±0.02), Mg2+ (0.03±0.01), K+ (0.06±0.01) Na+ (15.90±0.30), Mn2+ (8.20±0.04), Fe 2+ (19.22±0.21), CU2+ (2.74±0.02) , Zn2+ (7.17±0.01) Mo2+ (0.05±0.01) and Vitamin C (0.24±0.01). The resultant mycomeat represents a viable source of nutraceuticals . Keywords: Mycomeat, Lentinus subnudus, soymilk waste, mineral composition, proximate analysis

Evaluation of Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Information Accessibility among Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study evaluated the socio-economic factor influencing information accessibility in Oyo State. Primary data were obtained from 50 farmers with the aid of structured questionnaire. The result showed that, 100% of the farmers got their information from Radio, 90% TV, 20% Friend, 30% Non-Governmental Organisation and 26% got information through their ADP. Therefore, majority of the farmers obtained their agricultural information through the Radio which indicates that information plays a vital role in the life of the farmers, especially in fertilizer application, pest and disease in crop production and economic development. The determinants of factors influencing information were age, education and extension contact. Therefore, the study recommends that farmers in Oyo State should be encouraged financially to have access to information to enhance crop production. Keywords: Determinant, Socioeconomic factor, agricultural information, extension contact

PRELIMINARY STUDY ON POTENTIAL EDIBLE COATINGS DERIVED FROM CARBOXYL METHYLCELLULOSE AND FUNGI CULTURED METABOLITES ON THE SHELF-LIFE EXTENSION OF SWEET-ORANGE (CITRUS SINENSIS)

This study focused on assessing the potential of formulated edible coatings derived from a metabolite of Trichoderma viride and Penicillium chrysogenum, combined with carboxyl methylcellulose (CMC) on the postharvest storage quality of orange fruits. The cultured metabolite of fungal bioagents combined with CMC, as well as glycerol (plasticizer), inadequate solution ratio based on wettability, was evaluated for microbiological quality and shelf-life extension of sweet orange. Thereafter, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids, pH, percentage weight loss, among other parameters were assessed for 7 weeks. The results of the study revealed that the pH of CMC + Trichoderma viride and CMC + P. chrysogenum coatings had 3.8 ± 0.02 and 3.17 ± 0.06 respectively, while it was reported 2.90 ± 0.04 for uncoated treatment. Also, the ascorbic acid and total soluble solids of the edible coated oranges were higher than the control. In addition, the percentage of weight loss was higher in the uncoated control compared to the potential edible coated oranges. Further, the microbial load count of the potential edible-coated oranges was less compared to the un-coated oranges. In conclusion, this formulated potential edible coating could be further improved upon and optimized for use in prolonging the storage of sweet oranges

AMINO ACID COMPOSITION AND ANTI-TYROSINASE ACTIVITY OF METABOLITES FROM EDIBLE Pleurotus SPECIES FOR THEIR NUTRITIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL

Mushrooms are being extensively researched due to their nutritional value and medicinal importance. The genus Pleurotus is the second most cultivated mushroom and is known for its high nutritional value, therapeutic properties, taste, flavor, as well as their application in biotechnology and environmental study. Also, tyrosinase is prevalent in most living organisms. The enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of monophenols to ortho-quinones in a two-step reaction process. This study was aimed to assess the amino acid composition and anti-tyrosinase activity of metabolites obtained from edible Pleurotus species. Assessment of the nutritional content and inhibitory studies of mushroom tyrosinase produced from four Pleurotus strains was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The results of the study showed that seventeen different amino acids were identified in the crude and partially purified protein metabolites. Also, the crude extract metabolite had the highest quantity of amino acids than the partially purified. The highest and lowest amino acids value Glutamic acid (1343.26 µmol/mL) and valine (0.34 µmol/mL). The anti-tyrosinase inhibition studies of the four Pleurotus strains showed varying results from significantly inhibitory effects to slightly inhibitory effects on mushroom tyrosinase. The highest inhibition was 14.86% (Pleu-W), while the lowest inhibition was 51.42% (Plof-30) respectively. The high point of this study is that the Pleurotus species contains a significant number of amino acids and also, they possess good anti-tyrosinase activity. Therefore, these are a good source of nutritional and therapeutic metabolites and these can be explored further for their nutritional and medicinal importance to man