Determination of Heavy Metals and Biological Contaminants Present in Locally Processed Tomato, Pepper and Onion Puree Samples from Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria

Contamination of food by heavy metals and microorganisms often occurs right from the farmlands and during processing. This endangers health by predisposition to diseases and factors that can initiate carcinogenesis. The levels of heavy metals and microbial contaminants in tomato, pepper and onion puree processed in some commercial milling points in Maiduguri metropolis was assessed. Twenty samples were obtained by random selection and analyzed for heavy metals by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Samples were cultured on nutrient, blood, MacConkey and mannitol salt agar media for 72 hours using streak plate method. The concentrations of heavy metals were within the range: mercury (0.158 ± 0.10 to 0.321 ± 0.27 mg/L), lead (0.167 ± 0.08 to 0.317 ± 0.25 mg/L), nickel (0.222 ± 0.11 to 0.574 ± 0.23 mg/L) and copper (0.032 ± 0.03 to 0.057 ± 0.03 mg/L) while cadmium was not detected in all the samples analyzed. Three pathogenic gram-negative (Escherichia coli Klebsiella species and Proteus mirabilis) and two less pathogenic gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Coryne bacterium specie) were isolated from the samples. The detection of very low concentrations of heavy metals was within WHO safety limits, while the presence of pathogenic bacteria rises concern over the health status of the general public. There is need to create awareness about good hygiene practices to operators of commercial milling machines within the study area

Co-composting of Biodegradable Solid Waste and Cow Dung using Termite Mound as Bulking Agent

This research evaluated the effects of addition of termite mound on composting time, and the compostability of biodegradable municipal waste and cow dung using termite mound as bulking agent with a view to reducing the amount of solid waste going into landfills or open dumpsites. Co-composting of cow dung, biodegradable waste and termite mound was carried out using pit method of composting for a period of 70 days, between January and April 2016. Five composting pits (pit 1 to pit 5) of 1 m3 each were dug. The proportion of composting was 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% termite mound 95, 90, 85, 80 and 75% biodegradable waste and 5% cow dung in all the composting pits. Bulk density, moisture content, pH, temperature, total organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium of the compost were monitored. Bulk density, pH, and total nitrogen ranged from 410 to 790 kg/m3 , 6.6 to 6.7, and 0.8 to 1.21%, respectively whereas total phosphorous and potassium ranged from 1.53 to 2.88, and 15.3 to 28.13 g/kg, respectively. The time required to achieve maximum temperature ranged from 5 to 18 days. Use of termite mound as bulking agent was found to decrease the composting time and increase the nutrient content of the compost. The compost produced can be used as nutrient supplement on farmlands, especially where synthetic fertilizers are expensive or scarce

Synthesis and characterization of new complexes of Co+2 , Ni+2 , Cu+2 and Zn+2 with (Sodium acetate thio ) ethylene ligands

This research involves the preparation of new ligands 1,1,2,2- tetrakis (sodium acetate thio)ethylene(L1) and 1,1,2- tris(sodiumacetatethio) ethylene(L2), through the reaction of disodium thioglycolate) with tetra chloro ethylene or tri chloro ethylene in (1:4) or (1:3) moler ratio . Homodinucliar complexes of general formlu [M2(L1)] and [M2(L2)ClH2O] , when M= Co(II), Ni(II), Cu (II) and Zn(II) also mono nuclear complexes of general formula [M(L2)] . The prepared complexes were characterized using spectral method (UV/Visible/ IR) , metal content analysis , magnetic and atomic measurements . The spectral and magnetic measurement indicats that some complexes have tetrahedral or square planar complexes environtment

Hepatoprotective effect of methanol extract of Senna occidentalis seeds in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxic rats

Effect of methanol seed extract of Senna occidentalis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in Wistar albino rats was investigated. Biochemical parameters such as serum AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase), ALT (Alanine Amino Transferase), ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) and Total proteins were determined. The level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and the liver antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Catalase were also determined. Phytochemical screening and subsequent quantification reveal the presence of bioactive compounds such as Flavonoids (0.27±0.01mg/g), Phenols (0.79±0.021 mg/g), Tannins (0.87±0.03mg/g) and Alkaloids (62.57±2.35mg/g). The level of AST, ALT, and ALP significantly increased in CCL4 induced groups. However, the administration of methanol extract of S. occidentalis at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kgbw decreased (p<0.05) the activity of ALT, AST and ALP in the treated groups. The activity of SOD and CAT in the CCl4 induced group was decreased. Also, increase in the level of MDA in CCl4treated group was observed when compared with the normal group and this was decreased (p<0.05) on administration with methanol seed extract of Senna occidentalis at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg (B/W). It can be concluded that methanol seeds extract of Senna occidentalis possess important phytoconstituents and hepatoprotective effect. Thus, the extract can be used as a potent therapeutic agent for the management of liver damage

Evaluation of nutritional composition of waterlily (Nymphaea lotus Linn) from Tatabu-Flood Plain, north central Nigeria

The proximate composition of leaves, petiole, root, rhizome and seeds of waterlily harvested from Tatabu flood plain/wetlands were determined and analyzed in percentages. Moisture content was highest in the rhizome (20.40 ~C 1.241) while the seeds gave the lowest value of (4.18 ~c 0.176). The highest value for Ash content was observed in the root (27.36 ~C 1.261) and the seeds gave the lowest (2.81 ~c 0.498). Highest value for the Crude fat was obtained from the seeds (9.95 ~c 0.637) whiles the petiole gave the lowest value of (2.27 ~c 0.377). The Crude protein and Crude fibre values were highest in the leaves (19.5 4~c 0.782) and; (15.53 ~c 0.448) while the lowest was obtained in the seeds (3.27 ~c 0.104), (1.60 ~c 0.200) respectively. There was a significant differences among the parts analyzed for the Ash content (p<0.05). The NFE varied from (31.21 ~c 2.176) to (78.15 ~c 1.418

Impact of seasonal variation on population of weevils (Neochetina spp)

The impact of seasonal variation on population of weevils (Neochetina Spp), commonly used as water hyacinth bio-control agent was carried out in the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research water-hyacinth insect laboratory. The experiment was conducted between May 2006 and April, 2007. Ten plastic containers of 50cm depth, 60cm diameter and 20-litre capacity each filled with 16- litters of water and 20 bunches of water hyacinth were used for the experiment. Ten weevils made up of five male and five female were introduced into each of the plastics container. The weevils were monitored daily, their numbers recorded. The result showed that, during wet season (May to October) the population of weevils increased, while it decreased during the dry season (November to April). Data analysis showed that, there was significant difference between wet season and dry season (P<0.05)

Influence of Swimming Deprivation on Behavior, Performance and some Blood Parameters of Muscovy Ducks

This experiment was done to determine the effect of swimming deprivation on drinking behaviour, feather pecking behavior, feed consumption, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, live body weight, slaughter weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage, serum corticosterone, triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) of Muscovy ducks. Two groups were used; the first one is the control group fed on basal diet with free access to swimming pond, and the second fed on basal diet without access to swimming pond. The previous parameters were recorded daily or weekly during the experiment or after slaughtering for collecting blood parameters. The results explained that, there was an insignificant decrease in drinking behavior and significant increase in feather pecking. However, there was an insignificant decrease in feed consumption, live body weight, feed conversion, weight gain, dressing percentage, liver weight and serum corticosterone level. There was an insignificant decrease in T3 and T4 level and significant increase in feather pecking behaviour. It could be concluded that, swimming deprivation at the end of the fattening period of ducks had an adverse effect on some duck behaviors but it have no significant effect on improvement of performance parameters and carcass characters