Physicochemical Characteristics and Trace Metal Levels of Locally Dug Wells in Tunga Area of Minna, Nigeria

Physicochemical characteristics and trace metal levels of water from locally dug wells in Tunga area of Minna were studied using titrimetric and instrumental methods. Trace metal levels in all the studied wellsranged between 0.40-1.50, 0.32-0.95, 0.12-0.50, 0.03-0.21, 0.01-0.04 and 0.01-0.02mg/L for Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr Pb and Cd respectively. The physic-chemical parameters like temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and total dissolved solids gave average values of 27.9oC, 3.89mg/l, 22.62mg/l, and 15.8mg/l respectively. The average concentrations of chlorides, total hardens magnesium and calcium ions analysed were 34.58mg/l, 147.63mg/l, 7.99mg/l and 114.90mg/l respectively. Results from this study showed that the industrial and human activities in this study area pose no majorhealth hazard to their well water, and are therefore fit for their domestic activities. Notwithstanding, regular monitoring of trace metal levels in these wells which act as major sources of water for their domestic activities needto be carried out by regulatory bodies due to the increasing human population in this area

Prospects in the use of Ficus polita as a local ruminant feed

The proximate as well as the mineral compositions of Ficus polita and some anti nutritional factors were determined in order to justify the local use of this plant as a feedstuff especially for ruminant animals and to establish the possible wide scale utilization of this plant in the feed industry. The proximate, mineral and phytonutrient compositions of the plant were determined using standard methods of analysis. The plant was found to contain reasonable amounts of both macro and micro minerals required by farm animals for healthy growth. The caloric value of F. polita was also compatible with those of most tubers, roots and green leaves of many plant feeding stuffs. Also, the anti nutritional factors of the plant were found to be low. Thus, this plant, if well studied, could be used as an alternativeto the highly prized grains and legumes required in human nutrition

Nutritional composition of Corchorus olitorius leaves

The proximate and mineral composition of Corchorus olitorius leaves collected from a farm site at Barkin-Saleh in Minna town, Niger State, Nigeria, were carried out using standard methods of food analysis. The results of proximate composition showed that the leaves contained 18.38±0.32% ash, 12.54±0.10% crude protein, 11.99±0.50% crude lipid and 19.56±0.18% available carbohydrate. The leaves also had high energy value of 200.78±3.54 kcal/100g respectively. Mineral analysis revealed that potassium (2814.15±8.08 mg/100g) and magnesium (76.69± 0.13 mg/100g) were the dominant elements. The leaves also contained appreciable concentrations of Na (54.56±0.42 mg/100g), Ca (30.55±0.05 mg/100g), P (6.68±0.02 mg/100g), Cu (2.52±0.02 mg/100g), Fe (19.53±0.09 mg/100g), Mn (5.95±0.04 mg/100g) and Zn (4.71+0.01 mg/100g). The present result confirmed that Corchorus Olitorius leaves are rich sources of potassium, iron, copper, manganese and zinc as well as high energy values essential in human and animal nutrition.Keywords: Corchorus olitorius, nutritional composition, minerals, human and animal nutritio

From curiosity to commodity: a review of the evolution of sachet drinking water in West Africa

The private sector continues to play an important role in filling local drinking water supply gaps across the Global South. In West Africa, a perfect storm of rapid population growth, infrastructure mismanagement, and globalization of consumer markets has resulted in the advent of an entire new industry around packaged water, primarily ‘sachet water’ sold in mechanically sealed plastic sleeves. Most local governments and international development agencies have historically perceived sachet water as a passing trend, but it has quickly become a primary drinking water source for the majority of households in many urban areas and continues to spread throughout the region and world. Sachet water is now an important component of regional water security, although with attendant issues related to governance, quality control, environmental pollution, and social justice. This paper reviews the seminal literature on sachet water in West Africa, with particular emphasis on Ghana and Nigeria, where most studies have focused. This review synthesizes governance issues, consumer and industry trends, and the latest on product quality in the literature from 2011 to 2016, with 2010 approximating an inflection point for the modernization of the industry. The ability of many West African nations to achieve universal access to safe drinking water may depend on their willingness to understand and incorporate the sachet water industry into an integrated drinking water platform. WIREs Water 2017, 4:e1206. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1206 This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Planning Water Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water Human Water > Water Governance A typical 500‐mL sachet of drinking water sold in Accra, Ghana

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Fecal Contamination and Inadequate Treatment of Packaged Water

<div><p>Background</p><p>Packaged water products provide an increasingly important source of water for consumption. However, recent studies raise concerns over their safety.</p><p>Objectives</p><p>To assess the microbial safety of packaged water, examine differences between regions, country incomes, packaged water types, and compare packaged water with other water sources.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. Articles published in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish, with no date restrictions were identified from online databases and two previous reviews. Studies published before April 2014 that assessed packaged water for the presence of <i>Escherichia coli</i>, thermotolerant or total coliforms were included provided they tested at least ten samples or brands.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 170 studies were included in the review. The majority of studies did not detect fecal indicator bacteria in packaged water (78/141). Compared to packaged water from upper-middle and high-income countries, packaged water from low and lower-middle-income countries was 4.6 (95% CI: 2.6–8.1) and 13.6 (95% CI: 6.9–26.7) times more likely to contain fecal indicator bacteria and total coliforms, respectively. Compared to all other packaged water types, water from small bottles was less likely to be contaminated with fecal indicator bacteria (OR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.17–0.58) and total coliforms (OR = 0.10, 95%CI: 0.05, 0.22). Packaged water was less likely to contain fecal indicator bacteria (OR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.20, 0.62) compared to other water sources used for consumption.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Policymakers and regulators should recognize the potential benefits of packaged water in providing safer water for consumption at and away from home, especially for those who are otherwise unlikely to gain access to a reliable, safe water supply in the near future. To improve the quality of packaged water products they should be integrated into regulatory and monitoring frameworks.</p></div