Lysine requirement and its effect on the body composition of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

The study was carried out to investigate the lysine requirement and its effect on the body composition of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Two hundred and seventy fingerling O. niloticus (9.01 -11.09g) were reared in 35L plastic troughs. Six diets were formulated, containing 35% crude protein. The diets were formulated with ingredients deficient of lysine (Groundnut cake -3.23g lysine/100g diet and guinea corn -1.9g lysine/100g diet) for O. niloticus having whole body content of 7.51g lysine/100g protein. The diets consist of a basal diet (Diet I, no added lysine), while the test diets (II, III, IV and V) had 4.56g, 6.87g, 7.30g, 7.41g lysine/100g protein respectively. The reference diet was made of Clupeids (mixture of Pellonula afzeliusi and Physalia pellucida), groundnut cake and guinea corn but no added lysine (5.37g lysine/100g protein). The fish were fed twice daily (0900 and 18.00hrs) at 3% body weight for 56 days. There was significant difference in the mean weight gain and food conversion efficiency (P<0.05). The four levels of lysine resulted in quadratic responses (P<0.05). Calculation using regression equations from the relationship between the specific growth rate, weight gain and lysine levels show that lysine requirement for fingerling was 7.12g/100g protein respectively. The requirement of O. niloticus for lysine is 7.12g lysine/100g protein

Preliminary studies on the culture of Atya crassa in outdoor and indoor tanks

A. crassa of sizes ranging 7.05~c 0.13g to 8.5~c 0.05g were purchased from fishermen around the Jebba Lake. They were transported in open jerry cans in a cold van for about two hours. The indoor tanks measured 3m x 2m x 1.5m while the out door tanks were 2m x 2m x 1.5m. The indoor tanks were stocked 17 prawns per tank while the outdoor tanks were stocked 10 prawns per tank. The experimental diets were formulated with crude protein levels 30%, 35% and 40%. The ingredients used were fishmeal, palm kernel cake, guinea corn, starch, calcium carbonate and these were fortified with premixes. Each diet was assigned to two tanks each indoors and outdoors. They were fed twice daily (9hrs and 19hrs) for 184 days. Positive growth was observed in both indoor and outdoor tanks. There was no significant difference in the growth of prawns fed outdoor (P>0.05). There was significant difference in the growth parameters of prawns fed the varying diets indoors. The percentage survival of prawns was higher outdoors and there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the survival recorded in the three treatments. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the survival of prawns in indoor tanks. The carcass composition of A. crassa fed the three diets show crude protein lower at harvest than the prawns stocked initially. Percentage lipid, ash and fibre of the harvested prawns were higher than at initial stocking. A. crassa is cultivable in freshwater and it should be reared with 30% crude protein diet in outdoor systems. Attempts should be made in the larval rearing of the species

Studies on industrially processed fruit juice and freshly prepared fruit juice sold in Enugu State, Nigeria

The sugar and mineral levels of industrially processed fruit juices (mainly 100% and 50% fruit juices) sold to consumers in Enugu state, Nigeria were determined and compared with that of freshly prepared fruit juices. The fruit juices tested included apple, orange, pineapple and red grape juices. The industrially processed and the freshly prepared fruit juices were tested for total soluble solid (TSS) content, fructose, glucose, sucrose, minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and heavy metals such as copper, zinc, arsenate and lead. Findings from the analysis of the TSS content of fruit juice samples demonstrated no significant (p &gt; 0.05) difference between the industrially processed and freshly prepared fruit juices; however, differences in sugar and mineral levels between industrially processed and freshly extracted fruit juices were significant (p &lt; 0.05). Industrially processed fruit juices contained higher glucose, sucrose, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, copper and zinc contents, and lower fructose, potassium and magnesium contents when compared to freshly prepared fruit juices. There was no significant (p &gt; 0.05) difference in iron and arsenate contents of industrially processed fruit juices when compared with the freshly extracted juices. Lead (Pb) was not detected in any of the samples. This study demonstrated no quality issues of concern in relation to the products because all the parameters considered in the study were within the standard acceptable range for fruit juices and nectar.Keywords: Fruit juice, sugar content, mineral content, heavy metals, Enugu Stat

The effects of Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on rearing of Heterobranchus longifilis: growth and survival in outdoor concrete tanks

Heterobranchus longifilis juveniles (93.42 - 147.77g) used for this study were product of an indoor experiment in glass aquaria transferred to outdoor tanks. This study is therefore, a continuation of the indoor study using the same feed for the fish outdoors for 230 days. They were stocked in ten concrete tanks, of sizes 2m X 2m. The fish were stocked according to the number harvested from the indoor experiment for each treatment. The experimental diets were prepared with fish meal, soybean, groundnut cake, wheat offal, yeast, premix, starch, vitamin C and Vitamin B-complex to meet the requirement of H. longifilis. The analyzed crude protein in each diet was 42.56%, 43.32%, 4369%,43.86% and 43.98%. There was significant variation (p<0.05) in the Mean Final Weight (MFW), Mean Weight Gain (MWG), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and Percentage Survival (PS). The survival of the fish was highest with the fish fed 2g yeast/I00g of diet and this was not significantly different from fish fed 1g yeast/ 100g diet. The cost of production of one kilogram of fish using varying levels of S. cerevisiae in diets varied significantly (p<0.05)

Evaluation of antibacterial and phytochemical properties of methanolic leaf and root bark extracts of Newbouldia leavis Seeman ex Bureau (Bignoniaceae)

Methanol fraction of Newbouldia leavis root bark and leaf extract were analyzed in-vitro for their antibacterial and phytochemical activities. Spot test and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to determine the phytoconstituents of the extracts. The plant extracts were tested against three multi-resistant bacteria isolated from infected wound. The antibacterial activity of the plant extracts was evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using agar well diffusion method. Broth dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacteriocidal concentration (MBC). The extracts showed the presence of alkaloid, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, cardio-active glycosides, terpenoids, phenols and steroids. The GC-MS analysis showed the presence of 17 compounds in the leaf extract and 16 compounds in root bark extract. The two extracts have 7 compounds in common. The results of the zone of inhibition test showed that the root extract at the concentration of 50 and 100 mg/mL inhibited the growth of E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus while the leaf extract inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus at the concentration of 25, 50 and 100 mg/mL and P. aeruginosa at 50 and 100 mg/mL. The MIC of the root bark extract against all the test bacteria was at 50 mg/mL while the MIC of leaf extract against E. coli and S. aureus was at 25 mg/mL and P. aeruginosa at 50 mg/mL. MBC of both extracts against the three test bacteria was at 100 mg/mL except root bark extract that has no MBC against P. aeruginosa. The study shows that methanol extract of the leaf and root-bark of Newbouldia leavis possess antibacterial activity and justified the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of wound and other bacterial infection.Keywords: Antibacterial, phytochemical, Newbouldia leavis, broth dilution, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometr

Growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed diets with graded levels of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) used as a floater additive in concrete tanks

Completely randomized design with duplicate groups were used to study the growth performance of 400 fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus in 2m x 2m x 1m concrete tanks in an out-door hatchery complex of National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria. Graded levels (0, 1,2,3 or 4) % of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was included into a 40% crude protein (C.P) NIFFR floating basal diet and fed to Clarias gariepinus in tanks for 16 weeks and 35% in the last 4 weeks. This was to determine the optimum level of supplemental yeast inclusion as a floater additive into diets of C. gariepinus and to quantify feed and its cost for raising a kilogram of the fish fed diets. The experiment was geared towards development of cost effective standard floating feed for Clarias gariepinus. There was no significant difference in weight gain (WG), feed consumed (FC), specific growth rate (SGR), survival, cost of feed consumed (CFC) and palatability test of flesh (P>0.05) except FCR (P<0.05) and feed cost per kilogram of fish (P<0.05) at the end of 8 and 20 weeks. There was no histopathological defect observed on the fish and fish carcass. It was concluded that 2% or 1 % level of yeast can be included in NIFFR floating feed with the assurance of producing a kilogram of C. gariepinus with a feed of N300.00 under good management practices based on ingredient ruling price at the time of this study and this might be capable of increasing farmer's income in fish production

Heavy Metals Contaminations in Amaogwugwu River from the Headstream to the Downstream, Ohuhu- Umuahia Abia State , Nigeria

This study analyzed the effects of heavy metals concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr , Ni, Co in the Amaogwugwu River Drainage basin from its headstream, midstream up to the downstream and in both surface and groundwater and the water is used for may purpose including water supply, fishing and agriculture mainly irrigation. Based on above pH average water in the study area can be interpreted as slightly alkaline and still within permissible limits of all the three standards/guidelines. EC with above average also shows that all the water their value falls within the three guidelines. Samples from both surface and groundwater in the studied area have ranges and means of: Co ranges from 0.11 -21.24 ppb and average of 2.26 ppb , Ni ranges from 0.26 - 37.01 ppb and average of 7.37 ppb , Cu ranges from 0.17 - 640.93 ppb and average of 37.62 ppb, Zn ranges from 15 - 408 ppb and average of 115.03 ppb, As ranges from 0.09 - 2.3 1ppb and average of 0.62 ppb ,Pb ranges from 0.16 - 834.38 ppb and average of 29.82 ppb , Cr ranges from 0.16 - 5557.35 ppb and average of 419.58 ppb ,Cd ranges from 0.04 - 1.64 ppb and average of 0.21 ppb. EC. It is therefore recommended that concentrations level in crops grown with these waters needs to be investigated. Again it is confirmed that probably this may be one of the reasons for the drop in fish catch from midstream up to the downstream especially in area like Umuagwu which is known for its fishing, Okpuala and even Ngbagoro  in Umuahia North local government of Abia state. Keywords: Levels, Concentrations, Heavy Metals, Surface Water, Midstrea

Some Physical Properties of Vernonia amygdalina and Garcinia kola Microspheres Prepared with High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Glycols

The effect of polymer concentrations on some of the physicochemical properties of Vernonia amygdalina (Linn) and Garcinia kola (Heckel) extracts loaded microspheres was evaluated. Microspheres of the aqueous extracts was prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation using polyethylene glycol (PEG) mixtures of molecular weight 4000 and 6000 at different ratios of 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 while the amounts of the extracts incorporated was constant for all ratios. The microspheres were evaluated for their particles sizes, yield, flavonoid content, loading efficiency, moisture loss and flow properties. In-vitro release studies were carried out by monitoring flavonoid release rate from the microspheres. The microspheres were spherical and uniformly shaped and exhibited good flow characteristics. Their size range, yield, loading efficiency, moisture loss and flavonoid content were 76 - 83 \u3bcm, 49 - 76 %, 47 - 82 %, 2.18 - 4.60 % and 17.10 - 23.80 mg%, respectively for V. amygdalina and 144 - 160 \u3bcm, 50 - 68 %, 51 - 68 %, 3.00 - 4.41 % and 20.00 - 28.70 mg%, respectively for G. kola. Flavonoids release from the microsphere was up to 90 % within 1 h and it followed a matrix release kinetic model with a super case-II transport mechanism. The concentrations of the polymers affected the yield, loading efficiency, moisture loss and the extent of flavonoid release of the microspheres but had no effect on their particle sizes and flavonoid content. These results may find useful application in the delivery of V. amygdalina and G. kola extracts since the combination of PEG of different molecular weights resulted in microspheres with good physicochemical and release properties

Pattern and outcome of vascular trauma management at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Vascular trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality following trauma. Injury to a major blood vessel may worsen the prognosis of trauma. Avoidable mortality may result from massive haemorrhage. Available data in Nigeria is scanty.Aim: This retrospective study was carried out to review the pattern and outcome of vascular trauma patients in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.Methodology: The Hospital records of all patients managed in the facility for vascular injuries during the study period were retrieved and data collected retrospectively.Results: Forty – two patients, with a male: female ratio of 5:1 and a mean age of 31.15 years were studied. The age range 21 – 30 years were most affected. Mean interval between injury and presentation at the hospital was 7.05 hours. The mean duration between presentation to the hospital and surgical intervention for the rest of the patients was 13.32 hours. The most commonly injured vessel was the brachial artery. Prompt presentation and intervention are critical to successful outcome.Conclusion: Most vascular trauma in Calabar occur predominantly in young males who lead an active lif

Water use and grain yield response of rainfed soybean to tillage-mulch practices in southeastern Nigeria

Despite the agronomic, economic and food values of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill), there is still dearth of information on the tillage need and the implications of surface mulch for the crop in the eastern part of the forest-savanna transition zone of Nigeria. This study was therefore carried out on a sandy loam Ultisol at Nsukka with a sub-humid climate, during 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons. Our objective was to devise an appropriate tillage method for the crop from evaluated effects of no-till (NT), conventional tillage (CT) and mulch on selected key agronomic indices. Each of the NT and the CT was either unmulched (U) or mulched (M) in a split-plot, giving four treatments/tillage methods (NTU, NTM, CTU and CTM) randomized in four blocks. Rainfall was more favorable in the first than in the second season. The mean seasonal soil water storage (range, 99-109 mm) within 0.5-m soil layer differed among the treatments (NTU < CTU < NTM = CTM). However, for the first and second seasons, both water use (582-616 and 667-709 mm respectively) and grain yield (0.71-0.81 and 1.22-1.91 Mg ha-1 respectively) were not different. Mulch lowered the crop water use but had no influence on grain yield. Water use efficiency was enhanced with mulch only in the second season. Although either of the two mulch treatments (NTM/CTM) would be suitable for growing soybean especially in years of unfavorably distributed rainfall, NTM is a more rational choice than CTM. Rainfall adequacy at the critical reproductive stage of the crop showed to be a more important yield factor than the tested tillage methods