Phenolics Comparison between Twinning and Celestial Peppermint Teas using HPLC-DAD

Twinings and Celestial pure peppermint herbal tea is made from 100% select peppermint leaves and is naturally caffeine and gluten-free and parts of their differences lie in the packaging. The HPLC profile of Twinning peppermint and celestial peppermint teas showed that both the teas samples contain caffeic acid, ellagic acid, p-coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid and rutin while celestial peppermint tea had an extra phenolic compound called quercetin. Quercetin was known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, and these properties could be found in celestial peppermint tea compared to the twinning counterpart. Keywords: Twinning, Celestial, Peppermint, Tea, Phenoli

Production traits of broiler chicken strains fed Ad Libitum and raised on deep litter system in the humid tropics

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of strain and age on production traits of commercial broiler chickens reared on full-feeding, and under the same housing, feeding regime, agro-climatic zone and management practices. A total number of 150 broiler dayold chicks, that, is 50 chicks each of Arbor Acres (strain A), Hubbard (strain B) and Marshall (strain C) were purchased from local hatcheries, and raised on deep litter in separate pens for 49 days (7 weeks). Data collected include live body weight, body length, breast girth, shank length and thigh length. In addition, data on feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency at two weeks interval beginning from 1st week were taken. Analyzed results showed that genotype and age of birds had highly significant (P<0.01) effects on all the performance traits of broiler chickens. Strains A and B appeared superior to strain C in body weight, but the latter was better (P<0.01) in shank length and breast girth than the former. As regards feed conversion, strain C was the poorest, intermediate in strain B, and strain A the best. The feed efficiency and feed conversion ratio were related but in a reverse manner. Strain A was adjudged good and profitable because the strain had the highest mean values in body weight and feed efficiency coupled with the lowest feed conversion ratio at maturity, and could be recommended to poultry farmers in this zone for increased productivity, income generation and maximum profit.Keywords: Poultry, Broiler, Strain, Traits, Body weight, Feed efficiency, Feed conversion, Feed efficiencyAnimal Research International (2012) 9(1): 1529 – 153

Phytochemical Evaluation of Dry, Wet and Oil of Leaf of Annona muricata for Medicinal Activities

Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were carried out on the dry, wet and oil of the leaves of Annona muricata using standard methods. The phytochemicals detected in the aqueous extracts of dry, wet and oil of the leaf were flavonoids, cardiac glycoside, tannins, saponin, terpenoids and steroids. The result of the quantitative analyses showed that oil extract had the highest total phenolics content (TPC: 3.09 mg GEA/g), total flavonoids content (TFC: 16.67 mg QE/g), total saponins content (TSC: 16.86 mg DE/100g) and Total tannins content (TTC: 1.13 mg GAE/g) followed by dry leaf extract (TPC: 1.66 mg GEA/g; TFC: 7.067 mg QE/g; TSC: 14.55 mg DE/100g; and TTC: 0.78 mg GAE/g) and the least was recorded for the wet leaf extract (TPC: 0.83 mg GEA/g; TFC: 3.92 mg QE/g; TSC: 12.07 mg DE/100g; and TTC: 0.44 mg GAE/g). The findings indicate that an Annona muricata leaf is a potential source of phytomedicine with the oil rich in phytochemicals, than dry and wet leaf extracts and any other biochemical analyses should be done using the oil. Keywords: Phytochemicals, leaf, Annona muricata, dry, wet, oi

Qualitative and Quantitave Evaluation of the Phytochemicals in Dry, Wet and Oil Extracts of the Leaf of Morinda lucida

This study was carried out to assess the quality and quantity of phytochemicals present in the dry, wet and oil of the leaves of Morinda lucida using standard methods. The phytochemicals detected were flavonoids, cardiac glycoside, tannins, saponin, terpenoids and steroids. The quantitative analyses showed that oil extract had the highest total phenolics content (TPC: 2.11 mg GEA/g), total flavonoids content (TFC: 10.21 mg QE/g), total saponins content (TSC: 14.95 mg DE/100g) and Total tannins content (TTC: 1.09 mg GAE/g) followed by dry leaf extract (TPC: 1.34 mg GEA/g; TFC: 5.18 mg QE/g; TSC: 10.24 mg DE/100g; and TTC: 0.55 mg GAE/g) and the least was recorded for the wet leaf extract (TPC: 0.45 mg GEA/g; TFC: 2.61 mg QE/g; TSC: 7.19 mg DE/100g; and TTC: 0.37 mg GAE/g). The overall results showed that the oil extract of a Morinda lucida leaf is rich in phytochemicals than dry and wet leaf extracts and any analyses should be done using the oil. Keywords: Phytochemicals, leaf, Morinda lucida, dry, wet, oi

Demystifying Issues Regarding Public Private Partnerships (PPP)

Public-private sector collaboration is an evolving concept which takes many forms around the world, and it is essentially an arrangement by which private entrepreneurs provide support for the provision of public infrastructure. This study explored the collaborative framework of the public-private partnership (PPP) as a change process, highlighted basic characteristics, benefits, key principles of PPPs and its success path; it also clarify the structure, process and delivery system of joint-venture (JV) PPPs and the concession PPPs; while also identifying categories of projects that can benefit from the use of the PPP. It revealed successful attempts by central governments in financing new infrastructure projects through private sector participation due to the paucity of funds while facilitating innovation in infrastructure development. Joint-ventures PPPs which involves the incorporation of a company where the public actor is both the regulator and a shareholder in the joint operating company; it also involves the sharing of the attendant revenues, benefits/loss, and costs but despite been of local value is described as the true PPP. Concession PPP, however, is of national value and involves the transfer of risks to parties most suitable in managing it but the project financing is the sole responsibility of the private actor

Achieving Value for Money (VFM) in Construction Projects

Value for Money is the client’s assessment of the project delivered and/or services rendered by the various project stakeholders as it met the pre-determined objectives. The study focused on ways by which the required value for money can be achieved in a project, these includes detailed risk analysis and appropriate risk allocation, drive for faster project completion, curtailment in project cost escalation, encouragement of innovation in project development, preparation of a detailed specification etc. Highlighted among management tools that can aid the achievement of the desired VFM includes Life Cycle Cost analysis, Value Management, Building Information Modelling, and Lean Construction methods. The study argued for the ex-ante VFM assessment to be carried out at the design stage of a project; the importance of an ex-post VFM assessment after project completion was stressed, this is due to the fact that it helps to determine whether or not value for money has actually been delivered. Meanwhile, the barriers to achieving value for money on investment for the client were discussed with recommendations for improving VFM practices. The findings of this research provide necessary information and instruments to assist the various project stakeholders to make informed and supportable decisions

Rethinking Partnering among Quantity-Surveying Firms in Nigeria

This paper explores the benefits and barriers to partnering in quantity-surveying (QS) firms in Nigeria, and suggests projects and professional services best served by this practice. A mixed research design informs the identification of related concepts from extant literature and data collection from 132 registered members of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) which were analyzed using statistical tools. The commitment of top management is found to be a key barrier to QS firm partnering. The facilitation of knowledge exchange and inclusivity is the most significant benefit. In this paper, feasibility studies, expert advice, and lifecycle costing are key services of QS firms that would benefit from partnering, and research findings also favor engineering projects as core projects in which QS firms should utilize partnering. This study presents project stakeholders with practical and efficient strategies to facilitate the implementation of partnering arrangements to execute construction projects and has considerable implications for the quantity-surveying practice because it recommends professional services and projects with greater viability for the partnering arrangement

Nigeria's Public Procurement Law- Puissant Issues and Projected Amendments

The Public Procurement Act 2007 brought a sense of regulation or framework to the procurement process in Nigeria. Preceding this law, Nigerian public procurement was not formally regulated in the sense that there was no law, which governed procurement at the federal or State level. This paper examined the various parts and sections of the PPA Act 2007 towards identifying major loopholes of the Act, as it may allow one party to circumvent the Act's intention without actually breaking that law. Some identified loopholes included ambiguity in the qualification criteria of a procurement manager, non-inclusion of the AEC professional on the National Council on Public Procurement, its failure to provide methods for dispute resolution etc. Meanwhile, some challenges militating against the implantation of the PPA Act 2007 identified were the absence of strong and compelling institutions, pervading corruption that has become Nigeria socio-cultural value, citizen’s refusal to demand accountability etc. Although some provisions of the PPA Act were amended in 2009 by the Nigerian Senate, some other vital amendments were proposed to the relevant authorities for evaluation and legislation. The findings of this research provide instrument and ideas that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigeria’s procurement process

Determination of Normal and Variant Hemoglobin using Capillary Electrophoresis among Voluntary Blood Donors in North Central Nigeria: Implications on Blood Transfusion Services

Background: Voluntary non-remunerated blood donation is a strategy adopted by World Health Organization aimed at ensuring safety and adequacy of blood supply. Sub-Saharan Africa has a high prevalence of hemoglobin disorders and therefore needs to adopt stringent measures in donor selection to ensure safety for the recipient of blood transfusion. This study aimed to analyze normal and variant hemoglobin among voluntary blood donors. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 100 prospective blood donors including 55 (55%) males and 45 (45%) females, aged 18–34 years were recruited. Capillary electrophoresis using the Minicap system was used for determining the hemoglobin variants in alkaline buffer (PH 9.4). Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 and p-value < 0.05 was considered as the level of significance Results: The mean age of the participants was 22.23 ± 3.3 SD years. The proportion of participants with genotype AA was 67 (67%), those with AS were 17 (22 %), while those with AC were 11 (11 %). While Hb A ≥ 90% was noted in 67 (67%) blood donors, Hb S was seen in 22 (22%) and Hb A2 > 3.5% in 57 (57%). Hb F > 2% was observed in 3% of the studied participants Conclusion: Variant hemoglobin is common among blood donors and this should be taken into consideration whenever blood is being crossmatched for recipients of blood transfusion. Data from this study will be useful in raising awareness and genetic counseling. Keywords: prevalence, hemoglobin variants, capillary electrophoresi

Comparative sensitivity of maize weevil to essential oil of Hoslundia opposita Vahl leaves subjected to different drying regimes

Received: 2016-06-11 | Accepted: 2016-07-28 | Available online: 2017-09-30http://dx.doi.org/10.15414/afz.2017.20.03.54-59Botanical essential oils (EOs) are effective alternatives to over-dependence on synthetic insecticides in stored product protection. However, the burden of handling bulky fresh botanicals needed for EO extraction and the tendency of the freshly harvested botanical to rot in transit, if wrongly handled, can be bottlenecks to pilot scale application of EO. Therefore, this study evaluates the comparative efficacy of the EOs obtained from freshly harvested Hoslundia opposita Vahl (Lamiaceae) and plants exposed to different shade-drying regimes (1-5 days) against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, under laboratory conditions. Evaluation included fumigant toxicity and repellence bioassays. At 2 hours after exposure (HAE), EO of freshly harvested H. opposita leaves caused significantly (P < 0.001) lower mortality (53.30 %) than the value observed in H. opposita leaves dried for 5 days (90.00 %). The lethal time for 90.00 % of the weevils (LT90) obtained in EO from H. opposita leaves dried for 5 days (2.00 h) was significantly lower than 2.80 and 7.14 h obtained in EOs from the fresh and 1 day-dried leaves, respectively. At 1 HAE, EOs obtained from H. opposita leaves dried for 4 and 5 days caused 60.00 % repellence which was significantly higher than 20.00 % observed in fresh leaves. At 2 HAE, EOs obtained from H. opposita dried for 4 and 5 days caused significantly higher repellence (100.00 and 80.00 %, respectively) than what was observed in fresh leaves (70.00 %). The results imply that shade drying freshly harvested H. opposita leaves has no deleterious effects on the efficacy of its EO against maize weevil.Keywords: bird gooseberry, botanical essential oils, drying regimes, Hoslundia opposita Vahl., insecticidal, maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais MotschulskyReferences AGAH, M. and NAJAFIAN, S. (2012) Essential oil content and composition of Lippa citriodora as affected by drying method before flowering stages. In European Journal of Experimental Biology, vol. 2, no 5, pp 1771-1777.ARABHOSSEINI, A. et al. (2006) Loss of essential oil of tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) due to drying. In Journal of the  Scence of Food and Agriculture, vol. 86, pp 2543-2550. doi:http://dx.http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2641BABARINDE G. O., BABARINDE S. A. and OGUNSOLA S. O. (2013a) Effect of maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky 1855) infestation on the quality of three commercial pastas. 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