Supplementing Of Tigernut (Cyperus Esculenta Var Sativus) Meal on Carcass Characteristics, Haematology and Blood Chemistry of Female Weaner Rabbits.

Okiyi, P.C; Chukwu, B.C. and Adagbo, A.P.

ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted to find the effect of feeding varying levels of tiger nut meal on weaner carcass quality, haematology and blood chemistry of female rabbits at graded levels of inclusion (0% =T₁, 10%=T₂, 20%=T₃ and 30%=T₄).  Four (4) treatment diets were formulated to contain tigernut inclusion levels of 0% (control), 10%, 20% and 30%. Twenty-four (24) clinically healthy female weaner rabbits were used in the experiment to evaluate the effect of feeding varying levels of tigernut meal diet. They were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 animals per treatment with 2 animals per replicate given 3 replicate per treatment, in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Water and feed were given ad libitum. The experiment lasted for 120 days. Simple descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data while the New Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was employed to compare treatment means. The dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility values were affected (P˂0.05) by dietary treatments. The carcass characteristics studied showed that in live weight, dressed weight and the head, they differed significantly (P˂0.05) but had no significant different (P˃0.05) between them (i.e, T₂, T₃ and T₄). But in the other parameters there were significant (P˂0.05) difference among them except in loins which had no significant difference (P˃0.05) among the treatments. In the Internal organs of rabbits fed tigernut, all parameters differed significantly (P˂0.05) but T₂ having the highest increase in liver, kidney with no significant different (P˃0.05) between T₁ and T₂ in the spleen. On the blood chemistry and haematology of rabbits, there were no significant different (P˃0.05) in PVC, Hb, RBC while MCV and MHC differed significantly (P˂0.05) between the treatments. In the white blood cell count there were significant difference (P˂0.05) between WBC, Neutrophil and Lympocyte for T₁ to T₂, T₃ and T₄ but T₂, T₃ and T₄ showed no significant different (P˃0.05) among them. This study revealed that tigernut meal is rich in carbohydrate. It also showed that the tigernut meal could be used as a partial or total replacement for maize at up to 30% level of inclusion without any adverse effect on the growth, reproductive performance and blood indices of the female weaner rabbits.

Nutritional Status and Prevalence of Vector Borne Para site (Pediculus Capitis) As Emerging Community Medicine Threat in Some Selected Primary Schools in Maiduguri, Borno State.

¹Fatima L. B,  ²Ali A.G. Benisheikh, ³Muhammad U. Bumpa, ⁴Zara Z. Shettima, ⁵Zainab M. Kolo and ⁶Hassan Mohammed Yahaya

ABSTRACT

The emergence of vector borne parasitic diseases and poor nutritional status among school children is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical and sub-tropical countries where there is constraints of qualitative dietary products. The number of cases of vector parasitic diseases such as pediculosis and malnutrition are exponentially increasing due influx of children in rural areas due to the insurgency experienced for over a decade in the study area. A study to identify and determine the prevalence of pediculosis humanus capitis infesting primary children in four different locations was carried out in June 2024 –December 2024 in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria. A total of 100 Primary school children were examined with overall prevalence of 34% in male pupils, and 32 % in female from four different primary schools. The results on the prevalence of pediculosis-based on age and sex distribution in study area revealed that 40.0% of male pupils were infested with head lice, with 58.3% in ≤6 years and 46.4% in >6 years old pupils. Similarly, 48.0% infestation was recorded in female with highest incidences of 47.1 % in ≤6 years old pupils and 45.5% in >6 years old pupils. The results on determination of nutritional status using Anthropometric and stadiometer based on age of children revealed that, 54.0 % of Children between the age of 6-11examined were nutritionally normal, while 46.0 % had abnormal nutritional status. The findings of this study have revealed the public health attention and immediately community medicinal mobilization to mitigate the potential consequences of the parasite and malnutrition among pupils in the study area.

Keywords: Pediculosis, Nutritional status, Emerging, community medicine, Borno state, Prevalence, Vector Borne.

The Evaluation of Oil Palm Residue (Palm Kernel Shells And Fibers) as an Essential Sustainable Construction Material in the Niger Delta Region

¹Dr. Ferdinand F.O. Daminabo, ²Binafeigha Timiebi, ³Reuben [Phd Student]

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the innovative use of oil palm residues, specifically palm kernel shells (PKS) and fibers, as sustainable building material in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. By examining the material properties, its characteristics, availability, and application of the residues as well as what makes it sustainable, the study underscores the potentials in contributing to affordable and eco-friendly housing solutions in terms of material options. The research method adopted in this research is qualitative research, particularly secondary qualitative research and content analysis. The paper delves into the environmental benefits of repurposing these waste products and presents their application in light weight concrete, composite materials, and modular construction. This approach x-rays pathways to both environmental waste management and an answer to housing shortages by use of cheap and affordable ecofriendly materials in the Niger Delta.

Keywords: Oil palm residues, Palm Kernel shells and fibres, Niger Delta