PRODUCTION, MARKETING, NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND USES OF FLUTED PUMPKIN (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F.) IN AFRICA

Janet O. Alegbejo

Department of Paediatrics

Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria

ABSRACT

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F., Family: Curcubitaceae) have two main varieties in Nigeria: Ugu-ala and Ugu-elu which are widely cultivated in the West and Central Africa. It is called ‘ugu’ by the Igbos, ‘ugwu’ by the Yorubas and ‘ekobon’ by the Cameroonians. Fluted pumpkin grows best in warm humid tropics therefore it is a rain fed crop but can be grown under irrigation. During the rainy season, staking is commonly practiced to reduce disease infection but in dry season there may be no need since diseases are less. The leaves are wrapped in bundles with plantain leaves or loosely covered with old jute sacks and sparingly sprinkled with water for freshness. When it is not possible to bring fresh leaves to the market, the leaves may be blanched and then dried. The dry leaves are in demand during the dry season when fresh leaves are scarce. Fruits are harvested and stored in an open shade for 1- 2.5 months. The nutritional valve, it uses and health benefits are discussed.

PLASMA PROTEIN PROFILE IN CHILDREN WITH HbAS AND HbSS IN UGHELLI GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

                                       *Emojevwe Victor and Igweh J. C

Department of Physiology

Delta State University, Abraka, Delta state Nigeria

E-mail: emojevwevictor@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The plasma protein profile in children with HbAA, HbAS and HbSS was studied in this research with the view of knowing the group with higher plasma protein values and ascertaining the effects of crises in plasma protein level in sickle cell condition. In all 300 children between the ages of 5 to 15 were recruited from the sickle cell clinic of the  Marierie Memorial Government Hospital, Ughelli, Delta state. The children were studied in seven groups. Plasma total protein was determined by the Biuret method using an Olympus AU400 automated chemistry analyzer while Plasma albumin, globulin, and fibrinogen determination were performed manually using a Sebia K20 electrophoresis chamber with Cellogel strips in Tris-hippurate buffer, pH 8.8 according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The results from this study revealed that the HbSS subjects had significantly higher fibrinogen levels (0.71±0.82) than the HbAS subjects (0.42±0.56) and healthy HbAA subjects (0.30±0.57). The mean globulin in the homozygous (HbSS) was significantly greater than the mean values found in normal children (P< 0.05). Also, a statistically significant higher mean globulin value was observed in HbAS (P< 0.05). The total protein level was also found to be higher in HbSS when compared with that of the control (HbAA) and the carriers (HbSS) at P<0.05. The results also showed that when HbSS subjects were in crisis, it was only the fibrinogen level that increased statistically significantly (P<0.05). It was concluded from this study that individuals with HbSS and HbAS have higher total plasma protein and globulin and individuals with HbSS have higher fibrinogen concentration than normal healthy individuals with HbAA of same age grade. Crisis was also said to be associated with higher fibrinogen values in HbSS individuals but does not influence the values of globulin, albumin and total plasma protein hence regular estimation of the plasma fibrinogen levels in individuals with sickle cell condition might be a useful indicator of hyper coagulability and early determination of plasma fibrinogen will help in diagnosing hyperfibrinogenaemia earlier and may help to prevent vaso-occlusive crises. It was therefore recommended that the causes of these differences observed be ascertained in further studies.

Table of Contents

Microbial Quality Assessment of Well Water in Kaduna North

Local Government

Yabaya A. and Aliyu A, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………           1- 5

Prevalence of Airborne Bacteria in Markets in Makurdi Metropolis

H.O.A. Oluma, T. Akande, E.E.Ebah and O.C. Godwin.………………………………………………. 6-13

Ascorbic Acid Content of Citrus Fruits at Different Maturity Stages

Agwu Grace N.,………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..                   14-16

Physicochemical Properties of Some Commercial Groundnut Oil

Products Sold In Sokoto Metropolis, Northwest Nigeria

Musa M. Sulaiman, A. U Bello; I. Itumoh J. E. Bello K .; Bello A. M.;  Arzika, A. T.………                 17-24         

Influence of Sprouting on Oil Yield and Organoleptic Properties of Groundnut Cake

(Kuli Kuli)

Musa Halilu, K.B. Filli^1, and Haziel, H.………………………………………………………………………………            25-31

Comparative Growth and Survival Rate of   the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

 Larvae Reared In Water Sourced From Stream and Tap Water

A.M. Idi-Ogede …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………                   32-37

Effects of Replacing Dietary Fish Oil with Vegetable Oils on Heamatological Properties

of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

George, F.O.A; Akinyemi, A. A. and Oladejo, P. T………………………………………………………..            38-46

A study on Cytotoxic Ions Sequestration and K⁺/Na⁺ Levels as Salt Tolerant Indicators

in Tomato (Solanum lycospersicum L.)

Gumi, A.M and Aliero, A.A………………………………………………………………………………………………                  47-53

Determination of the Urvival Temperature of Fresh Water fish  (Parachanna obscura) Nematodes

E. M. Odenand O. J. Agada………………………………………….…………………………………………………          54-68

Effects of Varying Dosage of Immocox Brand of Coccidial Vaccine on the Heamatological Indices of Chickens

F.T. Akade, B.J. Mufwaand Antyev. M…………………………………………………………………………….            69-74

Helminthes in Commercially Sold Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea): The Public Health

Perspective

O. Yahaya., Z.K. Egbunu., O.E. Miachi and C.L. Ezema……………………………………………………          75-81

HELMINTHES IN COMMERCIALLY SOLD SPINACH (SPINACIA OLERACEA): THE PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

*O. Yahaya., Z.K. Egbunu., O.E. Miachi  and C.L. Ezema

Department of Science Laboratory Technology

Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State

E-mail: ocholiahmed@yahoo.com.

ABSTRACT

Helminthes in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) occurs through faecal contaminated irrigation water and fecal pollution of soil with eggs of Helminthes. The distributions of helminthes were determined in 150 commercially sold Spinach in Ega market over a period of eight (8) weeks. The samples were washed with sterile distilled water, filtered and centrifuged at 500rpm for 5 minutes and examined microscopically. A total of 116 helminthes eggs/ova were counted and all samples tested had more than one type of parasite ova. A.lumbricoides 37 (31.9%), F.hepatica 15(12.9%), S.mansonii 14(12.1%), S.stercoralis 18(15.5%), E.vermicularis 22(19.0%) and T.trichuira 10 (8.6%). The incidence of helminthes in commercially sold Spinach may be due to poor water quality, used of poorly composted animal dung as manure and poor handling of vegetables produce. Thorough washing and adequate cooking of vegetables prior to use are highly recommended.

Keywords: Helminthes, spinach, parasites, Health, infection.

EFFECTS OF VARYING DOSAGE OF IMMOCOX BRAND OF COCCIDIAL VACCINE ON THE HEAMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF CHICKENS

F.T. Akande ¹, B.J. Mufwa² and Antyev. M².

¹Department of Animal Health College of Agriculture, Jalingo

²Department of Animal Production College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State

E-mail: mufwa @ yahoo.com.

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of Dosage administration of Immucox^(R) Vaccine on the Heamatology of Chickens. Three dosage regimes including control representing 50% (GPA), 100% (GPB), 250% (GPC) and 0% (GPD) were investigated on 204 chicken. 50 chickens allotted to each group and 4 were slaughtered before the commencement of the experiment (pre vaccination) to ascertain the heamatological profile before the commencement of the experiment, with the view to ascertaining the feature and causes of reported field problems associated with field application of anti-coccidial vaccines. The results of the heamatological findings were rather inconsistence; the PCV suggested that the effect of tissue damage and fluid loss was mildest in group C; superior in A and B group. There were no differences in the HB values generally except at day 6 piv. Lymphocytes counts fluctuated in all the groups except during the period 4 to 9 days piv when the count in group A and B were relatively stable. The results here showed that the vaccine was protective to varying degrees against heamatological challenges and thereby underscores the values of coccidial vaccines. Moreover, a modified dosage regime as in group C provided supererior protection to the standard (proprietary) dosage without any adverse effects on the haematological indices.

Keyword: Immocox Vaccine, Chicken and Heamatology

DETERMINATION OF THE URVIVAL TEMPERATURE OF FRESH WATERFISH (Parachanna obscura) NEMATODES

E. M. Oden¹ and O. J. Agada²

Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology

University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria

E-mail: Estheroasis40@yahoo.com, oketeagada@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Parachana obscura is one of the major species of fishes that are most common in the Calabar Great Qua River. It is been consumed by about 70% of people within and without Cross River State almost every day. However, it has been noted from various literatures that this species of fish harbors a great number of nematodes. A total of 33 fishes (16larvae and 17adults) were bought from the Fishermen of Great Qua River Calabar, Cross River State –Nigeria, within the month of October and December 2011 respectively. The temperature range at which nematodes survive inthese fishes purchased from fishermen of Great Kwa River Calabar, Cross River state- Nigeria was investigated. One hundred and eighty-seven (187) nematodes were extracted from 33 fishes within the months of October and Dec ember 2011. Fifty-One percent (51%) adults and 49% larvae were observed; and the nematodes were identified as Contracaecum and Camallanus species. Generally, the larvae survive more than the adult nematode. And it was observed that decrease in temperature below 22⁰C, decreases the survival rate and increase in temperature above 60⁰C completely eliminates the nematodes. Also, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) of temperature and time carried out were highly significant at P (< 0.05). The public should subject P.obscura to a temperature range above 60⁰C for 30minutes or more to ensure total elimination of nematodes from the fish before consumption.

Keywords: Parachana obscura,nematodes,temperature and time.

A STUDY ON CYTOTOXIC IONS SEQUESTRATION AND K+/Na+ LEVELS AS SALT TOLERANT INDICATORS IN TOMATO (Solanum lycospersicum L.)

*Gumi, A.M and Aliero, A.A

Department of Biological Sciences

Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

E-mail: muhammadag@yahoo.co.uk, amgumi@udusok.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

The study on ion homeostasis and cytotoxic ion sequestration in tomato (Solanum lycospersicum L.) was investigated. Salinity stress did not show a significant effect (P>0.05) on dry matter accumulation of shoots and roots of tomato. The accumulation of sodium ion (Na⁺) in root of tomato increased in salt treated groups (50 mM, 75 mM and 100 mM) while in shoot of tomato, the Na⁺ accumulation was highest (6 times higher than the control) in 75 mM treatment. Potassium (K⁺) uptake was salt concentration dependent in both shoot and root and 50 mM treatment of each organ yielded highest K⁺ content. The Na⁺/K⁺ levels in shoot and root increased with increasing concentrations but the magnitude of this level is lower in shoot than in root due to the high level of K⁺ content in the shoot tissues. It can be concluded from these findings that Na⁺ was compartmentalised both in shoot and root of tomato by membrane transporters and that low level of Na⁺/K⁺ level was a good indicator of salt tolerance property in the tomato genotype studied.

Keywords: Sequestration; Solanum lycospersicum; Salinity stress; ion homeostasis; membrane transporters, cytotoxic ions       

EFFECTS OF REPLACING DIETARY FISH OIL WITH VEGETABLE OILS ON HEAMATOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus)

George, F.O.A; Akinyemi, A. A. and Oladejo, P. T.

Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management

University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

E-mail: akinyemiaa@unaab.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

Dietary Fish oil replaced with vegetable oils was evaluated as an ingredient in practical diet for Clarias gariepinus reared in net fish hapas (1m x 1m x 1m) suspended by bamboo poles in an earthen pond.  25 fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus were distributed inside each hapas of 20 – twenty net fish hapas which amounted to 500 fingerlings reared for complete 56 days (8-eight weeks).  After 8 weeks blood were extracted by puncturing the dorsal aorta into EDTA bottles which was taken to the laboratory for haematological analysis.    The packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), of the treatment (T₃) increased significantly relative to the control.  while WBC decreased significantly in treatment two (soyabean oil) compared with the control. Others heamatological analyses (MCV, MCH and MCHC) showed that there is no significantly difference (P>0.05) between the values of these haematological parameters.  Therefore, the significant difference were observed in the levels of RBC (P<O.05) which may be as a result of the stress the fish were exposed to during the study.

Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, haematological properties, fish oil and vegetable oil  

COMPARATIVE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL RATE OF THE AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus) LARVAE REARED IN WATER SOURCED FROM STREAM AND TAP WATER

A.M. Idi-Ogede

Department of Biology

College of Education, Zuba-Abuja

ABSTRACT

A four-week comparative study was carried out to compare the growth and survival rates of Clarias gariepinus reared in stream and tap water. Twenty liters of water from each of the sourced water were measured into six glass aquarium tanks (56cm by 30cm) and each treatment replicated three times. One hundred six-day old larvae of Clarias gariepinus were stocked into each of the aquarium tanks. The larvae were fed with Zooplankton. At the end of the 30-day culture period, the growth and survival rates were higher in stream water than in tap water. There  were significant difference (p<0.05) between the means of water quality parameters, survival rates, mortality rates, weight and total length of Clarias gariepinus reared in the two water (stream and tap water). Based on these, recommendation was made to consider water parameters in rearing fish.

Key words: Clarias gariepinus, stream water, tap water, survival and mortality rates.

INFLUENCE OF SPROUTING ON OIL YIELD AND ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES OF GROUNDNUT CAKE (KULI KULI)

Musa Halilu¹, K.B. Filli^1,2 and Haziel, H¹.

¹Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Yola

²Swedish Institute of Food Biotechnology

E-mail:musa.halilu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT Groundnut cake (Kuli Kuli) was processed with slight modification of the traditional methods by germinating the seeds/nuts. The groundnut seeds/nuts were soaked for five hours I each of the samples (B, C, D and E) and were germinated for 0, 20, 30, and 40 hours respectively. Non soaked and non sprouted groundnuts were processed as control sample (sample A). Sensory analysis, physicochemical properties of the cake and oil yield were determined. The results show that the acceptability of treated samples (20 and 30 hours sprouting) were significant (p>0.05) in all parameters tested. Percentage oil yield indicated that the germinated seeds had higher oil yield (47-48%) compared with the control sample (46%). The oil content (47-48%) was increasing as germination time was equally increasing, also the refractive index of the oil was decreasing as germination time increased, which is an indirect method of checking free fatty acid components in oils (unsaturation). The modification of these products is one sure way of improving Kuli-Kuli processing so as to make it more acceptable.