Nutritional
potentials of toasted Afzeliaafricana
seed meal as feed ingredient on performance of broiler finishers was evaluated.
The proximate Analysis and amino acid profiles of the toasted Afzeliaafricana were carried out and the
seed meal was used to formulate four experimental diets at levels of 0%, 5%,
10% and 15% for treatments 1,2,3 and 4 respectively on a 35 day feeding trials.
One hundred and twenty brooded four weeks old broiler chicks were assigned to
each treatment diets at 30 broiler chicks per treatment and were replicated
three times to 10 broilers per replicate in a completely randomized design. The
proximate results indicated a moisture level of 6.2%, the crude protein content
was 28.7%, crude fibre 5.3%, Ether Extractive 12.5%, Ash 2.9% and Nitrogen free
extractive 50.6% on dry matter basis. The phytochemical components were Tannin
8.01%, saponins 5.4%, alkaloids 1.3%, flavonoids 11.8%, cardiac glycosides
2.4%, oxalate 8100mg/ 100g, phytate 0.157 % and no level of phenol recorded on
dry matter basis indicating toxic levels of these components. The amino acid
profiles revealed the presence of all the amino acids. The performance of the
broilers showed a drop in the average final weight of the broilers by 2448.6g,
2073.33g, 1930g and 1477g for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The feed
intakes were reduced to 181.3 g, 200 g, 154.67 g and 116.67 g per bird per day
for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Average daily weight gain were
44.10, 33.41, 29.43 and 16.31 grams per day for broilers in treatments 1,2,3
and 4, respectively and the feed conversion rate decreased as the levels of the
toasted Afzeliaafricana seed meal
increased in the experimental diets. It was therefore concluded that Afzeliaafricana resulted to extensive
deleterious effect on the broilers and suggests that it should not be used
broilers’ diet unless further studies on the detoxification of the toxic
phytochemical components were effected.
Heat degradation kinetics of linamarin were evaluated to obtain reaction
rate constants Kmin-1 at varying pH3.5, 6.8 and 10.5. Reaction rate Data obtained were analyzed using
the Arrhenius and absolute reaction rate models to obtain activation energies
(Ea), enthalpy (AH ) and entropy (AS#).. The
thermodynamic parameters were subjected to kinetic compensation analysis to
obtain iso-kinetic temperatures (Tc), rate constants (kc)
and free energies (AGW) related to the degradations of linamarin. at
varying pH. The results showed that the Isokinetic Temperature (Tc) and
Constant (Kc) for Degradation of at pH
3.5, Tc = 320k equivalent to 470C. The isokinetic constant was 1.25
x 10-3/min. and the least square regression analysis which was
applied produced a correlation coefficient r2 value > 0.98. The
same pattern was observed for degradation of Cassava linamarin at pH 6.8 and pH
10.5. Data obtained as isokinetic temperature (Tc) is very important and can be
employed in control fermentation of foods containing Cassava linamarin. At this
temperature, the fermentation processes are independent of environmental
conditions. These are derived from Ko vs Ea and DS vs DH relationships respectively and are
independent of the environmental variables and presumably applied for
predictive purposes. Tc range from 47.0-47.8 this value is usually
compared with mean harmonic temperature which TH which was computed
in this study as 1340C. From the results TH was far
greater than Tc. This observation validated true kinetic
compensation effect where increase in Ko values Proportionally
increased the Ea values and vice versa. Enthalpy of activation was
plotted against the entropy of activation of heat degradation of Cassava
linamarin produced 93.8KJ/mol of free energy of activation (DG). The enthalpy of activation varies from 274-302KJ/mol, the plot of
this value against enthropy change produce the calculated DG value. Both entropy and enthalpy exhibited marked compensation effect
in which increases in DH was accompanied by DG. The computed r2 = 0.98 value calculated by least square
regression analysis indicated the fitness of kinetic compensation models in the
prediction of environmental conditions.. It was concluded in this study that
true kinetic compensation occurred in the degradation of cassava linamarin at
varying pH. This study on kinetic compensation can be used for predictive
purposes in controlled fermentation of foods in our localities.
Keywords: Kinetic compensation, mean harmonic temperature, Isokinetic
Temperature (Tc) Controlled fermentation, pH
A field experiment was conducted to
assess the effect of termite control on soil organic matter content as well as
on the fertility and productivity of soil using maize as a crop test. The
research was carried out at Delta State Polytechnic. Ozoro to ascertain if
termite control has impact on soil
organic matter contents. The termite was controlled using different organic
pesticide. The result obtained indicated that controlling termites
significantly enhances soil organic matter content. It was also noted that
Nitrogen, exchangeable potassium, percentage base saturation, effective cation,
exchange capacity, soil pH and exchangeable acidity of the soil were equally
enhanced statistically by the treatment. Maize dry grain yield was
statistically improved by the treatment. Therefore, termite control helps to
reduce loss of organic matter and nutrient in soils of humid tropics and
improve soil productivity.
Department
of Agricultural Economics and Extension,
Adamawa State University, Mubi
Email: Balaabubakar76@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The study assessed the profitability of sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas lam) production in
Shelleng Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Purposive and simple
random sampling procedure were employed to select 65 sweet potato farmers. The
results reveal that majority (77%) of the respondents were in their youthful
age, capable of engaging in farming activities. Both males and females do
cultivate sweet potato in the area. The results also showed 20%, 22%, 23% and
35% had tertiary, Qur’anic, primary and secondary education respectively.
Eighty nine percent of the respondents have no contact with extension workers.
The study reveals that 57 % of the of the respondents source of capital as
personal savings. Relations, 38% and loans from Banks with 5%. Majority (56%)
of the farmers started the enterprise with initial capital of less that N45,000. The survey further reveals small farm
holders (0 2 – 0.5 ha) cultivates more land (11.4 ha) than their large farm
holders (1.1 and above ha) who cultivates only 4.8 hectares. But in terms of
profitability large farm holders get more net profit of N578, 447.00 compared to small holder’s N447, 539.00 per hectare. Poor storage facilities, problem of
middle men and high cost of labour were identified as the major constraints to
productions as such government through their agencies concern to help the
farmers in improving storage facilities, curtail the activities of middlemen in
marketing their products.
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