Toxicological Indices of Wistar Rats Fed Formulated Chaw of Telfairia occidentalis Planted on Crude Oil Contaminated and Remediated Soil

Toxicological indices of wistar rats fed formulated chaw of Telfairia occidentalis planted on crude oil contaminated and bioremediated soil was studied. Farmland, measuring 18 m2 was divided into three lots of 4 m2 and 2 m space was allowed between each lot (A, B and C). Two lots were polluted, subjected to 16 weeks of bioremediation and viable seeds of T. occidentalis were planted and grown for 28 days. The harvested vegetable leaves were analyzed. Leaves from natural attenuated soil showed high concentration of both aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with values of 9.34+0.03 mg/kg and 9.18+0.05 mg/kg for C36 and Fluoranthene respectively, while the bioaugmented soil had Lead as the highest heavy metal with a value of 0.10+0.02 g/100g. Four groups, of 9 rats each (totalling 36 rats) of adult males and females, wealing males and females were subsequently sub-grouped into 3 and allowed to acclimatize for a period of 1 week. These animals were fed formulated rat chaw of 50% dry weight of T. occidentalis, from the three lots (control, bioaugmented and natural attenuated soil) for a period of 28 days. Assay of animals’ toxicological index showed elevated concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, urea and creatinine in their sera. A slight increase in serum amylase activity was recorded, while concentrations of their haemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) reduced. The obtained results from these biomarkers were confirmed by the histopathological sections of the animal organs.

Growth and Yield Components of Some Turmeric Varieties (Curcuma Longa L.) As Affected by Inorganic Fertilizer Levels in Umudike, South-Eastern, Nigeria

A research on growth and yield components of some turmeric varieties (Curcuma longa L.) as affected by inorganic fertilizer levels in Umudike, South Eastern Nigeria was carried out at the teaching and research farm of the University, during 2018/2019 cropping seasons. It was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Results, showed that plant height and number of tillers for both varieties and fertilizers levels increased at 2, 4, and 6 months after planting (MAP) during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Variety 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) Kg-1 produced tallest plants and highest number of tillers over other varieties and fertilizer levels. Crop growth rate was positive at 2 – 4 MAP and negative at 4 – 6 MAP, with 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) kgha-1 producing higher growth rate. Heaviest rhizomes fresh weight (kg plot-1) of 3.74 and 3.75, rhizome dry matter content of 14.49 and 16.8%, rhizome dry weight of 23.57 and 23.90g and harvest index of 2.60 and 2.70% was yielded by UMT 021 variety over other varieties. The level of 400 NPK (15:15:15) kg ha-1 produced heaviest rhizome fresh weight of 4.47 and 4.57 kg plot-1; rhizome dry matter content of 19.42 and 25.8%; rhizome dry weight of 27.54 and 27.8g and harvest index of 2.81 and 3.20%, over other levels. Consequently, variety 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) kgha-1 are recommended for sole production of turmeric in Umudike, South Eastern Nigeria.

Characterisation of Phenolic Compounds, Sterols and Geographical Fingerprint of Çekişte Extra-Virgin Olive Oils According to their Geographical Locations by Using LC IMS QTOF Mass Spectrometry

In this context, aim of this study is to determine the effect of Çekişte olive oils in different locations and show differences on geographical locations while taking geographical indication label. Çekişte olive oil variety which cultivated in six different locations (Birgi, Bademli, Beyazit, Yeniceköy, Zeytinlik, Uzumlu) were evaluated the effects of geographical locations on the chemical characterization of in the southwest of Turkey. The agricultural ecological map of each location was created using GIS. Olive oil samples were analyzed fatty acid, sterol and phenolic. Moreover, LC IMS Qtof spectrometer and Progenesis QI software were used to determine the geographical fingerprints of olive oil samples in different locations. Results showed that oil qualities of some locations differ significantly depending on olive growing area (p <0.05), some of them not. The Principal Component Analysis of the different locations analyzed revealed that "geographical location" factor significantly affects the olive oil quality.

Postharvest Losses of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) in the Open Markets in Ibadan Metropolis

Postharvest losses of tomato pose serious threat on the economic viability of actors in the tomato production chain in Nigeria. Therefore, postharvest losses of tomato among marketers in Ibadan Metropolis of Oyo State Nigeria were investigated by the researchers. One hundred and twenty tomato marketers were chosen from the five food markets in Ibadan metropolis through a simple random sampling technique. The study adopted linear regression and descriptive statistics to analyze data. The outcomes of the investigation show that females were 92.5% and 88.3% were married. Capital is primarily raised through cooperative societies (57.5%). Postharvest losses of tomato accounted for 18.9% of purchase which represents ₦124,800/day. The major causes of PHLs are poor packaging (100%) and poor storage (100%) by the tomato marketers. Meanwhile, all the respondents (100%) adopted sorting to reduce PHLs of tomato. The regression analysis showed that education has a significant effect to reduce PHLs of tomato. The study concluded that huge postharvest and monetary losses of tomato are experienced by the tomato marketers. The study recommends provision of quality postharvest handling education to tomato marketers as a way of reducing PHLs of tomato in Ibadan.

Feasibility and Economic Analysis of Bread Production in Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria

The feasibility and economic analysis of bread production for a modern cottage bread production business in Gashua, Yobe State was analysed. This assessment involved analysis of the project to determine the viability, cost, and benefits associated with a bakery project before financial resources are allocated. The capital investment for the bakery establishment was estimated at ₦10,316,303.00 with maximum capacity to utilise 10 bags of flour (50 kg) per day. The production capacity is to increase at 50, 60, 75, 85 and 90 mi efficiency for five years respectively. The cost of production ranged between ₦30,776,550 to 45,059,946.85 while the profit after tax ranged from ₦12,783,071 to 18,878,298.79 for five years. The non current asset schedule annual depreciation was estimated at #655,000. The cash flow and breakeven point were at ₦41,395,161 and 27,705 respectively. Bakery business in Gashua is worthwhile for entrepreneur as profit making venture.

Combining Ability Analysis of Maize Inbred Lines in Ethiopia

The study was initiated to estimate combining ability of maize inbred lines and crosses using line by tester analysis. Fifty entries consists 48 F1 single crosses developed from 24 inbred lines and 2 testers using line x tester design and two commercial check hybrids used in the study. The experiment was conducted using alpha lattice design with two replications. Analysis of variance revealed existence of significant genetic variation among genotypes for all studied traits except for plant aspect (PA). Location x entry interaction for most of the traits was not significant which suggests hybrid performance was consistent across tested locations. Line x tester analysis of variance showed that mean squares due to GCA of lines were significant (p< 0.01 or p< 0.05) for all studied traits. Mean squares of tester GCA and SCA were significant for most of studied traits. This indicates that both additive and non-additive gene effects had contributed for the variation of the crosses. However, higher proportional contribution of additive gene action for all studied traits was obtained. Several lines and crosses were identified as good general and specific combiners for yield and yield related traits. Lines L23, L11, L15 and crosses L2xT1, L3xT1, L8xT1, L11xT1, L23xT1 and L13xT2 were found to be good general and specific combiners, respectively. In conclusion, the stated inbred lines with desirable gca effects and cross combinations with desirable sca effects for grain yield and yield related traits could be used as useful genetic material.

Utilization of Soursop (Annona muricta) Flour for the Production of Chin-Chin

The present study was aimed at utilizing soursop flour for the production of chin-chin. Soursop (SS) was processed to flour. Chin-chin was prepared from blends of wheat and soursop flours using 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50 of wheat flour to soursop flour (SSF), and 100% wheat flour as control. Proximate and sensory analysis of the chin-chin was determined using standard methods. The samples were also stored for 3 weeks and evaluated at weekly intervals for total bacterial and fungal counts. Proximate composition of the chin-chin revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in ash (0.42-0.96%), fat (33.31-39.29%), crude protein (5.32-7.94% protein), crude fibre (0.95-1.12%), and moisture content (4.85-7.65%) with a decrease in carbohydrate content (55.14-42.94%) as substitution of soursop flour increased. Energy content decreased as substitution of soursop flour increased, but beyond 30%, level, the energy content was observed to increase significantly. Substitution of soursop flour with wheat flour at the level of 10% compared favorably with the control sample suggesting that acceptable chin-chin could be produced at SSF substitution of up to 10%. The samples presented adequate microbiological conditions after storage of 3 weeks with counts ranging from 5.20×103-7.00×104cfu/g and 4.00×104-6.00×104cfu/g, for total bacterial and fungal counts, respectively. The study therefore showed that soursop can be utilized for the development of chin-chin with improved nutritional value over 100% wheat flour thereby serving as a nutritious household food which will help address the problem of protein-energy malnutrition.

Redefining Global Food Security: Do we really have a Global Food Crisis?

With the Climate change effects becoming more and more undoubted in the world populations, the reality of food production trends taking a negative curve is clear. This bring up the questions of whether the farmers will be able to produce food for the sustenance of the world population or not? The rate of developing food shortage coping mechanisms in this regard is slower that the ravaging negative climate change effects of drought and floods on farm performance. This commentary has the aim of requesting a fresh discussion around the fundamentals of what is food, what is a food security and what is nutritional security? It is possible that the humanity has a perception that needs refocusing. This is a perception that some people may choose out of non-food safety issues not to eat certain foods while other however healthily eat such food. It therefore becomes hard to technically accept that food is in short supply for those the opt not to eat that which is edible.