17

Effect of Sclerotia Weight and Watering Regime on the Growth and Development of Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) Singer

The study was carried out to determine the effect of sclerotia weight (10, 25, 50 and 100 g), watering regime and urea solution on the growth and development of P. tuber-regium. The experiment comprised four watering regimes with either water or urea solution (1g/litre) and four weights of sclerotia were replicated five times in a completely randomised design. The watering regime comprised watering once daily, twice daily, thrice daily and once alternate daily. The earliest time (6.00 ±0.63 days) of primordial emergence occurred in 100 g of sclerotia watered once daily.

Effect of Rice Cultivation Activities on Inorganic Ions Content of Ini River in Southern Nigeria

This research work assesses the effect of rice cultivation activities on the nutrient status of Ini River in Akwa Ibom State. Surface water was collected from three stations in the river and its nutrient status was analyzed using spectrophotometric method. The nutrient component viz: Phosphate (P04), Nitrate (NO3) and Sulphate (SO4) varied significantly p Station C >Station B. The result obtained for nutrients are low and are within the WHO standard for clean water. However, the values obtained shows significant impact of rice cultivation activities on the nutrient status of the river.

Bioaccumulation Profile of Selected Heavy Metals in Whole Tissue of Macrobrachium macrobrachion and Macrobrachium vollenhovenii from Benin River in Delta State, Nigeria

Bioaccumulation of selected heavy metals in whole tissue of shrimps (Macrobrachium macrobrachion and Macrobrachium vollenhovenii) inhabiting a stretch of Benin River in Delta State, Nigeria was studied. Water samples for heavy metal determination were also collected from three different locations within the sampled stretch from January to June, 2013. Heavy metal concentrations were quantified with Unicam Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (PG 550).

Phytosterol, phenolic acid, amino acid and sugar profiles of the unripe fruits of Solanum melongena L. (Round variety)

Numerous health benefits of consuming eggplant fruits (Solanum melongena L.) have been reported. This research was carried out to determine some of the constituents responsible for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The unripe fruits of Solanum melongena L. (round variety) were evaluated for its phytosterol, phenolic acid, amino acid and sugar profiles by gas chromatography. The Phytosterol analysis showed the presence of seven phytosterols and sitosterol (233 ± 0.852 mg/100g) was found to be significantly higher (p<0.01) than the other phytosterols.

Effects of Below Ground Controlled Injections of CO2 on Microbial Respiration of Soil Planted With Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

 Below-ground carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions occur naturally at CO2 springs, but the risk of occurrence at other sites will increase as geologic CO2 storage is implemented to help mitigate climate change. This investigation examines the effect of controlled injection of below ground CO2 emission on wheat plant and soil microbial respiration where spring wheat (triticum aestivum L.) was grown. The study involved setting up eight (8) experimental plots (each 2.5 x 2.5m) for the growth of spring wheat.

Chemical Analysis and Biological Activity of Natural Preservative from Beet root (Beta vulgaris) Against Foodborne Pathogens and Spoilage Organisms.

Proximate and elemental analysis of Beta vulgaris was carried out using standard procedures. Ethanolic and aqueous extract of the root were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively for phytochemicals. The agar well diffusion assay was employed to determine the antibacterial activity of both ethanolic and water extracts of Beta vulgaris. Carbohydrate, protein, fat/oils, ash and moisture content were 9.50±0.01, 1.58±0.00, 0.23±0.00,1.43±0.01 and 88.69±1.20 % respectively. The mineral content ranged from 1.90±0.01 to 15.98±0.01 % with 

AuthorName(s)

In vitro cytotoxic effect of aqueous and hydroethanolic leaf extracts of Stachytarpheta cayennensis on the human pancreatic cell line (ASPC-1)

There is an urgent need for agents with improved efficacy against pancreatic cancer, as only 20% of pancreatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy respond to treatment. This study investigated the antiproliferative attributes of hydroethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Stachytarpheta cayennensis on human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (AsPC-1). Human pancreatic (AsPC-1) cells were seeded (1.07×105 cells/well) into 96 well microtitre plate, allowed to stabilize, then exposed for 24hrs to graded (0 – 10000 μg ml-1) 

Callogenesis of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) using immature inflorescence and young leaf explants

The study was aimed at generating callus from immature inflorescence and young leaf explants of coconut (Cocos nucifera L). Eeuwen’s medium which was supplemented with Murashige and Skoog macro salts, 6-Benzylamino purine (BAP) and 6-y dimethylally amino purine (2iP) at concentration of 1 mg/l each, was used as the culture medium. The effect of different concentrations of growth regulators when added to the culture medium was tested on callus generation.

Alkaloid, Flavonoid, Fatty Acid and Vitamin Profiles of the Unripe Fruit of Solanum melongena L. (Round Variety)

 Solanum melongena L. (round variety) is an eggplant that is commonly called “garden egg” in Nigeria. The unripe fruit is often eaten as snack, dessert or vegetable. The dried fruit powder was evaluated for its alkaloid, flavonoid and fatty acid profiles by Gas Chromatography (GC). The vitamin profile was estimated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The alkaloid profile showed the presence of high amounts of solamargine (134 ± 0.719 mg/100g) and solasonine (115 ± 0.455 mg/100g), with other alkaloids present in lower 

Characterization of antibiogram susceptibility profile of Vibrio species isolated from fresh vegetables

Fresh vegetables water leaf (Talinum traingnlare), pumpkin leaf (Telfairia occidentalis) and scent leaf (Ocinum gratissimum) collected from urban markets in Benin City, Nigeria, were investigated for the presence of Vibrio species using standard microbiological techniques. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the isolates against a panel of 13 antibiotics, was carried out according to the method described by The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCCLS).