2017

Fermentation is one of the oldest methods of food preservation known to man. Oil seeds and legumes have been fermented to give condiments. Molecular characterization of the bacteria associated with the spontaneous fermentation of Bambara nut (Vigna subterranea) seeds into “Ogirri” was carried out. Vigna subterranea seeds were subjected to pre-treatments of soaking and boiling and spontaneously fermented in 3 setups for a period of 96 h at 28±2 0C to yield ogirri product.

The research investigated the production, purification and comparison of polygalacturonase (PG) from cassava peels degrading fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium expansum) isolated from biodegrading cassava peels. The fungi were isolated using cassava peel agar medium and the PG was produced using the solid state fermentation process. The PG was assayed using the modified dinitrosalicyclic acid reagent method and purified by using Sephadex G-100 and Sephadex C-50.

The purpose of this study was to measure and compare pre and post-operative Contrast sensitivity (CS) and Reaction Times (RTs) in cataract patients. CS provides valuable information on visual function, independent of visual acuity (VA). It represents the ability of the eye to detect a slight difference in luminance of two regions without distinct contours. This visual function or ability is affected by various disease conditions of the eye including cataract.

Prolong topical or systemic administration of corticosteroid produces undesirable side effects like increase intraocular pressure, lens opacities, neutrophilia, eosinopenia. This study was aimed at finding out the relationship between ocular hypertension and differential white blood cell count using corticosteroid induced ocular hypertension in feline model. A total of 5 cats were used for this study. The five cats were grouped into two (control and experimental). The control consisted of one cat while the experimental group consisted of four cats.

Estrogen and Progesterone are two major hormones of pregnancy. As soon as a spermatozoon fertilizes an ovum, hormonal changes begin in preparation for implantation and subsequent maintenance of pregnancy. The aim of the study was to determine if there are changes in Estrogen/Progesterone ratios (E/P) during pregnancy in different trimesters of pregnancy in Wistar rats. Twenty female Wistar rats were categorized into four different groups of five rats each. Group one (non-pregnant rats) served as the control.

Dumpsite utilization for municipal solid waste disposal produces leachate which is a threat to groundwater resources. The study was aimed at determining the suitability of groundwater for drinking and domestic usages using physical, chemical and microbial indices, with a view to assessing the vulnerability of boreholes close to dumpsite to groundwater pollution. The results showed that except for pH and lead, the concentrations of other physico – chemical parameters were within acceptable limits of NSDWQ and WHO.

Cisplatin is an established chemotherapeutic substance commonly used in the treatment of cancer. This study was conducted to examine the possible counter effects of Human Menopausal Gonadotropins (HMG) against testicular toxicity induced by Cisplatin in male rats. 20 adult male rats were equally divided into four groups; A, B, C and D which were the control, Cisplatin, HMG and Cisplatin+HMG groups respectively.

This investigation was undertaken to examine the phytochemicals in the leaves of sour soup harvested from five States of Nigeria. Standard methods for the quantitative assessment of the phytochemicals were adopted in the analysis. Results obtained indicated that the phytochemicals were in varied concentrations in the leaves from each of the States. The range of the concentration of alkaloid, tannin, flavonoid, saponin, phytate, steroid, phenol and oxalate were 4.08-2.11%, 30.20-10.50%, 1.52- 0.61%, 1.66-0.69%, 0.16-0.08%, 3.80-3.20%, 3.60–3.19% and 0.26–0.24% respectively.

The effect of consumption of cassava by products on the testosterone level and testicular morphology of Wistar rats was studied. The objective was to assess any changes in the testosterone level and histology of the testis. Male rats (n=28) weighing between 165g-260g were randomly assigned (n=7 each) into control group and experimental groups. Experimental groups were given the normal rat chow with inclusion of 50% cassava by product daily for 8weeks.

A study was carried out to evaluate the changes in Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase activities (GPx) in Allium cepa roots exposed to crude oil. Crude oil used in this study was fractionated in water (ratio 1 to 2) to produce water-soluble fractions (WSF) and water insoluble fractions (WIF). Allium cepa was grown in soil treated with 2%, 5%, 10% or 20% of Whole Crude (WC), WIF or WSF for 14 days, while the control was with distilled water. Antioxidant enzyme activity was evaluated after treatment for 14days using standard protocols.