Vol 16, No 2 , 2015-1, African Scientist

Optimum Dietary Crude Protein and Digestible Energy Requirements of Clariid catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Fingerlings in the Tropics

This study determined the optimum protein and digestible energy levels for Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed local feed. Sixteen diets of four digestible energy (DE) level (2400, 2600, 2800 and 3000 Kcal/Kg) each at four crude proteins (CP) levels (25, 30, 35 and 40%) were formulated and fed to the fingerlings for 70days. The result showed that the highest final weight of fish (34.24g) was obtained in the 35 %CP (DE of 2400 kcal/kg).

Antimicrobial Activity of Mitracarpus scaber Leaf Extract against Some Human Pathogenic Microorganisms

The study was carried out with the aim to determine the antimicrobial effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Mitracarpus scaber against some clinical isolates. The leaves were screened for some phytocompounds using standard analytical methods.The antimicrobial activity of the leaf extract against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans was carried out using agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods. The results of phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, triterpenes, phytosterols, tannins, and saponins.

Phytotoxicity Study on the Effects of Waste Engine Oil on the Anatomy of Sataria barbata (LAM.) KUNTH and Brachiaria deflexia (SCHUMMACH.) C.E. HUBB. EX ROBYNS

The present study explored the use of anatomical characters of Sataria barbata and Brachiaria deflexia as indicators of waste engine oil pollution. Four (4) kg of air dried soil was measured into perforated plastic buckets and treated with waste engine oil to obtain different concentrations [0% (control), 2%, 4%, 7% and 10%] on volume to weight basis. The experiment was set up in 3 replicates. The soil samples were allowed to stand for seven days before seedlings were planted. The plants were harvested after 8 weeks of transplanting.

Screening for Biodegradative Activity of Diesel Oil by Microorganisms Isolated from Petroleum Polluted Soil of a Mechanic Workshop at AKAD Community, Akure, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the bacterial and fungal flora of soils contaminated with used automobile engine oil at a mechanic workshop at AKAD community, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, with the aim of testing their ability to degrade diesel oil. Isolation and identification of microbes were done using standard microbiological techniques. Oil degrading activity of the isolates were assayed for using Bushnell Haas broth (BHB) supplemented with 1% diesel oil.

Growth Responses of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings fed diets replacing Soyabean with Acacia Seed (Cassia fistula)

This study determined the growth response of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed ground toasted Cassia fistula (CF) seed. Partial replacement of soyabean in the diet with varying levels of Cassia fistula seed meal at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% were carried out for 70 days. The fishes were fed twice daily to satiation. One hundred and twenty-six (126) fingerlings with an initial mean weight of 1.68±0.76 g were allotted at random to aquaria tanks of 25 L size. A total of 18 tanks was used with each tank containing seven fishes.

Antimicrobial Activity of Mitracarpus scaber Leaf Extract against Some Human Pathogenic Microorganisms

The study was carried out with the aim to determine the antimicrobial effect of ethanolic leaf extract of  Mitracarpus scaber against some clinical isolates. The leaves were screened for some phytocompounds using standard  analytical methods.The antimicrobial activity of the leaf extract against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans was carried out using agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods. The results of phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, triterpenes, phytosterols, tannins, and saponins.

Screening for Biodegradative Activity of Diesel Oil by Microorganisms Isolated from Petroleum Polluted Soil of a Mechanic Workshop at AKAD Community, Akure, Nigeria

The present study explored the use of anatomical characters of Sataria barbata and Brachiaria deflexia as indicators of waste engine oil pollution. Four (4) kg of air dried soil was measured into perforated plastic buckets and treated with waste engine oil to obtain different concentrations [0% (control), 2%, 4%, 7% and 10%] on volume to weight basis.The experiment was set up in 3 replicates. The soil samples were allowed to stand for seven days before seedlings were planted. The plants were harvested after 8 weeks of transplanting.

Screening for Biodegradative Activity of Diesel Oil by Microorganisms Isolated from Petroleum Polluted Soil of a Mechanic Workshop at AKAD Community, Akure, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the bacterial and fungal flora of soils contaminated with used automobile engine oil at a mechanic workshop at AKAD community, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, with the aim of testing  their ability to degrade diesel oil. Isolation and identification of microbes were done using standard microbiological techniques. Oil degrading activity of the isolates were assayed for using Bushnell Haas broth (BHB) supplemented with 1% diesel oil.

Effect of Soil Types and Mechanical Scarification on the Germination and Seedling Growth of Cola nitida Schott & Endl.

The major problem in Cola propagation is related to seed germination and slow growth rate, hence this study was designed to ascertain the effect of soil types and mechanical scarification on the germination and seedling growth of Cola nitida. The experiment was a two factored experiment of 4 soil type (Topsoil, topsoil combined with carbonized sawdust (TSCSD), topsoil combined with river soil (TSRS) and River soil) and 2 scarification (Nicked and Whole seed) laid in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replicates.