Natural & Applied Sciences

Natural & Applied Sciences Research Papers/Topics

Chemical, Microbiological and Sensory Characteristics of Leather Blends Produced from

Abstract The postharvest losses in fruits and vegetables in developing countries vary between 15-90%. Many organizations are actively promoting the processing of fruits and vegetables to find a solution to the difficulties encountered in storing large quantities of fresh produce without incurring heavy losses. This study evaluated the chemical, microbiological and sensory properties of leather blends produced from 'Ogbomoso' mango and carrot. Purees of mango (Mangifera indica 'Ogbomoso') and...

Evaluation of host humoral antibody production against Plasmodium falciparum recombinant circumsporozoite antigen in Nigerian children

ABSTRACT Background & objectives: The challenge of malaria and efforts targeted at developing malaria vaccines triggered this study on the reactivity of IgG and its subclasses in the test serum specific to CSP. This work was directed at assessing the influence of age and gender on host humoral antibody against Plasmodium falciparum recombinant circumsporozoite antigen in Nigerian children. Methods: In all, 67 serum samples (>10,000 parasites/μl of blood) collected from malaria-infected chi...

Comparison of different methods of producing bambara (Voandzeia subterranean L. Thou) flours for preparation of ‘moin-moin’

ABSTRACT Bambara nut was subjected to different treatments prior to mechanical dry dehulling and milling into flours. Physicochemical properties of the flours and sensory attributes of moin-moin prepared from the flours were compared with that of moin-moin from fresh pastes from cowpea and Bambara. The functional properties investigated included foam-ability, foam-stability, gelation capacity, dispersibility and dehull-ability while proximate chemical composition of the flours was also invest...

The impact of the variability of ionospheric phase refractive index on radio signals instability

ABSTRACT The ionospheric phase refractive index is a complex function that determines the attenuation and the trajectory of radio signals through the ionosphere. This complex refractive index model has been obtained using the Maxwell's equations, the tensorial conductivity equation, electron collision models, and the geomagnetic field model. The model has been used to study and investigate the phase refractive index on radio wave propagation for high latitude, low latitude and equatorial regi...

Selected physico-chemical properties of extrudates from white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) and barn bara nut ( Vi~na subterranean) blends

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate effects of extrusion conditions on physicchemical properties of blend of yam and bambara nut flours. Blend of white yam grit (750 pm) and Bambara nut flour (500 pm) in ratio 4: 1 respectively was extrusion cooked at varying screw speeds 50-70rpm, feed moisture 12.5-17.5% (dry basis) and barrel temperatures 130-150 OC. Extrusion variables employed included barrel temperature (BT), screw speed (SS) and feed moisture content (FM), while physico-c...

Radiological Analysis of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in Fish, Crustacean and Sediment Samples from Fresh and Marine Water in Oil Exploration Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Radiological analysis was carried out on fish, crustacean and sediment samples collected from both fresh and marine water of river Igbokoda in the coastal area of Ondo State, Nigeria. The activity concentrations of radionuclides were determined using gamma spectrometry method. The means of the annual effective ingestion dose varied between 23.3 ± 10.2μSv.y-1 (OreochromisniloticusandGymnarchusniloticus) and 34.8 ± 1.7 μSv.y-1 (Parachnnaobscura) for fresh water fish samples and 6....

NUTRITIONAL ANAEMIA AND MALARIA IN PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

Abstract Background: The most common cause of anemia is a deficiency of iron; but it may also be caused by deficiencies of folates, vitamin B12 and protein. Some anemias are not caused by nutritional factors, but by congenital factors and parasitic diseases such as malaria. This study attempted to estimate the prevalence of anemia among pre-school and school- aged children in two rural areas of Odogbolu Local government area, and to determine whether its cause was nutritional or could be att...

Effect of Magnesium and Calcium as Spheroidizers on the Graphite Morphology in Ductile Cast Iron

Abstract This study investigated the effect of magnesium and calcium as spheroidizers on the graphite microstructure in cast iron. The cast iron samples were melted in an induction furnace with charge of known composition and, magnesium and calcium of known percentages were added as spheriodizers to the molten metal in the mould during the casting process. From the microstructure of the as- cast specimens it was observed that the use of 100% Mg and a combined addition of 60% and 40%Ca as sph...

Studies on Antimicrobial Potentials of three Ganoderma species

ABSTRACT The fruit bodies of three Ganoderma species namely G. lucidium, G. applanatum and G. australe were collected from the decaying logs within the University of Ibadan Botanical Gardens .Invitro antagonistic effect of the ethanol, methanol and distilled water extracts of these macro fungi were tested against some disease causing microorganisms. Both crude and pure extracts of these Ganoderma species exhibited various degree of inhibition against the test organisms. The widest inhibitory...

Liquefied natural gas (LNG), environment and the society

ABSTRACT The environmental impact of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Company for the environment and social conditions using the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in Rivers State, Niger Delta area of Nigeria as a case study is analysed in this paper. Specifically, the paper analyses the environment and social consequences of the operations of NLNG on the immediate environment. Data were collected from both the secondary and primary sources. The paper reveals that air borne diseases are the...

Evaluations of Turonian Limestone Formation Exposed at NIGERCEM-Quarry, Nkalagu, Southeastern Nigeria: A Geochemical Approach.

ABSTRACT A geochemical study of Nkalagu limestone of the Lower Benue Trough as exposed at Nigeria Cement Company (NIGERCEM) was carried out. The study aims at the determination of major oxides and trace elements of the limestone exposed in the quarry using X–Ray Fluorescence Spectrophotometer (XRF) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) respectively as well as reconstructing the depositional history of the deposit. Petrographic study was also done to enhance the determination of biog...

Analysis of Heavy Metals Concentration in Sediments and Water Samples of Selected Functional Dams in Oyo State, Southwestern Nigeria.

Abstract The quantity as well as the quantity of clean water supply is of vital significance to the welfare of mankind particularly in the developing countries. Therefore, knowing the concentration of heavy metals present in Dams can help us to ascertain the health safety of the populace using the water for drinking and domestic purposes. Ten Dams at Oyo State in the Southwestern Nigeria were studied for the heavy metals concentration contained in the sediments and water of the selected Dams....

Open Land Dumping: An Analysis of Heavy Metals Concentration of an Old Lead-Battery Dumpsite

ABSTRACT Use of open land as dump sites by the manufacturing industries in developing countries without appropriate prevention of environmental hazards has resulted in prominent levels of waste and disposal effluents. This has resulted in the contamination of soil and the exposure of human populations to environmental and health hazards. This study focused on the investigation of soil contamination by heavy metals via waste disposal of a lead battery factory in Lalupon, Oyo State, Nigeria. Co...

Effects of short term laboratory infestation of dried cassava variety TME-7 by Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

ABSTRACT Researches have shown that dried cassava varieties are relatively susceptible to Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) infestation. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine weight loss and nutritional status of dried cassava chips (TME-7) and P. truncatus emergence rate over an infestation period of 8 weeks. TME-7 mean weight loss (±SD) rose to 11.30% ± 4.01 (22.67%) with P. truncatus mean emergence rate (± SD) of 18.50 ± 8.25; 16.33 ± 6.85 and 9.93 ± 3.30 for larvae, pupae and a...

Safe guarding Date Palm from Oryzaephilus surinantensis Infestation through Oil Palm Inflorescence Ash and Hermetic Storage Technique Treatments and the Combination of both Treatments

Abstract Possible control of Oryzaephilus surinamensis infestation on date palm (Phoenix dactyliferai using oil palm inflorescence ash and hermetic storage technique combined with Oil Palm Inflorescence Ash (OPIA) treatment were conducted in the Entomology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Relative efficacy of oil palm inflorescence ash at 0.625 g 125 g and 1.25 g 125 g and 3 bags layer hermetic storage technique combined with oil palm inflorescence...


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