ABSTRACT Pollution of aquatic ecosystems with heavy metals is now of global concern due to their effects on human health and persistence in the environment. The study was carried out to determine the heavy metal pollution in Sebakwe River Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. To provide information on heavy metals chromium, lead, copper, magnesium and iron concentrations in water and sediments, samples were collected at five sites in January 2019 and in February 2019. The samples were acid digested and analysed ...
ABSTRACT Candida species are the most common cause of fungal infections in humans. Candida species produce infections that range from non life-threatening mucocutaneous illnesses to invasive processes that may involve virtually any organ and this broad range of infections. Candida albicans coexists with a highly diverse human bacterial microbiota. Candida tropicalis is a common pathogen in neutropenic hosts in whom it may spread through the bloodstream to peripheral organs. Candida tropicalis...
ABSTRACT Use of sewage sludge and effluent in cultivation of crops and vegetables is a common practice in Zimbabwe. However, high concentrations of heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd) in sewage sludge and effluent does not only result in environmental contamination, but may lead to elevated heavy metal uptake by crops, which may affect food quality and safety. The current study aimed to investigate if high concentration of Cd in sludge and effluent from Gimboki Sewage Treatment Plant translates...
ABSTRACT Acacia species are indigenous trees which are of great importance in Zimbabwe. They can be used for various purposes for example making pulp and tannin, as cattle feed, as fuel (charcoal and wood) and for timber production which can be used for construction purposes. However, Acacia species are being affected by Viscum articulatum in Zimbabwe especially in Greystone Park, Mazowe district, Glen Lorne and some parts of Midlands province. At present, Acacia trees affected by the Viscum ...
ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of produced water from an oil exploration company in Rivers State on the blood, gills and liver of Juvenile African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Seventy Juvenile African Catfish were separated into 7 groups (10 per treatment) and used for the study. The juveniles were exposed to three varying concentrations of fresh and stale produced water (2.5ml/l, 5.0ml/l and 10.0ml/l) for a period of 3weeks. At the end of the test period, haematological, bioc...
Abstract A common molecular variant of the angiotensinogen gene had been reported to predispose some ethnic groups to hypertension. This case-control study was designed to determine the frequency and association of the angiotensinogen M235T al1ele with hypertension in residents of Calabar and Uyo cities, south-south Nigeria. The study involved 1308 subjects, 612 patients and 696 controls. The M235T variant was investigated using an allele specific polymerase chain reaction and enzymatic diges...
ABSTRACT Pito is a traditional alcoholic beverage that is mostly brewed in the three northern regions of Ghana. Although widely consumed and used during many festivities, poor shelf-life limits its economic potential as an income generating venture for most women. The study was carried out to improve the shelf life through the addition of Moringa oleifera leaf extract and pasteurization. The study was in two phases, that is, the extract level testing phase and the storage phase. The former ...
ABSTRACT Orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) is an important root crop capable of ameliorating vitamin A deficiency that is a public health concern in Sub Saharan Africa. However, most of the OFSP cultivars have relatively short shelf life largely due to improper pre-and post- harvest management. This study investigated the effect of two curing (field-piled and in- ground) and two household-level storage (sand box and heap) methods on the shelf life of two OFSP cultivars (Apomuden and Nane) in...
ABSTRACT Honey remains a valued natural product and has been used by humans as an important food source and for disease treatment since ancient times. Honey is often considered a healthy substitute to sugar. However, recent reports on adulteration of honey, and honey polluted with contaminants like pesticides, antibiotics, heavy metals as well as microorganisms have gained public attention. This news has instigated public fear on the consumption of honey since it is perceived to be sterile a...
ABSTRACT Studies on the biosorption potentials of Zea mays cobs and Musa paradisiaca peels in the treatment of waste effluent from paint industry, was carried out. Standard laboratory procedures using 400 ml of the effluent were adopted to assess the values of Pb, Fe, Cland PO4, BOD and TDS at pH 6.7 and pH 10.0 before and after treatment of the effluent with 1g and 3g of pulverized corn cobs and plantain peels. Standard procedures were adopted for the phytochemical screening of the biosorbe...
ABSTRACT The composite soymilk yogurt flavoured with pineapple as sweetener was produced from composite blend of dano milk and soymilk. It was pasteurized at 850c for 5 minutes. It was cooled , homogenized and inoculated with mixed yogurt starter culture of Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus at 250c for 24 hours. The proximate, physicochemical properties and sensory evaluation of the composite yogurt were determined. In the proximate, the study reveals that the combin...
ABSTRACT Increased oxidative stress arising from the maternal hyperglycemic-induced disturbances in fetal metabolism has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of disturbed embryogenesis in diabetic pregnancies. Maternal diabetes in pregnancy and the associated hyperglycemia is also believed to expose the fetus to disturbed metabolic conditions in-utero creating a ‘metabolic memory’ that programs the fetus for glucose intolerance, diabetes mellitus and obesity later in life. ...
Abstract Algae are large and diverse group of microorganisms that can carry out photosynthesis since they are able to capture energy from sun light. Algae may range in size from single cells as small as one micrometer to large seaweeds that grow to over 50 meters. Algae grow in the wide and are prompt to attack by predators and can easily be invaded which could result to competition that will eventually lead to low production of biomass which are important to organisms and the ecosystem. C...
The composite soymilk yogurt flavoured with pineapple as sweetener was produced from composite blend of dano milk and soymilk. It was pasteurized at 850c for 5 minutes. It was cooled , homogenized and inoculated with mixed yogurt starter culture of Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus at 250c for 24 hours. The proximate, physicochemical properties and sensory evaluation of the composite yogurt were determined. In the proximate, the study reveals that the combination of da...