bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of cross compatibility in three strains of <i>Pleurotus species </i>and yield attributes of the surviving progenies
Authors: Ogunleye R.I. , Bankole F.A. , Olaoye G. , Fawole O.B. 
Published: August 2020

Despite the upsurge in mushroom consumption in Nigeria, breeding of new strains for improved quality, early maturity and biological efficiency is a new concept. This study investigated cross-compatibility among three mushroom parental strains (Pleurotus ostreatus, P. tuber-regium and Lentinus edodes) and assessed yield attributes in parents and the progenies of compatible strains – (P. ostreatus and L. edodes). The crosses were carried out at the Department of Biology, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria using the dual culture technique. Among the twenty-seven combinations, only five (5) hybridized successfully. Crosses between P. tuber-regium and the other two strains (P. ostreatus and L. edodes) failed to yield viable progenies while the cross between P. ostreatus (po) and L. edodes (le) yielded five (5) new strains. Data collected on morphological and yield attributes of the compatible parents and the new strains revealed that three (3) strains (po1 x le1, po3 x le2 and po3 x le3) produced white fluffy colony growth morphology which represented the characters of P. ostreatus while the remaining two strains (po2 x le1 and po2 x le3) had milky, appressed morphology, representing the attributes of L. edodes. The strain from cross combination po3 x le3 completed spawn run in 37 days which was the fastest (ρ < 0.05) among the strains and also exhibited superiority (ρ < 0.05 or ρ < 0.01) for all other attributes including fresh yield and biological efficiency over other strains and the two parents. Two other strains viz. po2 x le3 and po3 x le2 also exhibited significantly (ρ < 0.05) higher yield and biological efficiency than either of the parental strains. These new strains can be exploited for commercial production of improved mushrooms in Nigeria.
Key words: Cross Compatibility, Pleurotus, Dual Culture, Yield, Biology efficiency
Analysis of the poverty status of cashew farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria
Authors: Pelemo J.J. , Mohammed U. , Omaku M. , Opara S. , Nnachukwu V.C. 
Published: August 2020

The study examined the poverty status of cashew farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. A sample size of 210 cashew farmers was selected using the Yamane formula. Structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Foster Greer Thobecke model. The findings revealed that 94.3% of the cashew farmers were of the male gender. The mean age of cashew farmers was 54.6 years. The mean years spent in formal education among cashew farmers was seven years while the mean farm size of cashew farmers was 6.1 hectares. The average income of cashew farmers over a period of 12 months was N134,517.14 while the poverty line was N 89,678.09. The FGT poverty measure showed that 24.8% of cashew farmers were living below poverty line. The poverty depth was 23.14% while poverty severity was 8.7%. The major constraints faced by cashew farmers were poor storage facilities and inadequate capital. It is recommended that government should provide storage and processing facilities in order to minimize the loss encountered by cashew farmers. Good and accessible feeder roads should be constructed for farmers and relevant extension sevices on cashew production should be provided to increase cashew output
Keywords: Poverty, Cashew, Farmers, Constraints
Susceptibility of ten pepper breeding lines to cucumber mosaic virus disease
Authors: Adama C.J. , Salaudeen M.T. , Bello L.Y. , Anyaoha C.O. , Abdullahi A.A. 
Published: August 2020

Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a major vegetable of global importance. Its production is however affected by varying biotic and abiotic stresses. Virus infections possess a genuine danger to pepper cultivation in Nigeria and all over the world resulting in over 50 % yield losses. Thus, the need to subject available pepper germplasm to screening against virus diseases for possible identification of resistant genes which may be used in breeding programmes to obtain improved lines that are high yielding. This study was undertaken to evaluate the growth and performances of ten pepper breeding lines under cucumber mosaic virus disease. The experiment was laid out in completely randomised design with five replications. Ten pepper breeding lines were evaluated as healthy and inoculated with cucumber mosaic virus and evaluated for their responses. Data were recorded for disease incidence, severity, growth and yield attributes. The data were subjected to analysis of variance. The results revealed that NHPK/D6-1-1 which showed mild disease incidence (36.7 % on average) with an average severity (score = 2.2), produced the highest number of leaves per plant (13) and branches (8) under diseased condition was the least vulnerable. The CMV-infected breeding lines were fruitless except for NHPK/D6-1-1 and NHPK/21-4-1-2 which produced an average of 2 fruits per plant. The selection of NHPK/D6-1-1 and NHPK/21-4-1-2 for further evaluation is therefore recommended for possible CMV-tolerant genes. The identification of virus-resistant breeding lines would provide more effective control of virus diseases in pepper production.
Keywords: Capsicum annuum; Cucumber mosaic virus; Breeding lines; NHPK
Sustainable efficiencies in small scale cassava farmers in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Akpan S.B. , Udo U.J. , Okon U.E. 
Published: August 2020

This study derived sustainable technical, economic and allocative efficiencies from a set of efficiencies generated from the maximum likelihood estimation of stochastic production and profit functions fitted with data collected from small scale cassava farmers. The study was conducted in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling method was employed to select choose respondents’ to which structured questionnaire was administered to obtain the necessary information for the study. The result revealed an average sustainable technical efficiency of 81.60%, 30.40% for profit efficiency and 38.40% for allocative efficiency. Results further showed that farming experience, membership in social organization, years of formal education, farm capital and farm size were the positive determinants of sustainable technical efficiency while household size, number of female cultivating cassava, poor farming households and the use of organic manure were negative. In the same Vein, farming experience, education farm size, gender and the use of tillage technology were identified as positive determinants of sustainable economic or profit efficiency while household size and quantity of fertilizer use had negative impacts. Similarly, cassava farmers’ farm size, age, educational level, farming experience, gender and the use of tillage technology impacted positively on sustainable allocative efficiency while household size and the quantity of fertilizer have negative relationships. In order to achieve sustainability of small scale cassava farms, it is recommended that social capital formation should be intensified among cassava farmers. Also, adult education and family planning programmes for farmers should be fine-tuned in the state for effective delivery among others.
Keywords: Cassava, Technical efficiency, economic efficiency, allocative efficiency, sustainability.
Sedimentologic, Heavy Mineral and Provenance Studies of the Cretaceous Sediments in the Auchi Area of the Anambra Basin
Authors: Ilegieuno O.A. , Ighodaro E.J. , Sunny R.O. 
Published: August 2020

The Upper Cretaceous Deposits of the Anambra Basin has a part of its sedimentary rock deposited in the Auchi area of Edo State. Geologic field and Sedimentological studies carried out on twenty eight (28) selected samples from a section of a road–cut show that the sediments range from fine through medium to coarse grained. Morphoscopic studies reveal subangular to subrounded outline of sand particles. These coupled with the various colours observed in the sediment, ranging from whitish sand through yellowish brown, pink and reddish brown possibly indicate a non–marine environment and a fluviatile to deltaic environment of sedimentation is suggested. Heavy mineral assemblage made up mainly of opaque, andalusite, zircon, hornblend, sphene and epidote suggest derivation from the Precambrian Igneous and medium to high grade metamorphic rocks of the underlying Basement Complex of Nigeria.
Keywords: Sedimentology, Cretaceous, Morphoscopic, Heavy Mineral, Provenance
Assessment of Environmental Radioactivity Level and its Health Implication in Imiringi Community Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Authors: Anekwe U.L. , Onoja R.A. 
Published: August 2020

A total forty two (42) sampled points were investigated for radioactivity level and health implication using standard method. The exposure dose rate ranged from 14 to 32μRh-1 with an average value of μ23Rh-1. Dose rate and equivalent dose rate ranged from 121.8 to 278.4nGyh-1 and 1.18 to 2.69mSvy-1 respectively. The average value of the indoor annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), outdoor AEDE, and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were computed to be 0.936 mSvy-1, 0.311 mSvy-1 and 0.810 x 10-3 respectively. Analysis of dose to human organs; testes and ovaries, were 0.61 and 0.43 mSvy-1 respectively. Exposure rate, dose rate and ELCR exceeded the recommended values. All the outdoor AEDEs were within the permissible value of 1.0 mSvy-1 for general public and below the limit of 20 mSvy-1 for radiological workers as recommended by InternationalCommission on Radiation Protection (ICRP).
Keywords: Assessment, Environmental radioactivity, Exposure dose, Health impact
Biodegradation Studies of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) Compounds by <i>Gliocladium sp.</i> and <i>Aspergillus terreus</i>
Authors: Usman N. , Atta H.I. , Tijjani M.B. 
Published: August 2020

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are monoaromatic hydrocarbons found frequently in petroleum and its derivatives; and they are among the most important pollutants of soil and groundwater. This study focused on harnessing the enzymatic capabilities of filamentous fungi Gliocladium sp. and Aspergillus terreus, dwelling in a petroleum-contaminated soil to degrade benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) compounds. The biodegradation experiment was carried out using the fungi individually and in consortium in a batch culture containing mineral salts medium supplemented with 1% v/v BTEX. The experiments were carried out in triplicates at room temperature on a rotary shaker (180rpm) for twenty five days and aliquots were taken on a five day interval to determine the hydrocarbon utilizing fungal (HUF) count and residual BTEX in order to monitor the rate of biodegradation. The hydrocarbon utilizing fungal counts were determined by direct counting using a Neubauer Haemocytometer while, the residual BTEX was determined using absorbance values measured using a spectrophotometer and the corresponding concentrations determined from a standard curve. The highest percentage degradation of BTEX was observed with Aspergillus terreus (89.1%) while, the least was observed with Gliocladium sp. (84.4%). The growth peak was attained on the 15th day in all treatments after which the HUF counts declined. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean amounts of BTEX degraded and hydrocarbon-utilizing fungal counts between the treatments. The strains of Gliocladium sp. and Aspergillus terreus used in this study showed high ability for BTEX degradation thus, they are potential candidates for bioremediation of soils contaminated with monoaromatic hydrocarbons.
Keywords: Biodegradation, BTEX, Gliocladium sp., Aspergillus terreus, Monoaromatic hydrocarbons
Non-Heme Iron Content and Antioxidant Activities of Wistar Rats Fed Aqueous Extract of <i>Elaeis guineensis </i>(Banga Soup) Cooked Using Different Utensils
Authors: Otuaga E.J. , Okpoghono J. , George B.O. 
Published: August 2020

Cooking utensils may leach toxic metals or trace elements into food. Iron is an essential nutrient and both iron deficiency and iron excess can affect optimal health. The aim of the study was to determine non-heme iron (NHI) and some antioxidant parameters of rats fed banga soup (BS) prepared using different utensils. Twentyfive Wistar albino rats were used for the study. They were allowed to acclimatize for one week before commencement of the experiment. Group 1 served as control. Rats in Group 2, 3, 4 and 5 were administered BS cooked using cast iron pot (CIP), aluminium pot (AP), blended mixture (BM) of BS and aqueous tween 80 respectively. Rats in Group 1 to 5 received tap water daily and standard laboratory diet (feed) throughout the experiment period of 28 days. There were no significant difference in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, albumin (Alb) and total protein (TP) in the serum and liver of the entire experimental Groups. Significant decrease were observed in total phenol content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and ascorbic oxidase (AO) activity in the serum and NHI content in the serum, liver and kidney of Group 2, 3 and 4 when compared with Group 1 and 5.
Keywords: Banga soup; non-heme iron; antioxidant; aluminium pot; cast iron pot
GC-MS analysis and Mitochondrial Functionality Potential of the Fruits of<i>Tetrapleura tetraptera</i> By Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity Assay
Authors: Alaribe Chinwe S. , Oladipupo Akolade R. , Ojo-Nosakhare Osamede , Kehinde Omotayo , Ogunlaja Adeniyi S. 
Published: August 2020

The use of antioxidants has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of mitochondrial dysfunction and other oxidative stress-related degenerative pathologies. Tetrapleura tetraptera is a well-known tree and its fruit is applied traditionally as spice and in the preparation of remedies for different ailments. In this study, the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and mitochondrial functionality potential of T. tetraptera fruits were investigated. GC-MS was used to detect compounds in then-hexane and ethanol extracts of T. tetraptera fruits. Cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assay was used to evaluate the mitochondrial functionality potential of the ethanol extract. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of six compounds in then-hexane extract of T. tetraptera fruits. These compounds were detected in trace quantities, the most abundant being 2,3-dimethyl-3-buten-2-ol (0.04%). The compounds: cis-vaccenic acid (35.37%), n-hexadecanoic acid (28.09%), 6-octadecenoic acid (25.21%), and octadecanoic acid (11.33%) were identified in the ethanol extract of the fruits. Consequently, the ethanol extract was subjected to CUPRAC assay. The ethanol extract exhibited a concentration-dependent high cupric reducing capacity, returning CUPRAC values in the range of 0.090 to 0.403 at the concentration of 10 – 80 μg/ml. This activity was comparable to that of the positive control, naringenin, which showed CUPRAC values of 0.059 – 0.378 at the same concentrations. These results indicate that T. tetraptera fruits possess good antioxidant property as evaluated by other related antioxidant assays. This could be attributed to a synergistic effect of the phytochemical constituents. Hence consumption of T. tetraptera fruits could be beneficial for the prevention of mitochondrial dysfunction and other oxidative stress-related degenerative disorders.
Keywords: Tetrapleura tetraptera, mitochondrial dysfunction, degenerative disorders, CUPRAC, GC-MS, Nigeria
Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial studies of <I>Lannea egregia</I> Engl. & K. Krause (Anacardiaceae) extracts and chromatographic fractions
Authors: Idowu Philip A. , Ekemezie Loveth C. , Olaiya Charles O. 
Published: August 2020

Screening ‘new’ medicinal plants of traditional importance for bioactive components is a sure way of discovering novel therapeutic agents to treat diseases. This study, therefore investigated the presence of phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial components of the extracts of Lannea egregia. Phytochemical screening was done by standard methods. Antibacterial activity of the extracts of Lannea egregia was determined by agar well diffusion method while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by agar dilution method. The antioxidant capacity of the crude extracts was determined through the evaluation of total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, ferric reducing power, total antioxidant capacity and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl. The phytochemical screening of the different parts of this plant revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, emodins, phlobatannins, anthocyanins, coumarins and phenolics. Phlobatannins was observed to be absent in the stem bark. The crude extracts obtained from the leaves, stem bark and roots of this plant exhibited good antibacterial activity against typed strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The diameter of the zone of inhibition ranged from 9.0 to 26.0 mm at 100 mg/mL for all the plant parts. The ethyl acetate leaf extract of this plant possessed the highest antibacterial activity with MIC and MBC values of the range of (3.125 to ˃50 mg/mL) and (12.5 to ˃50 mg/mL) respectively. The zone inhibition of the chromatographic fractions of both plants ranged 15-23 mm. Antioxidant study of the extracts of the leaf of L. egregia revealed that the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts have good antioxidant potentials comparable to that of ascorbic acid control. This study has revealed that the extracts from different parts of L. egregia possess good antibacterial and antioxidant activities which could be a function of the various phytochemicals detected in the plant.
Keywords: Lannea egregia, Phytochemical, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Column chromatography.
Silver Sulphadiazine- xanthan gum- hyaluronic Acid Composite Hydrogel for Wound Healing: Formulation Development and <I>in vivo</I> Evaluation
Authors: Ilomuanya M.O. , Seriki Z.A. , Ubani-Ukoma U.N. , Oseni B.A. , Silva B.O. 
Published: August 2020

Background: Development and modifications of hybrid hydrogels have been done to improve biological properties or to decrease the disadvantages of biomaterials.Objectives: The efficacy of hyaluronic acid in combination with silver sulphadiazine in wound healing was investigated. The retaining properties of xanthan gum to aid re- epithelialization was also explored.Materials and Method: Four hybrid hydrogels comprising of different concentrations of xanthan gum, eugenol and antimicrobial agents – hyaluronic acid and silver sulphadiazine were formulated. The physicochemical properties of the gels were assessed, and the antimicrobial effectiveness of the different hydrogel were determined using the extent of wound closure as an index.Results: The hydrogel samples had approximately 90% moisture content with rate of evaporation between 26- 32% for a 5 h period at 37oC. The pH of all formulations was between 7.59 - 8.05 considering that the formulation would be applied to underlying tissues of the skin. The swelling index after a 12 h period in distilled water was 10% for HX 1, 27% for HX 2, 29% for HX 3 and 30% for HX 4. There was no new peak observed in the FTIR analysis to indicate formation of new bonds.Conclusion: Incorporation of silver sulphadiazine at 0.1% and hyaluronic acid at 1.5% in the formulation yielded the best results with regards to least presence of inflammatory cell infiltrates and excellent wound closure at 14 days compared to the control and other formulations. Further investigation may be required for clinical use as an effective wound dressing material.
Keywords: Silver sulphadiazine, Xanthan gum, Hyaluronic acid, Hydrogels, Wound healing.
Anthelmintic Activity of <I>Nauclea diderrichii</I> Leaf Extracts and Fractions Against Adult <I>Haemonchus placei</I>
Authors: Aderibigbe S.A. , Oyeniran O.S. , Idowu S.O. 
Published: August 2020

Background: Nauclea diderrichii is used in West and Central Africa countries for its insecticidal and antiparasitic properties. There is, however, no documentation on its activity against parasitic nematodes.Objectives: This study investigated N. diderrichii leaf extracts and fractions for anthelmintic activity against adult Haemonchus placei, an abomasal parasitic worm that infect cattle.Materials and Method: Pulverized dried leaves of N. diderrichii was defatted using n-hexane, followed by successive extraction using chloroform and acetone. The extracts were evaluated for anthelmintic activity by incubating ten (10) adult H. placei in a range of concentrations (1 ̶ 20 mg/mL) for 3h and then counting the number of confirmed dead worms. The most active extract was subjected to chromatographic fractionation, and the thin layer chromatographic (TLC) profile of the fractions was documented. The dried fractions were then evaluated for anthelmintic activity and anthelmintic data were fitted to a non-linear regression equation (Log [extract or fraction] vs. response; variable slope) to produce best-fit sigmoidal curves and LC50 values computed.Results: Anthelmintic assay shows that acetone extract is worm-active with a best-fit LC50 of 16.24 mg/mL, while the chloroform extract was inactive. Fractionation of the acetone extract yielded three fractions (FA, FB and FC) and TLC profile revealed the various secondary metabolites in the fractions. Of the fractions, only fraction B was active against H. placei with LC50 of 12.24 mg/mL.Conclusion: Acetone extract of N. diderrichii leaf possessed anthelmintic activity against adult H. placei, and could be useful as anthelmintic phytomedicine to deworm cattle.
Keywords: Anthelmintic, Haemonchus placei, Nauclea diderrichii, Chromatography
Hydrochemical Characteristics and Groundwater Quality Evaluation of Roni Area, Northwestern Nigeria
Authors: Idris M.A. , Rufa’i S.A. , Dandogo K.A. 
Published: August 2020

Rapid population growth rate in the study area results to an increasing demand of water for various uses. It necessitated the geoscientists to evaluate the water quality of the area for potability. Twenty (20) water samples were collected using plastic bottles and properly labelled. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) were used to analyse the water quality. The in-situ measured parameters of water are mostly within limit of NIS, 2007 and WHO, 2011. Cations and anions analyses revealed, they were within the range of acceptable standard, except higher concentration of Fe2+, Pb2+and Mn2+which might have resulted from acidic water of the area and weathering of silicate minerals. The cations preponderance is of the order Na+> K+ ˃Mg2+> Ca2+> while for the anions dominance are HCO3− > Cl- > SO42-. The dominant water facies are Na+-HCO3−. These facies might have sources from rock-water interaction of silicate minerals. Wilcox plot of salinity hazard of the water samples indicated that, the water of the area is good for irrigation. It can be classified, the value of electrical conductivity of 0 – 250 excellent, 250 – 750 good, 750 – 2250 doubtful and ˃ 2250 μS/cm unsuitable. Field study and petrographic analysis revealed that, the area is underlain by three (3) major rocks units which are muscovite schist, porphyritic granite, sandstone (Chad Formation) with quartzite occurring as the minor lithology.
Keywords: Hydrochemical characteristics, ground water, water quality, concentration, electrical conductivity