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Aim: Optimizing plant growth regulators in the manipulation of growth physiology, development and seed yield of pigeon pea landraces is cardinal, especially as it complements other improvement techniques. The research was aimed at evaluating the effect of IAA, NAA and paclobutrazol singly and in combination, but especially paclobutrazol in reducing plant height. Methods: Thirty (30) seeds each of brown “Fiofio” [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] were soaked in 0, 100, and 150mg/l concentration of IAA, NAA, paclobutrazol, paclobutrazol + IAA and paclobutrazol + NAA, respectively for 48 hours. Results: Results obtained revealed that treating pigeon pea seeds with paclobutrazol caused reduction in plant height and inter-node length, which did not translate to higher yield. However, plants raised from pigeon pea seeds soaked in 100 and 150 mg/l paclobutrazol + NAA did excellently well in both yield and yield – related traits. Conclusion: The implication of these findings is that though treating seeds with paclobutrazol caused significant reduction in plant height and increased branch numbers, it needed to interact with NAA to cause holistic improvement, especially in seed yield.
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In this study, stem bark extracts of Cylicodiscus gabunensis, Nauclea latifolia and Araliopsis soyauxii were investigated for possible adverse effects on male reproductive organs and sex hormones of male albino rats of about eleven weeks weighing between 120-180g. The total of twenty eight rats were divided into seven groups (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) with four rats in each group. Two levels of each plant extract 125mg/kg body weight (BW) and 225 mg/kg BW (low and high dose) were administered to the rats by oral intubation. Group A served as the control and were fed with normal commercial feed only, group B and C were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of C. gabunensis, group D and E were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of N. latifolia while F and G were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of A. soyauxii. The results of the phytochemical screening showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the bioactive components of the three plants. The results obtained on the reproductive organs showed no significant effect (p>0.05) on organ weight (testes and epididymides) semen pH, sperm count and sperm head abnormality among the different groups but there were differences (p<0.05) in sperm motility and sperm viability in the different groups of the rat. On the hormonal analysis, the sex hormones under this study were generally decreased (p<0.05) as the concentration of each extract
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Aim: Humans and animals interact with their environments on a daily basis and, as a consequence, are exposed to a broad spectrum of synthesized chemicals present in the food they eat, the air they breathe and the water they drink including glyphosate. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of glyphosate on the sperm dynamics of male albino rats and the protective effects of ascorbic acid. Methods: Twenty five mature male albino rats were weighed and divided into five groups in a completely randomized design (CRD). Group 1 rats served as the control. Rats in groups 2 and 4 received 250ml/kg and 500ml/kg of glyphosate while groups 3 and 5 rats were administered with 250ml/kg and 500ml/kg of glyphosate and 200mg/kg of ascorbic acid, respectively, which were administered orally using oral gavages. The treatment regimen lasted for 65 days. Results: Our results showed that there were significant adverse effects (P<0.05) of glyphosate treatment on sperm parameters and the cyto-architecture of the gonad, which showed disruption in the seminiferous tubules, necrotic germinal epithelium and clumped Leydig cells. However, administering the rats with ascorbic acid caused significant ameliorating effects on the parameters investigated. Conclusion: Succinctly, glyphosate exposure to animals is detrimental to their reproductive physiology, including the cellular integrity of the gonads. This not notwithstanding, administering the affected animals with ascorbic acids might reduce the toxicity inflicted by the glyphosate.
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The assessment of heavy metals (lead and mercury) and by-product (sulphur) on fried food sold by roadside food vendors in Calabar; Nigeria were investigated. The food samples which were covered and uncovered after frying were obtained randomly from 20 street food vendors. The food samples were obtained from 10 busy roads and 10 non- busy roads in Calabar; Nigeria. The busy roads were those roads that recorded more than 20 cars per minute; while the non-busy roads recorded less than 10 cars per minute. The result showed that the busy roads had significant (P0.05) higher depositions of heavy metals and by-products than the non-busy roads. Lead deposits on the food samples was significantly (P0.05) higher than the amount of mercury and significantly (P0.05) higher than the amount of sulphur deposit. The amount of sulphur deposit on the food samples was significantly higher (P0.05) than mecury. The food samples that was uncovered after frying had a significantly higher (P0.05) deposit of heavy metal and by-product than the food samples that were covered after frying. This result suggest that fried foods vended in calabar by the road-side have a serious public health concern
Subject(s)
Commerce , Food , Food Contamination , Lead , Mercury , SulfurABSTRACT
The evaluation of heavy metals in canned meat and fish foods sold in Calabar; Nigeria was investigated. Ten samples from six different brands of canned meat and fish sold in Calabar were obtained from randomly selected markets and grocery shops. Each of the different sample types were then pooled together brand-wise and then evaluated for heavy metal deposits; lead; Mercury; Arsenic and cadmium; using standard techniques. Lead level in canned fish (0.988mg/kg); (0.816mg/kg) in meat were significantly higher (P
Subject(s)
Commerce , Food , MetalsABSTRACT
The chemical and biological evaluation of fried plantain sold by roadside vendors was investigated. Twentyone male wister albino rats weighing between 35g to 80g were divided into three groups of seven rats each. Group 1 (control) rats were fed with plantain fried with fresh vegetable oil (FVO); Group 2 rats were fed plantain fried with 7 days used oil (degraded oil; DO); and Group 3 rats were fed with plantain fried with degraded oil but treated with antioxidant vitamin C (TDO). After 11 wks of feeding; the rats were anaesthetized with chloroform and dissected. The livers were removed; weighed; crushed and centrifuged in normal saline to obtain homogenates that were used for analysis of total protein and total lipids. The results showed a significant decrease (p
Subject(s)
Commerce , Musa/chemistry , RatsABSTRACT
Consumer awareness of safe food handling in food service establishments was investigated. The survey was carried out using 500 questionnaires administered at different food establishments in Calabar; Nigeria. The return rate of questionnaires was 74. The survey result revealed that people who eat out regularly claimed that the standard of food hygiene in food establishments was important to them when deciding where to dine. 67of respondents had concerns/ complaints about the hygiene standards of food establishments they used. 78of consumers believed that they have the right to receive information on hygiene standards of eating places. Most would welcome a reliable system to help them judge hygiene standards. About 65thought there was inadequate consumer information on hygiene standard of eating places. If access to information was made easier; 59of respondents claimed they would eat out more often. Respondents preferred the use of scores to inform them on hygiene standards. Generally; consumers claimed to be unaware of food safety standards in food service establishments. The result therefore showed that the Nigerian consumer basically judged food safety in terms of sensory perception and lacked any form of judgment based on microbiological safety
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Awareness , Food Handling , Food Safety , Food ServicesABSTRACT
Background: Enuresis is a common problem in children. The impact upon the lives of children and their families is often underestimated. Aim: The study was to determine the prevalence; causes and effect of enuresis among students in Port Harcourt. Methods : A survey of junior and senior students from 2 secondary schools in Port Harcourt Local Government area was done using self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 491 students between the ages of 10-21years were studied. There were 248 (50.5) females and 243(49.5) males. Nocturnal enuresis (NE) was reported in 124(25.3) students; out of which 59(47.6) had primary NE. NE was significantly more in males than in females and in those from polygamous homes(c2=7.29; df = 1; p0.01 and c2 ) students. Non-organic causes of secondary NE include parental separation 12 (9.7); divorce 16 (12.9) and death in the family 4 (3.2). Enuresis affected 75 (60.5) of the students; as well as their parents. Fifty (40.3) students felt embarrassed about bedwetting and in 27 (21.8) students the parents were very angry and had to beat them. Treatment offered included prayers in 44 (35.6) and waking at night in 15 (12.1). Conclusion: Enuresis is a common problem among secondary students in Port Harcourt. Secondary nocturnal enuresis is more prevalent; and stressful to both the sufferer and the parents