Willingness to Pay for Centralized Modern Locust Bean Processing Equipment in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study investigated the propensity to pay for modern apparatus processing locust beans in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Utilizing primary data and a multistage sampling strategy, 240 processors were chosen for the study. The collected data were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics and an inferential statistical instrument, such as Logit and ordinary least square regression analysis. About 72 percent of processors were married and had an average of eight years of experience processing locust legumes. The majority of respondents belonged to a cooperative group (66.7%) and had no access to credit (100%). The average monthly income from processing was N18,000. The majority of respondents (65%) were unwilling to pay for the service of centralized, advanced or contemporary processing equipment. According to the results of the Logit regression analysis, the variables that significantly influence willingness to pay for the service of centralized modern locust bean processing equipment were household income and processing experience (1%), level of education and age (5%), and household size (10%). The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) analysis reveals that household size and education level were significant at the 1% level, while age and marital status were significant at the 5% level and processing experience was significant at the 1% level. The study suggests that processors ready to pay should form a formidable cooperative to secure grants or loans to establish a centralized, contemporary locust processing cottage. The government should educate processors on modern food processing and safety at all levels.

Locust bean gum hydrogels are bioadhesive and improve indole-3-carbinol cutaneous permeation: influence of the polysaccharide concentration

Abstract The locust bean gum (LBG) is a polysaccharide with thickening, stabilizing and gelling properties and it has been used in the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations. Hydrogels (HGs) are obtained from natural or synthetic materials that present interesting properties for skin application. This study aimed to develop HGs from LBG using indole-3-carbinol (I3C) as an asset model for cutaneous application. HGs were prepared by dispersing LBG (2%, 3% and 4% w/v) directly in cold water. The formulations showed content close to 0.5 mg/g (HPLC) and pH ranging from 7.25 to 7.41 (potentiometry). The spreadability factor (parallel plate method) was inversely proportional to LBG concentration. The rheological evaluation (rotational viscometer) demonstrated a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic flow behavior (Ostwald De Weale model), which is interesting for cutaneous application. The HET-CAM evaluation showed the non-irritating characteristic of the formulations. The bioadhesive potential demonstrated bioadhesion in a concentration-dependent manner. Permeation in human skin using Franz cells showed that the highest LBG concentration improved the skin distribution profile with greater I3C amounts in the viable skin layers. The present study demonstrated the feasibility of preparing HGs with LBG and the formulation with the highest polymer concentration was the most promising to transport active ingredients through the skin.

Enzymatic preparation of manno-oligosaccharides from locust bean gum and palm kernel cake, and investigations into its prebiotic activity

BACKGROUND: Manno-oligosaccharides (MOS) is known as a kind of prebiotics. Mannanase plays a key role for the degradation of mannan to produce MOS. In this study, the mannanases of glycoside hydrolase (GH) families 5 Man5HJ14 and GH26 ManAJB13 were employed to prepare MOS from locust bean gum (LBG) and palm kernel cake (PKC). The prebiotic activity and utilization of MOS were assessed in vitro using the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain. RESULTS: Galactomannan from LBG was converted to MOS ranging in size from mannose up to mannoheptose by Man5HJ14 and ManAJB13. Mannoheptose was got from the hydrolysates produced by Man5HJ14, which mannohexaose was obtained from LBG hydrolyzed by ManAJB13. However, the same components of MOS ranging in size from mannose up to mannotetrose were observed between PKC hydrolyzed by the mannanases mentioned above. MOS stability was not affected by high-temperature and high-pressure condition at their natural pH. Based on in vitro growth study, all MOS from LBG and PKC was effective in promoting the growth of L. plantarum CICC 24202, with the strain preferring to use mannose to mannotriose, rather than above mannotetrose. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of mannanases and mannan difference on MOS composition was studied. All of MOS hydrolysates showed the stability in adversity condition and prebiotic activity of L. plantarum, which would have potential application in the biotechnological applications.

Comparative Microbial Assessment of Fermented Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus) and Locust Bean (Parkia biglobossa) in Production of Daddawa.

Aim: Daddawa is a condiment traditionally produced from fermentation of locust bean (Parkia biglobossa).This study is directed at exploitation of lima bean–an underutilized but cultivated legume for production of daddawa analogue-a popular West African food condiment. Microbiological characteristics of the two condiments are compared. Methodology: Lima bean and locust bean seeds were separately heat processed and fermented into daddawa analogue and daddawa respectively. The microbial load, microbial types and their succession in fermented samples were monitored over a fermentation period of 72h. Results: Results showed that total viable bacteria count increased from 4.74 to 9.25 and 5.87 to 8.10 (log CFUg-1) within 72h of fermentation in fermenting lima bean and locust bean respectively. The bacteria isolates from the fermenting lima bean and locust bean were identified as Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. brevis, B. coagulans, B. pumilus and B. megaterium. B. licheniformis occurred virtually throughout the fermentation period in the tested legumes while B. subtilis and B. pumilus were isolated from 24th and 36th h till the end of fermentation in the fermented lima bean samples respectively. Conclusions: The study has established that daddawa produced from the two legumes have similar microbiological characteristics. Production of daddawa from locust bean has not been commercialized to date as result of unreliable source of raw material. Locust bean is presently obtained from the wild. Lima bean which is cultivated could be a sustainable raw material for this food condiment which is popular in many West African communities.

Effect of Heat Treatment and Fermentation on Anti-Nutrients Content of Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus) During Production of Daddawa Analogue.

Aim: To produce daddawa analogue (a fermented condiment) from Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) seeds which should have safe levels of anti-nutrients comparable to daddawa from locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) seeds. Design of the Study: Lima bean and locust bean seeds were separately heat-processed and subjected to natural fermentation for 72 hours to produce daddawa analogue and daddawa respectively. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food Science and Technology and Central Science Laboratory, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria between March 2010 and June 2011. Methodology: The pH, titratable acidity, and the anti-nutrients (tannin, phytate, cyanide, trypsin inhibitor) of the fermenting samples were evaluated every 12 hours during fermentation. Results: pH increased (P = .05) from 7.46 at 0 h to 8.50 after 72 h and from 7.50 at 0 h to 8.74 at 72 h of fermentation in lima bean and locust beans respectively. Titratable acidity decreased in the fermented lima beans from 0.216 at 0 h to 0.045 mg lactic acid/g at 72 h of fermentation. All anti-nutrients analyzed decreased with fermentation time. Tannin content decreased significantly (P = .05) from 19.0 ± 0.10 at 0 h to 2.0 ± 0.01mg/kg at 72 h and from 9.50 ± 0.02 at 0 h to 3.06 ± 0.01 mg/kg at 72 h of fermentation in lima beans and locust beans respectively. Fermentation significantly decreased phytate content (P = .05) from 22.0 ± 0.03 at 0 h to 7.0 ± 0.01mg/kg at 72 h in lima beans. Cyanide content decreased significantly (P = .05) from 0.97 ± 0.01 at 0 h to 0.25 ± 0.01mg/kg at 72 h and from 15.0 ± 0.05 at 0 h to 0.29 ± 0.10 mg/kg at 72 h of fermentation in lima beans and locust beans respectively. Trypsin inhibitor content also decreased significantly (P = .05) from 4.40 ± 0.10 at 0 h to 1.76 ± 0.02 mg/kg at 72 h and from 0.24 ± 0.0 at 0 h to 0.10 ± 0.1 TIU/g at 72 h of fermentation in lima beans and locust beans respectively. Conclusion: The study has shown that daddawa analogue from lima beans was comparable to daddawa from locust beans in terms of anti-nutritional contents.

Formulation, in vitro drug release and in vivo human X-ray investigation of polysaccharide based drug delivery systems for targeting 5-fluorouracil to the colon

The purpose of this research study was to develop 5-fluorouracil compression coated tablets by using biodegradable polysaccharide polymer locust bean gum (LBG) and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as coating materials. The fast disintegrating core tablets containing 50 mg of 5-fluorouracil were compression coated with LBG and HPMC in different ratios (8:1, 7:2 and 6:3) with a coat weight of 300, 400 and 500 mg. In vitro dissolution data indicated that the formulation (CLH63) with a coat weight of 500 mg containing LBG and HPMC in the ratio 6:3 gave the best release profile (0% in first 5 hour and 96.18% in 24 hours). DSC and FTIR results indicated no possibility of interaction between drug and polymers or other excipients. In vivo human X-ray studies revealed that formulation CLH63 was able to resist breakdown in the stomach and small intestine. The disintegration of the tablet occurred in the colon between 8 to 16 hours of post dose. By the present study, it can be concluded that the LBG and HPMC based compression coated tablets of 5-fluorouracil will be useful strategy for colonic delivery of 5-fluorouracil without being released in upper gastrointestinal region for the safe and effective management of colon cancer.

O propósito desta pesquisa foi desenvolver comprimidos revestidos de fluoruracila utilizando polissacarídio biodegradável polymer locust bean gum (LBG) e hidroxipropilmetil celulose (HPMC) como materiais de revestimento. Os comprimidos de desintegração rápida contendo 50 mg de fluoruracila foram revestidos por compressão com LBG e HPMC em diferentes proporções (8:1, 7:2 e 6:3), com peso de cobertura de 300, 400 e 500 mg. Os dados da dissolução in vitro indicaram que a formulação (CLH63) com peso de cobertura de 500 mg contendo LBG e HPMC na proporção de 6:3 forneceu o melhor perfil de liberação (0% nas primeiras 5 horas e 96,18% em 24 horas). Os resultados de DSC e de FTIR não indicaram interação entre o fármaco e os polímeros ou outros excipientes. Os estudos de raios X in vivo revelaram que a formulação CLH63 foi capaz de resistir à quebra no estômago e no intestino delgado. A desintegração do comprimido ocorreu no cólon, entre 8 e 16 horas após a administração da dose. Pelo presente estudo, concluiu-se que os comprimidos de fluoruracila revestidos com LBG e HPMC por compressão se constituirão em estratégia útil na liberação de fluoruracila no cólon, para o tratamento seguro e efetivo do câncer de cólon, sem que o fármaco seja liberado na região gastrointestinal superior.