Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of soy-based allochthonous nutrient inputs on intensively cultured female Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) brooder’s growth performance and on the in-dwelling net microplanktonic populations

Olaleye, V. F.*, Adewumi, A. A., Adedeji A. A. and Ogbogu S. S.

Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Accepted 08 January, 2019

Abstract

Portions of soybean meal autoclaved at 116°C and 1.2 kg/cm² pressure for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min were used to compound 4 experimental diets appropriately labeled SB₁₀, SB₁₅, SB₂₀, SB₂₅ and SB₃₀ respectively. The experimental diets were fed to Clarias gariepinus female broodstocks intensively for 84 days. During the experimental period, the female fish broodstock growth performance as well as the water and the in-dwelling net microplanktonic quality were monitored. The feed inputs into the different culture media ranged between 13,759 g (SB₁₅) and 15, 649 g (SB₁₀). The highest weight gain was recorded in the female broodfish fed diet SB₂₅. The assayed water quality parameters for the different treatment culture media were not statistically different from each other (P > 0.05). Four (4) phytoplank-tonic phyla containing 7 orders with 30 species were recorded in the various media receiving the different feed inputs. The richest floristic composition with 21 species and a Margalef’s Richness Index (R¹) of 1.66 was obtained in the culture medium that received SB₂₅ feed input. Twenty (20) micro-invertebrate species belonging to 2 phyla and 4 orders were recorded in the various media during the period of study. The rotifers (Order: Ploima) with 16 species dominated the microinvertebrate fauna. Results also showed that the culture medium which received SB₂₅ diet had the highest micro-invertebrate fauna with 19 species.

Key words: Soybean, feed input, Clarias gariepinus, water quality, microplankton.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Copper, selenium and zinc content of canned and non-canned beverages in Nigeria

Orisakwe, O. E.*, Oragwu, C. I., Maduabuchi, J. M. U., Nzegwu, C. N. and Nduka, J. K. C.

College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, P. M. B. 5001, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Accepted 09 January, 2019

Abstract

The levels of copper, selenium and zinc in beverages purchased in Nigeria were studied. Fifty samples of these beverages were digested in nitric acid and were analyzed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The zinc levels ranged from 0.0 - 1.34 mg/L for the canned and 0.01 - 1.11 mg/L for the non-canned beverages. All had zinc levels below the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 5.0 mg/l set by United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The selenium levels ranged from 0.24 - 1.67 mg/L for the canned and 0.07 - 1.23 mg/L for non-canned beverages. 20 out of 21 (95%) canned beverages had selenium levels that exceeded the MCL whereas 90% of the non-canned products had selenium levels above the MCL. The copper levels ranged from 0.04 - 3.55 mg/L for the canned and 0.04 - 3.20 mg/L for non-canned beverages. 11 out a total of 21 (52%) canned beverages had copper levels that exceeded the MCL. 45% of the non-canned products had copper levels above the MCL. The mean and median values of copper and selenium exceeded the MCL in the beverages whereas the zinc levels did not exceed the MCL. The calculated amount of copper, selenium and zinc in three beverages were 14.57, 5.96 and 5.31 mg respectively. The worst-case scenario is assumed here to estimate the weekly intakes of Cu, Se and Zn, and results seem to pose some concern. 48 and 92% of the 50 beverages studied in March 2005 in Nigeria failed to meet the US EPA criteria for acceptable copper and selenium levels in consumer products.

Key words: Copper, selenium, zinc, contaminants, beverages, Nigeria.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative study of percentage yield of pulp from various Nigerian wood species using the kraft process

N. A. Ndukwe, F. O. Jenmi⁺, W. O. Okiei* and B. I. Alo

Department of Chemistry,University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.

Accepted 09 December, 2019

Abstract

Twenty Nigerian wood species namely, Akomu (Pycnanthus angolensis), Ofun (Avicennia germinans), Akun (Uapaca guineensis), Oporoporo (Pterygota macrocarpa), Abura (Hallea ciliata), Masonia (Masonia altissima), Afara (Terminalia superba), Agba (Entada gigas), Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis), Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon), Itako (Strombosia pustulata), Odoko (Ipomoea asarifolia), Itara (Sacoglottis gabonensis), Eki-Eki (Lophira alata), Iroko (Milicia exelsa), Araba (Ceiba pentadra), Erimado (Ricindendron heudelotii), Erun (Erythropleum suaveolens), Opepe (Nauclea diderrichii) and Okilolo (Symphona globulifera) were subjected to kraft pulping process in order to obtain pulp. The mean percentage yield of pulp obtained from the twenty hardwood species were found to be significantly different when the data were subjected to Duncan’s multiple range test at p = 0.05. Abura (H. ciliata), Afara (T. superba) and Okilolo (S. globulifera) gave the highest mean pulp yield of 50% each while Iroko (M. exelsa) gave the lowest pulp yield of 35%. The difference in pulp yields is typically attributed to lignin content and lignin type present in these wood species. The infra red analysis of the pulp obtained from the various wood species confirmed the chemical integrity of the pulps obtained from all the hard wood species surveyed.

Key words: Kraft pulp, Nigerian wood species, pulp yield, cellulose.

Key words: Biomass, gasifier, downdraft, feed stock.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 11 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biocidal activity of selected plant powders against Tribolium castaneum Herbst in stored groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Timothy T. Epidi¹ and Esther. O. Odili²

¹Department of Crop Production Technology, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

²Department of Crop science, Rivers state University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Accepted 15 November, 2019

Abstract

The efficacy of powders of plant parts from Telferia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Vitex grandifolia (Vitex) and Dracaena arborea (dragon tree) at 5g, 10g, and 15g/500g seeds was tested using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) against the storage pest Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in groundnut in the laboratory. At 28 days after application, mean number of seeds damaged/85 cm³ scoop at the concentration of 5g powder/500g seeds was 2.00 for D. arborea and 3.00 for V. grandifolia and were significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) than the control (6.67). Phostoxin gave complete control (0.00). Five grammes (5g)/500g of D. arborea and V. grandifolia were as efficacious as phostoxin in protecting groundnut seeds against damage by T. castaneum. No adults were recovered from seeds treated with 10g and 15g of D. arborea at 14 days after application of plant powders. Adult recovery (0.33) from seeds treated with V. grandifolia was equally poor and significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) than the control (16.33). Larval recovery from seeds treated with V. grandifolia (0.33) and D. arborea (0.67) were significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) than the control (10.00). At the end of three months of storage, mean weight loss from original weight of 500 g was 81.77g (16.35%) for untreated seeds, 28.58g (5.72%) for V. grandifolia and 28.56g (5.71%) for seeds treated with D. arborea. Phostoxin-treated seeds suffered minimal loss (0.76%). D. arborea and V. grandifolia at 5g/500g of seeds are recommended for post-harvest control of T. castaneum in stored groundnut for planting.

Keywords: Plant powders, biocidal activity, Tribolium castaneum, groundnut.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 11 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of intercrops on pests’ populations in upland rice (Oriza sativa L.)

T. T. Epidi¹, A. E. Bassey² and K. Zuofa¹

¹Department of Crop Production Technology, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, PMB 071, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

²Department of Crop Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 November, 2019

Abstract

We conducted a 3 x 4 factorial experiment fitted into a randomized complete block design, using three intercrops: cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) at 0, 50,000, 100,000, 150,000 plants/ha; groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) at 100,000, 200,000, 300,000 plants/ha; and egusi- melon (Colocynthis vulgaris L.) at 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 plants/ha to evaluate their influence on incidence of stem borer (Chilo zacconius) (Blesz) and the green stink bug (Nezara viridula (L.)) in upland rice ( Oryza sativa L.) .The experiment was conducted during the wet and dry seasons of 2004. Rice/cowpea recorded the highest incidence of N. viridula (3.1, 3.3%) compared to rice/groundnut (1.3, 1.3%) and rice/egusi, (1.8, 1.8%) during the wet and dry seasons respectively. Intercrop with groundnut significantly (p 0.05) reduced stem borer (C. zacconius) incidence to 7.4 and 13.2% respectively for wet and dry season cultivation compared with the control (12.0 and 18.0%). Rice and groundnut (100,000 - 200,000 plants/ha) intercrop is recommended for reduced incidence of C. zacconius and N. viridula. This result demonstrates that a careful selection of crop combination and plant population could lead to reduced insect pests’ incidence in upland rice.

Key words: intercrops, plant populations, pest incidence, Oryza sativa, Chilo zacconius, Nezara viridula.