African Journal of Tropical Agriculture

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 6 (6), pp. 001-004, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of proximate changes and microbiology of stored defatted residues of some selected Nigerian Oil seeds

G. R. Oladimeji¹ and A. L. Kolapo²*

¹Department of Biology, the Polytechnic of Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Department of Biology, the Polytechnic of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 25 November, 2017

Abstract

Studies were carried out to evaluate the proximate changes and microbiology of stored defatted residues of some oilseeds in Nigeria. Oilseeds studied include Melon (Colocynthis citrullus), Soybean (Glycine max), Cashew (Anacardium occidentale), Groundnut (Arachis hypogeae) and Coconut (Cocos nucifera). On a general note, the proximate parameters such as % protein, % ash, % ether extract, % carbohydrate and % moisture decreased in all the stored defatted residue, with melon residue recording the highest decrease(protein: 48.1 - 42.1%; Ether extract: 19.2 - 18.0%; Carbohydrate: 10.2 - 9.6%) while coconut residue had the lowest decrease(protein: 19.9 - 19.2%; Ether extract: 16.2 - 15.8%; Carbohydrate: 28.6 - 26.7%) . There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in both the total bacterial count (TBC) and total fungal count (TFC) within the period of storage. On melon residue TBC increased from 10.51 log10 to 12.11 log10 cfu/g and TFC from 8.45 log10 to 10.17 log10 cfu/g. However on coconut residue TBC increased from 10.41 log10 to 11.48 log10 cfu/g while TFC increased from 8.41 log10 to 9.30 log10 cfu/g. Prominent organisms isolated include A. niger, Rhizopus spp, Bacillus. subtilis, B. licheniformis and Proteus mirabilis .The effect of proliferation of the isolated organisms on the storage qualities of these defatted residues may have been responsible for the reduction in the nutritive value of the stored residues. Results from these studies have revealed that the storage qualities of the defatted residue are time dependent.

Key words: Defatted residues, proximate, microorganisms, oilseeds, nutritive value.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-004, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Production and transfer of embryos in Algerian “Cheurfa” bovine breed

Ferrouk Mustapha¹, Gharbi Ismail¹, Adel Djallal¹, Lafri Mohamed¹, Touati Kamel², Kaidi Rachid¹ and Djamel Guetarni¹

¹Faculty of Agro-Veterinary Science, University Saad Dahlab of Blida, Algeria.

²Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liege, Belgium.

Accepted 19 November, 2017

Abstract

This work has permitted to test the response of the local cattle Cheurfa for a pFSH superovulation treatment based on administration of 40 mg pFSH (LH/FSH 40%), at a rhythm of 2 injections every 12 h between J10 and J13 of the oestrus cycle associated to injection of prostaglandin synthesis "Prosolvin®" at the 3rd day of the treatment. Two inseminations were carried out at 12 h interval after observed oestrus. The embryos were collected at J7. With four tests carried out, the average number of corpus luteum and collected embryos obtained were respectively 7.5 and 5 per cow. The number of transferable embryos was 2.33 per cow, with a viability rate of 46.66%. Five fresh embryos were transferred in recipients improved breed from the embryos obtained. The pregnancy rate obtained was 60. 0% with 3 born calves Cheurfa type (2 male and 1 female).

Key words: Superovulation - embryo - transfer - cattle – local.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The efficacy of two isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschin) Sorokin (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) against the adults of the black maize beetle Heteronychus licas Klug (Coleoptera: Scarabidae) under laboratory conditions

Makaka, Caston

Department of Biological Sciences, Midlands State University, Bag 9055. Gweru, Zimbabwe. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. Tel: 263 054260490 ext 340. Fax: 263 054 60708.

Accepted 14 March, 2017

Abstract

The efficacies of two isolates of M. anisopliae were evaluated against black maize beetle Heteronychus licas in the laboratory at 15 and 28^oC and relative humidity of 55 - 70% at the University of Zimbabwe in 2000. The beetles were exposed to the fungus that was suspended either in oil and in water at concentrations ranging from 1.4x10⁴ - 1.4x10⁸ conidia/ml. Mortality was observed in all concentrations and mortality increased with increase in conidia concentration. Fungal infection reduced feeding activity in beetles with most deaths occurring on the soil surface. Conidia concentration, isolate, type of medium, the interaction between temperature and medium and the interaction between isolate and medium had marked effects on beetle mortality (p < 0.05). The oil formulations were in general more effective than the water formulations. The most potent treatment at 15^oC was the oil suspension of isolate IMI098376 (LC₅₀ = 4.47x10⁴ conidia/ml) with an LT₅₀ at the lowest concentration (1.4x10⁴conidia/ml) of 13.3 weeks and earliest mortality at highest and lowest concentration occurring in 3 and 4 weeks, respectively. At 28^oC the most potent treatment was the oil formulation of IMI098376 (LC₅₀ = 3.10x10⁴ conidia/ml) with an LT₅₀ at the lowest concentration of 13.3 weeks and the earliest mortality at highest and lowest concentration occurring in 4 and 5 weeks, respectively. Field trails using the oil formulations are recommended.

Key words: Formulation, media, mortality, potent, efficacy, lethal concentration, biocontrol.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 6 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Entomofauna of Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin, its impact on plant yield and some aspects of the biology of Dacus bivitattus (Diptera: Tephritidae)

André Fomekong¹*, Jean Messi¹, Sévilor Kekeunou¹, Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem-Fohouo², Joseph Lebel Tamesse³

¹Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde Cameroon.

²Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon

³Department of Biological Sciences, National Higher Teacher’s Training School, University of Yaounde Cameroon.

Accepted 27 October, 2017

Abstract

Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin, (Cucurbitaceae) is cultivated in Africa for its important seeds used as food and in the traditional medicine. This work carried out in Yaoundé (Cameroon) focuses on the study of the entomofauna of C . mannii, on the impact of insects on plant yield; we studied also some aspects of the biology of Dacus bivitattus, main pest of this plant. Insect captured, breeding and identification were conducted from March to August 2001. The results permitted us to note that on C. mannii the entomofauna included 36 families. Within this fauna, there were various pests, predators, pollinators and nectarivorous. Among the 36 families recorded, 30 were collected on the leaves, 6 on the stems, 6 on the flowers and 2 on the fruits. The total number of fruits and their diameter were higher in unprotected plots than in protected one. The fruit of C. mannii was a feeding and egg laying site for D. bivitattus. The total number of laying spots on a single fruit can reach the number of 20. Larval development took place inside the fruit; before pupation period, the last larval stage changed its coloration to milky white aspect and measured 9 to 10.5 mm in length. These larvae at this stage were mobile. The average time for pupation was 8.3 days. The youngest fruits were more attacked by flies than the older ones. These results constitute an important asset in the research of the protective strategy against natural pest of C. mannii.

Key words: Entomofauna, pests, D. bivitattus, yield, C. mannii, pollination.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 6 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Development of immunoassay for the identification of cold shock proteins from diversified microflora

Mahejibin Khan^1*, Satish Kumar² and Reeta Goel¹

¹Department of Microbiology, C.B.S&HG.B.P.U.A&T, Pantnagar, Uttranchal, India.

²Central Instrumentation Facility, I.V.R.I, Bareilly, India.

Accepted 10 November, 2017

Abstract

Cold shock response in various organisms is induced by an abrupt downshift in temperature and leads to a dramatic increase in production of a homologous class of cold shock proteins. These proteins are essential for low temperature survival of bacteria. To identify CSP from diversified microflora, immunoassay was developed. A small 14 kDa protein from cold tolerant mutant, CRPF₈ of Pseudomonas fluorescens was concentrated and fractionated by HPLC and antisera was raised. Specificity of anti-CRPF₈ was checked using western blot analysis and further confirmed by Immunoelectron Microscopy. Bacterial strains from various habitats were isolated and their crude protein was purified. CSPs were characterized from crude extract using anti-CRPF_8. Expression of CSPs was observed only in bacterial strains isolated from temperate region and negligible or no expression was observed in bacterial strains isolated from arid zones. Therefore this anti-CRPF₈ can be used as immunological tool for the identification of CSP from diversified microorganisms.

Key words: Cold shock proteins, psychrophiles, Pseudomonas fluorescens.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Optimizing gari quality attributes for different groups of consumers with response surface methodology

Udofia, P. G¹*, Udoudo, P. J¹, Eyen, N. O¹ and Udoekong, N. S.²

¹Department of Hotel and Catering Management, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria.

²Department of Science Technology, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 July, 2017

Abstract

Different groups of consumers prefer different sensory attributes of gari. Therefore it is difficult to produce one stock of the product for all sectors of the market. Fermentation time (h), frying temperature (^°C) and resident time (min.) and their interaction effect on quality attributes of gari; swelling capacity, texture, colour, taste and acceptability of gari was investigated. Optimization analysis showed that the optimum quality for all the parameters; 3.51, 3.83, 4.14, 4.70 and 4.70 of swelling capacity, texture, colour, taste and acceptability, respectively were obtained with the fermentation temperature of 12 h, frying temperature of 95^°C and resident time of 34.64 h. Other runs in the design were also accepted by some members of the taste panel. The design provides various experimental runs for the production of gari with varying quality attributes to suit the traditional varying market preference.

Key words: Optimization, response surface methodology, CCD.