Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

About: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is a education organization based out in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 2786 authors who have published 3066 publications receiving 36850 citations. The organization is also known as: Oyo State University of Technology & LAUTECH.

Optimization of media components and fermentation conditions for citric acid production from sweet potato peel starch hydrolysate by Aspergillus niger

Abstract: This study investigated sweet potato peel waste as the main carbon source and determine the effect of media components and operating conditions on citric acid (CA) production by Aspergillus niger under submerged fermentation. The sweet potato peel waste is of low-cost readily-available and serve as hydrolysate for CA production. Two sets of experiments were performed using experimental design technique. The first set was designed using a low resolution 2-level factorial which was deployed for parameter screening. The other set of experiments was designed using 3-level design algorithm and was deployed for model development and optimization. The results from parameter screening showed that carbon source (CS), nitrogen concentration (NC), fermentation time (FT) and pH were the “heavy hitters” with significant impact on CA production. The developed model is predictive (R2 = 0.948) with optimum CA (3.22 mg/mL) obtained at CS (97.25%), NC (1.25%w/v), FT (7 days), and pH (6.5). This setting was validated experimentally and resulted in CA yield of 4.36 ± 006 mg/ml, representing a 135%-fold increase over the predicted yield. The present investigation shows that sweet potato peels hydrolysate is a viable and sustainable substrate for CA production.

Consumption of soymilk lowers atherogenic lipid fraction in healthy individuals.

Abstract: The effect of soy-based products on lipid profile has not been well established. Whereas some investigators have reported that soy is hypocholesterolemic, others could only demonstrate this in hypercholesterolemic subjects, while a few have not found any marked association between soy and cholesterol levels. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the effect of soymilk on lipid and lipoprotein profile of normocholesterolemic, apparently healthy Nigerian Africans. Five hundred milliliters of soymilk preparation was consumed daily by 42 apparently healthy young to middle-aged subjects for a period of 21 days. Forty-two other volunteers with similar characteristics, who did not drink the soymilk over this time frame, were randomly selected as controls. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) concentrations were determined twice by standard spectrophotometric methods (at the initial visit and after 3 weeks). Low-density lipoprotein-ch...

Some Adverse Effects of Used Engine Oil (Common Waste Pollutant) On Reproduction of Male Sprague Dawley Rats

Abstract: AIM: Used oil is contaminated not only with heavy metals but also with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are insignificant in the unused oil. In our study we determined possible reproductive effects of used engine oil on male rats.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty eight male Wistar rats were used for the study. The rats had average weight of 181.5 ± 10 g, animal feeds and portable water was provided ad-libitum. The rats were assigned to 4 groups (n = 7) including control. The treated groups orally received 0.1 ml/rat, 0.2 ml/rat and 0.4 ml/rat of the used engine oil every other day for 28 days using oral canulla. The spermatozoa were collected from epididymis for sperm analysis and testes were removed and preserved in Bouin’s fluid for routine histological analysis.RESULTS: Our results showed that there was progressive weight increase among the control group of rats that received distilled water. Meanwhile, rats that received 0.4 ml/rat of the used engine oil showed significant (P 0.05) weight reduction. The spermatozoa number was decreased with significance (P 0.05). The percentage of head deformity been 41.43 ± 2.61 and 42.00 ± 3.74 at 0.2 ml/rat and 0.4 ml/rat respectively, also significant increase of middle piece deformity was observed only at 0.1 ml/rat (45.71 ± 2.02) while tail deformity significantly decreased (15.71 ± 2.02, 20.00 ± 4.36 and 20.00 ± 4.47) when compared with the control (30.00 ± 1.29). The testicular seminiferous tubules were slightly degenerated with absence of Lumen. The germinal cell layer consisting of necrosis of spermatogonia and interstitial (Leydig) cells with affected Sertoli cells at different maturation stages.CONCLUSION: Hence, it can be said that there is a negative relation between used engine oil and male reproductive parameters. And it can be concluded that used engine oil should be prevented from leaking, spilling or improperly discarded as through medium it may enter storm water runoff and eventually affect the environmental health receiving water bodies.

Nurses’ knowledge and attitude to the care of HIV/AIDS patients in South East, Nigeria

Abstract: Background: HIV/AIDS pandemic has brought huge demands on the healthcare workforce worldwide. Nurses play a critical role in caring for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Inadequate care and discrimination due to negative attitudes of nurses caring for persons living with HIV/AIDS will not only affect the patients, but will adversely affect the fight to halt the pandemic. The objective of this study was to determine nurses’ knowledge and attitude to the care of HIV/AIDS patients in South East, Nigeria. Methods: Descriptive survey design, with the aid of five-point Likert questionnaire administered on 240 nurses caring for PLWHA in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria was used. Results: Majority of the respondents had good knowledge of HIV/AIDS. There were significant relationships between the age (P 0.05), religion, (P>0.05) and their attitude towards the care of HIV/AIDS patients. Conclusions: The study suggested the need for more in-service trainings on HIV/AIDS for nurses to improve nurses’ knowledge and positive attitude towards the care of PLWHA.