Rivers State University of Science and Technology

About: Rivers State University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Threatened species. The organization has 1826 authors who have published 1833 publications receiving 15183 citations.

The ethics of Nigeria's proposed withdrawal from the organisation of petroleum exporting countries

Abstract: In the wake of the prevailing world oil glut which has affected the revenue earning powers of OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) members, there are serious proposals and arguments in favour of Nigeria's withdrawal from OPEC. The mission of this paper is to question the ethical basis of this proposed strategy after she has benefited from OPEC membership for over a decade. This paper postulates that it would be ethically wrong to do so and suggests a strategy that would boost the petrochemical industry for agriculture, building, pharmaceuticals, automative industry, etc.

The Prevalence of Group A Streptococcus as a Re-Emerging Microorganism in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract: Streptococcus pyogenes is a Group A β-haemolytic Streptococcus, responsible for pyogenic infections especially among children. Its diagnostic detection has been a challenge especially in hospitals with limited resources. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Streptococcus pyogenes among patients attending University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. This study was hospital based with total of 100 (one hundred) throat swabs examined. The methods and analyses used include crystal violet blood agar culture, bacitracin sensitivity testing, Gram stain, catalase test and microscopic examination. This study found that 5% of throat swab examined detected Streptococcus pyogenes from children between the age of <1 – 25 years. The isolates classified as Streptococcus pyogenes were only those that grew on crystal violet blood agar, which is gram positive and catalase negative cocci. This present study has shown that with proper diagnostic tools and procedures, Streptococcus pyogenes exist in the study area and this should be treated as public health issue of great concern.

Comparative Bioremediation Potentials of Pseudomonas aeruginosa KX828570 and Bacillus megaterium KY085976 on Polluted Terrestrial Soil Treated with Oil Spill dispersant

Abstract: Aim: To assess the bioremediation potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus megaterium on oil spill dispersant polluted terrestrial soil. Study Design: The study employs experimental design, statistical analysis of data and interpretation. Place and Duration of the Study: Polluted Terrestrial Soil (Ts) samples were collected from Kegbara-Dere community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State with sterile shovel from three different spots at the same location and put in black polythene bags and transported to the microbiological laboratory within 24 hours for physicochemical and microbiological analyses. Oil spill dispersant (OSD/LT and OSD/Seacare) were obtained from Baker and Hughes Nigeria Limited in Rivers state, Nigeria. Methodology: Standard microbiological procedures were used to enumerate, isolate and identify the bacterial isolates. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus megaterium in oil spill dispersants contaminated soil were monitored over a period of 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days respectively for their bioremediation potentials. Results: The presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) or Bacillus megaterium(Bm) in oil spill dispersant polluted soils enhanced decrease in Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) of the soil. THC for control soil reduced from 18348.68 mg/kg to 9111.84 mg/kg; TS+OSD/LT+Bm, 18348.68 to 7092.11 mg/kg; TS+OSD/LT+Pa, 18348.68 to 6263.16(mg/kg); TS+OSD/LT+Bm+Pa, 18348.68 to 2473.68 mg/kg; TS+OSD/SC+Bm, 18348.68 to 6421.05 mg/kg; TS+OSD/SC+Pa, 18348.68 to 5618.42 mg/kg; TS+OSD/SC+Bm+Pa, 18348.68 to 5835.53 mg/kg, between the first (day 1 ) and last day ( day 28). The percentage (%) bioremediation rate of polluted soil was as follows: control (TS(CRTL) 50.3%, TS+OSD/LT+Bm 61.3%, OSD/LT+Pa 65.9%, and OSD/LT+Bm+Pa 86.5% Whereas, TS+OSD/Seacare+Bm had 65.0%, OSD/Seacare+Pa 69.4%, OSD/Seacare+Bm+Pa 68.2% respectively. The highest percentages of THC in this study were from soil samples treated with oil spill dispersant and organisms while the least was observed in treatments without oil spill dispersant and organism. This suggests that microorganisms are more abundant in oil spill dispersant polluted soils than unpolluted soils. Conclusion: From this study, it was observed that bioremediation of dispersant polluted environments could be achieved by stimulation of native microorganisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa KX828570 and Bacillus megaterium KY085976 and this would be cost effective in the clean-up strategy for such pollutants.

Functional and Physicochemical Properties of Turmeric Powder as Affected by Processing Methods

Abstract: Turmeric rhizomes are exposed to a variety of conditions during processing such as boiling, cooking, blanching and drying before being utilized. In this study, the effect of processing methods on the functional properties and physicochemical properties of turmeric powder was investigated. Fresh turmeric rhizomes were processed into powder and five samples generated from the turmeric powder: Sample A (oven drying), sample B (blanching + oven drying), sample C (sun drying), sample D (cooking + oven drying). The processed turmeric powders were subjected to functional and physicochemical analysis using standard methods. Results obtained showed that cooking/oven drying resulted to a significant (p<0.05) improvement in the bulk density, water and oil absorption capacities and swelling power of the turmeric powders as compared to other processing methods. Dispersibility and solubility were greatly improved on sun drying/oven drying. Among the processing methods employed, blanching/oven drying exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher colour value and curcumin content whereas decreases in TTA and pH was observed for cooked/oven dried sample. It is therefore recommended from the study that blanching/oven drying be used in the processing of turmeric powder for better nutrient retention. For better functionality of the turmeric powder, cooking/oven drying method should be employed. Original Research Article Emelike; AFSJ, 19(2): 1-10, 2020; Article no.AFSJ.62587 2

Strength classification of some nigerian limestones using the point load testing technique

Abstract: The point load testing machine has been used to establish certain strength relationships obtained from the results of tests carried out on irregular lump specimens of some Nigerian limestones. The parameters used in the derivations of the relationships include the point load strength index (Is), shape factor (L/D), specimen thickness and the reduction ratio.