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.

Toxicity Induced Haematological Alterations after Acute and Chronic Administration of Tartrazine (E102) in Albino Rats

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate the haematological alterations induced by tartrazine after acute and chronic administration in albino rats. Study Design: The design involved acute and chronic study. The acute study investigated the intraperitoneal and oral route of administration while the chronic study used the oral route only. The rats used weighed 0.15 kg approximately. In the acute study, 48 rats (24 female and 24 male) were used for intraperitoneal treatment and were randomly selected and placed into 6 groups treated with 0.0 g/kg, 1.67 g/kg, 3.33 g/kg, 5.0 g/kg, 6.67 g/kg and, 8.33 g/kg of tartrazine. In orally treated rats, 48 rats (24 female and 24 male) were also used and were treated with 0.0 g/kg, 2.5 g/kg, 5.0 g/kg, 10.0 g/kg, 15.0 g/kg and 20.0 g/kg of tartrazine. In the chronic study, the experiment was divided into phase 1, 2 and, 3 which lasted for 30, 60, and 90 days respectively. In each phase, 80 rats were used and were divided into treatment and control groups. The treated groups were given 7.5 mg/kg of tartrazine orally on a daily basis over the stipulated periods while the control groups Original Research Article Elekima and Christian; IJR2H, 2(3): 1-17, 2019; Article no.IJR2H.49151 2 were not treated with tartrazine. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria within a period of 12 months (December 2017 – December 2018). Methodology: At the end of the acute and chronic study, 5 mls of whole blood specimens were collected by means of cardiac puncture into K3EDTA bottles. The collected specimens were analyzed immediately using Mindray 5300 haematology autoanalyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism version 5.03 (San Diego, California, USA). Results: In acute toxicity study, the administration of high doses far above the ADI of tartrazine induced decreased RBCs, HB, HCT, WBCs, Eosinophil, and Neutrophil counts as well as an increased PLTs, Lymphocyte, and Monocyte counts. However, in the chronic treatment, WBCs were increased after 60 and 90 days of chronic treatment at ADI doses while Eosinophil and Basophil counts showed significant decrease after 30 and 60 days of treatment. Also, an increase in Lymphocyte was observed after 30, 60, and 90 days. In addition, Neutrophil and Monocyte counts showed significantly lower levels after 30, 60, and 90 days of chronic treatment with tartrazine. HCT, HB, and PLTs showed no significant difference after 30, 60, and 90 days of chronic treatment at ADI doses. Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that high doses of tartrazine above the recommended ADI induced severe haematological alterations. However, the chronic study did not affect HCT, HB, and PLTs but mild derangements/alterations were in WBCs, lymphocyte, Neutrophil, Eosinophil, and Basophil counts after 60 and 90 days of treatment.

Physicochemical Properties and Fatty Acid Profile of African Elemi Fruit Pulp Oil Compared with Palm Kernel Oil

Abstract: African elemi (Canarium schweinfurthii) fruit pulp oil was extracted and refined which yielded 39.5% oil. It was characterized for its physical, chemical, phytochemical properties and fatty acid profile in comparison with palm kernel oil (PKO). The result for physical properties revealed that there was no significant difference in the density, refractive index, and flash point of the oils. African elemi fruit pulp oil (AEO) had significantly (p>0.05) higher slip melting point and viscosity while significantly (p 0.05) higher in AEO with the values of 76.79 g/100 g, 0.94 mg KOH/g, 1.32 and 0.58%, respectively and significantly (p<0.05) lower in saponification and peroxide values, 155.47 mg KOH/g and 1.06 meq/kg, respectively compared to the values obtained for the PKO. Saturated fatty acid profile of AEO had the values of 9.44, 32.24 and 2.63% for myristic (C14:0), stearic acid (C18:0) and palmitic acid (C16:0) while PKO had the values of 48.00, 16.20, 2.50 and 8.40% for lauric (C12:0), myristic (C14:0), stearic acid (C18:0) and palmitic acid (C16:0), respectively. The monounsaturated fatty acids were oleic acid (C18:1) 30.24% for AEO and 15.0% for PKO making oleic acid the highest occurring monounsaturated fatty acids present in AEO. Thus, lauric acid (C12:0) and linoleic (C18:2) was not dictated in AEO while gadoleic (C20:1) was not dictated in PKO. Flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phytates and alkaloids had the values of 0.29, 0.33, 0.13, 0.13 and 0.74% for AEO and 0.32, 0.12, 0.24, 0.11 and 0.07% for PKO, respectively and all were within the acceptable limit of 3% for food products with respect to the phytochemical properties of the oils. The result for solid fat content - temperature profile revealed that PKO and AEO completely melted at 35 °C and 45 °C, respectively.

Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Corporate Collapse: A Post-Mortem Analysis of Failure of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Nigeria

Abstract: The study investigated through a post mortem research paradigm the extent to which lack of fiscal transparency and accountability accounted the collapse of SOEs in Nigeria without prejudice to other variables identified in previous studies. The study adopted the fiscal transparency and accountability code of good conduct as evolved by the IMF in building the model tested in the study. The paper observed that institutionalization of the tripod of: clarity of roles and responsibilities (which is a cardinal principle of internal control); public availability of information; and open preparation and proper of implementation of budget would have contributed significantly to foreclosing the collapse of SOEs in Nigeria. The paper also observed that assurances of integrity which revolved around proper engagement of external audit services could not have prevented the failure of SOEs. The paper concludes that the non enshrinement of fiscal transparency and accountability in the management of SOEs is a recipe not only for their poor performance but eventual failure. This conclusion is firmly collocated within the current push for greater transparency and answerability on the part of government and her institutions as evidenced in the ongoing public service reforms. Therefore, the paper recommends the imperative of institutionalizing fiscal transparency and accountability in all public institutions as a critical service delivery success factor and the enthronement of good governance. Keywords: Fiscal transparency, accountability, state-owned enterprises, corporate collapse, post mortem, national development.

Post-harvest fungal quality of selected chewing sticks.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To study post-harvest fungal overgrowth on chewing sticks used for oral hygiene measures and role of disinfection. METHODS: The post-harvest fungal spoilage of chewing sticks (Garcinia kola, Glyphea brevis and Azadirachta indica) was investigated by subjecting the chewing sticks to different preparatory methods (some disinfected in 0.7% sodium hypochlorite before storage), storage conditions (unsealed or sealed in clear polythene) and different storage periods (2, 3 and 4 weeks). RESULTS: Significant differences (P = 0.05) in mean percentage fungal colonization were dependent on plant type and storage period, but not on preparative methods and storage conditions. There were, however, significant interactions between chewing sticks and preparative methods, storage conditions and storage periods, respectively. Azadirachta indica was observed to be more susceptible to post-harvest spoilage organisms than other test plants. Generally, percentage fungal colonization increased with increase in storage period. Four genera, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp. and Botryodiplodia spp., were implicated with post-harvest colonization of chewing sticks after 4 weeks of storage. CONCLUSION: The use of harvested chewing sticks after prolonged storage period is therefore not advisable for oral hygiene measures.