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.

Proximate composition and functional properties of raw and processed full‐fat fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) seed flour

Abstract: The proximate composition and functional properties of raw, germinated and fermented full-fat fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook) flour were studied. Functional properties evaluated by laboratory studies were nitrogen solubility, water and fat absorption, bulk density, foam capacity and stability. Germination increased the crude protein, ash, crude fibre, iron and total phosphorus but decreased the carbohydrate and fat contents. Nitrogen solubility was pH dependent with a minimum at pH 4.0 and a maximum at pH 10.0 for the raw flour. Maximum nitrogen solubility (70%) was recorded for germinated flour, which also showed excellent fat absorption properties. Raw flour was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in water absorption capacity than the processed flours. Germination and fermentation diminished bulk density, foam capacity and stability of fluted pumpkin flour. Raw full-fat fluted pumpkin flour showed comparatively better water and fat absorption properties than raw full-fat soya flour. Hence it may prove to have useful applications in fabricated foods such as bakery products and ground meat formulations.

Influence of sex, source, health status and acclimation on the haematology of Clarias gariepinus (Burch,1822)

Abstract: The influence of sex, source (pond and wild) acclimation and health status on some blood parameters of C. gariepinus was studied. There were no significant differences between the blood parameters (haemoglobin (Ht), packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), red blood cells (RBC), RBC indices ( MCHC;, MCH: and MCV), white blood cells (WBC) and differential counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils and eosinophils) of the males and females among the apparently healthy and sick group of fish under sex, source and acclimation. Differences in blood parameters in fish before and after acclimation were noted in the WBC (p<0.001), neutrophils (p<0.001) and lymphocytes (p<0.001). Interactions between sex, acclimation and health status did not significantly influence all the parameters studied; however, various degrees of significant differences were produced by the interactions of health status and source of fish in the WBC (p<0.05), neutrophils (p<0.001), lymphocytes (p<0.001) and monocytes (p<0.05). Pooled data for males and females, apparently healthy and sick fish, respectively, showed there were significant differences between the WBC, neutrophils and lymphocytes of males and females under acclimation as well as monocytes of apparently healthy and sick fish under source and neutrophils of the same under acclimation. Results from this study suggest that sex, source of fish, and period of acclimation have some degrees of influence on the blood parameters of C. gariepinus and hence the need to reckon with them when reporting haematological parameters of this fish species.

Remediation of oil polluted soils: 1. effect of organic and inorganic nutrient supplements on the performance of maize ( Zea may L)

Abstract: Percentage germination, plant height, leaf area, relative dry matter yield, plant nutrient concentration, soil chemical characteristics and source/sink relationship were assessed for maize (Zea mays L TZ-SR-Y) planted in a soil polluted with 3% (v/w) crude oil or 0% (untreated soil), after remediation of soil with different organic (Poultry manure, peptone water, sawdust and yeast extract) and inorganic (NPK, KNO3, NH4H2PO4 and (NH4)2SO4) nutrient supplements applied 7 days after oil treatment. Germination of maize in oil polluted soil was not significantly affected by nutrient supplementation (P=0.05). Maize performance in terms of other studied parameters was highest in the oil polluted soil supplemented with poultry manure, and least in oil polluted soil supplemented with sawdust. Oil treatment correlated significantly with organic C, N, Na, Mg and ferrous in the soil (P=0.05) and with nutrient composition in maize plant tissues (P=0.05). For nutrient uptake, significant correlation was only established between soil N and plant N. Population of petroleum hydrocarbon tolerant microbes increased initially but decreased with time. There is every indication that nutrient supplementation of oil polluted soil especially with organic nutrient sources is beneficial for maize growth, because the C/N ratio is narrowed while the rate of biodegradation of oil and soil recovery is also enhanced. Poultry manure is recommended, however sawdust is not recommended since it tends to impose adverse effect by widening the C/N ratio in soil.