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.

Evaluation of selected food attributes of four advanced lines of ungerminated and germinated Nigerian cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.).

Abstract: The chemical composition and functional properties of ungerminated and germinated seeds of four advanced lines of cowpeas (IT81D-699, IT82E-18, IT84S-2246-4 and TVx 3236) were investigated. Ungerminated seeds contained 20.1 to 25.8% crude protein, 2.0 to 2.2% lipid, 115.1 to 210.0 mg phytic acid/100 g and 8.9 to 9.6 mg iron/100 g. The polyphenol contents of the brown- and cream-colored beans were similar (192.0 to 196.0 mg/100 g) but were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the amount (99.8 mg/100 g) found in the white beans. Germination increased the crude protein content, total phosphorus content, nitrogen solubility, fat absorption capacity and foam capacity but decreased ether extract, polyphenol and phytic acid contents, water absorption capacity, bulk density and foam stability of all cowpea lines. Incorporation of up to 0.2 M NaCl improved foam volume. Ungerminated seeds had high water (2.3-3.2 g/g) absorption capacities, while germinated seeds had high fat (3.1-3.6 g/g) absorption capacities. TVx 3236 and IT81D-699 might be selected for combining such characteristics as high crude protein, low phytic acid content and good foaming properties into a single cowpea line through breeding.

Incidence of infantile diarrhoea due to enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in Port Harcourt metropolis.

Abstract: Five hundred diarrhoeal stool samples from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital were investigated for enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Results showed that the organism was endemic in Port Harcourt metropolis and was responsible for about 15% of the incidence of infantile diarrhoea in the community. Detailed analysis revealed that 13 serotypes were involved. It was also observed that babies aged between 0 and 18 months were more susceptible than those aged between 19 and 36 months. Male infants were also shown to be more at risk than females. Antibiotic sensitivity tests showed that the enteropathogenic E. coli isolated were highly resistant to most common antimicrobial drugs but were highly sensitive to genticin and cefotaxime.

Antibiotic resistance among coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. from bodies of water around Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Abstract: Samples from municipal waste water, the Bonny River estuary and wells in and around Port Harcourt were examined for bacteriological quality over a 9 month period. A total of 157 Pseudomonas spp., 133 Escherichia coli and 282 other coliforms were isolated and tested for the incidence of resistance to 10 antibiotics. All of the Pseudomonas spp. were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics while 96.2% were resistant to two or more. Most (83.5%) of the E. coli and other coliforms (91.8%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. All strains were susceptible to gentamicin. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of ampicillin and tetracycline for E. coli ranged from 6.25 to 50 and 6.25 to 12.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of ampicillin and tetracycline were 1000 and 25 micrograms/ml for the Pseudomonas strains. The high incidence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is discussed in relation to the widespread use of antibiotics, and possible public health implications.

Interactive Effects of Copper, Cadmium and Lead on Zinc Accumulation in the Gastropod Mollusc Littorina Saxatilis

Abstract: The effects of copper, cadmium and lead on the bioaccumulation of zinc were studied in populations of the gastropod mollusc Littorina saxatilis from sites in the Isle of Man subjected to varying degrees of mine-related metal contamination. Exposures to 2 mg/L Zn alone and in combinations with 0.01 mg/L, 0.1 mg/L and 1 mg/L of the respective metals were conducted at ∼10 ∘C in semi-static assays. Copper had a significant antagonistic effect on Zn accumulation at 1 mg/L Cu, but was not antagonistic at 0.01 and 0.1 mg/L Cu. Prior exposure to metals in the field did not appear to affect the interactive effect of copper as all populations showed similar patterns. Combinations of Zn with Cd or Pb at the above concentrations did not show any significant effects on Zn accumulation. On the other hand, Zn had an antagonistic effect on Cd and Pb accumulation but showed inconsistent effects on Cu accumulation. Interactions of Cu and Zn in particular may have repercussions for interpretation of biomonitoring data in L. saxatilis.