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.

Comparative Study on Physicochemical Parameters Study of Oil Polluted Sites and Hydrocarbon Degradation Potentials of Heterotrophic Bacteria in Southern Nigeria

Abstract: In this study, hydrocarbon degradation potentials of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from oil-polluted soil were examined; Samples were collected from Sakpenwa, an oil producing community in Tai LGA of Rivers State. The amounts of hydrocarbon in the soil samples were determined using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector, GC- FID. The gravimetric analysis showed that the bacteria were capable of utilizing 96.9-99.7% the oil sample. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) carried out at 95% level of confidence showed that the degree of hydrocarbon degradation varied amongst isolates. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Alcaligenes sp. showed highest degrading activities while Bacillus subtilis showed least activity. This study revealed that indigenous bacterial species possess the requisite gene necessary for hydrocarbon biodegradation. Biodegradation is most often the primary mechanism for contaminant destruction in the environment including petroleum contaminants.

A Synthesis of the Theory of Corporate Finance

Abstract: This paper synthesizes the theory of corporate finance. It highlights the equations, graphs and models of corporate finance theory with particular reference to capital markets, consumption and investments, investment decision under certainty and uncertainty assumptions, capital budgeting decision under certainty, uncertainty and capital rationing Conditions.

Production and Quality Evaluation of Local “Madiga” Bread Enriched with Defatted Fluted Pumpkin Seed Flour

Abstract: The objective of this work was to produce local (Madiga) bread from the blend of wheat and fluted pumpkin seed flour and to evaluate the nutrient composition and sensory properties of enriched Madiga produced from these flour blends. Defatted fluted pumpkin seed flour was used to substitute wheat flour at the following; (Wheat to Fluted pumpkin seed flour ratio); 100:0 (control), 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40%, 50:50, and labelled as samples A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively. The ash content ranged from 1.20 – 2.55%, with sample A given significantly lower ash content (1.20%) than those of the enriched Madiga. Significantly higher ash values of 2.55%, 2.44% and 2.39% were recorded in samples E, F and D, respectively. There was no significance in the fat content of samples A and B. Percentage protein ranged from 6.79% – 9.36%. The crude protein content of all the enriched Madiga samples were significantly higher than that of the control, Crude fiber content ranged from 0.91% – 1.82%, with sample C given significantly higher value of 1.82% followed by samples D and F. Control local Madiga gave significantly higher carbohydrate content of 74.31%. The energy value per kcal/100g for samples B, C, D, E and F were 258.62, 284.16, 296.07, 296.96 and 278.81, respectively. Samples B and C received significantly higher value of 4.70 and 4.05, respectively, keeping these samples in the ‘sweet’ to ‘very sweet’ range. Samples B and C received significantly higher overall acceptability and were scored 3.85 and 3.70, Original Research Article Kiin-Kabari et al..; EJNFS, 12(11): 29-38, 2020; Article no.EJNFS.62432 30 respectively. These values were however, not significantly difference from 3.33 and 2.93 as scored in samples D and E, respectively. Substitution of wheat flour with 10, 20 and 30% defatted fluted pumpkin seed flour was effective in producing enriched Madiga bread, thus recommended.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Potentials of Ocimum gratissimum and Xylopia aethiopica in Alcohol- Induced Hepatotoxic Albino Rats

Abstract: Aims: This study evaluated the antioxidant potentials of Ocimum gratissimum and Xylopia aethiopica on Alcohol-induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino rats. Study Design: The study is an experimental case-controlled study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. Methodology: Fifty-five (55) healthy adult male albino rats with an average weight of about 150200 g were used for the study. They were divided into 11 groups of 5 Rats each and subjected to different treatments of the aforementioned herbs. All the animals received humane treatments according to the criteria outlined in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals prepared by the National Institute of Health. Fresh leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and Xylopia aethiopica were bought from the Mile 3 market in Port-Harcourt. The herbs were separately extracted using maceration method. Absolute ethanol at a volume of 1 ml/kg (0.79 g/kg) was used to induce Original Research Article Chuks-Oguine et al.; JOCAMR, 10(2): 8-16, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.60337 9 hepatotoxicity in rats. At the end of the treatment period, rats in all the groups were anaesthetized with chloroform and blood samples collected by jugular puncture. Total antioxidant capacity was analyzed using colorimetric method, whilst, malondialdehyde levels were determined using ELISA method. SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyse data generated and p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Results show that intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml/kg ethanol significantly raised plasma MDA levels and significantly decreased TAOC in induced rats. Treatment with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg b.wt. of aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum and Xylopia aethiopica however effectively reduced ethanol induced raised activity of the MDA levels and increased the activity of TAOC in the rats, but the effects were not dose dependent and a combination of both herbs did not produce better therapeutic effect. Conclusion: Based on our findings, we conclude that Ocimum gratissimum and Xylopia aethiopica used separately could reduce oxidative stress in alcohol induced hepatotoxic rats.

Electrolyte Concentrations and Liver Enzymes in Car Spray Painters Exposed to Car Spray Paints within Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract: Aim: To determine the effect of car spray paint on electrolyte concentrations (sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and chloride), Anion gap, Total Protein, Albumin, liver enzymes (Alanine amino transferase and Aspartate amino transferase) of car spray painters. Place of Study: The study was conducted within Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State Nigeria. Methodology: Twenty (20) male car spray painters age range between 25 and 61 years with 728 years work experience in car spray painting (test subjects) and twenty (20) apparently healthy male individuals aged between 25 and 61 years who work within an office setting far away from car Original Research Article Kalio et al.; AJRB, 7(4): 124-131, 2020; Article no.AJRB.62623 125 spray painting garage (non-exposed individuals) were used as control for the study. Plasma electrolyte concentrations were estimated using Ion selective electrode method while Liver Enzymes Alanine amino transferase and Aspartate amino transferase were estimated using spectrophotometric method. Results obtained from the experiment were expressed as Mean ± Standard Deviation. P < .05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Sodium, Potassium, Bicarbonate and Chloride concentrations in plasma of car spray painters when compared to non-car spray painters did not showed any significant difference (P> .05). However, Anion gap was significantly increased (P<.05) in plasma of car spray painters when compared to non-car spray painters. Alanine amino transferase activity were significantly higher in plasma of Car spray painters (P < .05) when compared to non-car spray painters while Aspartate amino transferase activity, Total protein and Albumin concentrations remained relatively unchanged when compared between the studied groups. However, Aspartate amino transferase and Alanine amino transferase activities were affected by years of exposure to car paints. Conclusions: This study suggest that car spray paint affects Anion gap and Alanine amino transferase activity in car spray painters hence safety apparatus should be worn while working. However further test on other liver enzymes should be done to validate the effect of spray paint on