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.

Physico-Chemical and Sensory Properties of Cookies Prepared from Wheat Flour and Cashew-Apple Residue as a Source of Fibre

Abstract: Physico-chemical and sensory attributes of wheat/cashew-apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) fibre residue composite cookies were investigated. Cashew-apple fibre (CAF) was produced by sun-dried method (samples A, B, C, D), oven-dried method (samples F, G, H, I) and milled. Composite flour of wheat/ CAF was prepared using different levels of substitution from 0 – 20%, with 0% (sample E, 100% wheat flour) as the control. Cookies were produced using the composite flour blends, physical and sensory characteristics of the cookies evaluated within 48h of production.Physical attributes evaluated includes cookie weight, height, diameter and spread ratio. The incorporation of fibre affected significantly (p≥0.05) cookie height and weight using both methods compared to thecontrol while values for cookie diameter and spread ratio of the control sample were significantly higher compared to those with CAF addition. In all the sensory attributes studied, there were significant reductions compared to the control. However, the aroma, taste and general acceptability of cookies were found to improve with increase in the levels of CAF added.Chemical composition of the cookies showed that protein and carbohydrate decreased with increase in the levels of CAF while moisture, fat, ash and fibre increased significantly (p≥0.05) compared to the control. The fact that the overall acceptability rating of CAF incorporated cookies were close to the control sample (8.3) with 0% CAF and that crude fibre content of the cookies produced with CAF addition increased showed that cashew-apple residue can actually be used as a source of fibre in the food industry. This demonstrates a potential for cookie production using CAF supplementation in a productive exploitation of the currently wasted resources as a raw material source for cookie production.

Changes in cassava toxicity during processing into gari and ijapu--two fermented food products.

Abstract: Grated cassava to which tap water was added at levels of 25%, 50% and 75% (v/w) was held at 30°C, 40°C or 50°C and examined over a 6h period for cyanide content, pH and titratable acidity (TTA). During the come‐up time, i.e. the time between addition of water and attainment of desired holding temperature (between 14 and 47 min), reductions in bound cyanide of ca 54–85% occurred, depending on the level of added water and holding temperature. The corresponding losses for the control samples, to which no water was added, were ca 25–33%. The biggest reduction in the bound cyanide of >99% (from 89.0 to 0–6 ppm) occurred in grated cassava with 75% added water held at 50°C. There was little or no change in pH during the period of study. The reduction of processing time for certain cassava products based on separation into detoxication and flavour development/fermentation stages is discussed.

Heavy metal contamination in fish (Callinectis amnicola) from an estuarine creek in the Niger Delta, Nigeria and health risk evaluation.

Abstract: Heavy metal bioconcentration in crabs from an estuarine creek in the Niger Delta was examined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Health risk via human exposure to metal toxicity was evaluated. Mean metal levels (µg/g) were Cr 2.32 ± 0.71, Ni 2.76 ± 0.48, Cu 12.94 ± 3.53, Pb 5.67 ± 1.03, Ag 1.83 ± 0.71 and Cd 0.73 ± 0.14 with significant difference (p < 0.001) between periods. Ni, Pb and Cd had values above FAO/WHO recommended limits. Estimated daily intake values were below the reference oral doses and the target hazard quotient was <1 for each metal examined while hazard index for all metals was also <1. The target carcinogenic risk value for Ni was 3.4 × 10-3. Based on the evaluations, the study concluded that consumers of crabs from the study area had minimal/moderate metal toxicity exposures of no significant health concern but recommended continuous monitoring to detect anomalies.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Pahs) of Surface Water from Oburun Lake, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract: Oburun Lake is situated in Ikarama Community, Bayelsa State and once served as fishing ground but is now a sink for oil spills and other anthropogenic wastes from its surroundings. The study determined the status and the various sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) besides oil spills. Surface water samples were collected for three months (November-December 2014 and January 2015) from five sampling stations according to APHA method. These were analysed for PAHs. PAHs were detected at all sampling points in the Oburun Lake but were present at very low concentrations for most of them especially the lower molecular PAHs (LMPAHs). The maximum values for Chrysene (1.47 μg/l), Benzo(a)anthracene (1.17 μg/l), Benzo(b)fluoranthene (1.3 μg/l), Benzo(k)fluoranthene (1.22 μg/l), Benzo(a)pyrene (1.33 μg/l), Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene (1.35 μg/l), Indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene (1.17 μg/l) and PAH (Total Detected) (minimum and maximum) (0.49-18.8 μg/l) exceeded the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) recommended for aquatic environments, fisheries, aquatic life and drinking water but do not have significant acute toxicity to aquatic organisms. These HMPAHs have great health implications on human and aquatic life. The presence of LMPAHs and HMPAHs in water indicates organic pollution from natural, anthropogenic and biogenic or diagenetic sources.

Antinutrients and heavy metals in new Nigerian Musa hybrid peels with emphasis on utilization in livestock production

Abstract: Introduction. A comparative study of antinutrients and heavy metals in the peels of five improved varieties of plantain and banana hybrids was investigated. Our aim was to provide information on plantain and banana peels that may circumvent huge losses during fruit processing by converting waste into wealth and health. Materials and methods . Four new plantain hybrids developed at the IITA, Nigeria, named PITA 14, PITA 17, PITA 24 and PITA 26, one cooking banana hybrid (BITA 3) and an African plantain landrace, Agbagba, were investigated. Antinutrient and heavy metal contents of the dried peels from the different cultivars were determined and the data were statistically analyzed. Results and discussion . The plantain hybrid PITA 14 differed significantly from other cultivars in saponin, tannin and oxalate. A significant difference was observed between PITA 17 in phytate compared with other cultivars. Cyanogenic glucosides found in PITA 17, PITA 26 and BITA 3 differed significantly from the values obtained in other cultivars. Both BITA 3 and Agbagba are significantly different from other cultivars in phenolic content, while PITA 24 and Agbagba differed significantly from other cultivars in lead. PITA 24 peels differed significantly from other cultivars in cadmium, but no significant difference was found among the different Musa varieties in mercury. Conclusion . In spite of the antinutritional properties ascribed to the various constituents investigated, the levels found in the peels of new Musa hybrids suggest that new varieties might not constitute a health hazard when ingested. Plantain and banana peels may be converted into livestock feeds, which will eventually provide protein and other nutrients to humans from consumption of meat and other products derived from the animals.