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, Mineral Bioavailability and Functional Properties of Defatted and Undefatted Avocado Pear (Persia americana) Seed Flours

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the proximate composition, mineral bioavailability and functional properties of defatted and undefatted avocado pear seed flours. Avocado pear seed was processed into flour and thereafter defatted using n-hexane. The proximate composition, total and extractable minerals and functional properties of the seed flours were determined using standard methods. Proximate analysis revealed that the defatted seed flour contained significantly (p<0.05) higher protein (11.90%) and ash (2.60%) than the undefatted sample (7.24% and 2.12%, respectively). The undefatted seed flour recorded higher values of moisture (4.84%), fat (3.28%), crude fibre (7.99%), carbohydrate (74.71%) and energy (406.08 kcal) than the defatted sample. Mineral composition of the seed flours also showed that undefatted sample contained significantly (p<0.05) higher contents of sodium (24.56 mg/100 g) and iron (9.05 mg/100 g) than the defatted while defatted sample was significantly (p<0.05) higher in potassium (103.15 mg/100 g), phosphorus (7.80 mg/100 g) and calcium (56.50 mg/100 g). Defatted seed flour gave the highest bioavailable sodium (53.88%), potassium (51.69%), iron (26.07%), phosphorus (47.12%) and calcium (43.47%) while undefatted seed flour had the lowest bioavailable sodium (51.41%), Original Research Article Emelike et al.; AFSJ, 17(3): 1-10, 2020; Article no.AFSJ.59166 2 potassium (50.49%), iron (17.45%), phosphorus (45.35%) and calcium (36.35%). There were significant differences (p<0.05) among these values. Results of the functional properties of the seed flours showed that the defatted seed flours were high in water and oil absorption capacities (1.87 g/g and 1.87 g/g, respectively), bulk density (0.85 g/ml) and swelling power (6.75 g/g). However, these values were significantly (p<0.05) similar except for bulk density. Least gelation concentration was 4% for both flours while solubilities were 14.57% and 14.63% for defatted and undefatted seed flour, respectively. The result from this study indicates that avocado pear seed flours may be useful in some food formulations. Defatted avocado pear seed is a good source of protein and can be incorporated into existing food products to provide a protein rich diet.

Diet of the semi-aquatic snake, Afronatrix anoscopus (Colubridae) in southern Nigeria

Abstract: A total of 332 specimens (59 subadults, 131 males and 142 females) of the semiaquatic colubrid Afronatrix anoscopus were collected in southern Nigeria to study their dietary preferences. The adult male to female sex‐ratio (0.92) was not significantly different from equivalence, with female body length being greater than that of males. A total of 60.2 % of the subadults, 39% of the males, and 43.2% of the females had identifiable food items in their stomachs. The diet of all categories (subadults, males and females) consisted of amphibians and fish, with a predominance of anuran tadpoles and the frog Silurana tropicalis. Subadults took significantly more anuran tadpoles than adults of both sexes, but fewer fish than adults of both sexes.

The effect of liming on maize yield and soil properties in Southern Nigeria

Abstract: Effects of four rates of lime applications to maize grown in 12 strongly acidic soils of southern Nigeria belonging to Ultisol and Inceptisol orders were studied under greenhouse conditions. Five of these soils (Al saturation, 26%‐33%; Ca saturation, 3%‐16%) showed marked responses to lime with % relative yield (percentage of maximum yield) ranging from 5 to 73, 2 soils (Al saturation, 1% and 5%; Ca saturation, 52% and 59%) showed no response (about 95% relative yield) and the remaining 5 soils (Al saturation, 15%‐28%; Ca saturation, 10%‐31%) showed marginal responses (79% to 90% relative yield). Percent relative yield was highly correlated with initial soil values of % Al saturation (r = 0.923), 0.02M CaCl2 soluble Al (r = 0.906), % Ca saturation (r = 0.806) and exchangeable Ca (r = 0.729) and poorly correlated with soil pH (r = 0.559). Overall, Al saturation, soluble Al, Ca saturation and exchangeable Ca values corresponding to 90% relative yield were 27%, 13 mg/L, 21% and 0.7 cmol(+)/kg, respe...