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 Sensory Properties of Complementary Food Formulated From Malted Pre-Gelatinized Maize, Soybean and Carrot Flours

Abstract: The nutrient and sensory properties of malted pre-gelatinized maize supplemented with varying amounts of soy and carrot flour was evaluated The blends (Malted pre-gelatinized maize flour : Soy flour : Carrot flour) in grams were: A (80: 20: 0), B (73125: 23125: 375), C (66250: 26250: 750), D (65625: 23125:1125), E (65: 20:15), F (63125: 33125: 375), G (63125:25625: 1125), H (60: 25: 15) and I (100:0:0) There were significant (P ≤ 05) differences in the proximate composition of the blends The moisture content ranged between 355 - 810% The protein content of the samples increased (P ≤ 05) with the increase in soy substitution and varied from 1161% for the control (sample I) to 2153% for sample F The fat, ash and crude fibre content of the blends varied from 168 - 1086, 145 - 28 and 020 - 440% respectively The control had significantly (P ≤ 05) the highest carbohydrate content of 7561%, while it varied between 5530 and 7160 % for others The energy values varied from 36043 - 40500 Kcal/g The sensory scores were based on a 9-point hedonic scale, with 1 and 9 expressed as dislike extremely and like extremely The assessors’ likeness for the sensory attributes (colour, texture, taste, aroma and general acceptability) was below neither like nor dislike This study revealed that substitution with soybeans and carrot flours increased the nutrient composition of the malted pre-gelatinized maize, soybean and carrot flour blends Particularly the soy flour as sample F with the highest soy flour substitution (33 123g) had significantly the highest protein (2153%), fat (1086%) and energy (405 Kcal/g) values This would be recommended for good quality porridge Although, the sensory analysis revealed the need for further investigation on processing methods especially the malting process as to enhance the overall acceptability of the product

Endemism and diversity in European montane mammals: macro-ecological patterns

Abstract: Mountains are important landforms with regard to both biodiversity and evolution of endemism. We analysed macro-ecological patterns of distribution and endemism of European montane (i.e. with at least 70% of their range inside mountain areas) mammals. The landscape of the study area was characterized by three environmental variables: land cover, land-use and elevation. For each species, we collected spatially explicit information on the extent of occurrence, level of endemicity, conservation status, habitat preferences, elevation range and all the available presence points. Montane species accounted for 25.5% of the total (N = 66), whereas lowland species (N = 193) accounted for 74.5% of the total European mammals. There was a significantly lower mean range in size of montane species compared to non-montane species. There was a negative correlation between the number of species and elevation, and a negative correlation between median elevation of the range of a given species and its extent of occurrence. The highest peak in the percentage of species present in each altitudinal band was observed at lower elevations in the lower altitude mountain chains. There was a significantly negative correlation between elevation and Simpson’s index of habitats, but species richness increased significantly with Simpson’s index of habitat diversity. A total of 122 species (40.7%) were European endemics, with the frequencies of endemic species not being different between montane areas and overall. A logistic regression model showed that, for a given species, being montane also enhanced the probability of being endemic to Europe. Montane species are especially concentrated in the Caucasus, along the Turkish coast of the Black Sea. The area of the various mountain chains did not influence either the number of montane species or the number of montane species that are strictly endemic to that mountain chain. A total of 45 endemic montane species were recorded for the study region, with only ten being of conservation concern according to IUCN criteria.