Ife Journal of Science and Technology

Pollen studies of some species in six genera of the family Cyperaceae from Ile-Ife, South West, Nigeria.

2023-09-03T13:39:53+00:00

This study was undertaken to investigate the pollen diversity and possible delimitation of 24 species from six genera of the
family Cyperaceae based on pollen morphology. The pollens were acetolysed using standard methods and viewed under the
light microscope. The quantitative and qualitative pollen characters were documented. The quantitative data were subjected
to PCA and SCLA analysis. From this study, it was documented that quantitative characters have little taxonomic value and
cannot be solely relied upon for identifying a particular genus in the family Cyperaceae. However, species in a genus can be
distinctly identified using qualitative characters such as pollen shapes and ornamentation though only a few of the species
studied were ornamented. The study revealed the pollen diversity among the members of the family studied and concluded
that even though palynological studies using the light microscope may not be used alone in delimiting the species, it can be
used to identify distinct species in the family.

Physical and biochemical attributes of seeds for screening cowpea genotypes for resistance to cowpea weevil {Callosobruchus maculatus (f.)}

2023-09-03T13:43:50+00:00

Cowpea weevil {Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)} is an important field-to-store pest responsible for post-harvest loss of
cowpea {Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.} seeds. One of the most economical and environment-friendly ways of preventing
losses from the beetle is through the use of resistant cowpea genotypes. Physical and biochemical attributes of seeds play
a key role in conferring resistance to the pest. Therefore, seeds of twenty-three cowpea genotypes were assessed for
resistance to weevil infestation, nutritional and anti-nutritional factors. Relationship between the resistance parameters and
the biochemical components of the seeds were also examined with the use of correlation analyses. Results showed that
variability existed among the cowpea genotypes for seed physical resistance parameters such as initial seed weight,
residual seed weight, seed weight loss, number of damaged seeds and weight of undamaged seeds. Association of
reproductive efficiency with carbohydrate content, crude fibre and moisture content in the cowpea was positive and
significant (r = 0.43*, 0.45* and 0.73**) while its relationship with protein content was negative and significant (r=-
0.46*). The ash content correlated negatively and significantly (r=-0.46*) with the median developmental period. Cowpea
genotype IT08K-125-107 exhibited the highest degree of tolerance to C. maculatus infestation, having suffered neither
weight loss nor damaged seed and also had very low reproductive efficiency of the C. maculatus. The study concluded
that while biochemical components played very little role in conferring resistance to C. maculatus in cowpea, increased
carbohydrate content, crude fibre as well as reduced ash and protein content in the cowpea seeds decreased the
reproductive efficiency and intensity of the C. maculatus infestation

Nutritional composition and functional properties of ogi powder made from quality protein maize (qpm), defatted soy and cinnamon

2023-09-03T13:54:44+00:00

The study evaluated the nutritional and functional properties of powdered ogi made from QPM, defatted soy, and
cinnamon and determined the impact of cinnamon inclusion on the nutritional and functional properties of the product. Six
samples A (100ː0ː0), B (89ː10ː1), C (87ː10ː3), D (85ː10ː5), E (83:10:7) and F (80ː10ː10) of powdered ogi were
formulated using different ratios of QPM, defatted soy, and cinnamon powder. Standard methods were used to analyze the
samples for proximate composition, mineral, dietary fibre, functional, pasting, and sensory properties. The proximate
analysis showed that the powdered ogi samples had a protein range of 7.33-8.93%, carbohydrate (73.07-74.55%), fat
(2.30-2.45%), crude fibre (1.52-1.67%), ash (2.03-2.24%), and moisture (11.61-12.25%). The dietary fibre result showed
a range of total dietary fibre (3.27-4.35), soluble dietary fibre (1.73-2.70), and insoluble dietary fibre (1.47-1.64). The
mineral content of the ogi samples ranged from Na (0.10-0.13%), K (0.23-0.29%), Ca (0.11-0.14%), Mg (0.11-0.15%),
and Zn (1.13-0.47%). The functional properties of the powdered ogi product in terms of oil absorption capacity ranged
between 105.70-116.50, water absorption capacity (112.45-121.40), swelling capacity (13.28-16.46) and least gelation
capacity of 0.51-0.53. The sensory acceptability level of the powdered ogi product reduced with increased level of
cinnamon powder inclusion. The powdered ogi product exhibited good nutritional and functional properties that could
serve as a good staple to combat protein energy malnutrition and other nutritional health issues

Factors influencing rental variation of residential and commercial properties in Jos, Nigeria

2023-09-03T13:58:26+00:00

Rent is the immediate return on property investment. Several Ethno-religious conflicts in Jos have caused a shift in
population and businesses polarising the city. These dynamics created a loop on the best type and suitable location for
property investment without an expert’s advice. This study examined the factors influencing rental variation in residential
and commercial properties in Jos for the period of six (6) years (2015 to 2021). The population for the study comprised
rented residential and commercial property tenants as well as practicing Estate Surveying and Valuation firms in Jos,
Nigeria. The purposive sampling technique was adopted in the sampling of four (4) residential neighborhoods
representing one low, two medium and one high density neighborhoods with one (1) commercial properties from the two
(2) Local Government Areas (LGAs) (Jos North and Jos South) that made up Jos metropolis and the systematic sampling
technique was then used in the sampling of respondents for the study. A sample size of 367 tenants of both commercial
and residential properties; and a total of 20 real estate firms were sampled. Rental values for the study period were
collected from practicing Estate Surveyors & Valuers in Jos while structured questionnaires were administered to tenants.
Descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as Mean and Multiple Regression analysis were used in analysing data.
The study revealed the rental values of residential properties in Jos South performed better than that of Jos North while on
the contrary, the rental values of commercial properties in Jos North performed better than that of Jos South. It also
revealed that Number of Bedrooms, Number of Convenience, Electricity, Water Supply, Security, Road Network,
Drainage Network, Physical Condition of Building, Sanitary Condition of the Neighbourhood and Location in relation to
Recreational Facilities are all influencing factors of residential property values while for commercial properties, the
variation can be attributed to Electricity, Parking Space, Security, Drainage Network, Physical Condition of the Building,
Numbers of Floor and Floor Area, although, in varying degrees and these factors are useful and imperative for informed
property investment decision making

Contrasting effect of crowder and tertiary isomerizations on ligand binding properties of two rabbit hemoglobin derivatives

2023-09-03T16:02:11+00:00

The need to explore the effect of molecular crowder on the tertiary structure of protein and determine how it affects the
function of such protein was the motivation for this work. Reaction of 5,5’dithobis(2-nitrobenzoate) (DTNB), a reagent
which reacts reversibly with hemoglobin sulfhydryl groups were carried out in dilute solution and in up to 100 mg/cm3
Ficoll 70. The reversible binding of DTNB to hemoglobin sulfhydryl group had previously shown to be linked to some
ionizable groups which are linked to the reversible binding of oxygen with hemoglobin. Reaction of rabbit oxy and
carbonmonoxy hemoglobin with DTNB was studied in the range of 5.8 ≤ pH ≤ 8.8. The data were fitted to a model which
takes into account the ionization of the ionizable groups on the reversible binding of DTNB with the hemoglobin.
Whereas, the affinity of carbonmonoxy hemoglobin for DTNB is reduced in the presence of Ficoll 70 (Fic), the affinity of
oxyhemoglobin for DTNB is enhanced in the presence of the crowding agent. This finding is an indication that crowding
may have possible physiological consequence of enhancing the binding of physiologically import ligand to hemoglobin.

Possibilities of rapid assessment of norm in oil rig waste products for environmental compliance monitoring

2023-09-03T16:05:22+00:00

Evaluation of Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) traditionally takes about a month to accomplish. This
is because two of the major naturally-occurring primordial radioisotopes,238U and232Th, decay into daughter products,
which are themselves serially radioactive. Included in both series is the radon gas, which continuously diffuses away, and
therefore keeps the system in perpetual disequilibrium. The one-month wait is therefore required to seal up the sample
after preparation and allow for the establishment of secular equilibrium within the series. This technical situation could
have enormous socio-economic implications in applications, where NORMs need to be routinely evaluated as rapidly as
possible. One major example is in the tons of waste products from the oil and gas industry, which could be deployed for
other economically-beneficial applications in the public space, provided their compliance with relevant regulatory limits
for radioactivity level could be ascertained in a timely manner. Previous workers trying to resolve this quagmire had
suggested innovative protocols involving sequential counting of the sample on different days. However, these are
generally too complex and laborious for routine applications, especially in an industrial setting involving many samples.
In this work, we have directed our attention primarily on incinerated ash obtained as secondary waste from oil sludge, and
clinkers produced with this ash. We simply evaluated the activity concentrations attributed to the238U and232Th series in
the two matrices at various pre-secular equilibrium waiting periods, and compared with results obtained after secular
equilibrium. By applying basic principles of risk assessment, we could then propose that samples with maximum activity
level of 1,175Bq/kg for238U and 700 Bq/kg for232Th measured at any time pre-equilibrium, will meet the 10,000Bq/kg
limits specified in the Nigeria Basic Ionizing Radiation Regulation 2003, for both radionuclides at secular equilibrium.

Chemical and functional properties of soy and ginger enriched brown rice (Oryza sativa) based flaked breakfast cereal

2023-09-03T16:12:50+00:00

Breakfast meal, the first meal taken in the day is very important to start off the day well both physically and mentally.
This study sought to create quality breakfast cereal using locally available crops namely brown rice (Oryza sativa),
defatted soybean (Glycine max), and ginger (Zingiber officinale) flours. To get rid of dirt and superfluous objects, brown
rice, soybeans, and ginger were each cleansed separately. After being cleaned, drained, and dried for eight hours at 70 °C
in a cabinet dryer, the brown rice was milled. After being finely sliced, the ginger was ground after being dried for 20
hours in a hot air oven at 60 °C. The brown rice, defatted soybean, and ginger flours were optimized to get the quantities
required for each blend. To every 100g of the blends, 0.1g sweetener, 1g salt, 6 ml vegetable oil, 4g xanthan gum, and
before extrusion and flaking, 100 ml of water were added, mixed, and precooked for 30 minutes. Functional and chemical
properties were assessed. The outcome revealed that the moisture content of the breakfast cereal ranged from 8.70 –
9.47%, the protein content (11.72 – 16.11%), the carbohydrate content 67.88 – 72.88%, and the energy content (370.98 –
375.28 kcal). The flour blends exhibited higher mineral concentrations with increased supplementation of the blends. The
bulk density and water absorption show that the value improves with an increase in the brown–rice flour quantity, while
the swelling capacity improves with an increase in ginger flour. The results show that the formulation of these flour blends
is suitable for the production of a breakfast cereal with high nutritional value and functional properties that is energy dense
and has the potential for the diabetic.

Map revision of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

2023-09-03T16:15:20+00:00

Day-to-day changes in physical environment due to both natural events and human activities require regular
documentation in form of map for planning an optimum allocation of limited resources. This study acquired and digitized
the orthophoto and satellite imagery of Obafemi Awolowo University; updated the existing map based on the identified
features on the satellite imagery and ground survey method; created a GIS database and analyzed the various changes
found in the study area. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver
was used to capture newly constructed buildings that were not found on the satellite imagery. The secondary data used
were data derived from existing orthophoto, base map of the study area and satellite imagery. A conceptual model for map
revision was developed and implemented. The source maps were digitized, layers such as road, river and buildings were
created and analysis was performed by overlaying these layers. New features were added, features that no longer exist
were deleted and changed features were amended to reflect the new situation. GIS database, comprising both geometric
and attribute data, was created. The study revealed that percentages of the newly constructed buildings between the year
2012 and 2021 and that of the demolished buildings were calculated to be 17.34% and 11.27% respectively. Analysis also
showed that there was tremendous infrastructural development in the study area in terms of road and building
construction. The up-dated Obafemi Awolowo University map was produced at the same scale as that of the source map,
1:25000. It is concluded that high-resolution satellite imagery and Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)
observation are effective and efficient methods of updating map. The results of this study will facilitate rapid decision
making and enhance planning of facilities in future development of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife.

Effects of different activation methods on the capacity of an agro-waste adsorbent in the removal of organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals contaminants from wastewater

2023-09-03T16:18:14+00:00

In the present study, the effects of different activation methods on the capacity of an agro-waste adsorbent in the removal
of multi-component contaminants from wastewater were investigated. The adsorbents were treated using sodium
hydroxide (NaOH), dichloromethane (DCM), distilled water, sulphuric acid (H2SO4), n-hexane, and nitric acid (HNO3),
and the eluted effluents were analyzed for the levels of organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals using Gas
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS), respectively. The percentage
recoveries of the organochlorine pesticides (87 - 98%) indicated that the precision, reliability, and reproducibility of the
adopted procedure were acceptable. The results of the study showed that DCM-treated adsorbents exhibited the highest
removal efficiency for the organochlorine pesticides with 100%, 99.64%, and 91.89% of chlorinated benzenes,
dichlorodiphenylethanes, and cyclodienes respectively, being removed while distilled water-treated adsorbents exhibited
the lowest removal efficiency. In contrast, the H2SO4-, HNO3-, and NaOH-treated adsorbents exhibited significant
removal (>80%) of Cd, Cu, and Pb from the wastewater. The removal of pesticide congeners by organic solvents was
ascribed to the theory that similarities are easily solvable in each other while the removal of metal ions by inorganic acids
was attributed to the creation of more acidic functional groups on the adsorbent’s surface. The economic feasibility and
eco-friendliness of the process pave way for further research and development into the optimization of reaction conditions
for the complete removal of these contaminants.