No abstract

Nono is a spontaneously fermented yoghurt-like milk product consumed is a staple food commodity in parts of the Sub-Saharan West Africa. Nono is usually consumed along with 'Fura' as 'Fura da Nono' in Nigeria. Studies on physicochemical and bacteriological qualities were carried out on samples of Nono obtained from 5 different sources in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. The Nono samples were found to be nutritious, containing moderate levels of ash, crude fat, crude protein and carbohydrate. The pH of the Nono samples was relatively low (4.04 ±0.04), while the density and specific density were close to that of distilled water at room temperature. Total aerobic plate count of Nono samples was 1.8 ±0.02 × 106 CFU.mL -1 . A total of 15 bacteria species namely Eubacterium nodatum, Bacillus subtilis,

Introduction : Heavy metals are known to cause deleterious effects on human health through food chain. Aims: The study is aimed at assessing heavy metal concentrations in the tissues of four highly consumed fish species and to evaluate the potential health risks associated with their consumption. Materials and Methods: The concentrations of Cu, Cd and Pb were analyzed in the tissues of Titus (Scomber Japonicus), Croaker (Pseudolithus Elongatus), Scumbia (Ilisha Africana) and Shrimps (Pipeus Notialis) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) after digestion of the samples. Results: The results showed that Cd was not detected in the tissues of all fish species. There were variations among Cu and Pb concentrations in the tissues of the fish species. Cu had the highest concentrations (1.00 µg/g) in the tissues of croaker and shrimps respectively while Pb had the lowest concentrations (0.25 µg/g) in the tissues of Scumbia . The levels of all metals in the present study were lower than the limits permitted by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO), European Community Regulation (EU) and European Commission (EC). Assessment of noncarcinogenic health hazard using Target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) indicated no concern from consumption of these fish species. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of the studied metals through fish consumption was below the permissible tolerable daily intake. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is no potential human health risk from consumption of the selected fish species. Keywords: Heavy metals, Hazard index, Target hazard quotient.

The nutrient value of high fibre (22% Crude protein) hulled sunflower cake (HFSC) substituted at 0, 25, 50 and 75 for soybean cake on protein was assessed using 180 day-old unsexed Anak broiler chicken. The diets contained about 23 and 20% crude protein as well as 2.95 kcal/g and 2.85kcal/g metabolizable energy at the starter and finisher phases respectively. At the starter phase, inclusion of HFSC above 25% significantly (P<0.05) reduced body weight (BW) and protein efficiency ratio (PER). At the finisher phase, inclusion of HFSC up to 50% increased crude fibre retention while 25% HFSC increased PER. There were significant (P<0.05) reduction in values of glutamate oxumate pyruvate transaminase at the starter and finisher phases. At the starter phase total protein (TP) and glucose (GL) were reduced at 75% HFSC diets, while above 25% HFSC inclusion reduced creatinine and urea nitrogen concentrations. At the finisher phase TP and albumin concentrations were reduced significantly (P<0.05) when above 25% HFSC was included. There was significant increase in glucose concentration except at 75% which did not differ from values obtained with 0% HFSC diet. There were significant (P<0.05) decreases in concentration, of creainine and urea nitrogen except at 50% and 25% of HFSC inclusion respectively. At the overall (starter and finisher) live weight and feed efficiency of 50% did not differ (P>0.05) from values obtained with 0% HFSC. This study suggested that not more than 50% of HFSC could replace soybeancake in broiler chicken diets.

A ten-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the apparent nutrient digestibility of 120, one-day old broiler starter chicks fed varying levels of Parboiled sundried taro cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) meal (PSCM). Four treatments were formulated with diet one containing 100% maize as control, while in diet two, three and four parboiled sundried cocoyam meal (PSCM) replaced the percentage proportion of maize in diet one at 50, 75 and 100% inclusion levels respectively. Thirty (30) birds were randomly assigned to the four treatment diets in a complete randomized designed (CRD) and each treatment group contained three replicates with ten (10) birds each. Ground fed feed and voided faecal samples collected after a 4-day feeding in a metabolic cage were analyzed for their respective proximate constituent. Apparent nutrient digestibility revealed that crude fibre was significantly (P<0.05) higher in diet 4 while crude ash was significantly (P<0.05) higher in control. Digestible ether extract and NFE were significantly (P<0.05) higher among birds placed on 50% PSCM. It is therefore concluded that parboiled sundried taro cocoyam meal (PSCM) could replace 50% of maize in broiler starter diet without any deleterious effect. However, substituting maize with parboiled sundried taro cocoyam meal at 50% replacement level improved nutrient digestibility and is hereby recommended for poultry farmers.

An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance characteristics of (120) broiler starter fed varying levels of parboiled sundried taro cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) meal (PSCM). Four treatments were formulated with diet one containing 100% maize as control, while in diet two, three and four parboiled sundried cocoyam meal (PSCM) replaced the percentage proportion of maize in diet one at 50, 75 and 100% inclusion level respectively. Thirty (30) birds were randomly assigned to the four treatment diets in a completely randomize designed (CRD) each treatment group comprising of three replicates with ten (10) birds each. Growth performance revealed a significant variation (P<0.05) in the values of final live weight, daily feed intake and weight gain with highest value (1.62kg, 480.00g and 62.00g/bird) among those fed 50% PSCM. Feed conversion ratio (13.02) was least and best among those on 50% PSCM and protein efficiency ratio was higher (0.06) among those fed the control. It is concluded therefore from this study that parboiled sundried taro cocoyam meal is a valuable replacement for maize up to 50% in broiler diets without adverse effects on the growth performance of starting broiler chickens.

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the level of inclusion of high fibre sunflower seed cake (HFSSC) protein as ror soyabean cake protein replacement  for soybean cake protein in the diets of broiler chicken at 0,25,50,75, and 100%. At the starter phase feed intake and feed efficiency ratio were significantly (p,0.05) increased as the level of HFSSC increased in the diets . weight gain and protein efficiency ratio were however significantly (p,0.05) reduced when over 25% of HFSSC was included in the diets . Atthe finisher phase the same trend was observed except that weight gain and protein efficiency ratio were significantly (p0.05) reduced when over 50% HFSSC was included in the diet. Significantly (p<0.05) differences were observed in live weight, plucked and dressing percentages at the starter and finisher phases. Reduction in abdominal fat deposition was obtained at the starter and finisher phases while gizzard weights wee significantly (p<0.05) increased. The result of this study show that 50% soybean  cake protein in the diets of broiler chicken can be replaced by HSFFC.

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the levels of inclusion of high fibre sunflower seed cake HFSSC) protein as replacement for soybean cake protein in the diets of broiler chicken at 0,25,50,75 and 100%. At the starter phase feed intake and feed efficiency ratio were significantly (P<0.05) increased as the level of HFSSC increased in the diets. Weight gain and protein efficiency ratio were however significantly (P<0.05) reduced when over 25% of HFSSC was included in the diet. At the finisher phase same trend was observed except that weight gain and protein efficiency ratio were significantly (P<0.05) reduced when over 50% HFSSC was included in the diet. Significant (P<0.05) differences were in liveweight, plucked and dressing percentages at the starter and finisher phases. Reduction in abdominal fat deposition was obtained at the starter and finisher phases while gizzard weights were significantly (P<0.05) increased. The results of this study show that 50% soybean cake protein in the diets of broiler chicken can be replaced by HFSSC.