The chemical composition of the volatile oil of guava fruits from trees grown in Nigeria was investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 25 compounds accounting for 80% of the oil were identified. Free fatty acids (mainly lauric and myristic acids) were the most abundant group of constituents (34 %). Large amounts of /?-caryophyllene and oxygen-containing sesquiterpenes (25 %) were also typical for Nigerian guava. Caryophylladienols are reported as guava volatiles for the first time.
The anticoagulants used in this study were lithium heparin and sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total white blood cell (WBC) count and differential count were determined. No significant differences (p >0.05) were observed in the total RBC, WBC and MCHC values in the feral and pond cultured fish. In the pond cultured African catfish, the neutrophil values were significantly higher (p =0.001) than those of the feral African catfish irrespective of the anticoagulant used. The values for PCV, Hb, lymphocytes, eosinophils, MCV and MCHC of the feral African catfish were significantly higher (p <0.05) than those of the pond cultured African catfish irrespective of the anticoagulant used. The monocyte value for the feral fish was significantly higher (p =0.041) when EDTA was used as the anticoagulant. This study therefore concludes that both anticoagulants could be used for haematological evaluation of fish blood. Also, the habitat and environmental conditions should be taken into consideration when analyzing blood samples in fish.
Several studies had been conducted on the nutritional requirements of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Nevertheless, currently there is a gap about the gross composition of feed ingredients required for formulation of commercial feeds. The aims of this feeding trial were to investigate whether fish fed four different commercial feeds have a significant growth rate and nutrient utilization. A total of 120 fish samples were stocked for a triplicate feeding trial (10 fish for each replication) in 4 separated tanks with 4 different feeds: Euro, Melick, Coppens and Durante (T1), (T2), (T3) and (T4) respectively. During all the trial, the water quality and growth parameters were determined according to standard methods and no significant differences were found among the water quality parameters determined. The mean weight gain (MWG) and specific growth rate of T3 were significantly higher than those of other treatments. Statistics showed that protein efficiency ratio (PER) of T3 was significantly higher than other treatments. Contrary to the above trend, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of T2 was significantly higher than other treatments. According to the results of this study, fish fed with Coppens feed showed a significant growth rate and nutrient utilization.
Plantain chips is one of the products obtained from plantain. It is a popular snack among tourists and readily available in most tourist centres in some parts of Africa (such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire). Plantain chips is a local snack and belongs to the category of chips. Chips generally are classified as unhealthy snacks which may contribute to health related problems if consumed in large quantity. This study aimed at assessing the acceptability of spiced plantain chips with onions and dry pepper among tourists in the University of Ibadan Zoological garden and Agodi gardens, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. A Pilot study was conducted before the execution of the main research. Seven samples of plantain chips were prepared in which five of the samples was spiced with onions and dry pepper (Ata ijosi) at different inclusion levels (2% and 4%) while two served as positive and negative control. A class of sensory evaluation test (Affective test) was used to assess the organoleptic characteristics of the samples. A panel of twenty people which comprised of lecturers and students of the Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management was set up for the assessment. The result showed that plantain chips samples at 2% inclusion levels of onions and dry pepper were mostly preferred for the pilot study and this was used for the main study. For the positive and negative control samples, the negative control was preferred over the positive control and this served as the control for the main study. Thus, three samples (sample A, B and C) were prepared for the main study in which two samples, A and B were spiced with onions and dry pepper while sample C served as the control. 210 copies of Questionnaire (105 in each tourist centre) and Sensory Evaluation Forms were administered to tourists in both tourists’ centres using Convenience sampling technique. Data collected were subjected to descriptive (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (Analysis of variance and Multiple Linear Regression) using the SPSS software. The result of the sensory evaluation test among tourists revealed that the samples were significantly different in their sensory attributes from the control sample. Tourists preferred the spiced samples, A and B to the control sample, C. However, Sample A was mostly preferred with respect to its aroma, flavour, taste and overall acceptability. The result showed that spicing plantain chips with onions and dry pepper, especially onions may increase its consumption among tourists.
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