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The seeds of Prosopis africana (Guill. & Perr.) were collected and analysed for proximate, anti-nutritional factors, elemental, oxide composition and amino acid profile using standard procedures to evaluate the seeds' nutritional potentials. The results of the proximate composition indicated the following: ash content (3.94%), moisture (8.56%), protein (32.27%), lipids (2.36%), crude fibre (6.75%), and carbohydrate (46.12 %). The results of anti-nutritional factors showed that Prosopis africana seed contained oxalate (0.27 mg/100g), saponin (10.5 mg/100g), alkaloid (7.5 mg/100g), and tannin (16.24 mg/100g). Amino acid profile of the seeds was found to contain; lysine (2.77 mg/100g), methionine (1.86 mg/100g), isoleucine (3.46 mg/100g), leucine (13.26 mg/100g), phenylalanine (4.82 mg/100g), valine (4.13 mg/100g) and non-essential amino acids; arginine (3.62 mg/100g), serine (2.81 mg/100g), aspartic acid (4.58 mg/100g) and glycine (7.12 mg/100g). Elemental composition of the seeds showed potassium (1.397 mg/Kg), calcium (0.405 mg/Kg), Sulphur (1.679 mg/Kg), zinc (0.008 mg/Kg), cadmium (0.002 mg/Kg), phosphorus (0.545 mg/Kg), chlorine (0.021 mg/Kg), manganese (0.01 mg/Kg), silicon (0.202 mg/Kg), and antimony (0.007 mg/Kg); While the oxides composition were: MnO (0.013%), CaO (0.567%), Al O (0.061%), ZnO (0.01%) and SiO (0.433%). The 2 3 2 results of the study revealed that Prosopis africana seed contained high protein content which can be use to supplement the high cost conventional sources. However, the value of anti-nutritional factors suggests that proper processing methods should be adopted before it could be consumed.

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The extraction and characterization of both cold press and hexane solvent extracted Moringa oleifera oil found in North central (Makurdi, Benue State) Ecological Zone of Nigeria has been carried out. The moringa seed was milled into flour and then divided into two portions. The first portion was used for the cold press extraction while the second portion was defatted using soxhlet extraction method. Normal hexane was used as solvent for the extraction process. The characterization breakdown revealed that tested parameters, which include specific gravity, refractive index, acid value, free fatty acid and moisture content were not significantly different (p<0.05) from each other. While, viscosity, colour, pH, percentage yield, saponification value, peroxide value and iodine value for both cold press and hexane solvent extracted Moringa oil produced, were significantly different (p<0.05) from each other. The oil was analysed using Gas Original Research Article

Aims: The contamination of groundnut by aflatoxins (AF) results in financial losses to farmers’ as well as severe food safety and public health challenges globally. This study was carried out to; (i) assess the levels of AFB1 in husked groundnut seeds in Makurdi (ii) determine the relationship between moisture content and AF levels, and (iii) investigate vendors’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of AF and their approach towards groundnut storage. Study Design: Quantitative research method was employed in this study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Benue State University, Makurdi from May – June 2019. Methodology: Duplicate groundnut samples were collected from ten market locations in Makurdi and analyzed using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) quantification method. Results: The moisture content of the groundnuts was determined, and data on Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) relating to groundnut storage were obtained using mini-questionnaires. The results obtained showed that all the sampled groundnuts were contaminated with AFB1 levels ranging from 17.3 - 35.9 parts per billion (ppb). Furthermore, we found a correlation between high moisture content and high AFB1 levels and vice-versa. The knowledge of AF among the groundnut retailers was low (<40%), and 40.91% of the sellers confirmed that groundnuts were stored for ≤one month before sale. Conclusion: The levels of AFB1 levels in stored groundnuts are above the permissible limit of 20 ppb for stored groundnut in Nigeria. The data obtained raises concerns for food safety considering that groundnuts are widely consumed in Makurdi. Regular evaluation of AFB1 levels in food should be conducted in Nigeria.