The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence gum Arabic incorporation on the proximate composition and sensory properties of biscuits produced from flour blends of wheat and water yam. Water yam was processed into flour and used in composite with wheat flour for biscuit production. Two formulations A and B were produced from the mixture of wheat and water yam flour in the ratios of 50:50 and 30:70, respectively. The two formulations each were used to produce biscuits with different concentrations of gum Arabic (0%, 0.3% and 0.5%) and 100% wheat flour as control. Biscuit samples were subjected to proximate and sensory analysis using standard methods. Increase in the concentration of gum Arabic resulted to an increase in the moisture content (5.63-6.41% and 5.31-6.01%), crude fibre (1.13-1.95% and 2.22-3.40%) and carbohydrate contents (76.96-78.99% and 73.73-77.75%) for formulations A and B, respectively. A decrease in the ash content (3.11-2.85% and 4.60-2.78%), fat (5.35-2.56% and 5.62-2.51%) and protein content (7.82-7.24% and 8.52-8.05%) was also observed as the concentration of gum Arabic increased for formulations A and B, respectively. Result of the sensory analysis revealed that the control biscuit sample was more preferable for colour, taste, flavor, softness and general acceptability while biscuit samples containing 0.5% gum Arabic was more preferred for crispiness and hardness. The result also showed that the incorporation of gum Arabic led to increased sensorial attributes of wheat/water yam composite biscuits. The control sample and biscuit sample containing 30% water yam flour, 70% wheat flour and 0.5% gum Arabic were significantly similar for crispiness, hardness, softness and overall acceptability suggesting that gum Arabic can be incorporated at 0.5% into wheat and water yam composite flour at 70% and 30%, respectively for the production of acceptable and quality biscuits.
Household cleaning products are commonly used worldwide to enhance cleanliness and hygiene. Most household cleaning products marketed commercially today are very expensive, unaffordable and contain toxic and harmful chemicals. Some may even damage the cleaned surface through corrosion or abrasion. The aim of this study was to produce eco-friendly household cleaning products from locally available materials. The study was carried out in Omuku, Rivers State. The population was made up of all 182 housekeepers and working mothers across the five school of the Federal College (Technical) of Education and 15 hotels. The stratified random sampling technique was used to sample 102 working mothers and housekeepers. Household cleaning products such as liquid soap was produced from local materials such as orange, lemon, tangerine, coconut oil, and palm ash. Toilet cleaner was formulated from ginger and aloe vera extracts and activated carbon while floor wash was made from local gin, liquid wash, alcohol, lemon and sodium chloride. The products were subjected to sensory acceptability. A nine Point Hedonic Scale questionnaire was also constructed and administered to the respondents for data collection. Mean rating was used to analyze the research questions and sensory evaluation and Z-test was used to analyze the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the study revealed that the locally produced household cleaners were acceptable in terms of quality. The respondents’ response differed with respect to the colour and the odour of locally made household cleaners especially the locally produced liquid soap. The study also revealed that the locally produced household cleaners differed from commercial ones only in terms of colour. The result therefore indicates the potentials of utilizing locally available materials for the production of non-toxic, natural and environmentally safe household cleaning products.
Background: The geriatric population is increasing globally, and anaemia in the elderly is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The Anaemia in Elderly study (ANiE study) aimed to assess the prevalence, associations and severity of anaemia in elderly patients attending the outpatient clinics at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of consenting patients, 60 years and older, attending the outpatient clinics in our hospital. A blood sample was collected for full blood count, blood glucose, serum creatinine and HIV serology. A data collection tool was used to collect data on comorbidities, occupation and income among others. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were done to determine factors associated with anaemia in elderly patients in the outpatient clinics. Results: A total of 288 patients consented to participate, anaemia was prevalent in 101 (35.1%) of the participants, there was no difference in the prevalence between males and females, the mean PCV was 38.33±1.33%, the majority of the anaemic patients had mild anaemia 46 (45.5%). Being a patient on follow-up visit to the hospital, the average monthly income and employment status were significantly associated with the occurrence of anaemia. Conclusions: Anaemia according to the WHO definition was prevalent in 35.1% of elderly patients attending the out-patients’ clinics in the hospital. Factors associated with anaemia were employment status and average monthly income. It is important to identify patients at risk and provide appropriate care to prevent further morbidity and mortality.
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