The present research accounts for the physicochemical and phytochemical characteristics of yellow and brown Cyperus esculentus, which were subjected to standard chemical and biochemical analysis. The results obtained from the analysis of yellow tiger nut showed the following phytochemical properties: anthocyanin 0.82 ± 0.02 µg/ml, oxalate 1.43 ± 0.05 µg/ml, tannin 12.22 ± 0.10 µg/ml, rutin 39.19 ± 0.29 µg/ml, phenol 10.94 ± 0.05 µg/ml, lunamarine 38.99 ± 0.07 µg/ml, saponin 44.67 ± 0.15 µg/ml, ribalinidine 1.35 ± 0.03 µg/ml, phytate 0.33 ± 0.01 µg/ml, catechin 48.29 ± 0.04 µg/ml, and kaempferol 38.59 ± 0.02 µg/ml. The brown tiger nut showed the presence of the phytochemicals with values as: anthocyanin 0.01 ± 0.00 µg/ml, oxalate 2.66 ± 0.02 µg/ml, tannin 12.67 ± 0.04 µg/ml, rutin 43.99 ± 0.05 µg/ml, phenol 11.02 ± 0.10 µg/ml, lunamarine 39.66 ± 0.03 µg/ml, saponin 47.79 ± .06 µg/ml, ribalinidine 1.21 ± 0.04 µg/ml, phytate 0.28 ± 0.03 µg/ml, catechin 46.77 ± 0.05 µg/ml, and kaempferol 38.34 ± 0.15 µg/ml. The observed level of mineral elements in the tiger nut is in the increasing order of zinc > sodium > iron > copper > calcium > magnesium > potassium for yellow tiger nut, and for brown tiger nut the order is zinc > sodium > iron > copper > calcium > magnesium > potassium. The values of physical and chemical properties recorded for yellow tiger nut is in the increasing order of moisture > ash content > crude protein > crude fiber > crude fat > carbohydrate, the increasing order for brown tiger nut shows ash content > moisture > crude protein > crude fiber > crude fat > carbohydrate. This indicates that tiger nuts contain elevated carbohydrate levels, crude fat and protein. From the data obtained, the high potassium to low sodium ratio of the two species of tiger nuts consequently might be imperative in diet recommendations for patients with high blood pressure (high BP) and edema as well. The investigated tiger nut varieties are rich sources of the phytochemicals, oil and contain moderate amounts of protein. They are also rich sources of fiber and carbohydrates. The phytochemical constituents of the tiger nuts are important and could be of high commercial significance in both, research institutes and pharmaceuticals companies for manufacturing of new drugs and for therapeutic applications.
The microorganism associated with cassava fermentation for producing Abacha was investigated using four different Farms in Owerri (Obinze, Umugwuma, Urata and Orji) as sample collection areas. Four of the cassava tubers that harvested, were washed, cooked and soaked with water after cutting to produce Abacha, which was then fermented using standard microbiological methods. The wastewater was subsequently sampled. All the samples A, B, C, and D showed significant bacteria growth after application of NA, MRS, PDA. In the study, six bacteria and fungi isolates were identified: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus spp, Candida spp., Aspergillus spp. and Bacillus spp. Results showed that the total heterotrophic bacteria count of the sample varies within 8.0×1010 to 2.5×1012 and total fungi count (TFC) ranges from 6.6×109 to 9.6×109. The study also showed that Lactobacillus spp. and Escherichia coli had the highest prevalence occurrence of 75.00% (P < 0.05), while Staphylococcus aureus, Saccharomyces spp., Bacillus spp. and Candida spp. had a percentage occurrence of 50.00%, respectively. There is, therefore, urgent need for public enlightenment on public health implications, need for proper hygiene, as well as need for strategies for preventing and controlling the microorganisms which do not play a role in the fermentation of cassava for Abacha production.
This paper is a study of G6PD activity in malaria-infected children in Owerri. Blood samples were collected from fifty-one (51) children hospitalized in the Federal Medical Center (FMC) and analyzed using standard Medical Laboratory methods. Results revealed that out of the 51 children examined (26 males and 25 females), 39, representing 76.47% of the total malaria infected children numbers, were G6PD deficient, while 12, representing 23.53%, had normal G6PD. Two different plasmodium species and their percentage occurrences were observed. These were: Plasmodium falciparum (78.43%) and Plasmodium malariae (21.57%). The work indicated that male children were more (P < 0.05) deficient than females, with percentage levels of 61.53% and 38.47%, respectively. In addition, children between the ages of 49-60 months was observed to be more (P < 0.05) G6PD deficient (with percentage of 25.64%), while those between 0-12 months were least G6PD deficient (with percentage of 8.3% (P < 0.05)). As being afflicted with malaria carries a high risk of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in children, there is, therefore, urgent need for public enlightenment on public health implications, need for proper hygiene, as well as a need for strategies for preventing and controlling mosquito populations
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