IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANTS AND TOTAL PHENOLIC CONTENTS OF THREE MEDICINAL PLANTS COMMONLY USED IN NORTH – EAST NIGERIA

Aliyu Daja1, Korawinwich Boonpisuttinant2, Zainab Kassim M.1, and Abubakar Gidado1

1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science University of Maiduguri Nigeria.

2Thai Traditional Medicine College, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand

E-mail: aliyudaja@yahoo.com

Abstract: Crude aqueous and ethanolic extracts of three plants Parkia bigbolosa, Kaya senegalensis, and Leptadenia hastata were analysed for their antioxidant activities and total phenolic content. The antioxidant activities were measured as radical scavenging activity by 2, 2-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl DPPH, inhibition of lipid peroxidation by Ferric-thiocyanate method and metal chelating activity by ferrous ion chelating method and Folin-ciocalteau method was used to measure the total phenolic content expressed as mg/g GAE. The highest concentration of polyphenols was observed in extracts of Kaya senegalensis followed by Parkia bigbolosa and then Leptadenia hastata. For the radical scavenging assay by DPPH, both Kaya senegalensis and Parkia bigbolosa demonstrated very good ability of scavenging with SC50 value ranging between 0.025-0.027mg/ml when compared with 0.017mg/ml of ascorbic acid with no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in terms of activity, but Leptadenia hastata showed a significantly weak scavenging activity with SC50 of 1.959mg/ml and 0.524mg/ml compared to the reference standard. Kaya senegalensis aqueous extract appeared to have better ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation having LP50 values of 0.257mg/ml with over five fold potency than that of the standard (p<0.05), leptadenia hastata aqueous and kaya senegalensis ethanolic extracts exhibited very poor inhibition activity (p>0.05) when compared with the reference standard Vitamin E which has LP50 of 1.440mg/ml. However, all of the extracts revealed a weak ability to chelating ferrous ion with MC50 values range of (3.837 to 13.838mg/ml) when compared with the standard EDTA that has MC50 of 0.450mg/ml. This indicates that these plants are good source of antioxidant for free radical scavenging and some having the ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation and thus, can be used in preventing, treating or managing oxidative stress related diseases.


PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE DIVERSITY OF INSECTS OF HADEJIA- NGURU WETLANDS

Abubakar, M. M., Kutama, A.S. and Sulaiman, M. I.

Department of Biological Sciences

Federal University Dutse, Nigeria

E-mail: mmabubakar2005@gmail.com

Abstract: Threats to the aquatic ecosystem by human activities constitute threats to the biodiversity of such ecosystem, which affect the quality of human life in the wetland area, either directly or indirectly. The Hadejia-Nguru wetlands consist of several temporary and permanent floods and drylands. Aquatic insects and the aquatic stages of some terrestrial insects were sampled using water net, plankton net, sweep net, pitfall traps and pooters from seven locations in the wetland. Collected insects were identified using several keys. Twenty species of aquatic insects belonging to seven orders were recorded. With the highest diversity observed at Nguru Lake which is a permanent water body. The order hemiptera is the most represented taxa in the wetland. Factors such as draught, pollution, macrophyte cover, nature of substratum were implicated as affecting the diversity and species richness of the aquatic insects in the wetland. It was recommended that the present survey be extended to cover a seasonal and spatial study of the insects, as well as investigating the interaction within and between species, in order to establish vital links among insects and other organisms that inhabit the wetland.


ECONOMIC OF SNAIL REARING IN NDUKWA WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Uche Okeke

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus

E-mail: stan2kc@yahoo.com Abstract: The study analysis economics of snail rearing in Ndukwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. It considered the socio-economic characteristics of snail rearing farmers; the profitability of the enterprise, the problems associated with snail farming in the study area. It also makes recommendations based on the findings.             A total of 50 respondents from five clans in the L.G.A. were selected. A well structured questionnaire was administered to the chosen farmers. The work was analyzed using descriptive statistics and budgeting technique. The budgetary technique was used to determine the profitability of the enterprises, which was found to be profitably in the study area at a gross margin of N234,370, net farm income of N191.981.3, mean net farm income of N 3,839.6 and net return on investment of N 1.56. Constraints in snail production in decreasing magnitude were slow growth, predator attack, theft, feed availability, source of foundation stock, mortality, capital, marketing and inexperience. It was recommended that extension agents should teach farmers on improved technique in snail rearing, more research should be carried out, government should establish breeding centers, provide farmer’s with incentives and other inputs and encourage farmers to


ADSORPTION STUDIES FOR THE REMOVAL OF CU (II) AND PB (II) FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION BY LOCAL ADSORBENT USING NONLINEAR REGRESSION METHODS

Uwadiae, S. E.

Department of Chemical Engineering,

Afe Babalola University, P.M.B. 5454, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

E-mail: suwadiae@yahoo.com 

Abstract: The sorption of two divalent metal ions – copper and lead – from aqueous solution onto Ikpoba clay in single component systems has been studied. Batch adsorption study for the clay fraction was conducted at ambient temperature, using <0.02mm particle sizes. The experimental data have been analysed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, Toth and Sips isotherm models. In order to determine the best fit isotherm for each system, five error analysis methods were used to evaluate the data:  hybrid fractional error function (HYBRID), Marquardt’s percent standard deviation (MPSD), average relative error (ARE), sum of the errors squared (ERRSQ) and sum of the absolute errors (EABS). However, the sum of normalized error (SNE) was further employed in order to have a better comparison between the error functions sets for the isotherm models. The error values indicated that the Sips isotherm was able to provide the best quality of fit for all the experimental data, over the concentration range (3-6 mg/L) studied for Cu(II) with error values of 13.9609 , 0.3104, 0.0025, 2.9965, 0.1220 and 0.2111  for ARE, EABS, ERRSQ, HYBRID, MPSD and SNE respectively; while Toth isotherm gave the best quality of fit for all the experimental data, over the concentration range (20-40 mg/L) studied for Pb(II) with error values of 19.9202, 0.4070, 0.0469, 6.0984, 0.2316, 0.33072  for ARE, EABS, ERRSQ, HYBRID, MPSD and SNE respectively.


ABATTOIR SURVEY OF “PIMPLY GUT” AMONGST SLAUGHTER SMALL RUMINANTS IN DAMATURU, YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

1Biu, A.A., 2Yakaka, W., 3Mustapha, F.B., 1Zango, M.K., 1Lawan, F.A. and 1Ashraf, M. G.

1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

2 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

3 Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri

E-mail:  biuvet@yahoo.com

Abstract: This study was carried out using postmortem examination of sheep and goats slaughtered at the Damaturu abattoir between November, 2009 and January, 2010.  Both the small and large intestinal tracts of 400 goats and 105 sheep were examined with a prevalence of 74 (18.5%) and 23 (21.9%) respectively (p>0.05). Female and ages >6 months of both sheep and goats had a significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence of 52.2%/71.6% and 91.3%/82.4% respectively compared to the male and ages < 6 months of the same sheep and goats examined 47.8%/28.4% and 8.7%/17.6% respectively). Also, the small intestinal tracts of both sheep and goats were significantly (p<0.05) more infected having prevalence rates of 95.7% and 79.7 % compared to their large intestines with 4.3% and 20.3% respectively. Based on breed, Yankasa of sheep had a significantly higher (p<0.05) prevalence of 47.8% compared to Balami (34.8%) and Ouda (17.4%), also Kano red of goats had a significantly higher (67.6%) prevalence compared to Sahel white with 32.4%. It is concluded, that oesophagostomosis is a disease of the intestinal tracts of small ruminants in Damaturu, Nigeria.


Table of Contents

Geometric Cognitive Growth: An Information and Communication Technology

(ICT) Approach

Omotosho, Gabriel Akinlolu                                                                                                    1 – 8

On the Quantum Confinement effect of Missen Electron and Electron Charge

Carriers in a Typical Synthetic Semiconducting System

Ajayi J. O, Akinrinola O and Olawale E.O.                                                                               9 – 15

A Finite Sum of Heterogeneous Self-Similar Cantor-Like Set

Mark Laisin, Okoli. O. C and N. Nsiegbe                                                                                  16 – 21

A Case for Cadd in the Studio: An Appraisal of University of Jos Department

of Architecture

Erekpitan O. Ola-Adisa, Umar A. Audu and Inalegwu I. Ella                                                   22 – 36

Review of Basics Material Characterisation of II-VI Thin Film Semiconductors for

Use in Solar Cell Fabrication

D. G. Diso and A. O. Musa                                                                                                       37 – 55

Factors Affecting Student’s Performance in Mathematics: Factor Analysis Approach

Lawal, Ademola S. and Rapheal Nenlat                                                                                  56 – 64

On Lorentzian System of Differential Equation

Mohammed Abdullahi, Shuaibu Garba Ngulde and Abba Vulgwe Mandara                          65 – 74


ON LORENTZIAN SYSTEM OF DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION


 Mohammed Abdullahi, Shuaibu Garba Ngulde and Abba Vulgwe Mandara

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria

E-mail: abdullahi1960@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes and demonstrates a new integration of the theory of buttery effect of chaos theory in relation to initial conditions. It is very unusual for a mathematical idea to disseminate into the society at large. An interesting example is chaos theory, popularized by Lorenz’s butterfly effect: “does the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?” A tiny cause can generate big consequences. We have suggested an analytic approach to Lorentz system and with the use of MACTCONT, toolboxes in MATLAB, we have computed the system using different initial conditions and tracked the behaviuor of the system, eventually ending up by showing impossibility of weather forecasting being ineffective after one week and become chaotic.


FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENT’S PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS: FACTOR ANALYSIS APPROACH

Lawal, Ademola S. and Rapheal Nenlat

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Nigeria

E-mail: asco.lawal@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Performance in Mathematics by students has been observed to be poor persistently. This paper sought to investigate the factors affecting student performance in mathematics and to establish the strategies that can be adopted to improve performance in Mathematics by students in school of environmental, Federal polytechnic Bauchi. The study is to determine the basic factors that affect student’s performance in Mathematics. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The target population was all students taking Mathematics courses in School of Environmental. Stratified random sampling was adopted to select 200 respondents which comprised students from Architecture, Quantity survey, Building Technology, Estate Management and Surveying Geo-informatics.  The data for the research was collected by use of questionnaires. The results revealed that ten items were retained and were categorized under four different categories which are Attitude, Role of lecturer, Peers and Interest. Improving on these factors and sensitization of the practices which prohibit student’s effective participation in learning Mathematics could improve performance in Mathematics. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will give curriculum developers new insights into emerging issues on performance and influence the student and lecturer. Students are also expected to benefit from the findings; because improved Mathematics performance will give them good opportunities in confronting future challenges.


REVIEW OF BASICS MATERIAL CHARACTERISATION OF II-VI THIN FILM SEMICONDUCTORS FOR USE IN SOLAR CELL FABRICATION

D. G. Diso1 and A. O. Musa2

1Department of Physics, Kano University of Science & Technology, Wudil, PMB 3244, Kano-Nigeria.

2Department of Physics, Bayero University Kano, PMB 3011, Kano-Nigeria.

E-mail: dgdiso@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

Thin film semiconductors based on group II-VI family have been widely studied due to the need to maximize the electrical and optical properties of these materials for use as solar cells. A wide range of analytical techniques are normally used to investigate the layers of these materials. Some of the basic techniques used to characterise the deposited films include photo electrochemical (PEC) studies, optical absorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This paper reviews in details these techniques and combines relevant results from the literature with more emphasis on CdTe, CdS and ZnTe in which the main author work with.


A CASE FOR CADD IN THE STUDIO: AN APPRAISAL OF UNIVERSITY OF JOS DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE 

Erekpitan O. Ola-Adisa, Umar A. Audu and Inalegwu I. Ella

Department of Architecture

University of Jos

E-mail: olaefeadisa@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The students’ use of programs such as AutoCAD in the design of their studio projects before manually drafting their designs for portfolio examination forms a significant part of the design process. This paper examines students’ use of Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) software programs in studios, in the Department of Architecture, University of Jos as case study. This paper also looks at the possibility of using use of CADD for the various aspects of the design process. This is accomplished through informal interviews with postgraduate students who are more inclined to use CADD as part of their conceptual design process and 3-D graphic modelling. This study is able to identify the effects of the use of computers in the design studio and how the teaching of CADD would enhance the methods employed in studio instruction.


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