BIOPRESERVATIVE EFFECT OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ON MICROBIOLOGICAL, SHELF-LIFE AND SENSORY QUALITY OF UGBA, A TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN FERMENTED FOOD

^*1Ome, A.P.,¹Olaoye, O.A. and ²Edeji, U.F.

¹Department of Food Science and Technology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.

²Department of Biotechnology, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria.

Email:talk2omepeter@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the biopreservative potentials of lactic acid bacteria isolated from ugba and the safety nature of the product. The LAB isolates used as starter cultures in this study are Lactobacillus plantarum, which have been isolated from ugba in aprevious study by same authors, based on their ability to produce considerable quantities of lactic acid under a reduced pH and good fermentative activity exhibited. The pure culture were successively screened and used (in single) toferment African oil bean slices. The samples were subjected to shelf-life study and microbiological analysis. Sample B inoculated with LAB starter culture was able to store for more than 7 days with less microbial load showing improved keeping qualities than those products processed locally that were purchased from the market that started spoiling from day 4. The results also showed that the following bacterial isolates were involved in the fermentation: Bacillus spp., Lactobacillus spp., Streptococcus spp., Micrococcus spp., and spoilage of ugba: Proteus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli. Fungal contaminants: Penicilliumspp., Aspergillusspp and Rhizopusspp., were also observed.Sample B had good sensory attributes especially in appearance and texture while Sample D was rated best in taste and aroma (flavour). It was concluded that pure cultures of Lactobacillus plantarumused as starter culture had good biopreservative effect on the fermented African oil bean slices as antimicrobial agents by improving the safety and keeping qualities of the product.

Keywords: Biopreservation, lactic acid bacteria, microbiological, sensory, shelf life, starter cultures, ugba.

AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG FEMALE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES IN PORT HARCOURT RIVERS STATE.

Nworuh OB; NYA EA; Dozie WU; Okereke CBN & Ubuoh EA.

1,2&3.Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

4.Department of Human Kinetics. University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

5 Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology (EMT),

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the awareness, form and utilization of emergency contraceptives among female university undergraduates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The study was guided by three objectives and a null hypothesis. Related literatures were also reviewed. A sample size of 688 female students were drawn from a total population of 991 using Taro Yamane ( ) sample size formular. The sample comprised female university undergraduates residing in the University of Port Harcourt and Rivers State University of Science and Technology hostels respectively. A validated and reliable questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were presented in tables and pie chart. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-square test at P<0.05 significance. The results showed that 600 subjects representing 87.2% of the sample were aware of emergency contraceptives while 88 (12.8%) were not aware of emergency contraceptives. Moreover, 510 (74.1%) out of 600 female university undergraduates who were aware of emergency contraceptives, used it; while 90 (13.1%) did not use emergency contraceptives. Four types of Emergency Contraceptives were used among the subjects; these were Levonorgestrel (58%); Combined pills (5%) combined pills and Intrauterine Copper Device (IUCD) (10%) and Intrauterine Copper Device only (1%). Notably, 26% of the students did not use Emergency Contraceptive. A significant relationship was recorded between age and type of Emergency Contraceptive utilized among the students (X²=158.0, P<0.001 d.f =6). Levonorgestrel was used mainly by the teenage age range subjects while the Combining pills and Intrauterine Copper Device was used by those within the adult age range. Recommendations include; development of self control regarding sex and total abstinence from any form of sexual interaction. Female university undergraduates should get prescriptions as well as seek professional counseling on issues of contraceptives before usage.    

Keywords – Awareness, Utilization, Emergency Contraceptive, Female Undergraduates

ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICES AND RESTING CARDIOVASCULAR PARAMETERS AS CORRELATES OF PHYSICAL FITNESS INDEX AMONG OVERWEIGHT UNDERGRADUATES OF A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

¹Abodike, GM, ¹Ezeukwu, AO, ¹Ugwueye, FC, ¹Uduonu, EM, ² Obiechina, MC, ² Chinonye, PC, ² Okpala SI

¹ Department of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus

² Department of Physiology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus

ekezie.uduonu@unn.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

Body anthropometry, resting cardiovascular parameters and physical fitness index are all inter-related to health, and their interrelationship has been documented but with little information among overweight individual especially undergraduates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate relationship among anthropometric indices, resting cardiovascular parameters and physical fitness index among undergraduates of university of Nigeria Enugu campus. The research involved a study of overweight students of University of Nigeria. Their body Anthropometry viz: weight, height, body mass index, fat mass, fat mass index, lean body mass, fat free mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist hip ratio and conicty index were measured. Their cardiovascular parameter viz: heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure and rate pressure product were also determined. Their physical fitness index was also determined using Harvard step test. The results showed a significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation between weight, percentage body fat, fat mass, fat mass index, hip circumference, heart rate and rate pressure product and physical fitness index, it also showed a significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation between height, lean body mass, fat free mass index, waist hip ratio, and fat free mass index and physical fitness index. The result also showed non significant (p> 0.05) correlation between body mass index, waist circumference, conicity index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure and physical fitness index. The result of stepwise multiple regression showed that sex and rate pressure product (heart rate x systolic blood pressure)were significant predictor of physical fitness index. Sex had a coefficient of determinant (R²) = 0.364 and when rate pressure product was added to the model, it increased to 0.414. It is concluded that, sex and rate pressure product are the two main factors determining physical fitness index.

Key words: Anthropometric Indices, Overweight, Cardiovascular Parameters, Physical Fitness

INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF THE SYDNEY GRADED VARIABLES: A STUDY OF GASTRIC ENDOSCOPIC BIOPSIES IN EDO-DELTA, NIGERIA.

M.O. Udoh, D.E Imasogie

Department of Histopathology,

University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Email: moludoh@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

Introduction:  Chronic Gastritis is reported based on semi-quantitative grading of  ‘the Sydney’ morphologic  variables. A proportion of  patients with chronic Gastritis may progress to atrophic gastritis of varying morphology and grades during their lifetime, with attendant sequelae. A precise prediction of specific pattern of progression and sequelae cannot always be made for a given patient, most likely due to differences in individual and population genetics. More predictable patterns may emerge as subsets of larger populations are studied to detect patterns that may deviate from the expected.

Aim: To evaluate the relationships between the histologic parameters of the Sydney system, in a small Nigerian population.

Materials and Methods: The clinical data and slides processed from paraffin embedded tissue blocks of  endoscopic biopsies of  117 patients from the Edo-Delta axis of Nigeria with histologic diagnosis of chronic in the gastritis were studied, statistically analyzed and presented.

Results: There were 117 patients, 60 males and 57 females. Age range:15-86 years;  mean age = 48.6 years+1.56; modal age group, 50-59 years. There is a strong association between the presence  of Helicobacter pylori and presence of activity (p value < 0.001) and grade of Helicobacter pylori and grade of activity (p value = 0.029) . Helicobacter pylori presence and atrophy are also related, but the relationship between their grades are not statistically significant (p value = 0.136). Helicobacter pylori presence is not significantly associated with intestinal metaplasia (p value = 0.917); but intestinal metaplasia is strongly related to atrophy (p value < 0.001). Unlike in some studies, we could not establish a statistically significant relationship between the density of Helicobacter Pylori infection and the grade of mononuclear inflammation (p value = 0.494).

Conclusion: Earlier events in the progression chronic atrophic gastritis are strongly linked to Helicobacter pylori infection. While later events are less strongly linked. The weaker/ non-statistically significant association of Helicobacter pylori with Atrophy and Intestinal Metaplasia suggest that other factors have a role to play in the progression of chronic gastritis to the atrophic /metaplastic Keywords: Chronic Gastritis,  Graded Variables, Helicobacter Pylori,