Volume 4 (Issue 1)
ABSTRACT:
Microwave food consumption is becoming a cause for concern due to health hazard often associated with exposure to radiation. The purpose of this research is to validate the bio-safety of special microwave dish used in microwave oven, in line with other non-microwave utensils.
Thirteen female albino rats (N=13) were used for the study and were divided into five groups; aluminium group (A), ceramic group (B), plastic group (C), special microwave dish group (D) and control group (E). The animals were fed with microwave treated rat pellets using different utensils, apart from the control group.
The experiment lasted for 60 days. The animals were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Creatinine, urea, uric acid, chloride test, sodium and potassium ions, total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations were evaluated in the kidney homogenate, including total protein using analytical kits.
immunoglobulins G and E were evaluated in the serum using ELISA kits. Comparative analyses of the control and experimental groups showed that intake of microwave treated pellets caused significant (P<0.05) alterations in the biochemical parameters evaluated. The result of the histopathology shows that there were lesions in the kidney tissues of the experimental animals as compared to control which could lead to kidney failure.
The findings of the histopathology test further authenticate the biochemical imbalances in the parameters investigated. The study therefore discourages the use of non-microwave and microwave dishes in cooking and heating of food.
Keywords: Microwave oven; kidney; electrolyte; immunoglobulin; lipid profile; histopathology; rats
ABSTRACT:
The concentration of heavy metals (Lead and Iron) released into pepper (Capsicum annum) that is used as a spice in food preparation, ground using a machine was determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).
The wet and dry samples were ground using grinding plates, while the control samples were milled with a blender. The maximum and minimum concentrations of lead (Pb)in mg/kg in the wet samples were (2.40 mg/kg and 0.40mg/kg) and (13.0 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg) in the dry samples respectively. The concentration of Iron (Fe) obtained in this study was between 45.98 mg/kg and 0.60mg/kg for the wet samples and (58.15mg/kg and 16.4mg/kg) for the dry samples. The iron content in the control was 0.62 mg/kg and 3.71 mg/kg in the wet and dry samples respectively.
The result of this research shows that the concentration of Lead and Iron is above and within the permissible limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) respectively. The level of lead in the samples poses a high risk of health danger to consumers.
Keywords: Heavy metal, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, contaminants, grinder, toxicity
ABSTRACT:
Essential oil was extracted from the stem of Hoslundia opposita, that was collected from Southwestern Nigeria. The extraction was done using soxhlet extraction method. Gas Chromatography mass spectroscopic technique was used to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil. The essential oil was investigated for antioxidant activities using 2,2, -Diphenyl picrylhydrazine (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity. The essential oil was investigated for antimicrobial activities using different clinical isolates of bacterial strains viz., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium and with fungi strain Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium sp.
It revealed the presence of o-cymene (0.03 %), copaene (0.47 %), caryophyllene (0.90 %), humulene (0.24 %) pinene (0.02 %) as minor constituents while sitosterol (13.03 %), 9,12 octadecanoic acid ethyl ester (5.9 %), stigmasterol (6.90 %) were identified as the major constituents.
It revealed that the essential oil showed a significant percentage % radical scavenging activity at 66.80 % at concentration of 100 µg/ml when compared with the % radical scavenging activity of the standard ascorbic acid at the same concentration. The antioxidant activities gave a significant IC50 of 61.62 µg/ml which was not comparable with the IC50 value 33.28 µg/ml of the standard potent drug ascorbic acid used.
At concentrations of 100 to 50 mg/ ml, the essential oil was active against all bacteria and fungi except Aspergillus Niger. This study revealed that Hoslundia opposita is a good source of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.
Keywords: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Essential oil, Bioactive, Ascorbic Acid
Jolaoso A. A, Jiboku O. O, Adewunmi A. R.
ABSTRACT
The need for knowledge of menopause in women cannot be overemphasized. Despite the fact that every woman will go through the menopause, there is a negative narrative of the menopause, considerable lack of knowledge within the general population. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of women about menopause (40years and above) in selected area of the city of Abeokuta. The study adopts the survey research approach and content analysis of related literature to extract qualitative and quantitative information from purposively and stratified randomly selected 500 respondents on demography characteristics relating to the research questions, hypothesis and identified research variables using structured questionnaire with total retrieval rate of about 80%. Data collected were analysed descriptively and Pearson chi-square method was used to determine the association between the demography of respondents and their level of knowledge of menopause. Findings show an overall knowledge with a mean score of 34.59 out of 42. Thus, S. D=3.42 was recorded with 67.2% of the participants. High level of knowledge was found among the married respondents (x=18.81, P<0.004). Most participants (67.2%) had either BSc/HND as their educational qualification. There was an association between the educational level of respondents and their knowledge of menopause (x=24.24, P<0.002). A large proportion of women in this study have a high knowledge of menopause partly because of their level of education. This study showed a reasonably high level of knowledge about menopause in the participants, it can however be concluded that more education is required to correct the negative mind set of women about menopause.
Keywords: Education, knowledge, menopause, women, attitude.
Received February 2025 Accepted April 2025 Published online June 2025
K.S. Ojo, A. E. Adeniji, K. S. Oyeleke, and A. I. Egunjobi
ABSTRACT
The research on synchronization and anti-synchronization of fractional order chaotic oscillators have innumerable applications in various aspects of life. So, this research paper examines synchronization and anti-synchronization of fractional order chaotic memristive oscillators evolving from different initial conditions using active control techniques. Using the chaotic fractional order memristive oscillators as a paradigm, stable synchronization control variables are obtained via the active control technique. The obtained synchronization control variables enable the drive and response state variables to achieve identical dynamics despite starting from different initial conditions. The stability of the synchronization control variables are validated through numerical simulations. The result obtained has application in secure information transmission and separation of particles.
Keywords: synchronization and anti-synchronization, fractional-order chaotic oscillators, active control, memristive oscillators, numerical simulations.
Received February, 2024 Accepted March, 2024 Published online June, 2024
Ogunsola K. E., Odesola K. A., Saka Y., Ogunsola J. F., Berewari R. S.
ABSTRACT
Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) is an African leguminous crop renowned for its exceptional nutritional and resilience properties. Its potential is not yet exploited, and assessment of morphological diversity is required for the crop’s genetic improvement. This study assessed genetic diversity in five selected elite Bambara groundnut accessions (TVSu-9, TVSu-338, TVSu-553, TVSu-750, and TVSu-913). The seeds were sown in pots and the experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with four replicates. Data on morphological characters were recorded. The qualitative data were subjected to descriptive statistics while quantitative data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The seed coat colour varied from cream for TVSu-913 to dark brown in TVSu-338. Seed sizes varied from medium (TVSu-9, TVSu-750, and TVSu-913) to large (TVSu-338 and TVSu-553). Germination rates were high, between 86.5 and 100%. Diversity was also observed in leaf size, from small (TVSu-9) to large (TVSu-913), leaf morphology, and number of days to flowering. The accessions varied significantly (p<0.01) in all the quantitative traits evaluated. TVSu-913 produced significantly highest plant height (21.6±1.5cm), number of petioles (59±15.4), number of leaves (177.0±45.9), leaf length (5.9±0.3cm), wet biomass (68.6±28.1g) dry biomass (23.2±9.6g), number of seeds 36.5±14.8), seed weight (8.1±3.0g), number of pods (34.5±14.5), and pod weight (33.5±14.7g) whereas TVSu-9 was least in most of the traits. The results identified morphological diversity in Bambara groundnut accessions with TVSu-913 showing the highest quantitative characters followed by TVSu-338. This study provides a baseline information on elite Bambara groundnut accessions useful for further molecular analysis required for genetic improvement.
Keywords: Bambara groundnut seeds, Genetic improvement, Morphological diversity, Quantitative traits, Variations
Received October, 2024 Accepted January, 2024 Published online April 2025
J. Onipede, Oyebola O.K., and G. O. Adewuyi
ABSTRACT
Pollutant and contaminants in wastewater and effluent are known to be major contributors to the level of toxic chemicals in aquatic environment. This study examined the levels of phthalates in wastewater and receiving stream of Amuwo- odofin area of Lagos State South-West Nigeria in both rainy and dry seasons. Thirty-two (32) samples were taken and each was extracted using dichloromethane, liquid-liquid extraction and alumina cleanup. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP) were not detected (ND), in all the wastewater examined, while dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was in the range 0.135 ± 0.191 μg/mL to 0.750 ± 0.212 μg/mL. There was no significant difference between rainy season and dry season levels. However, there seemed to be a DBP contribution from the wastewater into the receiving stream in sample site 2 in both rainy and dry seasons though minimal. Also, there was no significant difference between one site and the other. This study established significant DBP concentration in thewastewater and receiving stream in the Amuwo- odofin in both rainy and dry seasons. And the levels of DBP recorded in the wastewater and receiving stream were higher than the European community limit of 1.3 ng/L in the surface water.
Keywords: Phthalates, wastewater, influent stream, industrial contribution, contamination
Received May 2024 Accepted June 2024 Published online July 2024
Adenibuyan M. T., Oluwatosin E.A., Onyeuka Barbara
ABSTRACT
The increased accessibility and use of Internet-enabled devices and wearable gadgets with abilities to track user’s location, monitor pulse rate, measure, and control vehicle speed have made the Internet of Things an inevitable object in our daily lives. These gadgets, on the other hand, acquire personal data requiring protection from unwanted access. This study aims to assess the data privacy challenges faced in adopting the Internet of Things (IoT) in Nigeria’s health care sector to increase the adoption for the benefit of individuals. This study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Questionnaires were designed to gather relevant and needed information from a targeted audience. The developed questionnaire also used a five-point Like scale to obtain feedback from potential respondents on the data privacy issue limiting their adoption of IoT in the Nigerian health industry. The questionnaires were disseminated online via Google Forms, which is free and allows for wide distribution. Over three (3) weeks, a total of 101 responses were gathered from respondents. The questionnaire consists of twenty-one (21) questions, medical practitioners were interviewed to sample their opinions. The results reveal that those in the health sector are aware of IoT and believe that its implementation in the Nigerian health sector is beneficial and vital, thereby improving health care delivery. However, the confidentiality of patient’s health data from the device to the cloud platform for the health practitioners is the main challenge hindering the adoption of most IoT devices in Nigeria.
Keywords: Internet of Things (IoT), adoption, health care
Received January, 2024 Accepted October, 2024 Published online December, 2024
T. Dauda, E. J. Graham, M. Caira and N. H. Ahmed
ABSTRACT
The copper, nickel and zinc complexes of Ethambutol used as an anti-tubercular drug, have been investigated. The equilibrium constants for the reaction of H+, Cu (II), Ni (II) and Zn(II) with the ligand were measured, in an aqueous solution, at 25 ± 0.01° C and an ionic strength of 0.15 M (NaCl) using a glass electrode potentiometry. The structure of the copper and nickel complex of Ethambutol was investigated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. In the pH range 2–11, four species; CuL2, CuL, CuLH- 1, and CuLH-2 were observed. Three species were observed for nickel complex NiL, NiLH-1, and NiLH-2 and three species for Zn complex ZnLH, ML2 and Ml. This was correlated by the speciation graph in the pH range under investigation. Copper (II) complexes in an aqueous solution have distorted octahedral structures with two elongated axial bonds. Diamagnetic and squareplanar geometry was deduced for Ni (II) complexes coordinating with amino nitrogen atoms. The results support the structures postulated from the potentiometric data.
Keywords:
Received May 2024 Accepted June 2024 Published online July 2024
Bello A. K., Shaffi, H. M
ABSTRACT
Real-time traffic signal control system is an integral part of modern vehicle control system aimed at achieving optimal utilization of road network. The system is constructed so that it continuously manipulates the varying changes in traffic density at a T- junction in order to drastically reduce the problems of traffic congestion. The objective of the research is to improve the traffic control system by introducing a low cost sensing network which provide a feedback to the controller so that it can adapt to changing traffic density patterns and provide the necessary signal to the traffic flow control indicators in real time. This traffic signal control utilizes the combination of digital traffic light control method with the ability of Infrared Sensors (IR Sensors), to monitor the changes in traffic density in order to adapt to the random changing traffic density and offer a better traffic signal control. Codes were developed and uploaded into the micro-controller and are used to control the light emitting diode (LED) matrix which controls the movement of the vehicles with uttermost efficiency and precision. The simulation results from switching patterns in Tables: 4(a – e) for lane A, B and C for T- junction road intersection shown in Figures 4(a– c) show that all the lanes have equal traffic density with equal time interval been allotted each lanes.
Keywords: Traffic signal, T-junction, Traffic density, Traffic control, Traffic flow
Received January, 2024 Accepted October, 2024 Published online December, 2024
Daramola J.A., Kester C.T., Abdullah M.A., Anaemene D.I., and Sodamola, M. Y.
ABSTRACT
One of the common problems encountered by Lagoons in developing countries is that of microbiological contamination of the surface water generated by the on shore activities. This necessitated investigating bacteria of public health importance associated with some selected fresh Lagoon fish retailed in Oyingbo market, Lagos. Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Croaker (Micropogonias undulates) and Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were purchased and held in cold box packed with ice for analysis. Using standard microbiological procedures, the fish samples were bacteriologically enumerated for Total Aerobic Bacterial Count (TABC), Total Staphylococcus count (TSC) and Total Coliform Count (ICC), all expressed in log CFU/g. Presence of Salmonella and Shigella was also determined and biochemically confirmed. Different culture media were used, isolation and identification were carried out using microscopy and biochemical tests. The prevalence of occurrence of the bacteria samples ranged from 3.28 ± 0.13 (Oreochromis niloticus) to 5.25 ± 0.22 (Clarias gariepinus) log CFU/g. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp, Salmonella spp and Enterobacter aerogenes were identified. The highest bacterial count recorded in the fresh fish samples are within the maximum limits recommended, implying their safe consumption. However, detection of Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. is an object of public health concern which demands an improvement in the hygiene practices by the product handlers.
Keywords: Fresh water fish, Ice, Lagoon, Bacterial loads, Microbiological safety, Public health concern
Received July 2023 Accepted October, 2023 Published online November 2023
Owoeye S., Durodola F., Bello S., Omotainse P.
ABSTRACT
This study presents a hand gesture-controlled system designed for a robotic trolley, utilizing an Arduino microcontroller for its interface. The primary objective of this system is to alleviate the physical strain associated with manoeuvering a trolley in environments such as supermarkets or shopping malls, while also providing assistance to individuals with disabilities. Control is facilitated through a transmitter integrated into wearable gloves, enabling users to manipulate the trolley by executing specific gestures that correspond to actions like moving the trolley forward, backward, left and right. The system incorporates a 3-axis accelerometer and gyroscope, which are instrumental in measuring the rotational velocity and the rate of change of angular position over time, thereby relaying essential feedback to the Arduino microcontroller. The design and implementation of a hand gesture-controlled trolley have successfully demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of using gesture recognition technology for intuitive control in automated systems. The results indicate that the trolley operates with commendable responsiveness and accuracy, achieving a 92.6% gesture recognition rate and an average response time of 192 milliseconds. User feedback highlights the convenience and ease of use, with a significant majority finding the system intuitive and straightforward.
Keywords: Accelerometer, Arduino, Gesture, Gyroscope, Robotic, Trolley
Received December, 2024, Accepted March, 2025 Published April, 2025
Jolaoso A. A, Jiboku O. O, Adewunmi A. R.
ABSTRACT
The need for knowledge of menopause in women cannot be overemphasized. Despite the fact that every woman will go through the menopause, there is a negative narrative of the menopause, considerable lack of knowledge within the general population. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of women about menopause (40years and above) in selected area of the city of Abeokuta. The study adopts the survey research approach and content analysis of related literature to extract qualitative and quantitative information from purposively and stratified randomly selected 500 respondents on demography characteristics relating to the research questions, hypothesis and identified research variables using structured questionnaire with total retrieval rate of about 80%. Data collected were analysed descriptively and Pearson chi-square method was used to determine the association between the demography of respondents and their level of knowledge of menopause. Findings show an overall knowledge with a mean score of 34.59 out of 42. Thus, S. D=3.42 was recorded with 67.2% of the participants. High level of knowledge was found among the married respondents (x=18.81, P<0.004). Most participants (67.2%) had either BSc/HND as their educational qualification. There was an association between the educational level of respondents and their knowledge of menopause (x=24.24, P<0.002). A large proportion of women in this study have a high knowledge of menopause partly because of their level of education. This study showed a reasonably high level of knowledge about menopause in the participants, it can however be concluded that more education is required to correct the negative mind set of women about menopause.
Keywords: Education, knowledge, menopause, women, attitude
Received February 2025 Accepted April 2025 Published online June 2025