• 0

QUALITY PROPERTIES AND SHELF LIFE EVALUATION OF BREAD AND COOKIES INCOOPERATED WITH ORGANIC PRESERVATIVE EXTRACTS (ANTI MICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANTS) OBTAINED FROM NATURAL SOURCES

Orishagbemi, C. Ojo; Michael, O. Edith;  Opega, J. Ladi & Odiba, A. Adegede

Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences

Kogi State University, PMB, 1008, Anyigba, Nigeria

Email: cornelosag@g.mail.com

ABSTRACT

Organic extracts containing antimicrobial and antioxidant agents from lemon, tumeric, onion peel and ripe cloves were prepared and used to preserve bread and cookies alongside sodium benzoate chemical preservative, then subjected to sensory property, microbiological and shelf life evaluation at the ambient temperature (28+20C). Each extract was applied at four (4) concentration levels (0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10g/100g flour) and sodium benzoate (0.03g/100g flour) as control for bread, doughnut and biscuit samples (all coded). They were stored under ambient conditions, subjected to interval routine inspection, sensory, microbiological assessment, shelf life evaluation and data analysis using standard methods in all cases. The colour, taste, flavour and texture of bread loaf were most retained for five (5) days with 0.06g lemon extract/100g flour, similar to the control without any significant difference (p>0.05). Other extracts regardless of their concentration (0.04-010g) were found to retain these sensory attributes for lesser days before onset of mould growth. Also, the sensory attributes (colour, taste and flavour) of doughnut samples were not affected up to 8 days with 0.06g onion peel extract and 0.10g lemon extract /100g flour, while the control sample did not keep more than 5 days in storage. Tumeric and clove extracts, regardless of the concentration (0.04-0.10g) did not preserve doughnut beyond 3 and 6 days respectively. Apparently, extracts of lemon, onion peel and tumeric (0.04-0.010g concentration levels) and control were found to retain the colour, taste and flavour of biscuit for up to 5weeks under ambient storage temperature (28+0C), while clove extract preserved samples had poor colour, taste and flavour ratings regardless of the storage duration. The total plate count (TPC) of bread samples stored up to 5 days with lemon extract ranged from 2.9-4.1×101 cfu/g samples; doughnut with lemon and onion peel extracts kept for 8 days had a range of 5.3 -5.7×10l and biscuit stored for 5 weeks had range, 1.5-3.0 x101 cfu/g sample. However, moulds and coliform were not detected. Although, samples with other extracts with corresponding concentrations that kept for few days as applicable had moulds (1.9-3.6×101 MPN/g sample) which rendered them unsafe for consumption and storage discontinued. Both lemon juice and onion peel extracts are found to be suitable organic antimicrobial /antioxidant agents suitable to replace chemical preservative for bread and cookies (doughnut and biscuit). 

Keywords: Organic Preservatives, Fruit/vegetable extracts, Cookies/bread preservation, Antimicrobial agent, Antioxidant.


  • 0

AWARENESS AND DETERMINANTS OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG CROP FARMERS IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Category : Uncategorized

Igwe, Augustine Abor and Nwose Donatus Ijeh

Department of Agricultural Education

Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Email: igweaustine75@gmail.com; nwosedonatus1@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the Awareness and determinants of Sustainable Agricultural Land Management Practices among Crop Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Respondents’ socio-economic characteristics and awareness of sustainable agricultural land management practices were investigated. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed in selecting 240 crop farmers used in the study. Data were analyzed using mean, frequency counts, percentage and binary logistic regression. The findings of the study revealed that, majority (71.7%) of the respondents were male, 70% were married, and 70% had one form of formal education or another. The mean age, household size, farm size and years of farming experience were 43 years, nine persons, four hectares and 21 years respectively. The study revealed that farm size, age, educational status, number of contacts with extension agents, household size and number of farm plots of the respondents were significant factors affecting their adoption of sustainable land management practices. Most of the respondents were aware of sustainable agricultural land management practices. There is therefore a need to implement more sustainable agricultural land management practices for food security and sustainability of the environment as most of the respondents were aware of these practices.

Keywords:  Awareness, Land Management, Crop farmers and Sustainable        Agriculture


  • 0

LANGUAGE: A CATALYST TO PEACE AND SECURITY IN NIGERIA

Obadare, Felicia Tomi

Department of General Studies, School of Education

College of Education, Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Email: obadarefelicia@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Peace and security, without exaggeration, are needed for a country to develop both the human and natural resources. That Nigeria is not safe, is purely stating the obvious. There is palpable fear within and without because of insecurity of unimaginable proportion in the land. Since independence, Nigeria is synonymous with political, religious, socio economic crisis while corruption and poverty are our siblings giving birth to novel crimes like terrorism, kidnapping, cybercrimes, ritual killing and so on. Without mincing words, there is absence of peace all over the country. Nigeria on the other hand is blessed with numerous languages to foster co-existence and enhance peace and security. Nigeria is a blessed country with a lot of resources but in an atmosphere full of security challenges, development becomes a mirage. The multiplicity of languages is a blessing and not a curse so all hands must be on deck to use the various Nigerian languages to ensure peace and security where everyone will be able to contribute his or her quota to the development of the nation. The focus of this paper therefore is how the numerous languages in Nigeria can be adequately utilized to enhance peace and security in Nigeria.

Keywords: Language, Security, Peace, Violence, Corruption, Kidnapping


  • 0

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES: AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION

Ubong E. Effiong And Nora F. Inyang

Department of Economics

University of Uyo, Uyo

ubongeffiong78@yahoo.com ; nora_inyang@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper examined the effect of government expenditure on the economic growth of fifteen (15) West African countries. The paper employed the ordinary least squares (OLS) approach of estimation in examining the effect of government expenditure on the economic growth of each of the 15 countries. However, the fixed effects least squares dummy variable (LSDV) panel regression approach was used in determining the effect of government expenditure on the economic growth of West Africa in general. In examining the nature of the relationship between government expenditure and economic growth in the sub-region, the Granger Causality Staked test was utilized. Findings of the study revealed that government expenditure exerts a positive and significant effect on the economic growth of all the 15 West African countries. Also, the Panel regression result indicates that government expenditure positively and significantly affects economic growth. However, the magnitude of the significance varies from country to country as reported by the Wald test. The Stacked test indicated that a one-way causality runs from government expenditure to economic growth. The paper recommended that governments of West African countries should increase its spending on components of public expenditure which will in turn promote investment in the private sector. This, as captured in the Ram’s model, will propel growth in diverse sectors of the economy.

Keywords: Government Expenditure, Economic Growth, Panel Regression, OLS, LSDV


  • 0

POLITICAL VERSUS BUREAUCRATIC DETERMINANTS OF CORRUPTION ON DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: WHERE IS THE DICE CAST?

Andohol Jerome

Department of Economics

Benue State University, Makurdi

Email: torsaa2002@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The dynamics of the contributions of Political Determinants of Corruption (PDC) and that of Bureaucratic Determinants of Corruption (BDC) to Nigeria’s development is the linchpin of this analysis. The study used Principal Component Analysis to generate the component indexes for PDC and BDC from 1995 to 2018, which were further interacted with the Human Development Index (HDI), within the Auto Regression Distributed Lag technique. The study found out that even though there are improvements in the control of Bureaucratic Determinants of Corruption (BDC), given its upward trajectory as against the negative trajectory of Political determinants of Corruption (PDC), the Bureaucratic Determinants of Corruption (BDC) impacts development negatively more than Political Determinants of Corruption (PDC).  The study recommends that due attention should be paid to closing up leakages and stemming negative actions associated with government bureaucracy to sustain the upward trajectory noticed in the control of bureaucratic thievery. Additionally, selective respect for the rule of law, nepotism and constrained freedom of the electorates are signals that embolden Political Corruption that should be addressed.

Keywords: Corruption, Political, Bureaucratic, Development, Auto Regression Distributed Lag (ARDL).


  • 0

NIGERIA MONO-CULTURE ECONOMY AND POST OIL ECONOMY EXPECTATION: THE ROLE OF APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGICAL ADAPTATION IN RURAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Irechukwu, Nnameziri Sunday

Department of Political Science

Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State

ABSTRACT

Since Nigeria gained independence in 1960 oil remained the main stay, as it continued to generate huge revenue. This has subsumed further efforts or attempts to diversify the economic base. No effort is put in place policy wise in preparation for future economic life without oil revenue, at a time when the oil would possibly dry off; being among the non-renewable resources. It is further observed that leaders, past and present have made no significant efforts for rural agricultural farming and agro-allied processing industries. Efforts are only, made based on imported technologies and foreign expertise to handle agricultural development issues in Nigeria. Ignorance of appropriate technological operation and its relevance for multidimensional development, has consequently left Nigeria totally dependent nation on foreign products and lack of basic production of staple food including wheat, rice, among others which the people hope more on foreign supplies, with Problems of shortage of food, hunger and poverty, lack of job creation which has escalated to all forms of antisocial behavior among the jobless youths. Corruption, conflicts, terrorism, culticism, human and drug trafficking have assumed larger space in the society. It is against this back drop that this paper examines future life expectation and success without oil in Nigeria. It is opinion of the paper that appropriate technology in all rural planned development, should be adapted, especially in agro-based entrepreneurship and processing of food. Policy guide and proper execution in that direction would surmount problems of underdevelopment in all fields. The paper considers CAABA model as most appropriate to issues for home environment, tradition, and cultural oriented development concern.  It emphasizes rural – agro-thinking with local science base and technology. Survey method of examination and analysis is utilized through extensive literature review including magazine, texts, books, workshop and internet material. Agro-techno-retract (ATR) model is utilized to complement the CAABA model as both have similar scientific standing support for appropriate technological strategic policy in Nigeria sustainable rural economic life without oil.  

    


  • 0

THE BEAUTY, DIGNITY AND ROLE OF WOMEN IN RELIGIONS IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN SOCIETY AND BEYOND

1Nwangama, Edwin Ukpabi & 2Nwangama, Joy Chinyere

1Department of Christian Religious Studies, Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo

2Department of Arts Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Email: edwinnwangama@gmail.com; chinyerej91@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This paper examined the beauty, dignity and role of women in religions. Its main thesis is that women are by nature beautiful and dignified and that they played crucial role in religion in the beginning of the creation of the world. Sadly, such role has been eroded by patriarchal mentality. Adopting the analytical approach and anthropological theoretical base, the paper used some of the religions of primal society as well as Roman, Christian, Jewish and Islamic religions to drive home the points that women played crucial role in religions in spite of the fact that they have been suppressed, cajoled, ridiculed and suffered all forms of degrading treatment in the hands of men both in religious activities and in secular affairs not only in Africa but the world over. The paper concluded among other things that patriarchy be dismantled, that women’s role in religion and other activities should be appreciated and that the world would be a haven if rape, forced marriage, wife battery and the like are abolished.

Key words: Religion, God, Women, Beauty, Dignity


  • 0

THE ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF MIGRANTS’ REMITTANCES ON THE LIVELIHOODS OF HOUSEHOLDS IN IGABI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE

1Abdulazeez Mohammed Jajere 2 Ummahani Abdulwahab Aliyu & 3suleiman Eneye Abbas

1Department of Social Sciences, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Nigeria

2Department of Geography, Kaduna State   University, Kaduna, Nigeria.

3Department of Cartography and GIS,  Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Nigeria

Email: azizjajere@gmail.com; kitah90@gmail.com; seneyeabbas@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study has analyzed the effects of migrants’ remittances on the livelihoods of households in Igabi local government area of Kaduna state. The objectives of this study are to; examine the volume of out-migration in Igabi local government and to identify the forms of remittances received by households in Igabi local government area. Data for the study were obtained through the administration of a semi-structured questionnaire to 382 Households using systematic sampling. Items in the questionnaire elicited information on scale, direction, level of migration, educational attainment, livelihood sources, rate of out-migration, remittances and reasons for migration among others. The result reveals that in terms of distribution by destination 57.08% of migrants migrated to urban areas, 14.75% migrated to some rural areas and 28.17% migrants migrated to some other areas. Other findings revealed that use of remittance is mainly to cater for immediate household needs due to less importance attached to education in Igabi L.G.A. thus, evidences suggest that remittances from abroad is crucial to survival in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. It was recommended that there is a need for functional qualitative education, and educational institutions in rural areas need to be well equipped. More so, there is also need to promote access to financial services with particular attention on rural areas.

Key words:Analysis, Effects, Migrants, Remittances, Livelihoods, Households


  • 0

NIGERIAN REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT ANALYSIS BY PRINCIPAL COMPONENT METHOD

Ette Harrison Etuk

Department of Mathematics

Rivers State University, Port Harcourt

Email: ettetuk@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The real (inflation adjusted) gross domestic product of Nigeria is studied here by Principal Component Method. A realization of the series from the first quarter of 2018 to the third quarter of 2019 is analyzed using minitab 17 software. Both the correlation matrix and the covariance matrix are used. Eigen analysis of both matrices suggest that the first three principal components are enough to explain variation in the data set. The correlation principal components involved all the items. The covariance principal components did not involve all the items which is a deficiency. For example, livestock, forestry, fishing, solid minerals, construction, transport, utilities, accommodation and food services, finance and insurance, professional scientific & technical services, administrative and support services and business services, public administration, human health and social services and arts, entertainment and recreation are not involved.  This makes the method inferior.  

Keywords: Nigeria, gross domestic product, correlation, covariance


  • 0

SERIAL CORRELATION OF A FINITE AND INFINITE LAG MODELS

Robinson, Amos Ibuchi & Inamete, Emem Ndah H.

Department of Mathematics & Statistics

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State, Nigeria

Email: ibuchirobinsonamos@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

In this research, an evaluation of the relationship between finite and infinite leg models variable were considered using ARMA approach. The method made use of descriptive statistics, augmented dickey fuller test, histogram, and correlogram techniques to check the presence of least significant values in order to select and fit the best model. The statistical Software packages used are Microsoft Excel and Eviews 8 version. The assessment criteria for the analysis were based on the ARMA test approach with Akaike Information Criterions (AIC) and Schwarz Information Criterions (SIC) measures to select the least significant value and to make decision.