The purpose of this study was to estimate the relationship between body weight (BW) and morphometric measurements of Ethiopian indigenous chicken populations and to develop prediction equations used to estimate BW from body measurements. A total of 621 chickens comprising 134 males and 487 females reared under smallholder management conditions were used for the study. Body weight and morphometric measurements including body length (BL), chest circumference (CC), shank length (SL), and shank circumference (SC) were taken using a hanging scale and a textile measuring tape, respectively. The relationship between BW and morphometric measurements was determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) and stepwise multiple regression analyses. Descriptive statistics indicated that male birds were heavier than female birds. Correlation results revealed that body weight was significantly and strongly correlated with SL (r = 0.76) in both sexes, and moderately correlated with SC (r = 0.69), BL (r = 0.67), and CC (r = 0.52) in male birds, BL (r=0.68) and SC (r = 0.59) in female birds. Compared to other measurements, SL best predicted BW in both male and female birds, with coefficients of determination (R2) = 0.58. Combining SL with other body measurements (BL, CC, and SC) generally improved the predictive power of the equation. Thus, multiple regression equations that included a combination of the four linear body measurements are more suitable for predicting BW of Ethiopian indigenous chicken populations.

This research was planned to study the contribution of fishing and fishery-related activities, and identify its threats. Primary data were collected from the Kano locality around the Alwero reservoir through a questionnaire survey, field observation, and Focus Group Discussions. Both purposive and simple random sampling procedures were adopted in this study. The result revealed that fisheries and fish-related activities are benefiting the society as a source of employment opportunities, income, provision of food that is rich in nutrients (protein), reliable household income (average annual household income contributed by fishing and fish-related activities being 611.8 USD and 69.3 USD, respectively). Besides, the result also indicated that fishing is being performed by less experienced people, who are using traditional fishing gear and preservation methods, and there is also a serious problem of overexploitation. The regression result indicated that fish price and preservation techniques have affected the average annual household income significantly. The study provided more information on the importance of fishing and its related activities to a household in the Kano locality at Abobo district. It identified overfishing as the major anthropogenic activity threatening the fish abundance and diversity in the reservoir.

Son yıllarda dünyada olduğu gibi Türkiye’de de tüketicilerin fonksiyonel ürünlerin talebinde artış yaşanmaktadır. Günümüzde sağlıklı bir yaşam sürdürmek ve artan sağlık problemlerini önlemek için tüketiciler fonksiyonel ürünlere yönelmektedirler. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Çukurova Üniversitesi öğrencilerinin fonksiyonel ürünlere yönelik bilgi düzeyleri, tutumları ve tüketim eğilimlerini tespit etmektir. Bu amaçla, Çukurova Üniversitesi öğrencilerinden 103’ü ile anket çalışması yapılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre, ankete katılanların %70,87’sinin fonksiyonel gıda kavramını daha önce hiç duymamış olmakla birlikte bu ürünleri tükettikleri belirlenmiştir. Katılımcıların özellikle mineral bakımından zengin içecekleri (%58,25) ve bitki çaylarını (%48,54) düzenli olarak kullandıkları tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, ankete katılanların büyük bir bölümü (%65,00) fonksiyonel gıdaların insan sağlığını olumlu yönde etkilediğini düşünürken, fonksiyonel gıdaların, sağlık açısından potansiyel faydaları, öğrencilerin söz konusu gıdalara yönelik algı ve tutumlarını belirleyen en önemli faktör olarak belirlenmiştir.

Chromosome line and characterization of nine Turkish alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) lines were investigated using karyological techniques in this study. Root tips were obtained from germinated alfalfa seeds in petri dishes at room temperature (25°C) for visualizing somatic chromosomes. The chromosome numbers of nine alfalfa lines were determined as 2n=4x=32. The karyotype formula of 2n=32= 30m+ 2sm (30 median + 2 submedian) were noted for Line 1, 2and 3. Whereas, Line 4, 6, 8, 9 showed the karyotype formula of 2n=32=32m (32 median). The karyotype formula of Line 5 and 7 were 2n=32=28m+4sm (28 median + 4 submedian). Satellite chromosome pairs were observed from Line 5. The results of the karyotype asymmetry index analysis showed that intrachromosomal asymmetry is higher than interchromosomal asymmetry in the karyotypes of alfalfa lines.

The study aims at determining the physicochemical, proximate composition and the total viable count of Staphylococcus aureus in ‘Nono’ and yoghurt samples in Kaduna, Nigeria.Three hundred and eighty-four (384) fermented milk samples (Nono and yoghurt) were obtained from different selling points and were evaluated for the occurrence of S. aureus. The physicochemical and proximate analyses (pH, total titratable acidity, moisture content, ash content, protein content, and fat content) were determined. The results of the analyses showed that Nono had pH range of 3.56-3.61, total titratable acidity: 0.71-1.72, moisture content: 82.23-83.87%, ash content: 0.30-0.31%, crude protein content: 1.50-1.61%, crude fat content: 0.35-0.38 %. For yoghurt, the pH ranged from 3.76 -3.82, total titratable acidity: 1.10 -1.15, moisture content: 77.76-80.06%, ash content: 0.68- 0.70%, crude protein content: 3.40-3.45% and crude fat content: 1.76-1.79% from all the study areas. One hundred and four of the total samples were contaminated with S. aureus. Out of the 104 isolates of S. aureus that were isolated and identified, 88 were coagulase positive S.aureus. The Microgen Staph ID kit (Oxoid) was used to further confirm the characteristics of the 60 isolates of the coagulase positive S. aureus. The kit confirmed 43 isolates as S. aureus, the results indicated the presence of S. aureus in the milk samples which is of public health importance, as this can contribute to food-borne intoxication which can lead to food poisoning. There is a need for proper pasteurisation of raw milk to help eradicate S. aureus infection before human consumption.

This study used structured questionnaire to randomly collect data from livestock farmers insured under the NAIC scheme and their counterparts not under the NAIC scheme in Kwara State. The study comparatively examined their socio-economic characteristics and production efficiencies using The Stochastic Frontier Analysis and t-test. Results from the study showed that not enough youths participate in livestock production in the study area and it is a male dominated activity. A lot of non-beneficiaries of the NAIC intervention scheme are not members of cooperatives and losing out in the benefits of cooperative membership. The insured farmers are more efficient compared to those that were not insured with both having potentials for increasing their efficiency of production at the moment. The study therefore recommend that youths of ages 35years and below be encourage and provided some incentives to participate in livestock farming as well as women to check the gender imbalance of male dominance. Awareness of NAIC intervention schemes is created for livestock farmers who are not registered for the scheme while beneficiaries are made ambassadors of the scheme to have it promoted to non-beneficiaries. Livestock farmers that do not belong to any cooperative are recommended to form or belong to one so as to access the benefits of belonging to a cooperative group. The study also recommends that stakeholders in the Nigerian Agricultural insurance subsector develop strategies that will encourage much participation in their insurance interventions and also create more awareness among farming households to encourage participation in the program.

H. perforatum, which is widely used in traditional medicine due to its bioactive compounds was extracted with ethanol-water (3:7). The extract was encapsulated with maltodextrin and gum arabic in a spray dryer in order to protect the phenolic compounds in its structure. Different amounts of microcapsules were added to our traditional drink, i.e. ayran (drinking yoghurt). The total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the microcapsules, extract of HP, and ayran samples were determined. The amount of total phenolic compounds in the microcapsule provided a superior effect than the extract. The ayran samples were supplemented with 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% and 6% of H. perforatum (HP) microcapsules and it is observed that total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity indicated an increase with concentration. TPC and DPPH activity were determined as 256.94 mg GAE / 100mL and 78.05% for 6% of HP microcapsules supplemented samples. As a result of the sensory analysis, ayran samples which supplemented with 4% of HS microcapsule gained the highest scores by the panellists and received more appreciation than the control group. According to sensory analysis, HP4 (ayran produced with 4% HP added microcapsule) sample was determined as the best sample, while the HP6 (Ayran produced with 6% HP added microcapsule) sample had the highest scores in terms of DPPH scavenging activity and TPC results. The overall results of this study revealed that 4% HP supplemented ayran can be produced with its increased health benefits and desirable properties. In this study, the use of H. perforatum microcapsules in ayran, its effect on antioxidant and phenolic components, the usage rates and acceptability of microcapsules were investigated.

This study examined farmers’ level of use of climate change adaptation strategies across selected agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Edo and Ondo States were selected for the study with three major agro-ecological zones. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used. The correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between year of education and level of use of adaptation strategies (r = 0.15, P = 0.02). The result of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that significant differences existed in most of the adaptation strategies employed except planting different varieties (F = 1.672, P = 0.190), intercropping (F = 0.646, P = 0.525), crop rotation (F = 2.436, P = 0.090) and migration to different sites (F = 0.661, P = 0.517). The study recommended that the issue of climate change should not be taken lightly by all stakeholders as its effect differs among various agro-ecological zones.

Picralima nitida (Stapf) T.Durand & H.Durand and Holarrhena floribunda (G.Don) T.Durand & Schinz are West and Central African plant species belonging to the Apocynaceae family. These two plants are used in traditional Ivorian medicine to treat hypertension, urinary tract infections, diarrhea, gonorrhea, malaria and diabetes. Phytochemical screening and evaluation of antioxidant activity of P. nitida fruit and H. floribunda leaf extracts of each of these two species have already been performed. In the present study, a comparative evaluation of the antioxidant activity of fruit (P. nitida) and leaf (H. floribunda) decoctions was carried out. The decoctions of P. nitida fruits and H. floribunda leaves were rich in secondary metabolites, especially polyphenols which have good antioxidant activity. Quantification of total phenols and flavonoids gave respective values of QP = 15235.632 ± 622 µg GAE / g dry matter and FP = 2.387 ± 0.387% for P. nitida and QH = 68597.701 ± 3171 µg GAE / g dry matter and FH = 17.581 ± 0.379% for H. floribunda. P. nitida showed antioxidant activity against DPPH radical (IC50 = 104.30 ± 3.17 μg / mL) and ferric ion Fe3 + (261.4 ± 36. 87 μmoL Eq Trolox / g extract). H. floribunda showed antioxidant activity against DPPH radical (IC50 = 41.73 ± 0.29 μg / mL) and ferric ion Fe3 + (365 ± 20.36 μmol Eq Trolox / g ExS).

Consumption of vegetables, having a significant place in nutrition of humankind, is increasing day by day as their health-improving effects have been better understood nowadays. For such vegetables, certain criteria such as organic production, season production, regional production etc. are taken into consideration. The objective of this study is to research about existence of Bacillus cereus and Salmonella spp. in the locally-grown vegetables offered in local bazaars. Parsley, lettuce, spinach, turnip, carrot, chard, Brussels sprouts and radish produced in the province of Giresun were used in the study. Bacillus cereus and Salmonella spp. analyses were carried out in line with International Organization for Standardization quality standards. Among 89 vegetable samples analyses, Salmonella spp. and B. cereus were not detected in all and 5 of the samples respectively (