Cultivation of mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) on banana leaves

Following the solid state fermentation of banana leaves (Musa sapientum lina) by lignin degrading mushroom (Volvariella volvacea), yield of fruiting bodies and compositional changes of the substrate were evaluated using a student parametric “T” test model. The biological efficiency was 5.21 while the total weight of fruit yield was 2.5 kg. The percentage biomass loss was 18.20%. The banana leaves treated with V. volvacea exhibited losses primarily in the polysaccharide components and with a greater percentage of the fibre components being degraded. The crude protein content was enhanced by theincubation of the mushroom due probably to the addition of microbial protein. The acid detergent lignin (ADL) was significantly reduced in the fungus treated sample. The acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) followed similar trend but, the cellulose and hemicellulose increased. Thedevelopment of this simple technology is expected to improve the yield of mushroom as well as provide sustainable feed (spent substrate) for ruminant animals

Effects of Trichoderma-treated cassava waste in the diets of West African dwarf goat on blood, reproductive and urinary parameters

A study was conducted to evaluate effects of Trichoderma-treated cassava waste on the haemotology, reproductive and urinary parameters of West African dwarf (WAD) does. Twenty mature WAD does were allotted randomly to one four treatments using a completely randomized design arrangement. Does were individually fed the experimental diets containing 0, 20, 30 and 40% fungus treated cassava waste based diets (A, B, C and D, respectively) during the 56 days experiment. The blood parameters (PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC) of animals fed the tested diet compared with those fed the control diet are similar (p>0.05). Likewise, the pH, urea concentration of the urine were comparable (P>0.05) in does fed the experimental and control diets while the urobilinogen was normal across the diets. Fertility, fecundityand prolificacy rates showed better reproductive performance with diet D compared to that of diets A, B and C. These data indicate that addition of Trichoderma-treated cassava waste in the diet of goats hadno detrimental effect on the haematological, urinary and reproductive performances of lactating WAD does

Conversion of masonia tree sawdust and cotton plant by product into feed by white rot fungus (

The influence of fungus treatment on the biochemical composition and degradation patter of sawdust and cotton plant by-products (cotton burns and cotton gin trash) by Pleurotus sajor caju wereevaluated. Lignin degradation increased as the incubation period progressed while the highest loss of hemicellulose, cellulose, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre were recorded for treated cottonplant by-product. The nutrient availability was superior in the fungus treated cotton plant by-product substrate compared to the treated sawdust. The process efficiency was highest for the treated sawdustthan the treated cotton plant by-product, while the loss of organic matter was similar in the cotton plant by-product and sawdust. Correlation between the dry matter of the treated sawdust and cotton plant by-product gave a positive response. It is concluded that such biodelignification and the concurrent percentages increase in nutrient availability indicate that culturing of P. sajor caju on cotton plant byproduct ands saw dust may in fact improve the nutritive value of such lignocellulosic waste

Effect of biological and chemical preservatives on the shelf life of West African soft cheese

The effect of biological extracts on the storage qualities of West African soft cheese was evaluated in a completely randomized design model within a 15-day period. The control and the treated cheeses were stored under ambient temperature and assessed for the pH, titrable acidity, moisture content and crude protein. The pH and titrable acidity rose (P<0.05) with ginger extract preservant. The crude protein and moisture content were increased (P<0.05) by preservation. The ginger extract was found to be the most effective method of reducing microbial load, followed closely by the garlic extract. The ginger extract treatment extended the shelf life of cheese for 15 days. Treatment of West African soft cheese with ginger extract may not markedly alter the nutritional quality but appeared promising as it has a preservative property

Effects of avian flu on the consumption of chicken and egg among University of Ilorin staff, Ilorin, Nigeria

The dissemination and maintenance of AIV in wild birds is important for understanding the factors that contribute to transmission of AIV from wild birds to poultry. This study examined the impact of Avian flu on the consumption of chicken and egg among university of Ilorin staff, in Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria. A survey was conducted by interviewing 110 University of Ilorin staff. Information was collected on the same economic characteristics of the respondents, income and consumption of chicken and eggs. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that Avian flu outbreaks and spread in Nigeria have caused serious threat to the poultry industry, the food security and livelihoods of urban communities. It was also noted that there was a decline in consumers’ confidence in poultry product (e.g chicken and egg) as indicated by the respondents. Perception of people about avian flu pandemic indicates 90% of respondents perceived it as deadly, incurable and easily transmissible disease and that was why 77.27% of the sampled households were found to have stopped or drastically reduced the consumption of poultry products for the fear of being infected by the disease. The research conclude that since most of people perceived avian influenza as deadly disease, government enact measures to prevent the virus from spreading and to reduce the risk of infection and ban on transporting poultry in the area where bird flu has occurred.Keywords: avian virus, wild birds, domestic poultry, egg, chicke

Conversion of masonia tree sawdust and cotton plant by product into feed by white rot fungus (Pleurotus sajor caju)

The influence of fungus treatment on the biochemical composition and degradation patter of sawdust and cotton plant by-products (cotton burns and cotton gin trash) by Pleurotus sajor caju were evaluated. Lignin degradation increased as the incubation period progressed while the highest loss of hemicellulose, cellulose, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre were recorded for treated cotton plant by-product. The nutrient availability was superior in the fungus treated cotton plant by-product substrate compared to the treated sawdust. The process efficiency was highest for the treated sawdust than the treated cotton plant by-product, while the loss of organic matter was similar in the cotton plant by-product and sawdust. Correlation between the dry matter of the treated sawdust and cotton plant by-product gave a positive response. It is concluded that such biodelignification and the concurrent percentages increase in nutrient availability indicate that culturing of P. sajor caju on cotton plant byproduct ands saw dust may in fact improve the nutritive value of such lignocellulosic waste.Key words: Sawdust, cotton plant, by-product, Pleurotus sajor caju biodelignification, nutrient availability

Effect of green syntheses Nano zinc oxide on performance characteristics and haematobiochemical profile of West African Dwarf goats

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of green syntheses nano zinc oxide on performance characteristics,   haematobiochemical profile and serum zinc levels of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. A total of 12 apparently healthy WAD goats (5 – 6 month of age, 7.3 ± 1.15 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to T1, T2 and T3 diets for 56 days in a complete randomised designed experiment. Result showed that dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) significantly increased (p<0.05) across the groups with increasing levels of nano zinc oxide. The mean values of haemoglobin, packed cell volume and red blood cell were found not to be significantly different (p>0.05) among the different groups. However, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in white blood cell counts, neutrophil, lymphocytes, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin values among the different groups. The mean values of serum glucose also did not differ among the groups; however significant variations were noticed in total protein and blood urea nitrogen as higher value were obtained in T1 (7.25) and control group (13.17) respectively as compared with other  treatments. There was no significant variation in the activities of alanine aminotransferase among the treatments, however, significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in the activity of aspartate aminotransferase as lower value was obtained in T3 (31.00) as compared  with other treatments. Result obtained on Zn concentration showed that WAD goats placed on T2 and T3 diet had significantly higher (p<0.05) levels of zinc concentration compared to control diet. Keywords: Goat, Nano-zinc, Weight gain, Blood profile, Feed intak

Evaluation of Trichoderma harzanium treated cassava waste on the quality and quantity of milk of goat

The effects of the fungus, Trichoderma harzanium, treated cassava waste on milk quantity and quality were investigated in a completely randomized design model with twelve lactating West African dwarfdoes. Goats were fed the experimental diets containing O (A), 20 (B), 30 (C) and 40% (D) Trichoderma treated cassava waste during a 13 week lactation trial. The results revealed significant differences inmilk quantity and quality. The highest milk yield was recorded for diet D followed closely by diets C, B and A in that order. Inclusion of fungus treated cassava waste resulted in significant increasing milk fat,protein, solids not fat (SNF), and total solids. While the inclusion had little effect on milk pH and specific gravity. The yield of 40% fat corrected milk (FCM) and gross efficiency of milk increased significantly (P < 0.05) by the addition of fungus treated cassava waste in the diet. In conclusion, the addition of Trichoderma treated cassava waste was beneficial to lactating West African dwarf goats

Performance Characteristics of West African Dwarf Goats Fed Trichoderma Treated Jatropha curcas Seed Cake.

In a study of dietary effects of fungi (Trichoderma ghanense and Trichoderma asperellum) treatment on Jatropha curcas meal. Defatted Jatropha curcas cake was inoculated with the fungi and then used to replace soybean meal in a formulated diet for West African Dwarf goats. The fungi Trichoderma ghanense was included at 0%, 4%, 2% level in diets A, B, C, respectively and Trichoderma asperellum was included at 4%, 2% level in diets D and E respectively. The initial average weight of the goats was 7.00+ 1.00 kg. Water and feed were given ad-libitum for the entire duration of experiment. Fungi treatment considerably reduces crude fibre with increased ash content. There were marked decrease in weight as a result of poor feed intake and utilization. The fungus treatment did not completely detoxify the Jatropha curcas cake resulting in 100 percent death before the end of the experiment. There is the need to find better method of detoxifying the toxins and antinutrients present in Jatropha curcas cake without trading off the high crude protein content.KEY WORDS: WAD goats, Phorbolesters, Jatropha curcas cake, Fungi

The incorporation of plant materials in “Serra da Estrela” cheese improves antioxidant activity without changing the fatty acid profile and visual appearance

“Serra da Estrela” cheese is a Portuguese delicacy, which has been produced for centuries from the milk of cattle pasturing in the protected Serra da Estrela natural park. Transforming this cheese into a functional food would be a huge benefit for the market and the consumer. Decocted extracts and dried chestnut flowers and lemon balm plants were incorporated into the cheese to functionalize it, granting antioxidant activity to this foodstuff. The functionalized cheeses showed higher antioxidant activity, especially lipid peroxidation inhibition. The incorporation of dried plants appeared to be more effective than using decoctions, but the influence of the plant species was less observable. Furthermore, the fatty acids profile of the cheeses was also determined through gas chromatography. C18:1 and C16:0 were the most abundant fatty acids; saturated fatty acids prevailed over the unsaturated ones. Between the control and the incorporated samples no significant differences were found. In addition, the external color was measured through a spectrophotometer for lightness, yellowness and redness. There were some differences recorded for each samples’ color. In general, the results indicated that the functionalization of this exquisite dairy product with natural plant extracts provided beneficial characteristics, both for consumers (healthier product) and producers (added-value products).The authors are grateful to the companies Queijos Casa Matias, Lda and Mais Ervas, Lda. for providing the cheese and M. officinalis samples, respectively. The authors also acknowledge PRODER project No. 46577-Plant Lact., and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FTC, Portugal) for financial support to the research center CIMO (Pest-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011)