Different Locations In Nigeria Research Articles

PICK AND DELIVERY SYSTEM USING ANDROID MOBILE APPLICATION

All people need to transport goods or send and receive packages across different locations in Nigeria is growing, with consumers need. The methods of transporting goods and different companies that handle this transportation have sprung up over the years, but only a small number of these cut across the entire country while still providing an efficient solution. This research presents an innovative solution that simplifies logistics processes for both the consumer and the service provider, from the point of request to the end of delivery, while also addressing other issues involving delivery speed and reliability. The findings of this study show massive agreement with theoretical predictions and a significant improvement over previous research efforts. The work implications for future studies involving delivery system optimization and may help solve all problems involving the entire delivery process system in Nigeria and beyond.

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Gnetum africanum (Welw.) Germplasm Using DNA Barcoding Method

Gnetum africanum is a twisted woody climbing wild plant i.e.liana found growing naturally in dense equatorial rainforest but currently domesticated in tropical areas of the world. There has been taxonomic confusion in classifying this liana due to its observable diverse morphological characters. Indeed, morphological characterization alone has not offered the needed solution. However, there is dearth of information on the molecular characterization of Gnetum africanum. Morphological and molecular descriptors, could help offers the needed phenotypic and genotypic characterization of this plant much better. This study is aimed at characterizing Gnetum africanum land races to identify species that could be used for the development of high yielding hybrids. Three different land races or accessions of Gnetum africanum was collected from different locations in Nigeria. High quality genomic DNA was isolated from the different samples; it was checked for purity and quantified as appropriate. The DNA samples were subjected to PCR amplification and DNA barcoding studies (chloroplast large subunit of ribulose -1, 5-bisphophate carboxylase rbcL gene). The amplicons were gel eluted, sequenced and checked for homology by using Basic local alignment search tool -BLAST. Identification was obtained from the top similar outcomes of the samples. For Ekim Fig. 1b sample, the forward blast showed 95% similarity with Basella alba voucherID: NC041293.1 and the reverse had 88% similarity with Talinum fruticosum cultivar ID: MK598685.1. For Etinan Fig. 1a sample, the forward blast had 86% similarity with Rhabdothamnussolandri voucher ID: JQ933464.1 and for reverse, there was no similarity founded.

Crime dynamics under COVID-19 emergency measures in Nigeria: An exploration of residents’ perception

ABSTRACT This study examines how the COVID-19 emergency has impacted crime across different locations in Nigeria. Data were collected from a sample of residents from across Nigeria and analysed using mean ratings, percentages and chi-square. Based on the residents’ perceptions, certain crime types have decreased (e.g. home break-ins and assaults), some remain unchanged (e.g. stealing and pilfering) and others have increased (e.g. cybercrime and domestic violence). The findings show concentrations of crime in urban centres, states on total lockdown and geographical areas with poor economic indicators. The times that most crimes are perpetrated remain unchanged, except for the night time, where there has been a significant increase. Generally, individual responses to crime remain unchanged, although the use of security guards and special security door locks has changed significantly. Conversely, neighbourhood-level responses have changed significantly, particularly with the use of vigilante groups, police and military patrols as well as restrictions of human and vehicular movement. Although some of the causes of this crime change existed before COVID-19, new crime opportunities are also acknowledged. The findings suggest that Nigerian cities may face a severe battle to recover from crime even after the COVID-19 emergency has passed. Policy and further research implications are discussed.

Evaluation of the pasting characteristics of cassava roots grown in different locations in Nigeria from the Genetic Gain Assessment trial

The cooking quality, especially the pasting properties, is essential in cassava starch applications or successfully utilizing cassava in food industries and at the household level. This study evaluated the cassava roots from the Genetic Gain Assessment trial grown in three locations for dry matter (DM) and the pasting characteristics. Four hundred cassava genotypes were planted under IVS (Dry season in Inland Valley Hydromorphic area) and Upland (rain-fed conditions) trials at IITA Research Farms, Nigeria. The harvested cassava roots (12 months after planting) were analyzed for DM, and the dried-milled roots were analyzed for pasting properties using standard laboratory methods. The DM ranged from 25.04 to 38.72%, with a mean of 31.97 ± 2.41%. The pasting properties (peak, trough, breakdown, setback and final viscosities) ranged from 140.36–570.93 RVU (mean 241.71 ± 38.17), 6.74–173.32 RVU (mean 96.65 ± 23.45), 66.97–482.35 RVU (mean 142.44 ± 30.16), 60.06–231.74RVU (mean 134.42 ± 30.52), and 5.22–135.69 RVU (mean 37.78 ± 12.96), respectively. The genotypes had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the DM and pasting properties, but the growing location showed a highly significant effect (P < 0.05) on all the parameters studied. The cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into 2 clusters where clusters 1 and 2 had 115 and 285 genotypes, respectively. Knowing the impact of genotype and grown location on the pasting behavior could help the breeders select the best genotypes with excellent qualities that could adapt to different environments and identify the suitable growing area for the best cooking quality.

Testing Neural Network (NN) algorithms implemented in MATLAB for the study of rainfall distribution patterns at different locations in Nigeria

In Nigeria, accurate information concerning rainfall distribution is generally difficult to obtain because it is a discontinuous quantity. Therefore, special tools and equipment are required for its recording and interpretation. This has made information dissemination regarding rainfall distribution across different locations in Nigeria difficult. The scenario has made everyone sorely dependent on the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as the only source of recording and interpreting rainfall distribution. Rainfall distributed at different locations in Nigeria at the same time and season for a particular year is not even. Therefore, it is uncertain for one to conclude that the rainfall distribution pattern at one location is or will be the same or different at another location at a particular time and season of the year. Therefore, the objective of this work is to test neural network (NN) algorithms implemented in MATLAB for the study of rainfall distribution patterns at different locations in Nigeria using satellite-based data obtained from The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) to have alternative methods of interpreting rainfall data in Nigeria. After data conversion, the designed neural network algorithms implemented in MATLAB were adopted to contour daily rainfall incidences in all the locations for the years of study. The result of the study showed that locations with latitude closer to 4o, received the highest amount of rainfall distributions and locations with latitude farther to 4o, received the lowest amount of rainfall distributions within the same years of the study. The results also showed that rainfall distribution patterns can be interpreted using NN implemented algorithms in MATLAB and they vary at different locations in Nigeria. Therefore, NN algorithms implemented in MATLAB may serve as another method for fast and reliable interpretation of rainfall distribution recorded data at any chosen location.

Testing Neural Network (NN) algorithms implemented in MATLAB for the study of rainfall distribution patterns at different locations in Nigeria

Testing Neural Network (NN) algorithms implemented in MATLAB for the study of rainfall distribution patterns at different locations in Nigeria

Egg development stages and fecundity of Atya gabonensis (Giebel, 1875) (Crustacea: Atyidae) from three different locations in Nigeria

Comparative studies of fecundity and stages of egg development of Atya gabonensis in River Benue at Makurdi, River Niger, Jebba and the confluence of the two rivers at Ganaja was done from January 2016 to December 2017. A total of 300 berried females were collected with the aid of fishermen and transported in ice box to the laboratory for further studies. Species identification was done using keys of Powell (1982). The sexes were determined using morphological features such as appendix masculina, reproductive chamber and numb. Morphological measurements were done according to Adite et al. (2013). Body weight was taken with a top loading electronic Metler balance. Fecundity was estimated by gravimetric method. Egg development stages were determined using external features of the eggs. The number of eggs varied from 550-36,673 in Jebba, 300-24,532 in Ganja and 4,300-8,600 in Makudi. Positive correlation was observed between fecundity and morphometric parameters in all the locations. All the ovigerous females in Makurdi, 14% in Ganaja and 17% in Jebba were in stage 1. Ganaja and Jebba had 39 and 35% respectively in stage 2. Stage 3 was 26 and 12% from Ganaja and Jebba respectively. Stage 4 had 10% from Ganaja and 17% from Jebba while stage 5 had 11% from Ganaja and 19% from Jebba. It was concluded that A. gabonensis is fecund and could make an excellent candidate for culture.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Nigeria: Systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies.

In Nigeria, several studies have assessed the prevalence of overweight/obesity with different reports. The purpose of this study was to use a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze these overweight and obesity reports from different locations in Nigeria over the last ten years. In addition, there was a dearth of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the prevalence, trends, and demographic characteristics of overweight and obesity in the country. This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional population-based studies among adult Nigerians on the prevalence of overweight/ obesity (defined by body mass index) published from January 2010 to December 2020. Relevant abstracts were scrutinized and articles that included adults of all age groups and were not restricted to a particular group of people (e.g. university community) were selected. Each article was scrutinized by more than 2 authors before selection. The prevalence of overweight/obesity among all participants, among men and among women in Nigeria and its 6 geopolitical zones was determined. All analyses were performed using STATA version 14 (Stata Corp. College Station, Texas, USA). Thirty-three studies were selected and the number of participants was 37,205. The estimated prevalence of overweight and obesity was 27.6%, and 14.5% respectively. The prevalence of overweight among men and among women was 26.3% and 28.3% respectively and, the prevalence of obesity among men and women was 10.9% and 23.0% respectively. The prevalence of overweight in the 6 geopolitical zones was Southeast 29.3%, Southwest 29.3%, South-south 27.9%, Northwest 27.2%, North-central 25.3%, Northeast 20.0% and obesity South-south 24.7%, Southeast 15.7%, Southwest 13.9%, Northwest 10.4%, North-central 10.2%, Northeast 6.4%. Egger's tests showed no statistically significant publication bias among the studies that reported the overweight and obesity prevalence respectively (p = 0.225, P 0.350). The prevalence of overweight/obesity in Nigeria is high. The southern geopolitical zones had a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity.

Evaluation of the Microorganisms in Nigeria Honey for Antagonistic Activity on Selected Bacteria causing Diarrhoea

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the antagonistic activities of the isolated microorganisms from honey on the selected diarrhoeagenic bacteria, for this reason the microbiological quality of Nigerian honey was investigated. Materials and Methods: Twelve (12) honey samples from different locations in Nigeria were evaluated and the microorganisms present in those samples were studied and isolated. Both clinical and typed cultures of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella dysenteriae, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were also used for the study. Results: A total of 9 bacterial and 8 fungal species were isolated from the honey samples: Bacillus proteolyticus, Providencia rettgeri, Lysinibacillus pakiestanensis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Acinetobacter indicus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Lysinibacillus fusiforms, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Neurospora crassa, Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium oxysporum, Mucor racemosus, Trichodermaviride, Saccharomyces cerevisae respectively. Among the 9 bacteria isolated, 4 (44.44%) exerted antagonistic effect on 6 (60%) of thetest bacteria. On the other hand, 2 (25.00%)among the 8 fungi isolated had antagonistic activity against 4 (40.00%) of the test bacteria. Conclusion: However, honey has anti-microbial properties that discourage the growth or persistence of many microorganisms which made them to contain low numbers and a limited variety of microbes. The bacteria isolated exerted a greater antagonistic activity than the isolated fungi on selected diarrhoeagenic bacteria, which could have been as a result of secondary metabolites like lipopeptides, polypeptides, fatty acids, isocoumarins produced by them that exhibited a wide range of biological activities such as antimicrobial. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21 No. 03 July’22 Page: 553-561

Critical Appraisal of the Action of Honey on Skin Infection, a Case Study of Honeys from Four Different Locations in Nigeria

Honey has been used as traditional medicine in many countries and in the world at large before modern medicine was introduced. These substance is not only a waste product produced by honeybees but also a therapeutic agent used as an ant inflammatory, ant fungal, bacterial and ant microbial agent too. This context assess the healing potency of honey on different skin and wound infections such as dermatitis, boils, eczema, burns etc. Many of these complications are eliminated due to the chemical constituents found in honey but these constituents differ more greatly in their distribution across places in Nigeria such places are north, west and eastern parts of Nigeria. These distributions affect the healing potency of many honey collected from these areas. In this context, the sample differ in their potencies and also in their chemical constituents. These areas of collection include Abuja, Nsukka and Ibadan respectively. The honeys obtained are applied on surface wounds and on skin inflammations infected by S. aureus to see whether they differ in their potency or not. Statistical analysis such as Chi-square test (χ2) was applied in order to compare the association between different honeys on skin infected with Staphylococcus aureus. In other aspect of life, honey is used in many candy products and sometimes in substitute for sugars due to its property of flavonoids compounds.

A Reliable Mobile Application Package Picker and Delivery System

The need for people to transport goods or send and receive packages across different locations in Nigeria is growing, and the consumers need. Other methods of transporting goods and different companies that handle this transportation have sprung up over the years, but only a small number of these cut across the entire country while still providing an efficient solution. This research presents an innovative solution that simplifies logistics processes for both the consumer and the service provider, from the point of request to the end of delivery, while also addressing other issues involving delivery speed and reliability. The findings of this study show massive agreement with theoretical predictions and a significant improvement over previous research efforts. The work presented in this research has important implications for future studies involving delivery system optimisation and may help solve all problems involving the entire delivery process system in Nigeria and beyond.

Genetic Structure of Cucumber Mosaic Virus From Natural Hosts in Nigeria Reveals High Diversity and Occurrence of Putative Novel Recombinant Strains.

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV, Bromoviridae: Cucummovirus), one of the most widespread plant viruses with several hosts, causes huge losses in yield quality and quantity. The occurrence of various CMV strains and high genetic diversity within the virus complicate its management. We describe the population structure of CMV in Nigeria using partial RNA1 and RNA3 gene sequences from three natural hosts: pepper (Capsicum annuum), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). One hundred and six leaf samples were obtained from 16 locations across Nigeria, and specific primers were used to amplify the two gene fragments using PCR. Twenty-four samples tested positive for CMV using RNA1 primers, and amplicons were sequenced from 12 isolates, revealing 82.94–99.80% nucleotide and 85.42–100% amino acid sequence similarities within the population. The partial RNA3 fragment, corresponding to the complete coat protein (CP) gene, was sequenced from seven isolates, with 95.79–97.90% and 98.62–100% nucleotide and amino acid intrapopulation similarities, respectively. The isolates belonged to subgroup IB and formed distinct phylogenetic clusters in both gene sets, indicating putative novel strains. Recombination signals, supported by phylogenetic inferences, were detected within the RNA1 dataset (P ≤ 0.05) and identified a recombinant isolate within the Nigerian sequences. No recombination was detected within the CP genes. Population genetics parameters established high diversity within the Nigerian population compared to other isolates worldwide, while selection pressure estimates revealed the existence of negative selection in both gene sets. Although CMV subgroup IB strains were postulated to originate from Asia, this study reveals their prevalence across several hosts from different locations in Nigeria. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive description of a recombinant CMV subgroup IB isolate from West Africa, which has implications for its robust detection and overall management.

Assessment of Soil Moisture Storage In Nigeria Using Climatic Water Budgeting Approach

The estimation of soil moisture storage is fundamental to crop production, hydrological and biological processes. This study assessed soil moisture storage in Nigeria using the Climatic Water Budgeting Approach. Mean monthly air temperature and monthly rainfall data were collected from the archives of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency from 27 weather stations in Nigeria. The data were subjected to Climatic Water Budgeting Approach to compute the monthly soil moisture storage at different locations in Nigeria over two years with contrasting moisture conditions (1983 and 2003). The mean monthly air temperature data were used to estimate the monthly potential evapotranspiration (PE) while the PE in conjunction with the mean monthly rainfall and the soil water holding capacity of 250mm were used to calculate the monthly soil moisture storage. The results showed that most locations north of latitude 9°N recorded low soil moisture storage below 10 mm from April to July especially in 1983. The soil moisture storage was high in all the places in January and February due to low potential evapotranspiration and accumulated potential water loss (APWL). Most Places South of latitude 9°N recorded higher soil moisture storage between 20 mm and 100 mm from January to May compared to their counterparts north of latitude 9°N in both 1983 and 2003. The soil moisture storage attained 250 mm (100%) from July-October across Nigeria. This study concluded that the soil moisture varies spatially and temporally in Nigeria decreasing from South to North. A paired sample test revealed a significant difference between the soil moisture storage of 2003 and 1983 in Nigeria (p=.000).

Characterization and Suitability of Nigerian Barites for Different Industrial Applications

This work aimed to characterize barite samples from selected different locations in Nigeria and determine their suitability for various industrial applications. The properties determined include mineralogy, chemical composition, morphology, functional groups, and specific gravity. Samples were obtained from ten locations in Nasarawa and Taraba states as well as a standard working sample (WS) obtained from a drilling site. The samples were characterized using scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), Fourier infrared analysis (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Specific gravity (SG) was determined using the pycnometer method. Results of SEM-EDX analysis show that the WS has a Ba-S-O empirical composition of 66.5% whereas these of the ten samples investigated vary between 59.36% and 98.86%. The FTIR analysis shows that the functional groups of S-O, SO42−, Ba-S-O, OH of the ten samples match that of the WS. Results of XRD show that the ten samples have the same mineralogical composition as the WS and all meet American Petroleum Institute (API) standards for industrial barite. Similar matching results are shown from EDXRF spectra intensity, position, and composition analysis of the ten samples compared to the WS. Specific gravity (SG) results show that six out of the ten samples have SG above 4.2 which is the recommended minimum for the American Petroleum Institute (API) standard. The other four samples will require beneficiation to meet the standard for drilling mud application. Using all the parameters of the assessment together, results show that while some (6) of the samples can be used for drilling fluid application, some (4) require beneficiation but all ten samples can be used for other industrial applications including healthcare, construction, plastic, cosmetics, paper, and rubber industries. The results of the study can be used for value addition in developing beneficiation procedures, processes, and technology for purification along with new materials for the industries.

Effect of Inadequate Electrification on Nigeria’s Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability

In this study, the impact of the electricity crisis on the economic growth of Nigeria is presented. Unlike other existing studies that checked the effect of electricity consumption on economic development or environmental sustainability for different countries, the present study will further present a techno-economic analysis of a proffered solution to the imminent electricity crisis. Time-series regression models are used to analyze the effect of electricity consumption on economic development and environmental sustainability while RETScreen professional software is used to perform a techno-economic analysis and determine the feasibility of a 500-kW microgrid Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system integrated for electricity generation. From the analysis results, a strong positive correlation effect is evident between electricity consumption and GNI, as well as a strong negative correlation between electricity consumption and gross domestic savings. Also, strong positive correlation effects are evident in the case of carbon emissions by buildings, by the power industry, and by other combustion industries on electricity consumption in Nigeria. Considering the net present value, internal rate of return and payback periods, the use of solar PV systems for electricity generation is feasible in the 12 different locations in Nigeria studied in this research. The most feasible area for solar PV installation is the northern part of Nigeria as Gombe and Kaduna recorded a simple PBP and an equity PBP are 6.3 years and 7.4 years respectively.

High Diversity of Human Non-Polio Enterovirus Serotypes Identified in Contaminated Water in Nigeria

Human enteroviruses (EVs) are highly prevalent in sewage and have been associated with human diseases with complications leading to severe neurological syndromes. We have used a recently developed molecular method to investigate the presence of EVs in eight samples collected in 2017–2018 from water streams contaminated by drainage channels in three different locations in Nigeria. A total of 93 human EV strains belonging to 45 different serotypes were identified, far exceeding the number of strains and serotypes found in similar samples in previous studies. Next generation sequencing analysis retrieved whole-capsid genomic nucleotide sequences of EV strains belonging to all four A, B, C, and D species. Our results further demonstrate the value of environmental surveillance for the detection of EV transmission of both serotypes commonly associated with clinical syndromes, such as EV-A71, and those that appear to circulate silently but could eventually cause outbreaks and disease. Several uncommon serotypes, rarely reported elsewhere, were detected such as EV-A119, EV-B87, EV-C116, and EV-D111. Ten EV serotypes were detected in Nigeria for the first time and two of them, CV-A12 and EV-B86, firstly described in Africa. This method can be expanded to generate whole-genome EV sequences as we show here for one EV-D111 strain. Our data revealed phylogenetic relationships of Nigerian sewage strains with EV strains reported elsewhere, mostly from African origin, and provided new insights into the whole-genome structure of emerging serotype EV-D111 and recombination events among EV-D serotypes.

Clefts in Naija, a Nigerian pidgincreole

Abstract This paper is a corpus-based study of the various forms and uses of clefts in Naija, the largest West-African English lexifier pidgincreole, spoken in Nigeria and its diaspora as a second language by close to 100 million speakers. The data on which this paper is based is taken from the 500,000 word ANR-NaijaSynCor corpus, consisting of 300 samples of spontaneous speech, recorded in 2017 in 13 different locations in Nigeria, from 330 different speakers of both sexes, of various ages, education levels, and geographic origins. The quantitative data is taken from a sub-section of 9,621 sentences (almost 150,000 tokens) that constitute a syntactic treebank mirroring the social and geographic sampling of the full corpus. Clefts, pseudo-clefts and reverse pseudo- clefts are examined. Four types of clefts are described: wey-clefts, bare clefts, double clefts and zero-copula clefts. The properties of those clefting patterns are represented using a UD-type annotation scheme named SUD for Surface-Syntactic Universal Dependencies. The quantitative analysis of the data and comparison with former descriptions of the language underline the massive domination of bare clefts, and the emergence, among these various patterns, of a relative pronoun nãĩ “who/which” used only with cleft constructions, while the relativiser wey is being abandoned and specialises as relative clause operator.

Sensitivity of FAO Penman–Monteith reference evapotranspiration (ETo) to climatic variables under different climate types in Nigeria

AbstractUnderstanding the impact of changes in climatic variables on reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is important for predicting possible implications of climate change on the overall hydrology of an area. This study aimed to determine the effects of changes in ETo with respect to changes in climatic variables. In addition, the specific objective was to determine the sensitivity coefficients of ETo in seven different locations in Nigeria with distinct agroecology, namely Maiduguri (Sahel savannah), Sokoto (Sudan savannah), Kaduna (Guinea savannah), Jos (Montane), Enugu (Derived Savannah), Ibadan (tropical rainforest), and Port Harcourt (coastal). The results showed that ETo is most sensitive to changes in maximum temperature (Tmax) in Maiduguri, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Jos. In Enugu and Ibadan, ETo is most sensitive to changes in solar radiation (Rs), while in Port Harcourt, ETo is most sensitive to relative humidity (RH). Overall, based on the average annual sensitivity coefficients (SCs) of the study area, the SC is ranked in the order: RH > Rs > Tmax > U2 > Tmin. Also, the results showed positive SCs of ETo to Rs, Tmax, U2, Tmin, and negative SC for RH. This study can serve as a baseline for sustainable water management in the context of climate change and adapted to areas with a similar climate.

English

Rain-induced depolarization impairments have been a constraint on the effective use of satellite communication systems at millimetre wave band especially in the tropical regions like Nigeria. This region often experiences high and varying degree of rainfall intensity accompanied with large raindrops due to distortion of raindrops when dual orthogonal polarization is employed to double the channel capacity without increasing the bandwidth. This paper examines the performance of five cross polarization discrimination (XPD) models at millimetre wavelengths over ten (10) different locations in Nigeria using five years climatological data acquired from Tropospheric Observatory Data Acquisition Network (TRODAN) of the Centre for Atmospheric Research (CAR). The performance of five different XPD models namely: recent ITU-R 618-15, old ITU-R-722, SIM, CHU and DHW were tested based on the level of estimated interference due to tropospheric effects. The results revealed that at Ku-band uplink/downlink frequencies (10/14 GHz), the unwanted signals will completely overshadow the co-polarized signal between 0.001 and 0.018% of time for the new ITU-R model at Jos, Yola, Sokoto and Nsukka. However, at fade level between 8.93 and 11.08 dB, the crosstalk is prevalent at the receiving station. Though, the recent ITU-R model received wider acceptance, the performance in this study is ranked the lowest while SIM model displayed the best performance. The study therefore recommends, SIM model as the most preferred model to be adopted in estimating depolarization in this region. However, further experimental data for validation is suggested to substantiate this assertion. Key words: Millimeter waves, cross polarization discrimination (XPD) models, co-polar attenuation, earth-space paths, tropical region.

Fungal metabolite and mycotoxins profile of cashew nut from selected locations in two African countries

ABSTRACTInfestation of food crops by fungi has led to serious economic losses in the international market. There is a paucity of information on the multi-mycotoxin profile of cashew nuts from different geographical locations in Nigeria and South Africa. This work aims at comparing the fungal metabolite profile of cashew nut from two African countries using HPLC-FLD and LC-MS/MS. The differences in distribution of the fungal metabolites across the two countries were also examined. A total of 75 (39; Nigeria, 36; South Africa) roasted cashew nuts were purchased from 14 different locations in Nigeria and 10 major supermarkets in South Africa. The samples were subjected to HPLC analysis for aflatoxin and zearalenone and LC-MS/MS analysis for multiple metabolite profiling. Total aflatoxins (0.03-0.77 µg/kg and 0.01-0.28 µg/kg) and zearalenone (123.2 and 788.6 µg/kg) were quantified in nut samples from South Africa and Nigeria, respectively. In contrast, LC-MS/MS analysis showed that none of the major fungi metabolites except for one (citrinin) was present in detectable amount in Nigerian cashew nuts (31.3 μg/kg). Other microbial metabolites present in the nuts were; Aspergillus metabolites (< LOD to 398 × 104 μg/kg and < LOD to 1760 μg/kg); flavoglaucin (5.4-177.4 μg/kg and 45.5-18,368 μg/kg), 7-hydroxykaurenolide (5.5-45.8 μg/kg and 3.5-33.7 μg/kg), chloramphenicol (0.3-4.5 μg/kg) for South African and Nigerian cashew nuts, respectively. The incidence rate of the fusarium toxins beauvericin and bikaverin were higher in Nigerian cashew nut (100% and 17%) than the South African nuts (8% and 8%), 7-Hydroxykaurenolide and chloramphenicol were found in all the cashew nut samples. A total of 15 unspecific metabolites (17-100%) were recorded in the nuts from both countries. Information on the metabolite profile of cashew nuts will provide useful information for policy makers, border agencies and other health-related Institutes.