PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF DRY CAKE AVAILABLE IN LOCAL MARKET OF BANGLADESH

The study assessed the proximate composition of dry cake available in the local market of Chattogram, Bangladesh. The proximate pieces of dry cake of different brands were resolved by the standard method of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Proximate analysis was performed on nine brands (Brand A to I). Results of proximate analysis showed that moisture content of different brands of dry cake ranged from 0.25% to 3.22%, ash content ranged from 0.16% to 0.71%, fat content ranged from 25.30% to 31.57%, protein content ranged from 6.44% to 12.78%, carbohydrate content ranged from 58.48% to 63.16% respectively. The energy value of different brands of dry cake ranged from 515.54 (Kcal/100g) to 545.53(Kcal/100g) respectively. This composition shows that the structure varies from brand to brand and the dry cake could be a good source of protein, fat and high energy.

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FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH SAFFRON (Crocus sativus) IN MOROCCO

In Morocco, saffron is grown in the areas of Taliouine (provine of Taroudante) and Taznakht (province of Ouarzazate). Studies on fungi related to this crop are still very rare. Mycological studies on mycoflora associated with Saffron (Crocus sativus) from the main producing area, located in the Taliouine region was carried out between September (corms for cultivation) and December (soil and roots of saffron plants), 2018. The samples (corms and roots with symptoms) were cut up in fragments and disinfected with alcohol. Then, these fragments were cultured on Potato Sucrose Agar and incubated in the growth chamber for 7 days at 28°C. The pure cultures obtained were identified morphologically and microscopically. The fungal complex identified in the soils, corms and roots of saffron plants was almost identical, including Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, F. culmorum, F. roseum, Fusarium sp., Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, Trichoderma sp., Rhizopus oryzae and Penicillium sp. Species of the genus Fusarium, considered as true pathogens of different crops, are the most represented, with isolation percentages ranging from 6 to 20%. Trichoderma sp., a biocontrol agent against various pathogens, has also been isolated from the soils, corms and roots of saffron plants, with a percentage of isolation ranging from 8 to 13%. This is the first time that the species of the genus Fusarium (F. solani, F. culmorum and F. roseum) and Trichoderma have been isolated in Morocco from Crocus sativus.

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MOLECULAR DETECTION AND PHYLOGENY OF Peronospora variabilis Gäum., THE CAUSAL AGENT OF DOWNY MILDEW DISEASE OF QUINOA AT DIFFERENT GROWTH STAGES

Downy mildew disease of quinoa caused by Peronospora variabilis is a serious threat which greatly reduces yield. The identification of the source of the primary infection at the early growth stages of quinoa is necessary to manage the spread of this pathogen. Hence, a conventional detection method based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to detect the DNA of P. variabilis in the tissues of the different organs of quinoa plants (radicle or root; cotyledon or leaf; hypocotyl or stem) at the different growth stages (5-, 10-, 15- and 21-days old plants) and in inflorescences (flowers and their axes) at 60 and 80 days old. Twelve composite quinoa seedling samples were subdivided into different organs at the different growth stages. P. variabilis was detected in cotyledon/leaf tissues (10/12; 83%), hypocotyl/stem tissues (41.6%; 5/12) and radicle/root was the least positive (1/12; 0.8%) for presence of the pathogen. Moreover, the PCR showed that the pathogen was detected in the flowers and in their axes at the ages of 60 and 80 days. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (COX2) regions were examined. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that P. variabilis (EGDM1) was the causal agent of downy mildew affecting quinoa in Egypt and genetically similar to the United States and China lineage (COX2 Maximum likelihood tree). Downy mildew pathogen was detected in different organs of quinoa plant at early growth stages and inflorescences. Hence, the pathogen can spread systemically in quinoa tissues.

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POACEA FAMILY CROPS: REVIEW

The poacea family is one of the most large families in the plant of Monocotyledon, one of the floral plants. There are about 600 species in this family and about 10,000 genus, including the most important crops such as wheat, rice, maize, barley, oats and millet. This family contains a lot of forage crops and grass plants.

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RESPONSIVENESS OF THE GROWTH OF THE NIGERIA ECONOMY TO THE REVENUE PROFILE OF THE GOVERNMENT

This study was set out to evaluate the impact of government revenue on the growth of the Nigerian economy. Using time-series data covering the period 1981 to 2018 and adopting the ARDL framework, the study tested for both short-run and long-run relationship including adjustment profile. It was found that economic growth is a positive and significant function of oil revenue in Nigeria within the studied period. Nonoil revenue was found to positively but non-significantly affect the growth of the Nigerian economy. A long run cointegrating relationship was found amongst the studied variables with the error correction model showing an 11% adjustment speed from short-run disequilibrium to long run equilibrium. Based on the finding, it is recommended that government should diversify the economy to allow for enhanced revenue and growth.

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QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF GERMINATED AMARANTH FLOUR PASTA SUPPLEMENTED WITH DIFFERENT HYDROCOLLOIDS

Pasta was prepared from germinated amaranth grain flour with 0.5% and 1.0% addition of various hydrocolloids (guar gum, gum tragacanth and gum acacia). The physical, cooking, textural, morphological and sensory characteristics of prepared pasta were compared with control pasta (semolina). Germinated amaranth flour pasta showed lower L value ranged from 46.22 to 48.41 than control pasta 65.33. Among all germinated amaranth flour pasta, pasta having 1.0% guar gum exhibited least cooking loss (10.5%) which is slightly higher than the control pasta (7.41%). The germinated amaranth flour pasta was less harder (1.67 to 2.95 N) than control (3.85 N). Overall, the 1.0% guar gum incorporated pasta represents the highest overall sensory score among the all germinated amaranth flour pasta. Results highlighted that higher concentration of hydrocolloids improved the different quality characteristics of germinated amaranth flour pasta.

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GENETIC DIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF LOTUS SPECIES (Nelumbo nucifera GAERTN.) IN THUA THIEN HUE BASED ON ITS4-5 GENETIC REGION

In this study, we isolated and analysed the sequence of ITS4-5 genetic region of thirty three lotus samples which were collected in Thua Thien Hue province. The attained ITS4-5 genetic region had a length of ranged from 729 to 744 bp, which had high similarity with species Nelumbo nucifera (accession number: FJ599761.1), query cover was at 98%. Eight parameters were used to measure the DNA polymorphism of thirty three homologous DNA sequences in this population. The results indicated that,  the number of separate polymorphic sites (S), total number of mutant sites (Eta), number of haplotype (h), haplotype diversity (Hd), average number of nucleotide differences (k), nucleotide diversity (π), theta (per site) from Eta (Ø) were 5 (S), 5 (Eta), 2(h), 0,458(Hd), 2,292 (k), 0,314 x 10^-3 (π) and 0,169 x10^-3 (Ø), respectively (P < 0,05). Our analysis indicated that Rm of ITS4-5 genetic region in lotus populations did not appear (Rm = 0). Two methods (Tajima’s D test, Fu and Li’s D* and F* test) were used to execute neutrality test. The results showed that, the evolution of lotus population was balancing selection, sudden population contraction, in other words, rare alleles present at low frequency and there are very few individuals that show significant differences from other individuals in the population. Phylogenetic tree was built based on three methods, namely Neightbour -Joining, Maximum Likelihood và Maximum Parsimony (bootstrap = 1000) showed that, thirty three collected lotus samples closely linked and they were divided into two groups. Group I included 22 samples of pink lotus varieties and group II included 11 samples of white lotus varieties. Through this result, we found that the ability to distinguish between white and pink lotus varieties of N. nucifera was significant when using the ITS4-5 genetic region.

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MOLECULAR METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING Candida INFECTION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

In current time, invasive fungal infections have become a major threat for the immunocompromised hospitalised patients. Also, healthy individuals are much prone to the commensal yeasts of the oral cavity. Different surveys and studies have recorded increased rate of Candida albicans and non-albicans such as of C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. dubliniensis, C. parapsilosis and C. krusei in local and systemic fungal infections. Thus, a rapid and correct identification of different Candida species plays an important role in diagnosis and antifungal therapy against candidiasis. The conventional diagnostic methods, such as histopathology and culture which are based on morphological and physiological attributes are low in sensitivity and also not very accurate. Development and standardisation of various molecular techniques (both PCR and non-PCR based) have proved to be promising approach for correct and quicker identification of Candida species. More and more technical development in these methods can bring their widespread clinical use with much more ease in coming days. The purpose of this review is to highlight the value, limitations and current state of different molecular approaches utilized for species level identification in Candida diagnostics.

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DIVERSITY OF ENDOMYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN THE THUYA RHIZOSPHERE, SEFROU REGION (MIDDLE EASTERN ATLAS, MOROCCO)

Tetraclinis articulata is an essence of great socio-economic value. The development of the resistance and survival potential of this species to sometimes extreme environmental conditions are a concern of the managers. for that, the present work is fixed as an objective to evaluate the rate of mycorrhization of thuya roots and to highlight the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) of thuya from two sites (Beni Souhane and Aderj) of the region of Sefrou (Middle Eastern Atlas). The results obtained showed that the thuya roots carry different structures of endomycorrhizal fungi. The frequencies of mycorrhization of the roots are of the order of 93.3% at the level of site Aderj and 80% at Beni Souhane. The mycorrhizal root intensities are respectively 45.8% and 40% for the Beni Souhane and Aderj sites. Moreover, the arbuscule contents are 26.05% in Beni Souhane and 25.52% in Aderj. The vesicle contents are 14.89% in Aderj and 21.51% in Beni Souhane. The density of endomycorrhizal spores in the rhizosphere of Thuya is 98 and 26 spores / 100 g of soil, respectively in Beni Souhane and Aderj. The identification of isolated spores allowed to note the presence of 37 species belonging to 7 genera, 7 families and 3 orders. The genus Glomus is the most abundant, with a distribution percentage of 63.5%. The species richness is 29 taxa in the site of Beni Souhane and 18 species at the level of Aderj. Besides, the thuya of the Beni Souhane site shows a better rate of mycorrhization of roots and a mycorrhizal species richness greater than that of the Aderj site. This is reflected on the state of forest formation that is coming well to Beni Souhane. It would, therefore, be valuable to develop inocula from the endomycorrhizal fungi present in the Thuya rhizosphere and proceed to controlled mycorrhization in nurseries to obtain resistant and vigorous plants.

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AUTOGAMY OF ALFALFA (Medicago sativa L.) AND IT’S USAGE IN BREEDING

The possibility of using autogamous forms of alfalfa in the breeding of varieties with stable seed productivity in the conditions of insufficient number of insect-pollinators has been proved. Aim of present study was to evaluate the breeding value of alfalfa inbred lines with different degree of autogamy for creation of synthetic varieties. Inbred lines of the seventh- tenth generations were obtained with a high level of autogamy (41-76%) and seed yield at the level of the variety – standard. The splitting on the trait takes place among the descendants of the inbred generations on the both of the autogamous and self-incompatible plants. The invariable high-autogamous lines have been not obtained for 34 years of research. The autogamy levels above 40.1%, had 55% of lines in the tenth generation. Inbred lines have been created with forage yields at the standard-grade level and high seed yields. Synthetic varieties with seed yields of 0.300- 0.321 t/ha and different number of components (5-7) were formed on the basis of lines with high combining ability effects. Autogamous forms which were created do not lose the ability to cross pollination.

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THE ECONOMIC, BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND ECOTOURISM VALUES OF BAMBOO FORESTS IN ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia is known for its high bamboo resource potential in Africa. The country has two indigenous bamboo species namely the highland bamboo (Arundinaria alpine) and the monotypic genus lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica). Bamboo is a multipurpose plant with significant economic and environmental benefits. Although the benefits of bamboo for communities in Ethiopia are diverse, the economic values at national scale, the biodiversity conservation and ecotourism values of bamboo have not been discussed in the past. Studying the different values of bamboo promotes human quality of life and national economic support though income generation. Similarly, bamboo is an important plant in enhancing biodiversity conservation and promoting ecotourism despite it has been neglected by research and development programs in the country due to the less economic benefit obtained from the forest. Hence, this study was made to review the economic, biodiversity conservation and ecotourism values of bamboo forest in Ethiopia. These issues were addressed through exploration of different studies conducted on bamboo and by referring various journals. The study revealed that bamboo provides various benefits in Ethiopia. It enabled to obtain 23-30 Million USD annually which was 0.02% of the country’s GDP during 2010-2014 G.C. Similarly, it contributes for employment opportunities, furniture and industrial materials production, construction and home use purposes, food for humans and animals, etc. Bamboo also provides biodiversity conservation and ecotourism benefits. It facilitates biodiversity conservation through protection of forest, wildlife conservation and supporting micro-organisms. While the role of bamboo in the construction of cultural houses and production of different cultural materials contributes for ecotourism development in different parts of Ethiopia. However, challenges like fire, deforestation, agriculture and related land conversion and inadequate awareness are affecting the economic, biodiversity conservation and ecotourism values of bamboo in Ethiopia.

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STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING ROLE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA: THE CASE OF TARABA STATE

This study investigated student’s perception of guidance and counselling role and their academic performance in public secondary schools in Northern Nigeria, with emphasis on Taraba State. Two research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The population consisted of senior secondary school class three which was 2523 drawn across 150 public schools in the study area. The Sample population of the study was 252. A questionnaire titled “Student’s Perception of Guidance and Counseling’s Role and their Academic Performance in public Secondary Schools” (SPGCRAPSS) was used to collect data. The instrument consisted of 15 items were responded by the targeted audience. The instrument was validated by an expert in the Department of Educational Foundation, Guidance and Counselling and two other experts in Measurement and Evaluation. The Pearson Product Moment correlation technique was used in analyzing the data collected. The findings revealed that guidance and counselling role plays an integral part in shaping and building a strong sense of students’ performance upon their chosen career.

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PATTERNS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY REARING AMONG WOMEN IN NIGERIA: THE CASE OF CALABAR METROPOLIS

This study examined the pattern of domestic violence and its implication for family rearing among women in Nigeria. This study was based in Calabar metropolis. The study adopted four research questions. The sample population for this study comprised of 350 women in the study area. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire titled" Pattern of Domestic Violence and Implication for Family Rearing (PDVIFR). The instrument consisted of two sections. The section comprises of demographic variables while section B consisted of 26 items. The instrument was validated by experts. Simple percentage was used as a statistical tool to analyses the research questions. Results showed verbal, physical, sexual and emotional violence at prevalence rates of 38.0%, 26.5%, 10.7% and 1.4%, respectively. A total of 14.0% had experienced a combination of physical and verbal abuse while 7.0% had experienced a combination of physical and sexual violence. Full-time housewives and self-employed women were most abused, of which 82.7% had no definite timing pattern. The domestic violence pattern is varied: the commonest forms are verbal, physical, sexual and emotional, and in some cases a combination of some or all of these forms. It was therefore recommended that wives should be rather employed to reduce domestic violence at home.

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PATTERNS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY REARING AMONG WOMEN IN NIGERIA: THE CASE OF CALABAR METROPOLIS

RISK ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN CROPS AND SOIL FROM A DUMPSITE IN RUMUOLUMENI, PORT HARCOURT

The study investigated the concentration and risk of some heavy metals lead, cobalt, cadmium, nickel, chromium, arsenic, zinc and iron in waterleaf (Talinum triangulare), fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), cassava tuber (Manihot esculenta crantz) and soil from the dumpsite in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt. The result indicated that heavy metal contamination was of the order iron>zinc>chromium>nickel>lead>cobalt>cadmium>arsenic. The highest values for soil were for iron (80.00±1.070 mg/Kg) and zinc (14.91±0.197 mg/Kg), while the least was arsenic (0.014±0.050 mg/Kg). Cassava tuber had highest levels in iron (61.80±2.038 mg/Kg) and zinc (11.03±0.107 mg/kg), with the lowest levels in arsenic (0.004±0.005 mg/Kg). In fluted pumpkin, iron (43.15±0.881 mg/Kg) and zinc (8.979±0.193 mg/Kg) were highest but cobalt and cadmium were not detected. Iron (37.72±1.962 mg/Kg) and zinc (6.797±0.208 mg/Kg) had the highest concentration in waterleaf but arsenic was not detected. Zinc, chromium, and nickel were higher than the WHO permissible limit. The transfer factor from soil to plants was as high as 75-90%, especially for cassava tuber. The enrichment factor revealed that the contamination is of anthropogenic sources except for arsenic, cobalt and lead in some samples. The non-carcinogenic risk showed that the highest risk was for chromium and iron, while cobalt and lead pose risk for cassava tubers. The risks due to soil ingestion were relatively high for carcinogenic metals like lead (1.2E-4), cadmium (1.2E-4), nickel (2.6E-2) and chromium (1.2E-2). These values are higher than the benchmark of 10-4- 10-6 set for management decisions by USEPA for carcinogenic substances in the environment. The other heavy metals with high carcinogenic risk are nickel and chromium in waterleaf, fluted pumpkin, and cassava with estimated values ranging from 3.7E-3 to 2.3E-2. From the findings, the risks associated with consuming food planted within the dumpsite environment are high and should be stopped.

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INVESTIGATING ACUTE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CHEMICALS IN FINE DUST TO DAPHNIA MAGNA

Fine dust pollution in the atmosphere has been an increasing problem for human health around the globe. Specifically, neighbouring countries of China, such as Korea, have experienced more serious consequences of fine dust pollution due to Chinese development. The chemical compounds existing in fine dust pose harmful effects on the health of all generations, presenting increased statistics of various pulmonary diseases. Chemical compounds found in fine dust can be categorized into three different classes: agricultural, heavy metal, and emission pollutants. Although how these chemical compounds impact human health have been studied before, no studies have been conducted on how these compounds can impact different organisms and ecological stability. In this study, two chemical compounds from each category were utilized: bifenthrin and gamma-cyhalothrin from agricultural pollutants, copper nitrate and iron nitrate from heavy metals and sulfuric acid and nitric acid from emission pollutants. The compounds were used to observe acute physiological effects of Daphnia magna, specifically the heartbeat rate and phototactic swimming rate. Each daphnia’s heartbeat rate and phototactic swimming rate were evaluated after 30 minutes of incubation. Although the results varied, there were significant statistical differences in both the heart rate and phototactic swimming rate when compared with that of original parameters. The data demonstrated us to conclude that all the three categories of chemical compounds induced moderate changes to their heartbeat and swimming capability with the order from the largest agricultural>heavy metal>acidic pollutants in terms of regression slopes of swimming duration and relative magnitude of heartbeat change. Therefore, the results concluded that the chemical compounds existing in fine dust can cause acute physiological effects on daphnia magna.

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USE OF TECHNICAL VIS-NIR FOR THE PHYSICAL-MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES ANALYSIS IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: REVISION AND ANALYSIS

One of the main challenges of the postharvest technology in the sector of the fruit and vegetables is the development of technical to be able to measure parameters of external and internal quality by means of the use of technical not destructive. This is important at the present time, due to the possibility and future necessity of research and development on behalf of the consumers, producers and sellers and as possible road of improving the quality in fruits and vegetables dedicated to different markets goals. In this work, a wide bibliographical revision is analyzed on the development of the optic technique VIS-NIR in the different agricultural products to international and national scale showing its incipient application in the Cuban case, and the importance of the evaluation of the physical-mechanical and optic properties of these products by means of this technology. This is the main scope of the paper.

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FEATURES OF In vitro SEED GERMINATION OF Eranthis longistipitata, AN ENDEMIC PLANT OF CENTRAL ASIA

Eranthis longistipitata Regel (Ranunculaceae) is an endemic plant of Central Asia and one of the most popular among decorative bulbs. There is a need for the development of fast and controlled propagation methods of this species. The purpose of this study is to identify the features of in vitro culture of E. longistipitata seeds and embryos. The effect of various pretreatment methods on germination of E. longistipitata seeds in in vitro culture was studied – cold stratification, treatment with gibberellic acid (GA3) and a combination of cold stratification and embryo culture treatment. It is shown that mature seeds of E. longistipitata exhibit an underdeveloped embryo, and for complete maturation of embryos in in vitro culture, it is necessary to incubate the seeds at +4°C in the dark for 2 months, and then at +7°C under a 16/8 photoperiod regime for 2 months. The optimal method of seed pretreatment is a combination of cold stratification and embryo culture, when the number of viable explants attained 23%. GA3 seed treatment did not foster embryo development and seed germination of E. longistipitata. The study has shown that a combination of cold stratification and embryo culture methods is necessary to overcome the dormancy of E. longistipitata seeds in vitro.

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