Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment (JAFE) | ISSN (Online Version): 2708 - 5694

Evaluation of Sylhet sadar upazila's geological formation for groundwater availability

Uddin MK — 2024-03-31

There is sparse of hydrogeological data and insufficient knowledge in many areas of the country reliant on groundwater. Given the exponential expansion in groundwater consumption in recent years, it is imperative to comprehend how groundwater reservoirs respond to both natural and anthropogenic situations. Because of its extensive and unequal distribution, groundwater must be carefully studied in some locations to preserve this precious resource. This study was carried out to evaluate and assess the geological formation and some relevant parameters to enrich the geotechnical information of the study area for future use of groundwater. The soil samples used for the study were obtained from 8 SPT boreholes at 0 to 800 ft. depth at various work stations by percussion drilling method and all laboratory tests were conducted by BS 1377. Drilled soil sample with water was collected in a Polythene bag with a permanent marker pen at 20 ft. intervals of the drilling layer to perform a sieve analysis test.
Percentage fines decreased with an increase in boring depth and curves were closely packed homogeneity. The quantity of free silt and clay progressively reduced and coarsen materials were formed with the increase in boring depth. Results show that soil particle sizes increase with boring depth up to the upper surface of it. However, the area is suitable in terms of groundwater availability.

Effect of packaging and storage of RTS beverage from Garcinia cambogia

Bensi PS — 2024-03-31

The present investigation was envisioned to develop RTS from the fruits of Garcinia cambogia. Garcinia is a popular perennial tree categorized under spice and condiment, distributed in the world's tropics. Currently, Garcinia is gaining attention and is considered a functional food because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and antimicrobial properties. The RTS was pale yellow with a natural fruit flavour and acceptable in taste. Among the treatments T1 (Fresh Garcinia and Jaggery) scores maximum in organoleptic and nutrient evaluation. The developed RTS was stored for 3 months and the changes in physico-chemical parameters were observed. The initial titrable acidity was 0.32 percent. While storing acidity was found to be increased at both ambient and refrigerated temperatures with the decrease in pH. The initial TSS of the prepared RTS was 150 Brix. The minimum loss of ascorbic acid was observed in refrigeration storage during the storage period. The sample stored at refrigeration temperature and packed in PET bottles had a lesser percentage of nutrient loss than glass bottles. The total antioxidant activity was around 44.81 percent. An increase in reducing sugar was observed during the storage. The non-enzymatic browning and clarity of the beverage were also influenced by the storage days. A notable reduction in the tannin content of RTS was observed
throughout the storage period. There was a slight increase in microbial load during storage. The mean scores of sensorial evaluations of stored Garcinia RTS drinks decreased gradually during the storage period.

Assessment of risk attitudes of smallholder farmers in south-west, Nigeria

Adegbite AO — 2024-03-31

All production is subjected to risk and uncertainty, but the risks associated with agricultural production are particularly salient. Diffusion of new technologies by smallholder farmers as well as outcomes of rural development programmes depends largely on their attitudes towards risks. Understanding and quantifying farmers’ risk attitudes is critical to market outcomes and policy designs. It is on this premises that, this study profile the risk attitudes of smallholder farmers in South-west, Nigeria. This study was conducted in South-west Nigeria. Four-stage random sampling technique was employed. First, was the selection of two States out of the six states in South-west, Nigeria. Second stage is the selection of two zones per state. Third, was the selection of two Local Governments per zone and fourth stage was the selection of 33 smallholder farmers per local governments. Data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Multinomial Logistics regression. Results of this study show that majority of the smallholder farmers are risk averse. An increase in years of experience, household size, and income diversification decreased the probability of a farmer inclining towards risk aversion while access to credit facilities and landownership increased the probability towards risk aversion (p-value<0.05).

The Influence of two medicinal feed additives (Coriander seeds and dry Peppermint leaves powder) in commercial feeds on the blood cholesterol and triglycerides of broiler chickens

Noori AS — 2024-03-31

The current experiment was constructed to performed the influence of two medicinal feed additives (Coriander seeds and dry Peppermint leaves powder) on the blood cholesterol and triglycerides of broiler chickens. In present experiment a total number of 90-day old broiler chicks (Ross308) were randomly assigned in the form of a completely randomized design (CRD) into five dietary treatments with three replicate pens (6 birds/pen). The experimental treatments were: (T1) the control diet (only commercial broiler feeds), treatments 2,3,4 and 5 respectively included control diet plus (1.5%+2.5%), (2%+2%), (2.5%+1.5%) and (1%+3%) coriander seeds and dry peppermint leaves powder per kg of diet. Biochemical parameters were determined at the end of experimental period (on 35th day of age). The results of this study have shown that, except uric acid other blood serum parameter concentrations were considerably decreased by (coriander seed and peppermint leaves powder) than the control group (P<0.05). Present study recommended that inclusion of 1% coriander seed and 3% dry peppermint leaves powder in per kg of broiler commercial feeds as a feed additive, significantly decreased blood parameters and caused decreased of cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride in the broiler chickens.

Knowledge and perception of secondary students on food labels and safe nutrition in Kwara state, Nigeria

Olaoye IJ — 2024-03-31

Food labels and safe nutrition are important concepts in national food security. The knowledge and perception of these concepts is critical to building a sustainable food system and reducing prevailing hunger and malnutrition among students who depend largely on road side fast and junk foods. This study assessed the knowledge and perception of secondary students on food labels and safe nutrition in Kwara state. The study adopted a cross sectional primary data collected through the use of a well-structured questionnaire subjected to expert opinion for validity and test-retest for the reliability (r = 0.86) of the instrument. A multi stage random sampling technique was used to select 1080 secondary students. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as logit and multinomial logistic regression model with significance level at P<0.05 where relevant. The study found that parent education, school curriculum and access to basic amenities are important factors influencing the knowledge of food labels and safe nutrition among secondary school students. Hence, we recommend that effort should be geared toward the incorporation of issues on food safety and label in secondary school curriculum.

Low-cost spirulina manufacturing technique by using supernatant of digested rotten ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Rahman MH — 2024-03-31

The goal of the study was to assess the culture method and spirulina (Spirulina platensis) production in the supernatant of three distinct digested rotting ladies fingers, using Kosaric medium (KM) as the control. Two hundred gram rotten ladies finger was allowed to digestion in 4.0 L distilled water using aeration in 5.0 L glass jar. After 30 days, almost colorless supernatant was found, screened through 300 µm net and added with 9 g/l NaHCO3, 0.20 g/l urea and 0.50 ml/L micro nutrients. Three different concentrations such as 25, 50 and 75% of supernatant with three replications were prepared. Next, three digested rotten
ladies finger medium (DRLFM) treatments were infected with 10% spirulina (at OD620 = 0.20) to develop. It was recorded that spirulina grew well at 12th day and then it was found to fall and continued up to 18th days. The cell weight of spirulina attained a maximum of 16.45 ± 0.78 mg/L (dry weight basis) in KM followed by 13.785 ± 0.643, 10.354± 0.233 and 2.738 ± 0.177 mg/L in
supernatant of 50, 75 and 25% DRLFM, respectively on the 12th day of culture. Similar trend was also observed in optical density of media, content of chlorophyll a (mg/L), total biomass (mg/L), particular growth rate of spirulina (based on cell weight and chlorophyll a). It could be concluded that mass culture of S. platensis may be done in supernatant of 50% digested rotten ladies finger media.