Rats rank among the most destructive rodent pests, contaminating stored food grains, causing structural and properties damage and spreading diseases including Lassa fever to both humans and animals. Because rodenticides carry harmful environmental consequences, there’s a clear need to explore alternative control methods that are less damaging to the ecosystem, supporting human safety and protecting food supplies. This study assessed the rodenticidal effects of castor oil seeds on rat stomach histology to control stored product rodent populations. Thirty albino rats (9-10 weeks old) were divided into three replicated groups, each with varying doses of Dichloromethane extract from castor seeds mixed with commercial rat feed. Thirty 9–10-week-old albino rats were divided into three replicated groups with five treatments in each replicate, housing two rats of both sexes per treatment. The rats had unlimited access to food and water. Castor oil seeds were crushed and soaked in Dichloromethane for 24 hours, then extracted and air-dried. The extract was mixed with rat feed in varying doses (200 mg/g, 400 mg/g, 600 mg/g and 800 mg/g of extract to feed) administered to the rats. A control group received only commercial rat feed. The results showed a slight increase in stomach weight (7.12 - 7.50 g) with increasing doses, but no significant difference compared to the control group (6.67). However, histological analysis revealed severe tissue damage in rats treated with the extract, indicating the potential of castor oil seed extract to induce stomach damage in living organisms.
This study assessed strategies adopted by pawpaw and banana marketers to reduce postharvest losses (PHLs) in selected markets in Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria. Specifically, it described the socio-economic characteristics of marketers and examined strategies used to mitigate PHLs at different stages of the marketing chain. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 159 pawpaw marketers, comprising 39 wholesalers and 120 retailers, and 120 banana marketers, comprising 19 wholesalers and 101 retailers, from three markets. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered by personal interviews and analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Poor market patronage was identified as a major cause of PHLs. Strategies adopted to mitigate this included buyer persuasion (32.5%), advertisement (30.0%), attractive packaging (22.5%), and price reduction (20.0%). Other prominent causes included inadequate transportation, obsolete storage facilities, pest and disease infestation, and adverse weather conditions. Commonly adopted mitigation practices included the use of jute bags, storage under shade, selection of suitable transport vehicles, and training in improved postharvest management. The findings highlight significant gaps in transportation and storage infrastructure and limited access to improved management skills. Strengthening market and transport infrastructure, expanding access to affordable storage facilities, and providing targeted training in modern postharvest management practices are recommended to reduce PHLs and improve the efficiency and profitability of pawpaw and banana marketing in Kano Metropolis.
This study evaluated the level of grain food security in Nigeria by examining the relationships among population growth, grain production, grain imports, grain exports, and grain demand between 2006 and 2015. A quantitative ex post facto research design was adopted using secondary time-series data obtained from the World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), FAOSTAT, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and World Grain publications. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation analysis were employed to assess the relationships among the selected variables. The findings revealed that Nigeria's population increased steadily throughout the study period, while grain production failed to keep pace with rising demand. Grain production exhibited weak negative correlations with grain imports (r = –0.40), grain exports (r = –0.20), and grain demand (r = –0.02), whereas population growth showed a moderate positive correlation with grain imports (r = 0.50), indicating increasing dependence on imported grains to satisfy domestic food demand. The study concludes that sustainable grain food security requires integrated policies that increase domestic grain production, strengthen strategic grain reserves, reduce postharvest losses, promote climate-resilient agriculture, and improve food security governance and agricultural value-chain development.
Sitophilus zeamais is among the most destructive pests of stored maize, causing post-harvest losses in quantity and quality. Although synthetic insecticides are widely used for its control, concerns regarding insecticide resistance, pesticide residues and environmental and human health risks have increased interest in botanical alternatives. This study compared the insecticidal activity of Vitex doniana stem extract and Azadirachta indica seed oil against S. zeamais and assessed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity to provide insight into their mode of insecticidal action. Adult mortality, repellency, progeny emergence, emergence inhibition and lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) were evaluated at concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 24%. Both botanicals exhibited significant (p < 0.05) concentration-dependent insecticidal activity, with A. indica seed oil showing greater efficacy than V. doniana stem extract, achieving 93.33% and 71.67% mortality, respectively, at 24% concentration. Probit analysis yielded LC50 values of 1.23% for A. indica seed oil and 5.33% for V. doniana stem extract. Repellency at 24% was 86.67% for A. indica seed oil and 60.00% for V. doniana stem extract. Both treatments suppressed progeny emergence, with A. indica seed oil achieving 99.75% emergence inhibition compared with 71.76% for V. doniana stem extract at 24%. Both treatments reduced AChE activity, with the lowest activity (0.0038 μmol/min) recorded in insects treated with 24% A. indica seed oil, suggesting that cholinergic interference may contribute to insecticidal activity. These findings suggest that both botanicals possess insecticidal activity against S. zeamais, with A. indica seed oil exhibiting greater efficacy and potential as a protectant for stored maize.
Mung bean starch, a promising but underutilized ingredient, has the potential for wider application in the food industry. This study aimed to characterize its functional, pasting, and microstructural properties to provide a scientific basis for its enhanced use. Starch was isolated from dehulled mung beans, and its properties were analysed using standard methods. The starch exhibited high dispersibility (84.3%), swelling power (9.66 g/g), bulk density (0.94 g/ml), water absorption capacity (2.25 g/g), and oil absorption capacity (3.09 g/g). The values of peak viscosity, trough, breakdown viscosity, final viscosity, setback viscosity, peak time and pasting temperature were 7946 cP, 4382 cP, 3564 cP, 5044 cP, 662.5 cP, 4.17 min and 75.98 °C, respectively. The starch displayed a Type-C X-ray diffraction pattern, typical of legume starches. Scanning electron microscopy revealed irregularly shaped, oval, and kidney-shaped granules with a wide size distribution (0.7–52.2 μm). The prevalence of small granules suggests a strong affinity for water, potentially increasing yields in starch-based products. The unique combination of moderate thermal/shear stability, and microstructural characteristics makes mung bean starch a valuable ingredient for improving textural properties and enhancing yield in various food formulations, highlighting its potential for industrial applications.
Postharvest losses significantly constrain the steady market supply of plantain; thus, bio-based preservatives are increasingly employed as sustainable alternatives to chemical agents for extending its shelf life. This study evaluated the effects of bio based coatings on plantain quality during a 15-day storage period. Mature green plantains were treated with gum arabic cinnamon extract coating (A), gum arabic clove extract coating (B), gum arabic bay leaf extract coating (C), gum arabic alone (D), untreated (E) and gum arabic shea butter coating(F). Treatment B recorded the highest weight loss of 28%. Although there was a decline in the moisture content of all treatments, treatment D showed optimal retention (65.660%). Treatments A (6.24) and F (6.153) maintained pH stability, while C and D exhibited acidification (4.87 and 5.25, respectively). Vitamin C levels increased across treatments (12.5–18.7 mg/100 g), although β-carotene degraded substantially. Treatment F demonstrated the highest starch content (58.228±0.002 mg/100 g) and potassium (8.54 mg/100 g). Treatments A, B, and C resulted in reduced bacterial populations, while treatments A and B achieved complete fungal inhibition. Treatment C recorded 33.33% decay incidence despite antimicrobial activity. Panelists rated F highest in colour (7.45), appearance (7.30), odour (6.90), texture (7.60), and general acceptability (7.75). Results demonstrate that gum arabic-shea butter coatings optimized overall quality and consumer acceptability, while cinnamon and clove formulations provided superior antimicrobial protection. These composite coatings offer sustainable alternatives for extending plantain shelf life under tropical conditions.
Pesticide misuse in Kano State poses a threat to both human health and agricultural trade. This is partly because grain handlers often lack training and overlook safer integrated pest management (IPM) practices. A purposive multi stage sampling technique was employed to select 120 pesticide handlers across 12 market commodity lines, and the collected data were analysed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Findings reveal critical gaps in pesticide handling at Dawanau Market, Kano. Although 64.2% use protective gear and 61.7% follow dosage instructions, 57.5% rarely use manuals, and 51.7% mix solutions incorrectly. Limited access to personal protective equipment, illiteracy, and poor exposure response highlighted the need for improved training and stricter regulation. Despite this, nearly half lacked formal training in pesticide use, pointing to a significant training gap. Approximately 81.7% of pesticides used were purchased from licensed vendors and stored properly; however, some handlers still stored them within living spaces, posing health risks. Preliminary awareness of first-aid procedures was evident, whereas understanding of safety label signals demonstrated variability. To address these, tailored training programs, supportive policy measures, and greater engagement in professional organisations are essential. Implementing these measures will help protect the health of handlers and the environment, while also boosting the quality and marketability of agricultural produce from Dawanau Market, Kano State.
Maize is highly vulnerable to infestation by the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais). The widespread use of synthetic insecticides in pest management has raised significant environmental and health concerns, necessitating the exploration of sustainable, plant-based alternatives. This study evaluated the insecticidal, repellent, and emergence inhibition of methanolic extracts from Aframomum melegueta, Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus, and Bryophyllum pinnatum against Sitophilus zeamais in stored maize. Standard phytochemical and antioxidant analytical techniques were used to assess the insecticidal efficacy of the plant extracts. Phytochemical screening revealed that A. melegueta possessed the highest phenols (10.65 mg/100g) and tannins (3.83 mg/100g) contents, while P. tricuspidatus recorded the highest flavonoids (3.90 mg/100g), saponins (1.44 mg/100g), and cardiac glycosides (8.31 mg/100g) levels. B. pinnatum showed the highest alkaloid content (7.85 mg/100g). Antioxidant activity assessed by DPPH radical scavenging showed strong activity across all extracts, with A. melegueta exhibiting the highest activity (74.13%). Bioassay results demonstrated a concentration and time-dependent mortality in S. zeamais, with B. pinnatum showing the highest mortality of 83.33% at 5% after 36 h, while P. tricuspidatus achieved 76.67% at 2%. Repellency assays showed that all extracts significantly deterred insect presence, with P. tricuspidatus exhibiting superior repellency even at lower concentrations. Additionally, adult emergence inhibition was most pronounced at 10%, with P. tricuspidatus and B. pinnatum recording 0.00% emergence within 12 and 24 hs, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of these plant extracts as eco-friendly insecticides. Their rich phytochemical composition, potent antioxidant properties, and strong bioactivity support their application in postharvest grain protection and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
Postharvest handling of fruits and vegetables in tropical regions faces significant challenges due to unpredictable weather. This review critically examines the application of conventional cold storage techniques in the postharvest management of tropical horticultural produce, considering the constraints that affect their performance and the environmental factors influencing the storage of tropical fruits and vegetables. Particular attention is given to the technical limitations of these systems when deployed under tropical conditions. The study systematically examined findings from peer-reviewed literature on various conventional cooling applications, offering a comprehensive overview of their performance and limitations. Furthermore, it explores the integration of solar powered refrigeration systems to enhance energy efficiency and promote technological innovation in off-grid cooling. Findings from this review underscore research gaps and highlight the need to develop advanced, climate resilient cold storage configurations tailored to the unique challenges of tropical environments. Specifically, integrating solar-powered refrigeration units with thermal energy storage (TES) compartments into conventional cooling systems for the storage of fruits and vegetables.
The evaluation of acute toxicity of three slow-release pelletised edible essential oils (SRPEEOs) extracted from clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L. Merr. and L. M. Perry), West African black pepper (WABP), (Piper guineense Schumach. and Thonn.) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) on the bean bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) infesting cowpea, pigeon pea, Bambara groundnut, Lima and Soya beans. The research was conducted under laboratory conditions at the Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria. Evaluation of the SRPEEOs on susceptibility and lethal concentration (LC50) was conducted using 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 g/5 g legumes. The treatments were replicated three (3) times, and the experiments were laid out in a complete randomised block design. Data analyses were conducted using Statistix 10, an analytical software package, in a two-way factorial analysis. All data were transformed before analysis. The results of the LC50 showed that WABP SRPEEO caused the highest mortality of bruchids (LC50: 1 g/5 g) compared to 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 g/5 g for clove and ginger, respectively. The three SRPEEOs were very effective in conferring protection on the legume varieties against infestation by the bruchid and can also serve as an alternative to synthetic pesticides. However, SRPEEOs from WABP proved to be more effective and can thus repel colonisation of legumes by the cowpea seed bruchid.
Food is lost and wasted to varying extents across all stages of the food value chain and for all types of food, negatively impacting food security. In Nigeria, it has been revealed that a significant quantity of food is lost both before and after storage, with losses of up to 20-30% of all grains, 30-50% of roots and tubers, and a larger proportion of fruits and vegetables. Despite the Nigerian government's primary agricultural policy being to achieve food security and self sufficiency, the agricultural sector has steadily deteriorated over the years due to inadequate government attention. One of the primary causes of food insecurity, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, is high postharvest losses and waste resulting from inadequate food processing and storage facilities, as well as negligence or a deliberate decision to discard food. This paper reviews the basic concept of food loss and waste, examines food security and the Nigerian situation, and discusses the challenges to food sufficiency, the implications and potential benefits of food loss, as well as some possible approaches to reducing food loss and waste in Nigeria. Thus, reducing food loss and waste is one of the leading global strategies for achieving a sustainable food future. Practical and cost-effective approaches could be implemented to attain mid-term gains once put into place. The review recommends the development of a food loss and waste measurement protocol and increased investments in reducing postharvest losses in Nigeria.
This study assesses the susceptibility of 31 legume varieties to Callosobruchus maculatus, a significant pest of these globally important, protein-rich staple crops, which are crucial for food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Field surveys and market visits across Northern Nigeria yielded 31 cowpea varieties, which were subsequently collected and evaluated for their susceptibility to Callosobruchus maculatus infestation. Physical attributes, including seed length, width, thickness, weight, density, volume, sphericity, porosity, surface area, and moisture content, were measured. The samples were then artificially infested with C. maculatus to assess resistance. Data analysis, including hierarchical data analysis, dendrogram clustering, histograms, and correlation analysis, was employed to reveal patterns and groupings of cowpea varieties based on physical traits. Distinct groupings of cowpea varieties emerged from the study, with smaller seed dimensions forming a cluster that included pigeon pea, Azuki beans, Achi Shiru, Farin Akidi, and Bakin Akidi. Another cluster, representing medium to large-seeded varieties, comprised 573-1-1, Kidney Beans, Shamjir Brown, and Zebra Beans. Overall, Farin Akidi exhibited the highest susceptibility to C. maculatus, followed by Agwugwu and Zebra Beans. In contrast, Lima Black, Lima Silver, and Kaki beans demonstrated the most substantial resistance. The study found negative correlations between pest resistance and seed traits, such as thickness, diameter, surface area, and weight, indicating their role in resistance. These findings provide valuable insights for breeders to develop more resilient cowpea varieties, thereby enhancing storage, adaptability, and genetic diversity, which supports global food security.
In the present work, orange-coloured sweet potatoes (OCSP) and cream coloured skinned sweet potatoes (CCSP) were processed using the following methods: steaming (with or without peeling), roasting, boiling (with or without peeling), and frying. The functional and pasting properties, colour (L* a* b*∆E*), hydrolysis, and estimated glycemic indices (eGI), as well as the glycemic loads (GL) of the processed sweet potatoes, were studied. Results revealed that processing methods increased the swelling capacities, water absorption capacities, and bulk densities of sweet potato flours, with steaming (with or without peel) having the highest values. Processing methods reduced lightness (L*). They increased the yellowness (b*) of the sweet potato flours, while well visible colour differences (∆E*) were observed in the processed samples compared to the control (RAW – OC and RAW – CC). Processing reduced the HI, eGI, and GL of the sweet potatoes; the lowest values of these parameters were observed in the roasted samples. In this study, roasting was observed to provide significant nutritional benefits, making it a suitable dietary regimen for individuals who require low- to medium glycemic index (GI) foods.
Usage of improved fish processing methods appears to be relatively low compared to traditional methods. Hence, this research aimed to investigate the effect of the utilisation of Standard Fish Processing Practices (SFPP) on the livelihood status of fish processors in Delta and Edo States. Users and non-users of SFPP were sampled. Sampling of users involved a random selection of 70% from the trained 90 fish processors per state to give a sample size of 63 respondents per state and 126 users for the two states, while the snowballing technique was employed to select 63 non-users per state and 126 non-users for the two states to give a total sample size of 252 respondents for the research. Data used for this research were sourced using an interview schedule and analysed using descriptive statistics and a t-test. The results revealed that the majority (77.8%) of SFPP users had a high livelihood status, whereas a high percentage (63.5%) of non-users had a low livelihood status. Additionally, users of SFPP reported a better health status (19.95±3.29) compared to non-users, who had a poorer health status (52.50±8.15). Additionally, the majority (96.8%) of SFPP users were food secure, while 86.5% of non-users were food insecure. Vulnerability to poverty was low for 90.5% of SFPP users, whereas 80.0% of non-users showed high vulnerability to poverty. The study concluded that the usage of SFPP has significantly improved the livelihood status of fish processors in the study area. The study therefore recommends that agricultural extension agencies strengthen their efforts to disseminate SFPP to non-users.
Postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables remain high in Nigeria due to continued reliance on traditional sun drying and limited access to electricity-powered dryers. This study presents the modification and performance evaluation of the parabolic-shaped solar dryer (PSSD) integrated with a secondary heat source and an improved airflow system, designed to address the limitations of conventional dryers in maintaining optimal drying conditions during nighttime and cloudy weather. The modified dryer was compared with an existing, non-modified unit under no-load and load conditions, using 190 kg of tomatoes as test material. Temperature, relative humidity, drying rate, colour change and moisture content were monitored during evaluation. Und both conditions, the modified dryer achieved higher internal temperatures and lower relative humidity compared to the non-modified dryer and ambient air, resulting in improved drying efficiency and overall performance. Drying curves exhibited an initial warming-up phase followed by a falling-rate period, with a peak drying rate of 36.6 kg/day observed in the modified dryer. A safe final moisture content of 12.3% was achieved in 96 hours, compared with 120 hours and 13.9% (dry basis) in the non-modified dryer. Colour analysis revealed a decrease in L* (Lightness), a* (Redness), and b* (yellowness) for both systems; however, overall colour difference (ΔE) was consistently lower in the modified dryer (≈18.9) than in the non-modified dryer (≈23.2), indicating superior colour retention. The modification enhanced thermal performance, drying efficiency, and quality preservation, demonstrating its potential to reduce postharvest losses in tomatoes and promote sustainable drying technologies for smallholder farmers.