Cockroaches are found in human dwellings. They are distributed worldwide. They play an important role in transmitting diseases either mechanically and occasionally biologically. Numerous bacteria and parasites of medical importance have been isolated from cockroaches. This research was therefore designed to identify parasites and to isolate microorganisms of medical importance from external surfaces and gastrointestinal tract of cockroaches collected from different parts of student hostels of College of Agriculture, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 170 cockroaches were trapped and collected from different location of the male and female hostels in the College and were examined using standard parasitological and microbial techniques. Normal saline was used in the Original Research Article Alaku et al.; ARRB, 27(1): 1-7, 2018; Article no.ARRB.36961 2 washing and examination of external surfaces, dissection and examination of gastrointestinal tract; culturing the external surfaces, wash and intestine homogenates of the cockroaches in groups. Ova and cycts of some human parasites were found from the gut of cockroaches Trichuris trichiura (21.17%), Ascaris lumbricoides (23.52%), Entamoeba histolytica (24.70%), Hookworm (12.94%), and Enterobius vermicularis (15.29%) and also some species of bacteria and fungi were also recovered from the body of the cockroaches. Some microorganism of medical important were also recovered; Staplylococcus aureus (25.88%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (21.17%), Bacillus cereus (20.58%) Escherichia coli (32.35%). The result from this study indicates that cockroaches as a domestic pests could pose a health problem to human. Therefore, we must control cockroaches particularly in indoors, sewage and solid wastes.
Aims: This study was conducted to study the growth, leaf gas exchange and secondary metabolites of Orthosiphon stamineus as affected by Multiwalled carbon nanotubes application (MWCNT). Study Design: Orthosiphon stamineus were exposed to four different multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) concentration (0, 700, 1400 and 2100 mg L). The experiment was organized in a randomized complete block (RCBD) design with three replications. Each experimental unit consisted of twelve plants, and there were a total of 144 plants used in the experiment. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science Universiti Putra Malaysia between November 2016 to March 2017. Original Research Article Izad et al.; ARRB, 23(6): 1-13, 2018; Article no.ARRB.38113 2 Methodology: Each plant was watered with 50 mL of MWCNTs solution in week 2 and 9. The leaves number were counted manually and the total plant biomass was taken by calculating the dry weight of root, stem, and leaf per seedling The total chlorophyll content in the leaves was measured using a SPAD chlorophyll meter. The leaf gas exchange was determined using LI6400XT portable photosynthesis system. Total phenolics and flavonoid were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Results: It was found that application of MWCNTs would reduce the growth characteristics of this plant that was shown by decreased leaf numbers, total biomass and total chlorophyll content (TCC). As MWCNTs concentration increases from 0 > 2100 mg L -1 , the leaf gas exchange parameter also shows reduced patterns. Generally, as the rate of MWCNTs increased from 700 > 2100 mg L MWCNTs reduce the net photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E) and increased the plant water use efficiency. The production of the secondary metabolites was directly dependable on MWCNTs concentration. As the rate was enhanced from 0 > 700 > 1400 > 2100 mg L -1 the production of total phenolics and flavonoids was enhanced. Conclusion: The current study revealed that the high application of MWCNTs concentration reduce the growth rate of O. stamineus, leaf gas exchange and simultaneously increase the production of secondary metabolites.
Aims: The study was conducted to investigate the impact of nitrogen fertilization on growth, leaf gas exchange and bio-metabolite accumulation in Ipomea aquatica. Treatment and Experimental Design: Ipomea aquatica plants were exposed to four different rates of nitrogen (0, 30, 60 and 90 N kg/ha) using Urea (46% N) as a nitrogen source. The experiment was laid out in Complete Randomize Design (CRD). Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia between September to November 2016. Methodology: Four nitrogen rates were applied (0, 30, 60 and 90 N Kg/ha) using Urea as a nitrogen source. The growth data collections were conducted once a week after the application of Original Research Article Ibrahim et al.; ARRB, 26(1): 1-12, 2018; Article no.ARRB.40352 2 the treatments for the plant growth parameters. The total chlorophyll content in the leaves was measured using a Soil Plant Analytical Device (SPAD-502) chlorophyll meter. The leaf gas exchange was determined using a LI-6400XT portable photosynthesis system. Total phenolics and flavonoid were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Results: It was found that the highest measurements of growth parameters namely plant height, leaf numbers, branches numbers, total biomass and chlorophyll content were observed at 90 kg N/ha and the lowest at 0 kg N/ha. As for the leaf gas exchange, the positive effect of nitrogen fertilization on kangkung was shown by the increased in photosynthesis rate (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) where the highest measurement recorded at 90 kg N/ha, and the lowest at 0 kg N/ha. However, the water use efficiency (WUE) decreased as the nitrogen rates increased. At lower rates of nitrogen fertilization (30 kg N/ha) produced the highest production of secondary metabolites, where the total phenolics and flavonoids production were enhanced compared to other nitrogen treatments. Conclusion: In conclusion, as the nitrogen rates increased, the growth and leaf gas exchange properties was enhanced however the production of secondary metabolites was decreased in I. aquatica.
Aims: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of a wide range of temperatures on the growth and physiology of Theobroma cacao, to study the differences between night and day temperatures and to determine the optimum temperature for the cocoa growth. Study Design: The experiment used five combinations of night and day temperatures (18°C and 30°C [18N30N], 18°C and 36°C; [18N 36D], 24°C and 24°C [24N24D], 24°C and 30°C [24N30D] and 24°C and 36°C [24N36D]) using complete randomized design (CRD). Original Research Article Najihah et al.; ARRB, 27(2): 1-15, 2018; Article no.ARRB.40413 2 Place and Duration of Study: Crops and Environment Laboratory University of Reading and International Cocoa Quarantine Centre, between 23 rd May 2016 and 25 th July 2016. Methodology: The cocoa seedlings were put into five growth cabinets with five different night and day temperatures combinations (18°C and 30°C, 18°C and 36°C, 24°C and 24°C, 24°C and 30°C, 24°C and 36°C) for two months (63 days) under controlled environment condition where the relative humidity and vapor pressure deficit were controlled. Destructive harvest data was taken at end of the experiment which included fresh weight, dry weight, leaf area and root weight. Non-destructive measurements were height of the plant, photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll fluorescence and total chlorophyll content. Results: Treatment 24N30D have the best growth and treatment 24N36D had the lowest growth performances compared to other treatments. Conclusion: The growth was not only dependent on the day temperature, but also on the night temperature. A large gap between night and day temperatures (DIF) reduced the cocoa growth. The result also showed the optimum temperature amongst those studied for cocoa growth is the combination of 24°C night temperature and 30°C day temperature.