Traditional extraction of Ugba seed oil from raw seeds offers limited insight into the effects of pre-treatment; therefore, this study examined how different pre-treatment procedures influence the yield and chemical properties of Ugba seed oils. The seeds were subjected to different pre-treatments, such as cooking and roasting, and later blended into powder. Oil was extracted from each pre-treated powder by deploying the Soxhlet extraction protocol. The recovered oil was analysed for yield, quality attributes, chemical composition, and phytochemical contents. The oil yield for raw Ugba seeds was 46.88%, 42.38% for cooked Ugba seeds, and 58.19% for roasted Ugba seeds. The results showed peroxide values ranging from 2.51 to 6.84 meq O2/kg fat, free fatty acids ranged from 0.25 to 7.37%, while thiobarbituric acid values ranged from 0.03 to 1.84 mg/g. The iodine value, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter, smoke point, and viscosity values exhibited significant differences (p<0.05) among themselves, ranging from 85.10 to 124.55 g of I2/100 g, 176.45 to 211.37 mg KOH/g, 0.84 to 2.09%, 191.86 to 233.00°C, and 15.55 to 35.13 Pa.s, respectively. Flavonoids ranged from 0.01 to 1.40 CE mg/g, tannins from 0.00 to 1.02 mg/100 g, saponins from 0.00 to 4.49 mg/100 g, and alkaloids from 0.00 to 8.82 mg/100 g. Roasted seeds recorded the highest percentage oil yield, but with oil products of lower chemical stability, while raw seeds provided higher quality oil. This underscores the critical role of pre-treatment in optimising oil yield and quality.
African bush mango has fleshy mesocarp (pulp) rich in vitamins, essential minerals, and phytochemicals. This essential part is usually wasted due to a lack of knowledge of the processing and storage methods. This study aimed to determine the quality evaluation (proximate compositions, microbial loads, and sensory evaluation) of fleshy mesocarp and stored chips of African bush mango. African bush mango fruits were obtained from a farmer in Effraya, Etung Local Government Area, Cross River State. The fruits were sorted, and the hard ones were washed and used for this experiment. The exocarp of the fruits was slightly peeled, and the fleshy pulps were then sliced thinly. The sliced pulps were dried using a multi-crop dryer (at an average temperature of 56.61±1.577 °C). The proximate composition and the sensory evaluation of the fresh pulp and chips (dried pulp) were evaluated. Then, the chips were stored for 6 weeks, and the proximate and microbial analyses were conducted using standard laboratory methods (at 3-week intervals). Except the moisture content, all other proximate contents —ash, fat, fibre, protein, and carbohydrate—showed higher values in the chips (dried pulp) compared to the fresh pulp, with respective values of 3.20%, 1.10%, 10.50%, 5.20%, and 72.10% in the chips, as opposed to 0.89%, 0.65%, 1.65%, 2.43%, and 13.83% in the fresh pulp. The values of sensory scores obtained for both samples were more than 6. Furthermore, the retention of proximate nutrients and observing low microbial loads in the chips during storage suggest that the product remains safe and suitable for consumption during the off-season. Therefore, the chips could be maximally utilised to reduce wastage.
As a possible substitute for synthetic insecticides, ethanolic extract of Gliricidia sepium seeds was used as a biopesticide to test its insecticidal activity against the infestation of Callosobruchus maculatus and Sitophilus zeamais in stored cowpea and maize. Four concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mL of seed extract/200 g cowpea and maize) were employed in laboratory bioassays with cypermethrin as a standard check, to evaluate contact toxicity to adults, adult emergence and seed viability. Untreated grains were set up as a negative control. Treatments were in triplicate, and all experimental data were analysed using SPSS. Results showed the efficacy of gliricidia seed extract was dose-dependent. Adult S. zeamais and C. maculatus mortality increased with higher concentrations of the extract and more prolonged exposure periods. Gliricidia extract (0.4 mL/200 g) caused 75% mortality to C. maculatus 48 hours (2 days) after application, which was significantly different (p<0.05) from the 100% mortality caused by cypermethrin at the same period. Also, gliricidia extract (0.4 mL/200 g) caused 78.3% mortality to S. zeamais, significantly different from the 100% mortality caused by cypermethrin at 48 hours. Gliricidia extracts at concentrations 0.3 mL and 0.4 mL/200 g cowpea (37.0 % and 24.33% respectively) were better than the control 56.33% in reducing the number of emerged adult C. maculatus while extracts at concentrations 0.3 mL and 0.4 mL/200 g maize (22.33% and 27.67% respectively) were more effective than the control 64.3% in reducing the number of emerged adult S. seamais. The mean percentage germination of the cowpea and maize seeds in each treatment did not vary significantly (p > 0.05). The efficacy of this plant extract serves as scientific evidence to argue for employing the gliricidia extract as a botanical substitute for synthetic insecticides, which stakeholders commonly use to protect grains stored after harvest.
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple cereal crop of significant economic and nutritional importance worldwide. However, its production and postharvest storage are frequently compromised by infestations of insect pests, leading to yield and quality losses. The predominant method of pest control in maize storage involves the application of synthetic insecticides. This study evaluated the concentration of insecticide residues in maize grains sourced from major markets in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Snowballing sampling technique was used to randomly select maize marketers from three markets: Odo-Oba, Iluju, and New Waso. Ten maize stores were sampled in each market. Composite samples representative of each market were prepared by combining 100 g subsamples from each store, with three replicates per market. Samples were transported to the laboratory, milled, and analyzed for pesticide residues using the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction method, followed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis on a Varian 3800/4000 instrument. Descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed using SAS version 9.2, with mean comparisons conducted using Duncan's Multiple Range Test at p < 0.05. Dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate) was detected in all maize samples from three markets, ranging from 144.1 to 269.7 mg/kg, vastly exceeding the EU-MRL of 0.01 mg/kg. Such high residues pose severe health risks, including genotoxic, neurotoxic, reproductive, carcinogenic, respiratory, and dermal effects, potentially causing systemic toxicity or death. Urgent measures are needed to mitigate contamination and protect public health.
Burukutu is a traditional African alcoholic beverage produced by spontaneous fermentation of malted red or white sorghum. Its unstandardised production often results in variability in microbial composition and product quality. This study investigated the microbial and fermentation profiles of burukutu prepared from both sorghum varieties, with emphasis on yeast population dynamics and acidification patterns. Laboratory-scale fermentation and analyses of locally brewed samples were conducted, with pH monitored over 48 hours. Yeasts were isolated and identified using morphological and microscopic features, alongside carbon assimilation profiles via the API 20C AUX system. Fermentation was characterised by a progressive decline in pH, confirming active microbial metabolism. Seven yeast species were identified: Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida tropicalis, Candida auringiensis, Candida krusei, and Candida utilis. Among these, S. cerevisiae was predominant (36% of isolates), particularly in traditional samples. Its broad sugar assimilation and strong fermentative capacity underscore its central role in burukutu production. The dominant genera were Saccharomyces and Candida, consistent across both red and white sorghum fermentations. Comparative analysis revealed similar microbial and acidification profiles for the two sorghum varieties, indicating their equal suitability as raw materials. Notably, laboratory-prepared burukutu displayed more consistent yeast populations, suggesting that improved hygienic practices can enhance product quality and reduce microbial variability compared to traditional brewing.Overall, this study highlights the microbial ecology of burukutu fermentation, confirming the predominance of S. cerevisiae and underscoring the potential for process standardisation to improve quality and reproducibility in this indigenous beverage.
Post-harvest losses (PHL) remain a significant constraint to Nigeria's food security, farm profitability, and sustainable value chain development. This study examined the extent of PHL and adoption of mitigation technologies among smallholder beneficiaries of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase 1 (ATASP-1). Funded by AfDB and launched in 2015, ATASP-1 operates in four staple crop processing zones across seven states, covering over 200 rural communities. Its objectives are to target rice, cassava, and sorghum to reduce poverty, create jobs, enhance food and nutrition security and raise incomes through sustainable agricultural growth and diversification. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, data were collected from 600 respondents (480 farmers and 120 processors) and analysed with descriptive statistics. Results revealed that ATASP-1 interventions reduced PHL in cassava (48.44%) and sorghum (29.93%) relative to national averages, while rice showed a moderate reduction (22.86%). Adoption of technologies was high, including metallic silos (85%), mud silos (90%), threshers (68%), drying slabs (84%), root choppers (91%) and safety/quality management systems (82%). Key constraints included high machinery costs (78%), limited accessibility (68%), poor infrastructure (59%), unreliable power supply (66%), high transport costs (81%) and high labour costs (73%). The study concludes that ATASP-1 substantially reduced PHL; sustaining and scaling these outcomes requires robust institutional frameworks, capacity building for farmers, and strategic rural infrastructure investment. Additionally, context-specific, zone-based interventions are essential to address heterogeneous constraints and optimise post-harvest loss reduction strategies across value chains.
Postharvest losses remain a critical challenge in Nigeria, affecting food security, economic development, and rural livelihoods. This study employs a qualitative systematic review methodology, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines to ensure transparency and rigour. The review aims to examine technological innovations in postharvest storage, preservation, and processing relevant to Nigeria; analyse the roles of Agricultural Extension, Rural Sociology, and Biosystems Engineering in facilitating adoption and sustainability; evaluate the economic, socio-cultural, and institutional factors influencing postharvest innovation outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across scholarly databases and relevant institutional publications to draw insights from 35 sources with triangulation of peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 2015 and 2025 that investigated postharvest innovations in Nigeria. A thematic analysis identified four key categories: adoption through agricultural extension platforms, technological adaptation of postharvest tools, socio-cultural factors including gender disparities and trust networks, and institutional synergies and policy coherence. While innovations have improved shelf life and farmer incomes, challenges persist: poor rural infrastructure, gender disparities, fragmented extension services, and inconsistent policy support. Trust-building and community engagement were noted as critical to fostering technology uptake. The study recommends targeted investments in decentralised infrastructure, promotion of gender-inclusive innovation models, and coordinated public private partnerships to accelerate impact. In Nigeria, a revitalised extension system and coherent policy framework are essential to embed postharvest technologies into food systems. These measures will help transform the sector into a resilient and equitable pillar for national food security.