Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi

The starch digestibility and glycemic responses of rice flour are influenced by intrinsic factors, such as its composition, and extrinsic factors, including storage. This study aimed to examine the impact of extrinsic factors on rice flour production by investigating the starch digestibility of rice flour from the same rice seeds ('Udai21') in four production areas: Fukushima, Tochigi, Toyama, and Yamagata prefectures. After 6 months of storage under ambient conditions at 30 °C, moisture content increased across all samples, whereas the crude protein content remained stable, with minor increases. Apparent lipid content increased slightly in the Toyama sample. Total starch content increased in all samples. Freshness indicators, pH and ΔE, showed regional variations, with Fukushima exhibiting the least degradation and Toyama the most. Rapidly digestible starch declined significantly in all samples, whereas changes in slowly digestible starch were insignificant, although regional variations were apparent. The estimated glycemic index (eGI) decreased in all samples, with Toyama showing the most significant drop from 136.0 to 125.0. The regional origin of rice flour influenced its physicochemical properties and starch digestibility significantly. Reductions in eGI and the equilibrium concentration of starch hydrolysis after storage suggest that 'Udai21' aged rice flour may produce a slower postprandial glycemic response, likely due to the formation of amylose-lipid or amylose-protein complexes that increase resistance to enzymatic breakdown. These results highlight the inherent variability in rice flour arising from natural compositional differences driven by environmental factors. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

The waste management sector plays a vital role in environmental sustainability and public health. However, it faces significant challenges due to a multi-dimensional skills gap that hinders the effective management, processing and disposal of waste. Effective waste management requires increasing levels of technical expertise, analytical proficiency, behavioural skills and digital competence. However, one critical point of concern is the lack of requisite technical skills required for the optimal operation and maintenance of equipment and machinery used for waste management and disposal. Using desk research and focus group interviews of stakeholders in Nigeria and Ghana, we analyzed the skills gap in the sector in order to identify the skills that are currently short in supply in both countries. Our study revealed three broad skills need areas: (1) Skill requirements for youth employment in the waste management sector; (2) Machineries, technologies and tools used for waste management; and (3) Technical skills requirements for green waste management. The study concludes with a mapping of technologies and skills in the waste management sector while highlighting the impact of the existing skills deficit on the sector’s effectiveness and how it can be addressed through structured technical training programs for stakeholders in the sector.

ObjectiveThis study evaluated the antihypertensive properties of leaf extracts of Prosopis africana (PA) in vitro and in hypertensive rats. MethodsEthanol (ELPA) and differential solvent fractions [ethyl-acetate (EAPA), butanol (BLPA), and aqueous (ALPA)] were prepared using standard protocols. Hypertension was induced in female albino Wistar rats intraperitoneally using cyclosporine (25 mg/kg/day) while extracts were administered via oral route. Forty female rats were grouped into 5 (n = 8). Group 1 received 2 ml distilled water, Group 2: (cyclosporine + 2 ml distilled water); Group 3: cyclosporine + captopril (10 mg/kg/day); Group 4: cyclosporine + 1000 mg/kg ELPA and Group 5: cyclosporine + 1500 mg/kg ELPA. The blood pressure of anesthetized rats was measured using LabScribe coupled to a Lab-Trax-4/24T, and the activities of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), arginase, phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) were evaluated using standard methods. ResultsAll the fractions exerted significantly (p < 0.05) higher ACE inhibitory effect (ELPA = 64.36 ± 0.50%; EAPA = 86.31 ± 0.60%; BLPA= 85.28 ± 2.30 % ; ALPA= 82.27 ± 2.10 % ) than the reference, lisinopril (40.22±0.50 % ); while the butanol fraction (67.05±0.40 % ) showed higher PDE-5 inhibition than the reference, sildenafil (23.06±0.70 % ). Administration of cyclosporine caused notable (p < 0.05) elevation of systolic/diastolic blood (131.00 ± 1.22/93.25 ± 1.49 mmHg) pressure plus elevated heart rate when in comparison with the normotensive rats (106.25 ± 1.65/85.25 ± 1.18 mmHg). Treatment of hypertensive rats with ELPA significantly reduced elevated activities of ACE, PDE-5, AChE, and arginase to values that are not significantly (p < 0.05) different from those of the rats treated with the reference drug. ConclusionThis result could validate the use of P. africana as an antihypertensive agent in folklore.

Abstract Cassava, a vital staple crop in developing countries, plays a significant role in ensuring food security and income generation for smallholder farmers. However, the lack of modern drying technology in rural area necessitate the need for a more efficient and controllable drying process which reduces post-harvest losses and ensure better product quality while taking sustainability into account by utilizing biomass as the energy source. Therefore, drying cassava roots to produce high-quality cassava flour was the goal of the biomass heat-generated cabinet dryer, which was designed and built for drying in rural locations. The main components of the dryer include heat exchanger, blower, and drying chamber unit which was designed based on engineering standards utilizing locally available materials. The drying chamber consists of two racks of 10 trays each for drying. The dryer was found to be capable of drying 40, 60, and 80 kg of wet cassava mash each batch, when the loading capacity was 2, 3, or 4 kg/tray. At temperatures ranging from 50 to 115°C, with drying duration of 10 to 120 minutes, thermal efficiency, drying time, and heating energy were investigated. Moisture levels reduced to 10.6%, 11.0% and 11.2% from initial moisture content of 38.21%. At 40 kg, 60 kg, and 80 kg material capacities, drying efficiencies averaged 74.77%, 59.22%, and 88.24%, respectively, with biomass efficiencies 3.0%, 3.5%, and 4.0%. Despite a low biomass efficiency, drying efficiency shows that the dryer is relatively efficient in drying. Hence, biomass fueled dryer should be employed for drying.

Pectinase (EC 3.3.1.15) are often described as enzymes that breakdown pectin to give glucose and galaturonic acid. It is an inducible extracellular enzyme often produced by microorganisms. This investigation was done to compare three agro wastes (Orange peel, pineapple peel and corn pomace) for microbial pectinase production by solid state fermentation. Pectinase was precipitated with ammonium sulphate and characterized. Optimum incubation period of both strains of Aspergillus niger were 92 hrs with each agro wastes. Among the agro wastes, orange peel had the highest activity of 101.372±0.042 and 108.820±0.127 U for A. niger strain A1 and A2 respectively. Ammonium sulphate concentration of 80% indicates maximum specific activity for pectinase produced from both A. niger strains. Optimum pH and temperature of 5 and 50 ºC were observed for pectinase produced by both strains. Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Mg 2+ , Fe 2+ , Na 2+ , Ca 2+ and Mn 2+ moderately activate pectinase activity. K + tends to exert inhibitory effect on pectinase from both A. niger strains