Journal of Applied Life Sciences International

The Healing Flora of Konjuh Mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The mountain of Konjuh is characterized by a landscape of high aesthetic value with significant diversity in biological, geomorphological, and hydrological aspects. This, combined with its cultural-historical heritage, religious and traditional values, provides the foundation for educational, ecotourism, and sports-recreational tourism activities, as well as for visitor enjoyment and the development of economic activities. Located in the northeastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Konjuh, along with Ozren, Javor, and Javornik, forms part of the chain of peripheral (higher) mountains, which, together with Trebavac and Majevica, represent the transition from the Dinaric mountain system to the vast Pannonian plain. The average elevation of the mountain is 1,000 meters. The Tuzla Canton government has passed a law declaring a portion of Konjuh Mountain, covering an area of 8,016 hectares, as a Cultural Heritage site of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The aim of this study was to systematically inventory medicinal plant species at seven sites on Konjuh Mountain in three municipalities (Kladanj, Živinice, and Banovići) at different altitudes (from 560 to 1,100 meters), classify medicinal plant species based on taxonomic and ecological attributes, and create phytocenological field records.

During the research, 109 medicinal plant species were identified, including endangered and endemic species. The taxonomic structure of the families of medicinal plants on Konjuh Mountain revealed the presence of 43 families, with the most represented being representatives of the Lamiaceae family at 13.76%, Asteraceae at 11.92%, Fabaceae at 7.33%, and Plantaginaceae at 5.50%. A phytogeographical analysis of the medicinal plant flora identified 11 areal types and groups. An analysis of the biological spectrum of flora in all habitats indicates the presence of six primary life form types, with hemicryptophytes (H) being dominant, accounting for 59 species.

Antiappetizing and Repellent Effect of Biopesticides ASTOUN 50 EC and NECO 50 EC on Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) under in vitro Conditions

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This study is part of the search for means and methods of sustainable control of Eldana saccharina, the main pest of sugarcane cultivation in Côte d'Ivoire. Despite efforts to control the pest through the selection of resistant varieties, the cultivation of healthy cuttings and the elimination of alternative host plants, the damage, which is already economically significant, continues to increase in the sugarcane-growing areas of Côte d'Ivoire. This study aims to evaluate the effect of two proven biopesticides, ASTOUN 50 EC and NECO 50 EC, on the palatability of E. saccharina larvae and adults. Firstly, different ages of larvae were reared on two nutrient media such as artificial medium and natural medium treated with increasing concentrations of the two biopesticides. 14, 21 and 28 days old larvae were incubated and changes in larval palatability were assessed over a 5-day period. The concentrations of biopesticides tested were 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10 ml/l. In addition, the repellent effect of the biopesticides on the adults was assessed using the preferential zone method. The results showed that the biopesticide ASTOUN 50 EC is highly antiappetizing for larvae and repellent for adults of E. saccharina, unlike NECO 50 EC. It also greatly reduced the rate of oviposition in the treated compartments. This biopesticide can be tested in vivo for use against Eldana saccharina.

Assessing the Inclusion of Critical Habitat Evaluation in Nigeria's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Reports: A Crucial Step towards Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development

Richard N. Michael , Eunice O. Nwachukwu, Kasarachi S. Nnadede — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) is among globally accepted means to reduce habitat destruction and fragmentation that result to loss of biodiversity. However, non-technical revision of EIA Procedural Guidelines to address emerging environmental concerns and news areas by Federal Ministry of Environment are preventing EIA from meeting above obligation in Nigeria. This study evaluated extent of critical habitat assessment/inclusion in Nigeria`s EIA reports. 100 EIA reports from Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Power, Agric/Roads and Petroleum sectors were assessed using critical habitat evaluation criteria consisting of 20 attributes; adapted from International Finance Corporation`s Guidance Note Six. Results show varying levels of critical habitat inclusion in the EIA reports. Though majority of the reports recognised the need for conservation of biodiversity and proffered mitigation measures for reducing habitat fragmentation and restoration in course of project development; the evaluated EIA reports did not deepen habitat screening of project area or adopted any quantification approach. There was no evidence to show that avoidance was deployed as part of mitigation hierarchies; likewise, partnership with conservation organizations to offset residual impacts. Also, none of the EIA reports suggested modification of project execution option(s) based on EIA outcome. Result of critical habitat inclusion evaluation amongst the sectors, shows mean inclusion scores for Power, (37.2%), Petroleum (36%), Manufacturing (33.7), Infrastructure (27.8%) and Agric/Road (22.8%) with overall mean inclusion value of 31.7%. ANOVA statistic deployed, showed no significant inclusion difference among the sectors (P-value = .103>.05). Recommendations were made for the use of technology and capacity building to enhance critical habitat assessment as part of EIA reports in Nigeria.

Assessment of the Sanitary Quality of Precooked Cereal-Based Foods Produced in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Small-scale cereal-based food production companies have recently been growing in Ouagadougou. The promoters of these companies do not always apply good hygiene practices (GHP) during their activities, which can lead to the production of food of unsatisfactory quality, which can threaten the health of consumers. In view of this observation, this study was initiated with the aim of assessing the sanitary quality of four pre-cooked cereal-based foods produced in Ouagadougou's city. Thus, 27 samples of these foods (rice and maize couscous, millet and sorghum dèguè) were collected and sent to the laboratory. Microbiological and physico-chemical analyses using standard methods were performed on these samples. The results obtained show that for all the samples of the four foods, the pH varies from 6.20±0.02 to 7.79±0.01 while the water content varies from 4.80±0.72% to 9.19±0.01%. The dry matter content of the samples was between 90.00±0.01% and 95.20±0.07%. The water and oil absorption capacities of the samples vary from 130.26±5.10% to 162.02±4.20% and from 90.09±0.00% to 115.05±7.03% respectively. The loads of Total Aerobic Mesophilic Flora (TAMF) and Yeasts and Molds (YM) vary, respectively, from 1.33±0.71x10² CFU/g to 1.24±0.54x10⁴ CFU/g and from <10 CFU/g to 2.20±0.14x10³ CFU/g. For most samples, total coliforms (TC) and Thermotolerant Coliforms (TTC) loads were less than 10 CFU/g. Salmonella-Shigella was absent from all samples. Referring to the standards, for all the germs studied, 100% of the rice couscous samples, 83.34% of the millet dèguè samples, 66.66% of the sorghum dèguè samples, and 77.78% of the maize couscous samples presented satisfactory microbiological quality.

Critical Appraisal of Institutional Solid Waste Management: Case Study of Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

By implementing an adaptable sanitary landfill for an efficient solid waste management system any institution can reduce the risk to the environment and public health while promoting social inclusivity and urban sustainability through resource conservation and material recovery. As a result of Lead City University of Ibadan's extraordinary student growth, the university was forced to scramble to find practical solutions to its waste management problems because sustainable development and environmental sustainability are the primary goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The adaptive sanitary landfill was therefore designed on the basis of waste control, which was characterized by the presence of a liner and a leachate collection system to prevent groundwater contamination and a capping system to prevent air contamination. As a result, the management of solid waste beneath the university system was the focus of this experimental study.

After the waste was sorted, quantified, and characterized, an experimental method was used to measure the four major liquefied gases (LFGs): carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), ammonia gas (NH₃), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and nitrogen gas (NH₃) using a gas monitoring meter. The measurements were taken both before and after the construction of an adaptive sanitary landfill. The concentrations of liquefied gases (LFG) were measured in the morning and afternoon. Adding activated charcoal had the effect of increasing the liquefied gas production. Lastly, adding animal manures resulted in a greater liquefied gas production than when it was not added.

In order to provide a planning mechanism for creating a cohesive, financially secure, ecologically conscious, and socially inclusive university environment through sustainable waste management, the research project aims to strengthen the basic framework for inclusive waste management through the construction of an adaptive sanitary landfill at Lead City University, Ibadan.