Four common Dioscorea species were analyzed for dietary fibre components viz, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin as well as Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) in the raw and cooked samples. The dietary fibre components in the raw and cooked samples in all the four yam species namely Disocorea bulbifera, Dioscorea alata, Dioscorea cayenenis and Dioscorea rotundata were found to be low ranging from 1.20-2.59% for NDF, 1.06-2.22% for ADF, 0.10-0.27% for hemicellulose, 0.07-1.13% for cellulose and 0.08-0.27% for lignin. There was no significant change (p<0.05) in the content of dietary fibre components of the yam samples upon cooking. In spite of the low levels of fibre in the yam species analyzed, yams may constitute a significant source of fibre for many in Nigeria and the tropics generally since they are a common staple and are widely consumed on a daily basis.

This work evaluates and provides data on the seasonal pH of common carbohydrate food sources in major communities of central senatorial districts of Cross River State. The result shows that most of the locally consumed food items within these zones are mostly acidic within a mean value of pH of 4.6 and conductivity of 48.6 Siemens for the wet season and pH of 4.8 and conductivity of 27.4 for the dry season which causes a lot of ailments. A balance diet or a combination of food substances to keep an optimal body pH balance is recommended so as to discourage the growth of microforms and organisms which give rise to these problems. It is recommended also that other non-carbohydrate food items such as proteins and vegetables be increased in the menu, or the starchy content of food substances can be reduced during the manufacturing process by manufacturing companies. Government can legislate and monitor these companies to comply with such standards as to improve the health conditions of the rural communities and other consumers.

Effect of ginger extracts on gasoline associated immunotoxicities in wistar rats was studied. Fifteen wistar rats were randomly assigned into three study groups. Group 1 was the control, while groups 2 and 3 received daily treatment by inhalation of gasoline vapour. The animals in group3 were also treated with 100mg ginger/kg body weight. The experiment lasted for 60 days. One day after the final exposure, the animals were euthanized by overdose of chloroform. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture into EDTA sterilized sample bottles and used for the analysis of hemoglobin(Hb),packed cell volume(PCV),red blood cells(RBC),white blood cells and erythrocyte indices-mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH),mean corpuscular hemoglobinconcentration(MCHC). The results showed that gasoline alone decreased the levels of Hb, RBC, WBC, PCV, MCV and MCHC, but it had no significant effect on the MCH of the rats. However, treatments with ginger extracts nearcompletely abrogated /mitigated any effects that have been induced by inhalation of gasoline alone. It appears that ginger extracts inhibited the chain reaction, caused by free radicals, and acted to remove the catabolic wastes from the lymphocytes and reticulocytes, thereby accelerating metabolism and lymph drainage. It also appears that gingerextracts promoted the sloughing-off of wasted tissues and corrected the imbalance of elevated inflammatory prostaglandins, leading to increased erythrocytes synthesis and improved immune system.

Excitotoxic food additives react with specialized receptors in the brain and other tissues. Unfortunately, in many instances, these reactions lead to free radical generation (resulting in oxidative stress/lipid peroxidation) and altered membrane fluidity. Ultimately, damage induced by these agents was shown to give rise to endocrine disorders and altered cell-mediated immune responses in general, and dysfunction of lymphocytes and macrophages in particular. The effects of ascorbate against some basic toxicities (that ultimately evolve into endocrine and immune system dysfunctions) induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG) was studied in rats. For 21 days, control rats received a daily placebo (4 mL distilled water) via gastric intubation; other rats were treated daily with 100 mg MSG kg−1 body weight or 100 mg MSG + 100 mg ascorbate kg−1 in 4 mL vehicle. A day after the final exposure, rats were euthanized. Serum was isolated to examine several lipid and electrolyte parameters, i.e. cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL LDL, HDL, Na+, K+, Cl−, and . Rat spleen and thymus were also harvested for analysis. Results showed that, compared to effects from MSG alone, co-ingestion of ascorbate led to reductions in serum cholesterol, LDL, Na+, and K+. Only with serum HDL, ascorbate leads to increases compared to MSG alone. The co-treatment was also seen to block/mitigate the near three-fold rise in thymic and splenic absolute weights (and respective organ indices) produced by exposure to MSG alone. Similarly, MSG treatment also induced significant increases in blood levels of both monocytes/macrophages and eosinophils; these outcomes were again reversed by co-treatment. Data suggest that co-ingestion of ascorbate may help reduce the risk from some toxicities attributable to selective dietary constituents/additives.

A chemical evaluation of Gnetum africana and Telferia occidentalis was carried out in five randomly selected restaurants in Calabar. The results showed that both Gnetum africana and Telferia occidentalis soups have high caloric values and contain adequate levels of essential minerals, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, and fat, which are needed for a variety of cellular functions in humans, and which would reduce the problem of protein energy malnutrition (PEM).

The effect of interaction of alcohol and kola nut on sodium pump activity was studied in Wistar rats. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into six groups of five rats per group. Control received a placebo (4 mL of distilled water). Groups 2–6 were treated for a period of 21 days with 10% (v/v) alcohol, 50 mg caffeine/kg, 50 mg kola nut/kg, or a combination of 10% (v/v) alcohol + 50 mg kola nut/kg, or 10% (v/v) alcohol + 50 mg caffeine/kg, respectively. One day after the final exposure, brains were harvested and several biochemical parameters examined including activities of total ATPase, ouabain-insensitive ATPase, ouabain sensitive ATPase (Na+–K+-ATPase) and levels of nonenzymatic breakdown of ATP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) released. Results showed that the essential enzyme of the brain responsible for neuronal function, Na+–K+-ATPase, was inhibited by alcohol–kola nut co-administration relative to control, resulting in a decreased ATP production, ion transport and action potential, leading to loss of neuronal activities.

The effects of alcohol–kola nut interactions on activites of whole brain glucose oxidase, glutamine synthetase, and adenylate deaminase were examined in Wistar rats. Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups. Control group (1) received a placebo (4 mL of distilled water). Groups 2–6 were treated for a 21-day period with either 10% (v/v) alcohol, kola nut, caffeine, alcohol + kola nut, or alcohol + caffeine at 50 mg per kg in a total volume of 4 mL vehicle via gastric intubation, respectively. One day after the final treatment, the whole brain was harvested and processed to examine for several biochemical parameters, including activities of glucose oxidase, adenylate deaminase, and glutamine synthetase. Results showed that alcohol–kola nut interaction decreased the activities of glucose oxidase, adenylate deaminase, and glutamine synthetase in whole brain, suggesting inhibition of glutamine synthesis, decreased energy (ATP) production, ionic transport and decreased neuronal processes. Data indicates that alcohol–kola nut or alcohol–caffeine interactions modify neuronal processes in rat brain; however, the clinical importance of this is not known.

Egeria radiata and Thais coronata locally called Nkop and Nko nko respectively by the Efik, are widely eaten by Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. After consuming their soft-flesh, the empty shells are constantly thrown away as waste. This research therefore is to analyzed and ascertains the suitability of these shell wastes as raw materials for calcium supplements. Results of analysis show that these shell contain a high percentage (95.54%) of Calcium Oxide (CaO), 2.52% of Magnesium Oxide (MgO) and trace amount of other oxides. Calcium oxide has been a major source of calcium; it concluded that Egeria radiata and Thais coronata shells are suitable source raw materials for the production of calcium supplements by our indigenous food industry.

The effects of interactions between coconut products and caffeine on the induction of drug-metabolizing enzyme in Wistar albino rats were studied. Twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups: (Group 1) control received via oral route a placebo (4 mL distilled water). Groups 2–4 were treated for a 14-day period, respectively, with 50 mg caffeine/kg body weight (BW), 50 mg caffeine/kg plus 50 mg coconut water/kg, or 50 mg caffeine/kg plus 50 mg coconut milk/kg in a 4 mL volume via gastric intubation. One day after the after the final exposure, the animals were euthanized by inhalation of an overdose of chloroform. The blood of each rat was collected by cardiac puncture, and the liver of each was harvested and processed to examine several biochemical parameters, including total protein and RNA levels, protein/RNA ratios, and the activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALT and AST, respectively). Results showed that while ingestion of coconut milk and coconut water increased the values of protein and protein/RNA ratios, there was a decrease in ALT and AST activities. These effects were opposite to those produced by caffeine alone and may prevent the adverse effects attributed to caffeine.

Effect of alcohol and kolanut interactions on biochemical indices of neuronal gene expression in Wistar albino rats was studied. Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups of five (5) rats per group. The control group (1) received via oral route a placebo (4 ml of distilled water). Groups 2-6 were treated for a period of 21-days with (10 % v/v) 50 mg/kg body weight of alcohol, 50 mg/kg body weight of kolanut, 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine, 50 mg/kg body weight of alcohol and 50 mg/kg body weight of kolanut, and 50 mg/kg body weight of alcohol and 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine in 4.0 ml of the vehicle via gastric intubation respectively. One day after the final exposure, the brain of each rat was harvested and processed to examine several biochemical parameters namely total protein, DNA, RNA and protein/RNA ratios. The status of neuronal gene expression was monitored through assessment of these parameters. The results showed that alcohol-kolanut co-administration decreased brain total protein, DNA, RNA levels and protein/RNA ratios, and inhibited gene expression. These effects, in turn, inhibited DNA transcription, MRNA splicing and protein synthesis, and polypeptide expression, which are necessary for the growth, development, differentiation and cell survival.

Effect of caffeine-coconut products interactions on induction of drug-metabolizing enzyme in Wistar albino rats was studied. Twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups: The control group (1) received via oral route a placebo (4.0 ml of distilled water). Groups 2 to 4 were treated for a 14-day period with 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine, 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine and 50 mg/kg body weight of coconut water, and 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine and 50 mg/kg body weight of coconut milk in 4.0 ml of the vehicle via gastric intubation respectively. One day after the final exposure, the animals were anaesthetized by inhalation of an overdose of chloroform. The blood of each rat was collected by cardiac puncture while the liver of each rat was harvested and processed to examine several biochemical parameters, i.e., total protein and RNA levels, protein/RNA ratios, and activities of alanine and aspartate amino transferase (ALT and AST, respectively). The results showed that while ingestion of coconut milk and coconut water increased the values of protein and protein/RNA ratios, it decreased alanine and aspartate amino transferase (ALT and AST) activities. These effects, in turn, enhanced the induction of the metabolizing enzymes and a resultant faster clearance and elimination of the caffeine from the body, there by reducing the toxic effect on the liver.

Effect of alcohol-kolanut interaction on sodium pump activity in wistar albino rats was studied. Thirty wistar albino rats were divided into six groups of five (5) rats per group and used for the study. The control group (1) received via oral route a placebo (4 ml of distilled water). Groups 2 to 6 were treated for a period of 21 days, with (10% v/v) of alcohol (group 2), 50mg/kg body weight of kolanut (group 3), 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine (group 4), 4 ml of 10% v/v of alcohol and 50 mg/kg body weight kolanut (group 5), 4 ml of 10% v/v of alcohol and 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine in 4.0 ml of the vehicle via gastric intubation respectively. A day after the final exposure, the brain of each rat was harvested and processed to examine several biochemical parameters, i.e., total ATpase, ouabain-insensitive ATpase, ouabain sensitive ATpase (Na(+)-K(+)ATPase), non-enzymatic breakdown of ATP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) released. The results showed that the essential enzyme of the brain responsible for neuronal function, Na(+)-K(+)ATPase, was inhibited by alcohol-kolanut co-administration relative to control, resulting in a decrease in Na(+)-K(+)ATPase activity, ATP production, ion transport and action potential, leading to loss of neuronal activities.

Hydrocyanate, oxalate, phytate, calcium and zinc were determined in five brands of cocoa beverage which were coded NC, BT, PN, CT and CA. Hydrocyanate ranged from 5.40 to 9.64 mg/100 g dry matter (DM), oxalate 68 to 146 mg/100 g DM, phytate 590 to 750 mg/100 g DM, calcium 28.7 to 116.4 mg/100 g DM and zinc 0.516 to 0.675 mg/100 g DM. The computed phytate:zinc, calcium:phytate and [calcium] [phytate]/[zinc] molar ratios ranged from 89 to 132, 0.80 to 3.01 and 0.64 to 3.03 respectively. The discussion is focused on toxic levels of hydrocyanate and oxalate, and the significance of the molar ratios in predicting the bioavailability of dietary zinc.