Prof. Belewu, M.A. is a Professor of Animal Production at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria,. He is a fellow of Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Fellow College of Animal Science of Nigeria, Fellow Nigeria Society of Experimental Biology. He has over 175 National and International publications to his credit
This study was conducted to evaluate biodiversity and pollination activity of stingless bees in t... more This study was conducted to evaluate biodiversity and pollination activity of stingless bees in the University of Ilorin Agro Forest. Stingless bees, their nests, trees hosting the bees and trees and crops visited by the bees were identified.
The influence of fungus treatment on the biochemical composition and degradation patter of sawdus... more The influence of fungus treatment on the biochemical composition and degradation patter of sawdust and cotton plant by-products (cotton burns and cotton gin trash) by Pleurotus sajor caju were evaluated. Lignin degradation increased as the incubation period progressed while the highest loss of hemicellulose, cellulose, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre were recorded for treated cotton plant by-product. The nutrient availability was superior in the fungus treated cotton plant by-product substrate compared to the treated sawdust. The process efficiency was highest for the treated sawdust than the treated cotton plant by-product, while the loss of organic matter was similar in the cotton plant by-product and sawdust. Correlation between the dry matter of the treated sawdust and cotton plant by-product gave a positive response. It is concluded that such biodelignification and the concurrent percentages increase in nutrient availability indicate that culturing of P. sajor caju on cotton plant byproduct ands saw dust may in fact improve the nutritive value of such lignocellulosic waste.
The effect of three different strains of Azotobacter bacteria in solid substrate fermentation on ... more The effect of three different strains of Azotobacter bacteria in solid substrate fermentation on cassava waste was evaluated. The substrate was incubated at 300c for 10 days inoculation with the Azotobacter bacteria species. One non-inoculated batch was incubated as a reference. Percentages ...
The effect of biological extracts on the storage qualities of West African soft cheese was evalua... more The effect of biological extracts on the storage qualities of West African soft cheese was evaluated in a completely randomized design model within a 15-day period. The control and the treated cheeses were stored under ambient temperature and assessed for the pH, titrable acidity, moisture content and crude protein. The pH and titrable acidity rose (P<0.05) with ginger extract preservant. The crude protein and moisture content were increased (P<0.05) by preservation. The ginger extract was found to be the most effective method of reducing microbial load, followed closely by the garlic extract. The ginger extract treatment extended the shelf life of cheese for 15 days. Treatment of West African soft cheese with ginger extract may not markedly alter the nutritional quality but appeared promising as it has a preservative property.
Fifteen weanling male West African Dwarf (WAD) goats (8-9 months old), of average initial live we... more Fifteen weanling male West African Dwarf (WAD) goats (8-9 months old), of average initial live weight, 10.52 ± 0.87 kg were used to evaluate the effects of dietary cobalt supplements on feed intake, nitrogen retention and body weight gain while on low quality Panicum maximum hay (10.62 % CP) based diet. Three goat treatment groups offered oral supplement of 0, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/head/day elemental cobalt as cobalt chloride were compared. Goats on supplementary cobalt diets (mg/head/day) of 1.0 and 2.0 demonstrated enhanced (P < 0.05) total dry matter intake (28.08 and 28.31 g/Kg LW/head/day respectively), dry matter digestibility (65.19 and 65.77 % respectively), crude fiber digestibility (55.84 and 55.76 % respectively) and daily live weight gain (13.57 and 14.11 g/Kg LW/day respectively) when compared with the corresponding values of 22.71, 48.68, 39.17 and 9.29 obtained for the control fed un-supplemented Panicum maximum hay diet. Nitrogen retention (g/day) was highest in goats fed...
Two honey samples produced by the University of Ilorin at the Jatropha Plantation and Unilorin Ap... more Two honey samples produced by the University of Ilorin at the Jatropha Plantation and Unilorin Apiary Farm were collected and studied melissopalynologically to isolate and identify pollen types in the honey. The aim of the study thus is to determine whether the honey samples are uniflora and multiflora. Based on the pollen grain frequency, the pollens in the 2 honey samples could be categorized as "important minor or important isolated pollen'' and "rare or isolated pollen''. In estimation of PK (pollen grain) frequencies, therefore, the pollen grains of Jatropha curcas, Guio gracilis and Capsicum annuum are considered rich in the honey of Jatropha Plantation. In the honey of Unilorin Apiary Farm, Tridax procumbense, Mangifera indica, Melastoma polyanthum and Psidium guajava produced rich pollens. The presence of the pollen grains in the two honey samples is a clear indication that the honeys are not adulterated but pure and not unifloral but multifloral.
Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, Dec 31, 2009
Six plants and spices were examined for their possible efficacy as medicinal plants in a complete... more Six plants and spices were examined for their possible efficacy as medicinal plants in a completely randomized design model. The proximate composition of the samples showed greatest crude protein content for Vernonia amygdalina and Ocimum gratissimum, followed by Allium sativum and Citrus aurantifolia and then Khaya senegalensis and Zingiber officinale. The higher ether extract content was reported for V. amygdalina and O. gratissimum while the least was recorded for A. sativum. The crude fibre content was highest for V. amygdalina followed closely by O. gratissimum and the least was C. aurantifolia. Z. officinale had the highest ash content compared to other samples. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of some major groups of pharmaceutical compounds like alkaloids, tannin, saponin, polyphenols, flavonoids and sterols. Tannin, saponin and alkaloids were present in almost all the samples while flavonoids, polyphenols were found in K. senegalensis and O. gratissimum. Sterols were absent in all the samples except O. gratissimum, K. senegalensis and V. amygdalina. Flavonoids was founds strongly in K. senegalensis, V. amygdalina but mildly in O. gratissimum and A. sativum. Conversely, alkaloids were absent in Z. officinale and A. sativum, Conclusively, the values of the plants and spices in traditional medicine and the importance of the proximate composition and chemical compounds in the pharmaceutical, food and livestock industries were discussed.
Effect of feeding Etanda africana seed meal on the consumption, weight gain and digestion of West... more Effect of feeding Etanda africana seed meal on the consumption, weight gain and digestion of West African dwarf (WAD) goats (n=15) were determined in a 56 day feeding trial using a completely randomized experimental design. The E. africana seed meal replaced either 50 or 100% of the soybean meal in diets B and C respectively, while diet A (control) contained 15% soybean meal. Other ingredients in the supplement included rice husks 20%, palm kernel 10%, vitamin-mineral premix 1% and salt 1%. Total dry matter intake and ether extract intake were similar among diets; however, the ether extract intake of diet C was numerically higher compared to the other diets. Conversely, the lignin intake and crude fibre intake were higher for diet C compared to other diets (A and B). Average daily weight gain was similar across the three diets. Digestibilities of crude protein and lignin were greater for diet A (control) than for diets containing E. africana seed meal (P < 0.05). However, digestibilities of crude fibre, ether extract, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre were similar (P > 0.05) in all the three diets. The results of this trial suggest that E. africana seed meal can replace soybean meal in the diet of growing WAD goats.
Five fungi (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus oligosporus, Rhizopus nigricans ... more Five fungi (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus oligosporus, Rhizopus nigricans and Trichoderma longibrachitum) were used in the fermentation of Jatropha curcas kernel cake for a 7 days period in a completely randomized design model. The results revealed significant increase in the crude protein content of all the fungi treated samples with Aspergillus niger and T. longbrachitum treated cake recorded higher value compared to other treated samples. There was no significant difference in the crude fiber content among all the samples. With the exception of ether extract content of sample treated with Rhizopus nigricans which was similar to that of the control (untreated sample) other samples showed lower significant values than the untreated (control) sample. Contrarily, the ash content was significantly lower in the control sample compared to other fungi treated samples. The content of the trypsin inhibitor was highest (18.6 mg/kg) in the control but reduced significantly in the fungi treated samples (6.50-8.23). The lectin, saponins, phytate and phorbolester contents followed similar trend. It could be concluded from this study that solid state fermentation of Jatropha kernel cake detoxified and inactivate almost 100% of the antinutrient contents expect phorbolester to a tolerable level in the A. niger treated sample.
Asian journal of agriculture and rural development, 2013
The efficacy of using rice milk and coconut milk in the preparation of yoghurt was evaluated in a... more The efficacy of using rice milk and coconut milk in the preparation of yoghurt was evaluated in a completely randomized design model. Commercial yoghurt was the control Treatment (A) while other Treatments were B (25% rice milk plus 75% coconut milk), C (50% rice milk plus 50% coconut milk) and D (75% rice milk plus 25% coconut milk) .The various yoghurt samples were analyzed for their proximate composition and sensory value. Higher crude protein content and solids not fat were recorded for Treatment C. The overall acceptability was greatest for Treatment C, greater for Treatment B, great for Treatment D and least for Treatment A (control). This type of yoghurt is recommended for weight watcher and lactose intolerance persons.
Effects of feed intake, weight gain and digestibility when growing Red Sokoto goats consuming Asp... more Effects of feed intake, weight gain and digestibility when growing Red Sokoto goats consuming Aspergillus niger treated and untreated shea-butter cake (SBC) were determined. Twenty five Red Sokoto goats in a completely randomized design model with 56 d periods consumed diet A (control, without SBC), B (15% Aspergillus treated SBC), C (15% untreated SBC), D (7.5% Aspergillus treated SBC) and E (7.5% untreated SBC). Total DMI rose (P < 0.05) with Aspergillus treated diets (B and D) than the untreated diets (C and E). The trend was similar for the rest of the variables (CPI and EEI) except for the crude fibre intake which did not show a specific trend. Dry matter digestibility for the control diet (A) was the lowest than any of the other diets while the highest dry matter digestibility was recorded for diet D. For the untreated SBC diets (C and E) versus Aspergillus treated diets (B and D), crude fibre digestibility, crude protein digestibility and ether extract digestibility were l...
The effects of the fungus, Trichoderma harzanium, treated cassava waste on milk quantity and qual... more The effects of the fungus, Trichoderma harzanium, treated cassava waste on milk quantity and quality were investigated in a completely randomized design model with twelve lactating West African dwarf does. Goats were fed the experimental diets containing O (A), 20 (B), 30 (C) and 40% (D) Trichoderma treated cassava waste during a 13 week lactation trial. The results revealed significant differences in milk quantity and quality. The highest milk yield was recorded for diet D followed closely by diets C, B and A in that order. Inclusion of fungus treated cassava waste resulted in significant increasing milk fat, protein, solids not fat (SNF), and total solids. While the inclusion had little effect on milk pH and specific gravity. The yield of 40% fat corrected milk (FCM) and gross efficiency of milk increased significantly (P < 0.05) by the addition of fungus treated cassava waste in the diet. In conclusion, the addition of Trichoderma treated cassava waste was beneficial to lactating West African dwarf goats.
International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2004
ABSTRACT Nine pregnant West African dwarf (WAD) goats were fed untreated (control diet A with 30%... more ABSTRACT Nine pregnant West African dwarf (WAD) goats were fed untreated (control diet A with 30% inclusion level) and Aspergillus treated diet, B (10%) and diet C (20%) in total mixed rations. The effect of treatment was evaluated on feed intake, digestibility, BW and growth rate. Fungus-treated rice husk appeared to be well accepted by goats even when included in rations at 20% of total DM. Mean DM intake averaged 595, 611 and 623gld for goats fed diets A, B and C respectively. The crude protein intake was greatest (P&lt;0.05) for diet C, greater (P&lt;0.05) for diet B than for diet A (control). Body weight change average 0.19, 0.22 and 0.34kg/wk from 0 - 20 wks of experiment for goats fed the untreated and treated fungus rice husk respectively. Dry matter digestibility was similar among treatment groups, averaging 48, 49 and 47 percentages for goats fed untreated and treated rice husk. The digestibility of crude protein and crude fibre were increased by fungus treatment. The increased crude protein and crude fibre digestibility are briefly discussed. The conclusions are that fungus treatment of rice husk mimics the effect of pre-digestion of fungus on the rice husk and as the feeding experiment demonstrated, is likely to be a useful method of processing waste agricultural residues for rumen microbial attack.
This study was conducted to evaluate biodiversity and pollination activity of stingless bees in t... more This study was conducted to evaluate biodiversity and pollination activity of stingless bees in the University of Ilorin Agro Forest. Stingless bees, their nests, trees hosting the bees and trees and crops visited by the bees were identified.
The influence of fungus treatment on the biochemical composition and degradation patter of sawdus... more The influence of fungus treatment on the biochemical composition and degradation patter of sawdust and cotton plant by-products (cotton burns and cotton gin trash) by Pleurotus sajor caju were evaluated. Lignin degradation increased as the incubation period progressed while the highest loss of hemicellulose, cellulose, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre were recorded for treated cotton plant by-product. The nutrient availability was superior in the fungus treated cotton plant by-product substrate compared to the treated sawdust. The process efficiency was highest for the treated sawdust than the treated cotton plant by-product, while the loss of organic matter was similar in the cotton plant by-product and sawdust. Correlation between the dry matter of the treated sawdust and cotton plant by-product gave a positive response. It is concluded that such biodelignification and the concurrent percentages increase in nutrient availability indicate that culturing of P. sajor caju on cotton plant byproduct ands saw dust may in fact improve the nutritive value of such lignocellulosic waste.
The effect of three different strains of Azotobacter bacteria in solid substrate fermentation on ... more The effect of three different strains of Azotobacter bacteria in solid substrate fermentation on cassava waste was evaluated. The substrate was incubated at 300c for 10 days inoculation with the Azotobacter bacteria species. One non-inoculated batch was incubated as a reference. Percentages ...
The effect of biological extracts on the storage qualities of West African soft cheese was evalua... more The effect of biological extracts on the storage qualities of West African soft cheese was evaluated in a completely randomized design model within a 15-day period. The control and the treated cheeses were stored under ambient temperature and assessed for the pH, titrable acidity, moisture content and crude protein. The pH and titrable acidity rose (P<0.05) with ginger extract preservant. The crude protein and moisture content were increased (P<0.05) by preservation. The ginger extract was found to be the most effective method of reducing microbial load, followed closely by the garlic extract. The ginger extract treatment extended the shelf life of cheese for 15 days. Treatment of West African soft cheese with ginger extract may not markedly alter the nutritional quality but appeared promising as it has a preservative property.
Fifteen weanling male West African Dwarf (WAD) goats (8-9 months old), of average initial live we... more Fifteen weanling male West African Dwarf (WAD) goats (8-9 months old), of average initial live weight, 10.52 ± 0.87 kg were used to evaluate the effects of dietary cobalt supplements on feed intake, nitrogen retention and body weight gain while on low quality Panicum maximum hay (10.62 % CP) based diet. Three goat treatment groups offered oral supplement of 0, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/head/day elemental cobalt as cobalt chloride were compared. Goats on supplementary cobalt diets (mg/head/day) of 1.0 and 2.0 demonstrated enhanced (P < 0.05) total dry matter intake (28.08 and 28.31 g/Kg LW/head/day respectively), dry matter digestibility (65.19 and 65.77 % respectively), crude fiber digestibility (55.84 and 55.76 % respectively) and daily live weight gain (13.57 and 14.11 g/Kg LW/day respectively) when compared with the corresponding values of 22.71, 48.68, 39.17 and 9.29 obtained for the control fed un-supplemented Panicum maximum hay diet. Nitrogen retention (g/day) was highest in goats fed...
Two honey samples produced by the University of Ilorin at the Jatropha Plantation and Unilorin Ap... more Two honey samples produced by the University of Ilorin at the Jatropha Plantation and Unilorin Apiary Farm were collected and studied melissopalynologically to isolate and identify pollen types in the honey. The aim of the study thus is to determine whether the honey samples are uniflora and multiflora. Based on the pollen grain frequency, the pollens in the 2 honey samples could be categorized as "important minor or important isolated pollen'' and "rare or isolated pollen''. In estimation of PK (pollen grain) frequencies, therefore, the pollen grains of Jatropha curcas, Guio gracilis and Capsicum annuum are considered rich in the honey of Jatropha Plantation. In the honey of Unilorin Apiary Farm, Tridax procumbense, Mangifera indica, Melastoma polyanthum and Psidium guajava produced rich pollens. The presence of the pollen grains in the two honey samples is a clear indication that the honeys are not adulterated but pure and not unifloral but multifloral.
Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, Dec 31, 2009
Six plants and spices were examined for their possible efficacy as medicinal plants in a complete... more Six plants and spices were examined for their possible efficacy as medicinal plants in a completely randomized design model. The proximate composition of the samples showed greatest crude protein content for Vernonia amygdalina and Ocimum gratissimum, followed by Allium sativum and Citrus aurantifolia and then Khaya senegalensis and Zingiber officinale. The higher ether extract content was reported for V. amygdalina and O. gratissimum while the least was recorded for A. sativum. The crude fibre content was highest for V. amygdalina followed closely by O. gratissimum and the least was C. aurantifolia. Z. officinale had the highest ash content compared to other samples. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of some major groups of pharmaceutical compounds like alkaloids, tannin, saponin, polyphenols, flavonoids and sterols. Tannin, saponin and alkaloids were present in almost all the samples while flavonoids, polyphenols were found in K. senegalensis and O. gratissimum. Sterols were absent in all the samples except O. gratissimum, K. senegalensis and V. amygdalina. Flavonoids was founds strongly in K. senegalensis, V. amygdalina but mildly in O. gratissimum and A. sativum. Conversely, alkaloids were absent in Z. officinale and A. sativum, Conclusively, the values of the plants and spices in traditional medicine and the importance of the proximate composition and chemical compounds in the pharmaceutical, food and livestock industries were discussed.
Effect of feeding Etanda africana seed meal on the consumption, weight gain and digestion of West... more Effect of feeding Etanda africana seed meal on the consumption, weight gain and digestion of West African dwarf (WAD) goats (n=15) were determined in a 56 day feeding trial using a completely randomized experimental design. The E. africana seed meal replaced either 50 or 100% of the soybean meal in diets B and C respectively, while diet A (control) contained 15% soybean meal. Other ingredients in the supplement included rice husks 20%, palm kernel 10%, vitamin-mineral premix 1% and salt 1%. Total dry matter intake and ether extract intake were similar among diets; however, the ether extract intake of diet C was numerically higher compared to the other diets. Conversely, the lignin intake and crude fibre intake were higher for diet C compared to other diets (A and B). Average daily weight gain was similar across the three diets. Digestibilities of crude protein and lignin were greater for diet A (control) than for diets containing E. africana seed meal (P < 0.05). However, digestibilities of crude fibre, ether extract, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre were similar (P > 0.05) in all the three diets. The results of this trial suggest that E. africana seed meal can replace soybean meal in the diet of growing WAD goats.
Five fungi (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus oligosporus, Rhizopus nigricans ... more Five fungi (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus oligosporus, Rhizopus nigricans and Trichoderma longibrachitum) were used in the fermentation of Jatropha curcas kernel cake for a 7 days period in a completely randomized design model. The results revealed significant increase in the crude protein content of all the fungi treated samples with Aspergillus niger and T. longbrachitum treated cake recorded higher value compared to other treated samples. There was no significant difference in the crude fiber content among all the samples. With the exception of ether extract content of sample treated with Rhizopus nigricans which was similar to that of the control (untreated sample) other samples showed lower significant values than the untreated (control) sample. Contrarily, the ash content was significantly lower in the control sample compared to other fungi treated samples. The content of the trypsin inhibitor was highest (18.6 mg/kg) in the control but reduced significantly in the fungi treated samples (6.50-8.23). The lectin, saponins, phytate and phorbolester contents followed similar trend. It could be concluded from this study that solid state fermentation of Jatropha kernel cake detoxified and inactivate almost 100% of the antinutrient contents expect phorbolester to a tolerable level in the A. niger treated sample.
Asian journal of agriculture and rural development, 2013
The efficacy of using rice milk and coconut milk in the preparation of yoghurt was evaluated in a... more The efficacy of using rice milk and coconut milk in the preparation of yoghurt was evaluated in a completely randomized design model. Commercial yoghurt was the control Treatment (A) while other Treatments were B (25% rice milk plus 75% coconut milk), C (50% rice milk plus 50% coconut milk) and D (75% rice milk plus 25% coconut milk) .The various yoghurt samples were analyzed for their proximate composition and sensory value. Higher crude protein content and solids not fat were recorded for Treatment C. The overall acceptability was greatest for Treatment C, greater for Treatment B, great for Treatment D and least for Treatment A (control). This type of yoghurt is recommended for weight watcher and lactose intolerance persons.
Effects of feed intake, weight gain and digestibility when growing Red Sokoto goats consuming Asp... more Effects of feed intake, weight gain and digestibility when growing Red Sokoto goats consuming Aspergillus niger treated and untreated shea-butter cake (SBC) were determined. Twenty five Red Sokoto goats in a completely randomized design model with 56 d periods consumed diet A (control, without SBC), B (15% Aspergillus treated SBC), C (15% untreated SBC), D (7.5% Aspergillus treated SBC) and E (7.5% untreated SBC). Total DMI rose (P < 0.05) with Aspergillus treated diets (B and D) than the untreated diets (C and E). The trend was similar for the rest of the variables (CPI and EEI) except for the crude fibre intake which did not show a specific trend. Dry matter digestibility for the control diet (A) was the lowest than any of the other diets while the highest dry matter digestibility was recorded for diet D. For the untreated SBC diets (C and E) versus Aspergillus treated diets (B and D), crude fibre digestibility, crude protein digestibility and ether extract digestibility were l...
The effects of the fungus, Trichoderma harzanium, treated cassava waste on milk quantity and qual... more The effects of the fungus, Trichoderma harzanium, treated cassava waste on milk quantity and quality were investigated in a completely randomized design model with twelve lactating West African dwarf does. Goats were fed the experimental diets containing O (A), 20 (B), 30 (C) and 40% (D) Trichoderma treated cassava waste during a 13 week lactation trial. The results revealed significant differences in milk quantity and quality. The highest milk yield was recorded for diet D followed closely by diets C, B and A in that order. Inclusion of fungus treated cassava waste resulted in significant increasing milk fat, protein, solids not fat (SNF), and total solids. While the inclusion had little effect on milk pH and specific gravity. The yield of 40% fat corrected milk (FCM) and gross efficiency of milk increased significantly (P < 0.05) by the addition of fungus treated cassava waste in the diet. In conclusion, the addition of Trichoderma treated cassava waste was beneficial to lactating West African dwarf goats.
International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2004
ABSTRACT Nine pregnant West African dwarf (WAD) goats were fed untreated (control diet A with 30%... more ABSTRACT Nine pregnant West African dwarf (WAD) goats were fed untreated (control diet A with 30% inclusion level) and Aspergillus treated diet, B (10%) and diet C (20%) in total mixed rations. The effect of treatment was evaluated on feed intake, digestibility, BW and growth rate. Fungus-treated rice husk appeared to be well accepted by goats even when included in rations at 20% of total DM. Mean DM intake averaged 595, 611 and 623gld for goats fed diets A, B and C respectively. The crude protein intake was greatest (P&lt;0.05) for diet C, greater (P&lt;0.05) for diet B than for diet A (control). Body weight change average 0.19, 0.22 and 0.34kg/wk from 0 - 20 wks of experiment for goats fed the untreated and treated fungus rice husk respectively. Dry matter digestibility was similar among treatment groups, averaging 48, 49 and 47 percentages for goats fed untreated and treated rice husk. The digestibility of crude protein and crude fibre were increased by fungus treatment. The increased crude protein and crude fibre digestibility are briefly discussed. The conclusions are that fungus treatment of rice husk mimics the effect of pre-digestion of fungus on the rice husk and as the feeding experiment demonstrated, is likely to be a useful method of processing waste agricultural residues for rumen microbial attack.
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