Pattern of cutaneous wound healing in a live fish Clarias batrachus (L.)(Clariidae, Pisces.)

Incisional wounds of the same length and depth were made on skin between dorsal fin and the lateral line canal of Clarias batrachus and the pattern of wound closure has been studied histologically. Following infliction, a marked change in the colour of the skin surrounding the wound was observed which lasted for about 30 h and restored thereafter. Mucus and blood cells plugged the wound gap shortly after infliction. The epidermis surrounding the wound was found to be detached from the basement membrane. Mass movement of epidermal cells was observed from both side of the wound gap. The epidermal cells at the margin of the wound became hypertrophied. The epidermis became normal by 32 days. The dealing of sub-epidermal tissue indicated degenerative and regenerative changes of muscle fibres. The mucus and blood cells were accumulated in the wound gap and later fine blood vessels were formed. Gradually granulation tissue was formed and fibroblasts and myoblasts appeared. Myoblast differentiated into muscle bundles. The epidermal repair was completed within 35 days.

Study on the biomass yield of Duckweed (Lemna minor) (L.) in hydroponic cultures containing different concentrations of aquaeous extract of chicken manure

The biomass yields of duck week (Lemna minor(L) was monitored in hydroponic media prepared by variously extracting 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00g of dried chicken manure per liter of city water (tap water) supply. The culture media consisting of aqueous extract of the various manure treatments were made up to 12 liters in all cases with tap water as control. Plastic baths of 25 liters capacity with 0.71 super(m2) surface area were used as culture facility. Each bath was stocked at a density of 30g super(m-2) with fresh weed samples (i.e 21.30g/bath). Maximum yields were obtained at all treatment levels and control on day 3 and based on the highest yield of 0.37gm super(-2)d super(-1) (dry matter) obtained at 1.00gL manure treatment which was however not significantly higher (P>0.05) than the 0.36gm super(-2)d super(-1) (dry matter) at 0.05gl super(-1) media manure content, an average manure level of 0.75l super(-1) was selected and used to determine the operational plant density. Thus fresh weights of 30 to 300gm super(-2) was grown in triplicate at 30g intervals for a period of 3 days. A regression equation of Y=2.6720+0.0021x with a corresponding maximum density or operational plant density of 266gm super(-2) and yield of 0.98gm super(-2), d super(-1) (dry matter) were obtained. Further growth trials were carried out at the operational density and manure levels of 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75 and 2.00gl super(-1) media manure concentration giving a significantly higher yield (P<0.05) of 17gm super(-2), d super(-1) (dry matter). This yield was however doubled to between 2.21 and 2.24gm super(-2) d super(-1) (equivalent to 7.96 to 8.06mt.ha-1, Yr-1 dry matter on extrapolation) if 25% and 75% respectively of the total weed cover were harvested daily within the experimental period. The role of some dissolved plant nutrients (DPN) were also discussed

Effect of locally available spices on the organoleptic and storage periods of Heterotis niloticus

Investigation were carried out on the effect of some locally available species in the enhancement of the organoleptic quality and the storage periods of smoked Heterotis niloticus using Pprosopis africana as common smoke sources. Samples of fresh H. niloticus were bought, cut into chunks while extract juice from pepper, ginger rhizomes, garlic, onion bulb were used as sources of spices. Samples of fish were divided randomly into five (5) batches dipped into spice extract juices for 10 minutes drained and smoked with common firewood. Treatment without spice extract juice served as control. Each batch of fish was smoked for 7 hours on a drum-made smoking kiln products were individually packaged in polythene bag stored at room temperature and used for sensory evaluation and microbial analysis. Results of the sensory evaluation indicated that there was significant difference (P<0.005) for taste, appearance, colour and overall acceptance for the treatments. Ginger juice extract had the best overall acceptance. Similarly there was significant difference (P>0.05) in the microbial analysis. The garlic juice extract had the longest storage period with minimum total plate and mould count after 8 weeks

Mortality of Lingcod, Ophiodon elongatus, Related to Capture by Hook and Line

Lingcod, Ophiodon elongatus, were captured by hook and line (sport rod and reel gear and commercial troll gear) at two coastal California locations and held in aquaria for periods of up to 32 days for evaluation of capture-related mortality. Three of 69 lingcod captured with rod and reel gear died of capture-related injuries (4.3% mortality; 95% confidence interval 0–9.3%). None of 15 lingcod captured with troll gear died of capture-related injuries. Due to the low overall mortality rate, there were no discernable trends in mortality with respect to sex, length, depth of capture, and terminal tackle (bait vs. lure). Of 38 fish with visible hooking wounds, 26 showed evidence of wound healing during the holding period.

Studies on the chemical and nutritional quality of protein powders isolated from shrimp waste

Protein powders were prepared from processing waste of prawns either by mechanically squeezing the shell and freeze drying the resultant aqueous extract or by treating the shell with 0.5% sodium hydroxide, filtering it and freeze drying the filtrate. Comparative studies on the proximate composition, amino acid profile, consumer acceptability and nutritional quality of the protein powders showed that the product prepared by freeze drying of the press liquor obtained by passing the waste through a hand operated expeller is better in all aspects studied than the product prepared by mild alkali extraction.