IOSR-JESTFT   Volume-5 ~ Issue-5 ~ Sep–Oct 2013

Abstract: The aim of present study was to assess the physicochemical and microbiological quality of minimally processed fruits and vegetables available in the markets. Minimally processed fruits and vegetables, which are raw products that are simply trimmed, peeled ,sliced, shredded, washed and are disinfected ,are generally considered safe to be eaten by consumers, since their surface have micro organisms that are not of human health significance. Various chemical parameters like moisture, PH, acidity as well as microbial analysis like Total plate Count (TPC), Yeast and Moulds were analysed .From the results of the study, there was a significant decrease in the physicochemical parameters and significant increase in microbial load was observed in minimally processed fruits and vegetables during the storage periods.

Keywords: Minimal processing, Fresh-cut produces, Total Plate Count, Yeast & Moulds.

[1]. Wojciech J. Florkowski "Post harvest handling –A system approach", 2nd edition, Food science and Technology international series, chapter No.3, Academic Press (2009).
[2]. Olusola lamikanra, "Fresh cut fruits and vegetables - Science, Technology, and Marketing", pp.01-03, CRC Press (2002).
[3]. R. Ahvenaineh "Trends in Food science and Technology- new approaches in improving the shelf life of minimally processed fruits and vegetables", Vol-7, pp.33 (1996),.
[4]. P.Ragaert, F.Devlieghere, J. Debevere "Role of microbiological and physiological spoilage mechanisms during the storage of minimally processed vegetables"Post harvest biology and technology, volume-44, issue-3:185-194(2007).
[5]. Rosa S. Rolle, Grandy W.Chismiii "Physiological consequences of minimally processed fruits and vegetables" Journal of food quality, Volume-10, Issue-3:157-177 (1987).
[6]. A. Keith Thompson "Controlled Atmosphere package of Fruits and Vegetables", 2nd edition, Chapter-8, pp.270-275(2010).

Abstract: The study investigated the concentration of heavy metals [Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu) and lead (Pd)] on topsoil of Oke-Afa refuse- dump in Isolo, Lagos, Nigeria. Samples taken from twenty (20) different spots from Oke-Afa refuse-dump were analyzed. The study linked the environmental pollution as result of concentration of heavy metals to public health. Total contents of Cadmium was found to range from 4.65 to 50.50mg/kg with mean of 19.35, total contents of Copper was found to range from 65.77 to 634.29mg/kg with mean of 259.08, and total contents of Lead was found to range from 109.23 to 821.45mg/kg with mean of 291.91. Comparison of the results obtained to those recorded in literature showed that the levels of Cadmium and Copper were very high and are referred to as heavily contaminated and contaminated respectively, while the result obtained for Lead falls within the reported range, hence considered uncontaminated. The study revealed that the Oke-Afa dump-site exposes the residents around Isolo community to unacceptable levels of environmental pollutants with adverse health impacts. It is recommended that, to forestall the ugly consequence of heavy metals in the soils of the refuse-dump; there is need to define principles, establish strategies, set up of administrative procedures, and enforce compliance and penalties for non-compliance using appropriate laws and proper waste management and disposal. Furthermore, in order to guarantee health safety in the community, knowledge of the concentration of heavy metals is expedient

Key words: Heavy metals, Refuse dump, Soil pollution, Total pollution

[1] Effiong Ukorebi Efim. and Percy Chucks Onianwa. Heavy metal pollution of Topsoil in the vicinity of an industrial Estate co – located with a housing Estate in south western Nigeria. Journal of Environmental protection. 4, 2013,91-98

[2] Onyegbule, A.F. Okorie , D.E. and Onyegbule, C.E. Heavy metal distribution in soils and health implications : An appraisal of Umuahia metropolis ,Nigeria. International Journal of toxicology and pharmacological research. 2(2), 2010, ISSN 0475-5160

[3] Adekunle,I.M, Toyin A. Arowolo, Naomi P. Ndahi, Babajide Bello and David A. Owolabi. Chemical characteristics of humic acids in relation to lead, copper and cadmium levels in contaminated soils from south western Nigeria. Annals of environmental science. Vol.1, 2007, 23-34

[4] Alloway, B.J. Heavy metal in soils. 2nd Ed. (Blackie publishers, Glaasgow.1990)

[5] Odukoya O.O, Bamgbose.O, and Arowolo T.A.Heavy metals in top soils of Abeokuta Dump sites. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences. Vol. 7(3). June 2001, 467 - 472

[6] Harrison R.M and Chirgow, M. B. The assessment of air and soil as Contributors of some trace metals to vegetable plants. Use of filtered Air growth cabinet. Sci Total Environ. 83,1989,13 – 34

Abstract: In this paper, the pattern of desertification in Yobe State of Nigeria was investigated. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to select the eighteen development Areas for study. Data on the causes, damages / influence, and remedies for desertification were collected through the use of questionnaires and aerial photographs obtained from the North East Arid Zone Development Programme (NEAZDP) for the 1990s and 2000s. Data analysis employed the use of descriptive statistics and interpretation of aerial photographs. The photo interpretations were used to establish the presence of sand dunes, bare grounds, depletion of water bodies and vegetation cover. These interpretations were further validated at the Regional Centre for Remote Sensing in Jos, Plateau state of Nigeria. The study showed the expanding desert as one of the severe environmental problems. A combination of climatic factors, increase in population and livestock pressure on the land and vegetation has been identified as the chief causes of desertification. Environmental degradation have been significant particularly in the case of reduction in water body, depletion of vegetation cover, shifting sand dunes, increasing bare grounds and loss of biodiversity. The study suggests some remedial and corrective anti-desertification measures such as the incorporation of indigenous desert control knowledge into government environmental conservation Programmes as well as massive and sustained tree planting exercise with recommended and adaptable tree species.

Key Words: Desertification, Development Areas, Aerial Photographs, environmental Degradation.

[1]. Julie, Kerr Casper (2007) Forests: More than Just Trees.
[2]. An Imprint of Infobase Publishing, New York.
[3]. Hjort Ornas, A. (1990). "Town-based Pastoralism on Eastern Africa," In Baker, J.
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[5]. Mikesell, M. W. (1974). "Geography as a study of Environment: An Assessment of some old and new commitments", in Manner, I. R and Mikesell, M. W. (eds.),
[6]. Perspectives on Environment, Association of American Geographers Publication, Vol. 13, pp 1 – 23
[7]. Mortimore, M. (1987). "Shifting Sands and Human Sorrow: Social Response to Drought and Desertification," Desertification Control Bulletin, No 14, pp 1 – 4.
[8]. Olofin, E. A. (1989). "Human Responses to the Natural Environment in the Kano Region," and some of her Neighbors, ABU Press, pp 2 – 23.
[9]. Silitshena, R. M. K. (1990). "Social Sciences Research on Drought in Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland; a state of the Art Review," in International Development Research Centre (ed.), Drought in Africa, Ottawa, IDRC.
[10]. Uyanga, J. (2002). Indigenous Environmental Knowledge in North Eastern,

Abstract: The Southern part of the Gulf of Gabes, SE of Tunisia, is a microtidal sandy coast. It is recently developing a series of sand spits. We seek to determine the evolution of the coast over the past decades and to establish the hydrodynamic conditions that led to this development. To do this, we relied on the diachronic study of the shoreline from aerial photographs from 1985 and 1997. Thus, the evolution of the coast is subject to continuous changes that reflect an active sediment dynamics.

Keywords- Littoral drift, morphological evolution, sandy coast, sediment dynamics, spits.

[1] O.T.C (Office of Topography and Cartography), "Tide calendar of Gabes, Tunisia," Report, 2005, 30 p.

[2] Bardi I., Morphodynamique de la côte sableuse microtidale à barres le long de la frange littorale Gabès-Oued Ferd, (Golfe de Gabès-Tunisie) Ph.D Thesis, Faculty of sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar Tunisia, 2010.

[3] BARDI I., ABDELJAOUAD S. et SOUAYED M. (2011). Evolution du trait de côte de Gabès-oued Ferd (SE de la Tunisie). Proc, 2nd Conf. Internat. Méditerranean Coastal and Maritime, Tanger, Maroc, 2011, 129-132.

[4] D.R.E, (Directorate of water resources), "Report Gabès, Tunisia", 2005, 40 p.