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DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A MINI AUTOMATIC REFRIGERATOR FOR FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLE STORAGE

Tanko Bako^1*, Rotimi Emmanuel², Innocent Alex³

1, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria

2, Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Bali, Taraba State, Nigeria

3, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria

Email: engbako@gmail.com Tel: +234 7064190523

ABSTRACT: Fruits and vegetables are vital agricultural produce for human consumption worldwide. Post-harvest losses of vegetables and fruits often occur due to lack of proper preservation methods.  This study aimed to develop, and validate a mini automatic refrigerator specifically for storing fresh fruits and vegetables. The automatic mini refrigerator after construction has an estimated volume of 126,678.24 cm³ equivalent to 127 Litres Component of Refrigeration unit consist of Compressor, Condenser Coil, Expansion Valve, Evaporator Coil, R600a Refrigerant and Digital Thermostat. The digital thermostat has a Temperature measurement range of -50 to 110 °C and accuracy of plus, or minus 0.2 °C, giving it the ability to store fruit and vegetable at a temperature range 0 to12 °C.  The system runs on a 220- 240 Voltage power supply, 0.95 Ampere and 120 Watts while the rated frequency is 50 Hz. The choice of all materials selected for this work was done on the basis of their local availability, affordability.  The refrigerator's performance was evaluated based on its cooling capacity, coefficient of performance (COP), and cooling rate. Results showed a cooling capacity of 735 W, COP of 1.61, and cooling rate of 15.33 W, indicating moderate to good efficiency. The refrigerator's effectiveness in maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels makes it a valuable asset for reducing post-harvest losses and improving food security. This innovation has practical applications in reducing food waste, enhancing produce quality, and providing economic benefits for farmers and suppliers, particularly in rural or remote areas with limited access to electricity.

[Tanko Bako, Rotimi Emmanuel, Innocent Alex. DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A MINI AUTOMATIC REFRIGERATOR FOR FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLE STORAGE. J Am Sci 2026;22(3):1-6]. ISSN 1545-1003 (print); ISSN 2375-7264 (online). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 01. doi:10.7537/marsjas220326.01

KEY WORDS: Fruits; Vegetables; Performance; Temperature; Refrigeration

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REVIEW ON EPIZOOTIC LYPHANGITIS

Aderaw Desta Mekonnen and Wolelaw Addis Assaye²

¹Animal health Department, Banja Woreda livestock office, Inibara, Ethiopia

²Wachemo University, Hossana, Ethiopia

wolelawaddis21@gmail.com

Abstract: Histoplasmosis is an important systemic mycosis in the most countries. Increasingly cases are recognized in non-endemic areas. Proper management requires recognition of the clinical syndromes caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. fircinumum infection, the disease commonly develops into a chronic debilitating condition that can manifest itself in one of three clinical forms: cutaneous, ocular and respiratory forms. Epizootic lymphangitis is a relatively common infectious disease of horses and other equids in certain parts of the world. Epizootic lymphangitis is second only to African Horse Sickness as a most important disease of horses in Ethiopia. The wounds caused by harness are reported as major predisposing factors of Epizootic lymphangitis in carthorses in Ethiopia. Diagnosis is possible by direct visualization of the yeast form of the fungus in pus from infected lymphatic nodules and by culture or histopathologic examination of tissues from clinically affected cases. It is also possible to visualize the organism in stained histological sections of matured or developing lesions. The infection rate of Epizootic lymphangitis varies with the geographic area and the age of the animal. This review will address these issues with the goal of providing physicians in non-endemic areas sufficient information to suspect, diagnose, and treat patients with histoplasmosis. Therapeutic effects of Sodium Iodide (NaI), Potassium Iodide (KI), ground berries of “Endod” (Phytolacca dodecandra) and Pen strip are used in for equine hitoplasmosis (EH). Response to each treatment was assessed using clinical examination of the lesions. Statistically significant difference, in therapeutic effect was observed among the different remedies. Cases treated either with a combination of NaI and Penstrip or “Endod”.

[Aderaw Desta Mekonnen and Wolelaw Addis Assaye. REVIEW ON EPIZOOTIC LYPHANGITIS. J Am Sci 2026;22(3):7-19]. ISSN 1545-1003 (print); ISSN 2375-7264 (online). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 02. doi:10.7537/marsjas220326.02

Keywords: Epizootic lymphangitis; H. capsulatum var. farsiminosum; equines; Epidemiology; Diagnosis; Treatment

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Awareness, Adoption and Perceived Benefits of Agroforestry Technologies among Smallholder Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

Torhemen, T. T¹, Ancha, P. U.¹Tee, T.N., Ikyaagba, E. T¹., and Verinumbe, I.¹

^1.           Department of Social and Environmental Forestry, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: email: taver22@yahoo.com; +234 8130667945

Abstract: Agroforestry technologies (AFT) offer smallholder farmers the potential to improve farm productivity, diversify income, and enhance environmental sustainability. However, adoption remains uneven across farming communities. This study investigated the awareness, adoption, and perceived benefits of AFT among smallholder farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 60 direct beneficiaries, 300 secondary beneficiaries/neighbouring farmers, and 10 extension agents using semi-structured questionnaires administered using “Kobo Collect”. The data collected were analyzed through descriptive statistics and a Likert scale. The results revealed that all primary beneficiary farmers (100%, n = 60) were aware of AFT, with 86.7% receiving regular extension visits, and extension agents (68.3%) identified as the main information source. Neighbouring farmers’ awareness was markedly lower, ranging from 14% to 66% across zones. Adoption duration was substantial, with 53.3% of farmers practising AFT for 16–20 years and 36.7% for 21–25 years. Primary benefits reported included staking materials (MWS = 4.6), increased farm output (MWS = 4.5), fertilizer provision (MWS = 4.4), fuelwood (MWS = 4.3), and mulching/green manure (MWS = 4.3), whereas ecological benefits, such as erosion control, were less recognized (MWS = 2.1). Integration of livestock and crops was common, with goats (44.3%) and yams (60%) most frequently combined with Leucaena species. Secondary adoption among neighbouring farmers was observed, with 78.3% reporting 1–5 secondary adopters. Constraints to adoption included traditional practices (100%) and insufficient extension follow-up. The study shows that awareness and perceived benefits motivate primary users to adopt the practices; however, the spread of these practices to the broader community is still limited. This indicates a need for targeted outreach, participatory methods, and policies that promote both the ecological and economic advantages of AFT.

[Torhemen, T. T., Ancha, P. U., Tee, N.T., Ikyaagba, E. T., and Verinumbe, I. Awareness, Adoption and Perceived Benefits of Agroforestry Technologies among Smallholder Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. J Am Sci 2026;22(3):20-35]. ISSN 1545-1003 (print); ISSN 2375-7264 (online). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 03. doi:10.7537/marsjas220326.03

Key words: Agroforestry adoption; Benue State; smallholder farmers; Leucaena species; extension services; perceived benefits

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Equilibrium, Isotherm and Thermodynamic Studies of the Adsorption of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution onto Unmodified Biochar (UBC) of African Oil-bean (Pentaclethra Macrophylla) Seed Shell

¹Iromaka Stanislaus Chika, ¹Njoku Victor Obinna, ¹Duru Chidi, ¹Isiuku Beniah Obinna, ²John-Dewole Olusegun Onimisi, ¹Nwabueze Benjamin I and ¹Adindu Chinonso Blessing

¹Department of Chemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria

²Department of Chemical Sciences, Lead City University, Ibadan

*Correspondence: johndewole.olusegun@lcu.edu.ng   ORCID 0000-0003-4883-7750

Abstract: The development of low-cost and recyclable adsorbents is an urgent need in the field of wastewater treatment. There has been growing research interest in exploiting agricultural waste for cost-effective removal of different pollutants including dye colour in water bodies.  In this study, unmodified Biochar of African oil-bean seed shells (UBC) was prepared as adsorbent. The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solution onto UBC was studied by analyzing the effect of contact time, initial dye concentration, pH and temperature on the amount of MB dye adsorbed per unit mass of the adsorbent. An optimum adsorption capacity, q_t of 27.8 mg/g was achieved during 90 min contact time using initial dye concentration of 250 mg/L of UBC adsorbent. The adsorption of the MB dye increased with increase in the initial dye concentration, time and pH but decreased with increase in temperature. The adsorption mechanism of the dye obeyed the Freundlich isotherm model. The thermodynamic study showed that adsorption of MB onto the adsorbent was spontaneous, exothermic and had good affinity of the biosorbent toward MB. The adsorbent was characterized with Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The findings highlight African oil-bean seed shell biochar as a potential low-cost adsorbent for cationic dyes.

[Iromaka Stanislaus Chika, Njoku Victor Obinna, Duru Chidi, Isiuku Beniah Obinna, John-Dewole Olusegun Onimisi, Nwabueze Benjamin I and Adindu Chinonso Blessing. Equilibrium, Isotherm and Thermodynamic Studies of the Adsorption of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution onto Unmodified Biochar (UBC) of African Oil-bean (Pentaclethra Macrophylla) Seed Shell. J Am Sci 2026;22(3):36-47]. ISSN 1545-1003 (print); ISSN 2375-7264 (online). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 04. doi:10.7537/marsjas220326.04

Keywords: Adsorbents; Pentaclethra macrophylla; methylene blue dye; adsorption isotherm; adsorption thermodynamics

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