The present study develop various microorganisms for starter culture purpose from fermented sweet potato and used the developed starters in the fermentation of sweet potato and products for consistent quality product with improved hygiene. Sweet potato was purchased from different markets and microorganisms were isolated and developed as starters. Comparative studies on different starters for the fermentation of sweet potato for 48 h were investigated. The microbial count of the starter cultures increased as fermentation period increased from 6.06 to 9.14 cfu/ml, the pH reduced from 5.49 to 3.28 while the total titrable acid increased from 0.001 to 0.04. Amongst the various starters used, the use of the mixed cultures (combination of lactic acid bacteria L201 and yeast 601A) as starter cultures in the fermentation of sweet potato for 48 h had the best attributes in terms of texture, flavour, rate of fermentation and consistency when prepared as meal (bolus). The mineral analysis showed that most of the mineral content in the sample increased after fermentation for calcium (Ca) 2043.9 to 2177.5 ppm and Mn 6.29 to 26.32 ppm. The functional properties of the fermented sweet potato flour produced showed moisture content of 10.42%, water absorption capacity of 1.77 g/g and swelling capacity of 86.67%.

Chemical exposure of children, especially from toys, is an engineering concern. The concentration and availability of potentially toxic metals (PTM) in children's toys were determined to assess the risk that these metals pose to children. Samples of 25 toys imported from China to Nigeria were purchased. Ternary acid digestion, followed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, was used to determine the concentration of PTM in the sample. Simulations of the saline and stomach acid extraction conditions were performed to determine the concentrations of PTM that could leach out from the toys during children's mouthing behaviours (available PTM), including chewing, sucking and swallowing. The total concentrations of PTM in the toys ranged from 3.55-40.7, 3.21-38.2, 9.78-159, 3.55-11.2, and 36.1-106 mg/kg for Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb, respectively. Availability studies showed concentrations ranging from 2.60-5.60 mg/kg for Pb, 0.53-2.03 mg/kg for Cd and 0.15-2.88 mg/kg for Ni after saline extraction, and the concentrations after stomach acid extractions ranged from 3.33-7.10 mg/kg, 1.15-3.15 mg/kg and 1.33-1.81 mg/kg for Pb, Cd and Ni, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between the total concentration of PTM and toys made from PVC materials. The risk assessment study showed that Cd posed the highest risk, with a hazard index (HI) as high as 4.50 for saline extraction. The study revealed that more precaution is needed during the manufacture of children's toys.

The water quality of selected boreholes in Oredo, Egor and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas in Benin City metropolis was assessed in terms of their physical, microbial and chemical parameters. A total of nine water samples (three per local government) were collected from randomly selected public boreholes in the month of July, 2018. The physicochemical parameters determined and values obtained are as follows: Electrical conductivity ranged 12.85 to 101.94 µS/cm, Temperature 25.00 to 25.01, pH of 4.32 to 5.55, TDS 0.67 to 4.00 mg/l, COD 3.20 to 16.00 mg/l, Turbidity 1.14 to 5.38FTU, Cl- 106.50 to 426.00 mg/l, SO42- 0.41 to 2.87 mg/l, TSS 0.33 to 1.67 mg/l, TS 1.33 to 4.33 mg/l, NO3- 23.73 to 41.48 mg/l, Mg 0.03 to 0.61mg/l, Ca 0.10 to 0.41 mg/l, HCO3- 7.00 to 22.00 mg/l, Na 0.20 to 7.75 mg/l, K 0.41 to 1.20 mg/l, Mn 0.01 to 0.11 mg/l, Fe 0.01 to 0.02 mg/l, Zn 0.01 to 0.65 mg/l, PO4- 0.07 mg/l for all locations, while some metals like Cd, Pb were not detected. Microbial evaluation was done on the samples to assess the level of E. coli, coliforms and bacteria. The principal component analysis result extracted two components each from the three LGAs; In Oredo LGA, Factor 1 accounted for 84.9% while Factor 2 accounts for 15.1%. In Egor LGA, Factor 1 accounts for 51.1% while Factor 2 accounts for 48.9%. In Ovia North-East LGA, Factor 1 accounted for 59.0% while Factor 2 accounts for 49.0% contributions.

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