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Research Article
Species-Dependent Variations in the Physicochemical Properties of Bio-chips: Implications for Quality Control and Processing Optimization of Cassava
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
176-192
Received:
15 September 2025
Accepted:
30 September 2025
Published:
14 October 2025
Abstract: The systematic analysis of edible biochips provides accurate and reproducible data that supports quality assurance, safety assessment, and optimization; for utilization in food and industrial processing applications. Despite their wide deployment, limited studies have comprehensively compared the physicochemical properties of different cassava varieties using standardized analytical methods. This study focuses on the investigation of the species-dependent variations in the physicochemical properties of cassava chips. Game-Changer, Obasanjo-II, Poundable, Hope, and Baba-70 denoted as samples A, B, C, D and E respectively were oven-and-sun dried under controlled conditions. Moisture, cyanide, and physicochemical properties were modeled using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Radar plots and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for optimization. The investigation covered percentage composition of fresh and dried samples, vitamins-minerals contents, principal components, correlations matrix, nutrients radar, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) content, moisture content and fundamental chemical attributes affecting the structural integrity of the chips. Sample D exhibited the highest initial moisture content while Sample E recorded the lowest, indicating a species-dependent variation in moisture retention. Minimal cyanide content within acceptable range was achieved, which demonstrates effective detoxification under controlled conditions. Species and temperature exerted a stronger influence than time; and observation identified specie as the most critical factor. PCA revealed complex nutrient trade-offs among minerals and vitamins, while RSM indicated that balanced control of drying time and temperature, rather than extreme settings, ensures optimal moisture reduction and processing efficiency. These findings underscore the hypercritical role of species selection in post-harvest cassava processing and provide baseline data for predicting drying behavior, ensuring product safety, and optimizing processing parameters for food and industrial applications.
Abstract: The systematic analysis of edible biochips provides accurate and reproducible data that supports quality assurance, safety assessment, and optimization; for utilization in food and industrial processing applications. Despite their wide deployment, limited studies have comprehensively compared the physicochemical properties of different cassava vari...
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Research Article
Comparative Study on Graphene Aerogels Prepared by Different Methods and Their Adsorption for Organic Solvents
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
193-202
Received:
16 September 2025
Accepted:
9 October 2025
Published:
31 October 2025
Abstract: The atmospheric drying and freezing drying were utilized to prepare graphene aerogels (GAs), and the effect of the different drying methods and the key parameters on their structures and properties were comparatively investigated. Three kinds of GAs were synthesized using different reduction and drying ways. GA1 was prepared by subtly regulating the structure of the hydrogel and using an atmospheric drying, while GA2 and GA3 were prepared using a common reduction and freezing drying method. The results shows that GA1 possesses a uniform pore structure constituted by lamellar interconnected graphene oxide (GO) sheets with little of stacking texture, and it is super elastic and can restore to its original shape even after 90% strain. GA1 also has a high adsorption capacity ranging from 90.47-167.24 times of its own mass and a rapid adsorption efficiency toward organic solvents and in addition it possess excellent recyclability. The comparative study indicated that GA1 far surpasses GA2 and GA3 in performance and structure. The study on the formation mechanisms revealed that the subtly regulated structure of the hydrogel is of key importance to the atmospheric drying, and the capillary force up on this drying can be utilized to adjust its pore structure. It is the firstly attempted to investigate the roles of reduction and drying methods upon preparing GAs, and the results will be of great importance to guide the synthesis, design, structure optimization and performance improvement of GAs.
Abstract: The atmospheric drying and freezing drying were utilized to prepare graphene aerogels (GAs), and the effect of the different drying methods and the key parameters on their structures and properties were comparatively investigated. Three kinds of GAs were synthesized using different reduction and drying ways. GA1 was prepared by subtly regulating th...
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Research Article
Mapping the Impact: A Systematic Review of the Psychological and Social Repercussions of Technostress
Ahmed Alanazi*
,
Abdulmajeed Altukhys
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
203-210
Received:
24 October 2025
Accepted:
3 November 2025
Published:
9 December 2025
Abstract: Technostress, a negative psychological state arising from an inability to cope with the demands of information and communication technologies (ICTs), has become a pervasive psychosocial challenge in the digital age. This systematic review synthesizes and critically evaluates the extant literature from 2015 to 2025 to provide a comprehensive analysis of the psychological and social aftermaths of technostress. The findings robustly link specific technostress creators, such as techno-overload, techno-invasion, and techno-uncertainty, to severe psychological consequences, including heightened anxiety, clinical depression, and professional burnout. Socially, technostress erodes relational and professional boundaries, significantly increasing work-family conflict and, paradoxically, fostering social isolation despite the hyper-connected nature of modern life. However, these outcomes are not uniform across populations; they are significantly moderated by demographic factors like age, gender, and socioeconomic status, as well as critical contextual factors such as digital literacy, organizational support cultures, and individual coping mechanisms. The review concludes that effectively mitigating technostress requires a multi-level, systemic approach. This approach must integrate individual coping strategies, organizational policies that proactively protect employee boundaries, and a fundamental shift towards ethical, human-centric technology design. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to establish causality, intervention-based research to test mitigation strategies, and explore the evolving nature of technostress in the context of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and algorithmic management.
Abstract: Technostress, a negative psychological state arising from an inability to cope with the demands of information and communication technologies (ICTs), has become a pervasive psychosocial challenge in the digital age. This systematic review synthesizes and critically evaluates the extant literature from 2015 to 2025 to provide a comprehensive analysi...
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Research Article
Groundwater Contamination in Hand-Dug Wells and Its Implication on Human Skin
Adekitan Abimbola Adetoun*,
Oyewumi Johnson Olalere,
Samson Babarinde
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
211-218
Received:
3 September 2025
Accepted:
18 September 2025
Published:
17 December 2025
Abstract: Pathogenic microorganisms have been increasingly identified in untreated groundwater sources and are associated with skin infections ranging from mild rashes to invasive soft tissue infections. This study, investigates the physical, chemical and microbial quality of water sourced from hand-dug wells at Isolu, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Five wells were sampled and water parameters were analyzed. Result revealed that, the pH values were acidic and is given as (5.72–6.05), temperatures was moderate with a value of (27°C), Total Dissolved Solids ranged from (TDS 338–562 mg/L), and Electrical Conductivity (180–290 µS/cm), all of which create favorable conditions for microbial survival and proliferation. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) values ranged from (0.15–2.6 mg/L), and exceeded WHO, 2022 guideline for drinking water, while Dissolved Oxygen (DO) ranged from (2.55–3.75) mg/L, suggesting organic pollution in the water samples. The value of Total hardness obtained was (114–222 mg/L) and calcium concentrations (50–148 mg/L) which exceeded the recommended thresholds. The microbial result showed that Escherichia coli was absent, but total bacterial count and total coliform counts exceeded WHO permissible limits, indicating serious groundwater contamination. Also, One Hundred well-structured questionnaire was also administered, and result revealed that, 95% had experienced at least one water-related illness within the past six months, with rashes (40%) and itching (30%) being the most prevalent skin conditions. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive relationship of (ρ = 0.949, p = 0.014) between bacterial load and the frequency of reported skin infections. Thus there is a link between the deteriorating conditions of the groundwater quality of hand-dug well around the community which poses dermatological health issues. Therefore, there is an urgent need for improved well protection and hygiene in the study area, in order to prevent infection that occurs as a result of using contaminated water.
Abstract: Pathogenic microorganisms have been increasingly identified in untreated groundwater sources and are associated with skin infections ranging from mild rashes to invasive soft tissue infections. This study, investigates the physical, chemical and microbial quality of water sourced from hand-dug wells at Isolu, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun Sta...
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Research Article
Supplemental Irrigation Water Management Using Rainwater Harvesting Basin for Improving Soil Fertility, Maize Yield and Water Productivity in Semi-arid Climate of Burkina Faso
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
219-231
Received:
29 October 2025
Accepted:
27 November 2025
Published:
31 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajasr.20251104.15
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Last decades, rainwater harvesting basins are promoted in Burkina Faso for securing rain-fed agriculture. However, sustainable water management is highly desired and crucial for agriculture in erratic climatic conditions exacerbated by soil degradation. In order to pinpoint suitable water depth optimizing sustainably land and water productivity while improving and/or maintaining soil fertility, an experiment was implemented in Gomtoaga village at Koubri district during two consecutive rain-fed cropping seasons (2023 and 2024). The study tested three irrigation water depths (D50%, D75% and D100%), representing 50%, 75% and 100% of the maize crop evapotranspiration (ETc), against a control of D0% through a randomized complete block design in three replications. The compost was applied at a rate of 7.5 t/ha during tillage and fertilizer NPK (14:23:14) and urea (46%) were applied respectively 15th and 50th days after transplanting. Irrigation was applied at two days interval in case of no rain. When rain occurred, irrigation was postponed to the following interval. The results revealed that soil chemical properties were not significantly affected by water fluctuation. No change was observed in pH, organic matter (%), C (%), N (%), P (mg/kg), K (mg/kg) and the ratio C/N in water treatments when compared to D0%. While the application of 100% ETc improved microbial biomass from 50%, the water level of 75% Etc increased the release of CO2 from almost 99%. The optimal water depth (D50%) exhibited the highest yield (≈ 5957 kg/ha) with an increase of 24% compared to other treatments resulting in the highest water productivity (17 kg/m3) and the lowest irrigation cost (111 f cfa/kg of maize). We advocate farmers could adopt the compromise supplemental water level of 50% of ETc in rain-fed maize system as a water-wise tactic to secure sustainably the production when collecting rainwater surmounting drought spells in dry prone area.
Abstract: Last decades, rainwater harvesting basins are promoted in Burkina Faso for securing rain-fed agriculture. However, sustainable water management is highly desired and crucial for agriculture in erratic climatic conditions exacerbated by soil degradation. In order to pinpoint suitable water depth optimizing sustainably land and water productivity whi...
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