ABSTRACT
Abstract: This present investigation aims to evaluate the effect of dietary protein levels on growth performance and some blood biochemical composition of male Japanese quail. Three hundred, three week old apparently healthy male Japanese quail were used in this experiment. The birds were randomly allocated into 5 groups with 3 replicates of 20 birds for 21 days of experimental period and placed in cages, measuring 100 cm (length) x100 cm (width) x 80 cm (height). Group A was fed on diet 1 containing 18% crude protein, Group B was fed on diet 2 containing 20% crude protein, Group C was fed on diet 3 containing 22% crude protein, Group D was fed on diet 4 containing 24% crude protein and Group E was fed on diet 5containing 26% crude protein. All groups were subjected to similar management practices. Results showed that growth performance parameters significantly improved as dietary crude protein level increased. However dietary protein level beyond 22% has no beneficial effect on growth. Biochemical examination results demonstrated that the crude protein level in diet was not significantly affected the blood glucose, cholesterol, bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus and liver enzyme activities (ASAT and ALT). However, we noticed a significant effect (P<0.05) about Total protein, Albumin, Urea, Triglycerides, Creatinine and Uric acid. Despite the variation of these parameters, they remain within the normal range proposed by [28]. Therefore, dietary protein levels not affected quail health. The crude protein requirement for Japanese quail from 21 to 42 days old is 22%.

ABSTRACT
Abstract: The physico-chemical and microbiological quality of honey samples obtained from the tropical rainforest agro-ecological zone of Nigeria were investigated. There is paucity of information on the biochemical characteristics of honey produced from the rain forest zone of Nigeria; hence, the need to provide a database on the characterization of honey produced in this zone. A total of eighteen honey samples collected from this zone were analyzed for their chemical properties including moisture, ash, pH, glucose and fructose content, while the microbial population including total plate count (TPC), total coliform and the levels of spore-forming bacteria and fungi were determined. Data obtained were analyzed statistically by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), while sample means were separated with the aid of Least Significant Difference (LSD) at P ≤ 0.05 using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) package. The mean moisture content values ranged from 12.32 – 34.02 %, while the mean ash content ranged from 0.74 – 1.22 g 100 g-1. The mean pH value of 2.6 obtained from honey samples collected in Akwa Ibom was significantly very low when compared with that of 4.3 and 3.2 obtained from Edo and Bayelsa States honey samples respectively. Glucose and fructose mean values detected in honey samples also showed significant values. Four mineral elements: Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca) and Iron (Fe) were detected, but with levels varying from one place to another. Potassium (K) was the most abundant element with a mean value of 8.06 ppm obtained from Akwa Ibom honey samples. Results of microbiological characteristics showed that microbial profile were low for all microorganisms detected in honey samples produced from the tropical rainforest agro-ecological zone of Nigeria.