DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

This study integrates sedimentological and foraminifera analyses of five (5) ditch-cutting samples obtained at 60 ft intervals from depths 11,550 ft to 11,790 ft in the MF-3 Well, located within the Niger Delta Basin. The investigation aimed to study the sedimentology and foraminifera abundance patterns in the well and objectively interpret the lithologic characteristics, foraminifera diversity and abundance, age and depositional environments of the studied interval. Standard sedimentological and micropaleontological techniques were employed to process and examine the samples. Sedimentologic characteristics were determined based on textural parameters such as grain size, lithology, lithofacies, color, angularity, roundness and sorting . Each 20 g sample was soaked, washed, sieved, dried, and examined under a binocular stereo microscope for foraminifera identification and quantitative assessment. The sedimentological analysis revealed intercalating shalysand lithofacies, one (1) lithofacie unit . One (1) hydrocarbon play element (reservoir rock) was delinated in the well section. The associated minerals delineated in the well includes Iron oxide (heamatite), mica, quartz, feldspar, and tourmaline. The shaly sands are fine to medium-grained, moderately sorted, and quartz-rich, organic indicating marine incursions. The foraminifera analysis recovered the following species Hanzawaia strattonii, Ammonia beccarii, Haplophragmoides narivaensis, Cibicorbisinflata, Bolivina scalprata miocenica, Heterolepa pseudungeriana, Spirosigmoilina oligocaenica, Bathysiphon sp, Florilus costiferum (Nonion 4 sp), Trochammina sp, Epistominella vitrea, Valvulineria sp and Uvigerina subperegrina. A Middle to Late Miocene age and paralic to open shallow-marine (inner neritic) paleoenvironments of deposition was assigned to the studied well section

This study investigated the hydrogeological evaluation of borehole water contamination near a
solid waste dumpsite in Iyowa, Benin City, Nigeria. The aim was to assess how dumpsite
leachate affects groundwater quality by examining physicochemical, microbiological, and heavy
metal parameters. Five borehole samples were collected at varying elevations and distances
around the dumpsite (coordinates: 6°27′29″N–6°27′44″N, 5°36′10″E–5°36′37″E) using GPS
mapping and WHO-recommended sampling procedures. Laboratory analyses covered pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, and selected metals (Pb, Fe, Cr, Zn) determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
(AAS), alongside microbial tests for total coliforms and E. coli. The results (Tables 4.1–4.3, Figures 1–2) showed acidic groundwater (pH 5.19–6.14) below WHO limits (6.5–8.5), with low
alkalinity (4–6 mg/L) and elevated metal concentrations: Pb (0.106–0.428 mg/L), Fe (2.98–7.51
mg/L), and Cr (0.37–3.87 mg/L), all exceeding the permissible limits of 0.01, 0.3, and 0.05 mg/L
respectively. Potassium spiked at 55.8 mg/L in the borehole closest to the dumpsite (Sample 2), indicating direct leachate influence. Microbial tests showed absence of coliforms and E. coli, but
minor heterotrophic bacteria (1 CFU/mL). Overall, the acidic and metal-enriched groundwater
reveals significant leachate intrusion linked to dumpsite proximity, making the borehole water
unsafe for domestic consumption without treatment. The findings highlight the need for
controlled waste disposal, borehole siting regulation, and continuous groundwater monitoring in
Iyowa

Rice (Orysa sativa) is still one of the most important staple foods in the world, and it is very important for Nigeria's food security, economy, and nutrition. Even though Nigeria has good weather for growing rice, a lot of people still depend on imported rice because they think it is better in terms of quality, taste, and processing standards. This study concentrated on the proximate analysis of both local and imported rice varieties, specifically highlighting Ekpoma local rice. The various nutritional composition: moisture, ash, crude protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates were determined using set standard and their quality characteristics were compared. The results showed that the rice samples were very different from each other. Ekpoma local rice had considerable amounts of carbohydrates and protein, which means it could be good for you and safe to eat. The differences seen between local and foreign rice varieties were mostly due to differences in how they were milled, how well they were processed, and the conditions in which they were grown. The study shows that Nigerian local rice varieties, especially Ekpoma rice, are very nutritious and possess all the relevant nutrients for general body function and doesn’t pose threat.

Plants continue to play a vital role in healthcare, with around 11% of the World Health Organization's essential medicines derived from botanical sources. Combining two or more herbs can provide various health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of polyherbal-formulated teas comprising Anthocleista djalonensis, Musa paradisiaca, Curcuma longa, Mucuna pruriens, and Thespesia garckeana on haematological indices in Wistar rats with hyperlipidaemia induced by an atherogenic diet. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups of five: group 1 served as the normal control, group 2 as the cholesterol control, groups 3 and 4 received polyherbal tea at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively, and group 5 was treated with atorvastatin (5 mg/kg). Hyperlipidaemia was induced in groups 2 to 5 by administering 10 mg/kg of 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid. Treatments and the cholesterol diet were given orally for 28 days. Blood samples were collected and analysed using a haematology autoanalyzer. The polyherbal-formulated tea at both 20 and 40 mg/kg doses significantly reduced platelet counts compared to the cholesterol control group (p < 0.01), while other haematological parameters remained unaffected (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that the polyherbal tea may have antiplatelet and cardioprotective properties.

This Research focused on the isolation and characterization of bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus sp. isolated from nunu, a traditionally fermented milk beverage, and its antimicrobial effect against Escherichia coli. Samples of nunu were collected from local markets in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, and analyzed in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology Microbiology Laboratory. The isolate was cultured on de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) agar and identified through morphological and biochemical characterization. The isolates were Gram-positive, catalase-negative, and capable of fermenting lactose, galactose, and fructose, confirming them as Lactobacillus sp.. Bacteriocin production was screened using the agar well diffusion method, with E. coli as the test organism. Clear zones of inhibition (ZOI) were observed, indicating the production of antimicrobial compounds. The bacteriocin extract was neutralized to pH 7.41 to eliminate the effects of organic acids and partially purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation (60% saturation) followed by dialysis. The purified extract was further characterized using High- Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), which revealed distinct peaks corresponding to bacteriocin fractions. The antimicrobial assay showed that the bacteriocin exhibited inhibitory activity against E. coli, suggesting its potential as a natural bio preservative in perishable food products such as tomato. The findings indicate that bacteriocin from Lactobacillus sp. in nunu can serve as safe and effective alternatives to chemical preservatives and synthetic antibiotics, thereby contributing to improved food safety and public health.

This study investigated the anticoagulant activity of a heparin-like compound extracted from crude palm oil and compared its biochemical effects with standard sodium heparin and EDTA using bovine blood samples stored for seven days. Fresh bovine blood (50 mL) was collected into pre￾dosed containers with each anticoagulant, centrifuged to obtain plasma, and analyzed on days 1, 3, and 7 respectively using standard spectrophotometric methods: Reitman-Frankel for transaminases, King-Armstrong for ALP, biuret for total protein, BCG for albumin, and Jendrassik￾Grof for bilirubin. The plant-derived isolate was obtained through alkaline saponification, ethanol precipitation, and chloroform bleaching, and its anticoagulant concentration was determined as 0.0006 mg/mL using Howell’s clotting time assay, showing potency comparable to heparin (0.002 mg/mL). Enzymatic analysis revealed that alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values ranged from 259.00 xiv ± 1.07 – 252.50 ± 0.50 IU/L for the isolate, 254.20 ± 0.67 – 249.40 ± 0.55 IU/L for heparin, and 234.00 ± 0.51 – 229.80 ± 0.45 IU/L for EDTA. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels ranged from 78.93 ± 0.04 – 76.00 ± 0.30 IU/L for the isolate, 95.92 ± 0.10 – 91.80 ± 0.55 IU/L for heparin, and 80.30 ± 0.24 – 75.60 ± 0.67 IU/L for EDTA. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ranged from 85.78 ± 0.20 – 92.20 ± 0.44 IU/L for the isolate, 70.40 ± 0.68 – 280.40 ± 0.34 IU/L for heparin, and 67.50 ± 0.51 – 250.30 ± 0.32 IU/L for EDTA. Total protein ranged from 5.90 ± 0.10 – 5.60 ± 0.10 g/dL for the isolate, 5.60 ± 0.10 – 5.40 ± 0.14 g/dL for heparin, and 5.10 ± 0.10 – 4.90 ± 0.12 g/dL for EDTA. Albumin levels were 5.89 ± 0.08 – 5.56 ± 0.11 g/dL for the isolate, 5.56 ± 0.11 – 5.40 ± 0.14 g/dL for heparin, and 5.40 ± 0.14 – 5.20 ± 0.10 g/dL for EDTA, while globulin ranged from 4.00 ± 0.10 – 3.80 ± 0.09 g/dL for the isolate, 3.80 ± 0.09 – 3.60 ± 0.12 g/dL for heparin, and 3.50 ± 0.08 – 3.20 ± 0.11 g/dL for EDTA. Conjugated bilirubin ranged from 1.392 ± 0.01 – 1.280 ± 0.02 mg/dL (isolate), 1.222 ± 0.02 – 1.100 ± 0.03 mg/dL (heparin), and 0.952 ± 0.01 – 0.900 ± 0.02 mg/dL (EDTA). The plant-derived heparin-like isolate showed effective anticoagulant activity, however, improvements in sample handling are required for better results

This study scientifically validated the traditional therapeutic use of Allium sativum by comparing the extraction yield, phytochemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and antioxidant potential of aqueous and ethanol extracts. Although the aqueousss extract
produced a higher yield (22.87%) than the ethanol extract (14%), biological activity was greater in the ethanol extract, highlighting the importance of solvent polarity in selectively extracting bioactive compounds. Both extracts showed concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial and fungal isolates, with greater susceptibility observed in Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans; however, the ethanol extract demonstrated superior efficacy, supported by lower Minimun Inhibitory Concentrattion(MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration(MBC), and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration(MFC) values.
Antioxidant assays 2,2 – diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power(FRAP) revealed significant activity in both extracts, with the ethanol extract exhibiting higher ssradical scavenging ability and reducing power than the aqueous extract. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses confirmed the presence of key secondary metabolites, particularly phenolics and flavonoids, which were more abundant in the ethanol extract and strongly associated with enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Overall, despite its lower extraction yield, the ethanol extract of A. sativum showed greater biological
potency, providing strong scientific support for the medicinal use of garlic and its potential application in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development.

Anthocleista grandiflora has a history of traditional herbal use and has been reported to possess a wide range of therapeutic properties. This current study aimed to explore the effect of chronic administration of a methanol seed extract of Anthocleista grandiflora on the biochemical indicators of renal function in male rats. For this study, twenty male rats were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of five rats. The extract was administered orally at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of body weight for a duration of 28 days. The kidney was harvested and processed histologically and blood samples were taken for biochemical assays. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA with Graph Pad Prism. The findings revealed that there were no significant differences in the sum of the means of all the parameters measured across the groups (P>0.05) when compared with control. Based on the absence of elevated urea and creatinine levels in the blood and the absence of any abnormalities in the histological examination of kidney tissues across all treatment groups, it can be inferred that Anthocleista grandiflora, administered at varying doses over a four-week period, does not appear to have any adverse effects on kidney function.

The study investigated the immunomodulatory effect of a biherbal formulation consisting of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Ocimum gratissimum in Wistar albino rats. The plants were collected, air-dried, powdered, and extracted with methanol. Twenty-five healthy rats were divided into five groups: control, two extract-treated groups (50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg), a positive control (Vitamin C 50 mg/kg), and a negative control (Cyclophosphamide 30 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for seven days prior to immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Immunomodulatory activity was assessed using delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), hemagglutination antibody titer, total and differential leukocyte counts, CD4 T-cell count, and organ weight indices. Results showed that the biherbal formulation significantly (p < 0.05) increased body weight, thymus and spleen indices, total white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils compared to the control. Serum protein, hemoglobin, and albumin
globulin ratio were also elevated, while Cyclophosphamide markedly reduced these parameters. The extract enhanced CD4⁺ T-cell and B-cell populations, indicating stimulation of both humoral and cellular immune responses. Additionally, the formulation reduced paw edema in DTH assay, demonstrating anti-inflammatory potential. The methanolic extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Ocimum gratissimum possesses potent immunomodulatory properties, acting as both an immunostimulant and an anti-inflammatory agent. These findings provide scientific evidence supporting its traditional use and suggest that the formulation may serve as a natural, affordable alternative for immune enhancement and regulation

Traditional medicine encompasses manual therapies, exercises, and spiritual therapies in addition to medical therapies, theories, and practices that involve medications derived from plants, animals, and minerals. This investigation aims to assess the ability of Azanza garckeana in treating diarrhea in Swiss mice. Castor oil-induced diarrhea and gastrointestinal transit models in mice were used to assess the antidiarrheal effects of various dosages of the plant extract (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg). According to the study’s findings, the extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced both the frequency of wet feces being defecated and the amount of feces produced overall when compared to the control group. In comparison to the untreated control, the extract triggered a substantial (p < 0.05) antimotility activity at higher doses. In conclusion, this study validated the ethnomedicinal report of Azanza garckeana as an efficacious anti-diarrhoea property, thereby required further study for compound elucidation and evaluation