DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

In Orhionmwon Local Government Area, many residents depend on untreated surface and groundwater sources such as wells, boreholes, and rivers for drinking and domestic use. The quality of these sources had not been scientifically assessed, raising concerns about their suitability for human consumption. The area faces growing contamination from agricultural runoff, poor waste disposal. These factors can introduce harmful substances like nitrates, phosphates, and heavy metals into drinking water sources. Consuming contaminated drinking water can cause diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea, and long-term exposure to toxic metals like lead orchromium can result in neurological and kidney damage. Hence, there was a need to determine if water from these sources posed such health risks. This study assessed the physicochemical quality of drinking water from selected sources in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from five sites comprising two boreholes, two hand-dug wells, and one river. A total of twenty-three physicochemical parameters were analysed, including pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total hardness, alkalinity, and several heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Mn, Cr, etc.). Analytical methods were based on APHA standard procedures and results were compared with Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS 977:2017) and WHO permissible limits. The findings revealed that pH values across all water sources were below the acceptable range (6.5–8.5), indicating acidic water with potential for corrosiveness and metal leaching. River water showed elevated turbidity, BOD (3.8 mg/L), and COD (38.0 mg/L), suggesting organic pollution. Lead and chromium levels in the river exceeded regulatory limits, posing potential health risks. Borehole water generally exhibited the best quality, while the river was the most contaminated source. Most other parameters, including nitrate, sulphate, chloride, and iron, were within permissible limits.These results
indicate that while some water sources are suitable for consumption, others, particularly the river, require urgent intervention and treatment. The study recommends regular monitoring, pH correction, community sensitization, and infrastructure improvement to ensure the provision of safe drinking water in Orhionmwon.

Ocimum gratissimum essential oil comes from the plant, commonly called African basil or Clove basil. It is indigenous to mainly Africa. However, they have been found in other tropical and subtropical parts of the world, like Southern Asia and America (Ezeorba et al., 2024). The African basil is a perennial herb. It is woody at the base with an average height of 1–3 m, many branches, broad leaves and narrow ovate. It is a plant propagated through seed planting and stem cutting and is well-known for its aromatic nature, hence its name, “scent leaf” in Nigeria and some West African countries (Ezeorba et al., 2024). Ocimum gratissimum is known by various names in different parts of the world. In India it is known by its several vernacular names, the most commonly used ones being Vriddhutulsi
(Sanskrit), Ram tulsi (Hindi), Nimma tulasi (Kannada). In the southern part of Nigeria, the plant is called “effinrin-nla” by the Yoruba speaking tribe. It is called “Ahuji” by the Igbos, while in the Northern part of Nigeria, the Hausas call it “Daidoya” (Prabhu et al., 2009).

Access to safe drinking water remains a critical public health challenge in rural communities of Nigeria. This study assessed the microbial quality and potential health risks associated with drinking water from multiple sources in Orhionmwon Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State. A total of five water samples were collected, comprising two boreholes, two hand-dug wells, and Ikpe River Samples were analysed using the pour plate method for total heterotrophic bacterial count (THBC), total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and fungi, followed by biochemical identification of isolates. Results revealed bacterial loads ranging from 13 cfu/ml in borehole samples to 5.9 × 10³ cfu/ml in river water, exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) limit of 500 cfu/ml for drinking water. E. coli and coliforms were detected in the river and one well sample, indicating fecal contamination, while borehole water remained within permissible standards. Isolated bacterial species included Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus spp., Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., and E. coli, while fungal isolates comprised Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., and Rhodotorula spp. The presence of these organisms, particularly fecal indicators and opportunistic pathogens, underscores potential risks of waterborne infections in the area. The study highlights the need for regular microbial surveillance, improved sanitation practices, and promotion of household water treatment methods such as boiling or chlorination to ensure safe drinking water and protect community health.

Despite advancements in medical science and the availability of pharmacological interventions, diabetes mellitus remains a significant public health challenge worldwide. The soursop tree (Annona muricata L.), a tropical fruit-bearing plant, have been traditionally used in various cultures for their perceived medicinal properties. Inspite the global prevalence of diabetes mellitus, comprehensive research on the acute and sub-acute impacts of the methanol leaves extract of soursop on blood glucose levels remains scarce. Thus the aim of this experiment was to study the hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic effect of the leaves of Annona muricata on normoglycemic and streptozotocin induced diabetic white rats. The study employs diverse methods, encompassing acute toxicity assessment, normoglycemic blood sugar level evaluation, and anti-diabetic studies conducted on rats. Annona muricata L. (Soursop) extract demonstrated potential hepato-protective properties and exhibited a favorable impact on lipid profiles, notably reducing cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL concentrations. Maintaining stable blood glucose
levels is vital for metabolic equilibrium and overall health. The methanol extract of the leaves of Annona muricata were administered, indicating its safety at doses up to 5000 mg/kg and its ability to reduceblood glucose levels in normoglycemic rats, substantiating its hypoglycemic effects. In diabetic rats, the extract effectively lowered elevated blood glucose levels, similar to the effects of the standard diabetic drug Glibenclamide, suggesting its potential in the management of hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. These findings highlight the promise of methanol leaves extract of soursop as a natural dietary intervention in diabetes care, offering hope for improved glycemic control and overall well-being.

This study investigated the efficacy of mycofiltration using Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) for treating urban wastewater from drainage channels in Adolor market, Ugbowo, Benin City, Nigeria. Wastewater samples were collected, passed through a sawdust-based mycofilter colonized by P. ostreatus, and analyzed for microbial and physicochemical parameters before and after treatment. Results revealed near-complete microbial removal in treated effluent, with 91.24 100% reduction in total heterotrophic bacteria, 95.60–100% in fungi, and 100% in coliforms (p < .001). Physicochemical analysis included 93.02% BOD reduction, 89.00% COD reduction, 86.99% total nitrogen, 91.81% phosphorus, and 71.05–95.19% for heavy metals and oil/grease, with dissolved oxygen increasing by 76.19%. Treated water complied with WHO/NIS standards for all parameters except iron (0.45 mg/L > 0.3 mg/L). The use of locally sourced substrates underscores mycofiltration’s cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Findings confirm P. ostreatus mycofiltration as a viable, eco-friendly solution for urban wastewater management in resource-limited settings, supporting Sustainable Development Goal 6.

This study was conducted to investigate the reservoir quality of outcropping sediments in the Lokoja Basange Formation, which is located in the Anambra Basin and specifically determine sieve analysis and characterize the reservoir qualities of the sediments by inferring the porosity of the Lokoja Basange Formation. A total of fourteen (10) samples were collected and analyzed for the study. Freshly obtained samples for sieve analysis were systematically retrieved from different layers on each outcrop in the study area. The reservoir porosity and permeability of the sandstone units of the Lokoja Formations were estimated from sieve analysis. The predictive tools for the determination of reservoir quality of the outcropping sediments in Lokoja Basange which are porosity and textural characteristics and textural parameters of the sediments. The result showed that the mean size of sediments in all ten locations from the area of study ranges from 2.94 - 4.03mm. The highest mean was observed at L9, while the lowest mean was observed in L14. The results from Table 4.11 also showed that at locations L9, L10, L11, L12, and L13, the sediments exhibit coarse characteristics, as indicated by their relatively higher grain sizes, which exceed 2mm. The result showed that the porosity values across all locations are consistent (0.255), indicating that regardless of the variations in grain size distribution, the overall volume of void space within the sediment remains the same. It is recommended that further studies be carried out on this basin so as to determine the provenance of the sediments.

Access to clean and safe water is essential for human health and sustainable development. This study assessed the physicochemical properties of water obtained from tap, well, and river sources in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria, to evaluate their quality and suitability for domestic use. Parameters such as pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), total solids (TS), total hardness, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphate, and heavy metals (lead, chromium, and cadmium) were analyzed. Results showed that most parameters were within the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) and Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS, 2015). However, cadmium concentrations in tap and well water slightly exceeded recommended values, indicating possible contamination from waste or corroded materials. A structured Questionnaire administered to residents revealed that most residents depend on borehole water, do not treat their water and have limited awareness of contamination risks. The study therefore recommends regular monitoring, improved sanitation, and community education to ensure safe and sustainable water quality in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area

Fertility is the natural capacity to conceive a child. Some people find fertility difficult to achieve and around 17.5% of the adult population – roughly 1 in 6 people worldwide experience infertility, showing the urgent need to increase access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those in need (World Health Organization, 2023). According to the National Institute of Health (2017), Infertility is defined clinically as not being able to achieve pregnancy after 1 year of having regular, unprotected intercourse, or after 6 months if the woman in 35 years of age.

Streptozotocin is commonly used to induce experimental diabetes in animal models which has been shown to exert hemotoxic effects in addition to its β-cell cytotoxicity. This study investigates the hemomodulatory properties of a bi-herbal leaf extract prepared from Vernonia amygdalina (bitterleaf) and Alstonia boonei in STZ-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. The plants, widely used in African ethnomedicine, are known for their antidiabetic, antioxidant, and hematopoietic activities. In this experiment, diabetes was induced using intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg), after which diabetic rats were treated orally with different doses of the bi-herbal extract for 21 days. Hematological parameters such as red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV) and white blood cell (WBC) count were evaluated alongside blood glucose levels. Results showed a significant improvement in hematological indices in the extract treated groups (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) compared to untreated diabetic controls (50 mg/kg), with effects comparable to those of standard antidiabetic drugs (10 mg/kg). The observed hematological recovery may be attributed to the synergistic action of the phytochemicals (alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins) present in both V. amygdalina and A. boonei. This study provides scientific validation for the traditional use of these plants and highlights the therapeutic potential of their combined extract in managing diabetes-induced hemotoxicity.

6PPD-quinone (6PPD-Q), a transformation product of tire antioxidants, has recently emerged as a potent aquatic contaminant with significant toxicological implications. This study investigated the sublethal effects of 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-Q) on lipid metabolism in Clarias gariepinus juveniles over a 28-day exposure. Fish were exposed to 500, 1000, and 1500 μg/L of 6PPD-Q, with positive and negative controls, following OECD (2019) guidelines. Lipid profile parameters total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were analyzed to assess hepatotoxic and oxidative effects. Results (P <0.05) showed significant increases in TC and LDL-C, with concurrent reductions inHLDL-C and VLDL-C at higher concentrations, indicating oxidative stress and lipid dysregulation. Triglycerides exhibited an initial rise followed by depletion at the highest dose, suggesting disrupted β-oxidation. further mechanistic studies are recommended to elucidate the biochemical and molecular pathways affected by 6PPD-Q exposure.In conclusion, chronic 6PPD-Q exposure induced lipid imbalance and hepatocellular stress in C. gariepinus, underscoring the toxic potential of tire-derived pollutants in freshwater ecosystems