FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCE

Heavy metal contamination poses significant ecological and health risks in aquatic ecosystems due to its persistence and bioaccumulation potential. This study assesses heavy metal contamination in Brycinus macrolepidotus from the Ovia River, Nigeria, using non-invasive techniques. Iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) levels were examined in muscle tissues, caudal fins, and scales. The research begins with an in-depth background study emphasizing the
environmental and health implications of heavy metal contamination. Non-invasive techniques are prioritized to accurately assess contamination levels while minimizing harm to fish populations. Ovia River, chosen for its freshwater ecosystem supporting diverse aquatic life and human activities, serves as the study area, with sampling locations representing both upstream and downstream conditions affected by various human activities. Sample collection involved careful handling of Brycinus macrolepidotus specimens to preserve their physiological state. Noninvasive methods collected muscle tissue, caudal fin clips, and scales for heavy metal analysis, ensuring minimal harm to the fish. Results reveal varying heavy metal concentrations, predominantly iron and zinc, in different fish tissues. Non-invasive techniques effectively assessed contamination levels, providing insights crucial for environmental monitoring and conservation efforts.

Heavy metal contamination, particularly lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) pollution, poses significant challenges to agricultural productivity and plant health. In this study, Corchorus olitorius was grown in soils treated with different concentrations of lead nitrate and cadmium chloride solutions. The heavy metal treatments applied were 50 and 100 ppm Cd; and 100 and 200 ppm Pb. The application of heavy metal solution was carried out eight times and these concentrations were chosen based on literature. The experiment was conducted as a field potted study. Each treatment was replicated four times. Field data were recorded for germination, which includes; plant height, stem girth, and number of leaves produced per plant. Biochemical analyses for chlorophyll, carotenoids and lycopene contents were also done. Spectral indices for stress in plants were carried out spectrophotometrically by scanning leaf extracts using 200 – 900nm wavelengths. Findings from this study shows that cadmium and lead pollution on jute plant induced faster and higher mean germination percentage of 58.75% with moderate concentration
of cadmium treatment (50ppm), compared to the control treatments which had a slower and a
low mean percentage germination of 26.8%. In terms of mean plant height, plants grown in
200ppm of lead nitrate had the highest plant height which measured 49.00cm compared to
control which had plant height of 40.50cm, while 50ppm cadmium had the least mean plant
height of 27.75cm, which were observed nine weeks after planting. Spectrophotometric analysis
was done, which indicated that the plants had a weak absorption of green wavelengths, but a
stronger absorbance range was observed in 200-400 nanometers (nm). Cadmium 50ppm had the
highest chlorophyll concentration while the least was observed with 100ppm lead. Findings from
the study concluded that heavy metals may enhance the growth of the plant but further research
should be carried out to evaluate the prolonged effects of heavy metal stress on the plant.

This study evaluated the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of major drinking water sources in Amufi Community, Edo State, Nigeria, as well as household access and health outcome perceptions. Fifteen water samples were collected from boreholes, tap water, rainwater, and streams, while 220 households participated in a structured questionnaire survey. Laboratory analyses followed APHA (2017) standard procedures, and results were compared with WHO (2017) and NSDWQ (2007) guidelines. Eight key parameters were measured, including pH, TSS, Na, NO₃⁻, Ca, Fe, EC, and TDS. Results showed that groundwater pH ranged from 4.71 to 5.82, falling below the WHO acceptable range of 6.5–8.5, while surface water from streams was neutral to slightly alkaline (8.00–8.27). Nitrate levels were critically high across all samples (42.36–81.20 mg/L), exceeding the 50 mg/L limit. Microbiological results revealed that 73% of samples had heterotrophic plate counts above 100 CFU/mL, with the highest co tamination in streams and some boreholes. Coliform bacteria were detected in 60% of samples, and isolates identified included Shigella spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Corynebacterium spp. Household data indicated that 59.3% relied on tap water and 36.0% on boreholes, with only 42.9% treating water before use, mostly by boiling. Waterborne diseases were reported by 36% of respondents, mainly typhoid and diarrhoea. The study concludes that most drinking water sources in Amufi are unsafe for consumption, highlighting the urgent need for improved treatment, sanitation, and continuous monitoring to protect public health.

Medicinal plants are presently in demand, and their acceptance is increasing progressively; hence, plants with ethnomedicinal values are currently screened for their therapeutic potential and safety profile. This study evaluated the effects of a polyherbal-formulated tea (Ageratum conyzoides, Anthocleista djalonensis, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, and Thespesia garckeana) on atherogenic diet-induced hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis in male albino Wistar rats. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups of five: group 1 as normal control, group 2 as cholesterol control, groups 3 and 4 received polyherbal tea at 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 a cholesterol diet were given orally for 28 days. The results indicated that polyherbal tea at both doses of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg prevented weight gain and reduced organ-to-body weight ratios when compared to the cholesterol control (P < 0.05). Polyherbal tea treatment decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels, while elevating high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (P < 0.05). Polyherbal tea had a reduction in aortic wall thickness and ALT and AST levels compared to the cholesterol control (p<0.05). Histological examination revealed normal aortic and hepatic features in treated groups compared with the cholesterol control. In conclusion, the polyherbal-formulated tea demonstrated antihyperlipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, and hepatoprotective properties and may reduce cardiovascular risk

This research work evaluated the geospatial data need for the design of a good road profile using Global navigation satellite system as a tool that will serve the purpose of safety, capacity and aesthetics considerations Before getting the geospatial for the geometric design of the study area, thorough survey of the site was carried out using the dumping level to obtain the coordinate of the point along the study area, The GNSS was used to obtain the geospatial data of the study area, The design consideration includes: the composition of the traffic, the speed and the management of accessible road. Based on the use, the offset from both sides of the road is determined from the centerline point where the road will be placed. A road offset of 2.85 meters results from the carriageway width of 6.5 meters for the Police station road. A 1.75m-wide shoulder was made available to use as a parking lane, walkway, and covered drain. Ample care was made in the plot to prevent any road segments from crossing in the university of Aerial photography or remote sensing data obtained from space satellites that depict a graphical perspective of the land region are other significant design aids employed for this project. Geospatial data are designed to uniquely specify the positions of features on the earth's surface Geospatial data must be acquired in order to plan, construction, and manage the mad infrastructure, which is vital to humans use. These data come from a variety of sources, BNH including aerial photos, topographic maps, satellite images, and hand-drawn maps. For the collection, processing, and display of geographic data, optimal techniques are applied, which result in significant time and financial savings.

The natural ripening process of fruit involves a series of physical and chemical transformations, leading to sweetness, coloration, softness, and enhanced taste. This research aimed to explore the impacts of two ripening methods on the nutritional value, namely; calcium carbide and woodash, on orange. Freshly plucked green matured oranges were used for the determination of proximate analysis and mineral content (potassium (k), phosphorus (p), calcium(Ca), sodium(Na). Calcium carbide had the highest Ca, Mg, P, Na (111.10 mg/100g, 108.25mg/100g, 50.05mg/100g and 50.30mg/100g respectively and also shows significant differences between the two ripening methods based on the contents respectively. The results of the study showed that
using calcium carbide as a ripening agent significantly reduced the nutrients in the fruit. Because of itspossible effects on nutritional quality, ash has been used as a preservative in food preservation. Thestudy evaluates changes in important nutritional characteristics such vitamins, minerals, and antioxidantsusing analytical techniques, such as nutritional analysis with untreated oranges. The results shed light onthe effectiveness of ash as a preservative and how it affects oranges' nutritional value.

Kigelia africana, commonly known as the sausage tree, is a plant widely recognized for its medicinal properties in various traditional medicine systems across Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of total flavonoid Rich Extract (FRE) on membrane stabilization and the hematological property of the rat. The study was carried out in Wister rats exposed to Carrageenan for 24 hours. The membrane stabilizing effect of the Flavonoid Rich Extract was evaluated using the Human Red Blood Cell (HRBC) membrane stabilizing method. The Flavonoids Rich Extract fraction in heated induced hemolysis and hypotonic solution of HRBC as against the standard (aspirin) in wastar rats. The total Flavonoids Rich Extract has shown protection against hemolysis of human red blood cells either through heatinduced or hypertonicity, that is it can be used for the management of in-vitro inflammation. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the total flavonoids extract from the plant Kigelia africana was assessed using the in vivo hypoglycemic (anticancer) and antineoplastic (antitumor) activities of the extracts. The results showed a significant decrease (p > 0.05) in the White Blood Cells (WBC) of carrageenans only treated rat, carrageeenans and sodium diclofenac treated rats, and a significantly increase in it WBC of rats treated with Carrageenenan and Quercetin, Carrageenans and Flavonoids Rich Extract (100 mg/kg body wt.), and Carrageenans and Flavonoids Rich Extract (200 mg/kg body wt.), when compared to the control group

This study examined the diversity and distribution of gecko species within the newly constructed Danjuma Hostel, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ugbowo Campus, Edo State, Nigeria. The survey was conducted from August to October 2025 to determine how quickly Hemidactylus species establish in modern human dwellings. Visual encounter surveys were carried out during both day and night, focusing on walls, ceilings, corridors, and nearby vegetation. A total of 18 geckos were recorded, comprising Hemidactylus mabouia (10 individuals, 55.6%) and Hemidactylus angulatus (8 individuals, 44.4%). Despite the hostel’s recent construction, both species displayed remarkable adaptability, indicating early colonization facilitated by artificial lighting, insect availability, and microhabitat conditions. H. mabouia was predominantly observed in light-exposed areas, while H. angulatus occupied more secluded and shaded sections, suggesting niche differentiation within a shared environment. These findings reveal that ecological succession in human structures can occur much faster than previously assumed, particularly among synanthropic reptiles. The presence of both species in near-equal proportions implies a balanced micro-ecosystem, where competition and resource partitioning allow coexistence. Beyond its local significance, this study underscores the broader ecological principle that nature wastes no opportunity to reclaim and inhabit newly available niches, even those fashioned by human hands

A survey was conducted in the month of August, 2023 in order to investigate the foodand feeding habit of Sclerophrys maculata in Okomu Rubber Plantation in Ovia South -West, Edo State, Nigeria. The study was carried out in order to contribute to the available information on the food and feeding habit of the Sclerophrys maculata. The specimens examined were captured at night using visual and acoustic encounter sampling techniques among grasses while they were out to feed or mate. The anurans were euthanized by exposing them to chloroform in a killing jar and then injected through the peritoneum with 10% formalin to preserve the stomach content and then stored in a bottle filled with 10% formalin. A total of nine Sclerophrys maculata comprising of 3 males and 6 females, were examined for their dietary content. Analysis of the prey items recovered from the stomach of the species showed the occurrence of three prey item categories: Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Blattodea. Hymenoptera was the most abundant preyitemsaccounting for 92.16% while other prey items were Coleoptera (3.92%) and Blattodea (3.92%). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the feeding rate of both male and female specimens. The high prey abundance of Hymenopterans recovered from the toads confirmed the description that they are sit-and-wait feeders and myrmecophagous specialists but may opportunistically feed on other prey items.

Different types of mushrooms, such as Marasmiellus inoderma, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Ganoderma lucidum, from the families Marasmieceae, Pleurotaceae, and Ganodermataceae respectively, are exceedingly adaptable and may offer health advantages. Additionally, they create mushroom powder, a healthy, gluten-free substitute for traditional wheat flour that emphasizes its culinary uses and environmental benefits. The discussion then moves to a study that aims to increase dietary fiber, improve flavor and scent, and enrich bread with nutritional content of mushroom while investigating potential health advantages and encouraging culinary innovation. The ultimate goal of this study is to maximize the production of mushroom bread and determine whether it can be produced economically while still satisfying consumer demand. It also include determining how different mushroom types affect flavor and acceptability, lowering the amount of sugar in bread, finding the ideal ratios for mushroom powder, evaluating the effects of processing methods, analysing nutritional value and health benefits, and assessing shelf life and consumer perceptions. The mushroom powder which was processed by dehydration was added in different percentage and levels to bread flour which is then used to make bread. The bread is to be made delicious, in wheat bread style, reduced sugar content and have an original mushroom taste. It was done by measuring ingredients, mixing and kneading into a dough, proofing, baking and cooling off completely. The proximate was determined with content of moisture 25.10%, fibre 0.53%, fat 22.23%, ash 1.70%, dry matter 74.93%, protein 9.99% and carbohydrate 40.45%. Palatability test and mold analysis was carried out to determine consumer acceptance and determine the shelf life of the bread. This study infuses biotechnology into baking and vice versa