FACULTY LIFE SCIENCE

A total of thirty (30) female Agama lizards were investigated to determine their diet. They were obtained from the Faculty of Life Sciences University of Benin, halls of residence and the University of Benin Food court. Specimens were collected between
the hours of 8-10am when they are not so active and easier to catch. The standard stomach flushing method was used in obtaining the contents of their stomach after which they were poured into a test tube with 10ml formalin added as preservative before it was taken for identification. A magnifying lens and microscope were used to identify micro and macro organisms respectively. Results from the investigation carried out shows the recorded prey categories in the stomach contents of Agama to be Orthoptera (n=13), Coleoptera (n=2), Diptera (n=38), Hymenoptera(n=17), Dictyoptera (n=3), Aranae (n=2) and Lepidoptera (n=1). The highest population was present in Diptera and lowest o in Lepidoptera. The results also showed high diversity in diptera which suggest that the Agama species is mainly insectivorous. Additional research needs to be carried out to further understand the in depth feeding habit of Agama in relation to seasons and how it helps them adjust to new habitats as this well help protect and conserve the Agama species in the ecosystem.

Heavy metal contamination of freshwater bodies poses a significant environmental and public health concern, particularly in urban regions with increasing anthropogenic activities. This study aimed to evaluate the concentrations and health risks of selected heavy metals in the Ogba River, Benin City, Nigeria. Water samples were collected across three locations (upstream, midstream, and downstream) over three months to assess both spatial and temporal variations. The samples were analyzed for copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), and cadmium (Cd) using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The data were analysed using SPSS version 22, and descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA were employed to assess variations, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results revealed that Ogba River water showed elevated levels of Cr, Ni, Pb, Mn, and Cd, often exceeding WHO and, in some cases, NESREA permissible limits, while Cu remained within safe limits. Children had higher Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) values than adults. Hazard Quotient (HQ) indicated low risk for Cu, Ni, and Mn, but potential non-carcinogenic risk from Cr, Cd, and Pb. Combined Hazard Index (HI) exceeded 1 at all stations, with children more vulnerable. Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) for Cr, Cd, and Pb surpassed USEPA limits, with Cr posing the highest cancer risk. In conclusion, Ogba River is contaminated with heavy metals exceeding safe limits and posing health risks, particularly to children. Immediate monitoring and pollution control are needed to protect human health and the river ecosystem

Inflammation is a fundamental biological response of the immune system that protects the body against harmful stimuli but can lead to pathological conditions when prolonged or uncontrolled. Current anti-inflammatory therapies, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are effective but associated with side effects, prompting the need for alternative remedies from natural sources. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extract of Dioscorea alata (water yam) on experimentally induced paw edema in albino mice. Fresh tubers of Dioscorea alata were collected, processed, and extracted with ethanol. Sixty albino mice were used and divided into three (3) groups for acute and chronic inflammation models induced by carrageenan, egg albumin, and formaldehyde. Test groups received oral doses of Dioscorea alata extract (20
mg/kg and 250 mg/kg), while negative and positive controls received normal saline and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) as a standard drug respectively. Paw volume was measured at specified time intervals, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The results revealed that Dioscorea alata extract significantly reduced paw edema across all
models in a dose-dependent manner, with higher doses exhibiting comparable effects to indomethacin. Both acute and chronic inflammation models demonstrated notable antiinflammatory activity, suggesting the presence of bioactive phytochemicals such as saponins, phenolic compounds, and diosgenin. Importantly, no mortality was observed among the treated animals. This study concludes that ethanol extract of Dioscorea alata possesses significant antiinflammatory properties, supporting its traditional use in the management of inflammatory conditions. It is recommended that further studies, including isolation of active compounds and clinical evaluations, be conducted to validate its therapeutic potential.

This study assessed how the siting of on-site sanitation facilities influences the chemical andmicrobial quality of artesian well water in Ikpoba slope area, Benin City. Eight wells (samplelocations 1–8) were examined, with separation distances ranging from 7.0 meters (locations1and 2) to 15.7 meters (location 4) from nearby sanitation facilities. These distances werecompared with the 15 meters minimum standard recommended by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). In-situ parameters were takenusing a multi-parameter meter. The results showed that all water samples were acidic, withpHvalues ranging from 4.77 ± 0.03 (location 6) to 6.45± 0.02 (location 3) andotherphysicochemical parameters such as electrical conductivity (13.67±0.58 µS/cmat location3to697.00 ± 2.65 µS/cm at location 5 ), total dissolved solids (6.67±0.58 mg/L at location3to345.00 ± 1.00 mg/L at location 4), nitrate (0.25±0.03 mg/L at location 2 to 0.87 mg/Lat location8), and total ammonia nitrogen (0.20 ± 0.00 mg/L at location 4 to 1.10 ± 0.01 mg/Llocation6)were within National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agencypermissible limits. Microbial analysis using the membrane filtration technique revealed that halfof the samples contained fecal coliforms, ranging from 6.67 × 10⁴ ± 2.89 CFU/100 mL(location4 and 7) to 26.7×10⁴ ± 2.89 CFU/100 mL (location 5), and total coliformcounts rangingfrom6.67 × 10⁴ ± 2.89 CFU/100 mL (location 7) to 28.5 × 10⁴ ± 0.45 CFU/100 mL(location5). Elevated microbial loads were recorded at sites where sanitation systems were located within5–15 m of wells, suggesting infiltration of fecal waste and increased risk of waterborne diseases.

Fresh vegetables such as green peas and carrots are important components of the humandiet but are highly susceptible to microbial contamination, posing significant public healthrisks. This study aimed to assess the microbial contamination of these vegetables sold inlocal markets in Benin City, Nigeria, focusing on the isolation and identification of bacteria, theevaluation of their prevalence, and the assessment of antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Atotal of 20 vegetable samples were collected from New Benin, Adolor, and Ring Road markets. Standard microbiological techniques were employed for bacterial isolation and identification, while the disc diffusion method was used for antibiotic susceptibility testing. The results revealed high bacterial loads, with Ring Road Market samples showingthehighest total heterotrophic bacterial counts (265 ± 77.78 CFU/g for green peas and115±12.73 CFU/g for carrots), suggesting poor hygiene and handling practices. The bacteriaisolated included Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Staphylococcus aureus, andBacillus sp. E. coli had the highest prevalence in carrots (50%), while S. aureus was most prevalent in green peas (40%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed multidrug resistance, with many isolates resistant to colistin, erythromycin, tetracycline, metronidazole, andclindamycin. However, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin remained effective against most isolates. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved food safety practices, strict regulationof antibiotic use in agriculture, and regular microbial monitoring to reduce the risksoffoodborne illnesses and the spread of antimicrobial resistance in fresh produce.09121662458

Typhoid fever remains a significant public health concern in developing countries, particularly among adolescents who are highly exposed to poor sanitation and unsafe water sources. Typhoid fever is a systemic infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, transmitted primarily through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces or urine of infected persons. This study examined the prevalence of typhoid fever among teenagers in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for data analysis. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents demonstrated a high level of knowledge about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of typhoid fever. However, the prevalence of typhoid fever among teenagers was considerably high, as over 60% reported having contracted the disease at least once. Preventive practices such as regular handwashing, proper waste disposal, and consumption of treated water were moderately observed, though vaccination uptake remained low. Statistical analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between knowledge level and preventive practices, implying that improved awareness enhances health behavior among teenagers. The study concludes that while knowledge of typhoid fever is relatively high, poor sanitation and inconsistent preventive measures contribute to its continued prevalence

Enantia chlorantha and Nauclea latifolia are plants utilized as traditional medicine in Nigeriaforthe treatment of malaria. Enantia chlorantha is able to confer antiplasmodial activity in vitrodueto the fact that it possesses protoberberine alkaloids and flavonoids. In this experimental research, a hydroethanol extract was obtained from the barks of Enantia chlorantha and Nauclea latifolia. For the antimalarial study, twenty-five male Swiss albino mice weighing an average of 22g, were randomly distributed into 5 groups labelled; group 1; Negative control (NC) which receivednormal saline after infection, group 2; positive control (PC) which had infected micethat received 25 mg/kg chloroquine after infection, group 3 which received 50 mg/kg body weight ofBHE batch 4_A after infection, Group 4 which received 100 mg/kg body weight of BHEbatch4_B after infection and group 5 which received 250 mg/kg body weight of BHE batch 4_Cafterinfection. Treatment was done 3 hours after infection and 3 days thereafter. Smears were madefrom the lateral vein of each mice for determination of percentage parasitemia. Infectionwaswith 2 x 10 4 Plasmodium berghei. Mice administered 250 mg/kg body weight of BHEbatch4showed a significant decrease in percentage parasitemia as compared to the negative control group and this suggest that the bi-herbal combo has an impressive antimalarial activity

Houseflies, also known as Musca domestica L. , are a type of insect in the Muscidae family. Certain types of these bugs are capable of transmitting illnesses. They are called dirtyfliesbecause they like to hang around things like garbage and poop. This study found the germs andharmful bacteria that are linked to house flies and the potential danger in the main market inEgor Local Government Area of Edo state. We used a net to collect things fromtwo parts of thedumpsites. Testing was done on housefly samples to find out what kind of bacteria were inthem. This involved looking at the bacteria under a microscope, identifying their physical traits, andseeing how they grew on special substances. The study found certain types of bacteria, includingEscherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, and Proteus vulgaris. Thestudyfound that the amounts of certain types of bacteria ranged from 1. 4 x 106 to 1. 6 x106forcoliform bacteria and from 6. 7 x 106 to 7. 4 x 106 for other bacteria. The bacteria Escherichia coli, Serratia, Pseudomonas, and Proteus were separated. We all react strongly to Gentamycin and ciprofloxacin. is a type of bacteria. E coli and Serratia bacteriaareeasily affected by chitosan. is a type of bacteria. The tests showed that most bacteriaweresensitive to carbenicillin, but Proteus sp was resistant to it. The MAR index ranged from0. 333to 0444. It was found that houseflies in Uselu market from Egor Local Government Area of Edostate carry harmful parasites and bacteria on their bodies and inside them. So there is needtocontrol the number of flies to prevent diseases caused by flies now and in the future

Industrial effluents are significant contributors to environmental pollution, especially in developing countries where waste treatment is inadequate. Ceramic industries generate wastewater that often contains toxic heavy metals capable of accumulating in the environment and posing serious health risks. This study assessed the concentration of heavy metals in effluents discharged from a ceramic industrylocated in Utesi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria, and evaluated the associated potential health risks. Nine effluent samples were collected from three points around the discharge pond over three months. The samples were analyzed for copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn),and cadmium (Cd) using the Atomic absorption spectrophotometer following standard procedures. Results showed that Mn had the highest concentration (1.07 3.00 mg/L) in July, while chromium was most abundant in June (0.97–1.00 mg/L). Lead and copper ranged between 0.10–0.47 mg/L and 0.10–0.57 mg/L, respectively, while cadmium reached 0.63 mg/L in August. Compared with the WHO and NESREA standards, Cr, Pb, Mn, and Cd exceeded permissible limits. The mean concentration trend was Mn (1.10 mg/L) > Cr (0.58 mg/L) > Pb (0.27 mg/L) > Cu (0.24 mg/L) > Cd (0.22 mg/L) > Ni (0.06 mg/L). Health risk assessment revealed that cadmium posed the highest non-carcinogenic (HQ = 0.43 for children) and carcinogenic risks (CR = 2.62 × 10⁻⁴ for children).

Analysis of microorganisms isolated from refrigerator surfaces and interiors is crucial for assessing the cleanliness and potential health risks associated with these appliances. Microorganisms that thrive in low temperatures (psychrophiles) can cause food spoilage and pose a health risk through foodborne diseases such as Listeriosis, Botulism, Salmonellosis, and Diarrhea. Therefore, it is essential to identify the types and concentrations of microorganisms present in different areas of refrigerators. This study aimed to evaluate the microbial quality of refrigerator exteriors and interiors in homes. Swabs and air samples were collected from 15 refrigerators in Ugbowo city and analyzed in a certified microbiology laboratory. Questionnaires were completed by refrigerator owners. Biochemical tests were used to further characterize the isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed to determine the sensitivity or resistance of the identified isolates to various antibiotics. The results showed that the lowest microbial count was observed in refrigerators cleaned weekly (3.01 ± 0.41 CFU/ml), while the highest count was observed in refrigerators cleaned once a month (3.29 ± 0.33 CFU/ml). The lowest microbial count was observed in refrigerators with 5-9 hours of electricity supply (2.74 ± 0.20 CFU/ml), and the highest count was observed in refrigerators with 15-19 hours of electricity supply (3.56 ± 0.00 CFU/ml). The lowest microbial count was observed in refrigerators without external power supply (2.61 ± 0.79 CFU/ml), while the highest count was observed in refrigerators with external power supply (3.25± 0.31 CFU/ml). All identified isolates were 12 susceptible to gentamicin antibiotics, while they were all resistant to erythromycin, metronidazole, carbenicillin, and cefoperazole antibiotics. All identified microbial isolates except S. enterica were susceptible to iprofloxacin, and all identified microbial isolates except E. coli were resistant to tetracycline antibiotics. The Susceptibility Index suggests that E. coli is the most susceptible to the antibiotics used, with the lowest Susceptibility Index value of 0.5, while S. enterica is the most resistant and least susceptible, with the highest value of 0.75. Both are indicators of high-risk contamination sources, according to Davis and Brown (2016), with a value of ≥0.2 or higher being indicative of a "high-risk" contamination source. These results demonstrate the presence of various types of microorganisms in refrigerators. Domestic refrigerators may be considered as a significant potential source of foodborne illnesses. Therefore, it is imperative to educate households, laboratories, and the general public about proper refrigeration practices. Regular (weekly) and thorough cleaning of refrigerators is essential to reduce the presence of microorganisms/microbial load