FACULTY LIFE SCIENCE

This study comparatively evaluated the peripheral blood smear restorative potential of the equal mixture of aqueous polyherbal leaf extracts of Justicia carnea Lindl., Ficus sur L., and Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. in phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced haemolytic anaemia Wistar rats, with the aim of providing scientific validation for their traditional use as “blood tonics” in Southern Nigeria. Haemolytic anaemia was induced by intraperitoneal administration of PHZ on days 1 and 2, after which rats were treated daily for 14 days with distilled water (negative control), vitamin C ( positive control), while aqueous polyherbal leaf extracts at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg respectively. Peripheral blood smears prepared on days 0, 7, and 14 post-induction were microscopically assessed for key erythrocyte morphological parameters including anisocytosis, poikilocytosis (schistocytes, echinocytes, stomatocytes), polychromasia, and presence of nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs). At 24 hours post-PHZ, severe haemolytic damage was evident across all PHZ-treated groups, which moderately normalize by day 7. Treated animals exhibited a near-complete normalization of RBC size and shape by day 14. The findings underscore the importance of integrating morphological endpoints like anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, and nucleated RBCs into preclinical evaluations of anti-anaemic phytomedicines.

Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf) is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. It possesses different biological activity including antioxidant andantimicrobial activities, antibacterial and analgesic activity. The aim of this study was to
investigate the effect of Vernonia amygdalina on cardiovascular disease risk factors in rats exposed to DMH. Adult Wister rats (n= 30) were collected and randomly assigned to groups (8 rats per groups): normal control, DMH only, Silymarin control, extract only, post treatment 1, post treatment 2, Pre- treatment 1, and Pre- treatment 2. Group 1, was supplied with food and water regularly but no Vernonia amygdalina extract, silymarin antibiotic or 1,2 dimethylhydrazine was administered. Group 2, 1,2 dimethylhydrazine was administered at 3millilitres per kilograms of body, alongside with food and water to induce the heart damage. Loss of appetite, fatigue and dizziness was noted after few days of administration. Group 3, the silymarin an antibiotic at 100ml\kg by weight was administered, DMH was then administered every day for 12 days. Concentrations of lipids: total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, TAG, High and low-Density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low-Density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as Atherogenic index, Atherogenic coefficient, cardiac risk ratio and cardiac Nitric Oxide was measured in plasma

The need for sustainable energy and waste management solutions around the world has made it essential to look into locally available and affordable organic feedstocks for biogas production. This study looks at the possibility of creating biogas through cold (psychrophilic) anaerobic codigestion of two common and often problematic wastes in Nigeria: water hyacinth(WH) and cattle rumen content (CRC), As part of the study, the feedstocks were characterized, daily biogas production and pH variation were calculated, and the efficacy of a 2:1 (CRC:WH) mixture at room temperature without external heating was evaluated. The experiment was carried out with a 5kg batch digester over a 30-day retention time. The feedstock analysis revealed a high moisture content (80.25%) and a chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 69 g/L, indicating a substantial organic load suitable for digestion. After an 11-day lag period, biogas production began, coinciding with a pH increase from 6.13 to 6.73, putting it in the optimal range for methanogenic activity. On the 30th day, a peak biogas yield of 2090 ml was recorded at a pH of 8.46, indicating a direct correlation between increasing pH and increased biogas production. The cumulative production profile clearly demonstrated the sequence of hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and methanogenesis. The study comes to the conclusion that it is both technically possible and efficient to cold co-digest water hyacinth and cattle rumen content in a 2:1 ratio. A balanced microbial environment was produced by the carbonrich water hyacinth and nitrogen-rich rumen content working together to support long-term biogas production.

The indiscriminate disposal of solid waste and the proliferation of open dumpsites pose serious threats to soil quality, groundwater integrity and plant health. This study evaluated the ecological risk associated with heavy metals in soils collected around open dumpsites in Oluku, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Ten soil samples were randomly collected using an auger and analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The mean concentrations of the analyzed metals ranged from 1.22 mg/kg for Cu to 3.05 mg/kg for Mn, following the decreasing order: Mn > Cd > Pb > Cr > Ni > Co > Zn > Fe > Cu. The contamination factor (CF) values for Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Mn, Ni, Cr and Co were 1.23, 1.26, 1.22, 1.95, 2.48, 3.05, 1.36, 1.42 and 1.29, respectively, indicating moderate contamination by Cd and considerable contamination by Mn. The ecological risk factor (Eir) of individual metals revealed that Cd (mean = 74.4) contributed the highest ecological risk, followed by Mn (30.58) and Pb (9.77). The overall potential ecological risk index (RI) was 133.92, suggesting a moderate level of ecological risk in the study area. The findings imply that uncontrolled dumping and anthropogenic activities contribute significantly to the accumulation of toxic metals in the soil, which may pose long-term environmental and health risks. Proper waste management strategies and periodic monitoring of soil quality are therefore recommended to mitigate further contamination and safeguard environmental health.

Heavy metal contamination in soils has become a critical environmental and public health
concern, particularly in regions affected by anthropogenic activities such as mining, industrialization, and poor waste management. This study evaluates the potential non- carcinogenic health risks associated with the inhalation of heavy metals in contaminated soils within Imeke , Etsako-West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Soil samples were
systematically collected from varying depths across the study area and analyzed for selected
heavy metals, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe), using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Standard geochemical indices such as the Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation Index
(Igeo), and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were employed to assess the extent of metal contamination. Health risk assessment was conducted following the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA,1989;2004) guidelines, focusing on non-carcinogenic exposure pathways through inhalation. Parameters such as the Average Daily Dose (ADD), Hazard
Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI) were computed for both adults and children populations to quantify potential health impacts. The results revealed varying degrees of heavy metal
enrichment, with some metals exceeding permissible limits, indicating moderate to considerable
contamination. The calculated hazard indices for certain metals exceeded the acceptable
threshold (HI > 1), suggesting potential adverse health effects, particularly among vulnerable
populations. The study underscores the significance of continuous monitoring, effective land-use planning, and implementation of remediation measures to mitigate the health implications of soil-borne heavy metals in the study area

The immune system plays a vital role in protecting the body from infections, toxin, and oxidative damage. However, it can be weaken or impaired by chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, malnutrition, exposure to chemical agents, or certain medications. In recent years, plant-based immunomodulators have gained global attention as promising alternatives to synthetic drugs such as Ipomoea batatas, Ficus carpensis and Justica carnea,, being utilised as immunoprotecive agents. The aim is to assess the Immunoprotective effects of the aqueous polyherbal leaf extract of equal amount of Ipomoea batatas, Ficus carpensis, and Justica carnea, in phenylhydrazine induced immunosuppressed Wistar rats. The method used for this analysis were evaluated using standard and established method. Oral administration of polyherbal extract at doses 25, 50, 100 mg/kg significantly increase blood levels compared to untreated group. CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts were monitored for 24 hours(1 day), 7 days, and 14 days. Results showed a dose dependent restoration of immune cell counts, with 50 mg/kg group exhibiting the most significant improvement in (CD4+ = 7.95 ± 0.12 cells/mm3 ; CD8+ = 3.11 ± 0.0 cells/mm3) when compared to the untreated group. This study demonstrates the efficacy of the polyherbal leaf extract of equal amount of Ipomoea batatas, Ficus carpensis, and Justica carnea as an immunoprotective agent at 50 mg/kg of the extract as the best. This validates its traditional use and such insights as a promising alternative for the development of innovative treatments for metabolic disorders.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most frequently encountered bacterial
infections globally, particularly prevalent among young adults such as university students. Risk factors including poor hygiene practices, sexual activity, and limited access to timely healthcare contribute significantly to the occurrence of these infections. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other uropathogenic bacteria in urine samples of selected students from the University of Benin. A total of 60 midstream urine samples were aseptically collected from consenting students and subjected to comprehensive laboratory analysis. Urinalysis was performed to detect markers such as leukocytes, nitrites, and protein. The identified microorganisms were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using the standard disc diffusion method. The results showed that 24% of urine samples tested positive for leukocytes, 17% for nitrites, and 15% for protein, indicating possible UTIs. Bacterial counts were generally higher in female students, within 21–25 age group showing the highest mean TVC. Six distinct bacterial species were isolated, with Staphylococcus aureus (33%) being the most prevalent, followed by Escherichia coli (21%), Pseudomonas spp. (11%), and MRSA (16.7%). MRSA occurrence was higher in females compared to males and also peaked in the 21–25 age group. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that Staphylococcus aureus showed resistance to cloxacillin and oxacillin, while Proteus sp. and Klebsiella sp. were susceptible to ofloxacin and ceftriaxone. The highest MAR index of 0.44 was observed in Staphylococcus aureus, indicating significant multidrug resistance. The findings indicate the presence of multidrugresistant uropathogens in the student population. This shows a potential reservoir for transmission, necessitating improved sanitation in hostels and public health campaigns to raise awareness about antibiotic resistance. Further research should focus on molecular characterization of resistance genes and explore alternative strategies such as targeted antimicrobial therapies and hygiene interventions.

This study was carried out to examine the effect of salt stress on germination and seedling growth of Jute’s mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) between two landraces (Ondo & NIHORT Research Institute). Several parameters were measured, including germination percentage, shoot length, number of branches, leaf area, number of leaves, stem girth, internode length and leaf loss for eight days to day fifty-six. The experimental treatments included various concentrations of Nacl; 10g/L(Z), 5g/L(Y), 2g/L(X), 0.2g/L(W) and the control (V). Germination was observed on the eight day for V,W,X with W having the highest germination percentage (86.6±1.15%), followed by V(70.00±1.00%). Treatment X recorded moderate germination (40.00±1.00% ), while treatment Y and Z had no germination. Low concentrations of salt (V,W and X) stimulated germination in Corchorus olitorius L.. Shoot length and number of branches were significantly higher in W (6.50±1.00, 2.00±3.46) by day 21, performing better than other treatments. The number of leaves and stem girth were also higher in W(1.67±2.89, 6.33±0.57), while X, Y and Z had no number of leaves and stem girth. W recorded the highest leaf area (9.06±15.68, 30.25±2.36). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was no significant difference between W, control and other treatments for all parameters. The results suggest that W (with moderate salinity) enhanced germination and growth, whereas higher salinity (Y and Z) inhibited germination and growth, indicating an adverse effect of salinity stress on Corchorus olitorius L. physiology

The popularity of the plant- based milk drinks is on the increase as substitutes to the traditional dairy products due to the growing consumer awareness of the health, sustainability and ethical concerns. Although plant-based milk drinks have nutritional ad vantages, there are major challenges in production, storage and distribution and has been associated with higher chances of food-borne disease. Some studies have indicated bacterial contaminants in plant-based milk drinks including soya milk, kunu and coconut milk. This research paper sought to examine the bacterial and fungal contamination profile of plant-based milk drinks during storage. The milk drinks are the plant-based ones which were bought in three Benin City markets and they consist
of the samples of kunu, soya, tiger nut and coconut milk. The enumeration and isolation of bacteria and fungi were done using the pour plate method. Identification was done using the cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics of the isolates. The heterotrophic bacterial counts had a mean of 1.90+-0.53x105 (soya milk) -82.40+-6.90 x 105 cfu/mL (coconut milk). The total Salmonella-Shigella count was between 1.10+-0.48 x 105 cfu/mL (tiger nut milk) and too numerous to count (coconut milk). The average fungal counts were between 2.40+-0.25 (soya milk) -44.00+-0.00 x 105 cfu/mL (tiger nut milk). The identified bacterial isolates are Bacillus cereus (16.00%), (25.00%), Pseudomonas sp. (8.33%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.00%), Bacillus subtilis (16.60%), Staphylococcus sp. (25.00%) and Salmonella sp. (16.60%). Saccharomyces sp. (16.60%), Mucor sp. (8.33%), Penicillium sp. (16.60%) and
Aspergillus flavus (25.00%) were the most common genera of the fungi.

Heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems is a growing concern due to its persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity to both wildlife and humans. Amphibians, due to their permeable skin and dual aquatic-terrestrial life cycle, serve as critical bioindicators of environmental pollution. However, traditional bioaccumulation studies often involve lethal sampling, which can negatively impact amphibian populations already facing global decline. This study employed a non-lethal sampling technique using toe clips from amphibians to assess heavy metal contamination in water, sediment, and amphibian tissues from Ikpe River, Edo State, Nigeria, the amphibian toe clips were collected between the months of January to September 2022.
The concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) in surface water, sediment, and amphibian toe clips with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of amphibian toe clips in the assessment of heavy metals accumulating in amphibians from three stations along Ikpe River, influenced by anthropogenic activities. Analysis of heavy metals in the samples were carried out using Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)