FACULTY LIFE SCIENCE

Probiotics usage in enhancing immunity has gained significant attention in biomedical research, particularly as global health challenge demands safer and more sustainable therapeutic intervention. This study aims at investigating the immunomodulatory effect of Lactobacillus casei in mitigating Staphylococcus sciuri infection. The study involves five groups each containing four rats in a cage, which comprises of Control group, a group challenged with only Staphylococcus sciuri, another group challenged with only Lactobacillus casei, a fourth group pre-treated with Lactobacillus casei before being challenged with Staphylococcus sciuri, the last group being challenged with Staphylococcus sciuri before being treated with antibiotics. Blood sample was obtained from the rat after sacrificing them and was taken for hematological reading. Results indicated that the control group had the highest White Blood Cell (WBC) of 19.2±2.00(103/ µL), while the lowest was observed in the Prophylactic group 9.2±2.00 (103/ µL), low count indicates the presence of infection. The heterotrophic bacterial count in stool sample shows significant differences, with Pre-treatment bacterial count ranging from 1.34 × 107 cfu/mL (probiotic group) to 2.34 × 10 8 cfu/mL (Antibiotic group). The improvement in White Blood Cell count particularly in the content of infection suggests an increased immune response. These findings support the hypothesis that Lactobacillus casei can function as a natural immunomodulator. Recommendations suggest that probiotics like Lactobacillus casei should be integrated into therapeutic regimens to enhance immune function especially in the face of infections caused by pathogens like Staphylococcus sciuri

The increasing degree of heavy metals contamination requires proper and effective health management on the ecological well-being by probing water, soil and fauna species within the environment .This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of heavy metal concentrations, specifically Lead (Pb) and Copper (Cu) in soil, water and in selected amphibian species across selected sites in Benin City, Edo State. Amphibians species (Sclerophrys regularis, Sclerophrys maculata, Afixalus dorsalis, Ptychadena longirostris, Ptychadena oxyrhynchus, Hypercolius fusciventris, Ptychadena mascareniensis, Ptychadena pumilio, Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, Ptychadena bibroni) were collected from four sampling sites (Iguosa river, Oluku dumpsite, Life science vicinity and Ikpoba river) between June and July 2023 . Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (A.A.S) The concentration of Pb in Iguosa and Ikpoba rivers were below the permissible limit of World Health Organization (WHO). At Iguosa river, Pb was 0.011mg/kg and Cu 1.445mg/kg, while at Ikpoba river Pb 0.006mg/kg and Cu 0.284mg/kg, both below the WHO permissible limit. The concentrations of Pb and Cu in soils from the sites were all below the European Union. The accumulation pattern was Ikpoba River> Iguosa River > Oluku Dumpsite > Life Science Vicinity (University of Benin) for Pb and Cu in amphibian toe snip samples. Hence, these heavy metal concentrations have no immediate threat on the health of water, soil quality and public health.

Chemical preservatives are commonly used in food preservation, but rising safety concerns have shifted attention toward natural alternatives such as ginger (Zingiber officinale), a spice known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to isolate and characterize fungi associated with fried bottled groundnuts sold in Benin City, and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of aqueous ginger extract at varying concentrations (20 g/mL, 40 g/mL, and 60 g/mL) against the isolates. Groundnut samples were collected from three markets (New Benin and Ring Road) and June 12 (a commercial hub) inoculated on Potato Dextrose Agar, and subjected to microscopic and cultural identification. Pure cultures of A. Niger and mould (A.clavatus) were obtained and treated with ginger extract using agar well diffusion, and zones of inhibition were measured. Results showed that ginger extract had significant antifungal activity, with inhibition zones generally increasing with higher concentrations. A. Niger isolates from New Benin and Ring Road samples exhibited a clear dose-dependent response, while the June 12 isolate showed optimal inhibition at 40 g/mL. Mould isolates from June 12 and Ring Road responded consistently, with the highest inhibition recorded at 60 g/mL (26.0 mm and 24.3 mm, respectively). The overall trend confirmed that 60 g/mL ginger extract had the strongest inhibitory effect (mean inhibition: 37%), supporting its concentration-dependent efficacy. The findings confirm that ginger extract possesses promising antifungal activity against common contaminants of fried bottled groundnuts and can serve as a safe, affordable, and locally available natural preservative. This is important for enhancing food safety, lowering spoilage, and reducing aflatoxin health risks in areas lacking advanced storage options. Further studies should improve extraction methods, use larger samples, and investigate combining this with other natural agents for sustainable food preservation.

The increasing use of Point-of-Sale (POS) machines as an alternative medium for financial transactions in Nigeria has greatly improved accessibility to cashless services but simultaneously raised public health concerns due to the frequent handling of these devices by multiple individuals under poor hygienic conditions. This study
was aimed at isolating, identifying and characterizing bacteria associated with POS machine keypads within the Textile Mill Road to Ogida Market axis of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A total of twenty (20) POS machines were randomly selected from different locations, including shops, roadside kiosks, and open market stores around the locations of sampling. Samples were aseptically collected using sterile cotton swabs moistened with physiological saline and transported under cold conditions (approximately 4 °C) to the Laboratory for analysis. The samples were inoculated on Nutrient Agar and MacConkey Agar for bacterial isolation. The plates were incubated at 37 °C for bacterial growth and 25 °C for 24–72 hours. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using the agar disc diffusion method with standard antibiotic discs. The result revealed that the total bacterial count ranged from 1.0 × 10³ to 7.7 × 10⁴ cfu/ml, indicating a significant level of microbial contamination. The bacterial isolated from all sampled POS are identified as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Corynebacterium spp., and Enterococcus spp. The frequency and percentage occurrence showed that Bacillus spp was 14 (26%), Staphylococcus spp 13 (26%), Enterococcus spp 10 (20%), Corynebacterium spp 13 (26%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that most bacterial isolates exhibited resistance to ampicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol but remained sensitive to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and gentamycin. The high prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria observed in this study suggests that POS machines may serve as potential reservoirs
and transmission routes for pathogenic bacteria, particularly in densely populated commercial areas where hygiene standards are low.

Male infertility remains a major global health concern, often associated with oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, and exposure to pharmacological agents such as paroxetine (Agarwal et al., 2022). This study investigated the curative effects of aqueous Hibiscus sabdariffa extract on paroxetine-induced infertility in male Wistar albino rats, focusing on serum levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), as well as histological findings. The extract was prepared by soaking 385g of dried Hibiscus sabdariffacalyces in 5000 ml of distilled water for 48 hours, followed by filtration and concentration to obtain a powdered form (Salami & Afolayan, 2021). Twemty five healthy male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of five rats each: normal control, negative control, positive control, and two treatment groups administered 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract, respectively. Hormonal assays were conducted using ELISA methods ). Treatment with Hibiscus sabdariffa at 250 mg/kg restored testosterone levels close to normal, while LH showed no significant changes, suggesting preserved pituitary function. Histological observations further confirmed the protective and restorative effects of the extract on testicular morphology (Okasha et al., 2024). These findings indicate that Hibiscus sabdariffa contains bioactive antioxidants capable of mitigating oxidative and hormonal disturbances caused by paroxetine. The study concludes that moderate doses of Hibiscus sabdariffa can enhance hormonal balance and protect testicular health, supporting its traditional use as a fertility-enhancing medicinal plant (Adetuyi et al., 2023; Mohd Luqman et al., 2024).

Airborne microbial contamination poses a significant public health challenge, particularlyinconfined spaces such as public transport systems where ventilation may be inadequateandpassenger density is high. This study investigates the microbial air quality of municipal busesin Benin City, Nigeria, focusing on bacterial contamination levels and the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of isolated organisms. Using the settle plate method for microbial isolation, bacterial samples were collected from four major bus routes in Benin City: NewBenin, Ring Road, Mission Road, and Uselu. Identification of the isolates was basedoncultural, morphological, and biochemical characteristics. The findings revealed varyinglevelsof bacterial contamination across the bus routes, with the highest mean viable bacterial count (2.34 x 10³ ± 0.34 CFU/m³) recorded on the Ring Road bus and the lowest (1.25 x 10³ ±0.08cfu/m³) on the Mission Road bus. Bacterial species identified included Escherichiacoli, Bacillus sp., Proteus sp., Micrococcus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus sp., andEnterococcus faecalis, with Staphylococcus sp. exhibiting the highest frequencyofoccurrence (60%) across all routes. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed alarmingmultidrug resistance (MDR) patterns, particularly in Staphylococcus sp., emphasizingthegrowing threat of AMR in public spaces. The bacterial counts observed in this studysurpassed WHO-recommended indoor air quality limits, underscoring the necessityforimproved sanitation and disinfection protocols within municipal abuses. The study providescritical data to inform public hygiene policies and supports initiatives aimed at enhancingmicrobial safety in public transport systems, particularly in resource-limited settings likeBenin City.

Salt stress is an abiotic factor which poses significant threat to plant growth and productivity. A variety of plants are sensitive to salinity, one of which, is Corchorus olitorius. This study investigated the effect of salt stress on the germination, seedling growth, and physiological responses of Corchorus olitorius seeds collected from Benin (Landrace B) and National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) designated as Landraces C. This experiment was conducted to determine how different concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) influenced germination percentage and the various growth parameters namely shoot height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem girth, number of branches, internode length, and leaf loss. The seeds were subjected to five treatments including control (5 ppm NaCl solution) and other varying salt concentrations (200 ppm, 2000 ppm, 5000 ppm, and 10000 ppm). Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine the level significance of the treatments. The results revealed significant differences in the parameters investigated. Increasing salinity levels significantly reduced germination rate, shoot elongation, and overall seedling establishment. The treatments with concentrations below 2000ppm recorded the highest mean values for germination percentage and growth parameters, while the treatments with the highest concentration of salt exhibited severe inhibitory effects leading to reduced germination rate, stunted growth, and poor seedling development. These findings demonstrated that C. olitorius is sensitive to high salinity levels, and salt stress adversely affects its early growth stages. It also reveals that C. olitorius seeds from Benin city were more sensitive to salt stress compared to C. olitorius seeds from NIHORT as higher germination percentage and growth were observed in landrace C.

Many plants have the potential of preventing and treating acute and chronic diseases. The protective effect of medicinal plant is often maintained through an increased expression of antioxidants and scavenging of free radicals. Cucumis sativus has a long history of use in herbal medicine. Some of its active compounds have demonstrated in vitro anti-tumor, anti- viral and antibacterial effects. The current study was aimed at evaluating the renal protective activity of Cucumis sativus against streptozotocin-induced renal toxicity. A total of twenty five Wistar rats were purchased and used for this study. The animals were grouped into five of five animals each. Group 1 served as normal control and was exposed to standard diet. Group 2 was the negative control administered streptozotocin (STZ) but not treated. Group 3 was the standard drug group (administered STZ and treated with metformin). Group 4 was the first treatment group exposed to STZ and treated with 200 mg/kg bwt of the extract. Group 5 was the second treatment group exposed to STZ and treated with 300 mg/kg bwt of the extract. At the end of the study, animals were fasted overnight and sacrificed. Blood sample was collected from the abdominal aorta of the rats, put into plain containers and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min to obtain serum. The serum was further subjected to renal function assessment. Results from this study revealed that STZ elevated the levels of urea and serum electrolytes. Elevated renal indices were significantly reduced sequel to the administration of the extract and metformin. Findings from this study suggest that the ethanol extract of C. sativus possesses ameliorative properties and can be used in the management of STZ-related renal damage

Land use and land cover changes significantly impact environmental sustainability and water
quality. This study aimed to examine spatiotemporal variations in land use and assess selected physicochemical attributes of a bridged section of Ogba river in Benin City, Nigeria. Landsat satellite imagery from 1990, 2001, 2012, and 2023 was processed using ENVI 5.3 software, with classifications categorized into built-up areas, vegetation, barren land, and water bodies. Water quality analysis involved sampling from three points along the Ogba River over three months, testing for pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), and electrical conductivity (EC). Land use/cover results revealed a decline in vegetation and barren land, while built-up areas increased to 7.122106 km² in 2023. Water quality analysis showed that Point C had the highest TDS values (29.00–45.00 mg/L)
and EC levels (58.00–91.50 µS/cm), with significant differences (P < 0.05), while turbidity
values ranged from 2.50 to 5.00 NTU with no statistical significance (P > 0.05). pH values
ranged from 6.35 to 7.31, showing minor variations across the sampling points. These findings highlight the impact of urban expansion on both land and water resources. It is recommended that urban planning policies incorporate sustainable land management and stricter regulations to mitigate environmental degradation and protect water quality in the region.

The complex mixture of pollutants found in industrial effluents can have a significant impact on soil organisms, especially earthworms, which are important for soil health. This study investigates the effects of exposure to industrial effluent on the growth and biochemical stress responses of Eisenia fetida , a well-known bioindicator species. Over the course of 28 days, earthworms were introduced weekly into varying concentrations of the effluent, along with a control group that was not exposed. To measure the effects of the effluent, we tracked important growth parameters, such as weight gain, body length, and reproductive output (cocoon production), at weekly intervals. We also examined biochemical markers of stress, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total protein content, to assess oxidative stress and metabolic changes. The data were statistically analyzed to identify patterns of growth inhibitions, physiological adaptation, and Biochemical alterations over time. Our research showed that Eisenia fetida was clearly affected by the effluent in a dose-dependent manner. Significant decreases in weight, body length, and cocoon production were observed in earthworms exposed to higher concentrations, suggesting physiological stress and compromised reproductive ability. Biochemical analyses further confirmed these effects, with increased SOD and CAT activities suggesting an oxidative stress response. Meanwhile, the decline in total protein content pointed to metabolic distress and possible protein degradation, especially at higher effluent concentrations. To visually represent these trends, we used line graphs and bar charts to track changes in growth and biochemical markers over time. Additionally, picture documentation documented noteworthy morphological variations between exposed and control groups. These results underscore the substantial environmental concerns caused by industrial wastewater discharge and reinforce the need for tougher waste management policies. The significance of Eisenia fetida as a bioindicator for evaluating soil contamination and ecosystem health is highlighted by this study, which illuminates the harmful impacts of industrial pollution on soil organisms.