FACULTY LIFE SCIENCE

Major contributions to the pollution in the atmosphere are Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) from cement factories as well as other industrial activities in Urban and Rural areas. The study area covers Ibese, Paplanto, Abeokuta, Ewekoro and
other rural areas as they play host to either cement factories or congested urban. This
research compared the amount of NO2 and SO2 released into the atmosphere at Ibese, Papalanto and Abeokuta. Sentinel 5P data for the study area was used to monitor these pollutants. Google earth engine editor was used to extract the pollutants over the study area. The duration considered was a 4-month interval within year 2019 to 2021 which was used to present 3 spatial maps per year resulting in a total of 9 maps for both pollutants. SO2 concentration ranged between -0.000161 to 0.0000782; -0.000206 to
0.000162; 0.000194 to 0.000228, for 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively. NO2 concentration ranged between 0.0000459 to 0.0000846, 0.0000491 to 0.0000947, 0.0000565 to 0.000122 mol/m2 for 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively. The spatial distribution for both pollutants were regrouped into 4 classes namely low, moderate, high and very high. Ibese fell once within the low class, seven times within the moderate class, five times each within the high and very high class respectively considering both the NO2 and SO2 maps. Papalanto fell twice within the low class, once within the moderate class, six times within the high class and eight times within the
very high class. Abeokuta fell six times within the moderate class and twelve times within the high class. The most dominant zone is the moderate zone followed by the high zone for SO2 and NO2 between 2019 and 2021. The frequency of occurrence of Papalanto and Ibese within the peak zone of SO2 and NO2 was very high when
compared to the frequency of occurrence of Abeokuta which never fell beyond the high
zone of either pollutant. This was attributed to the cement factory working nonstop located within Papalanto and Ibese.

Allium fistulosum (Spring onions) also known as scallions or green onions are vegetables derived from various species of the genus Allium. The leaves and bulbs which are used as vegetables can either be eaten raw or cooked, chopped into other dishes and used as garnishes. These onions which require cultivation temperature ranging from 10o C to 22o C and irrigation during dry periods can be contaminated by various types of bacteria. This study therefore investigated the antibiotic resistance profile of some food-borne bacteria isolates from spring onions.Twenty-four (24) samples of spring onions were obtained from vendors across eight markets in Benin metropolis. Ten grams (10g) of spring onions was blended with a high speed homogenizer and the homogenate was serially diluted using peptone water. Standard microbiological methods were used to evaluate the bacteria load present in the samples. The bacteria were identified using both phenotypic and molecular techniques with the aid of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic sensitivity test was carried out using Kirby￾Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar. The results were interpreted by measuring the zones of inhibition around each antibiotic disc in millimeters. Isolates that resisted one or more antibiotics from three or more distinct antibiotics classes were classified as multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates. The multidrug resistant (MDR) food-borne bacterial isolates were then subjected to plasmid profiling.The heterotrophic bacterial count showed that spring onions from Oba market had the highest
count (8.71 ±1.80× 106cfu/g) while Oluku had the lowest (5.71±1.50× 106cfu/g). The bacteria isolates were Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Proteus vulgaris and Serratia marcescens. The percentage occurrence of isolates ranged from 25% to 100% with Bacillus cereus having the highest and Enterobacter aerogenes the lowest. Serratia marcescens was resistant to all antibiotics used while Enterobacter aerogenes was the least resistant. The multiple antibiotic resistance index (MAR I) ranged from 0.25 to 1.0 for all bacteria isolated. Two of the isolates (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris) had plasmids of size 1000 base pair (1.0 Kb). The presence of these food-borne bacterial isolates could be due to use of contaminated irrigation water, improper handling during harvesting and point of sales. The bacteria isolates which were multi-drug resistant and plasmid mediated pose a grave threat to publichealth. Spring onions should therefore be properly cooked prior to consumption

Large quantities of byproducts generated during the processing of Agro-waste results in an economic and environmental problem due to their high volumes and
elimination costs. Corncob waste, banana peel, orange peel and pineapple are undervalued waste materials, unused source of energy that can serve as potential
source for cellulase production. This study was conducted to bioconvert agrowaste to cellulase using thermophilic yeast. The thermophillic organism of interest was isolated from hot region of a dumpsite in Benin City, plated using pour plate method and identified based on colonial and sugar fermentation characteristics. Purified isolates were screened for cellulase producing activity and the highest producer was used for further analyses. The standardized organism (Torulopsis bovina) was inoculated into each waste medium and incubated at 50
0C over the course of 10 days. pH, viable cell count and cellulase concentration was determined in two days interval. pH was determined using pH meter, viable cell
count was determined using pour plate method, while the cellulase concentration was determined using DNS method. The highest cellulase concentration was
obtained at day 8 with corncob waste medium; at a pH of 9.70±0.14 and cell count of 4.490±0.042 x 10
-4 cfu/ml. While the least was obtained with banana waste medium at day 8, with viable cell count of 0.730±0.028 cfu/ml and pH of 8.05±0.07 . Findings from this study suggest corncob as the best substrate for cellulase production using Torulopsis bovina. Hence, the recalcitrance nature of agrowaste in the environment
can be salvage through valorization, specifically into cellulase.

This study was carried out to investigate the parasites of the shrimp Panaeus monodon collected from Iguoriakhi River, near Benin City in Ovia North East Local Government Area located between Longitude 005 °25’55.0 - 005 °29’36.20E and Latitude 06 °23’42.76N - 06 °27’10.15N. Live shrimps were collected from
November 2021 to February 2022. A total of 101 shrimps were examined, out of which 49(48.5%) were infected with parasites. A total of 59 trematode metacercaria
were extracted from infected shrimps with overall mean intensity of 1.20±0.00. Shrimps examined in February had the highest parasite prevalence of 100 %. The
results also revealed that pasitic prevalence increased in shrimps as their sizes increased, however a drastic decline was observed in larger shrimps with length
between 711.5 - 15.49. Shrimps with length between 7.5-9.49 had the highest revalence with an overall mean intensity of 1.03±0.00. The results of this study
suggest that the black tiger shrimp is susceptible to parasites that can cause health complications when consumed. Therefore care should be taken to avoid human
infection.

Since the 1920s, when the medical community first made public its nutritional advantages, cow'smilk has been an essential part of the human diet, particularly for developing infants whorelyonit as their main source of nutrition. Aflatoxin occurrence and fungal contamination in milkanddairy products, however, have grown to be significant issues. This study used moleculartechniques to isolate and identify aflatoxigenic molds in raw cow milk and its locally processedproducts. Sixteen samples of locally processed milk products and raw cow milk were collectedfrom two markets in Benin City, Edo state: Aduwawa and Oluku. Using the pour plate method, all samples were serially diluted and inoculated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Using molecularand cultural methods, pure cultures were obtained and fungal isolates were identified. Eachisolate's aflatoxin-coding gene (aflD) was identified through the use of the Polymerase ChainReaction (PCR) method. An electronic pH meter (PH-98108) was used to measure each sample'spH, and the AOAC method was used to determine each sample's moisture content. There wasarange of 0.10±0.00 to 0.90±0.10×10³ Cfu/ml in the fungal counts. Fusariumoxysporum, Penicillium sp., Penicillium digitatum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporiumsp., Rhizopus nigricans, and Curvularia lunata are among the fungi that were isolated duringthisinvestigation. Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus niger were the most common fungi (23%) andtheleast common (8%), respectively, were Penicillium digitatum, Rhizopus nigricans, andCurvalaria lunata. The samples' mean pH values varied between 4.20±0.10 and 6.30±0.10, andtheir moisture content varied between 7.00±1.00 and 22.00±2.00%. The molecularcharacterization results showed that the aflD gene was present in every Aspergillus species. Thisstudy found that raw cow milk and its locally processed products sold in Benin Citycontainaflatoxigenic molds like Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Controlling this contaminationand strictly maintaining hygienic standards are therefore necessary.

The presence of microorganisms on barber‟s tools has garnered significant attention due to its potential impact on hygiene and public health. This project was aimed to investigate and analyze the diversity, abundance, and pathogenic potential of microorganisms found on barbering tools, focusing on shaving sticks, clippers, and combs, within a range of barbershops. The proliferation of microorganisms on these tools can potentially lead to the transmission of various bacterial, fungal, and viral agents and also hair and skin infections including; impetigo, head lice, barbers‟ itch, and tinea capitis, raising concerns about skin and respiratory infections among clients. This study aimed at isolation and identification of pathogenic microorganisms associated with barber‟s equipment, three (3) clippers sample were collected from each of the three (3) barbing salons, three (3) comb samples were collected from the three (3) salon each and three (3) used personal shaving sticks were collected from three (3) individuals each making a total of nine samples (9) on the Combs, Clippers and Shaving sticks. Identification of the microorganisms after culturing was done using Gram staining techniques and biochemical test. Antibiotic sensitivity test was also carried out using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. The results showed that bacteria and fungi were present on the barber‟s tools. The probable identified bacterial isolates were Clostridium sp., Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp., Staphylococcus sp. Klebsiella sp. was the most prevalent bacterial isolate while Clostridium sp. was the least prevalent bacterial isolate. Saccharomyces sp. was the most prevalent fungal isolate while Fusarium sp. was the least prevalent fungal isolate. This study reveals that barber‟s tools without treatment would pose a possible hazardous health effect. Therefore, barbers should ensure compliance with relevant prevention and control options to avoid risks to human health

Microbiological quality assessment of indoor air study is one of the most vital investigationstodetermine the microbial indoor air contaminant. The information on the indoor microbial
concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi is necessary both to estimate the health hazardandto create standards for indoor air quality control. Standard bacteriological methods were usedtodetermine the total bacterial count of the air samples. The bacterial isolates were characterizedand identified using morphological and biochemical methods. The percentage distributionandfrequency of the isolates were evaluated using statistical method. The results obtained fromthisstudy showed that laboratory one had the microbial load of 8.04x10
4 ± 6.0 Cfu/m3 whilelaboratory two had the microbial load of 6.85x10
4± 0.5 Cfu/m3
. Using standard morphological
and cultural characterization, the isolates obtained in this study were Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus sp, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus and Escherichia coli. The Grampositivebacteria were all susceptible to gentamycin and augmentin while the Gramnegative showedresistance to these antibiotics. However the isolates were all susceptible to ofloxacin. Theselected sampling laboratories of Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Beninwerecontaminated with bacteria. Thus, attention must be given to control those environmental factorswhich favor the growth and multiplication of microorganisms in indoor environment of theschool to safeguard health of users and workers, and it is vital to control visitors and studentsinand out the laboratories.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health disease. Infections can be acute with a propensity to evolve into chronic diseases and their attendant life-threatening complications. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of HBV among faculty of Medicine, Basic
Medical Sciences, Dentistry, Nursing, and Agriculture students in the University of Benin and its associated factors. A total of ninety-three students aged 16 to 59 years from different student using the systematic sampling technique. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of
Benin Ethical Review Board, blood samples were collected from students and stored in a 5ml EDTA bottle. HBsAg was tested using the HBsAg rapid test kit. The test was carried out and interpreted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The questionnaire includes both closed and open-ended questions and will be sectionalized into socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors associated with HBV infection and vaccination history. Of the 93 students that were screened, 0 (0%) were positive. There was no statistically significant relationship between the hepatitis B status of the students and the socio-demographic parameters. Study shows a very
low prevalence of Hepatitis B among faculty of Medicine, Basic Medical Sciences, Dentistry, Nursing, and Agriculture in the University of Benin Students. Though it is lower then the
country’s recorded prevalence level, routine vaccination program and public enlightenment should be strengthened for further control of HBV. Age and gender were not significantly associated with HBV infection in this study.

The study was carried out to investigate the parasite of the freshwater snail Pilaovata .A total of 30 samples were collected from Ovia River at Iguoriakhifor a period of 4 months from October to January. The snails were transported to the Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria for examination. Of the 30 snail samples collected, 4 were
naturally infected giving a prevalence of 13.3% only. The observation in this study is that the parasites found in the snails were the trematode larval stages (sporocysts). A
total of8 parasites (sporocysts) were recovered from 3 specimens of Pilaovata which were observed in the month of October 2021giving a mean intensity of2.7±1.5 and 3
parasites (sporocysts) were recovered from 1 infected snail giving a mean intensity of 3±0.00 in the month of November. However, no infection was recorded in the months
of December and January. The sporocysts were mostly found in the intestine,muscle and mantle regions of pilaovata. It can be concluded that Pilaovata serves as an intermediate host of this yet to be identified trematode sincethey harbor the
intramolluscanstage (sporocyst) of the parasite. Further studies should be carried out to identify the other stages of this trematode occurring in Pilaovatain Nigeria, and to
ascertain the possible zoonotic status of the parasite.

All living things need water and rivers constitute one of the most important sources of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural activities. This study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical properties and prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in Ogbese River, Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State. Water samples (twenty-four) were collected from 12 stations at Ogbese Town, and another 12 stations at Olumoye towns along Ogbese river course during the months of June to December, 2018 and February 2019. Bacteriological analysis involving membrane filtration and multiple tube fermentation techniques were employed to isolate bacterial pathogens. Extraction of genomic DNA, amplification, sequencing and blasting were used to identify bacterial isolates. Antibiogram and curing of bacterial isolates were performed using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Hemolysin production, serum resistance, Sereny test, Ileal loop assay and suckling mouse tests were carried out on the bacterial isolates. The physicochemical parameters and heavy metals analyses were evaluated using standard methods for water quality. Data were analysed using analysis of variance and unpaired Student’s t test.