FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCE

This study examines how the decline of vegetation has affected rainfall patterns in Abuja, Nigeria, between 2015 and 2024. Using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and CHIRPS rainfall data, the research analyzed land use and rainfall changes over time through Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS. Findings revealed a major shift in Abuja’s landscape during the study period. Tree cover, which accounted for about 71.81% of the area in 2015, declined sharply to 23.71% by 2024, while built-up and farmland areas expanded significantly due to rapid urban growth. Rainfall trends also became more irregular, showing a noticeable decrease after 2018. Statistical analysis indicated a strong negative relationship (r = -0.76) between vegetation cover and rainfall, suggesting that as green spaces declined, rainfall reduced correspondingly. This loss of vegetation has weakened natural cooling and moisture recycling processes, contributing to hotter and drier conditions across the city. The findings show that the conversion of natural green areas into concrete surfaces has disrupted Abuja’s local hydrological balance and may be influencing recent changes in rainfall distribution. The study concludes that protecting and restoring green spaces is essential for improving rainfall stability and climate resilience. It recommends the implementation of sustainable urban planning strategies, reforestation initiatives, and stronger environmental policies to restore ecological balance and promote a healthier urban environment in Abuja.

Water quality remains a critical public health concern, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions like Benin City, Nigeria. This study assessed the physicochemical properties, essential minerals, and potential contaminants in five bottled water brands (EVA, CWAY,
AQUAFINA, EIO, and ROI) to evaluate their safety and compliance with regulatory standards. Water samples were collected from different retail outlets in Benin City and analyzed for parameters such as pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity,
hardness, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, and trace metals using standard laboratory procedures. The results showed significant variations across brands. EIO had the highest pH (7.37 ± 0.19), while ROI had the lowest (6.63 ± 0.11). Conductivity and TDS were highest in EIO (41.33 ± 1.16 µS/cm and 20.67 ± 0.58 mg/L, respectively) and lowest in ROI (12.00 ± 2.00 µS/cm and 6.00 ± 1.00 mg/L, respectively). Hardness levels were within the WHO recommended limits, with CWAY showing the highest value (22.00 ± 2.00 mg/L). Trace metal analysis revealed that ROI had the highest levels of iron (0.12 ± 0.01 mg/L), zinc (0.27 ± 0.05 mg/L), manganese (0.48 ± 0.07 mg/L), and copper (0.52 ± 0.09 mg/L), suggesting possible contamination from natural sources or packaging materials. While most bottled water samples met regulatory standards, ROI exhibited elevated levels of turbidity, suspended solids, and trace metals, indicating potential filtration inefficiencies. These findings emphasize the need for stricter regulatory monitoring and quality control measures to ensure the safety of bottled water in Benin City.

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus frequently coexist, significantly increasing cardiovascular disease risk due to dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. This study investigates the impact of co-administering losartan/metformin (L/M) and losartan/glibenclamide (L/D) on plasma and cardiac lipid profiles in L-NAME/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hypertensive/diabetic male Wistar rats, with a focus on total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol. Fifty-two male Wistar rats (50–80 g) were housed under standard laboratory conditions and acclimatized for two weeks. Hypertension was induced by administering L-NAME (40 mg/kg) in drinking water for four weeks, while diabetes was induced via a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). Successful induction was confirmed by systolic blood pressure measurement (tail-cuff method) and fasting blood glucose levels >200 mg/dL. The rats were divided into six groups (n=6 per group): control, untreated, diabetic treated with L/M, and diabetic treated with L/D. Drug administration was conducted orally for 28 days. At the end of the treatment period, rats were sacrificed via cervical dislocation. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture into EDTA-coated tubes, centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes, and plasma was stored at −20°C for lipid profile analysis. Cardiac tissues were excised, homogenized in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and centrifuged to obtain supernatants for further analysis. Plasma and cardiac total cholesterol levels did not significantly differ between groups (p > 0.05). The hypertensive/diabetic group exhibited reduced HDL-cholesterol (85.0 ± 19.2 mg/dL) compared to the normotensive/non-diabetic control (110.8 ± 2.1 mg/dL). Treatment with L/D showed the highest HDL levels (2.87 ± 2.71 mg/dL), suggesting a possible beneficial effect of glibenclamide on HDL metabolism. Triglyceride levels varied significantly (p < 0.05), with hypertensive/diabetic rats showing elevated plasma (160.0 ± 27.2 mg/dL) and cardiac (27.92 ± 12.55 mg/dL) triglycerides compared to controls. L/M treatment reduced plasma triglycerides to 145.2 ± 17.7 mg/dL, while L/D increased them to 180.3 ± 51.0 mg/dL, suggesting metformin’s superior role in mitigating hypertriglyceridemia. Plasma LDL-cholesterol levels remained unchanged across all groups (p > 0.05), indicating limited effects of these drug regimens on LDL metabolism. This study highlights the differential impact of losartan/metformin and losartan/glibenclamide co-administration on lipid metabolism in hypertensive/diabetic rats. These findings contribute to optimizing therapeutic strategies for managing dyslipidemia in comorbid hypertension and diabetes

Background: Street-vended foods are a crucial and affordable source of nutrition for millions globally, particularly in developing urban areas. However, poor hygiene practices during preparation, handling, and storage pose significant public health risks. This study investigated the antibiotic resistance patterns and phenotypic virulence characteristics of bacterial pathogens isolated from various street-vended foods.Methods: A total of [Number, e.g., 150] street-vended food samples (including [list types of food, e.g., ready-to-eat meats, salads, rice dishes]) were randomly collected from [Location/City]. Bacterial isolation and identification were performed using standard microbiological and biochemical techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method against [Number] commonly prescribed antibiotics. Phenotypic virulence traits, including hemolysin production, biofilm formation, capsule production, and motility, were evaluated using specialized agar media and assays.Results: The predominant bacterial isolates identified were [e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp.]. Antibiotic susceptibility profiling revealed alarming rates of resistance, particularly toward [Name 1-2 antibiotics, e.g., ampicillin and tetracycline], with [Percentage]% of the isolates classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR). Phenotypic characterization demonstrated high virulence potential among the isolates: [Percentage]% exhibited $\beta$-hemolytic activity, [Percentage]% were proficient biofilm formers, and [Percentage]% demonstrated active motility. A strong correlation was observed between biofilm-forming capabilities and resistance to critical-line antibiotics. Conclusion: The findings underscore that street-vended foods in [Location] serve as major reservoirs for virulent, multidrug-resistant bacteria. The coexistence of high phenotypic virulence and extensive antibiotic resistance among these isolates presents a severe threat to consumer safety and public health. There is an urgent need for stricter enforcement of food safety regulations, routine microbiological surveillance, and comprehensive hygiene training for food vendors to mitigate the risk of foodborne outbreaks.

This research examined the toxicological properties of Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa and Cinnamomum verum aqueous extracts on the platelet count and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities in male wistar rats. Through the method used by Lorke, thirty-nine rats were placed under the control and treatment groups. There were three rats in the control group and twelve rats in each of the treatment groups. In each treatment group, three rats were administered 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg of the corresponding plant extract as well as individual rats were administered 1500, 2900, and 5000mg/kg. It was administered over six days, and biochemical and hematological analyses were conducted in order to determine the liver and blood functioning as well as a proximate analysis of the plant composition. The proximate findings revealed that Curcuma longa had the highest carbohydrate and moisture levels, Andrographis paniculata recorded the highest mineral and fibre levels and Cinnamomum verum had the highest protein content. There were no substantial changes in body weight and this showed dose tolerance. There were dose-dependent platelet-level effects: Andrographis paniculata increased thrombopoiesis with dose, Cinnamomum verum induced a small and reversible platelet-depleting effect, and Curcuma longa had no effect on platelet counts. AST activities were normal in all groups with Curcuma longa (1000 mg/kg) having the best hepatoprotective activity in terms of reduced enzyme activity. In general, the acute exposure to the aqueous extracts was hepatotoxic and hematological toxicity-free. Curcuma longa and Andrographis paniculata exhibited significant hepatoprotection and platelet balance respectively. The findings suggest that both of these herbal extracts are biochemically safe in the dose range tested and they justify the safe use as traditional and modern therapeutic agents.

This study was carried out to comparatively assess the effects of chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb), on the growth of two freshwater microalgae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Scenedesmus cronies). The test algae were grown in seven concentrations (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mg/L) which were set up in triplicates. Growth response of the test microalgae was monitored at twoday intervals for 14 days using a visible spectrophotometer (Model No. HV-721. The growth rate, percentage inhibition, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were computed using Microsoft Excel software. Physicochemical parameters such as hydrogen ion concentration (pH), electrical conductivity total dissolved solid (TDS) were also determined. The results revealed
that growth of both microalgae decreased progressively with increasing concentration with chromium exhibiting greater toxicity than lead. Growth rate analysis favoured Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in both heavy metal treatments. Statistical analysis using ANOVA showed that it was significant (p < 0.05) in growth response among the various concentrations for both species. Conversely, Lead showed negligible inhibitory effects, with final biomass statistically similar to the control across all concentrations. Results of the physico-chemical parameters showed a concentration dependent relationship. pH was noticed to increase in lead-treated cultures but remaining neutral in high-chromium cultures. Despite differential toxicity, both
species showed high biosorption capacity: C. reinhardtii was exceptionally efficient, removing nearly 100% of lead. Based on the findings of this study it can be concluded that Chromium is acutely toxic at the tested range, while Lead is comparatively benign, and that both microalgae, particularly C. reinhardtii for lead, is more suited for the bioremediation of wastewater polluted with lead.

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are among the most consumed vegetables in Nigeria and constitute a vital component of human diets due to their high nutritional and economic value. This study investigated the microbial profiles of three tomato varieties: Beefsteak, Globe, and Roma sold in a selected market in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Standard microbiological techniques were employed for the isolation, enumeration and identification of both bacterial and fungal contaminants using Nutrient Agar, MacKonkey Agar, Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) Agar, and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). The total viable bacterial counts varied among varieties, with Beefsteak tomatoes exhibiting the highest total aerobic bacterial count (5.0 ± 0.5×10³), Enteric bacterial count (15.0 ± 0.5×10³) and Coliform bacterial count(7.6 ± 0.5 ×10³) followed by Roma and Globe varieties (4.2 ± 0.5×10³, 9.2 ± 0.5×10³, 6.4 ± 0.5 ×10³) and (4.2 ± 0.5 ×10³, 3.2 ± 0.5×10³, 2.6 ± 0.5 ×10³) respectively. Identified bacterial isolates included Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while fungal isolates comprised Aspergillus niger, Penicillium expansum, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Fusarium oxysporum. The observed differences in microbial load were attributed to varietal characteristics such as texture, water content, and handling conditions. The results also revealed that poor post-harvest handling, unhygienic market environments, and the use of contaminated wash water contributed significantly to microbial contamination. It is recommended that vendors adopt improved hygiene, proper storage, and temperature control to reduce spoilage and ensure consumer safety.

Street-vended foods provide affordable nutrition for many urban populations but often serve as vehicles for food-borne pathogens capable of causing systemic health effects. This study investigated the effects of pathogens isolated from street-vended foods on the hematological parameters and oxidative stress markers of Wistar rats. Bacteria isolated from street-vended foods were obtained for this study and identified using molecular (polymerase chain reaction) technique. Thereafter, isolates were screened for phenotypic virulence characteristics (biofilm formation, haemolysin and gelatinase production) using standard techniques. Twenty-five wistar rats weighing 169.40g-175.01g were used. Enumeration and isolation of feed samples was done using serial dilution and pour plate techniques. After one week acclimatization, rats were randomly selected into five equal groups (control, W1,W2, X1 and X 2). Rats were experimentally infected with different concentrations (0.06ml and 0.1ml) of Escherichia coli (PX395408) and
Klebsiella pneumoniae (PX395409). After infection, changes in the weight of rats were determined weekly. Following sacrifice, blood and tissue samples were obtained for hematology and histopathological examination. The results revealed that E. coli exhibited β-hemolytic activity, was positive for biofilm formation, and negative for gelatinase production, while K. pnuemoniae showed γ-hemolytic activity and was negative for both biofilm and gelatinase production. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts of feed samples ranged from 5.35±0.07 to 6.90±1.56×10⁵ cfu/g, with isolates including Citrobacter spp and Klebsiella spp. The initial body weight of rats ranged from 169.00 ± 13.90 g to 175.00 ± 10.40 g, while the control group weighed 170.61 ± 4.90 g. After infection, the control rats gained weight steadily (189.35 ± 12.52g), whereas infected rats showed weight reduction, ranging from 125.76 ± 11.95 g to 145.02 ± 28.94 g, indicating systemic infection. Hematological analysis revealed that the control rats maintained normal values except for slightly higher white blood cell counts compared to infected groups. Rats infected with E. coli (0.06 mL) recorded higher red blood cell (RBC) and hemoglobin (HGB) levels than the control, while platelet (PLT) counts significantly increased in K. pneumoniae-infected rats, particularly in the high-dose group (1315±546). Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) values, while other parameters showed no significant differences (p>0.05). Oxidative stress markers revealed that K. pneumonia infected rats exhibited elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating oxidative damage, whereas catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly increased in all infected groups. These findings demonstrate that E. coli and K. pnuemoniae from street-vended foods can induce hematological alterations, oxidative stress, and weight loss in Wistar rats, underscoring the need for improved food hygiene and stricter safety regulations.

Urban vegetable cultivation in Benin Metropolis contributes significantly to household nutrition but faces contamination risks from heavy metals. This study assessed heavy metal concentrations in vegetables grown in polluted areas (Ibiwe axis) and less contaminated zones (Oko community). A comparative cross-sectional design was adopted, and samples of Talinum triangulare (water leaf), Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf), Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) and
Telfairia occidentalis (pumpkin leaf) were collected from dumpsites, mechanic workshops and residential gardens. Following acid digestion, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Independent sample t-tests (p < 0.05) showed significantly higher concentrations of Cd, Zn and Ni in vegetables from polluted sites. For instance, Cd in water leaf was 0.017 ± 0.001 mg/kg in
polluted sites compared with 0.004 ± 0.001 mg/kg in cleaner areas, while Zn in scent leaf reached 0.080 ± 0.001 mg/kg against 0.002 ± 0.001 mg/kg. Bitter leaf showed the highest accumulation across all metals, particularly Ni (p = 0.001). Although overall concentrations were below WHO/FAO limits, polluted-site vegetables contained 4–40 times more metals than those from unpolluted zones. These findings highlight that cultivation location strongly influences
metal accumulation and emphasize the need for stricter environmental controls and regular
monitoring to safeguard public health.

This study evaluated the quality of borehole water in rural communities of Benin City, Nigeria, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations such as children and infants. Water samples were collected from five borehole locations in the Ogbojobu community and analyzed for both biological and physicochemical parameters. Total coliform counts ranged from non- detectable (0 CFU/100 mL) to 1.0 CFU/100 mL, while fecal coliforms were undetectable across all sites, suggesting minimal microbial contamination. Physicochemical analysis revealed that the pH values of the water were slightly acidic, ranging from 5.60 ± 0.00 to 6.63 ± 0.058, which is at or below the WHO permissible range of 6.5–8.5 for drinking water. Other parameters, including conductivity (14.0–60.0 µS/cm), total dissolved solids (8.0–30.0 mg/L), turbidity (0.0– 2.0 NTU), hardness, alkalinity, chloride, phosphate, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper, were measured with significant variations observed between borehole sites (p < 0.05). Notably, lead and cadmium were not detected in any sample. Given that safe drinking water is critical to the health of vulnerable groups, recent studies have emphasized the disproportionate risks heavy metal exposure poses for children and infants. These findings highlight the need for continued monitoring and targeted public health interventions in rural Nigerian communities to safeguard child and infant health from potential chronic exposure to harmful contaminants