FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCE

Acanthus montanus, commonly referred to as "beer's breech," "alligator plant," or "mountain thistle," is a potent medicinal plant that belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It holds significant importance in ethnomedicine. Throughout Nigeria's history, it has been utilized for managing a diverse array of health issues including wounds, gonorrhea, heart failure, and more. Acanthus montanus is rich in phytochemicals, including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, and terpenoids. These compounds exhibit diverse biological and pharmacological properties, encompassing analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunological, anti-fertility, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and hepatocurative activities. This study investigated the reproductive toxicological effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Acanthus montanus on male and female Wistar rats. Extracts were administered at varying doses (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg) and 0.5 ml of distilled water as control. The body and organ weights (testes, penis, uterus, ovaries) demonstrated no significant deviations from the control group. Toxicological assessments revealed no adverse impacts on lipid metabolism, as evidenced by lipid profile assays. Hormonal analyses affirmed that the extracts maintained endocrine equilibrium, with hormone levels within normal ranges in all make treated groups, while the female groups exhibited varying level of fluctuations in their hormonal levels. Antioxidant assays disclosed noteworthy antioxidant effects, particularly at the highest dose (800 mg/kg), reflecting the potential of Acanthus montanus extracts to combat free radicals and uphold cellular integrity. Histological evaluation of reproductive organs unveiled no notable structural changes, indicating the extracts' non-induction of tissue damage or morphological aberrations. In conclusion, aqueous leaf extracts of Acanthus montanus, across various dosages, exhibited negligible impact on body and organ weights, reflecting safety. Moreover, they displayed antioxidant properties without compromising reproductive health or lipid metabolism. This underlines the promising prospects of Acanthus montanus extracts as natural antioxidants in the realms of reproductive health and oxidative stress management. While these findings are encouraging, further research across diverse animal models and potentially human subjects is imperative for a comprehensive understanding of the plant's benefits and mechanisms

Sand production remains one of the most persistent challenges in oil and gas operations, particularly in unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs where weak formations are prone to failure under changing pressure and stress conditions. This study explores the advancements in sand prediction and management techniques, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence tools such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) for enhanced predictive accuracy. By analyzing key reservoir parameters, machine learning models were developed to classify wells based on their sand production potential. The research compares the predictive performance of ANN and SVM algorithms, identifying the most reliable and adaptable approach for field applications, especially in datascarce environments. Findings from this study contribute to improved decisionmaking in sand control strategy selection, reduced equipment damage, minimized production losses, and more sustainable well management practices in unconsolidated reservoirs.

Clean water is essential for the health and survival of all life forms. Surface and underground water polluted by microbes and chemicals exacerbates issues of water scarcity. This continues to negatively affect the well-being of most people in developing countries like Nigeria and K-Vom, in Plateau State. Thus, this study aimed to determine the microbial contamination of tap water, well water and river water associated with water sources at ikpoba hill environs Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Five (5) samples were collected and analysed using standard microbiological procedures. Isolates were identified by microscopic, biochemical and carbohydrate fermentation characterizations. The nutrient agar (NA) count, which indicates the total heterotrophic bacterial population, showed that river water had the highest bacterial load (60–61 cfu/ml), followed by tap water samples (46–57 cfu/ml), while well water samples had comparatively lower bacterial counts (30–44 cfu/ml) and The bacterial count on MacConkey agar (MCA), which is selective for Gram-negative enteric bacteria, was generally lower compared to the total heterotrophic count. Tap water recorded the highest counts (19–27 cfu/ml), while well and river water had very low counts (3–5 cfu/ml)

Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are a vital food crop in Nigeria, valued for their rich protein content and contribution to food security. However, challenges in seed germination and early seedling establishment often limit productivity. This study examined the effects of three growth regulators Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA), Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP), and Vitamin C (Vit C) on the germination, early growth, and field performance of brown and white bean varieties. Seeds were primed with 100, 500, and 1000 ppm concentrations of each regulator, germinated on cotton wool, and later transplanted to nursery and field conditions. Parameters such as germination rate, shoot and root length, root number, biomass, and moisture content were evaluated. Results showed that SNP treatments produced the best overall growth, significantly enhancing germination rate, shoot elongation, and field performance. Vitamin C improved vegetative growth and seedling vigor, while high concentrations of IAA negatively affected germination and early development. The study concludes that moderate SNP concentrations can effectively promote seedling establishment and growth, and recommends further research on long-term yield impacts and varietal responses. These findings provide insight into optimizing bean production through the targeted use of plant growth regulators

Aquatic ecosystems are often subject to contamination by heavy metals due to human and natural activities. This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of heavy metals present in water, sediment and fish samples collected from Ikpoba River, Benin City, Nigeria. Samples were collected over from June to August 2023 and analysed using standard methods. The findings showed that while Cd and Pb were not detected in the water, Ni and Cr exceeded permissible limits. However, the concentrations of Co were within limits. Sediment samples had comparatively low heavy metal content. Benthic fish were found to have higher concentrations of heavy metals than pelagic fish. However, the concentrations of these metals in the samples were below the recommended limits for heavy metals in food. Therefore, it was concluded that the fish in the study area are safe for consumption but the water is not. Hence, routine surveillance and implementation of measures to protect water quality such as prevention of waste discharge are recommended

The rapid adoption of cashless transactions in Nigeria, particularly in bustling commercial areas like the Uselu to Textile Mill Junction, Benin City, Edo State, has led to the widespread use of Point-of-Sale (POS) machines. These devices, frequently handled by multiple users with varying hygiene practices, have raised concerns about their potential as fomites for microbial contamination and the spread of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify bacteria associated with POS machines, determining their total heterotrophic count, assessing their distribution across different locations, and evaluating their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics. Swab samples were collected from 20 POS machines (designated POS 1 to POS 20) during peak usage hour. The bacterial isolates were purified and identified based on standard cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The results revealed significant bacterial contamination, with total viable counts ranging from 5.0 ×10² to 8.1 × 10⁴cfu/ml. The predominant bacterial genera identified were Micrococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. Micrococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp had the same percentage occurrence of 21.67% being the most frequent bacterial isolates. The antibiotic susceptibility tests showed varying resistance patterns, with many isolates resistant to β-lactam antibiotics like ampicillin and ceftriaxone, raising concerns about the potential spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study highlights the urgent need for regular disinfection of POS machines, improved hygiene practices among users and operators, and public awareness campaigns to promote hand hygiene, the high microbial loads and presence of resistant strains underscore the public health risks posed by POS machines in high-traffic settings. These measures are critical to reducing the risk of fomite-mediated infections and combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in community settings like Uselu to Textile Mill Junction

This study evaluated the non-carcinogenic health risks associated with dermal exposure to heavy metals chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in groundwater from Ikpeshi, Edo State, Nigeria. The research aimed to quantify metal concentrations, assess health risks across population groups, identify contamination sources and propose mitigation strategies. Groundwater samples were analyzed and risk assessment models were applied using Chronic Daily Intake (CDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) frameworks as outlined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 2004). Results revealed that chromium exhibited the highest mean concentration (0.177 mg/L), followed by zinc (0.257 mg/L) and lead (0.016 mg/L). Both Cr and Pb levels exceeded the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017) and USEPA, primarily due to artisanal and small-scale mining, mine tailings leaching and oxidation of metal-bearing minerals within the Igarra schist belt. Risk assessment outcomes indicated that children are more vulnerable to dermal exposure than adults, given their higher skin surface area-to-body weight ratio and frequent water contact. Chromium was identified as the dominant contributor to non-carcinogenic risks, followed by lead, while zinc showed minimal contribution. Some HI values for children exceeded unity, indicating potential chronic health effects and the mean carcinogenic risk (CR) for Cr approached the USEPA threshold of 1 × 10⁻⁴. The study concludes that chromium and lead pose significant public health concerns in Ikpeshi groundwater. The findings emphasize the need for effective groundwater monitoring, regulation of mining effluents and community-based mitigation strategies such as the use of affordable household filtration systems, rainwater harvesting and public health education to reduce dermal exposure risks and safeguard water quality.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of biherbal leaf aqueous extract in Streptozotocin induced anaphrodisiac male Wistar rats. Thirty two Wistar rats were divided into six groups: a normal control group received 0.5ml/kg of distilled water, another group received gibenclamide
at 10mg/kg, the negative control received 50mg/kg of STZ, the treatment groups were divided into three each receiving 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the biherbal extract only for 28days. Mating
behaviour and testosterone levels were assessed. The results showed an increase in testosterone levels and mating behaviour of the albino rats when administered 50mg/kg and also showed that higher doses of the biherbal leaf extract had negative effects on the Wistar rats. The findings suggests that the combination of Alstonia boonei and Vernonia amygdalina has aphrodisiac properties without adverse effects on organ integrity making it a perfect candidate for further research as an aphrodisiac agent.

This study investigated different extraction methods and antioxidant properties of Kigelia africana through the analysis of extract yields, total flavonoid content, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. Four extraction methods were evaluated: methanol crude extract (ME), flavonoid-rich extract (FRE), methanol extract-ethyl acetate fraction (ME EAA), and flavonoidrich extract-ethyl acetate (FRE EAA). The FRE EAA showed the highest yield (0.2173), while FRE demonstrated the lowest yield (0.016). Total flavonoid content analysis revealed highest concentrations in the flavonoid-rich extract (185.6 ± 4.2 mg QE/g), followed by ethyl acetate fraction (142.3 ± 3.8 mg QE/g), and methanol extract (98.7 ± 2.9 mg QE/g). All extracts
exhibited concentration-dependent hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, with IC50 values ranging from 7.508 ± 0.4 mg/mL (ME) to 7.644 ± 0.2 mg/mL (FRE). These findings suggest that while different extraction methods significantly affect yield and flavonoid content, all extracts
demonstrate comparable antioxidant activity, with the flavonoid-rich extract showing particularly promising results for potential therapeutic applications.

The escalating ecological threats posed by invasive aquatic plants and the pressing need for sustainable bioenergy sources have driven the investigation of viable lignocellulosic feedstocks. This research centers on the thermochemical pretreatment of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) to improve biodegradability and biogas production. Water hyacinth, recognized for its high lignin content that prolongs microbial digestion periods (30–60 days), was treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) under varying conditions of temperature, dosage and reaction. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) via Design-Expert software was utilized to optimize the pretreatment variables and assess their impact on degradation efficiency. The compositional analysis of raw water hyacinth indicated a moisture content of 70.17%, ash content of 19.94%, crude fiber of 0.4932%, and volatile solids of 9.88%, underscoring its suitability as a biogas substrate. The thermochemical pretreatment markedly boosted organic matter solubilization, evidenced by soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) range of 36,600 mg/L and degree of degradation (%DD) reaching up to 91.05%, though RSM analysis showed no significant factor influences (mean %DD = 88.55%), implying a recalcitrance-induced plateau. The optimal conditions for the pretreatment were identified at temperatures of 80°C, 30ml NaOH dosage, and 30 minutes reaction time, yielding consistent improvements in solubilization. These results illustrate that thermochemical pretreatment effectively overcomes biomass recalcitrance in water hyacinth, enhancing digestibility and prospective biogas output.