FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCE

Milk and dairy products are an essential food for human beings and it also acts as a good medium for microorganism’s growth. Milk and its products with high biological potential, enriched nutritional values and without health risks and hazards are generally demanded for nutritional purposes. A total of 8 dairy product samples were processed for microbial and biochemical analysis, collected from different locations in Benin City. Microbial count were performed for the detection of the number of bacteria and fungi present in the various samples. The identification of fungi was carried out by the use of mycological Atlas. Analysis was done XII 1 on media, while for confirmation of bacteria, various biochemical tests were performed. Both nonpathogenic and pathogenic bacteria and fungi were identified. The highest percentage prevalence of fungi contaminant was seen in CM with a percentage of 83.3% with the least bacteria prevalence of 16.67%. The highest prevalence contaminant of bacterial was observed in PY with 60% prevalence. Milk and its product should not be exposed to atmosphere as it can also get contaminated by photogenic microorganisms. More standard research should be made on pure fermentation of milk and dairy products without any pathogenic contaminant

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 bio convert agrowaste to cellulase using thermophilic yeast. The thermophilic 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 500C 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.

A compact disc, sometimes referred to as a CD, is an optical digital medium that can hold various types of data, including documents, audio, photos, and video. Understanding the bacterial load in stored CD plates is crucial to ensuring the longevity and integrity of CDs. This study determined the impact of temperature and relative humidity on bacteria load of stored CD plates at different locations (laboratory, lecture theatre and office). Thirty-six (36) CD plates were purchased and positioned at these different locations (as opened, closed with perforations and burnt with short video clips and opened). Temperature and relative humidity were monitored with thermometer and hygrometer, while bacterial count and identification were based on standard procedures for four weeks. Results obtained showed a fluctuation in temperature every week, but generally within the range of room temperature (30°C - 37°C) conversely, relative humidity increased weekly in the studied locations. Bacteria counts of all CD plates studied increased with increase in humidity with time. Bacteria isolated from studied CD plates were Bacillus mycoides, Pseudomonads aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilus, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescans. Conclusively, relative humidity had a positive correlation with bacteria load of the studies CD plate, while temperature had little effect on bacterial counts.

Pediatric ocular trauma is a significant public health concern, with potential long-term consequences on vision and quality of life. This study was aimed at investigating the severity and management of pediatric ocular injuries in Sapele, Delta State. A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the clinical record of pediatric patients that presented to Central Hospital within January 1st, 2020 to October 1st, 2024. A total of 223 patients, males 139 (62.3%) and females 84 (37.7%), were found to have pediatric ocular injury with a mean age of 11.46 ± 4.7. The moscommon type of injury sustained was the closed globe injury (76.1%) followed by open globe injury (6.7%) while thermal injury (1.8%) was the least frequently seen. Injuries were found to be caused by physical assault (14.4%), broomsticks (6.3%) and even self-inflicted (5.3%). The cornea was the most affected structure (57.4%) by pediatric ocular injury. An initial visual acuityof 6/6 was recorded (22.6%) for a good percentage of the patients that were compliant. Therewas a statistically significant relationship between the initial visual acuity and the cause of injury(p<0.05). Majority of pediatric ocular injuries (87.9%) that presented to the hospital wermanaged medically. Corneal ulcer was the most common (n=77) diagnosis of pediatric patientsthat visited the hospital and it took an average of one week to heal. More than half of thepediatric patients had mild injuries (57.8%). Chi-square test was used to determine if there wassignificant relationship between the severity of injury and initial visual acuity. The result gave p<0.05 showing that there was a statistically significant relationship. 49 eyes (22.0%) of the

Effluent treatment plants (ETPs) are common worldwide and a necessary step to improve the quality of wastewater before it is discharged to surface or groundwater and re-enters water supplies. Adequate water resource protection is critical as freshwater systems provide multiple environmental services such as supporting numerous species, supplying water for drinking and irrigation, and assimilating wastes through a biotic/biotic cycling. An effluent treatment plant is a system consisting of mechanical, chemical and biological devices and methods for the purpose of bringing the characteristics of waste water from a manufacturing process, to acceptable standard. Various stages of effluent treatment plants include the following which are influent pit, equalization tank, sequential batch reactor, buffer tank and clear water tank. Wastewater standards are specifications of the biological, chemical and physical quality of the wastewater that is produced by a treatment. These regularly comprise of allowable chemical oxygen demand (COD), Total suspended solids (TSS), Total nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (P), Conductivity, and PH. which indicates the municipal and industrial discharged standards, as well as the by-laws. The effluent treatment plant has a high potential of removing key pollutants and could be used for better treatment of wastewater managed properly

The nutritional composition and phytochemical content of the leaf of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. were investigated using standard analytical methods in order to access the numerous potential of the plant. The qualitative phytochemical screening of aqueous extract of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. leaves revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, eugenols, phenols, and reducing sugars; with saponins being highly present. Glycosides, terpenoids, steroids and tannins were seen to be absent. Variation in this composition was observed in the ethanol extract which showed that glycosides, saponins, phenols, eugenols, terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids and reducing sugars were present in moderation, whereas tannins were seen to be absent. The medicinal value of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. is influenced by the presence and levels of these secondary metabolites. The proximate analysis revealed that Plumbago zeylanica Linn. leaves are rich in carbohydrates (34.990 ± 1.088%), have high content of Ash (8.606 ± 0.73%), crude protein (19.942 ± 0.154%), crude lipids (9.194 ± 0.258%), and crude fibre (27.267 ± 1.62%); but low content of moisture (4.993 ± 0.035%). Vitamin C content was also determined to be 4.724 ± 0.095%. The presence of high carbohydrates, protein, crude lipids and fiber contents of the leaves may be responsible for their nutritive value.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs that causes oxidative stress (Almohawes and Alruhaimi, 2019). Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, oxidative stress and increased Malondialdehyde level. It doesn’t have a cure cannot be treated but it was discovered that a plamt known as adansonia digitata commonly referred to as African Baobab. The leaves
of this tree serve as a primary source of food and traditional medicine for numerous African populations, and they are consumed either fresh or in a dried form (Besco et al., 2007). The plant have effects on asthma due to its renowned for its pharmacological properties including anti inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. This study aims at providing valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of adansonia digitata in managing asthma by its modulation of Malondialdehyde levels and contribute to supporting the use of natural products for management of asthma.

The objective of this study is to determine the physiochemical composition and microbiological analysis to determine the storability of Sweet potato tubers, sold at New Benin Market, Edo state. Two cream skinned sweet potato tubers were obtained at New Benin Market, Edo state and stored in a laboratory for a period of time . In the laboratory, physiochemical tests were conducted on the potato samples to determine the moisture content, dry matter content, acidity, titratable acidity, and vitamin content. Microbiological evaluation of the sweet potato tubers was conducted in the laboratory, using laboratory techniques of isolating fungi, this involves the preparation of PDA, the physiochemical and microbiological assessment was carried out on one of the potato tubers the day it was obtained and the results was used as control for the experiment ,after 40 days the same physiological and microbiological tests were conducted on the stored sweet potato tuber in the laboratory. There was a slight decline in the physiochemical composition of the sweet potato tuber after 40 days of storage. The microbiological test confirmed the presence of spoilage inducing fungi on the sweet potato tuber after 40 days of storage, the occurrence of these fungi confirmed that the potato tuber stored has undergone spoilage. Through this research it was determined that sweet potato tubers exhibit a good storage capacity, as evidenced by the minimal variance in their physiochemical composition even after a 40-day storage period.

The perception of insect pests management methods in rural areas of Badagry Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria, is a critical aspect of sustainable agriculture and community well-being. This abstract provides a concise overview of a study conducted to understand the prevailing attitudes and beliefs of rural farmers towards insect pest management. In rural Badagry, agriculture plays a pivotal role in livelihoods, making insect pests a significant concern. This research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews to gather data from farmers and agricultural extension officers. The findings reveal a complex perception landscape, where traditional and modern pest management methods coexist. Farmers, deeply rooted in tradition, often rely on indigenous knowledge and cultural practices. However, awareness of modern, science-based pest management approaches is increasing, thanks to the efforts of agricultural extension officers and outreach programs.Challenges such as limited access to resources, information gaps, and economic constraints affect the adoption of modern methods. Attitudes towards chemical pesticides are mixed due to concerns about environmental and health impacts. Furthermore, climate change is altering the pest landscape, necessitating adaptive strategies. This study underscores the importance of bridging the gap between traditional and modern insect pest management practices. It advocates for holistic, context-specific interventions that consider local knowledge while promoting sustainable, science-based approaches. Such initiatives can enhance food security, reduce pesticide risks, and support the resilience of rural communities in Badagry and similar regions.

Pediatric ocular trauma is a significant public health concern, with potential long-termconsequences on vision and quality of life. This study was aimed at investigating the severityandmanagement of pediatric ocular injuries in Sapele, Delta State. A retrospective study was carriedout to analyze the clinical record of pediatric patients that presented to Central Hospital withinJanuary 1
st, 2020 to October 1
st, 2024. A total of 223 patients, males 139 (62.3%) and females84(37.7%), were found to have pediatric ocular injury with a mean age of 11.46 ± 4.7. Themost
common type of injury sustained was the closed globe injury (76.1%) followed by openglobeinjury (6.7%) while thermal injury (1.8%) was the least frequently seen. Injuries were foundtobe caused by physical assault (14.4%), broomsticks (6.3%) and even self-inflicted (5.3%). Thecornea was the most affected structure (57.4%) by pediatric ocular injury. An initial visual acuityof 6/6 was recorded (22.6%) for a good percentage of the patients that were compliant. Therewas a statistically significant relationship between the initial visual acuity and the cause of injury(p<0.05). Majority of pediatric ocular injuries (87.9%) that presented to the hospital weremanaged medically. Corneal ulcer was the most common (n=77) diagnosis of pediatric patientsthat visited the hospital and it took an average of one week to heal. More than half of thepediatric patients had mild injuries (57.8%). Chi-square test was used to determine if therewassignificant relationship between the severity of injury and initial visual acuity. The result gavep<0.05 showing that there was a statistically significant relationship. 49 eyes (22.0%) of the
xi
patients were found to have a visual acuity of <3/60-NLP at presentation, while 23(10.3%) werefound to have severe visual impairment after treatment. There is a significant risk of visual lossassociated with ocular trauma and thus, the need for effective methods to prevent its occurrence. Keywords: Pediatric ocular trauma, corneal ulcer, severe visual impairment, visual acuity.