, FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

This study investigated the alterations in the activities of antioxidative enzymes on the leaves of maize (zea mays) planted in crude oil contaminated soil. Maize was grown on soil contaminated with 5ml, 10ml and 15ml of crude oil. The experiment lasted for 4 weeks. Data obtained were analysed using ANOVA and least significant difference (LSD) at p<0.05. The number of leaves, leaf area and leaf weight were determined at the start of every assay, the percentage germination was evaluated at the end of every week. Results showed that the mean leaf area and percentage germination of maize plant (zea mays) decreased with increasing level of contamination with crude oil. Antioxidants like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, malonyldialdehyde (MDA), glutathioneperoxidase (GPx) in zea mays differed significantly (P<0.05) at 5ml levels from those planted in 10ml and 15ml levels of the crude oil contaminated soils. The reductions in these growth characteristics measured were crude oil concentration dependent and elevated activity of antioxidative enzymes can assist as important components of antioxidative defense mechanism against oxidative damage. The results of this study could be beneficial in the understanding of the role of defense system beside these parameters, also significant reduction in lipase activity of the plant was recorded and yellowish leaf coloration due t reduction in chlorophyll content were observed among the plants grown in the crude oil contaminated soils. This study thus revealed that crude oil had pronounced effects on the germination and growth of maize plant. This means that maize plant should not be grown near or on soil contaminated with crude oil.

The need to examine health services from the patient’s perspective has become increasinglyimportant. The purpose of this study was to determine how patients perceive the qualityof eyecare services provided at the optometry clinic Ekehuan Campus, University of Benin. Apilot test
was conducted within a small group of individual. A well structured questionnairewasadministered on a cross-section of 134 patients at the University of Benin optometryclinic, Ekehuan campus. Participants were 18 years and above. Results obtained were analyzedusingthe SPSS. A well structured questionnaire was randomly issued out to participants that meet theinclusion criteria of this study. The questionnaire contained different sections suchas, Demographics, General perception of eye care services, Factors affecting perceived qualityofeye care services and specific services and staff performance. Overall, 47.0%of the respondentswere satisfied, 22.4% were neither ‘satisfied’ nor ‘dissatisfied’ while 4.5%were very dissatisfiedwith the quality of eye care services. According to the patient’s opinion, the study showedgoodsatisfaction with respect to the services provided by the eye care provider, affordabilityof eyecare services.

Zooplankton and macrobenthic invertebrate fauna are good indicators of the overall water quality of rivers, as changes in water quality affect their general distribution and abundance. This study investigates the community structure of zooplankton and macrobenthic invertebrate fauna of Siluko River, Edo State, Nigeria. Zooplankton and macrobenthic invertebrate samples were collected monthly fromJuly2016toMarch 2017 at four designated stations between 09:00 hours and 12:00 hours using plankton net and filtering 100litres of water, respectively and thereafter analyzed in the laboratory using standard methods. A total of 20 zooplankton taxa comprising 386 individuals belonging to the group Cladocera, Cyclopoida, ploimida and Flosculariaceae were encountered. Tropocyclops prasinus had the highest number of abundance. Cladocera accounted for 31.00% while Cyclopoida, Ploimidaandflosculariaceae accounted for 62.00%, 6.00% and 1% respectively. Shannon-Weiner’s diversityindices showed that highest value of 3.583 was obtained in station 4 and lowest value of 2.731was obtained in station 2 for the zooplankton. There were no observed seasonal variation in Cladocera and Copepods composition and abundance except for Rotifers, which were moreabundant in dry season. A total of 52 macrobenthic invertebrate taxa comprising of 2163individuals, three phyla; Annelida, Arthropoda and Mollusca were encountered in this study. Centroptilum sp. had the highest abundance. Diversity and evenness indices showed that therewas no significant difference (p>0.05) in species composition across the study stations. Using Shannon-Weiner’s diversity index, highest value was obtained in station 1 and the lowest was obtained in station 3. Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera (EPT) index revealed that the water quality at stations 1, 3 and 4 were acceptable, while that of station 2 was categorized as

River systems are valuable to human beings; meanwhile, they are intensively influenced by human activities. especially urbanization. In this study, we evaluated the water quality of Amagba-Okoroma River, Benin City using analysis of water physico-chemical parameters recorded seasonally from March to April 2023 (dry season) and June and July 2023 (rainy season). Three sampling sites were selected along the course of the river from upstream (site 1) to downstream(site 3) associated with various anthropogenic activities. Water samples were collected andanlysed using standard procedure. Of the 21 water physico-chemical parameters anlysed, 5parameters namely, turbidity (15.5 NTU), pH (5.4), Cr (0.15 mg/L), Cu (0.34 mg/L) andZn(0.66 mg/L) exceeded the stipulated Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) guidelines. The result revealed that 3 parameters, namely, air temperature, water depth, and transparency showed significant spatial variation across the three sites. Additionally, statistically significant seasonal variation was observed in 2 parameters in dry and rainy season namely, nitrate-nitrogen and sulphate. Water quality index (WQI) results reveal that water samples from each site were rated to be of excellent water quality, however, site 1 upstream had the best quality followed bysite2and site 3, respectively. To preserve this water resource against pollution, the implementation of stringent guidelines as well as routine biomonitoring are needed to enhance its health status.

Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) has been reported to possess different biological effects which is why it is perceived as a wonder herb by locals. 1, 2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH), a potent carcinogen is renowned for its toxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) on DMH-induced toxicity in rats. Forty (40) male Wistar albino rats weighing 150 – 200 g were randomly assigned to eight (8) groups (5 rats per group): control, DMH, silymarin, VA only, pretreatment [200 mg/kg body weight (bwt)], pretreatment (400 mg/kg bwt), post-treatment (200 mg/kg bwt), and post-treatment (400mg/kg bwt) groups. With the exception of control and VA only groups, the rats were exposed to DMH before or after treatment with VA via intraperitoneal route at a single dose of 40 mg/kg bwt. Rats in the silymarin group were treated with the standard hepato-/cardio-protective drug, silymarin (100 mg/kg bwt). The treatment lasted for 21 days. At the end of the treatment period the rats were euthanized and blood/tissue samples collected for biochemical analyses. Oxidative stress markers were measured in rat organs (liver, kidney, heart, pancreas and colon). Portions of excised organs were subjected to histopathological examination.
The results showed that exposure of adult male Wistar albino rats to DMH resulted in significant increases (p<0.05) in the relative organ weights, total protein (TP), activities/levels of liver, kidney and cardiac function parameters, lipid peroxidation index [malondialdehyde (MDA)], lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol VLDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)], and cardiovascular disease risk factors [atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), atherogenic coefficient (AC) and cardiac risk ratio (CRR)], but it reduced the activities/levels of antioxidant enzymes/molecules (p<0.05). However, treatment of the rats with ethanol extract of V. amygdalina leaves significantly reduced the activities/levels of the indices of liver, kidney and cardiac function, MDA, TP, TC, TG, VLDL-C, LDL-C and cardiovascular disease risk factors, while enhancing the activities/levels of antioxidant enzymes/molecules (p<0.05). The plant extract also significantly ameliorated the structural alterations/distortions caused by DMH to rat organs (p < 0.05).
These results indicate that ethanol extract of the medicinal plant leaves can effectively ameliorate DMH-induced systemic toxicity in Wistar rats

In this study, the effect of ethanol extract of Solarium nigrum (Sn) leaf on the concentrationofmalondialdehyde (MDA) after histamine challenge in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs wasinvestigated. Three weeks old, male guinea pigs (25 of them) were divided into five groupsconsisting of five pigs each were used. All animals were allowed access to standard animal feedand water. In addition animals were pre-sensitized with ovalbumin, and then exposedto2%histamine aerosol after an overnight fast. The pre convulsion time was recorded. Animalsingroups 2, 3, 4, were administered ethanol extract of Solanum nigrum leaf at the respective dosesof 50, 100 and 200mg/kg body weight while animals in group 5. received 25mg/kgbwof thereference drug aminophylline. Animals were again subjected to histamine aerosol after drugadministration and the pre-convulsion was again recorded. All animals were sacrificed threedaysafter the last challenge and their lungs were excised. Result obtained indicates that sensitizationwith ovalbumin and exposure to histamine aerosol caused the increase in the lipid peroxidationin bronchial alveolar tissue, lung and plasma cells respectively. Treatment with ethanol extract ofSolanum nigrum (Sn) leaf showed a decrease in the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA)when compared to that of the control.

Antibiotics have been used in fish farms for the treatment of bacterial infections. The indiscriminate use of these antibiotics has however led to the issue of antibiotic residue in food animals, which has emerged globally as a public health risk. Lack of information on antibiotic residue in catfish (C. gariepinus) in developing countries such as Nigeria is however a major problem. This study was carried out to evaluate the concentration of tetracycline residues in catfish (C. gariepinus) from selected ponds in Edo Central, Edo State, Nigeria. Adult Catfish (C. gariepinus) samples were obtained from three ponds in Edo Central and analysed for tetracycline residue using the QuEChERS sample method for residue analysis. Questionnaires were also administered to catfish farmers to evaluate their antibiotic use and knowledge of antibiotic administration. The tetracycline residue present in catfish from the sampled ponds were above the maximum residue limits (MRL). Pond 1 had the highest mean tetracycline residue (1.87 ± 0.03 mg/kg) while Pond 2 had the lowest mean tetracycline residue of the sampled ponds (1.84 ± 0.05 mg/kg).

The consumption of bivalves, such as mussels, clams, and oysters, is widespread across the globe, particularly in Coastal regions. Due to the natural habitat of bivalves and feeding habitat, there is a high possibility of the meat being contaminated with microorganisms and toxic elements. Hence, this research investigated the prevalence of Listeria and Vibriospecies, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in bivalves (Ergeria radiata). A total of three hundred (300) edible bivalves (Ergeria radiata) were obtained during March 2023 to February 2024 from the Ekowe community Coastal waters and from wet markets (Swali
and Opolo) using sterile containers. Bacteria were enumerated using standard microbiological procedures. Isolates of Vibrio and Listeria were identified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determinedusingKirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Plasmid profiling and curing of Vibrio and Listeria isolates were determined by standard methods. Proximate analysis of Ergeriaradiata was determined using standard analytical chemical methods. Mineral and heavy metal compositions were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), while Na and K were analyzed by flame photometry. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Standard methods were used to determine the physicochemical properties of the Coastal water samples. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS version 20.0. Duncan multiple range test was used to separate the means at p<0.05 significant differences. The results of this study revealed that higher bacterial counts were observed in thewet season compared to the dry season. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts for the wet season ranged from 20.48 ± 1.62x 10 5 cfu/g - 30.06 ± 1.63x 10 5 cfu/g, while for dry season it rangedfrom 10.88 ± 1.09 x 105 cfu/g – 18.18 ± 1.10 x10
5 cfu/g. The Vibrio counts for wet seasonranged from 16.82 ± 1.17 x 10 5 cfu/g - 19.90 ± 1.27 x 10 5 cfu/, while for dry season it rangedfrom 9.96 ± 0.95 x 10 5 cfu/g – 13.58 ± 1.12 x 10
5 cfu/g. Listeria counts for wet seasonranged from 8 .08 ± 0.50 x 10 5 cfu/g – 11.52 ± 0.76 x 10 5 cfu/g, while for dry seasonit
ranged from 6.12 ± 0.67 x10 5 cfu/g – 9.72 ± 0.8 x 10 5 cfu/g - 9.72 ± 0.81 x 10 5 cfu/g.TheVibrio species isolated were Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio fluvialis with the accession numbers PP832852, PP382853, PP832854 and PP832855, respectively. Listeria species isolated were Listeria innocua PP832856, Listeria monocytogenes PP832857, and Listeria ivanovii PP328560. The hlyA virulence gene was detected in all the Listeria species for both wet and dry season. The virulence gene ctxAwasnot detected in Vibrio parahaemolyticus for wet season, but was detected in dry season. Thepenicillin binding protein (pbp2b) resistant gene was detected in all Listeria species. Theaph(2")-If antimicrobial resistant gene was detected in Vibrio parahaemolyticus andVibrofluvialis for wet season, while in dry season, it was detected in all the Vibrio species. Therewas no seasonal variation in the values obtained for proximate composition, minerals. andheavy metal content. Protein ranged from 7.42 ± 0.72 % - 7.59 ± 0.6 %, fat (0.74 ±0.05%-0.77± 0.9%), K (510 ± 0.52 mg/kg - 520 ± 0.13 mg/kg), and Pb (0.03 ± 0.01 mg/kg –0.047±0.16 mg/kg). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentration of Ergeria sradiatawas low for both wet and dry season, and was below the permissible limit of 200 ppmset byWorld Health Organization (WHO). The physicochemical properties of the Coastal watersforwet season exceeded the permissible limit set by WHO. Bivalve (Ergeria radiata), although nutritionally rich, harbors potentially pathogenic bacteria of public health concern, particularly when they are consumed raw or not properly cooked.

Pesticides, though not intended for aquatic environments, often contaminate water bodies, impacting water quality and aquatic organisms. Chlorpyrifos, a commonly used organophosphate insecticide, poses significant risks to freshwater ecosystems due to its potential endocrine disruptiveeffects on aquatic organisms like Clarias gariepinus. This study aims to explore the correlation between chlorpyrifos exposure and thyroid hormone parameters in Clarias gariepinus. Eight hundred(800)Juvenile Clarias gariepinus were acquired and acclimatized before exposure to controlled concentrations of chlorpyrifos. Muscle tissue samples were collected for analysis of thyroid hormones, including Thyroxine(Free T4), Triiodothyronine(Free T3), and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone(FT3), using standard techniques. Chlorpyrifos exposure significantly affected T3 levels in C.gariepinus (p<0.05). The control group exhibited the highest T3 level (0.90 ± 0.20), differing significantly from treated groups (CHL 1: 0.72 ± 0.11, CHL 2: 0.74 ± 0.12, CHL 3: 0.66 ± 0.11). Thyroid Stimulating Hormonelevels also showed a significant difference between control (0.70 ± 0.01) and treated groups (CHL1: 0.80 ± 0.10, CHL2: 15.76 ± 7.56). Additionally, T4 levels varied significantly across groups, with the highest in CHL2 (5.9 ± 3.73) and lowest in CHL1 (4.53 ± 1.22).Chlorpyrifos exposure alters thyroid hormone levels in Clarias gariepinus, indicating potential disruption of thyroid function. These findings underscore the ecological risks associated with chlorpyrifos contamination in aquatic ecosystems, warranting further research for informed mitigation strategies to safeguard both aquatic organisms and human health.

This study assessed the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals content in sediments from Orhiomwon River, Edo state, Nigeria. A total of nine (9) sediment samples were collected from the sampling stations from May, 2025 to July, 2025. Physicochemical parameters of sediments were analysed following standard laboratory procedures while selected heavy metals were determined following the method of the association of analytical chemistry. The average mean concentration of physicochemical and heavy metals parameters of sediments were 5.03±0.20 (pH), 43.67±10.44 (EC), 1212.61±165.52 (Ca), 287.33±93.92
(Mg), 297.91±81.39 (K), 161.62±32.71 (Na), 0.05±0.01 (N), 0.51±0.16 (TOC), 92.18±2.39 (sand), 5.94±2.38 (clay), 1.88±0.03 (silt), 2366.74±817.55 (Fe), 18.92±4.58 (Cu), 69.20±19.63 (Zn), 0.04±0.06 (Cd), 6.66±1.48 (Pb), 33.55±23.38 (Mn), 1.49±0.47 (Cr) and
27.24±10.41 (THC) respectively. Heavy metal concentrations followed the order: sand, silt and cadmium showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) across the three stations. On the other hand, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium, magnesium, total organic carbon (TOC), clay, manganese, chromium, and total hydrocarbon content (THC) exhibited significant differences (p < 0.05) while potassium, nitrogen, sodium, iron, copper, zinc and lead showed a high significant difference (p<0.01) among the sediment samples from the different stations of Orhiomwon River. Fe>Zn>Pb>Cu>Mn>Cr>Cd. The results obtained in
this study showed that natural geochemical processes remained the dominant influence on Orhionmwon River sediments as signs of human activity especially from anthropogenic activities are evident.