FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

Climate change is part of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century, with its adverse effects felt across the globe through increase in temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and increasing incidences of extreme weather events. These changes pose serious threats to food security, livelihoods, and sustainable development. In regions like Benin City (Edo State, Nigeria), climate-induced flooding and other extreme events have undermined food availability and lead to food security. This study examines determinants of adopting climate change adaptation strategies for food security in Benin City. A structured Likert-scale questionnaire was distributed to one hundred and fifty (150) respondents using google form and the data collected was subjected to descriptive and correlation statistics using statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) . The results showed low awareness of climate change impacts on food security. Correlation analysis revealed moderate positive relationships between awareness to climate change and socio-demographic factors which is statistically significant (r = 0.373, p = 0.000<0.05) and between awareness to climate change and socio-cultural influences which is also statistically significant (r = 0.380, p = 0.000<0.05). However, the study also identified barriers such as inadequate institutional support, limited access to finance, and weak infrastructural capacity as key challenges limiting effective responses. It was concluded that although local communities in Benin City demonstrate resilience through livelihood diversification, their capacity to adapt remains constrained without coordinated government intervention and broader policy support. The study recommends the introduction of climate change awareness into educational and extension programmes, the promotion of renewable energy and sustainable agricultural practices, improved access to climate information, investment in sustainable agricultural practices, and stronger collaboration between government agencies, private actors, and civil society in order to enhance adaptive capacity and safeguard livelihoods.

Rabbit gastrointestinal tracts harbour a variety of bacteria that are shed in stool and some are beneficial while others are pathogenic. Fifteen (15) rabbit stool samples were collected from three different farms (University of Benin farm, Okene Farm and Animal house) with sterile universal bottles and samples were immediately transported to the laboratory for bacteriological analysis. Total heterotrophic bacterial counts and culture were carried out using standard microbiological techniques. Bacterial identification was also carried out using selective media and various biochemical tests. Phenotypic virulence factors (haemolysin, gelatinase production, serum resistance and capsule formation assays) were carried out on the bacterial isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility was carried out using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. Results showed that Animal House had the highest bacterial load (12.9 × 10⁶ ± 1.4 CFU/g) while University of Benin Farm the lowest (2.1 × 10⁶ ± 1.4 CFU/g) (p < 0.001). The bacteria isolated include, Lactobacillus sp. (26%), Neisseria sp. (20%), Staphylococcus aureus (20%), Bacillus sp. (13%), Escherichia coli (13%) and Salmonella sp. (6%). Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp., E. coli, and Salmonella sp. exhibited β-haemolysis, gelatinase activity, serum resistance and capsule formation, while Lactobacillus sp. and Neisseria sp. lacked these virulence factors. All isolates were susceptible to levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin and ceftazidime but resistant to gentamicin, cefuroxime, streptomycin, azithromycin, amoxicillin and erythromycin. Rabbit stool contains both commensal and opportunistic pathogens carrying resistant bacteria.

The study eutrophication stimulation effect on river Eruvbi phytoplankton was done to observe the growth response of the phytoplankton to different nutrient enrichment. Water samples were collected from the river site as well as phytoplankton samples. The phytoplankton was subjected to microscopic examination. The study involved natural phytoplankton population and introduced algae of (Scenedesums acutus and Chlorella vulgaris). The nutrient concentration used were 2.4mg/L nitrate, 1.2 mg/L phosphate and 2.4 mg/L nitrate + 1.2 mg/L phosphate, growth measurement was done optically using spectrometry at 750nm. The physiochemical composition of the river was also carried out, with some done in situ and others done in the laboratory. The result of the stimulated experiment showed that indigenous phytoplankton growth was best stimulated by nitrate enrichment, while introduced phytoplankton responded better to phosphate enrichment. The phytoplankton composition of river Eruvbi has a low biodiversity and the algae present show the river to be oligotrophic in nature. Some physiochemical parameters such as dissolved solid, total alkalinity, total hardness and turbidity fell within the WHO guidelines for drinking water, while others like dissolved oxygen and pH were above the WHO guidelines for drinking water. It was concluded from the results that river Eruvbi which is oligotrophic as at present will under eutrophication if subjected to nitrate enrichment which will also cause a rapid bloom in the phytoplankton species of the river. Therefore extra care must be taken to prevent the eutrophication of the river.

Mosquitoes are common insect pests and are well known as major vectors responsible for transmitting important parasitic and arboviral diseases such as malaria, filariasis, dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika virus, which pose significant health risks to humans and animals. This study investigated the species composition, sex ratio and distribution of outdoor-resting mosquitoes on the Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin, Nigeria. Adult mosquitoes were sampled using sweep nets across 14 selected outdoor sites between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. from August to September 2025. Identification was carried out using standard morphological keys. A total of 244 adult mosquitoes were recorded, representing seven species: Aedes albopictus (67.6%), Aedes infirmatus (2.87%), Aedes cretinus (0.4%), Aedes vexans (2.87%), Culex quinquefasciatus (25.4%), Coquillettidia fraseri (0.4%) and Mansonia sp. (0.4%). Aedes albopictus was the most abundant (67.6%) and the most widely distributed, occurring in all sampled locations except the Junior Staff Quarters farmland. Aedes cretinus, Coquillettidia fraseri and Mansonia sp. were the least represented, each accounting for 0.4%. The sex ratio showed a higher proportion of females (63.9%) than males (36.1%). The Junior Staff Quarters farmland had the highest mosquito abundance (17.6%), followed by the Faculty of Agriculture (11.5%) and the Ekosodin back gate (11.0%), while Hall 6 recorded the lowest abundance (2.5%). Species diversity was highest at the Faculty of Engineering, Basic Medical Sciences, and Hall 6, whereas the Department of Health Services and the Junior Staff Quarters plantain farm showed the lowest diversity.

Laundry wastewater, a category of greywater, contains various chemical constituents such as soap, suspended solids, oils, perfumes, and other pollutants at high concentrations. This study investigated the prevalence of virulence factors in bacterial isolates obtained from laundry wastewater to highlight their potential health risks. Samples were collected from residential and industrial laundry facilities, and the microbial isolates were analyzed using biochemical, molecular, and phenotypic methods. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts were recorded as 82.25 ± 4.7 CFU/mL × 10⁷ in Laundry Wastewater V and 94.50 ± 6.1 CFU/mL × 10⁷ in Laundry Wastewater W. Twenty-five bacterial isolates which include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, and pseudomonas spp. were characterized. The most frequently isolated bacterium was Staphylococcus aureus [11/25 (44.0%)], followed by Escherichia coli [7/25 (28.0%)], Pseudomonas spp. [4/25 (16.0%)], and Staphylococcus spp. [3/25 (12.0%)]. Virulence factors such as DNase activity, lipase activity, and hemolytic activity were assessed. DNase activity was observed in 40% of the isolates, lipase activity in 52%, and hemolytic activity in 92%. Among Staphylococcus aureus isolates, DNase activity was 45.5%, lipase activity was 54.5%, and hemolytic activity was 100%. Similarly, hemolytic activity was prevalent in all Escherichia coli isolates (100%) and 75% of Pseudomonas spp. isolates. This study highlights the high prevalence of virulence factors in bacterial isolates from laundry wastewater and underscores its potential as a reservoir of pathogenic microorganisms. Untreated discharge of such wastewater poses serious public health and environmental risks. Therefore, it
emphasizes the need for enhanced wastewater treatment systems and further research on the
ecological and epidemiological implications of virulence factors in laundry effluents.

This study focused on the isolation and identification of bacteria from environmental hot spots using dumpsites located within Oredo Local Government Area of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, as reference points. The investigation aimed to assess the bacterial load, identify predominant microbial species, and evaluate their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Ten samples were collected from various dumpsite points and analyzed using standard microbiological procedures. Total heterotrophic bacterial counts (THBC) ranged from 5 × 10⁴ to 1.25 × 10⁶ CFU/mL on MacConkey and EMB agars, indicating high microbial activity and organic contamination. Four representative isolates were further characterized biochemically and identified as Escherichia coli (three isolates) and Pseudomonas spp. (one isolate). Antibiotic susceptibility testing using the disk diffusion method revealed that all isolates were highly sensitive to fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, peflacine) and aminoglycosides (gentamicin, streptomycin) but exhibited strong resistance to β-lactam antibiotics such as ceporex and cefuroxime. The dominance of E. coli reflects fecal contamination of the dumpsites, while the presence of Pseudomonas spp. highlights the persistence of environmental opportunistic pathogens. The results suggest that these dumpsites represent potential reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria with implications for public health and environmental safety. This study emphasizes the urgent need for improved waste management, microbial monitoring, and enforcement of environmental sanitation standards to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance in Benin City and other urban areas of Nigeria.

This study was carried out to determine the concentrations of some heavy metals, such as nickel, cadmium, mercury, and oxidative stress status of tomatoes sold in local markets in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Fresh tomato samples were brought from Uselu and Ikpoba Hill market in Benin City. The samples were oven-dried at 105°C for 24 hours and grinded to powder. The powdered samples were dissolved in deionized water, filtered through Whatman filter paper, and the volume was made up to 25 ml using 10 ml of 98% nitric acid. The resulting solution was analysed for the presence of heavy metals using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
(AAS, Perkin Elmer model 2130). The results showed that the nickel concentration present fresh tomato samples obtained from the two markets ranged from 0.13 mg/kg to 0.16 mg/kg, while
the cadmium concentration ranged from 0.11 mg/kg to 0.13 mg/kg. However, when compared to
W.H.O standard, the heavy metal concentration was slightly above the recommended value of
0.10 mg/kg. Also, oxidative stress analysis showed that the superoxide dismutase (SOD) value
ranged from 3.02 U/g to 3.48 U/g, Catalase (CAT) value ranged from 0.08 U/g to 0.10 U/g, the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) value ranged from 4.96 U/g to 5.73 U/g, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) value ranged from 0.50 U/g to 0.64 U/g respectively. These findings were indicative of environmental pollution due to industrial and vehicular emissions and also the mode of handing and processing of the samples. Although the heavy metals detected in this study are not beneficial to man and plant, low concentration can prove detrimental to health.

This study assessed the human health risks associated with heavy metals in groundwater from Oluku, Edo State, Nigeria, with a focus on dermal exposure. Groundwater, a primary domestic water source, is vulnerable to contamination by both natural and anthropogenic activities, including industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal. Key heavy metals analyzed included zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and Lead (Pb). Fifteen groundwater samples were collected and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) following standard procedures. Concentrations were compared against World Health Organization (WHO, 2017) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ, 2007) limits, while potential human health risks were estimated using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 2004) Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) framework. Results indicated that zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) were present at relatively higher levels, with mean concentrations of 3.05 mg/L and 1.53 mg/L, respectively, while lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) recorded concentrations of 0.604 mg/L and 0.462 mg/L, exceeding WHO and NSDWQ limits. Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) analyses revealed that non-carcinogenic risks from Zn, Fe, and Mn were minimal. However, Pb and Cd posed significant health risks, particularly for children, who exhibited higher exposure levels due to lower body weight and greater dermal contact. Carcinogenic risk assessment further indicated that both Pb and Cd exceeded acceptable USEPA limits, with cadmium presenting the highest lifetime cancer risk. The study concluded that Fe and Zn likely originated from natural geogenic sources within the Benin Formation, while Pb and Cd contamination was predominantly anthropogenic, linked to industrial, domestic, and agricultural activities. The uneven spatial distribution of metals highlighted the influence of proximity to pollution sources. These findings underscore the urgent need for continuous groundwater monitoring, effective waste management, and public health interventions to mitigate exposure risks in Oluku, ensuring the safety of groundwater resources for domestic use.

Polyherbal formulations have long been utilized in traditional medicine for their synergistic therapeutic benefits. This study evaluated the comparative antimicrobial activities of Macedar a polyherbal formulation composed of Carica papaya leaves, Veronica amygdalina leaves, and Croton hirtus leaves and Carica papaya leaves alone. Methanol extracts were prepared using cold maceration and tested against selected Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria through agar well diffusion at varying concentrations (62.5–500 mg/ml). The results revealed that both extracts exhibited significant, dose-dependent antibacterial activity, with Macedar demonstrating stronger inhibitory effects across all test organisms. The highest inhibition zones were observed at 500 mg/ml, with Staphylococcus aureus showing the greatest susceptibility. These findings indicate that the synergistic interaction of the three plants in Macedar enhances antimicrobial potency beyond that of single-plant extracts. The study provides scientific validation for the ethno medicinal use of these plants and highlights the potential of polyherbal formulations Macedar as effective alternatives in combating resistant bacterial infections.

This project focused on checking the microbiological quality of different snacks sold within the University of Benin campus. The study was carried out to find out if the snacks commonly eaten by students are safe and free from harmful microorganisms. Snacks such as meat pie, chicken pie, egg roll, fish roll, doughnut, and puff-puff were selected because these foods are among the most popular foods sold by vendors around the school. Samples were collected from various vending points across the university and analyzed using standard laboratory methods. The total number of bacteria and fungi present in each snack was determined, and the organisms were identified using gram staining and biochemical tests. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were also performed to know how the bacterial isolates responded to common antibiotics. The results showed that all the snacks contained microorganisms, but at different levels. Egg roll and meat pie had the highest bacterial counts, while puff-puff showed the lowest. Common bacteria found included Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis, while fungi such as Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans were also isolated. Some bacteria were resistant to certain antibiotics but remained sensitive to others. This study concludes that while most snacks sold within the University of Benin are within acceptable limits of microbial safety, the presence of some harmful microorganisms shows that hygiene during preparation and handling needs to be improved. Regular health checks for food handlers and proper hygiene education are strongly recommended to prevent foodborne infections among students.