FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

Sphenocentrum jollyanum is an important West African medicinal plant traditionally used for treating fever, digestive disorders, and metabolic ailments. Despite its widespread use, limited information exists regarding its biochemical safety and systemic effects during prolonged exposure. This study investigated the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum on renal and hepatic biochemical parameters in Wistar rats following 28 days of sub-chronic oral administration. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five animals each: a control group that received distilled water and three experimental groups treated with 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg of the aqueous leaf extract, respectively, for 28 consecutive days. Blood samples were analyzed for creatinine, urea, uric acid, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) using standard spectrophotometric methods. The mean biochemical values obtained were as follows: creatinine (4.25 ± 2.07–8.96 ± 3.32 mg/dL), urea (99.82 ± 7.00–161.54 ± 22.92 mg/dL), uric acid (8.18 ± 3.75–13.57 ± 3.88 mg/dL), and AST (54.41 ± 7.28–74.03 ± 18.06 U/L). The results showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between treated and control groups across all parameters. A slight, non-dose-dependent variation in creatinine and a mild reduction in urea and AST levels at higher doses indicated stable renal and hepatic function. These findings suggest that the extract does not induce nephrotoxicity or hepatotoxicity but may
support metabolic and antioxidant balance. In conclusion, sub-chronic administration of S. jollyanum aqueous extract in Wistar rats was well tolerated and biochemically safe at all tested doses. The study validates the plant’s traditional use as a detoxifying and restorative agent and supports its potential as a natural source of hepatoprotective and nephroprotective compounds.

Microbial degradation of emulsion paints poses significant challenges in industrial and environmental settings, often leading to discoloration, structural breakdown, and reduced durability of coated surfaces. Among the key microbial agents, Bacillus spp. and Escherichia coli have been identified for their enzymatic capabilities and metabolic versatility in degrading paint components such as binders, pigments, and additives. These bacteria utilize organic compounds in paint as carbon sources, contributing to biodeterioration through acid production, biofilm formation, and enzymatic hydrolysis. This study presents a comparative analysis of the physiological and growth responses of Bacillus spp. and Escherichia coli over a 21-day incubation period under ambient laboratory conditions. Key parameters monitored included pH, optical density (OD), temperature, and total viable count (TVC), providing insights into microbial adaptation and proliferation trends. For Bacillus, the pH remained stable at 7.0 until Day 7, then declined to 6.0 by Day 14, suggesting increased metabolic activity and acid production, followed by a slight recovery to 6.2. OD values fluctuated, peaking at Day 14 (0.40), indicating active biomass accumulation, while TVC rose progressively from 0.675 ×10⁷ CFU/mL to 9.60 ×10⁷ CFU/mL by Day 21, reflecting robust growth. Temperature varied modestly between 24°C and 27°C, with no apparent inhibitory effect. In contrast, E. coli
exhibited a sharper pH decline from 6.8 to 5.6 by Day 14, consistent with its fermentative metabolism. OD decreased steadily from 0.51 to 0.26, suggesting reduced cell density or viability over time. However, TVC increased significantly, from 0.5 ×10⁷ CFU/mL to 8.35 ×10⁷ CFU/mL, indicating sustained proliferation despite declining OD. Temperature ranged from 26°C to 30°C, with peak microbial activity observed at higher temperatures. The results highlight distinct metabolic and growth profiles between the two species. Bacillus demonstrated resilience and biomass recovery, while E. coli maintained high cell counts despite reduced optical density. These findings underscore the importance of multi-parameter monitoring in microbial ecology and have implications for bioprocess optimization, environmental microbiology, and industrial fermentation systems.

The rapid urbanization of the 21st century significantly alters local climates, manifesting in phenomena like the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and elevated concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The COVID-19 lockdown offered a rare natural experiment to evaluate the extent to which human activities influence urban thermal environments and atmospheric conditions. This study employed remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to analyse the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on Urban Heat Islands (UHIs), Land Surface Temperatures (LST), and Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) in Abuja, Nigeria. Landsat 8 satellite imagery was used to derive UHI and LST data, while Sentinel-5P provided atmospheric measurements for key GHGs including sulphur dioxide (SO2), aerosols, and ozone (O3). The analysis covered three temporal phases which are the pre-lockdown (2017–2018), lockdown (2019–2020), and post-lockdown (2021–2024) and data were processed using Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS environments to classify spatial variations and identify thermal patterns across the study area. The results revealed a significant decline in both UHI and LST intensity during the lockdown period, with mean UHI values dropping from 6.00°C in 2017– 2018 to 4.93°C in 2019–2020, before rising again to 6.72°C post-lockdown. LST followed a similar trend, decreasing from 6.96°C to 5.14°C during lockdown and increasing thereafter. A corresponding reduction was also observed in atmospheric pollutants, with sulphur dioxide, aerosols, and ozone concentrations all declining during the lockdown. Pearson correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between UHI and LST (r = 0.786–0.877), confirming their interdependence and direct link to anthropogenic activity. These findings underscore the dominant role of human activities in shaping urban climatic and atmospheric conditions. The temporary cooling and emission reduction during the lockdown illustrate the potential environmental benefits of reduced fossil fuel consumption and improved urban planning. The study highlights the critical importance of integrating green infrastructure, energy-efficient systems, and climate-responsive policies into Abuja’s urban development framework. It further demonstrates the value of remote sensing and GIS as essential tools for continuous environmental monitoring and policy formulation toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action)

Sand production is one of the most troublesome issues in oil and gas development, especially in unconsolidated reservoirs where the formation lacks natural strength. It often leads to equipment wear, production losses, and higher maintenance costs. This study looks at better ways to predict and manage sand production by bringing together different techniques such as geomechanical modeling, log analysis, and real-time monitoring. Traditional control methods like gravel
packing, sand screens, and chemical consolidation are compared with more recent innovations such as the Tixier log-based approach and Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS). Insights drawn from field experiences in Nigerian reservoirs show that when prediction, control and monitoring are combined in a single system, sand problems can be handled more effectively and at a lower cost. Overall, this research highlights that a well-integrated sand management strategy can greatly improve production stability and extend the life of oil wells in challenging reservoir environments.

The improper disposal of waste engine oil poses significant environmental challenges causing serious pollution to the eco system and contaminating both land and groundwater. In this study the recycling/treatment of waste engine oil using different chemical method was investigated. The waste engine oil was first treated with glacial acetic acid and thereafter treated with kaolin. The treated oil was then neutralized with alcoholic potassium hydroxide and then filtered. The procedure was repeated using sulphuric acid and kaolin and glacial acetic acid with bentonite. The filtrate was characterized determining specific gravity, viscosity and flash point. The results showed that the flash point was within a range of 147°C - 177°C. viscosity with a range of 96.5 – 104.6mm2s -1 . However, all properties tested were close in value to the commercial lubricating oil

Gas flaring which is the burning of associated gas from crude oil, is a common practice in Nigeria. The absence of a strong regulatory framework, which could be brought about by a lack of awareness of the effects on the environment, is one of the primary reasons for its continuous impacts of gas flaring on vegetation. The study assessed vegetation health with the use of GIS at marked distances of analyzed years. There have been numerous studies conducted to demonstrate the negative impacts of gas flaring on the environment, but none have attempted to measure the cumulative long-term impact on vegetation. Furthermore, there hasn’t been much effort in Nigeria to use GIS to evaluate the effects of gas flaring. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) a GIS based change detection methodology, was used to examine how the vegetation in the study area changed over time. This was accomplished by gathering four distinct time series of satellite imagery of the research area at specified distances of 1km and 2km, making use of Landsat 4-Thematic Mapper (TM)/1991, Landsat 5-Thematic Mapper (TM)/1999, Landsat 7-Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+)/2003 and Landsat 8-Operational Land Image(OLI)/2013. The results show that gas flaring has a significant role in altering the natural vegetation, with the impact of gas flaring being more pronounced in areas near the flowstation. Furthermore, results from the year 1991 showed that the NDVI values between 1km and 2km did not significantly differ from one another. However, the 1999,2003 and 2013 indicated significant difference in the NDVI values between marked distances. This study emphasizes the need for a safe distance of 2km for human settlement from gas flare stacks. This study recommends that Government should implement policies, such as the polluter pay principle and/or give out incentives to companies so as to reduce gas flaring.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of groundwater flow direction in Iyuku, Auchi, offering valuable insights into hydrogeological conditions and the factors influencing groundwater movement. The wells were chosen to ensure spatial coverage of different geological formations and topographical variations. Key parameters such as hydraulic head, ground surface elevation, and static water level were measured using a Global Positioning System (GPS) device and a dip meter. The hydraulic head was calculated by subtracting the water table depth from the surface elevation, providing insights into groundwater movement. A total number of ten (10) hydraulic head values were analyzed which ranges from 121.92 to 297.882. The collected data were processed using ArcGIS 10.8 software, which was utilized to generate a potentiometric surface map indicating groundwater flow direction. The GIS-based methodology allowed for precise mapping and visualization of the spatial distribution of groundwater movement within the study area. The results of the study revealed that groundwater in Iyuku, Auchi, predominantly flows from the northeastern region toward the southwestern region. This flow pattern is driven by variations in hydraulic head, which is influenced by factors such as topography, geological formations, and groundwater recharge and discharge zones. The presence of fractured basement rocks and
sedimentary deposits in the area plays a crucial role in groundwater movement by creating pathways for water infiltration and flow. Furthermore, the study identified that unregulated human activities, such as improper waste disposal, sewage leaks, and agricultural runoff.

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of hydroethanolic extract of watermelon Citrullus lanatus) rind against cadmium-induced hematological alterations in Wistar rats. Twenty five rats were divided into five groups: a control group, a negative control group administered cadmium chloride (15mg/kg), a positive control group treated with Vitamin C (5 mg/kg), and two test groups treated with the watermelon rind extract at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The experiment lasted for 60 days. Results showed that cadmium exposure resulted in the lowest percentage body weight gain (37.41%), while treatment with the 500 mg/kg extract promoted the highest weight gain (84.66%), comparable to the Vitamin C group. Although blood cadmium levels did not show a statistically significant reduction, hematological analysis revealed that the extract, particularly at 250mg/kg, appeared to ameliorate hematological parameters, including red and white blood cell indices, showed no significant alterations. The result suggest that Citrullus lanatus rind extract possesses protective properties against cadmium-induced toxicity, potentially through its rich antioxidant phytochemicals, which mitigate oxidative stress and support hemopoietic function, rather than through direct chelation of the heavy metal.

Cadmium (Cd) a toxic non-essential transition metal that poses a health risk for both humans and animals. With many reviews recommending the use of plant extracts in abating heavy metal toxicity due to its rich medicinal properties. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Cocos nucifera L. water in abating cadmium-induced toxicity in male wistar rats. Twenty (20) sexually matured male wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups (n=5). Group A received with 2ml of cadmium chloride, Group B received 2ml of cadmium chloride and 4ml of Cocos nucifera L. water, Group C received 2ml of cadmium chloride and 6ml of Cocos nucifera L. water and Group D received Cocos nucifera L. water for 7 days. Thereafter, rats were sacrificed to obtain the blood and the testis were used for testosterone and histopathological analysis. Result showed that the cadmium chloride significantly decreases (p<0.05) body weight and testosterone level in group A however, the coadministration of Cocos nucifera L. water with cadmium chloride significantly increases (p>0.05) testosterone level both in Group B and C. Histopathological analysis showed that cadmium chloride caused mild intestinal edema in both in Group A when compared with Group D but no significant changes occurred when compared with cotreated groups (Group B and C). From this investigation, Cocos nucifera water showed abating potential in cadmium toxicity due to its polyphenol content and antioxidant properties, however, more studies in recommended

Zinc oxide nanoparticles are commonly used in many technologies. However, they are believed to have negative effects on the reproductive system. This research aims to explore how vitamin C can help protect the testis and epididymis of Wistar rats from the harmful effects of ZnO Nps. A total of 30 rats were separated into 5 groups of 6 and given different doses of ZnO Nps and Vitamin C for two weeks. In the ZnO group, malondialdehyde levels in the testis increased. On the other hand, the ZnO only group showed a decrease in gene expression and antioxidant enzyme activities compared to the control group. However, oxidative markers were significantly mitigated after combined treatment of ZnO Nps and Vit C compared to the rats given ZnO Nps (p < 0.05). This study demonstrate the ameliorating role of vitamin C on toxicity of ZnO Nps. In there epididymis, significant increase were observed in the SOD, MDA, CAT, and GPX of the ZnO NPS and combined treatment of ZnO Nps and vit c when compared to the control ( p> 0.05). The study found that there was a noticeable drop in the number of live sperm cells when exposed to ZnO alone and ZnO with Vit C, compared to the control group. On the other hand, there was a notable increase in the number of dead sperm cells when exposed to ZnO Nps alone and ZnO Nps with Vit C. Additionally, there was a decrease in the movement of sperm cells when exposed to ZnO Nps alone and ZnO Nps with Vit C, in comparison to the control group. This research shows that ZnO Nps have a negative impact on sperm quality, as well as the functioning of the testis and epididymis