FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

Water covers 71% of the earth surface and is essential for all the living beings. Nearly all metabolic processes take place in the presence of water. Clean water has a number of health benefits which include enhancing appetite control, metabolism, increase energy levels and aid in heart rate. Microorganisms are a crucial component of water. They are not only in charge of nutrient cycling, but they can also contribute to a number of diseases that are water-borne. In this study, the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria and fungi in water samples from two major distributors in Ugbowo, Benin City, Nigeria was evaluated. Six bacteria genera in total were isolated from both water samples namely, Proteus sp, Salmonella sp, Shigella sonnei, Enterobacter sp, Pseudomonas
sp and Escherichia coli all of which are known to cause unpleasant human diseases when consumed in large quantities. The fungal isolates obtained from both water samples sin this study were, Mucor sp, Penicillium citrinum, Penicilium oxalicum, and aflatoxigenic Aspergillus fumigatus. The total heterotrophic bacteria counts obtained from the distribution companies ranged
from 4.70x104±5.60 CFU/ml to 7.85 x104±2.80 CFU/ml. The fungal counts obtained also ranged from 2.24x104±2.82 CFU/ml to 3.00x104±1.41 CFU/ml. It was also observed in this study that the isolated bacteria demonstrated resistance to some of the antibiotics in the antibacterial susceptibility testing, suggesting the presence of multi drug resistant strains. Studies should be
conducted to test the efficacy of alternative antimicrobial agents to human pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Vegetable oils are significant sources of dietary fatty acids. Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil
derived from the fruit of the palm plant (Elaeis
guineensis
) and is among the most produced and
widely used edible oils globally. Nevertheless, storage circumstances substantially modify its
chemical composition, elevating free fatty acid (FFA) levels. Free fatty acids (FFAs) are recognized
for their capacity to compromise membrane integrity and enzymatic activity, potentially altering
ATPase functions and resulting in modified hepatic metabolism. Employing groups of Wistar rats as
experimental models, one group used as control and the other groups fed with fresh and stored palm
oil containing varying levels of free fatty acids, assays were carried out to investigate the effects of
fresh and stored palm oil on the change in body weight and the activity of calcium ions ATPase
activity and magnesium ions ATPase activity in the liver of the Wistar rats. The results indicates that
consumption of fresh and stored palm oil with varied free fatty acid levels (0.4%-42.7%) led to
increase in the body weight of rats. Fresh palm oil with low free fatty acid levels contributes to
optimal liver function by preserving the structural and functional integrity of cell membranes. This is due to its antioxidant components in fresh palm oil such as tocopherols, tocotrienols and carotenoids which played a protective role by mitigating oxidative stress, maintaining enzyme activity and promoting cellular homeostasis. Stored palm oil with elevated free fatty acid levels resulting from oxidation exhibited negative effects on ATPase activity in ca2+ and Mg2+ particularly for Ca²⁺ATPase. This study reviews the effects of fresh and stored palm oil after consumption

The health and safety of children is a contributing factor to attendance in school and optimum academic performance. Having access to water, sanitation and hygiene factors prevents disease outbreaks among other benefits. This study was carried out to assess the WASH status of Faith Immaculate College and May and Steve Academy in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from both schools and subjected to analysis of selected physicochemical and microbiological parameters. The WASH status of the schools was evaluated using data gathered through a questionnaire. From the results obtained, the physicochemical quality of the water in the schools were all within the permissible limits for pH, chloride, nitrite and biochemical oxygen demand as recommended by the World Health Organisation. Microbiological analysis revealed that the total heterotrophic bacterial counts (3.5 x 10 1 - 8.0 x 10 1cfu/ml) and total fungal counts (2.0 x 10 1 - 5.0 x 10 1cfu/ml) were within permissible limits. However, the total coliform counts (4 - 17MPN/100ml) far exceeded the limit Centres for Disease Control limit and indicates a potential health risk when consumed. The bacterial isolates from this study were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus sp. while the fungal isolates are Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Mucor sp. and Penicillium citrinum. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern showed that only ciprofloxacin was effective in the treatment of all bacterial isolates. The assessment of WASH status revealed that there was water available at both schools and the sanitary facilities were adequate, although waste management at Faith Immaculate College was not satisfactory. Therefore, it is recommended that water treatment be carried out to improve its quality, while more efforts should be made to improve waste management practices especially in Faith Immaculate College.

The study was conducted to enumerate, identify the total airborne bacterial isolates from rooms in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) male hostel, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State and determine the frequency of occurrence as well as antibiotic sensitivity profiles of these bacterial isolates. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected in duplicates and a total of 36 airborne samples were collected from six rooms. Using sedimentation technique, open Petri-dishes containing nutrient agar fortified with nystatin to inhibit fungal growth and enhance bacterial proliferation was applied to enumerate and isolate airborne bacterial isolates. Standard cultural, morphological and biochemical procedures were used to characterize the isolates. Antibiotics susceptibility profiles were determined using standard disk diffusion methods. Results: The total plate count for bacterial enumeration obtained from the sampling sites ranged from 8.1 x 10 -3 to 1.0 x 10 -3 and expressed in colony forming units (cfu). Result of cultural, biochemical and morphological test showed Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis according to Bergey’s manual of determinative bacteriology. The antibiotics resistant pattern of Staphylococcus aureus expressed resistance to Amoxicillin Clavulanate (AUG), Cefotaxime (CTX), Imipenem/Cilastatin (IMP), Ofloxacin (OFX), Nalidixic Acid (NA), Nitrofurantoin (NF), Nitrofurantoin (NF), Cefuroxime (CXM), Ceftriaxone Sulbactarm (CRO), Gentamycin (GN), Cefuroxime (CXM), Imipenem/Cilastatin (IMP), Levofloxacin (LBC), Cefexime (ZEM), Ampiclox (ACX) which was a higher number of antibiotics and sensitive on Ofloxacin (OFX), Azithromycin (AZN), Gentamycin (GN) and Erythromycin (ERY). Bacillus subtilis showed resistance to Amoxicillin Clavulanate (AUG), Cefotaxime (CTX), Imipenem/Cilastatin (IMP), Ofloxacin (OFX), Gentamycin (GN), Nalidixic Acid (NA), Nitrofurantoin (NF), Nitrofurantoin (NF), Cefuroxime (CXM), Ceftriaxone Sulbactarm (CRO), Gentamycin (GN), Azithromycin (AZN), Ofloxacin (OFX), Cefuroxime (CXM), Imipenem/Cilastatin(IMP), Levofloxacin (LBC), Cefexime (ZEM), Ampiclox (ACX) and Erythromycin (ERY). Significantly, the various air sampling sites of the rooms indicated the presence of bacteria with majority showing multiple antibiotics resistance. Conclusion: The assessment of indoor air quality is essential in determining bacterial air pollution. Bacterial isolates obtained can be used to estimate the health hazard posed and create standards for air quality for both the indoor environment. These bacterial isolates obtained from the sampling sites during this research calls for attention as they are of public health concern and suggesting risk of exposure of students to airborne bacterial contamination.

Hypertension and diabetes are two of the most prevalent metabolic disorders, often coexisting and contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Conventional treatments for these conditions frequently involve multiple pharmacological agents, which can lead to adverse effects and reduced patient compliance. Consequently, there is a growing interest in natural plant-based therapies with antihypertensive and anti-diabetic properties. This study aims to investigate the efficacy hydro-methanol and acetone extracts of Simarouba glauca in mitigating diabetic hypertension in male Wistar rats induced by Streptozotocin (STZ) and Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Experimental animals were divided into four groups: a normotensive/non-diabetic control, an untreated diabetic/hypertensive group, and two treatment groups receiving hydro-methanol and acetone extracts of Simarouba glauca (25 mg/kg body weight) for four weeks. Plasma sodium and potassium ion levels were assessed to determine the extracts' effects on electrolyte regulation. Results revealed a significant increase in sodium levels (164.34 ± 5.46 mEq/L, P < 0.05) in the untreated diabetic hypertensive group compared to the normotensive control (138.77 ± 2.33 mEq/L). Hydro-methanol extract slightly reduced sodium levels (153.14 ± 11.02 mEq/L) without statistical significance (P > 0.05), whereas acetone extract significantly lowered sodium levels (129.96 ± 6.43 mEq/L, P < 0.05), indicating superior efficacy in mitigating sodium retention. Similarly, potassium levels were markedly depleted in the untreated group (0.33 ± 0.23 mEq/L), while acetone extract significantly restored potassium levels (12.80 ± 0.71 mEq/L, P < 0.05), outperforming hydro-methanol extract (0.32 ± 0.19 mEq/L, P > 0.05). These findings suggest that Simarouba glauca, particularly its acetone extract, has promising potential in correcting ele trolyte imbalances associated with diabetic hypertension. Further studies are recommended to elucidate the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects and their underlying mechanisms.

The study was conducted to investigate the possibility that growth-promoting rhizobacteria would enhance plant growth capacities of Amaranthus hybrisus and A. viridis in ferruginous ultisols, comparative to their humus counterparts; given the negative impact the former has on cultivation of the plant species. To achieve this, the setup was divided into two groups; the first comprised of 2 weeks old plants that were inoculated the test rhizobacteria – Pseudomonas putida, P. fluorescence and a combination of both in the ratio of 1:1, in both humus (HMS) and ferruginous red (FRS) soils. The second consisted of seeds of the test plants bioprimed with the bacteria in filtrates of HMS and FRS respectively. Growth responses were observed and measured. Plant species sown in the ferruginous red soils (FRS) did not survive beyond 45 days notwithstanding the kind of microbial inoculant. They also did not attain a plant height of 3cm and as such were not reasonable for harvest. For plants sown in humus soil (HMS), height ranged from 30.1 – 39.2 cm in A. hybridus (p=0.293) and 35.3 – 41.6 cm (p=0.072) in A. viridis, notwithstanding the rhizo-inoculant used. For A. hybridus, Leaf area was significantly higher in the inoculated plants sown in HMS. No significant changes in leaf area was reported for A. viridis irrespective of exposure to rhizoinoculation (11.5 – 17.5 cm2, p=223). No significant differences in number of leaves per plant, stem girth, and internode was reported in both species irrespective of treatment. Qualitative assessment of phytochemicals showed presence of saponins, phenolic, tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids in both species notwithstanding inoculation. The presence of glycosides in plants inoculated with P. pseudomonas was reported. Glycosides were absent in the control plants. Significant reduction in total phenols upon inoculation of plants with P. putida was also reported. Following the failure of FRS-exposed plants to subsist, in-vitro growth studies were conducted to compare seed growth response. Results showed that seeds sown in FRSfiltrates grew as better as those in HMS-filtrates. Germination percentage in the Pseudomonas- exposed seeds was better when seeds were primed for 24hthan ofr 3 h in both plant species

The world and human ecosystem has increasingly evolved with time; despite anthropogenic activities in tropical regions of the world leading to loss of plant and animal species. The impact of such activity poses a level of threat on the ecosystem. In the midst of these activities, fauna and flora are also kept intact through the structure of the Benin moat. Despite the encroachment of urban activities in Benin City into the moat, it is still a home for wide distribution of plants and animals. To preserve and keep proper record of ant species in that environment: sampling exercise was carried out within the moat using vials charged with ethyl acetate before taken to the laboratory for identification to provide a checklist. Diversity and abundance was computed using PAST software which revealed Componotus perrisinigeriensis (Formicinae) as the most abundant individual ant species and Tetramorium sericeiventre (Myrmicinae) as the least abundant ant species. This study revealed thirteen species of ants distributed among thirteen genera and four subfamilies (Formicinae, Myrmicinae, Dolichoderinae, and Ponerinae). According to the non-parametric estimates, Chao2 and Jackknife2 were between 98.9% and 100% of the ants species foraging within the moat were captured in this survey. This suggest that beating stick and tray method is an efficient technique to sample and monitor ant species occurrence within plants. In sum, the complete inventory observed here would allow subsequent studies to monitor the absence previous or presence of new ones within the moat for conservation purposes.

Moringa oleifera lam is a tree species belonging to the family moringaceae. It is widely appreciated for its ornamental and medicinal attribute. This study was carried out to determine the acute toxicity of M. oleifera in Swiss mice to determine the LD50 and observe any physiological and behavioral changes. Fresh roots of the M. oleifera were prepared by soaking dried
powdered roots of the plant species in absolute ethanol for 72 hours. After filtering and concentrating, various doses of the extract were prepared for administration. Twenty-eight adult male Swiss mice weighing between 30-35 g were used. In phase I, twelve mice were randomly assigned into four groups (I – IV) of three mice each. Groups I - III received single oral
doses of 10, 100, 1000 mg/kg respectively of M. oleifera ethanol root extract, and the control (Group IV) received distilled water. After 24 hours observation, Phase II experiment was conducted with three mice per group receiving single doses of 1600, 2900, 5000 and 10000 mg/kg of the extract respectively, control was given distilled water. They were observed for 14 days after administration. There was no mortality in both phases and no observable alterations in the mice treated with the M. oleifera ethanol root extract. Even at a high dosage of 10000 mg/kg, no observable alterations such as Writhing, Pilo-erection, Jerking, Lacrimation, Salivation, Hemorrhage and Nausea were observed. The lethal dosage (LD50) of the ethanol root extract was determined to be >10000 mg/kg, which implies a relatively high safety limit.

One of the most well-known medicinal plants, Andrographis paniculata (family Acanthaceae), has been used for centuries in Asia, America, and Africa to treat a wide range of illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, ulcers, leprosy, bronchitis, skin conditions, flatulence, colic, influenza, dysentery, dyspepsia, and malaria. This study evaluated the antioxidant properties of the medicinal herb, Andrographis paniculata with standard methods. Here, the DPPH, FRAP, TAC and hydrogen peroxide assays were carried out to determine the antioxidant activity of carbonated drink extract of A. paniculata. Each assay had corresponding
values for the standard and the carbonated drink extract. With the exception of the DPPH assay, the IC50 values for the carbonated drink extract were lower compared to that of the standard (ascorbic acid). Judging from the IC50 values, it therefore indicated that the carbonated drink extract had more antioxidant activity than the standard, showing that the carbonated drink extract of A. paniculata has a better antioxidant potency

The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect the Justicia carnea methanol extract on Streptozotocin induced diabetes in albino wistar rats. The analysis were carried out using standard biochemical methods. The oral acute toxicity test (LD50) of the Justicia carnea methanol leaf in rat extract was determined using Lorke’s method, and diabetes was induced in the rats by a single intraperitoneal dose of 50 mg/kg. b.w of Streptozotocin. Six (6) experimental groups of rats (n=6) were used for the study. Three groups (group 4,5,6) of diabetic rats received oral daily doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg Methanol leaf extract of Justicia carnea respectively while metformin(5 mg/ml); a standard diabetic drug was administered to group 3. Group 2 was induced with diabetes but left untreated (diabetic control), while group 1 was used as normal control which
was not induced with diabetes .The treatment lasted for 21days, and from the results of the acute toxicity study showed, the extract had an LD50 > 5000 mg/kg. From the result of the anti-diabetic study, a Significant (p < 0.05) increase was observed in blood glucose level of the untreated group (group 2) when compared with the normal control whereas groups treated with 100, 200 and 500mg/kg BW of Justicia carnea and 50mg/kg BW of metformin (group 3, 4, 5 and 6) showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose levels when compared with the untreated group (group 2). Therefore, it can be concluded from the results that the leaf extracts of Justicia carnea can be used in the management of diabetes