FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype typhi and is prevalent in numerous low- and middle-income countries around the world, including Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine typhoid prevalence among individuals in Orobosa Medical Centre and Graceville Medical Centre in Benin City, Nigeria. A total of 232 individuals took part in the study, with 116 for each medical centre. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire designed by the researcher and blood tests were used to determine whether participants were positive or negative for typhoid. Analysis of data was done using SPSS version 20 and Microsoft Excel 2016. From the results, participants were predominantly female and aged between 21 and 30 years. Most participants obtained drinking water from table water sources (90.52 % and 75.86 %, respectively). Headaches and fatigue were identified by participants as the most common symptoms of typhoid fever. The most common risk factors according to participants were proximity to insects feeding on faecal matter and consumption of raw fruits and vegetables. Typhoid prevalence in the study was 19.83% and 17.24% for Orobosa Medical Centre and Graceville Medical Centre, respectively. To drastically reduce the prevalence of typhoid fever, the following can be applied; public health education, community-based interventions and strengthening of surveillance systems.

6PPD-quinone (6PPD-Q) is a transformation product of the tyre additive 6PPD. It enters aquatic systems through stormwater runoff and poses an emerging toxicological concern. This study examined the acute and sub-lethal effects of 6PPD-Q on Clarias gariepinus, a freshwater catfish commonly used in ecotoxicological studies. The objective was to determine the sensitivity of Clarias gariepinus to 6PPD-Q and to assess changes in haematological parameters as indicators of physiological stress. Juvenile Clarias gariepinus were exposed under laboratory conditions to a range of 6PPD-Q concentrations for 96 hours to evaluate acute toxicity, followed by sub-lethal exposure for haematological analysis. No mortality was recorded during the acute phase, indicating that the compound did not reach a lethal threshold within the tested concentration range. Sub-lethal exposure produced measurable haematological alterations. There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume, suggesting anaemia and impaired oxygen transport. White blood cell counts increased, indicating immune response activation. These findings demonstrate that 6PPD-Q affects fish health at non-lethal levels, even when acute mortality is absent. This study highlights the ecological risk posed by 6PPD-Q in aquatic environments. Its persistence and sub-lethal toxicity underscore the need for environmental monitoring and regulation of tire-derived pollutants. Further research should address long-term exposure, tissue accumulation, and population-level impacts in freshwater ecosystems.

Wastewater generated from restaurants often contains a mixture of organic matter and microbial contaminants that may pose environmental and public health risks. This research focuses on the detection and isolation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) from wastewater collected from selected restaurants within the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. For this study, wastewater samples were obtained from three restaurants: Helena’s Kitchen, Home and Away, and Buka— during peak operation hours. The samples were collected aseptically and analysed using standard microbiological methods. The pour plate technique was employed for total heterotrophic bacterial counts, while selective media such as Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar were used for the isolation of E. coli. Biochemical tests including indole, methyl red, citrate, urease, and triple sugar iron (TSI) were used to confirm the isolates. The results showed high microbial loads across all samples, with E. coli being consistently present, indicating faecal contamination of the wastewater. The identification of other bacterial species suggest contamination from multiple sources such as food residues, human handling, and the environment. The findings reveal poor wastewater management and hygiene practices in the studied restaurants. In conclusion, the consistent presence of E. coli in restaurant wastewater signifies potential health and environmental hazards within the University of Benin. It is therefore recommended that wastewater from restaurants be regularly monitored, and that adequate sanitation infrastructure and treatment systems be put in place to prevent contamination and safeguard public health.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics (usually used for bacteria) and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective, and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability, and death. This study comprehensively investigated the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcusaureus isolated from paediatric patients. The study adopted a cross-sectional epidemiological design. The participants of the study include paediatric patients aged 2–17 years within UBTH with clinically diagnosed bacterial infections or paediatric patients who were suspected to eventually receive antibiotic treatments. A total of 53 samples were collected from this population, using rectal and nasal swabs, these samples were cultured on MacConkey agar and mannitol salt agar respectively. Isolates were characterized using conventional cultural
techniques. The findings of the study showed that the mean age of the population is between30.5-117.5 months, With male gender being predominant in the study. Atotal of 53Staphylococcus isolates were identified, comprising 36(67.9%) S. aureus and 17(32.1%)Coagulase negative Staphylococcus aureus (CoNS). The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolates, indicated a high level of susceptibility to majority of the antibiotics; including amikacin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, tigecycline, meropenem, levofloxacin, erythromycin, cefuroxime, and tetracycline. Resistance was most pronounced against cefoxitin, cefazidime, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, where significant proportions of isolates were resistant (ranging from approximately45%to80%). Based on the findings of this study, it can be infer that there is mild-high range of AMR among paediatric patient in Benin City. The study thus, supports the need for necessary action, including rational drug use, continuous surveillance, and deployment of adequate preventive and curative policies and actions

This study investigated the microbial contamination of personal effects belonging to undergraduate students in lecture theaters at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The aim was to isolate, identify, and characterize bacteria and fungi present on frequently handled items such as mobile phones, bags, laptops, wristwatches, earbuds, and power banks, as well as to assess their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. Samples were collected using sterile swabs moistened with saline and cultured on Nutrient Agar, MacConkey Agar, Salmonella-ShigellaAgar, and Potato Dextrose Agar following standard microbiological procedures. Bacterial
isolates were characterized using Gram staining and biochemical tests, while fungal isolateswere identified based on macroscopic and microscopic features. The total heterotrophicbacterial count ranged from 0.85 × 10⁴ to 4.75 × 10⁴ CFU/m², and the total fungal count
ranged from 4.0 × 10³ to 9.0 × 10³ CFU/m², with higher microbial loads observed onitemsfrom female students. Five bacterial species were identified: Enterobacter cloacae, Salmonella spp., Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus alongside fungal
isolates including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., and Yeast. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin but resistance to tetracycline, metronidazole, and colistin, indicating the presence of multidrug-resistant strains. The findings demonstrate that students’ personal items serve as potential fomites capable of harboring and transmitting pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms within academic environments. This highlights the need for improved hygiene practices, regular disinfection of personal effects, and health education to minimize fomite-mediated infections and safeguard public health.

Increase in antibiotic resistance of infectious bacteria to conventional antibiotics has emerged as a threat to public health and this has lrd to the growing interest rate in plants as herbal sources of antimicrobial agents. Among such plants, Musa spp (banana stem) has been widely used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. This study explored the antibacterial activity of Musa spp stem extracts against selected bacteria. Fresh stem of Musa spp were cut, cleaned, air-dried and pulverized. The powdered sample was soaked using ethanol and distilled water and extracted to obtain the ethanolic and aqeous extracts. The antibacterial activity of the extracts were assessed against selected bacteria (Escherechiacoli, Staphylcoccus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ), obtained fromthe UniversityofBenin Teaching Hospital using Agar well diffusion method. The phytochemical screening of the aqeous and ethanol extracts, revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids and saponins at varying degrees with the ethanolic extract showing stronger phytochemical activity, compared to the aqeous extract. The bacterial
evaluation of the extract revealed that both extracts, showed dose dependent antibacterial activity with inhibition zones, decreasing at lower concentrations. For Staphylcoccus aureus, ethanolic extract showed moderate inhibition at 11.00mm and no inhibition for aqeous extract. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed moderate inhibition for both the aqeous- 11.00mmandethanol- 10.00mm extract at 50% concentration and 10.00mm at 25%aqeous concentration. Escherechia coli showed both ethanolic and aqeous inhibition at only 50%concentrationat 11.00mm and 9.00mm respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of both aqeous and ethanolic extracts showed that Staplylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherechiacoli, showed bacterioststic activity at 50mg/ml for the ethanolic extract while only P. aeruginosa inhibited at 50mg/ml for the aqeous extract. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration showed that only ethanolic extract at 50mg/ml showed bacteriacidal effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherechia coli showed bacteriostatic activity. This study further emphasizes the antibacterial potential of Musa spp stem extracts against selected bacteria. This supports it’s basis as an alternative to synthetic antibiotics as a medicinal plant.

Methane (CH₄), with warming potential 84 times greater than CO₂ over 20 years, requires urgent mitigation for climate stabilization. This study compared atmospheric methane patterns between Delta and Adamawa States, Nigeria, using 2022–2024 Sentinel-5P TROPOMI satellite data processed through Google Earth Engine. Applying strict quality controls (qa_value ≥ 0.75) and statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney U test, Getis-Ord Gi*), the research revealed distinct emission signatures. Delta State exhibited concentrated industrial emissions, with 96.73% of hotspots at petroleum infrastructure (oil facilities, gas flaring, pipelines). Concentrations increased 1.37% from 1,915.47 to 1,941.72 ppb, showing high spatial heterogeneity (σ = 14.82 ppb) and minimal climate sensitivity. Adamawa State showed diffuse biogenic emissions from livestock (38.84%), waste (17.52%), and wetlands (25.80%), with 0.81% concentration increase (1,925.82 to 1,941.45 ppb), lower variability (σ = 9.85 ppb), but strong climate dependence (ρ = +0.58, p < 0.001). Both states showed accelerating trends (Delta: +13.05%/year; Adamawa: +11.38%/year), contradicting Nigeria's 30% reduction pledge by 2030. Results demonstrate that industrial and agricultural sources require distinct strategies: leak detection and infrastructure modernization for petroleum operations versus improved livestock management and waste infrastructure for agricultural systems. This baseline enables future monitoring of mitigation effectiveness.

This project work focused on the green synthesis of Calcium Oxide (CaO) nanoparticles using
onion peel extract as capping and reducing agent which is non-toxic and biodegradable to
stabilize and evaluate its application in the photocatalytic degradation of petroleum wastewater
(crude oil) in contaminated water. The synthesized CaO nanoparticles were characterized using
the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. DLS confirmed the formation of nanoparticles with a primary size of 86.80 nm, XRD determined the crystalline phase of the nanoparticles, TGA measured the thermal stability and decomposition temperature, SEM examined the morphology; the particle size, shape and surface texture while FTIR analysis identified functional groups from the onion peel extract, verifying its role in capping and stabilizing the CaO nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles was assessed by studying the degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) under sunlight, investigating the effects of the green-synthesized CaO nanoparticles catalyst on dose, pH, temperature, and initial pollutant concentration. Results demonstrated that the green- synthesized CaO nanoparticles were effective in degrading petroleum wastewater components, with optimal performance observed under specific conditions. This indicates that onion peel- mediated CaO nanoparticles present a sustainable, cost-effective, and utilizable photocatalyst for remediating petroleum wastewater contaminated water, offering a potential solution for environmental cleanup, particularly in areas subject to crude oil spillage across the globe.

Medicinal plants have long been essential in traditional and alternative medicine due to their accessibility, affordability, and minimal side effects. Combining two or more herbs can provide diverse health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a polyherbal formulated tea comprising Anthocleista djalonensis, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, Ageratum conyzoides, and Thespesia garckeana on haematological indices in Wistar rats with hyperlipidaemia induced by an atherogenic diet. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups of five: group 1 served as the normal control, group 2 as the cholesterol control, groups 3 and 4 received polyherbal tea at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively, and group 5 was treated with atorvastatin (5 mg/kg). Hyperlipidaemia was induced in groups 2 to 5 by administering 10 mg/kg of 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid. Treatments and the cholesterol diet were administered orally for 28 days. Blood samples were collected and analysed using a haematology auto analyser. The polyherbal tea at both 20 and 40 mg/kg doses significantly reduced platelet counts compared to the cholesterol control group (p < 0.01), while other haematological parameters remained unaffected (p > 0.05). These results suggest that the polyherbal tea may have antiplatelet and cardioprotective effects.

Vegetables are consumed in both the developing and developed countries of the world due to their high nutritive values, however they also contain some high levels of toxic substances including metals.This study assessed the comparative concentrations of selected heavy metals:cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in four commonly consumed leafy vegetables: fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), water leaf (Talinum triangulare), and scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) cultivated in polluted (Oluku) and unpolluted (Iyowa) sites in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Samples were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), and results were compared with FAO/WHO permissible limits. The concentrations of all heavy metals were below recommended safety thresholds, with the general trend of accumulation being polluted site > unpolluted site. Statistical analysis (p < 0.05) revealed significant variations for some metals, particularly Zn, Cd, and Cu, across the two locations. Bitter leaf and scent leaf exhibited higher tendencies for metal accumulation compared to other vegetables. Although all concentrations were within safe limits, continuous cultivation near polluted areas may lead to long-term contamination risks. The findings highlight the influence of anthropogenic activities such as waste disposal and vehicular emissions on metal uptake in vegetables and underscore the need for regular environmental monitoring, improved waste management, and public awareness to ensure food safety