FACULTY OF LIFESCIENCES

This study investigates biochemical changes in the aqueous humor and blood of bovine eyes after death to improve methods for estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) in forensic investigations. The aqueous humor, a clear fluid in the eye's anterior chamber, is relatively isolated from external factors and may serve as a more reliable fluid for PMI estimation compared to blood, which is subject to faster and more variable biochemical changes. Key biochemical markers (e.g., glucose, electrolytes, and proteins) will be measured in both fluids at different times after death. The results obtained will determine if the aqueous humor has more gradual and predictable biochemical changes than the blood or if it changes more rapidly and inconsistently as compared to the blood. This will further suggests that aqueous humor may or may not provide a more stable timeline for estimating PMI, especially when compared to blood samples. This study will be a support to the use of either blood or aqueous humor as a biomarker in forensic settings and calls for further research on post-mortem biochemical dynamics in humans and environmental influences on fluid degradation.

With the poultry sector being among the fastest growing agro-based industries world-wide, the poultry farms have emerged as a perspective and widely distributed business industry in Nigeria. However the global increase in the incidence of food borne illnesses with poultry and its products being a major contributor to these infections has become a major challenge to poultry farming. The aim of this study is to isolate and identify different enteric bacteria, find the antimicrobial sensitivity profile against the pathogens isolated from selected poultry farms in Benin city, Edo state. A total of fifteen (15) freshly voided fecal sample were collected aseptically from different poultry farms. The samples were cultured on selective and differential media including Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar, MacConkey agar, Salmonella shigella (SS) agar and bacterial isolate were identified based on cultural, morphological and biochemical properties. Antibiotic sensitivity test was carried using Kirby-Buer disk diffusion method. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts obtained from the fecal sample ranged from 1.00 × 106 CFU/g to 65.00 × 106 CFU/g. Five bacterial species were identified: Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Proteus mirabilis. Among the identified bacterial isolate Escherichia coli had the highest frequency of (53.33%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca with a total frequency of (66.67%), Salmonella sp. with a frequency of (26.67%) while Proteus miribilis had the lowest frequency of (4.35%). E. coli and Klebsiella spp. demonstrated resistance to most βlactams, while Salmonella spp. were resistant to β-lactams and gentamicin (aminoglycoside) but showed low susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin). Proteus mirabilis was resistant to all antibiotics tested. Overall, over 80.00% of isolates exhibited resistance to at least two antibiotic classes. These findings underscore the presence of multidrug-resistant enteric bacteria in poultry environments and highlight the need for improved antibiotic stewardship, surveillance, and farm biosecurity.

Study was carried out to investigate bacteria in urine contaminated soils within University of Benin Ugbowo campus. Five soil samples were collected and analyzed using soil serial dilution and pour plating techniques. Nutrient agar was used for bacteria isolation and subculture. Urine contaminated soil samples were collected from Hall three, Life science complex and Library extension while control soil samples were collected from Hall two car park and Hall three. Bacteria isolated from these soil samples and their prevalence include Bacillus subtilis (80%), Staphylococcus aureus (40%), Micrococcus luteus (60%), Escherichia coli (20%), Klebsiella pneumonia (40%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (60%). Hall three control soil had the highest bacteria count while Life science complex had the lowest bacteria count with the range of 5.5 × 10³ Cfu/ml and 7 × 10³ Cfu/ml. Various biochemical test were carried out which include oxidase test, citrate test, indole test, TSIA test, to identify isolates based on their reaction to these test. Antibactrial susceptibility test was also carried out. Antibiotics used include Gentamycin, Colistin, Carbenicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Tetracyclin. Urine contaminated soils are threats to the public’s health since they can be used as routes for the spread of infection.