CHARACTERIZATION

The study focused on the extraction, phytochemical screening, isolation, and characterization of Hibiscus Sabdariffa. The cold extraction was conducted to extract the plant sample using methanol as solvent. The crude extract was concentrated in a rotary evaporator. A portion of the extract was screened for phytochemicals while the other portion was subjected to vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) , using solvent systems of varying polarity ;from Hexane, Ethyl acetate , Methanol ,and Butanol of increasing polarity respectively .A Brown precipitate was obtained after the concentration of Butanol extract and characterization was done by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Saponins, alkaloids, and terpenes were detected. However, from the HPLC myrtilin, Linalool, lycopene, where present amongst others. The study shows that H. Sabdariffa contains useful phytochemicals which are implicated as medicinal uses.

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.

The rising global demand for sustainable and renewable energy sources has intensified interest in biofuels as viable alternatives to fossil fuels. This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of biofuels derived from selected Nigerian crops, with the aim of exploring their potential as eco-friendly energy resources. Locally available feedstocks such as palm oil, groundnut oil, and cassava were utilized for biofuel production through transesterification and fermentation processes. Physicochemical properties of the synthesized biofuels—including density, viscosity, flash point, calorific value, and cetane number—were analyzed in accordance with ASTM standards and compared with conventional diesel fuel. The results revealed that the produced biofuels exhibited properties comparable to standard diesel, indicating good ignition quality and combustion efficiency. Variations in yield and performance were attributed to differences in the oil content and fatty acid composition of the feedstocks. Furthermore, the study established that Nigerian crops provide a sustainable raw material base for biofuel production, with minimal environmental impact and strong potential for rural economic development. The research concludes that biofuels synthesized from indigenous Nigerian crops are promising renewable energy alternatives capable of reducing dependency on petroleum-based fuels and mitigating carbon emissions. The study recommends further optimization of production parameters and scaling up of local biofuel technologies to enhance energy security and environmental sustainability in Nigeria.

Kola (Cola nitida) leaves are widely known for their ethnobotanical uses, yet their by- products remain underexplored as sources of bioactive compounds for environmental applications. Fermentation of plant-derived substrates often enhances their physicochemical profile, making them useful in biostimulation processes that support microbial activity for pollutant degradation. Against this background, this study investigated Cola nitida whey, focusing on its extraction, fermentation behavior, and nutrient composition, with the aim of assessing its potential application as a bioremediant. Fresh kola leaves were processed through washing, grinding, boiling, and filtration to obtain whey, which was digested with nitric acid and subjected to physicochemical analysis. Parameters evaluated included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), moisture content, total organic matter (TOM), total organic carbon (TOC), nitrate, phosphate, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Results showed dynamic changes across the five- week fermentation period. pH decreased initially from 5.29 in Week 1 to 5.18 in Week 3 before rising to 6.01 in Week 5, while EC steadily increased from 1595.50 to 2129.50 µS/cm, reflecting ionic release. Moisture content rose from 92.08% to 94.09%, whereas TOM and TOC increased overall, with TOM ranging from 54.06 to 106.55% and TOC from 31.36 to 61.80%. Nutrient levels indicated progressive mineralization: nitrate rose from 174.16 to 1152.36 mg/kg, phosphate from 411.67 to 971.81 mg/kg, nitrogen from 39.56 to 261.06 mg/kg, and phosphorus from 122.75 to 295.46 mg/kg. Potassium fluctuated but stabilized at 2.55 mg/kg by Week 5. These findings suggest that kola-leaf whey develops enriched organic and mineral content during fermentation, creating a nutrient-rich medium favorable for microbial proliferation. The shift toward near-neutral pH at later stages further supports microbial activity, while the elevated nitrate and phosphate levels highlight its suitability as a low-cost, plant-derived stimulant for bioremediation, although regulated application is recommended to minimize eutrophication risks.

This Research focused on the isolation and characterization of bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus sp. isolated from nunu, a traditionally fermented milk beverage, and its antimicrobial effect against Escherichia coli. Samples of nunu were collected from local markets in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, and analyzed in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology Microbiology Laboratory. The isolate was cultured on de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) agar and identified through morphological and biochemical characterization. The isolates were Gram-positive, catalase-negative, and capable of fermenting lactose, galactose, and fructose, confirming them as Lactobacillus sp.. Bacteriocin production was screened using the agar well diffusion method, with E. coli as the test organism. Clear zones of inhibition (ZOI) were observed, indicating the production of antimicrobial compounds. The bacteriocin extract was neutralized to pH 7.41 to eliminate the effects of organic acids and partially purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation (60% saturation) followed by dialysis. The purified extract was further characterized using High- Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), which revealed distinct peaks corresponding to bacteriocin fractions. The antimicrobial assay showed that the bacteriocin exhibited inhibitory activity against E. coli, suggesting its potential as a natural bio preservative in perishable food products such as tomato. The findings indicate that bacteriocin from Lactobacillus sp. in nunu can serve as safe and effective alternatives to chemical preservatives and synthetic antibiotics, thereby contributing to improved food safety and public health.

This study entailed the production of ginger powder and analysis for selected phytochemicals and minerals element constituents. Examined phytochemicals were flavonoid, saponin, glycoside, phenols, alkaloid, tannin, coumarin, quinones and steroids while selected mineral elements analysed were iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium and sodium. The ginger rhizomes for this study were obtained from New Benin Market, Edo State, Nigeria. Standard methods were used for processing the ginger powder. Specifically, the presence or absence of the selected phytochemicals was determined. Findings indicated that for fresh ginger rhizomes, the examined minerals are of the following values: Fe (1.00mg/L), Mg (0.75mg/L), Ca (0.50mg/L), Zn (0.80mg/L), K (19.7mg/L) and Na (2.2mg/L). For the processed ginger powder, the obtained values for the examined mineral constituents are: Fe (1.60mg/L), Mg (1.08mg/L), Ca (0.30mg/L), Zn (1.20mg/L), K (61.1mg/L) and Na (11.4mg/L). Based on findings from this study, ginger powder is a good source of the examined food minerals.

Human hands usually harbor microorganisms both as part of normal flora and
microorganisms contacted from the environment. A prospective study was carried out in the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. This study was aimed at identifying the types of bacteria associated with hands of undergraduate students in the University of Benin and to isolate and determine the hemolysin production of bacteria isolates present on the hands of the students. A total of 6 samples were obtained. The samples were analyzed using cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics (citrate, indole, oxidase, catalase, motility, triple sugar ion and coagulase). The bacteria isolates recovered were S. aureus 3(25%), C. jeikeium 1(8.33), S. epidermidis 4(33.33), S. hominids 2(16.67) and Escherichia coli 2(16.67). All isolates of S. aureus, E. coli and S. hominis showed complete hemolysis (Beta hemolysis) while S. epidemidis and C. jeikeium were non hemolytic (Gamma hemolysis). All Gram positive isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, rifampin and septrin. Gram negative bacteria isolates were highly resistant to nalixidic acid, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin

The study focused on the characterizing, classifying and identify the soil-forming processes in a waterlogged soil in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State for the purpose of providing an understanding of the ecosystem and land-use sustainability. A soil profile of up to 180 cm was dug in the area, and six soil samples were drawn from the each of the horizons in the profile for laboratory analysis. The morphological properties of these soils: colour, soil structure, soil consistence, drainage, boundaries and root inclusions were recorded in the field. The soil samples collected were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. The treatments were non-replicated and the data was analysed using different weathering indices. The results showed that the soil in the study area has a moderate, medium, sub-angular blocky structure in the topsoil, with colours ranging from dark reddish brown to red. The bulk density of the soil was found to be within acceptable limits. The water holding capacity (WHC) was highest in the subsurface horizon and lowest in the surface horizons, with the highest values found at the Bt2 horizon and the lowest at the AB horizon. The pH of the soil was slightly acid to neutral and did not show a clear pattern throughout the profile. Available phosphorus was very low and not sufficient for crop production. The levels of micronutrients in the soil, including manganese, copper, zinc, and iron, were higher than necessary for crop plant growth, and crops sensitive to these micronutrients should not be planted. The soil contained high levels of heterogeneous bacteria and fungi, with microbial activity being particularly high at the topsoil. However, microbial activity decreased with soil depth. There is evidence of transformation, translocation of clay, eluviation, illuviation, and leaching. The soils were classified according to the USDA Soil Taxonomy as Typic Kandiudults. These findings provide important information for understanding the suitability of the soil for crop production and identifying potential management strategies. To improve the productivity of the soil in the study area, the study recommends putting in place a well-functioning drainage system and water management facilities, engaging in good organic matter management practices, including the use of farmyard manure, and periodically applying lime to the soil.

This study was carried out on a 0.25 hectare land at the SLM Research Hub, University of Benin, Edo state where the soil was cha acterized, classified and evaluated for its suitability for the cultivation of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The soil survey process was carried out with an intensive scale using the Rigid grid systematic survey method and a mapping unit was delineated in the study site. A pedon was sunk in the mapping unit, described appropriately and sa pled for analysis. The soil samples were analyzed using standard method procedures at the laboratory. Soils were classified using the USDA soil taxonomy, World Reference Base for soil resources (WRB) and the local Nigerian classification system based on Moss (1957) as updated by Ogunkunle (1983). The suitability of the soil for ginger and cucumber production was evaluated using both limitation and parametric method. The current and potential land suitability classes were assessed. The result showed that the textural class of the soil varied from Loamy Sand in the surface to Sandy Clay Loam in the subsoil while the structure ranged from fine sub-angular blocky to medium sub-angular blocky with a base saturation of 1.37-4.54% and pH level of 4.3-5.2. Sand fraction in the soil ranged from 72.9- 86.2%, Silt from 1.5-2.4% and clay from 11.4-25.6%. Taxonomically, the soil was classified , a Sandy Isohyperthermic Rhodic Kandiudult under the USDA Soil Taxonomy and as a Rhodic Lixisol (Loamic, Differentic, Ochric) under the WRB system. Locally, it was classified as the Orlu Series (Normal).