D.E OGBEIFUN

This study evaluated the physicochemical and microbiological quality of borehole water from five student-dominated areas in Ekosodin Village, Benin City, to assess compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS)
guidelines. Standard analytical methods were employed to determine key physicochemical parameters, major ions, heavy metals, and microbial indicators Most physicochemical parameters, including turbidity (0.98 - 4.38 NTU), TDS (10.32 - 92.27 mg/L), Conductivity (16.13 - 144.10 µS/cm), hardness (0.15 - 2.90 mg/L), sulphates (3.0 - 4.61 mg/L), nitrates (2.87- 8.94 mg/L), and nitrites(0.01- 0.02 mg/L), were within permissible limits of 5NTU, 500mg/L, 1000µS/cm, 500mg/L, 250mg/L, <50mg/L and 3mg/l respectively. However, pH values at Edo Street (5.77) were below the recommended range of 6.5-8.5, and water temperatures exceeded the 25 °C guideline in most locations. Concentrations of cadmium (up to 0.03 mg/L) and lead (up to 0.03 mg/L) exceeded permissible limits (0.003 mg/L and 0.01 mg/L, respectively), suggesting potential toxicological risks. Microbiological assessment indicated elevated heterotrophic bacterial counts (3.00– 76 CFU/mL) and fecal contamination, making the water unsuitable for direct consumption. The findings from this study underscore the need for regular water quality monitoring, appropriate treatment measures, and improved borehole management to safeguard student health in Ekosodin Village.

The study investigated the proximate composition, phytochemical constituents, mineral nutrient content, and antimicrobial activity of the aqueous leaf decoction of Mucuna pruriens, a plant of notable ethnomedicinal importance in Nigeria. Analyses were
conducted using standard procedures. Proximate evaluation revealed 7.17% ash, 18.43% carbohydrates, 9.67% crude fat, 18.52% crude fibre, 37.88% crude protein, and 8.33% moisture, confirming the leaf as a protein- and fibre-rich nutritional resource.
Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, eugenols, and reducing sugars, while saponins, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, and glycosides were not detected. Mineral analysis indicated appreciable levels of sodium (1343.67 mg/kg), potassium (1018 mg/kg), calcium (238.33 mg/kg), magnesium (377 mg/kg), copper (23.33 mg/kg), iron (336.67 mg/kg), zinc (29.67 mg/kg), manganese (106.67 mg/kg), and nickel (11.33 mg/kg). Antimicrobial assays demonstrated
concentration-dependent inhibition of Escherichia coli (15.0 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (14.1 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23.0 mm), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.0 mm) at 100 mg/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 25 mg/mL for all isolates, while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 25 mg/mL for S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae, but 75 mg/mL for E. coli. These findings validate the traditional medicinal use of M. pruriens leaves and demonstrate that decoction, a safe and culturally relevant extraction method, yields a nutritionally valuable, mineral-rich, and bactericidal extract with potential therapeutic applications