Osayi Brenda Isichei-Ukah

Medicinal plants have long been explored for their therapeutic potential, especially in the search for new antimicrobial agents to address rising antibiotic resistance. Salvia hispanica (chia seeds) has attracted scientific interest due to its rich bioactive profile and associated health benefits. This study investigates the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic seed extracts.

Hospital kitchen equipment are the materials used in the kitchen in carrying out food preparation effectively in hospitals. This study aimed to analyse the surfaces of some hospital kitchen equipment for microbial quality. Samples were collected before and after food preparation from surfaces of tables, sinks, gas cookers and freezer handle of three major hospital kitchens in Benin City, Nigeria. The samples were transported to the laboratory and subjected to standard microbiological analysis.

Justicia carnea is a medicinal plant used widely in Nigeria as a blood-booster. The toxicity of the extracts of J. carnea was carried out to evaluate its haematological and histopathological effects on Wistar albino rats. The aqueous and ethanol extracts used for this study were obtained using the Soxhlet extraction method. A total of fifteen (15) rats in five treatment groups were used for this study. Different concentrations of the leaf extracts were administered to the animals for fourteen (14) days, after which they were observed for mortality and toxicity.