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Isolation and Characterization of Lipoxygenase from Sponge Gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca)

Lipoxygenase (Linoleate: oxygen oxidoreductase EC.1. 13. 11. 12), a dioxygenase catalyzing the hydroperoxidation of fatty acids containing a cis,cis- 1,4-pentadiene structure was isolated from defatted whole and dehulled seeds of Luffa aegyptiaca ,a local plant found growing wildly in waste lands and rubbish dumps. Several properties of the enzyme including effect of pH, substrate concentration and heat treatment were investigated and lipoxygenase activity was determined spectrophotometrically at 234nm.

GCMS Analysis of Leaves and Seeds of Piper guineense Shumach & Thoon

This study was undertaken to investigate the ethanolic extract of the leaves and seeds of P. guineense for its bioactive constituents using GCMS. The shade dried and pulverized leaves and seed were extracted with absolute ethanol by Soxhlet method to obtain a crude extract. The GCMS analysis was carried out on a GC; Clarus 500 Perkin Elmer System comprising of a AOC-20i Autosampler interfaced with a Mass Spectrometer. The result shows different peaks indicating the presence of thirty and thirty-eight phytochemical compounds in the leaves and seeds respectively.

Improved Cardiovascular Indices with High Fat Saturated and Unsaturated Ketogenic Diets in Rat Model

The aim of this study is to ascertain the effects of different fat type ketogenic diet on some cardiovascular biomarkers in rat models. Forty Wistar albino rats were grouped into four and fed three types of ketogenic diets made of coconut oil, olive oil and butter. Ketogenic diets resulted in significant (P<0.05) weight loss. Total cholesterol in rats treated with coconut oil showed a significant increase (P<0.05) while those treated with butter showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) when compared with control.

Diversity of Epiphytic Lichens in Urban, Peri-Urban and Adjoining Rural Areas of Benin City to Monitor the Ecosystem Health

Lichens are widely used as biomonitors of environmental pollution, few lichen studies have been used to assess environmental quality in Nigeria. Managed and natural areas within Benin City metropolis and adjourning areas were investigated using lichen diversity to determine the ecosystem health status in four sites: Urban, Peri-urban, Rural and the Reference site. Lichen colonies obtained in triplicates per site from 10 mature trees (>60cm ghb) were collected and identified using standard keys and manuals.

Qualitative Assessment of Bottled Water Sold in Benin City Nigeria Using Physico-Chemical Indicators

Bottled water is water that is intended for human consumption and is sealed in bottles or other container with no added ingredients except that it may contain safe and suitable fluorides. The sale and consumption of bottled water continues to grow rapidly in most places in Nigeria and is of public health concern. This study was designed to assess the physical and chemical quality of bottled drinking water sold in retail outlets in Benin City.

Growth Interactions and Somatic Compatibility of Daldinia concentrica (Bolton) Ces. & De Not. Isolates from Edo State, Nigeria

This study investigated the compatibility of selected isolates of the medicinal mushroom, Daldinia concentrica of southern Nigeria origin. The pure cultures of the mushroom were prepared on Potato Dextrose Agar. Compatibility was done by pairing the isolates in the Petri dishes. Five millimetre agar block of each of isolate was inoculated in a Potato Dextrose Agar plate in dual cultures with a distance of 2 cm apart. Five replicate plates were prepared for each paired isolates. The controls were the pairs from the same plate of isolate.

Sub-acute Exposure to Sodium Selenite-induced Dyslipidemia, ATPase-independent Electrolytes Disruption and Tissue Damage in Male Wistar Rats

Selenium (Se) is a trace element required for many cellular functions in most organisms although also known to be toxic, has a narrow range separating chronic conditions of deficiency and toxicity. This study investigated the effects of exposure to different doses of Se as sodium selenite on some biochemical markers in male albino rats. Twenty-four rats grouped into four with six animals each were used. One of the groups served as control given distilled water and the other three groups were respectively given 16, 32, and 64 ppm Se orally in their drinking water for 4 weeks.

Diversity and Utilization of Tree Species with Eco-tourism Potentials within Ethiope River Source, Umuaja, Delta State, Nigeria

Trees are of great economic value and contribute greatly to life and environmental sustainability. The study evaluates survey of the ethnobotanical and trees diversity at the Ethiope River source Umuaja in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta state, Nigeria. It was done to document the ethnobotanical uses of the diversed tree species by the people of this community which has ecotorism potential. Photographs of trees were also taken to aid identification. A total of 17 trees species of economic values belonging to fourteen (14) different families were documented.

Selected Biochemical Parameters and Oxidative Stress Status of Rats Administered Antimalaria Herbal Extract – ‘Agbo’

Herbs are increasingly used across the globe; In fact, the World Health Organization reported that most African countries, including Nigeria, depend on herbal medicines for primary health care, without much documented evidence of adverse effects. Agbo polyhebral extract is popular in Nigeria, especially among (but not limited to) the local populace of the southwestern areas. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of malaria alcoholic herbal extract (Agbo) on renal, liver, oxidative stress markers and hematological parameters on wistar rats.

Phytodermological Studies of Some Indigenous Leafy Vegetables of the Benin Speaking People of Edo State

Thirty (30) taxa distributed in 28 species, 2 varieties, 23 genera and 18 dicotyledonous families have been compiled, documented and studied phytodermologicaliy as the traditional leafy vegetables (TLV) of the Benin speaking people of Edo State. Majority of the taxa studied were amphistomatic (30), three (03) were hypostomatic (Vernonia amvgdalina, Trytochiton scleroxylon and Plumbago zylanica,) and one species was epistomatic (Ficus hymenlops). Three (03) types of stomata were observed.