Cryptococcus neoformans strains were isolated from clinical source taken from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and environmental source taken from New Benin Market. Two strains were selected; clinical isolate 4832 and environmental isolate NBM5. They were determined to be of two different mating types, due to differences in their susceptibility to the antifungal agent fluconazole. In order to check the involvement of mating type locus in the virulence of C. neoformans, congenic mutants were developed.

The mangrove ecosystem is well known to be impacted by anthropogenic activities such as oil spillage, agricultural run-off, industrial effluents, and mining in coastal areas. These activities increase heavy metals accumulated by mangroves, which are eventually released back into the environment via decomposition. This study aimed to analyze the concentration of heavy metals including cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) in the roots and leaves of Rhizophora racemosa and mangrove sediments obtained from Egbokodo mangrove swamp in Delta State, Nigeria.

This study examined the modulatory effects of Curcumin on the antioxidant status of benzo[a]pyrene-treated albino rats. Thirty albino rats were divided into five treatment groups (n=6) namely: control, benzo[a]pyrene only (1 mg/kg), benzo[a]pyrene (1 mg/kg) + Curcumin (50 mg/kg), benzo[a]pyrene (1 mg/kg) + Curcumin (100 mg/kg), Benzo[a]pyrene (1 mg/kg) + Curcumin (200 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. Rats were administered the drug (benzo[a]pyrene and Curcumin) orally, thrice a week.

The concentration, distribution and sources of petroleum hydrocarbons in soils from selected areas in Abraka, Delta State, were evaluated. Soil samples were collected from areas suspected to be contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, which were also in proximity to human population. These areas included busy junctions, generator maintenance workshops, suya joint, drainage and fuel stations. Samples were extracted using nhexane/dichloromethane mixture and quantified using gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector.

: Reducing sugar is a sugar that serves as a reducing agent. It falls under the category of carbohydrate or natural sugar but it consist of either a free aldehyde group (-CHO) or a ketone groups called the reducing end of the sugar. Microbial growth describes an increase in cell number of microorganisms provided with suitable nutritional and environmental conditions. This study evaluated the concept of reducing sugar and growth in L- asparaginase production using some selected marine actinomycetes.

The methanol extract of Annona muricata leaf was investigated for its effects on -cell dysfunction, and atherogenenic dyslipidaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Thirty (30) mice of both sexes, aged between 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into normal, diabetic, diabetic + glibenclamide(5mg/kg), diabetic+250 mg/kg A. muricata Extract, diabetic+500 mg/kg A. muricata Extract, diabetic+1000 mg/kg A. muricata Extract, groups (n=6/group). Alloxan was administered intraperitoneally while extracts and glibenclamide were given via oral route for 21 days. The results revealed that, 250 mg/kg A.

This study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activities of commercially available alcohol-based handsanitizers (2Sure, Dettol and Carex) on some clinical bacterial isolates. The isolates were obtained from the laboratory stock culture of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City.

Fe (III) compounds which are formed from the oxidation of Fe(II) by iron bacteria precipitates, and forms iron oxides - an extensive orange mats of organic material, which is often found present in the ground water, evident by the rust stain colour seen on almost all the water storage tanks in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Hence, this study characterized iron bacteria diversity in groundwater, which is a major source of drinking water in the state.

The major problem in Cola propagation is related to seed germination and slow growth rate, hence this study was designed to ascertain the effect of soil types and mechanical scarification on the germination and seedling growth of Cola nitida. The experiment was a two factored experiment of 4 soil type (Topsoil, topsoil combined with carbonized sawdust (TSCSD), topsoil combined with river soil (TSRS) and River soil) and 2 scarification (Nicked and Whole seed) laid in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replicates.

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) on the growth and yield of two okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) varieties (V35 and Clemson spineless). The experiment was conducted in the screen house and field at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. The screen house experiment was set up in a complete randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The field trial was set up in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.