25

Carbon Dioxide, Humidity, Oxygen and Light Effect on the Growth of Pleurotus pulmonarius

Carbon dioxide, humidity, oxygen and light was evaluated on the mycelial growth of Pleurotus pulmonarius. Hundred grams (100 g) of paper wastes was weighed into screwed capped bottles and sterilized in an autoclave at 121 °C for 15 min thereafter innoculated with 10 g of Pleurotus pulmonarius spawn and incubated for 5 weeks. Mycelia of P. pulmonarius after 5 weeks of incubation were exposed to 10 cc of carbon dioxide and 20 cc of oxygen gas ran into the glass jar for a period of 7 days beneath the clamps of mushroom growing in the glass jar.

Habitat Selection by Gray-Backed Camaroptera (Camaroptera brachyuran) at the Amurum Forest Reserve, Nigeria

Camaroptera brachyura is common and widespread but not much has been done to understand its habitat requirements. This study was carried out at the Amurum Forest Reserve located on the Jos-Plateau, Plateau State (9°53´N, 8°59´E), Nigeria. Located in Laminga village, 15 km Northeast of Jos at an altitude of 1,280 m above sea level and covering an area of about 300 hectares of land. C. brachyura were counted using line transect of 200 m each laid on existing foot tracks and access road traversing the study area. Quadrats of 10 m x 10 m square were laid at the locations where C.

Toxicity of Water-Soluble Fractions of Petrol on Some Freshwater Microalgae

This study assessed the toxicity of water-soluble fractions of petrol on Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus. Water soluble fractions of petrol were prepared into various concentrations as follows: 0%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. These treatments were inoculated with 5 mL of the test microalgae and read at 750 nm at two-day intervals for 14 days using a UV/VIS Spectrophotometer.

Quantitative Analysis of γ-Globin Gene Expression in Human Erythroleukaemic K562 Cells Treated with Theobroma cacao Bark Ethanolic Extract

Therapeutic reactivation of foetal haemoglobin (HbF) can alleviate clinical complications associated with sickle cell anaemia (SCA), a severe monogenic disorder that is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. Traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria utilize the stem bark of Theobroma cacao as a haematinic for SCA patients, but its potential to induce HbF remains uncertain.

Phenological Study of Some Herbaceous Species of Euphorbia l. (Euphorbiaceae l.) in Nigeria

The phenological study provides a detailed comparison of life cycles of six species of Euphorbia with a view to enhancing the knowledge of the taxonomic status of the genus. Growth and developmental stages were investigated using pot experiments. Description of six principal growth stages was done and these include leaf development, shoot development, flowering emergence, fruit development, seed ripening and seed dispersal. All the investigations were carried out for 77 days under the same experimental conditions.

Impact of Urban Runoff on the Benthic and Pelagic Fish Fauna in Ikpoba River: Heavy Metal Levels and Gill Pathology

This study presents an assessment of the influence of urban runoff on fish fauna in the Ikpoba River, Nigeria, focusing on heavy metal contamination and gill pathology in benthic (Clarias gariepinus) and pelagic (Oreochromis niloticus) fish species. Samples of water, sediment, and fish gills were collected from June to August 2023. Heavy metals (Ni, Co, Cr, Pb, and Cd) were analyzed via Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), and gill pathology was evaluated through histopathological examination.

Human health risk of cadmium, selenium, and tin concentrations in canned fish from selected markets in Edo State, Nigeria

The surge in human exposure to heavy metals, driven by their widespread industrial use, demands a thorough examination of their toxicity. This study focuses on heavy metal contamination in canned fish sold in Benin City, with an emphasis on Atlantic bluefin tuna, Atlantic mackerel, and European pilchard. Six brands of canned fish were purchased from selected markets in Benin City, Nigeria, and the heavy metal levels were assessed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) instrumentation.

Bioactive Components, Nutritional Properties, and Antimicrobial Activities of Non-Fermented and Fermented Seeds of Vitis vinifera

The fermented and non-fermented seed powder of Vitis vinifera, a herbaceous plant with numerous biological activities was investigated in this study. The pH, in vitro antimicrobial assay against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, phytochemical, proximate compositions were screened, while the active compounds of the fermented sample were further evaluated by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A decline in pH from 6.2 to 3.6 was recorded during fermentation for 14 days.

Atrazine-Induced Impairment of Fecundity and Fertilization in Exposed Adult Clarias gariepinus: Consequences for Hatchability and Larval Survival

This research investigates the impact of atrazine, a widely used herbicide, on the reproductive capabilities of adult Clarias gariepinus, a freshwater catfish of ecological and economic significance. Twelve months old specimens of C. gariepinus comprising of twenty (20) males and twenty (20) females with mean average weight of 1024 ± 88.4g and 1100 ± 97.4g respectively and mean total length of 52.8 ± 2.3cm and 52.7 ± 1.1cm respectively, were exposed to exposed to four different sub-lethal concentrations of atrazine (40µg/L, 60µg/L, 80µg/L, and 100µg/L) in a semi-static renewal assay.
AuthorName(s)

Parasitic Infection of Amphibians from an Open Dumpsite and Otofure, the Host Community in Ovia North East LGA, Edo State, Nigeria

Open dumpsites provide ample and stable food sources for most animals, but they also make them more susceptible to illnesses and pollutants. Amphibians are typically drawn to these areas because of the abundance of prey and relative moisture. However, the ongoing burning at the dumpsite may jeopardize any creature that lives in this ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to assess amphibian diversity and parasite infections at an open dumpsite and its host town, Otofure, in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria.