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Assessment and Quantification of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Soils of E-Waste Dumpsites in Benin City, Nigeria

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of synthetic halogenated organic compounds used in a number of polymer-based commercial and home-use products. They are incoporated in the manufacture of electronics devices, furniture and textiles to increase resistance to flames and to meet set out fire safety standards. Generally, PBDEs are characterized by long range atmospheric transport, high bioaccumulation and toxicities. There is a dearth of information on the concentrations of PBDEs and the pattern of distribution at the various e-waste dump and dismantling sites in Nigeria.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) profiles of sediments from Falcorp mangrove swamp, Warri, Delta State

The Falcorp mangrove swamp has and is still been exposed to various forms of anthropogenic polluting activities which include; Vandalization of oil pipelines which transverse sections of the swamp. The PAHs and PCBs profile of swamp sediments was investigated. The sediments were subjected to routine PAH and PCB analyses which included; extraction, use of sonicator, GC-ECD and GC-FID analysis. The data were subjected to statistical and multivariate analysis using Microsoft Excel, SPSS version 16.0 and PAST respectively.

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Distribution and Risk of Metals in Soils of Refuse Dumpsites in Some Urban Towns in Delta State, Nigeria

Refuse dumpsites often contain materials capable of polluting surrounding soils. In this study, the spatial distribution of metals in soils of refuse dumpsites in three urban towns (Ughelli, Sapele, Orhuwhorun) in Delta State, Nigeria were examined. Soil samples were collected from three dumpsites in the aforementioned towns at depths 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm, respectively.

Glycaemic Responses of Honeys in Normal and AlloxanInduced Diabetic

This study investigated and compared the glycaemic rises following administration of various honey samples in rats. Five Nigerian honeys [Abakaliki honey (ABH), Calabar honey (CAH), Ezzamgbo honey (EZH), Lokoja honey (LOH), Okitipupa honey (OKH)] and one Malaysian honey (MAH) were administered to non-diabetic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentrations were measured at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min. Glucose parameters including peak blood glucose, area under curve, percentage variation in blood glucose (BG) and percentage change in BG were estimated.

Growth Responses of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings fed diets replacing Soyabean with Acacia Seed (Cassia fistula)

This study determined the growth response of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed ground toasted Cassia fistula (CF) seed. Partial replacement of soyabean in the diet with varying levels of Cassia fistula seed meal at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% were carried out for 70 days. The fishes were fed twice daily to satiation. One hundred and twenty-six (126) fingerlings with an initial mean weight of 1.68±0.76 g were allotted at random to aquaria tanks of 25 L size. A total of 18 tanks was used with each tank containing seven fishes.

Optimum Dietary Crude Protein and Digestible Energy Requirements of Clariid catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Fingerlings in the Tropics

This study determined the optimum protein and digestible energy levels for Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed local feed. Sixteen diets of four digestible energy (DE) level (2400, 2600, 2800 and 3000 Kcal/Kg) each at four crude proteins (CP) levels (25, 30, 35 and 40%) were formulated and fed to the fingerlings for 70days. The result showed that the highest final weight of fish (34.24g) was obtained in the 35 %CP (DE of 2400 kcal/kg).

Antimicrobial Activity of Mitracarpus scaber Leaf Extract against Some Human Pathogenic Microorganisms

The study was carried out with the aim to determine the antimicrobial effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Mitracarpus scaber against some clinical isolates. The leaves were screened for some phytocompounds using standard analytical methods.The antimicrobial activity of the leaf extract against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans was carried out using agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods. The results of phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, triterpenes, phytosterols, tannins, and saponins.

Phytotoxicity Study on the Effects of Waste Engine Oil on the Anatomy of Sataria barbata (LAM.) KUNTH and Brachiaria deflexia (SCHUMMACH.) C.E. HUBB. EX ROBYNS

The present study explored the use of anatomical characters of Sataria barbata and Brachiaria deflexia as indicators of waste engine oil pollution. Four (4) kg of air dried soil was measured into perforated plastic buckets and treated with waste engine oil to obtain different concentrations [0% (control), 2%, 4%, 7% and 10%] on volume to weight basis. The experiment was set up in 3 replicates. The soil samples were allowed to stand for seven days before seedlings were planted. The plants were harvested after 8 weeks of transplanting.

Screening for Biodegradative Activity of Diesel Oil by Microorganisms Isolated from Petroleum Polluted Soil of a Mechanic Workshop at AKAD Community, Akure, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the bacterial and fungal flora of soils contaminated with used automobile engine oil at a mechanic workshop at AKAD community, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, with the aim of testing their ability to degrade diesel oil. Isolation and identification of microbes were done using standard microbiological techniques. Oil degrading activity of the isolates were assayed for using Bushnell Haas broth (BHB) supplemented with 1% diesel oil.

Growth Responses of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings fed diets replacing Soyabean with Acacia Seed (Cassia fistula)

This study determined the growth response of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed ground toasted Cassia fistula (CF) seed. Partial replacement of soyabean in the diet with varying levels of Cassia fistula seed meal at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% were carried out for 70 days. The fishes were fed twice daily to satiation. One hundred and twenty-six (126) fingerlings with an initial mean weight of 1.68±0.76 g were allotted at random to aquaria tanks of 25 L size. A total of 18 tanks was used with each tank containing seven fishes.