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Bioaccumulation Profile of Selected Heavy Metals in Whole Tissue of Macrobrachium macrobrachion and Macrobrachium vollenhovenii from Benin River in Delta State, Nigeria

Bioaccumulation of selected heavy metals in whole tissue of shrimps (Macrobrachium macrobrachion and Macrobrachium vollenhovenii) inhabiting a stretch of Benin River in Delta State, Nigeria was studied. Water samples for heavy metal determination were also collected from three different locations within the sampled stretch from January to June, 2013. Heavy metal concentrations were quantified with Unicam Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (PG 550).

Farmers’ Perceptions of Plantain Production Constraints in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Southern Nigeria

Participatory rural appraisal surveys aimed at determining farmers’ perception of plantain production constraints in Port Harcourt metropolis (specifically at Rivers State University [RSU], Nkoplu and the Agricultural Development Programme [ADP] farms, Rumuodomaya) have revealed: poor soil fertility, wind, “drought” and “disease” (in that order of importance) as the major militating factors to plantain (or Musa) production in this region.

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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 Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

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.

Maggot Production Using Selected Substrates and Attractants and Its Utilization as Replacement for Fishmeal in Diet of Clarias gariepinus

Fish feed account for over 70% of the total cost of fish production, this is due to the high cost of its components most especially fishmeal which is highly expensive and imported. Trials to replace costly fishmeal in fish diets with maggot meal have shown promising results. However, wide use of maggot meal in aquaculture feed industry is limited due to unavailability of adequate amounts of maggot meal. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the best possible substrates and attractants combination for production of housefly larvae.

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Dietary Decorticated Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea) effect on the Growth Responses of Clariid Catfish (Heterobranchus Bidorsalis) Fingerlings

An experiment was designed and carried out to assess the growth responses of Heterobranchus bidorsalis fingerlings fed graded levels of toasted Vigna subterranean based diets with the aim of establishing the best inclusion level of Bambara groundnut seed meal. Ground decorticated toasted bambara groundnut (BG) was incorporated as a nonconventional feedstuff at 0% (T1); 10% (T2); 20% (T3); 30% (T4) and 40% (T5) level of replacement for soyabean for treatment one to five respectively.

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Evaluation of the Effect of Aloe barbadensis Root Extract on the Functional Indices of the Liver and Kidney of Male Wistar Rats

The effect of the ethanol extract of Aloe barbadensis root on selected serum biochemical parameters was investigated.Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly selected and administered 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract and 0.2ml/kg of distilled water (control) for 14 days. The results of the liver marker enzymes revealed that there were non-significant changes (p>0.05) in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels on days 1, 7 and 14 of treatment.

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Zooplankton Community of the Cross River Estuary in Association with Some Physical Environmental Factors

The zooplankton community in association with some physical environmental factors was studied for six (6) months. A total of 5,303 individuals made up 17 species belonging to 3 families was recorded. Rotifers had the highest species composition of 41.06%, followed by Copepods and Ciliates with 29.41% and 23.53% respectively. There was no significant relationship in zooplankton composition across the stations and between seasons (P<0.05).