3

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.

Characterisation of Hydrocarbon Pollutants in Soils from Selected Areas in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

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.

Evaluating the Concept of Reducing Sugar (Glucose) and Growth in L-Asparaginase Production Using Some Selected Marine Actinomycetes

: 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.

Possible Potency of Annona muricata L. Methanol Leaf Extract in Ameliorating Pancreatic Cell Function in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Mice

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.