Vol 16, No 2 , 2015-1, African Scientist

This study was done in Esan North East LGA of Edo Nigeria to assess the suitability of the LGA for oil palm and rubber cultivation. Methodology involved rigid grid systematic soil survey at a semi-detailed scale, which produced eight (8) mapping units. Suitable guidelines specific for each crop were used in establishing suitability of the land for oil palm and rubber.

The effect of ethanol extract of unripe M. paradisiaca on kidney biomarkers was investigated in an ulcerated rat model. A total of twenty-four (24) rats, randomly divided into six (6) groups, were acclimatized for 14 days and subsequently subjected to ulcer induction using aspirin (225 mg/200 g b. wt). The groups included a normal control, negative control, three groups treated with 200, 40 and 800 mg/kg b. wt. of M. paradisiaca, respectively and a positive control group administered omeprazole (5 mg/kg b. wt.).

A diet high in fructose, leads to a metabolic syndrome, characterized by elevated blood sugar and insulin levels, amongst other metabolic disorders. This study sought to investigate if supplementation with Paxherbal bitters, could counteract the high-fructose diet-induced elevation of blood sugar and insulin levels. Twenty male Wistar rats, each weighing about 200 g, were divided into four groups of 5 rats each: the control, the high-fructose diet with fructose water (HFD+FW), the HFD+FW with Atorvastatin, and the HFD+FW with Paxherbal bitters, groups.

This study investigated the possible emergence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria resistance to Lonart, a drug used in the treatment of malaria. The expression of the PFK13 gene, known for its association with resistance to artemisinin, was examined. One hundred patients who had a relapse of malaria, after treating with Lonart, were recruited for this study. The patients were treated with Quinine following their relapse.

The study on reproductive and phenotypic indices of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) haplotype from Rivers Benue and Donga, Nigeria was carried out from February - May 2021, to evaluate phenotypic and production indices among the genetic groups of African catfish (C. gariepinus). Sixty (60) matured samples of C. gariepinus of different sizes were bought from artisanal fisherfolks. Fish samples were utilised for the molecular analysis and also were assessed for reproductive and phenotypic indices in the genotypes.

This study examined the effect of peanut-supplemented diet on the serum antioxidant status and histomorphological changes induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-dihydrochloride on rat liver. Twenty-eight healthy albino Wistar rats used for this study were divided into seven groups of 4 rats each. The toxicant, 1,2-dimethylhydrazinedihydrochloride (DMH), was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight. Group A (control) rats were maintained on normal rat feed. The Group B and C rats were maintained on normal feed, administered DMH for 12 and 24 weeks respectively.

Soil polluted with salon hair effluent was seeded with stubborn grass (Sida acuta) and studied for 90 days to determine the physical, chemical and trace metal status. Soil samples were collected twice a month from pristine soil (PS), un-remediated salon effluent polluted soil (EPS) and salon effluent polluted soil seeded with stubborn grass (SGT) and subjected to physical and chemical analysis using standard procedures. Trace metals were analysed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

The study examined the phytochemical screening, proximate composition and mineral activities of four selected mushrooms. Four fungi (Calocybe indica, Pleurotus pulmonarius, Auricularia sp, and Pleurotus ostreatus) were collected and phytochemical, proximate and mineral contents were determined. Results showed that moisture content was observed to be highest in Auricularia sp. (46.8 %), C.indica (46.8 %) protein (10.31 %), ash (2.72 %), fat (3.2 %), fibre (3.7 %) and CHO (38.36 %) were observed to be highest in P. ostreatus, while ash was observed to be lowest in C. indica (2.0 %).

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.

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.