Vol 16, No 3 ,2015 , African Scientist

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a highly perishable fruit, susceptible to microbial spoilage and enzymatic degradation leading to significant post-harvest losses. Rise in the global demand for safe and healthy food with minimal synthetic preservatives has raised the need for natural preservatives. The preservative potential of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oil (BEO) essential oil loaded chitosan- alginate coating on fresh tomato fruits was investigated.

Termites are very useful in tropical ecosystems as they contribute greatly to decomposition of organic matter, nutrients recycling, and to soil improvements and fertility. However, they also constitute very significant negative impacts to man and society worldwide, owing to their devastations on crops, forestry and to household and public resources.

Indoor fine dusts in residential buildings, public buildings and vehicles from Port Harcourt, Nigeria were assessed for their polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations, compositional patterns, and human exposure risks. The PAHs in the dust samples were quantified by gas chromatograph equipped with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after extraction by ultra-sonication with hexane/dichloromethane/acetone and cleaned up on a silica gel/alumina column.

This study assessed the spatial and seasonal variations, potential risks and sources of organochlorine pesticides in municipal solid waste dumpsites (MSWDs) in Delta State. Soil samples were obtained from twenty-seven MSWDs in Delta State. Soil samples were extracted with hexane/dichloromethane and cleaned up in a column of silica gel and florisil. The OCPs in the extracts were quantified with a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The ∑20 OCPs levels in the soils varied between 0.74 and 7.29 ng g-1for the dry season and from 0.09 to 9.47 ng g-1 for the wet season.

The heart is a vital organ of the body that pumps blood through the aorta and its branches which provide blood flow to all organs and tissues of the body. Any injury causes distortion of the smooth functioning of the cardiovascular system. This study investigated the histological changes in the heart and aorta of Wistar rats following exposure to cement dust. Twenty-four (24) Wistar rats weighing between 250 g and 280 g were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats per group.

Foliar epidermis of six species of Euphorbia Linn. in Nigeria was studied with the aim of ascertaining reliable characters for easy identification, delimitation and indicating relationships among species. Light microscopy was employed to evaluate leaf surface features such as shape of epidermal cell, stomata and trichome and their distribution frequency. Epidermal shapes are variable i.e. polygonal, irregular and undulate. Stomatal complex types include anomocytic, anisocytic, paracytic, diacytic were encountered. Diacytic stomatal complex was observed only in E. heterophylla and E.

The toxicity of sickle cell anaemia maintenance drugs makes medicinal plants viable alternatives. The protective roles of Moringa oleifera (MO) parts (Bark, flower, leaf, root and seed) against phenylhydrazine (PHZ) induced spleen toxicity and oxidative stress in rats were carried out. Splenomegaly was observed in anaemic rats and was reversed by M. oleifera parts, particularly the flower and roots. The M.

Inhalation of cement dust is the most important cause of respiratory diseases among people with cement dust related occupations such as cement factory and transporting workers, construction labourers, brick masons, concrete finishers, plasterers, steel erectors et cetera. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aqueous leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus on cement dust-induced lung damage in the adult Wistar rats. Thirty (30) adult Wistar rats weighing between 240 g and 270 g were divided into five (5) groups of six (6) rats per group.