Vol 18, No 2 ,2017,: African Scientist

Prolong topical or systemic administration of corticosteroid produces undesirable side effects like increase intraocular pressure, lens opacities, neutrophilia, eosinopenia. This study was aimed at finding out the relationship between ocular hypertension and differential white blood cell count using corticosteroid induced ocular hypertension in feline model. A total of 5 cats were used for this study. The five cats were grouped into two (control and experimental). The control consisted of one cat while the experimental group consisted of four cats.

The purpose of this study was to measure and compare pre and post-operative Contrast sensitivity (CS) and Reaction Times (RTs) in cataract patients. CS provides valuable information on visual function, independent of visual acuity (VA). It represents the ability of the eye to detect a slight difference in luminance of two regions without distinct contours. This visual function or ability is affected by various disease conditions of the eye including cataract.

The research investigated the production, purification and comparison of polygalacturonase (PG) from cassava peels degrading fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium expansum) isolated from biodegrading cassava peels. The fungi were isolated using cassava peel agar medium and the PG was produced using the solid state fermentation process. The PG was assayed using the modified dinitrosalicyclic acid reagent method and purified by using Sephadex G-100 and Sephadex C-50.

Fermentation is one of the oldest methods of food preservation known to man. Oil seeds and legumes have been fermented to give condiments. Molecular characterization of the bacteria associated with the spontaneous fermentation of Bambara nut (Vigna subterranea) seeds into “Ogirri” was carried out. Vigna subterranea seeds were subjected to pre-treatments of soaking and boiling and spontaneously fermented in 3 setups for a period of 96 h at 28±2 0C to yield ogirri product.

In this study, Bacillus subtilis isolated from decaying pineapple fruit peel was identified by both phenotypic and molecular techniques and employed for the production of single cell protein from three agricultural wastes: melon, groundnut and walnut shells. Chemical analysis showed these agro-wastes to contain high amounts of carbohydrate which ranged from 61.26 - 65.12 %. Using submerged fermentation, maximum yield of cell biomass was produced from the groundnut shell followed by melon shell as substrate for fermentation.

The Ebola virus and its link to bush meat species in Nigeria was received differently by people. While some believed and took precautions others did not and continued the consumption of bush meat. Consequently, a survey of ten markets in Benin City was undertaken between December 2014 and April 2015 to compare bush meat patronage during the pre- and post -Ebola period. Markets visited included, Oba Market, New Benin Market, Oliha market, Uwa market, Santana market, Evbuotubu market, Oregbeni market, Uselu market, Ekiosa market and Ugbighokho market.

Plants that are referred to as “herbs” are not used as a food, but are grown and consumed as a garnishment for flavour enhancement, seasoning, and sometimes for alleged healing properties. This study investigates the microbiological quality of common herbal drugs sold in Benin City and antibacterial susceptibility profile of the Isolates. Herbal concoctions were purchased from various traditional medicine sales outlet in Benin City, Nigeria, coded as HA to HJ. Bacterial were cultured on Nutrients Agar while fungi were cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar.