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The bacteriological and physicochemical quality of water from mining ponds was
carried out in this study. A total of 180 water samples from ten mining ponds in Bassa
and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State were collected in wet and dry
seasons. The water samples were evaluated for bacteriological quality and
physicochemical properties using standard methods. The results showed that the mean
total viable bacterial count (TVBC) ranged from 1.3 x106 – 1.65 x106cfu/ml. The highest
mean TVBC (1.65 x 106 cfu/ml) was observed in water from Gura-Topp, with least count
(1.30x106 cfu/ml) observed in Topp tin mining pond. The total coliform count (TCC)
ranged from 54 – 493 mpn/100 ml. Variations in TVBC and TCC within ponds and
seasons were observed. Predominately, eight bacteria: Escherichia coli, Salmonella
Typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Proteus vulgaris, Yersinia enterocolitica, Shigella dysenteriae,
Bacillus subtilis, and Salmonella enteritidis, were isolated from the water samples.
Physicochemical properties showed that pH ranged from 7.76 - 7.86, temperature 22.35
- 23.37oC, dissolved oxygen (DO) 5.11 - 8.17 mg/L, total dissolved solids (TDS) 180.6 -
196 mg/L, total suspended solids (TSS) 1.50 - 30.17 mg/L, chemical oxygen demand
(COD) 4.63 - 18.8 mg/L and biological oxygen demand (BOD) 6.38 - 8.53 mg/L. Heavy
metals detected included zinc, lead, cadmium, cobalt, chromium and arsenic. Lead,
arsenic, cadmium and chromium were above the recommended standards. Consistently,
physicochemical values obtained were found to significantly (p<0.05) vary among
ponds and seasons. This study showed that the tin mining ponds are bacteriologically
not safe for drinking purposes and contain high concentration of some heavy metals. 

Phytoplankton composition, abundance, diversity indices and water quality parameters
were monitored for twenty-four months to assess the health status of River Ethiope at
the source in the Umuja watershed following standard methods. The physicochemical
parameters indicated an oligotrophic system. The phytoplankton structure was
composed of Chlorophyta with 55 species constituting 34.16%, Bacillariophyta 48
species (29.81%), Cyanophyta 45 species (28.0 %), Euglenophyta 7 species (4.35 %),
Rhodophyta ( 2.48 %), Xanthophyta and Chrysophyta had 0.62 % each different from
numerical structure (Cyanophyta accounting for 45.0% of 711 individuals,
Bacillariophyta (41.63%), Chlorophyta (11.25%), Centrales (1.12%) and Euglenophyta
(0.98%)). The phytoplankton taxa were diverse and quantitatively low. The coefficient
factors and factor analysis of phytoplankton abundance indicated the influence of air
and water temperatures, total solids, TSS and TDS, nitrate, sulphate and phosphate (p<
0.05) on its composition and abundance. Low diversity indices (0.00 - 1.277) and the
abundance of organic loving and toxins producing organisms are signatories to
organically polluted water body. However, the presence of freshwater species despite
biological signs of pollution indicates the system’s resilience and possible recovery with
adequate sanitary awareness or sensitization. 

International Journals of Applied Biological Research is an international journal rooted in academic system that is orchestrated to be a knowledge bank for academic researchers, as well as other independent researchers. IJABR is an academic journal of School of Life Sciences, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State. The International Journal of Applied Biological Research provides rapid publication (biannually) of articles in all areas of pure and applied Biology, such as Environmental Biology, Agricultural Science, Clinical Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Bacteriology, Phycology, Mycology and Parasitology, Protozoology, Microbial Ecology, Probiotics and Prebiotics, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Food Microbiology, Industrial Microbiology, Cell Physiology, Environmental Biotechnology, Genetics, Enzymology, Cellular Biology, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Biomedical Sciences, Botany and Plant Sciences, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Endocrinology, Toxicology, Pollution, Medicine and Pharmacy. The Journal welcomes the submission of manuscripts that meet the general criteria of significance and scientific excellence. Papers will be published approximately two months after acceptance. All articles are peer-reviewed.

The macroinvertebrate community of Agbara- Otor River system at Agbara-Otor,
Omavovwe and Afiesere in Delta state were studied, to evaluate the ecological impact of
dredging on their community structure from March to May, 2017. Kick sampling
method was adopted for macroinvertebrate sample collection. Two litres of water
sample was also collected for the evaluation of the environmental variables. The range
of results for air temperature(31.0-37.5°C), water temperature(27.3-32.3°C),
transparency (0.03-0.81m), total solids (0.35-0.7mg/L), conductivity (27.03-51.6
µm/Scm), pH (7.8-9.7), alkalinity(13.0-33.3mg/CaCO3), acidity (25.0-72.5), dissolved
oxygen (3.1-5.7mg/L), biochemical oxygen demand (1.53-5.7mg/L), nitrates (0.005-
0.006mg/L) and phosphates (1.13-1.67mg/L) were obtained. A general low taxa (7)
comprising of 403 individuals with15 families were recorded. Coleoptera (41.2%) was
the dominant family, followed by Odonata (16.1%), Ephemeroptera (10.7%),
Hemiptera (10.4%), Trichoptera (9.93%), Decapoda (8.68%) and the least, Diptera
(2.98%). The highest diversity indices range for Shannon-weiner of 1.6-1.7 was
obtained indicating very poor water quality and unstable system. The first axes of the
three principal components in all stations extracted over 90% of the macro
invertebrates- environmental variables influence implicating nutrients, organic load
and sediments. Therefore, this study identified dredging as a serious threat to this water
quality and its macroinvertebrates. Targeted ways of dredging must be adapted to
reduce ecological impacts and allow for re-establishment and protection of
macroinvertebrates and improved water quality.

The study was conducted at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria to
determine the most appropriate stage at which to harvest ‘Gboma’ eggplant (Solanum
macrocarpon L.) fruits to obtain high quality seeds. Flowers were date-tagged on the field
at anthesis and serially harvested at four days intervals from 14 to 66 days after anthesis
(DAA). Records were taken on fruit internal and external features, seed dry matter,
germination percentage (GP), germination rate index (GRI) and germination index (GI) at
each harvest. GP, GRI and GI were also determined at an interval of seven days during a 42-
day storage period at 37 ºC and 75% relative humidity. Fruit colour changed from green to
yellowish green at about 30 DAA and later turned brown. By 58-66 DAA fruit mesocarp and
locular cavity were dry and fruits were prominently shrunken at 62 and 66 DAA. Seed dry
matter increased significantly (P≤5%) from about 0.06 g/50 seeds at 22 DAA to 0.16 g at
42 DAA with no further significant increases thereafter. Non-stored seeds harvested earlier
than 58 DAA germinated significantly (P≤5%) poorer (0 to19%) compared to those
harvested at 58 to 66 DAA with germination of 52-58%. A range of 0-34% germination was
recorded at 14-54 DAA; about 86, 75 and 76% at 58, 62 and 66 DAA respectively. GRI and
GI increased significantly (P≤5%) from about 0.1%-day to about 5.7%-day and about 3.0 to
272.5 respectively at 38 to 66 DAA in non-aged seeds with increases during storage. A
decline in the values of all parameters was generally recorded beyond 14 days of storage
which is an indication of seed deterioration. It is concluded that “Gboma’ eggplant seed
attained maximum quality at about 58 DAA when fruits were left to dry completely on the
mother-plant and still retained high quality at 62 and 66 DAA when fruits had become
shrunken.

The influence of study locations and mode of killing on abundance of forensically important
insect species informed the present study in Minna, North-central Nigeria. Twenty-four
pigs with an average weight of 22.30 kg were sacrificed through stabbing, oxygen
deprivation and poisoning with zinc phosphate to determine population dynamics of
carcass inhabiting insects during the process of decomposition in two locations (College of
Education, COE, and Dutsen Kura, DK) during the dry season in Minna. Five stages of
decomposition of cadaver were observed in the study, namely; fresh, bloated, active decay,
advanced decay and dry decay stages. Though, eight (8) forensically important insect
species (Lucilla sericata, Chrysomya albiceps, C. rufaficies, Musca domestica, Hemipyrellia
liqurriens, Sarcophaga carnaria, Hermetia illucens and Ophyra aenacens) were observed
colonizing the carcases, pigs sacrificed by poisoning witnessed the presence of only two (2)
insect species (L. sericata and M. domestica). A total of 611.70±79.30 insect species were
collected throughout the study periods; with stabbed pigs contributing 154.70±21.91 and
152.32±13.83 insects species, respectively, in COE and DK; oxygen-deprived and poisoned
pigs contributing 136.62±16.73 and 145.74±17.40, and 12.32±2.83 and 10.00±0.66 insect
species, respectively, in COE and DK. There was no significant (p>0.05) variation in the
number of forensically important insect species encountered in the study sites, however,
there was significant (p<0.05) effect of mode of killing on the numbers encountered. There
was also significant (p<0.05) variation in the number of insects collected during each
decompositional stage: with active decay stage, consistently, recording the highest number
of insect species irrespective of mode of killing. While, M. domestica was, consistently, the most abundant insect species irrespective of mode of killing, decompositional stage and
study site, H. illucens was the least abundant. Musca domestica had range of values of
6.00±4.95 (in COE, for poisoned pigs) to 37.76±3.01 insects/ net sweep (in GK, for oxygendeprived pigs), while H. Illucens had range of values of 4.50±0.71 (in COE, for stabbed
pigs) to 5.67±2.36 (in DK, for oxygen-deprived pigs). The study revealed that mode of
killing, rather than, study locations had significant effect on abundance of carcassinhibiting entomo-fauna. The finding of this study will provide baseline information for
preparing a forensic template for determining post-mortem interval and cause of human
deaths in Minna eco-type settings.

Molecular diagnostics continues to advance very rapidly, and its impact in the diagnosis of
infectious diseases is obvious and very effective. Molecular tools have played a pivotal role
in discovering and characterizing several emerging infectious agents and have now become
the gold standard for the diagnosis of infectious diseases caused by fastidious or sterile
agents. Multiple challenges still remain for the widespread use of cost-effective, validated,
and commercially available molecular tools. Automated instruments capable of sample
processing and multiplex nucleic acid amplification and post amplification analysis have
already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the
clinical setting. Nanobiotechnology is beginning to impact laboratory diagnostics in the
clinical setting. 

The studies of induced mutation in Phaseolus lunatus L. was conducted at the botanical
garden, Department of Botany, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Dry healthy seeds of P.
lunatus obtained from local farmers with in Zaria were exposed to Fast Neutron irradiation
at different doses (0.00Sv, 0.16Sv, 0.32Sv, 0.49Sv and 0.65Sv). The irradiated seeds were
sown in 150 polythene bags which were half filled with soil and arranged using a
Randomized Complete Block design. The result of this studies showed both positive and
negative shift in agronomic characters with plants exposed to lower doses (0.16Sv and
0.32Sv) showing better performance in most agronomic trait in both mutagenic
generations while higher dose (0.65Sv) recorded the least performance in most agronomic
traits. Chlorophyll mutants such as Zonata, Xantha and Maculata as well as Morphological
mutants which includes invaginated leaf margins, bifurcated leaf apex and bifoilate leaves
were observed. However, lower doses (0.16Sv and 0.32Sv) of the mutagen were more
favourable in inducing beneficial mutation on the growth and yield trait of P. lunatus. The
effect of the mutagen was significant at p≤0.05 in plant height 4 weeks after sowing, days
to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, pod length, pod diameter, pod weight and 100
seeds weight. 

Tannery effluents collected from Sharada industrial area, Kano State were analyzed for
their physiochemical parameters, heavy metals analysis and impact on seed
germination and seedling growth of maize (Zea mays), spinach (Amaranthus caudatus)
and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under laboratory conditions. Different concentrations of the
effluents were prepared using standard methods in a Completely Randomized Designed
(CRD) with the five treatments viz: 20, 40; 60, 80, and 100% concentrations in three
replicates. The mean percentage germination, phytotoxicity, seedling length (cm), root
length (cm), dry weight (gm) and fresh weight (gm) of all the seed revealed
considerable reduction at higher (80% and 100%) effluent concentrations on seed
germination and other morphological parameters. While the mean values of effluent
concentration on phytotoxicity follows the order; maize 82% >lettuce 75% > spinach
29% and the percentage germination showed; spinach 31% > lettuce 25%> maize
22%.This showed that maize seeds were more susceptible to the tannery effluent than
the other seeds, an indication of its adverse effects on the germination and seedling
growth. The mean values of physicochemical parameters and heavy metals were within
the WHO standard permissible limit for irrigation water with the exception of
chromium which had 1.32± 0.35 mg/L. Although some of the heavy metal
concentrations were within the permissible limits but the specific problem associated
with heavy metals in theenvironment is their accumulation through food chain with
long term effect. The tannery effluents reflect inhibitory effect to the seed varieties at
higher concentrations. It is concluded that morphological analysis of the tannery
effluent at lower concentration enhances seed germination where as at higher
concentration causes inhibitory effect. 

The effect of Sodium azide (a chemical mutagen) and the yield traits of two
varieties of sesame (Sesamum indicum) viz; Kenana-4 and Ex-Sudan were
studied. Three hundred seeds of each variety were treated with Sodium azide at
five different concentrations (0.00%, 0.02%, 0.04%, 0.06% and 0.08%) before
they were sown and grown to maturity in order to assess the effects of the
different concentrations of the chemical on th plants. The results showed that
0.02% Sodium azide concentration had significantly higher values (p<0.05)
when compared with its control in most of the characters. It was observed tha, t
one of the variety Kenana-4 had hiher value (p<0.05) for oil content at 0.08%
sodium azide concentration. The results suggest that while 0.02% Sodium Azide
concentrations is the most effective to induce valuable and useful mutants for
many of the yield parameters, 0.08% is effective with respect to all contents of
sesame. Therefore, sodium azide can be an important tool for enhancing yield
traits in sesame.

The mutagenic effects of colchicine on the agro-morphological traits at M1 and M2
generations of P. lunatus were studied. Seeds of the P. lunatus obtained from local
farmers within Zaria, was treated with colchicine at various concentrations of 0.2mM,
0.4mM, 0.6mM and 0.8mM before they were sown with their respective control
(0.00mM), to assess the effects of the different concentration of the mutagen on the
plant at M1 and M2 generation. The result revealed that the effects of the chemical
mutagen, varied with the concentration. However, lower concentration (0.2mM) of
colchicine favored percentage germination, days to first and 50% flowering while
higher concentration (>0.2mM) enhanced some yield traits such as pod length, pod
diameter, number of pods per plant, number of seed per pod, pod weight and 100 seeds
weight. Agro-morphological data obtained in this study were significant at p≤0.05. 

The study assessed the diversity of tree and shrub species of Gurara forest in Kaduna State.
Primary data on the field was collected by employing the plot count techniques by
randomly selecting five plots within the forest, measuring a 50 by 50 meters plot (0.25)
hectare on the ground for each plot. All the trees and shrubs species on the selected plots
were identified and enumerated. A total of 31 species were identified, 23 of which were
trees while the remaining 8 were shrubs. The tree stratum had 3,502 trees per hectare. Plot
3 had the highest number of trees per hectare (1,164 trees) followed by plot 2 (672trees)
while plot 1 had the least number of trees per hectare (226 trees). Acacia senegal had the
highest number of frequency (1,066trees) with a percentage composition of 30.44%. The
species was more common in plots 2 and 3 with 250/ha and 800/ha respectively. Family
Fabaceae with 10 species had the highest number of species. Others have 2 or single
species in the family. Tree species diversity and evenness were highest in plot 5 (5.72 and
2.12 respectively) and least in plot 4 (0.95 and 0.36 respectively). Similarity amongst the
plots was highest between plots 1 and 5 (65%) while plots 3 and 4 were very dissimilar
with a similarity index of 34%. There were 8 shrub species belonging to 7 families, with a
total of 642 individuals per hectare. Plot 3 had the highest shrub population of 323/ha.
Piliostigma thonningii with 329 frequency per hectare was the most frequent of all the
species. Though plot 3 had the highest number of individuals in almost all the species,
diversity and evenness indices were highest in plot 1 (1.56 and 0.97 respectively). Plots 1
vs 2 and 2vs5 were very similar with index of 80% each.

A total of 320 fresh milk and milk products comprising of 80 samples each of fresh milk,
“nono”, “kindrimo” and “manshanu” respectively were collected from four Local
Government Areas of Kaduna state. The samples were subjected to microbiological
techniques for the isolation of pathogenic bacteria. The isolated organisms were identified
by standard bacteriological methods. The organisms identified were; Bacillus spp. 11.25%,
Staphylococcus aureus 8.75%, Staphylococcus spp. 8.75%, Proteus spp. 6.88%,
Providencia spp. 2.50%, Pantoea agglomerans 1.25%, Escherichia coli 0.94%,
Acinetobacter lwoffi 0.94%, Hafnia alvei 0.63%, Salmonella pullorum 0.31%, Acetobacter
haemolyticus 0.31% and Citrobacter diversus 0.31%. The study showed that these milk
and milk products could be an important source of infection with a wide range of
organisms particularly Enterobacteria. There is therefore the need to institute effective
control measures and improved hygiene handling of milk and milk products to protect
public health. 

The stems and roots of phenerophytes are made of a porous and fibrous structural tissue
that are strong in tension and embedded in matrix of lignin that resist compression. Wood is
fibrous material used for biofuel or timber in addition to being used as pulp for making
paper. A fresh wood sample of Ziziphus spina-Christi (Christ’s thorn) was taken from
Buskuri open savanna woodland and tested for moisture content, calorific value, combustion
rate and its coppicing ability measured. The study showed that the moisture content at the
time of energy determination was found to be 5.62 percent and the calorific value of 15.33
Mj/Kg was recorded. The results also revealed that in eight minutes, the temperature of the
wood sample reached 450oC and temperature above 100oC was retained for a period of
22minutes. The species was found to coppice at the rate of 155cm per annum. An urgent
need to stop cutting Ziziphus spina-Christi for fuel wood and the need for further research
on the wood properties of the same species for enhanced diversification of utilization were
recommended.

A study on the water quality assessment of Jakara Dam was conducted from January to
October 2016 at 4 studied sites, using Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) Score
and Average Score Per Taxa (ASPT) assessment tools. Using standard technique, a total of
10631 macroinvertebrates belonging to three phyla; Mollusca, Arthropoda, and Annelida
and comprising of 15 families were collected and identified. BMWP Score and ASPT values
obtained were recorded for each site (A, B, C and D) during the sampling period. The
results revealed that all the sites had poor water quality with BMWP score less than 100
and ASPT value less than 4. Gastropod (Melanoides tuberculata), dipteran larvae
(Chironomus sp.), and annelid worm (Tubifex tubifex) were the dominant species
identified during the sampling period. The presence of pollution indicator species such as
Melanoides tuberculata, Chironomus sp. Hirudo medicinalis and Tubifex tubifex confirmed
that Jakara Dam is polluted. It was therefore recommended that further studies should be
done to validate the use of BMWP/ASPT score as indices of organic pollution. 

Impacts of sub-lethal concentrations of water soluble fraction of diesel-oil (WSFD) on
biochemical and physiological responses of hybrid catfish, Heteroclarias and rats fed on
contaminated-Heteroclarias-were investigated. Heteroclarias was assessed in a static
renewal bioassay for 28 days using varying concentrations (0.00, 15.63, 31.25, 62.50,
125.00, and 250.00 ppm) of WSFD, while rats were fed with diet compounded with WSFDcontaminated-Heteroclarias for 30 days. The WSFD-exposed fish and the WSFDcontaminated-Hetroclarias-fed rats were sacrificed, blood samples were collected and the
gill and liver of the fish as well as the liver and kidney of the rat were removed for assay. In
both animals, red blood cell, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, protein and glucose
decreased, while the white blood cell increased compared to the control. Serum activities of
alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and superoxide dismutase
significantly increased in WSFD-exposed Heteroclarias and WSFD-contaminatedHeteroclarias-fed rat, while the enzymes’ activities were inhibited in the gill and liver of the
fish and liver and kidney of the rat. Lactate dehydrogenase activity decreased in the serum
of both WSFD-exposed Heteroclarias and WSFD-contaminated-Heteroclarias-fed rat but
increased in the gill and liver of WSFD-exposed Heteroclarias and liver and kidney of
WSFD-contaminated-Heteroclarias-fed rat. There was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in
the specific growth rate of WSFD-exposed Heteroclarias and rat fed WSFD-contaminatedHeteroclarias as the concentrations increased. Therefore, toxic effects of diesel-oil on
aquatic organisms should be monitored, so as to ensure safety, survival and sustainable
exploitation of healthy fish as well as prevent risk of health disorder in fish consumers.

This study looked for genes affecting some egg quality traits on chromosome 1-5 and
microsatellite markers attached to them to formed what is called quantitative trait loci,
which can be use in marker assisted selection. Chromosome 1-5 of a population of 205
Shikabrown intercrossed (F2) were scanned for Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting egg
quality traits, using 25 microsatellite markers. QTLs affecting shell thickness, yolk length,
egg weight, yolk weight, albumen weight, shell weight, and albumen length were identified
on these chromosomes. The effects of genotype on these traits were additive, while others
were dominant. Two QTLs located on chromosome 2 (shell thickness and shell weight),
and three QTLs located on chromosome 3 (albumen weight, yolk weight and egg weight)
showed pleiotropic effect. Correlation between these QTLs were positive and significant. It
was concluded that chromosome 1 to 5 of Shikabrown contain QTLs affecting egg quality
traits. 

This study looked for genes affecting some egg quality traits on chromosome 1-5 and
microsatellite markers attached to them to formed what is called quantitative trait loci,
which can be use in marker assisted selection. Chromosome 1-5 of a population of 205
Shikabrown intercrossed (F2) were scanned for Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting egg
quality traits, using 25 microsatellite markers. QTLs affecting shell thickness, yolk length,
egg weight, yolk weight, albumen weight, shell weight, and albumen length were identified
on these chromosomes. The effects of genotype on these traits were additive, while others
were dominant. Two QTLs located on chromosome 2 (shell thickness and shell weight),
and three QTLs located on chromosome 3 (albumen weight, yolk weight and egg weight)
showed pleiotropic effect. Correlation between these QTLs were positive and significant. It
was concluded that chromosome 1 to 5 of Shikabrown contain QTLs affecting egg quality
traits. 

Tsetse flies are large, biting and blood feeding flies of huge economic and veterinary importance due to their role in transmitting Trypanosoma spp that causes Trypanosomiasis. This study was carried out, to establish the presence of Tsetse flies and Trypanosoma spp status of the captured flies in the study area using standard biconical traps. A total of 47 Tsetse flies were caught. Sixteen [34.04%] out of the forty-seven flies were male while thirty-one were female representing 31[65.96%] and nine died out of the [47] which was the mortality representing 9[19.15%]. Of the 47 flies, 38 were dissected and identification of Trypanosomes was done by direct observation of dissected organs under a microscope. Thirteen of the thirty-eight dissected flies were found with Trypanosoma spp representing 13 [34.21%]. Nine out of the twenty-four dissected female flies were found with Trypanosomes representing 9[23.68%], while only four of the fourteen dissected male flies were found with Trypanosomes representing 4[10.53%]. The study discovered the presence of Tsetse flies of the group Glossina palpalis palpalis with more female flies captured and 13 out of 38 of the flies were infected with Trypanosoma spp, T. vivax, 7(53.85%), T. congolense, 5[38.46%], and T. brucei, 1[7.69%]. The presence of parasites in captured flies suggests the possibility of transmission of these parasites to humans and livestock residing within Kagarko Local Government Area, as well as those on grazing movements with their cows.

Biosurfactants are heterogeneous group of surface active molecules produced by microorganisms, which adhere to cell surface or excreted extracellularly in the growth medium. This study was conducted to screen bacterial isolates from crude oil contaminated soil for potential to produce biosurfactants. Sixteen bacterial species were isolated and screened for biosurfactant production using the drop collapse test, oil displacement method and emulsification activity. Based on the screening test, nine bacterial isolates were identified as biosurfactant producing bacteria. The isolates were species of Klebsella, Micrococcus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium, Acinetobacter and Comamonas. Two efficient biosurfactant producing bacteria were confirmed by 16S rDNA sequencing as Acinetobacter baumanni strain and Comamonas testosteroni. Biosurfactants produced by the two bacteria were extracted by acid precipitation method. Acinetobacter baumanni produced 1.2g/L of biosurfactant after 7 days while Comamonas testosteroni produced 0.6g/L of biosurfactant over the same period. The biosurfactants were characterized using FTIR, GC-MS and Physicochemical content. The biosurfactant produced by Acinetobacter baumanni indicated the biosurfactant was a lipopeptide having characteristics lipid and peptide peak values, containing 35.88% protein, 18.32% lipid and 24.44% Carbohydrate, while the biosurfactant produced by Comamonas testosteroni was a glycolipid (rhamnolipid) containing 35.28%, 18.65% lipid and 26.28% Carbohydrate. This study shows that the biosurfactants produced (lipopeptide and rhamnolipid) may be useful in the management of oil spills in the environment.

Condition factor designated as K is an important tool in fish biology and aquaculture, which

indicates the well - being of fish, and also determines the conduciveness of the environment

for survival. This study examined the condition factor and organ indices of some commercial

fishes of Agaie - Lapai Reservoir, Niger State. Twenty-five (25) samples each of Clarias

gariepinus, Auchenoglanis occidentalis and Bagrus bayad were collected and used for this

study. The condition factors of A. occidentalis was 0.04 with mean Total Length (25.59cm),

C. gariepinus was 0.04 with mean Total Length (25.88cm) and B. bayad was 0.04 with

mean Total Length (27.70cm), being less than 1 showed that the fishes are not in good

condition in the reservoir. Mean monthly condition factor did not differ significantly

(p>0.05) and showed that these fishes were not in good condition. There was low level of

energy reserve based on mean hepatosomatic index of A. occidentalis (0.70), C. gariepinus

(0.90) and for B. bayad (0.76). Mean spleen somatic index of A. occidentalis (0.08), C.

gariepinus (0.08) and B. bayad (0.07) showed decreased spleen size due to low red blood

cell produced or stored. Low mean cardiosomatic index of A. occidentalis (0.07), C.

gariepinus (0.08) and B. bayad (0.09) depicted small heart size. Low mean gonadosomatic

index of Auchenoglanis occidentalis (0.14), Clarias gariepinus (3.49) and Bagrus bayad

(0.16) showed that gonads were small and not matured.

Triplicates of eight samples of Bitter cola nuts (Garcinia cola) purchased from sales outlets in Abraka and environs in Delta State, Nigeria were analysed using standard methods to determine the microbial load. The counts ranged from 5 to 6 Log10cfu/ml, 3.3 to 3.6 Log10cfu/ml and 2 to 2.78 Log10cfu/ml for total aerobic, coliform and fungal counts respectively. The bacterial isolates were Serratia sp, Bacillus sp, Escherichia sp and Staphylococcus sp while the fungal isolates were Fusarium sp, Aspergillus sp and Mucor sp. Staphylococcus sp (36.84%) and Aspergillus sp (42.86%) were the most frequently isolated organisms. Proximate analyses showed that the nuts could promote microbial growth as they contained high moisture content (65.40 ± 0.06%) and apparently high Aw, total carbohydrate (+fibre) content of 30.47%, dry matter of 32.60 ± 0.07ppm and crude protein of 3.52 ± 0.22ppm. As these organisms are reported pathogens with high level of antibiotic resistance, there is the need for consumers to physically sort out nuts that show signs of microbial growth and damage prior to consumption to avert diseases associated with the organisms isolated in this study.

Keywords: Bitter Kola, Nuts, Isolates.

Due to the cost and environmental impacts associated with traditional diesel oil-based muds,

the utilization of alternative oils serving as a continuous phase in the formulation of drilling

muds has been at the forefront for mud engineers. To this end, this research work was

embarked on to compare the existing diesel oil-based muds with a newly formulated mud

using tiger nut oil. To achieve this aim, extracted tiger nut oil was used to formulate the

drilling mud in line with the American Petroleum Institute (API) standard of 25 g bentonite

to 350 mL base fluid for nontreated bentonite. The oil extraction method used was the

Soxhlet extraction method. 245 mL of tiger nut oil (which was the required volume for

formulation) was extracted from 1100 grams of tiger nut powder at the consumption of 1.5

L of n-hexane. The rheological properties that were deduced from the formulated mud were

in line with the Bingham plastic model of fluids. The formulated drilling fluid also displayed

great gel strength with respect to other types of base oils used in drilling mud formulation.

Also, with the addition of barite – a weighing substance, the mud density of the tiger nut OBM

(8.15 lb/gal) was higher relative to that of the diesel OBM (7.98 lb/gal) which is an

advantageous quality of drilling fluid, especially in less stable formations. Other properties

like pH, 8.5, CCI, and 2.03, were also in favour of the tiger nut OBM. Hence, the formulated

mud possesses a greater advantage both in technology utilization and environmental

viability.

The worldwide increasing level of industrialization and urbanization has led to

environmental pollution. Metallic contamination in aquatic environments has received huge

concern due to its toxicity. Heavy metals enter our environment from both natural and

anthropogenic sources. Among the anthropogenic abiotic stresses, copper and lead at high

concentrations have been recognized for their impact on aquatic ecosystems, including

aquatic plants. The effects of copper and lead on the physiology (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll

b, catalase and peroxidase) of Salvinia molesta were investigated. The experiments were

conducted in the laboratory; the experimental design consisted of a factorial combination of

the two metals (copper and lead) in different concentrations. The effects of copper and lead

were evaluated based on the content of chlorophyll a and b, the enzymatic activity of catalase

and peroxidase by Salvinia molesta . There were significant differences (P≤0.05) in the

content of chlorophyll a and b. The metals (copper and lead) reduced the contents of

chlorophyll a and b in Salvinia molesta . Lower pigment contents were recorded for

treatments with high concentrations (1mg/L and 1.5mg/L) of metals; while higher contents

of chlorophyll a and b were recorded for the control and treatments with lower

concentrations (0.5mg/L of copper and 0.05mg/L of lead). Also, the longer the plants stayed

in the medium, the more the reduction in pigment content of the plants. The activities of

catalase and peroxidase differ significantly (P < 0.05) in Salvinia molesta. The findings

showed that the higher the concentration of copper and lead, the higher the activities of the

antioxidant enzyme. This indicated significant roles for the anti-oxidant defense mechanism

of Salvinia molesta . They may therefore be used as biomarkers for oxidative stress in Salvinia

molesta exposed to Cu and Pb stress in Nigerian aquatic ecosystems.

The antibiotics susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli from fermented cow milk (Nono ) was

investigated. Nono samples were collected from the Main and Badeggi markets twice a

month (four times) in April and May 2021. The pour plate technique was used to determine

the bacteria count in Nono. Identification of bacteria isolates from the sample was carried out

by subjecting the isolates to different biochemical tests. Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method

was used to determine the sensitivity of the isolates to the antibiotics (Tarivid, Reflacine,

Ciprofloxacin, Streptomycin, Augmentin, Gentamycin, Ceporex, Nalidixic acid, Septrin, and

Ampicillin) used in the study. Mean bacteria count ranged from 4.2 x 104 to 2.9 x 106cfu/ml.

From the four samplings carried out across the two (2) markets in Lapai metropolis, the

highest mean bacterial count of 2.9 x 106 cfu/ml at the dilution factor of 10-5 occurred at the

Badeggi market, while the least colony count of 4.2 x 104 cfu/ml at the dilution factor of 10-3

also occurred at Badeggi market. The incidence of bacteria isolates indicated that the highest

population was Escherichia coli 4(33%), while the least population of bacteria was observed

in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus 1(8.3%). The percentage susceptibility of

bacteria isolates to the antibiotics indicated that the most active antibiotics were Ceporax

(100%) and Streptomycin (100%), and the most resisted antibiotics was ampicillin (100%).

E. coli was the most susceptible bacteria isolate to the multiple antibiotics, while P.

aeruginosa showed resistance to most antibiotics used. The study revealed high resistance to

most antibiotics by some bacteria isolated in this study, which might be likely due to the

indiscriminate use of antibiotics to treat livestock.