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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. 

Benthic macro invertebrate’s ability to indicate various types of anthropogenic
stressors is widely recognized as an integral component of freshwater biomonitoring. In
case of pollution, biodiversity of the aquatic community can be affected and the species
composition changes from natural species to tolerant species. Study on the benthic
macro invertebrates as potential indicator of water quality in Ajiwa reservoir, Katsina
State was carried out from November, 2015 to October, 2016, in terms of physical and
chemical parameters and biotic indices. For this purpose, macro benthic invertebrates
and water samples were taken from five sampling location once monthly. Benthic macro
invertebrate samples were collected with the aid of Ekman grab and was transferred
into labelled plastic storage bottle and preserved with 70% ethanol prior to sorting and
identification with the aid of standard keys. Physicochemical parameter were
determined using standard methods, procedures and instruments. The results of
identification and counting of the abundance of benthic macro invertebrate was used to
determine some biotic indices (Biological Monitoring Working Party-BMWP and
Average Score Per Taxon -ASPT) and diversity indices (Margalef, Simpson and Shannon
and Weaver Diversity indices). Fifteen physicochemical parameters were determined.
Some of their mean value were; Water Temperature (27.15±2.42 ), pH, (7.85±2.01),
Free CO2 (3.47±0.78mg/L), Turbidity (98.0±2.28NTU), TDS (85.68±2.71mg/L),
Electrical Conductivity (158.55±3.04μS/cm), Total Hardness (72.16±2.37mg/L), DO
(6.10±0.13mg/L), BOD (3.41±2.31mg/L), Calcium (64.34±1.35mg/L), Total alkalinity
(96.27±3.09mg/L), COD (4.11±1.10mg/L), Magnesium (5.36±2.46mg/L), Phosphate
(1.42±0.96mg/L) and Nitrate (2.07±1.13mg/L). Thirty five (35) different taxa
belonging to twenty four (24) families from a total of 4550 individuals’ organisms were
recorded. The relative percentage composition of the major taxonomic groups to the
overall macro benthic population at the different stations revealed that the study area
was inhabited by the following order Oligochaete (40.28%), Molluscs (24.08%), Diptera
(19.29%), Odonata (5.78%), Coleoptera (3.94%), Nematodes (3.38%) and Hemiptera (3.24%). BMWP had 57 scores; indicating moderately polluted water body in station 1
and 5 with abundance of pollution tolerant taxa such Chironomidae, Lymnaeidae,
Tubificidae and Planorbidae which revealed the impact of anthropogenic activities at some sampling locations of the reservoir. It is therefore recommended that
uncontrolled discharge of agrochemicals within the vicinity of the reservoir through
irrigation and other anthropogenic activities such as cattle rearing, bush burning etc.
should be controlled in order to curtail degradation of the aquatic biota over a period of
time. 

The African Thrush Turdus pelios is a typical Thrush in appearance and habits. It is a
melodious song bird that is native to Africa and is easily recognized by its song. It has a
conspicuously yellow bill and forages mostly in parks and gardens. The sexes are similar and are dull
grey-brown in colour. A study was carried out in order to provide information on the nest, eggs and
nestlings of the African Thrush Turdus pelios in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. The study was conducted
between June and July, 2016. A nest of the African Thrush was discovered by visual observation on
the 12th of June 2016. The nest was located on a Terminalia superba tree in a fork within two
branches. The height above ground of the nest was 5.2 m, measured using a surveyor’s tape. The nest
and its content were accessed with the aid of a ladder. The nest was the “statant cupped” type and
had one egg in it when discovered. The second and third eggs were laid subsequently on the 13th and
14th June, 2016 respectively. The clutch size was three and the eggs were bluish in colour, dotted
with reddish spots. Incubation of the eggs started immediately the last egg was laid and lasted for a
period of two weeks. One of the eggs was hatched on the 28th of June, 2016 and the other two
remaining eggs were not hatched. The breeding success was calculated to be 33.3%. The newly
hatched nestling was naked and blind. Photographs of the nestling were taken on the 4th day after
hatching and at one week after hatching, using a Fujifilm digital camera Fine Pix A700. The nestling
fledged at ten days after hatching and the nest was dismantled for the identification of the nest
materials. The study is evidence of the breeding of the African Thrush in Lokoja and it is likely that
the breeding season of the species in Lokoja falls between June and July. Further study is hereby
recommended in order to provide detailed information on the breeding biology of the species in the
area. 

Seasonal adaptive distribution of mosquito species in rice fields was investigated in four
widely spaced sites located in Bosso, Maitumbi, Fadikpe and Chanchaga areas of Minna,
Niger State. Mosquito larvae were collected from the four sites during the rainy season
while soil samples were collected by excavation and flooded with water in plastic
containers to allow aestivating eggs and immature to emerge. Immature mosquitoes
recovered for both seasons were reared to adults and identified in the laboratory using
standard morphological keys. The results revealed three mosquito genera (i.e Aedes,
Anopheles and Culex) species co- existing in rice fields in Minna, with Culex been
dominant. The distribution of the ten species of mosquitoes occurred in the following
order of decreasing abundance during the rainy season; Culex pipiens pipiens
651(21.9%)> Culex quinquefasciatus 421(14.2%)> Anopheles gambiae 400 (13.5%)>
Anopheles funestus 334 (11.2%)> Culex restuans 297 1(10.0%)> Anopheles
maculipalpis 187(6.3%)> Anopheles quardrimaculatus 178(6.0%)> Aedes dorsalis 173
(5.8%)> Aedes aegypti 169 (5.7%)> Aedes vexans 162 (5.5%). While that of dry season
was Cx. pipiens pipiens 78(30%)> An. gambiae 6(23%)> Cx. quinquefasciatus 34
(13%)> An.funestus 32 (12.3%)> Ae. aegypti 20 (7.7%)> An. maculipalpis 10 (3.8%)>
An. quadrimaculatus 9(3.4%)> Cx. restuans 8(3.1%)> Ae. dorsalis 6(2.3%)> Ae vexans
4(1.5%). Findings further revealed a negative correlation between Aedes vs Anopheles
and Anopheles vs Culex mosquitoes in rainy season. But a positive correlation was
exhibited between the three mosquito genera during the dry season. Statistically
however, there was significant difference (P > 0.05) in the distribution of mosquito
species in the studied areas in both seasons. Thus, there is an urgent need for an effective
mosquito larvicidal programme for vector control in rice-fields in Minna, for sustainable
rice production. 

A study was carried out to evaluate effect of mulch and irrigation on growth and water use
efficiency of lettuce (lactuca sativa L.) cultivars under irrigation during 2016, 2017 and 2018
in semi-arid ecology of Northern Nigeria at Irrigation Research Sub-Station farm (IRS) of the
Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University at Kadawa, (110 39/ N, 0800
027/ E and 500 m above sea level) in the Sudan Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria.
Treatments were factorial combinations of three irrigation levels (50, 75 and 100 % of
reference evapotranspiration (ETo), three lettuce cultivars (Great Lake, Slaai and Baby leaf
mix) and two levels of mulch (no-mulch and mulch) laid out in a split plot design with three
replicates. Water applied before and after irrigation was monitored throughout the seasons.
Results indicated that different levels of irrigation and mulch on all growth characteristics,
crop water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency were significant with the highest
irrigation level of 100 % ETo recording the highest yield of 8.5, 8.4 and 8.6 tonnes ha-1 in
2016, 2017 and 2018 seasons respectively while 50 % ETo recoded the least yield of 7.3, 6.7
and 7.5 tonnes ha-1 across the three years. Increase in water application increase yield of
about 7.6% in 2016; 11.6 and 10.6 % in 2017 and 2018 respectively with 100% ETo.
Mulching significantly improved the crop water productivity irrespective of the cultivar in
the study area. Since there were only minor differences between growth characters of lettuce
obtained from 75 and 100% ETo, it can be said that water application should be kept at 75%
weekly crop consumptive use in this region.

Toxicological properties of crude leaf extract of Mangifera indica were carried out using
standard procedures in laboratory mice. Forty Swiss albino mice grouped into four groups
each for the acute and sub-acute toxicity study were administered doses of 100, 200,
300mg/kg and normal saline (control). The results of showed increased in weight from
21.54±0.95g to 29.53±0.48g, 21.45±0.84g to 29.16±3.33g, 21.23±0.90g to 23.81±1.28g
for 300mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 100mg/kg respectively after 14 days of treatment. The mice
treated with 300mg/kg progressively increased in weight from 18.52±0.48 to 26.93±0.74g
after 21days (week 3), the 200mg/kg treated group increased from 19.14±0.98 to
30.76±0.56g in week 4 while the 100mg/kg treated group increased from 19.46±0.76 to
30.23±0.45 in week 3 respectively after 28 days of treatment. The haemoglobin counts
were 10.15±0.35g/dl, 10.78±0.50g/dl, 9.78±0.33g/dl and 10.12±0.32g/dl for 300, 200,
100mg/kg and control groups respectively. The packed cell volume (PCV) increased from
28.00±2.09% control group to 28.80±0.97%, 32.50±1.85% and 29.25±2.14% for 100, 200
and 300mg/kg respectively. Furthermore, the red blood cell (RBC) counts also increased
from 3.82±0.29x1012/L to 4.33±0.35 x 1012/L for 200mg/kg. There was a general increase
in the white blood cell (WBC) levels 5.36±1.03 x 109/L, 6.21±0.78 x 109/L, and 5.84±1.13
x 109/L for 100, 200 and 300mg/kg compared to the control 3.98±0.55 x 109/L. The mean
corpuscular volume (MCV) revealed an increase that is dose dependent 7.56±0.84,
8.05±1.00 and 8.12±0.79cuµ for 100, 200 and 300mg/kg respectively while the mean
corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) 2.57±0.30, 2.56±0.28 and 2.84±0.29pg did not follow
this pattern and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) 34.04±0.32,
33.23±0.81 and 33.04±1.01% for 100, 200 and 300mg/kg decreased respectively. The
histophatological defects observed were enlargement of nuclei on the liver and necrosis of
the glomeruli of the kidney administered with higher doses of the kidney.
Keywords: Mangifera indica, haematological indices, histopathological, albino mice.

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 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. 

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.

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. 

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.

This study investigated the prevalence of haemoparasites and haematological indices of slaughtered cattle in Ijebu-Ode, Southwest Nigeria. A total of one hundred blood samples of slaughtered cattle were randomly collected. Thin smears of blood were prepared for haemoparasite detection, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and eosinophils. The packed cell volume was determined using microhaemocritic centrifugation method. The red blood cells, white blood and the platelets counts were obtained using the automated machine (Hema Vet® 950) .The overall prevalence was (12%), the two genera of haemoparasites encountered were Theilera sp and Trypanosoma sp, with prevalence of (6%) each. Haematological parameters in the blood of the screened cattle such as Packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC) and lymphocytes of infected cattle were significantly lower when compared to uninfected cattle (p<0.05) while higher counts of white blood cells, platelets and neutrophils were recorded in the infected cattle compared to uninfected cattle. Though the prevalence of haemoparasites was low, there is the need for frequent investigation in the study area, on haemoparasites and the associated haematological parameters in view of scarcity of information on it, to raise alert in case of incidence in order not to hamper the productivity of the conventional livestock industries and to make protein diet continuously available to the citizens.

Despite the recent progress made in the control and eradication of malaria, the disease remains the first endemic especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria often results in a series of clinical presentations, from severe to uncomplicated or mild, and in poorly understood asymptomatic infections. The progress of malaria control interventions has been hindered by the presence of asymptomatic carriage of malaria parasites, its mis-diagnosis, and especially false negative results. This phenomenon has been poorly attributed to the recent mass usage of the substandard Rapid Diagnosis Tests (RDTs) and on the other hand, the global malaria eradication program has focused on symptomatic malaria. Consequently, asymptomatic infection remains undetected and provides a silent natural reservoir that sustains transmission of Plasmodium species in the community. Experts have identified the possible intricacies between host, parasites, age, co-infection and/or environmental factors among others to the complexity of asymptomatic infection. Therefore, in order to achieve the recent World Health Organization developed Strategic Framework for malaria elimination from 2016 to 2030 to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality by 90% and eliminate malaria in 35 countries by 2030, it is critical to interrupt the ongoing malaria transmission from the asymptomatic reservoir. Evidence from these studies suggests the strict inclusion of asymptomatic patients in malaria intervention and the adoption of ultrasensitive diagnostics in malaria surveillance and treatment.

Intestinal helminthes are threat to the health of rural communities of developing countries. School children are predisposed to the infection caused by these parasites. This study reported the presence of intestinal helminthes among school children in Nkalagu area of Ishielu Local Government Area. Concentration method was used for microscopic analysis of the faecal samples. Out of the 100 faecal samples examined, 62(62%) were infected. Of which 53 males examined, 33(62.2%) was infected; 47 females, 29(61.7%) were infected; School 1 had the highest prevalence 34(68%). Significant differences was recorded at p<0.05. The total prevalence of infection among schools sampled is as follows; Ascaris lumbricoides 38(61.3 %), Enterobius vermicularis 15(24.2%) and Trichuris trichiura 9(14.5%). The prevalence of these intestinal helminthic parasites also varied significantly between the gender with females having comparatively more Ascaris lumbricoides 20(69%), Enterobius vermicularis 4(13.8%) and Trichuris trichura 5(17.2%) and the males having Ascaris lumbricoides 18(54.5%), Enterobius vermicularis 11(33.3%) and Trichuris trichiura 4(12.1%). The prevalence of these helminthic infections varied significantly among the age groups, 57 years was highly infected 25(64.1%), Ascaris lumbricoides infection was high in all the age groups. Our study indicated that intestinal helminthiasis has high prevalence in the area. Control measures such as, provision of adequate sanitary facilities and potable drinking water, improved personal hygiene and health education campaign should increase in the study area.

5Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, KOMU Imo State, Nigeria.

Submitted: November, 2022; Accepted: December, 2022; Published: December, 2022