Malaria is a severe febrile illness instigated by Plasmodium parasites and spread through bites of infected mosquitoes to humans and animals. This study was carried out to determine the effect of water extract of Azadirachta indica on Plasmodium berghei-induced nephropathy of male Wistar albino rats. Thirty (30) male albino Wistar rats weighing between 150 and 200 grams were used for the study. Experimental animals were weighed and grouped into six groups (A to F) of five rats per group. Groups A, B, and C were blank, negative, and positive controls, respectively while Groups D, E and F were infected with 1.0x107 Plasmodium berghei and treated with 50, 200, and 500mg/kg body weight of ethanol neem leaf extract OF Azadirachta indica, respectively for twenty-one (21) days post-infection. After treatment, animals were sacrificed and serum collected for biochemical analysis. Results of the experiment showed that P. berghei caused a significant hike (p<0.05) in mean serum creatinine concentration (4.30±0.96) when compared with the blank control (2.60±0.96).With the administration of A. indica, the P. berghei-induced creatinine hike reduced significantly (p<0.05) (2.80±0.62). The present study also showed that P. berghei caused a reduction in urea nitrogen level (11.79±4.03) when compared with the blank control (28.18±5.12). The result of renal histology showed that P. berghei caused a focal tubular dilation with brush border depletion and upon the administration of A. indica, the kidney cortex still showed some levels of cell-mediated capsular injury and tubular atrophy. We therefore, concluded that Plasmodium berghei caused renal dysfunction, as shown by biochemical assay. However, the histological study inferred that the extract of A. indica could not entirely reverse the renal damages initiated by the infections.

Acha (Digitaria exilis) is a cereal crop that is highly nutritious and contains carbohydrates, dietary fiber, minerals, and amino acids.It also contains antinutritional factors such as oxalate, phytate, tannin, and saponin, which can reduce the bioavailability of nutrients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation on the proximate and mineral composition of acha flour. Acha was processed into flour and then subjected to spontaneous fermentation and fermentation using a combination of Streptococcus infantarius FDAARGOS_1019 and Limosilac tobacillus fermentum SCB0035) previously isolated from cow milk. Exactly 250g of the flour was mixed with 500mL of distilled water followed by the addition of 0.02% sodium metabisulphate to inhibit the growth of microflora and other contaminating microorganisms. The same set-up was used for the spontaneous fermentation, except the addition of starter organisms and sodium metabisulphite. The proximate and mineral contents of the flours were determined using the association of official analytical chemistry (AOAC) and atomic absorbance spectroscopy (AAS) methods respectively. The result shows a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the moisture, ash, lipid and protein contents of the fermented flour when compared to the unfermented flour with the higher values occurring in the samples fermented with the LAB consortium. The carbohydrate and fiber content decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after fermentation. The result of the mineral contents of both unfermented and fermented acha flours demonstrated that magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, sodium, phosphorus, and calcium levels significantly increased (p≤ 0.05) through LAB fermentation, while potassium levels remained unchanged. This observation shows that LAB fermentation has the potential to enhance nutritional quality of acha flour more than spontaneous fermentation and can be applied in microbial food fortification.

Sustainable exploitation of freshwater fish species for commercial value is sacrosanct for fishery to continuously play its role in Nigeria socio-economic growth and development. Five commercially available fish species (Oreochromis niloticus, Elops saurus, Raiamas senegalensis, Hyperopisus bebe and Gobionellus oceanicus) in Ogun coastal water, Iwopin, Ogun State, Nigeria were appraised for the length-weight relationship, growth rate and condition factors. Fifty samples of each fish species were collected from fishermen at the landing sites weekly between January and April, 2023. Length-weight indices showed Elops saurus, H. niloticus and R. senegalensis. Condition factor recorded in the fish species of E. saurus, R senegalensis, H. bebe and G. oceanicus were not significantly different to each other, but showed negative allometric growth. Conclusively, the study provided length-weight relationships for Oreochromis niloticus, Elops saurus, Raiamas senegalensis, Monodactylus sebae and Gobionellus oceanicus exhibited different growth patterns, and showed a strong association between length and weight of the fishes. Furthermore, the study will be useful for fishery biologist for sustainable fishery management.

This study was to determine the protective effects of Gongronema latifolium on male Wistar albino rats induced with indomethacin. Twenty-five (25) male Wistar albino rats weighing 150 g were used in this study. The rats were randomly selected and divided into five groups of five rats. Groups A, B and C were blank, negative and positive controls while Groups D and E were low (100 mg/kg) and high (400 mg/kg) dose treated groups of the extracts of Gongronema latifolium respectively. Rats were housed in metallic cages and allowed to acclimatize for fourteen days. The ulcerative index increased significantly in group B at (p<0.05) (68.00±2.83) but the low dose treated groups reduced significantly (p<0.05) after oral administration of 100 mg/kg of Gongronema latifolium extract at 12.00±4.24. The percentage ulcer inhibition increased significantly p<0.05 (77.68±4.61) when treated with standard anti-ulcer drug for the Group C. The percentage of ulceration reduced significantly (p<0.05) (38.26±6.09) when treated with low dose (100 mg/kg) of Gongronema latifolium for Group D. The pH value was at the lowest level at the negative control group (Group B) at (p<0.05) (2.92±0.63) but was significantly increased (4.60±0.18) (p<0.05) when treated with high dose of extracts of Gongronema latifolium. Indomethacin induced ulcer increased the mucosa acidity of Wistar albino rats (Group A) with the highest value (p<0.05) (5.29±0.12), but when treated with low dose (Group D) of Gongronema latifolium, it significantly reduced (2.75±1.061) (p<0.05). This study shows Gongronema latifolium is potent, effective and efficacious due to its phytochemical properties that have antioxidants potentials.

The field trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria in the early and late wet seasons of 2012. The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of weed interference period and age of pepper seedlings on weed dry matter production and relative importance value (RIV) of weed species in pepper. Two ages of pepper seedlings at transplant as the main plot and six weed interference periods as sub-plot treatments were accommodated in a split-plots arrangement of a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on weed dry matter production and those collected on weed species composition were used to compute RIV. Results showed that weed dry matter production and number of weed species reduced with weed-free period, while up to 80% reduction in weed dry matter production was observed on plot kept weed free for 12 weeks after planting (WAP) of pepper. There were also, 13 and 17 weed species present in the early and late wet seasons, respectively, while only Tridax procumbens had RIV greater than 5 % irrespective of age of pepper seedling and weed interference period in both seasons. Our findings reveal that either of the two ages of pepper seedlings at transplant can be adopted in its cultivation while pepper plot should be kept weed free for 12 WAP to reduce weed dry matter production.

The study evaluated effects of ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel combined hormonal oral contraceptives doses on blood lipids in fructose fed Female Wistar Rat. Female Rats weighing 94-262g were randomly grouped into four (4) experimental groups (n=6). Prepared 0.15 and 0.3 ml, Duofem combined ethinlyl estradiol and norgestrel oral contraceptives were administered orally (p.o) to fructose fed group A and B animals respectively, while group C animals were fed fructose diet only and the control group D animals were fed normal feed, the procedure lasted for 28 days, twenty four (24) hours after the last treatment, the animals were euthuanized by cervical dislocation, blood samples collected, and lipids profile (total Cholesterol (TCL), triglyceride (TG), High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) were estimated. A quantity, 0.3ml ethinlyl estradiol and norgestrel significantly (p<0.05) reduced mean HDL-C level (46.12±2.57 mg/dl) of group A animals compared to control group, on normal diet with mean HDL level of 65.74±3.58mg/dl. Duofem COC produce more severe alteration of lipid homeostasis in Rats on higher combined oral contraceptives (0.3ml) treatment, as a result of insulin-resistance that resulted from chronic fructose consumption.

The effects of the indomie seasoning(chicken flavour) on the organosomatic and haematological indices of Albino rats were investigated under laboratory conditions of sixteen (16) albino rats grouped into four (A-D) groups. Each group had 4 albino rats, treated groups were labelled A-C and the control was labelled D. the group means + SEM for each parameter was calculated SPSS (26.0). Means were separated using Turkey's post hoc test at 5% level of significance. The results showed that there was steady increase in the weight of the animals fed orally with 25mg/kg, 50mg/kg and 75mg/kg of the indomie seasoning a week(s) increases. It is also observed that there was a significant increase (p>0.05) in the organ weight of the liver (hepatosomatic index) in all the groups compared to control. Also, the renosomatic index was significantly increased as the weeks increased. Results also showed that the indomie seasoning produces a significant change in the platelets counts when compared with the control. However, the result showed a general change in the haematopoetic counts of the albino rats. Since the effects of the seasoning on the general well-being of humans had been documented, it is therefore, pertinent for us to reduce the intake of the seasoning especially at low amount.

This study aimed to assess the quality of harvested rainwater from two (aluminum and corrugated zinc) commonly used roof materials in several urban and rural parts of Africa, and particularly in Nigeria for potable use, and to identify and select appropriate water quality indicator sensitive to variations in response to roof types and precipitation sampling time regimes. A total of 36 samples (first-flush and post-flush) were taken from two different urban residential roofs during six rainfall events, within the months of June (3 events) and July (3 events), and analyzed for selected water quality parameters. The results showed that concentrations were far below recommended guidelines (WHO and NSDWQ). However, concentration levels in First-flush samples for the two roofs were relatively higher than Post-flush. This implies that quality improves with initial roof wash-off as traditionally practiced. Results also showed that sampling (interval) time had significant influence on quality parameters than roof material. Multivariate statistical tool was employed to identify a sensitive quality indicator. Factor analysis (FA) was used to group parameters into significant factors that explained over 72% of variations in water quality parameters. Discriminant analysis identified Sulphate and Chloride as the most sensitive parameters for residential roof harvested rainwater, and therefore, may be applied for water quality monitoring in the region.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of diets containing ginger root meal (Zingiber officinale) supplemented with and without organic acids on the growth performance and nutrients digestibility of broiler chicks. A total of two hundred and fifty (250) day old broiler chicks was used. Basal diet which served as the control (T1) contained no organic acid was formulated, while diets 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively contained ginger meal at 15g (T2), 30g (T3) and 45g (T4) without organic acid supplementation, 15g (T5), 30g (T6) and 45g (T7) supplemented with organic acids. Each treatment was replicated three times with 12 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment lasted for 4 weeks. Results showed that final weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio of birds differed non-significantly (P>0.05) across all the treatment groups. However, total feed intake and daily feed intake were significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed the control diet (988.23g, 35.39g) but were similar to those fed ginger meal based diets T2 (901.93g, 32.21g), T3 (968.91g, 34.60g) and T4 (920.73g, 32.88g) without organic acid when compare to those in organic acid groups. Apparent nutrient digestibility of the birds revealed a significant (P<0.05) variation in all parameters across the dietary treatments. Dry matter digestibility was statistically (P<0.05) higher in birds fed ginger based diets without organic acid while other parameters did not follow a particular trend. It was therefore concluded that feeding of diets containing ginger meal with or without organic acid had no adverse effect on the performance and nutrients digestibility of broiler starter chicks.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral administration of aloe vera extract on kidney functions and haematological parameters in Wistar rats. Twenty adult male albino rats weighing between 150g – 200g were used for the study. They were randomly divided into four groups, namely. Group I (control), II, III and IV were administered 50, 100 and 150mg/kg aloe vera extract respectively for 21 days. Blood samples (2ml), were obtained by cardiac puncture into EDTA bottles to determine; Red blood cells, White blood cells, Haemoglobin, Mean cell volume, Mean cell haemoglobin, Mean cell haemoglobin concentration and Platelets. Another 2ml were collected into plain sample bottles without anticoagulant to determine; Blood urea nitrogen, Creatinine, Total protein and Serum albumin. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS version 20 and Microsoft 2019 to plot graphs of means. The results obtained revealed that oral administration of aloe vera extract to Wistar rats significantly increased (p<0.05) RBC and MCHC in rats. RBC values obtained were 8.09 ± 0.20 x 1012/L in group 2 (50mg/kg aloe vera extract), 7.91 ± 0.27 x 1012/L in group 3 (100mg/kg aloe vera extract) and 7.54 ± 0.22 x 1012/L in group 4 (150mg/kg aloe vera extract). WBC, PCV, MCH, MCV did not vary significantly (p>0.05) from those of the control group. In conclusion, oral administration of aloe vera extract up to 150mg/kg body weight did not have any compromising effect on the haematological and Kidney function indices in Wistar rats.

A study was carried out to investigate the effect of graded levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on growth performance of broiler chickens. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) broiler were randomly assigned to five experimental dietary treatments containing MOLM at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 %. The diets were designated as T , T , T , T and T respectively with 30 broiler chicks per treatment. The five treatment groups were replicated 1 2 3 4 5 three times with 10 chicks per replicate in a completely randomized design. Feed and clean water were supplied ad libitum. Both the starter and finisher phases lasted for 56 days. The results revealed that all the parameters evaluated at the starter phase were statistically influenced (p<0.05) by the dietary inclusion of MOLM except mortality (%). Final weight, total weight gain, average daily weight gain, total and daily feed intake were significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed MOLM based diets compared to those in the control group. Feed conversion ratio (1.42) and cost per kg gain were significantly (P<0.05) lower in birds fed the control diet compared to other treatments. At finisher phase, the result showed that final weight and total weight gain of birds on MOLM diets were comparable but significantly (P<0.05) higher than those in the control diet T1 (2106.67, 1060g). Higher total and daily feed intake were obtained in birds fed MOLM diets T2, T3 and T5 compared to those in other treatment groups. FCR of birds in T3 (2.50) was significantly (P<0.05) better than those in other treatment groups. No significant (P>0.05) difference was observed in feed cost per kg gain of birds across the treatments. It was therefore concluded that MOLM at 2.50% in the diets of broiler starter chicks and up to 7.50% in finisher diets can improve growth performance of broiler chickens.