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We investigated the behavioural and oxidative stress responses in the earthworm, Nsukkadrilus mbae on exposure to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contaminated soils. This was because the response of thi...

Iron and zinc deficiencies is common in malaria endemic areas and contributes to morbidity. Vitamin C and zinc combined supplements have been hypothesized as a remedy. This study evaluated the effect of different combinations of vitamin C and zinc on haematological parameters and mortality of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice (Mus musculus). A three-week trial was carried out to assess haematological changes and mortality of mice after 3-day artemether treatment co-administered with vitamin C - zinc supplements. Grouping was based on combinations of vitamin C and zinc. Weight, packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (HB), and mortality were assayed weekly. The supplement improved PCV, HB, mean cell volume (MCV) and mean cell haemoglobin (MCH). Mice mortality was higher in the absence of the supplement, though the difference was not significant (χ2 = 5.214, P = 0.5167). Parasitaemia was not reduced by the supplement. A 30:70 vitamin C - zinc supplement performed better than other combinations used. Therefore, vitamin C - zinc supplement play roles in the management of malaria, since they improved PCV and HB, and lowered mortality rate, complementing the therapeutic effect of artemether. Keywords: Dietary supplement, Food supplement, Micronutrient, Zinc, Vitamin C, Malaria, Nutritional medicine

The oxidative stress responses of Clarias gariepinus exposed to potassium dichromate at sublethal concentrations for 28 days were studied in 2017. Fish were exposed to 0.165, 0.0825 and 0.033 mg l−...

Yellow pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is the second market gardening crop after tomato, and subsequently, a major source of income to farmers in Nigeria. Pests and diseases reduce yields and quality of marketable fruits. A study was conducted in Ibagwa-Agu, Lejja, Edem, Alor-Uno and Eha-Alumona agro-based communities of Nsukka Local Government Area to assess the economic implications of insect infestation and control strategies on yellow pepper yield. Data on insect pests was collected using the modified Whittaker sampling techniques from July to September 2015, while farming practices and economic consequences of pest infestation were monitored using questionnaires in December 2015. A total of 2,279 insects comprising 10 pests and 2 predators were collected. Myzus persicae Sulzer (27.6% of total collections), Bemisia tabaci Genn. (21.1%), Aphis gossypii Glov. (14.1%) and Zonocerus variegatus Gestro(7.99%) were the four prominent insect pests, while Ladybird beetle larva of Harmoni axyridis (2.3%) and praying mantis Stagmonantis crolina (1.4) were the main predators encountered. Mean percentage of plants attacked and yield losses were significantly (P

Stored product insects reduced the quantity, quality, nutritive value and viability of stored crops such as maize, sorghum, wheat and rice. These pests and many others threaten food security. The study investigated the efficacy of Xylopia aethiopica in the control of Sitophilus oryzae on stored rice. The extracts of this plant were made using ethanol and aqueous as solvent and prepared at the concentrations of 3, 6, 8 and 0 g. Zero gram is the untreated grain that served as the control. Five pairs of male and female each of a day old adult of S. oryzae were introduced into jars containing 20 g of rice each and were observed daily for 6 weeks for mortality, oviposition, developmental stages and natality. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed that alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoid and polyphenol which was moderately high and which exposes the active ingredient of the extracts. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed that alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, reducing compounds and polyphenols were present in the extracts in moderate quantities. The proximate analysis of the grain revealed that the carbohydrate content (83.45±0.1) of Oryza sativa followed by moisture (7.33±0.1), the least nutrient of proximate analysis was seen in ash (1.00±0.00). Out of the two extraction methods employed, the ethanol extract was a more effective method and thus recommended. Key words: Xylopia aethiopica, ethanolic and aqueous, Sitophilus oryzae, rice grain.

This study assessed some physicochemical properties and heavy metal contamination of four major dumpsites in Nsukka metropolis. Soil samples were collected randomly at depth of 15 cm. Physicochemical properties were determined. Levels of lead, chromium, iron, manganese, zinc, cadmium, and copper were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophometer (AAS). Soil pH ranged 5.68–6.82, temperature 25.30–29.67 ° C, and moisture 2.23–7.66%. Soil particle size distribution had higher percentages of sand 40–55% followed by silt 15–35% and clay 10–30%. Average levels of Pb, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, and Cu from the dumpsites ranged from 0.08 ± 0.04 mg/kg to 1.40 ± 0.15 mg/kg, 0.17 ± 0.09 mg/kg to 1.66 ± 0.87 mg/kg, 14.05 ± 5.13 mg/kg to 21.08 ± 0.01 mg/kg, 4.47 ± 0.54 mg/kg to 16.83 ± 0.80 mg/kg, 9.10 ± 3.05 mg/kg to19.33 ± 0.12 mg/kg, 0.02 ± 0.01 mg/kg to 1.15 ± 0.30 mg/kg, and 0.77 ± 0.26 mg/kg to 7.29 ± 2.65 mg/kg, respectively. Heavy metal profile in the dumpsite soils was Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd. Heavy metal load by dumpsites was Obimo > Ikenga Hotel > UNN > Obukpa. All the heavy metals evaluated except Fe increased as pH, temperature, and sand contents of dumpsite soil increased. Retention of Fe by soil was positively related to its clay contents. The values of heavy metals in soils from the dumpsites were far below the permissible limits set by European Regulatory Standard (EURS STD), US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) for standard soil. The dumpsites require no remediation as at the time of this study.

Background: Geophagy is wide spread among pregnant women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess intestinal nematode infections among geophagous pregnant women in Southern Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methods: Pregnant women were aged 17-45 years at gestational ages of ≥ 14 to 24 weeks on hospital enrolment were sampled. Data on geophagy was collected using structured questionnaire. Gastrointestinal nematode status of the participants was determined by stool analyses. Soil types ingested were examined for intestinal nematode ova / larvae. Results: The prevalence of geophagy (46.4%) was associated with socio-demographic characteristics. Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were associated with geophagy while Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides stercoralis had no association. Prevalence of A. lumbricoides , T. trichiura and S. stercoralis differed significantly (p

Introduction and objective. The effect of climatic conditions on the biting density and relative abundance of Simulium damnosum complex at Adani, Nigeria, from August 2010 – January 2011 was investigated. Materials and methods: The classical method of collecting blackflies for a period of 11 hours using human attractants was employed in the study. Monthly climatic data, such as rainfall, relative humidity and temperature were collected for the period of study. Results. Rainfall, relative humidity, temperature, harmattan (cold, dry wind) and deforestation were observed to affect the biting density and relative abundance of blackflies at the site. A total of 548 female adult blackflies were collected. The biting density of the flies ranged from 0.5 Flies/Man/Hour (FMH) in December to 5.5 FMH in January. The relative abundance of the flies ranged from 21 in December to 243 in January. Regression analysis showed that temperature and relative humidity had a positive correlation with relative abundance of Simulium damnosum complex (y = -0.0006x + 25.593, r = 0.0519) and (y = -0.1213x + 78.794, r = 0.505), respectively. Conclusions. The risk of getting infected with Onchocerca volvulus increased during the dry season with its associated weather conditions.

The parasitic fauna of freshwater fishes of the Warri River, Delta State, Nigeria, with reference to their prevalence, intensity and differences in metazoan parasites between fish sexes, was investigated. A total of 85 fish samples comprising of 21 Tilapia zillii (Cichlidae: Perciformes), 23 Synodontis clarias (Mochokidae: Siluriformes), 23 Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Claroteidae: Siluriformes), 16 Hepsetus odoe (Hepsetidae: Characiformes) and 2 Clarias anguillaris (Clariidae: Siluriformes) collected from the Warri River, Delta State, Nigeria, were subjected to parasitological examination. The overall metazoan parasite prevalence was 32.9%. The metazoan parasites recovered were mainly the acanthocephalans: Neoechinorhynchus prolixum , Pomphorhynchus spp., Acanthocephalus spp. and unidentified acanthocephalan, and nematodes: Camallanus polypteri, Capillaria pterophylli, C. cichlasomae, Procamallanus laeviconchus, Philometroides africanus and Railletnema synodontis. Although the acanthocephalans constituted 75.6% and nematodes 22.2% of the parasites recovered, the nematodes had the highest prevalence (23.5%) compared to the acanthocephalans (9.4%). Similarly, variable prevalences were observed for the other metazoan parasite taxa recovered, namely trematoda; Clinostomum complanatum (1.2%), Leech; Pisciola geometra (2.4%) and Crustaceans (1.2%). The highest parasite prevalence (39.1%) was observed in S. clarias, while the least (23.8%) was observed in T. zillii . Generally, the prevalence of parasites was higher in female (35.7%) than in the males (31.6%), although statistically no significant difference was observed in the prevalence by sex (X 2 = 0.145, P = 0.807). The relatively high overall parasite prevalence in fishes inhabiting the Warri River may be attributed to the relatively high level of pollution.

The present study, conducted in 2012, determined the toxicity of the chlorpyrifos-based pesticide Termifos® and its effects on behaviour and biochemical and haematological parameters in juvenile African catfish Clarias gariepinus. The 96 h LC50, estimated by probit analysis in a semi-static bioassay experiment, was 0.861 mg l-1. Fish were exposed to two sublethal concentrations, one-fifth LC50 = c. 172 µg l-1 and one-tenth LC50 = c. 86 µg l-1, and blood was sampled at 5, 10 and 15 d post-exposure. Fish exposed to 172 µg l-1 Termifos showed significantly lower red blood cell count and haematocrit values, and both sublethal concentrations significantly lowered the white blood cell count. The haemoglobin level did not change significantly at either dosage. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration values were significantly elevated, compared to the control specimens. Glucose concentration showed an ascending trend and a positive correlation with Term...

A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal property of Cymbopogon citratus leaf extract as seed protectant against maize weevil. One (1) gram each of acetone, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts were re-suspended in 5 ml of deionized water and used to impregnate filter papers set in four replicates. Varied concentrations of the aqueous extract per 50 g of Zea mays grains infested with 10 pairs of sexed Sitophilus zeamais for 28 days were tested for insecticidal properties and compared with experimental and synthetic conventional insecticide [Coopex (0.25 g)] controls. Parameters assessed were effect of C. citratus extracts on weevil mortality (toxicity test) and protection of maize against S. zeamais. Data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using New Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of significance. Results showed significant (P < 0.05) concentration and duration dependent mortalities of S. zeamais. The aqueous extract gave the highest protection of the maize grains followed by chloroform, methanol and acetone extracts respectively. The insecticidal potency of C. citratus extracts and its availability places it as an attractive biopesticide in traditional post-harvest seed protection.

The parasitic fauna of freshwater fishes of the Warri River, Delta State, Nigeria, with reference to their prevalence, intensity and differences in metazoan parasites between fish sexes, was investigated. A total of 85fish samples comprising of 21 Tilapia zillii (Cichlidae: Perciformes), 23 Synodontisclarias (Mochokidae: Siluriformes), 23 Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Claroteidae: Siluriformes), 16 Hepsetus odoe (Hepsetidae: Characiformes)and 2 Clarias anguillaris (Clariidae: Siluriformes) collected from the Warri River, Delta State, Nigeria, were subjected to parasitological examination.The overall metazoan parasite prevalence was 32.9%. The metazoan parasites recovered were mainly the acanthocephalans: Neoechinorhynchusprolixum, Pomphorhynchus spp., Acanthocephalus spp. and unidentified acanthocephalan, and nematodes: Camallanus polypteri, Capillariapterophylli, C. cichlasomae, Procamallanus laeviconchus, Philometroides africanus and Railletnema synodontis. Although the acanthocephalans constituted 75.6% and nematodes 22.2% of the parasites recovered, thenematodes had the highest prevalence (23.5%) compared to the acanthocephalans (9.4%). Similarly, variable prevalences were observed for the other metazoan parasite taxa recovered, namely trematoda; Clinostomumcomplanatum (1.2%), Leech; Pisciola geometra (2.4%) and Crustaceans (1.2%). The highest parasite prevalence (39.1%) was observed in S. clarias, while the least (23.8%) was observed in T. zillii. Generally, the prevalenceof parasites was higher in female (35.7%) than in the males (31.6%), although statistically no significant difference was observed in the prevalence by sex (X2 = 0.145, P = 0.807). The relatively high overall parasite prevalence in fishes inhabiting the Warri River may be attributed to the relatively high level of pollution., Ovo istraživanje bavi se proučavanjem parazitofaune slatkovodnih riba iz rijeke Warri u državi Delti u Nigeriji s obzirom nazastupljenost, intenzitet pojave i razlike u višestaničnim parazitima kod različitih spolova. Parazitološkom pregledu podvrgnutoje ukupno 85 jedinki ribe iz rijeke Warri u državi Delti u Nigeriji: 21 Tilapia zillii (Cichlidae: Perciformes), 23 Synodontisclarias (Mochokidae: Siluriformes), 23 Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus(Claroteidae: Siluriformes), 16 Hepsetus odoe (Hepsetidae: Characiformes) i dvije Clarias anguillaris (Clariidae: Siluriformes).Ukupna zastupljenost višestaničnih parazita bila je 32,9%. Otkriveni višestanični paraziti uglavnom su bili akantocefali, Neoechinorhynchus prolixum, Pomphorhynchus spp., Acanthocephalus spp., a isto tako i neidentificirani akantocefali i nematode, Camallanus polypteri, Capillaria pterophylli,C. cichlasomae, Procamallanus laeviconchus, Philometroides africanus i Railletnema synodontis. Među otkrivenim parazitimaakantocefala je bilo 75,6%, a nematoda 22,2%, no usprkos manjem postotku, nematode su imale veću zastupljenost (23,5%) u usporedbi s akantocefalima (9,4%). Isto tako, praćena je i zastupljenost drugog višestaničnog parazita– trematoda (metilja): Clinostomum complanatum (1,2%), zatim pijavica (Leech); Pisciola geometra (2,4%) i račića (Crustaceans)(1,2%). Najveća zastupljenost parazita zabilježena je kod S. Clarias, a najmanja (23,8%) kod T. zillii. Sveukupno gledajući, zastupljenost parazita bila je veća kod ženki (35,7%)nego kod mužjaka (31,6%), iako statistički nema velike razlike u zastupljenosti parazita po spolu ( 2 = 0,145, P = 0,807). Relativno visoka ukupna zastupljenost parazita kod riba možese pripisati relativno visokoj razini onečišćenja.

An investigation of ecto and gut parasitic fauna of African giant rat Cricetomys gambianus was carried out to determine the composition and prevalence of ecto and gut parasites in the giant rat. Fifteen giant rats, C. gambianus were caught from different locations in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and some other villages in Nsukka. They were all examined for ecto and gut parasites. A total of 2503 gut parasites and 27 ectoparasites were recovered. Considering the gut parasitic worms, nematodes were the most prevalent (87.4%) and included species such as Nippostrongylus braziliensis, Capillaria columbae and Strongyloides ophidae. Hymenolepis diminuta (cestode) (12.6%) was the least in prevalence. All recovered ectoparasites were fleas – Leptopsylla segnis. The health significances of these parasites along with control and management measures are discussed.

A four months research survey of arthropod pests infesting dried fish sold in a tropical urban community market (Ogige), Nsukka, Ngeria showed that 10 genera o dried freshwater fish (Synodontis, Hemisynodontis, Oreochromis, Hepsetus, Gymnarchus, Labeo, Protopterus, Heterobranchus, Alestes, Heterotis) and two species of cod fishes sold in the market were arthropod infested. The pests were extracted by iumination and cracking methods and identifed using relevant taxonomic keys. Voucher specimens were kept n the Museum of Natural History, Department of Zoology University of Nigeria. Each of the fish genera harboured at least one of the following arthropods: Dermestes maculatus, Necrobia rufipes, Lardoglyphus konoi, Theridion saxatile and Tribolium castaneum. T. castaneum was found only in fish bones in the stall. Besides the resident pests, Peripaneta americana, Lucilia spp, Calliphora spp and Musca domestica were visiting pests of the dried fish sampled. D. maculatus was the dominant resdent pest accounting or 57.07 % of the colected arthropods whle Necrobia rufipe was next in importance, accounting for 21.54 %The pests were identified using keys and voucher methods.Keywords: Arthropod pests, Visiting pest, Resident pest, Dried fish, Cod, Fish bone, Urban market

The proximate composition, functional and physical properties, as well as sensory evaluation of breads based on blends of wheat and ‘orarudi’ (Vigna sp) flour were investigated. Batches of ‘orarudi’ (Vigna sp) were separately put in a container and subjected to natural lactic acid fermentation in deionized water in a ratio of 1:3 (w/v) at 28 ± 2°C for 24 h. The fermented samples were manually dehulled and the cotyledons dried at 55 ± 2°C in a drought air oven, hammer milled into flour (500 µm mesh screen) and stored in a refrigerator (5 ± 2°C). The blends were formulated thus, the ‘orarudi’ flour (ORF) substituted 5, 10, 15, and 20% wheat flour (WF). The 100% WF served as the control. The parameters investigated were evaluated using standard methods. The data obtained were statistically analyzed. The results showed that fermentation and food supplementation enhanced both the proximate, minerals and vitamin contents of the experimental breads. The physical parameters indicated that fermentation and type of supplements had negative effect on the test breads relative to the control. The results revealed that the experimental breads had higher nutrient quality than the 100% wheat bread, probably due .to food-to-food fortification/supplementation. Key words: Nutritional composition, functional properties, breads, composites, fermentation, nutrient quality.