Table of Contents

Virus Free Plantlets Production of Sweet Potato (Ipomea batata (L.) Lam) Through

Tissue Cultivation and Meristem Culture

Benisheikh, A.A.G, Zainab .M. Aliyu, Zainab Tamus, Abdullahi Audu and Mala Modu                       1 – 7

Prevalence of Human Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Biu, Borno State, Nigeria

Biu, A.A., Kofur, I. and Mohammed .A.                                                                                     8 – 12

Bacteria Associated with Clarias gariepinus and Heteroclarias (Burchell, 1822)

Fingerling FedMusca domestica Larva

Akinyemi, A.A.                                                                                                                         13 – 23

Effect of Cucurbita Pepo on Prothrombin Time and Platelet Count in Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenic Albino Wistar Rats

Agbai E.O and Nwanegwo C.O                                                                                               24 – 31

Toxicological Effects of Sublethal Concentrations of Sniper 1000EC on Growth of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Under Laboratory Conditions

Abubakar, M.I. and Abdulsalami, S.A.                                                                                      32 – 43

Effect of Methanolic Extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on Some Hematological Parameters in Levodopa-Induced Anemia

Agbai E.O. and Nwanegwo C.O.                                                                                              44 – 53

Endophytic Botrytis cinerea Establishes Internal Infection in Lettuce Plant (Lactuca sativa L.)

Yahaya, S.M.                                                                                                                            54 – 67

Comparison of the Low-Frequency Magnetic Field Effects on Bacteria (Escherichia coli, Leclercia adecarboxylata and Staphylococcus aureus)

Matthew E. Oboh, Aire Remison and Oleghe Peace                                                                68 – 76

Influence of Botrytis cinerea on Parasitoid Attack Ratio in the Field

Yahaya, S.M. and Fellowes, M.D.E.                                                                                           77 – 88

Comparative Studies of Effect of Extracts of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam) Zepernick & Timleron Callosobruchus maculatus FInfestation in Stored Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp

Mohammad Gbate, Patience N. Egerson and Grace N. Ekundayo                                          89 – 96

The Effect of Cold Storage of Clarias gariepinus Sperm on Hatchability and Survival

Akinyemi, A.A., Ezeri, G.N.O., Idowu, A.A., Odulate, D.O., Olaoye, O. J., Ikenweiwe, N.B.,

Obasa, S.O., Adeosun, F.I., Abdul, W.O., Agbon, A.O. and Ojoh, E.J.                                         97-106

Invivo Effect of Co-trimoxazole on Plasma Aminotransferase (AST) (EC 2.6.1.1) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) (EC. 2.6.1.2) Activity of Wistar Albino Rat

Nwachoko, N. and Laya, R.O.                                                                                                  107 – 112

Studies on the Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Dump Sites in Okigwe Municipal,

Imo State, Nigeria

Etusim, P.E., Umeham, S.N., and Ezurike, C.                                                                            113 – 123

STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE DUMP SITES IN OKIGWE MUNICIPAL, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Etusim, P.E., Umeham, S.N., and Ezurike, C.

Public/Environmental Health Research Group

Department of Animal and Environmental Biology

Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.

E-mail: etusimp@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Solid waste management is a growing problem in the world especially in a developing country like Nigeria. In Nigeria, the prevalence of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is alarming with its public health and environmental consequences. These have led to the formulation of different policies which often have proved ineffective. Improper environmental engineering and lack of executive will to punish offenders have converted most of the municipal street to refuse dumping sites. Sequel to the aforementioned, we identified 18 major waste dumps in Okigwe metropolis covering a land area of 36171.2m² estimated at N232,607,260. 12(66.7%) were found to disrupt movement of erosion while 6(33.3%) obstruct pedestrian and vehicle movement. All the dumpsites were found to harbour vectors of public health implications. Out of the 2059.094kg MSW characterized, 930.45kg (45.19%) were biodegradables while 1128.64kg (54.81%) were non-biodegradables. Among the biodegradable MSW, food waste recorded the highest weight 317.04kg (35.57%), while medical waste 5.42kg (0.61%) recorded the least. Wood, Fabric, Paper and Leather wastes recorded 96.76kg (10.86%), 155.22kg (17.42%), 255.41kg (28.66%) and 61.41kg (6.41%). Of the non-biodegradable MSW Polythene 325.9kg (28.91%) recorded the highest weight while Medical waste 5.48kg (0.49kg) recorded the least. Metal, Rubber, Glass and bottle, Ceramics, and Grit recorded 206.39kg (18.31%), 68.9kg (6.11%), 160.17kg (14.21%), 86.1kg (7.64%) and 274.5kg (24.35%) respectively.

INVIVO EFFECT OF CO-TRIMOXAZOLE ON PLASMA AMINOTRANSFERASE (AST) (EC 2.6.1.1) AND ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE (ALT) (EC. 2.6.1.2)

ACTIVITY OF WISTAR ALBINO RAT

Nwachoko, N. and Laya, R.O.

Chemistry Department (Biochemistry Option)

Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

E-mail: blessedconfidence@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The assay of plasma alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) are known to be useful in assessing the functional integrity of the liver. Thus, this investigation considered possible invivo effect of septrin on plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of wistar albino rat. The rates were divided into five groups (control group and experimental groups). The experimental groups were administered with serially diluted co-trimoxazole at different concentration (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0)mg/ml. Blood samples were collected on day four and day eight for analysis. Values of AST and ALT were measured using LAB-TECH colorimeter. From the result, the mean values of AST after day 4 of administration were (36.00, 49.50, 59.00, 63.00, 63.00) U/l and after day 8 (44.00, 49.50, 53.00, 76.00, 76.00) U/l for group A, B, C, D and E respectively. Also the mean values of ALT after day 4 of administration were (12.00, 6.00, 8.00, 6.00, 12.50) U/l and after day 8 (12.00, 10.00, 4.00, 14.50, 10.00) U/l for group A, B, C, D, and E respectively. The result showed that values of AST of the experimental rats had significant increment (P > 0.05) Compare to that of control group. ALT activity in the blood sample of the experimental rats had no significant different when compared to that of control group.

The Effect of Cold Storage of Clarias gariepinus Sperm on Hatchability and Survival

Akinyemi, A.A., Ezeri, G.N.O., Idowu, A.A., Odulate, D.O., Olaoye, O.J., Ikenweiwe, N.B., Obasa, S.O., Adeosun, F.I., Abdul, W.O., Agbon, A.O. and Ojoh, E.J.

Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

E-mail: adeoluakinyemi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effect of cold storage of Clarias gariepinus sperm on hatchability and survival. Twelve (12) broodstocks were used for this experiment, testes were collected from the male and stored at 4^oC for the treatment of 12hrs, 36hrs and 48hrs respectively, while fresh sperms were also obtained for the controls. The stored testes were activated to room temperature with stored clean water before being used for fertilization all the fertilized eggs from the four trials were observed to hatch as well as the control. Percentage hatchability was observed to be very low for all the treatment. The percentage hatchability was (10% (12hrs), 20% (36hrs) and 10% (48hrs) respectively. Hatched eggs were under observation for seven days to estimate percentage survival, which was observed to be normal for all treatment, but having a significant differences (P<0.05), with the control having 5168 + 1014^b, and the treatment 71.7 + 2.9^a, 104 + 3.5^a and 110.3 + 20.5^a respectively. The treatment as compared with their control was observed to be relatively low in the percentage hatchability of eggs which may be attributed to sperm motility, milt quality and temperature of the activating medium. Therefore, because of this result it may be concluded that cold storage of sperm of Clarias gariepinus is possible and successfully but in very low capacity and except other methods of cold storage which utilizes extenders such as liquid nitrogen is adopted, it may therefore be recommended based on the poor hatchability observe in  this work, that sperm storage may not be economical for commercial purpose except for experimental programs such as genetic studies, thus fresh sperm for fertilization should be considered the best, and encourage.

Comparative Studies of Effect of Extracts of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam) Zepernick & Timleron

Callosobruchus maculatus FInfestation in Stored Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp

¹Mohammad Gbate, ²Patience N. Egerson and ³Grace N. Ekundayo

^1,2&3Department of Science Laboratory Technology

The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

E-mail: gbatenda@yahoo.com  

ABSTRACT

Comparative studies were conducted to determine the biopesticide efficacy of ethanol and methanol extracts of root bark of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides in arresting Callosobruchus maculatus infestation in stored Vigna unguiculata. 1%, 2% and 4% w/v of aqueous solution of the extracts were used in treatment of infected cowpea. Weight lost, number of insect emerged and viability of the seeds was measured over three generations. In both ethanol and methanol extracts of the plant, 4% extract have the highest effect on the stored product; reducing mean weight loss to 1.8g and 3.9g after the third generation respectively and mean number of insect emergence to 18 and 23 after the third generation respectively. They also gave seed viability test of 77.5% and 80% respectively. The result shows no significant difference statistically at 5% probability when compared to that of synthetic insecticide (DDVP) applied at recommended dosage. The efficacy of the extract appears to increase with increasing concentration 1 % < 2 % < 4 %.

INFLUENCE OF Botrytis cinerea ON PARASITOID ATTACK

RATIO IN THE FIELD

¹Yahaya, S.M. and ²Fellowes, M.D.E.

¹Department of Biology, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria

²School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, RG6 6AS, United Kingdom

E-mail: sanimyahya@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Effects of infection during parasitoids host choice are ubiquitous, yet we have little understanding of how the presence of a systemic pathogen Botrytis cinerea may affect field interactions at higher trophic levels. Interactions between the peach potato aphid Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its common parasitoid, Aphidius colemani Vierek (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), were investigated in the field which is less controlled environment to determine if these are influence by infection of the host  aphids (lettuce Lactuca sativa, L. asteraceae: Compositae) by the widespread plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea. While field experiment showed that females parasitoids are generally larger than males, which may be due to the results of sex–specific allocation of offspring to host of higher and lower food value and the sex specific exploitation of host resources. More parasitoid mummies were recorded on uninfected plants than infected ones which were similarly reported in the controlled environment. The field experiment showed the effect of infection on parasitoid sex ratio (F_{1, 49} = 77. 533, P< 0.001) as a greater proportion of the A. ervi collected from hosts reared on uninfected plants were female, while same ratio was found from infected plants with overall offspring sex ratio of 62.2% females and 37.7% males. Therefore, the observations of the field experiment provide further evidence that hidden, systemic host plant infection by B. cinerea influences the interaction between aphids and their parasitoids.

COMPARISON OF THE LOW-FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELD EFFECTS ON BACTERIA (Escherichia coli, Leclercia adecarboxylata and Staphylococcus aureus)

¹Matthew E. Oboh, ²Aire Remison and ³Oleghe Peace

^{1, 2, 3}Department of Science Laboratory Technology

Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria.

E-mail: meoboh@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT

This work studies biological effects of low-frequency electromagnetic fields. We have exposed three different bacterial strains – Escherichia coli, Leclercia adecarboxylata and Staphylococcus aureus to the magnetic field (t < 30 min, Bm=10 mT, f = 50 Hz) in order to compare their viability (number of colony-forming units CFU). We have measured the dependence of CFU on time of exposure and on the value of the magnetic field induction Bm. Viability decreases with longer exposure time and/or higher induction Bm for all strains, but the quantity of the effect is strain-dependent. The highest decrease of the viability and the biggest magnetic field effect was observed with E. coli. The smallest magnetic field effect appears for S. aureus. From the measurement of the growth dynamics we have concluded that the decrease of the CFU starts immediately after the magnetic field was switched on.

ENDOPHYTIC Botrytis cinerea ESTABLISHES INTERNAL INFECTION IN LETTUCE PLANT (Lactuca sativa L.)

Yahaya, S.M.

Department of Biology,

Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria

E-mail: sanimyahya@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Understanding the epidemiology of the wide spread of necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea is of considerable horticultural interest, as the design of control strategies is of great economic importance. Here it was showed that seed is the source of systemic Botrytis cinerea in lettuce plants. This was determined by the detection of seed infection from plants which were grown in controlled conditions from infected seed collected from flower inoculated plants. Fragment analysis found that 62.5% of seed isolates detected from plants which were grown from non fungicide treated seeds was identical to the inoculated isolate. In contrast, all seed isolates detected from plants which were grown from fungicide treated seed have different genotypes to the inoculating isolate. The results show that with time as the plant grew infection from the seed spread to stems and leaves systemically without exhibiting symptoms. This confirmed the systemic spread of the seed isolate, but showed that other B. cinerea isolates were present and that single plants can host multiple isolates. The results of these experiments show that the age of the plant affects the spread of seed infection to other parts of the plant. This shows that the endophytic phase is an important component of the population dynamics of B. cinerea.

EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Hibiscus sabdariffa ON SOME HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN LEVODOPA-INDUCED ANEMIA

Agbai E.O¹. and Nwanegwo C.O².

¹Department of Human Physiology, Madonna University Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.

²Department of Human Physiology, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

The effect of oral administration of methanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on body weight, red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of albino wistar rats were studied. Sixteen albino rats were grouped randomly into four groups (n = 4). Control group: (Group A) was given distilled water and normal rat chow. Experimental Group B received 0.4 ml of levodopa only. Experimental Group C received 0.4 ml of levodopa plus 300 mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract. Experimental Group D received 0.4 ml of levodopa plus 600 mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract. At the end of 4 weeks of study, results showed a decrease in body weight of group C and D. The level of PCV was significantly reduced in Group B, C and D that received levodopa compared to PCV levels before administration. Group C and D showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in PCV, RBC, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels when compared to group B in a dose-dependent manner. However, there was no significant increase (P > 0.05) in PCV, RBC, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels between group C and D respectively when compared with group A (Control). The study suggests that Hibiscus sabdariffa increases some hematological parameters in levodopa-induced anemic rats and might be beneficial in the treatment of anemia.

TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SUBLETHAL CONCENTRATIONS OF SNIPER 1000EC ON GROWTH OF Clarias gariepinus (BURCHELL, 1822) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Abubakar, M.I.¹ and Abdulsalami, S.A.²

¹Department of Biology, College of Education, Zuba, Abuja, Nigeria

²Department of Biological Sciences, Crescent University, Sapon, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

E-mail: a.midiog@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Indiscriminate use of Sniper 1000EC has become a serious problem among local fishermen in the Northern parts of Niger state. Juveniles of Clarias gariepinus (19.47 ± 1.05; mean standard length, 20.00 ± 0.45cm) were subjected to 5 sublethal treatment levels of 0.00, 0.27, 0.31, 0.41 and 0.55mg/l. There was no significant difference between water quality parameters of the exposed and control groups. A 56 days exposure to sublethal concentrations of the toxicant led to a significant decrease (p<0.05) in specific and relative growth rate in the exposed fish species in comparison with their controls. Change in weight and length decreases with increasing in sublethal concentrations of sniper 1000EC. It is concluded that depressive growth rate in the exposed fish species were consequences of exposure to the toxicant (sniper 1000EC). It is recommended that the use of Sniper 1000EC by local fishermen be banned to save the aquatic environment from destruction.