http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4635 2026-04-27T01:48:47Z 2026-04-27T01:48:47Z MAKU, OLUBUKOLA EUNICE http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5658 2023-07-31T09:21:53Z 2023-05-01T00:00:00Z

GROWTH, BIOACCUMULATION POTENTIAL AND HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF MAIZE (Zea mays Linn) GROWN ON SOIL COLLECTED AROUND FRANCISCA QUARRY SITE IN AKURE METROPOLIS MAKU, OLUBUKOLA EUNICE Anthropogenic activities such as mining, smelting, chemical and metallurgical industries, indiscriminate waste disposal and open burning of refuse are major sources of heavy metals in the environment. Growth and bioaccumulation potential of two maize varieties (Zea mays Linn.) grown on soil collected around Franscisca Quarry Company, Ikota Ijare, site in Akure metropolis were investigated. This was aimed at determining the level of heavy metals content in each sample of soil and to assess the bioaccumulation and transfer factor of maize grown on the contaminated soil and also to investigate the health risk assessment associated with the Maize samples when consumed. The study was conducted in a screen house. Soil samples were collected at 50 m, 150 m, and 250 m from the quarry site at a sowing depth of 0 - 10 cm using a calibrated soil auger. Representative soil samples from the site were taken and transported to the laboratory for analysis. The following heavy metals contents were determined Iron (Fe), lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Two varieties of maize seeds (SWAN 1 and SAMMAZ 52) were sourced from the Seed Bank of the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and authenticated at the Herbarium Unit of Federal University of Technology, Akure. The seeds were sown into experimental pot containing 10 kg of soil collected from varying distance from the quarry and a control soil. The experimented was replicated thrice and was completely randomised. The following growth parameters were determined; shoot height, shoot biomass, root biomass and leaf area. Health risk assessment using various parameters were also investigated, also transfer and bioaccumulation factor were also determined. The data collected were subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant means were separated using Duncan new multiple range test (DNMRT). Result metals detected in the samples were all below the WHO permissible limits. Also, mean translocation factor for Iron and lead were lower than the permissible limit. Target Hazard Quotient for Iron and Lead were reported to be 0.75 and 1.18for SAMMAZ 52 and 0.7 and 1.2 for SWAN 1 respectivelyobtained from this study show that shoot height, leaf area, chlorophylls a and b were higher in the control plants of both maize varieties when compared to the treatments. All heavy M.TECH THESIS

2023-05-01T00:00:00Z GBATE, MOHAMMED http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5656 2023-07-31T09:17:59Z 2022-12-01T00:00:00Z

BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF CANDLE WOOD (ZANTHOXYLUM ZANTHOXYLOIDES (LAM) ZEPERNICK &TIMLER) AGAINST COWPEA BRUCHID, CALLOSOBRUCHUS MACULATUS (FABRICIUS) GBATE, MOHAMMED Botanicals have become the focus for discovery of novel bioinsecticides for protection of crops most especially because of their biodegradability, non-toxicity, target organism specificity and environmental friendliness. Partitioned extracts of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides were investigated for biopesticidal effect on Callosobruchus maculatus with aim of identifying the most bioactive components and increase ease of handling when compared to bulk crude plant material used by farmers. Crude powder of rootbark of Z. zanthoxyloides was made as well as partitioned extracts using Kupchan partition extraction methods with methanol, acetone, ethyl acetate and n-hexane as solvents. Analysis of the rootbark of the plant showed 19.87% ash content, 24.00% crude protein, 24.85% crude fibre, 3.13% oil extract, 15.42mg/100g alkaloids, 45.90mg/100g tannins, 1039.14mg/100g saponins, 26.47mg/100g flavonoids, 150.0mg/100g iron, 244.70mg/100g calcium, 36.65mg/100g magnesium, 449.00mg/100g potassium and 128.30mg/100g of phosphorus. The crude powder and extracts were bioassayed on C. maculatus in stored cowpea. Insecticidal activities of the partitioned extracts increased with increasing concentration; toxicity test revealed that n-hexane at 1%, 2% and 3%, acetone extract at 3%, and crude powder at 1.5g all have same effect on the insect as the positive control, achieving 100% mortality within 24 hours post treatment. Number of adult emergence was zero in n-hexane treatment. There was a significant difference (P>0.05) in weight loss by the cowpea in the different fractional treatments while positive and negative controls also differed significantly (P>0.05) with all the partitioned treatments. Partition extracts from Z. zanthoxyloides were more bioactive than the crude powder, and n-hexane fractions contain the most active compounds against C. maculatus. Toxicological studies were carried out to investigate the mammalian toxicity of Z. zanthoxyloides root bark widely used in traditional medical practice and as protectant of stored cereal products in Nigeria, using Wistar albino rats. Serum, kidney and liver were tested for oxidation stress and tissue damage markers; aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), urea, bilirubin and creatinine contents, and Kidney and liver glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione transferase (GST), nonprotein sulphadryl (NP-SH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total sulphadryl (T-SH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). These tests were carried out using commercially available kits. Results obtained for all doses (1, 5 and 10%) of the tested parameters did not significantly vary from the control (p>0.05), indicating normal liver and kidney function (even in the face of variation in liver GPx and SOD). Bioassay guided fractionation of n-hexane extract of Z. zanthoxyloides revealed 27 fractions labelled 4-30 and these were tested for toxicity against C. maculatus, fractions 10-14 (fraction A) and 18-24 (fraction B) were found to be most toxic; resulting in mortality rate of 80-100% within 48 hours post treatment. The insects were exposed to 0.00, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00 and 5.00 % W/V of the fractions for 24 hours, survivors were collected and homogenised separately, the supernatants obtained served as source of enzymes for bioassay to determine the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Carboxylesterase (CarEST), glutathione transferase (GST) and Total protein in C. maculatus. There was a general increase in the activities of the enzymes at lower doses and decrease at higher doses in both fractions, except in fraction B where CAT activity increases with increasing concentration and AChE activity decreased significantly (p>0.05) with increasing concentration of the fraction. The fractions were further subjected to Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to determine its bioactive compounds and their insecticidal activity. GC-MS result revealed 55 compounds from both fractions out of which Dibutyl phthalate (11.75%), Hexadecenoic acid (5.78%), Heneicosane (3.75%), Heptadecane (3.35%) and Hentriacortane (2.39%) have proven insecticidal activity. This work has proven the insecticidal potential of Z. zanthoxyloides, its mode of action on C. maculatus and revealed some of its bioactive compounds. It showed that n-hexane extract contains most active biomolecules to be explored for bioinsecticide formulation with high potency for development of new biopesticide, eliminate toxic components and increase ease of handling when compared to bulk crude plant material used by farmers. This study has also proven that the plant is safe for human consumption at the rates or dosages tested. M.TECH THESIS

2022-12-01T00:00:00Z ONAH, ADIYA EVELYN http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5351 2022-11-04T08:10:28Z 2021-12-01T00:00:00Z

GROWTH RESPONSE OF DIFFERENT FUNGI PATHOGENS UNDER FLOODED CONDITION ONAH, ADIYA EVELYN Climate change is a long-term shift in temperature and weather patterns of the earth. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle, it can also be influenced by human activities. Climate change brings about environmental stresses like increased flooding which may affect living components of the ecosystem. Frequent flooding due to climate change affects infection by a number of fungal plant pathogens. Thus, this study was initiated to carryout in vitro studies on the effect of excess water on the growth of some fungal pathogens. Malt extract and potato dextrose agar were used to culture the fungal isolates from fruits of tomato, lemon and potato tubers. The isolates were flooded for different durations (24 hrs, 48 hrs, 72 hrs, 96 hrs and 120 hrs) and the growth was observed thereafter. The result showed that excess water increased the growth of some fungal pathogens while the growth of others were inhibited. After flooding there was neither decrease nor increase in the mycelial extension of Aspergillus giganteus and Lasiodiplodia theobromae. There was an increase on the mycelial growth of Geotrichum candidum, Fusarium solani, on both malt extract Agar (MEA) and potato dextrose agar (PDA). There was a decrease in the mycelial growth of Trichoderma sp. and Penicilium digitatum on malt extract agar. Also the result showed that some of the fungi behaved differently on different media after flooding. After flooding, the mycelial growth of Penicilium digitatium increased on potato dextrose agar plates while there was a decrease on the mycelial extension on malt extract agar plates. For Ascochyta sp., there was an increase in the mycelial extension on potato dextrose agar plates in comparison with malt extract agar. There was also an increase in the mycelial extension of Aspergillus niger on malt extract agar plates while a decrease was observed on potato dextrose agar plates. This study has revealed the behaviour of the fungi isolates used under flooded condition, in which growth could be affected positively or negatively depending on the fungus in question. This study has also revealed that growth medium has marked influence on the growth of fungi. Subsequent development of disease by the fungi may therefore be host dependent after a flood. M.TECH.THESIS

2021-12-01T00:00:00Z OKAFOR, OKAFOR, http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5350 2023-03-27T12:57:16Z 2021-10-01T00:00:00Z

MALACOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INTERMEDIATE HOSTS IN AKURE SOUTH AND OWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS, ONDO STATE OKAFOR, OKAFOR, The distribution molluscs in freshwater correlates closely with presence or absence of disease within human population. The study was carried out in Akure South and Owo Local Government Areas (L.G.As) of Ondo State, Nigeria between March/April, 2021 and May/June, 2021.. Snail sampling was done in 32 contact sites with a hand-held scoop net and the sample period lasted ten minutes per contact site. At each collection time, snails from each site were appropriately labeled and transported in separate plastic containers with source water to Public Health Laboratory, Biology Department, Federal University of Technology, Akure. Snails were grouped and identification was done using standard identification keys, involving morphological parameters such as shell height (SH), shell width (SW) and aperture width (AW) measured using digital vernier caliper. The result showed a total of 169 snail species were recovered in the 32 sites sampled, which revealed 3 families, 4 genera and 5 species. Potadoma moerchi recorded a relative percentage occurrence of 60.9%, Potadoma freethi recorded 8.3%, Lanestes ovum recorded 26.0%, Melanoides tuberculata 1.2% and Pila africana recorded 3.6%. No infectivity was recorded amongst sampled snail vectors. Correlation of water parameters with snail species revealed that water velocity correlated significantly at 0.01 confidence levels with Lanestes ovum in Akure South LGA, Temperature correlated significantly at 0.05 confidence levels with Lanestes Ovum in Owo LGA and Conductivity correlated significantly at 0.01 confidence levels with Pila africana in Owo LGA. The presence of these species in some communities in Akure South and Owo LGAs revealed that vertebrate host in the areas may be predisposed to trematode infections due to Schistosoma sp, Centrocetus Sp, Paragonimus sp, Paraphistomum sp and Clonorchis sp, hence the need for prevention and control strategies to curb possible transmission of diseases across the study areas. M.TECH. THESIS

2021-10-01T00:00:00Z