African Journals Online
Journal of Applied Sciences & Environmental Management

Volume 6 Number 1, 2002
LIST OF ABSTRACTS

*BARTIMAEUS, E. S.; ENO-ENO, M.

ABSTRACT: The effect of alcohol in uric acid level was investigated in regular and irregular alcohol consumers who were mainly males. The result showed that the mean (±SE) of non-consumers of alcohol and consumers (combined) was 228 ±3.32 µmol/L and 308.89 ±16.91 µmol/L respectively and the means were significantly different at p<0.05. The mean uric acid level in irregular consumers before administration of alcohol and that after administration was 282.07 ±8.85 and 314. ±11.89 µmol/L respectively. The mean uric acid level in regular consumers and irregular consumers with history of gouty arthritis before and after administration of alcohol were 339.31 ±32.24 µmol/L, are 454.33 ±21.57 µmol/L and 402. 15 ±49.32 µmol/L and 579.50 ±31.15 µmol/L respectively. Comparison of mean values before and after alcohol intake between these categories were significant at p<0.05. The effect of alcohol on the increased uric acid level in both regular and irregular consumers shows significance at p<0.05.

Email: [email protected]. 

ABSTRACT: This paper examines the effects of varying doses of cadmium on bone and kidney alkaline phosphatase and on testis and prostate acid phosphatase after 4 weeks of administration to separate groups of rats. Relative to the cadmium-free control rats femur bone alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly (P<0.05) elevated in rats exposed to 2 mg cadmium /kg body weight and in those exposed to 3 mg/kg. Compared to control rats kidney alkaline phosphatase activity was also statistically significantly (P<0.05) elevated in separate groups of rats exposed to 1, 2 and 3 mg cadmium/kg body weight. Prostatic acid phosphatase activities in the testis and prostate were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in the groups of rats separately exposed to 1, 2 and 3 mg cadmium/kg. At the highest dose nonprostatic acid phosphatase activity increased significantly (P<0.5) in testis and prostrate. In serum at the highest dose nonprostatic acid phosphatase decreased while the prostatic isoform and alkaline phosphatase increased significantly (P<0.05). Our results indicate that cadmium enhances the activities of alkaline phosphatase in the bone and kidney, which of nonprostatic acid phosphatase in the testis and prostate but lowers the activity of the prostatic isoform in both..

* WEMEDO, S. A.; OBIRE, O. ; DOGUBO, D. A.

ABSTRACT: The myco-flora of a Kerosene-polluted soil was investigated. Soil samples collected from a fallow patch of land were polluted with 90 ml, 180 ml, and 270 ml concentrations of kerosene. The 0 ml (untreated soil) served as control. Cultivation of the organisms was done on potato dextrose agar (PDA) after 2 days, 7 days and 14 days of soil contamination. The study revealed that various fungal genera were associated with kerosene-polluted soil. The fungal genera isolated include Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Rhizopus, Saccharomyces and Mucor species. The growth of fungi observed showed delayed growth in polluted samples whereas growth was rapid in control samples for all the concentrations. The fungal counts were generally high in the control when compared to those of the polluted samples. This revealed that kerosene had depressing effect on the growth and activity of the soil fungi

*E-Mail: [email protected] 

ABSTRACT: Acute toxicity tests were conducted in renewable static bioassays to determine the 48h-lc50 of Diazinon on rotifers, cyclops, mosquito larvae and fish. The 48h-lc50 values were 3.93 mg/l, 39.39,9.87 and 189.31μg/l for rotifers, cyclops, mosquito larvae and fish respectively. The rotifers had the highest value hence the least sensitive to Diazinon intoxication. The probit mortalities of the test organisms was found to be positively correlated to the log-concentration except for rotifers, which showed negative correlation at 5% level of significance. Diazinon was highly toxic to mosquito larvae and cyclops, which are targets in the control of vectors of parasitic disaeses. The toxicity of Diazinon on aquatic fauna thus affects the trophic levels in aquatic biota and the productivity of water bodies.

*1MONAGO, C.C. ; ²AKHIDUE, V.

ABSTRACT: The presence of some secondary plant metabolites — tannin, saponin, oxalate, cyanogenic and cardiac glycosides were done in Garsinia Cola. The tannin, saponin and oxalate content were 0.69 ± 0.01, 15.79 ± 0.28 and 1.707 ± 0.13mg/100g of dry sample respectively. The cyanogenic and cardiac glycosides were 59.56 ± 0.05 and 67.10 ± 0.03mg/100g dry matter respectively. The levels of oxalate, tannin and cyanogenic glycosides of the kola were observed to be very low while the levels of saponin and cardiac glycoside were observed to be very high when compared to some internationally accepted standards. .

An Estimation of the Potential Prevalence of "Syndrome X" amongst Diabetics Using Traditional Markers

ABSTRACT: In order to estimate the potential prevalence of "Syndrome X" in newly diagnosed cases of insulinoplethoric diabetes mellitus, patients were selected from the emergency (accident) ward, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Both risk factors (plasma lipids) and allied metabolic aberration (plasma glucose and creatinine) were assessed in 100 subjects comprising of 60 patients (30 males, 30 females) within the ages of 35 to 70 years and 40 sex and age matched healthy control subjects. Results showed significant increase in patients mean plasma glucose, tricyglycerol and total cholesterol when compared with the respective mean control values at the 5% probability level, using ANOVA. Their lipoprotein-cholesterol profile also, showed a significant difference (P<0.05). The available evidence suggested that male patients between the ages of 51 and 70 years have the highest percentage (77%) of developing "Syndomre X" (artherogenic diseases), a secondary clinical complication if not properly managed.

The Effects of Caging on the Colonization of Fouling Organisms in the Upper Bonny Estuary

ABSTRACT: The effects of caging on the colonization and development of the fouling community in the upper Bonny estuary was studied. The experimental design was such that sets of wooden panels (20x20 cm) were screened with cages constructed with plastic netting while another set was left uncaged. Both sets of panels were submerged below low tide level and sampled fortnightly for seventy-four days. The species settling on the panels (as well as on the mesh of the cage) were identified and examined for percentage cover. Data obtained were subjected to Analyis of Variance or t-tests after arc-sine transformation. Faunal abundance was found to be significantly higher on the mesh of the cage than on the panels (p<0.001). Differences between the caged and uncaged panels were influenced by time as total cover was found to decline with time on the caged panels. Pennaria distichia, Styela sp. and Sabella sp. achieved significantly higher cover on the mesh of the cage than the panels (p<0.001). Some species that settled on the panels (Balanus sp., Membranipora membranacea, Serpula sp, Halichondria sp, Crassostrea gasar) were not found on the mesh of the cage, and both Balanus and M. membranacea showed significantly higher abundance on uncaged panels (p<0.05). Current speed and sedimentation may have accounted for much of the difference in settlement between cagaed and uncaged panels.

^1*OSUJI, L.C.; OSUJI, L.C.; ²ANTIA, B.S

ABSTRACT: The kerogen of thirty randomly sampled outcrops of Lokpanta oil shales in the Lower Benue trough of Nigeria was extracted, isolated and characterized by infra-red {IR} spectroscopy. Quantitative assessment of the kerogen concentrates was made and correlated with the total organic carbon content {TOC} of source rocks The isolated kerogen concentrates were found to have a mean weight [ + standard deviation] of 3.86 + 0.84% of the dry rock sample. Analysis of the IR spectra was carried out both qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. Extrapolations from structural elucidation revealed that the Lokpanta facies contained few mono-aromatics and cyclohexyl rings. The spectra variously showed good correlations in the 1600cm^-1, 1450cm^-1 and 2900cm^-1 peak areas. Deduction from results show that although kerogen concentrates varied from 0.76% to 11.06%, over 50% of the sampled outcrops had a percent weight > 2.5% which is the lower limit proposed for mature, oil - and gas - generating organic matter. © JASEM

ABSTRACT: The physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of soils as influenced by the addition of 5% gasoline, kerosene and diesel oil hydrocarbons, were investigated. Soil for study was bulked from around a car park in Port Harcourt. Soil sampling was carried out at weekly intervals for four weeks and subsequently at monthly intervals for four months, between the months of March and July 1998. Physico-chemical parameters such as organic carbon, magnesium, and sodium increased from 1.48% to 2.46%: 0.60 to 3.40meg 100g^-1 soil and 0.23 to 0.77meg 100g^-1 soil respectively. Nitrogen and phosphorous decreased from 0.15% to 0.07% and 35.1ppm to 10.88pm respectively while ammonium nitrate and nitrite were not affected in all soils. Calcium and potassium decreased beyond the control soil level in gasoline — contaminated soil after week 16. Counts of total viable aerobic heterotrophs ranged from 0.46 x 10⁶ CFGg^-1 soil to 1.59 x 10⁶ CFUg^-1 soil for the control soil; and from 0.56 x 10⁶ CFUg^-1 to 2.40 x 10⁶ CFUg^-1 soil for the hydrocarbon — contaminated soils. There was significant difference amongst treatments at P = 1%.

ABSTRACT: Halofantrine hydrochloride is a phenantrine methanol antimalarial, which is schizonticidal with a high degree of activity against the asexual erythrocytic stage of malaria parasites. It is indicated for the treatment of acute malaria caused by single or mixed infections of Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax. Fifteen male adult rats of Wistar strain (Rattus Norvegicus) weighing between 200-300g were divided into three groups of five rats each were used for the study. The first group (Group A) was given 0. 05ml of drug/100g of animal body weight; the second group (Group B) was given 0. 1ml of drug/100g of animal body weight while the third group (Group C; control) was given 0.05ml of physiological saline/ 100g of animal body weight. The drug/physiological saline was given in three doses at six hourly intervals. The rats were all sacrificed on the fifth day following treatment and the testes examined morphologically and histologically after fixing with 10% formaldehyde. Result obtained showed no statistical gross morphological differences between all the three rat groups with respect to testicular weights and lengths (p>0. 05). There were however, significant differences between the groups in terms of the testicular width (p<0.05). Histologically, there was increased cellularity with immature spermatocytes in the testes of the experimental rats. These changes apparently were dose dependent.It is therefore concluded that the drug apparently increases spermatogenesis and could cause degenerative changes at higher doses. Whether these changes are reversible is yet to be determined. © JASEM

Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries Management, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

ABSTRACT: A herbicidal control of water hyacinth,WH (Eichhornia crassipes, Martius Solms — Laubach) was carried out by applying glyphosate (N — phosphyonomethyI glycerine) containing 360g/l glyphosate in the form of 480g/l isopropylamine salt at the rate of 2.16kg active ingredient (a.i/ha) by a fixed wing, AG-CAT Schweizer plane at the Ere fishing channel.Pathological studies revealed that of the total number of fishes examined prior to the chemical application, 334 (5%) had fin-rot, 2541 (38%) abrasion, 802 (12%) lesions, 334 (5%) ulcerations, 1805 (27%) sloughing of their body slimc. None had tumours or nodules. The post application examination of fishes revealed that 5806 (7%) had fin-rot, 8294 (10%) abrasion, 4147 (5%) lesions, 1244 (1.5%) ulcerations and 4145 (5%) sloughing of body slime. None had tumours or nodules. The total number of fish that showed signs of infection prior to herbicidal application was 516 (86.9%) while it was 23,636 (28.49%) for post application of herbicide. The total number of fish caught prior to herbicidal treatment was 6,686 (7.46%) while a total number of 82,943 fish (92.54%) were caught after treatment. No fish mortality was observed throughout the post treatment monitoring. In this multi-disciplinary work, it was established that glyphosate at 2.16 a. i / ha controlled WH and associated weeds within four weeks of application without any intrinsic deleterious effect on fish and aquatic fauna.

**Geology Department, University of Calabar, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT: Fifteen groundwater samples from functional boreholes in Khana and Gokana areas of Rivers State were collected and analysed for various physico-chemical parameters using standard field and laboratory techniques. This was done to assess the suitability of the water for domestic and other purposes on the basis of the parameters studied. Results show the following mean values for the physical parameters: temperature, 24.8⁰C; Electrical Conductivity (EC), 15.9m s/cm. For the chemical parameters, the following average concentration levels were obtained: pH 6.99; total iron, 0.04mg/l; magnesium 0.85mg/l; sodium, 0.89mg/l; and potassium 0.05mg/l. Others include bicarbonate, 8.19mg/l; chloride 32.52mg/l; sulphate, 0.92mg/l; nitrate, 0.82mg/l; and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), 7.73mg/l. These results show that the groundwater in these areas is slightly acidic to slightly basic, soft and low in dissolved constituents. Chloride contents in the water show salt-water encroachment into the aquifers in both areas. However, when compared with the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for drinking water, the results show that the water is suitable for drinking and other domestic purposes in view of the parameters determined. It is also suitable for agricultural purposes. The major sources of ions in the water include mineral assemblages in the rocks, geochemical processes operating within the groundwater system, as well as atmospheric precipitation. Moreover, these geochemical processes, and exploitation of water from different depths are suggested as reasons for the variations in the geochemical parameters with borehole locations.

Chronic Toxicity Study of The Effect of Crude Petroleum (Bonny Light), Kerosine and Gasoline on Rats Using Haematological Parameters

² Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT: Haematological parameters such as haemoglobin content (Hb), pack cell volume (PCV) and white Blood Cell Counts (WBC) were used to assess the effect of crude oil (bony light), kerosene and gasoline on rats chronically exposed to 15kg^-1,7.5kg^-1 and 5gk^-1 of the respective petroleum samples of crude petroleum (bony light), kerosene and gasoline. These samples were administered intraperitoneally and monitored for first, second and third months of exposure. A significant fall in Hb and PCV were observed in the three sample groups through the 3 months duration. For gasoline injected rats the Hb decreased from 13.86 0.21 of control to 6.35 0.49 at third month, kerosene from 13.860.21 of control to 9.18 2.80 and crude petroleum (bonny light) from 13.86 0.21 of control to 10.67 0.65 at third month. Furthermore, the PCV decreased from 41.50 0.71 of control to 19.051.47 at the third month for gasoline, kerosene decreased from 41.50 0.71 of control to 27.748.40 at the third month, with crude petroleum (bonny light) decreasing from 41.50 0.71 of control to 31.91 1.95 at the third month. Finally the WBC seemed to increase marginally from 4.65 0.07 of control to 5.00 0.14 at the third month with gasoline, 6.85 1 1.39 at third month with crude petroleum (bony light) . in conclusion, the results seemed to suggest that long term exposure of rats to petroleum samples could induce anaemia through the reduction in Hb and PCV levels as obtained in this study.

ABSTRACT: The generation, utilization and disposal of wastes (which constitute environmental hazards) are highlighted in this paper as a network flow problem. In this configuration, we construct and solve as optimal network flow, the problem of minimizing the cost of disposing wastes from sources of generation to dumpsites. Numerical applications based on iterative procedures suggest an appreciable (optimal) reduction in the cost of disposing wastes generated at production sites to various dumpsites. © JASEM

ABSTRACT: The effect of exogenous caffeine on human hemoglobin-S (HbS) erythrocytes was investigated in vitro, using caffeine concentrations in millimole per liter (0.0mM-10mM) on three criteria; osmotic fragility, sickling rate and polymerization effects. The determinations were carried out on different age groups from infancy through adolescence. The result obtained demonstrated that caffeine could hasten sickling as well as fragility of HbS erythrocytes in a concentration — dependent manner. For instance at an optimum caffeine concentration of 10mM and saline concentration of 5g/l, red cell lysis increased by 90% relative to the control (0.00mM caffeine). At the same optimum concentration of 10mM, caffeine also increased HbS erythrocyte sickling and HbS gelation by 65.00% and 83.78% respectively after 10 mins of incubation with 2% sodium metabisulphite. Based on these observations; caffeine concentration in plasma might proffer marked increase in erythrocyte sickling in vivo, and consequently, slow recovery from a sickling crisis. This result could prove useful towards the management of sickle call disease (SCD). .

ABSTRACT: The making of soap using vegetable matter (plantain peel) ashes was examined. All the factors that could cause blackness in the colour of the soap, when the water extract of ashes derived from vegetable matter was reacted with palm oil/palm kernel oil blend, were studied with a view to remedying them. These remedial procedures included a clearer filtration in the extraction stage, which removed virtually all black particles from the extract; elimination of any metallic ions in the ash extract, which could colour the resulting soap, and bleaching of the oil blend. The saponification stage of the soap making process was also changed from those of previous practices since some of the previous saponification processes led to charring of the soap and hence caused it to be black. A neat soap, which was milky white in colour, was obtained when the improved ash extract was reacted with the bleached oil blend. This was also the colour of two other soaps made from pure potassium hydroxide and pure sodium hydroxide alkalis, respectively and the same bleached oil blend. It was concluded that solid soap, which was not black, could be made from ash-derived alkali. This is the first reported case of such an attempt.

ABSTRACT: A total of 48 soil samples were collected fortnightly in the months of June, July and August 1995, from four different stations of a waste-dump site. The samples were examined for temperature, pH and for the frequency of isolation of viable aerobic heterotrophic bacteria and fungi. The mean temperature values of the soils ranged from 27^oC to 28^oC while the mean pH values ranged from pH 5.4 to 7.9. The mean total viable aerobic heterotrophic bacteria population ranged from 0.38 x 10⁶ CFU/g soil to 2.00x10⁶ CFU/g soil while the mean total viable fungal population ranged from 1.9 x 10⁴ CFU/g soil to 7.1 x 10⁴ CFU/g soil. The bacteria with their frequency of isolation from the waste-dump soils were: Arthrobacter (4.7%), Bacillus (15.2%), Escherichia coli (12.1%), Klebsiella (9.6%), Micrococcus (2.5%), Proteus (10.2%), Pseudomonas (5.4%), Serratia (2.5%), Staphylococcus (21%) and Streptococcus (16.8%). Only Bacillus, E. coli, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus were isolated from all the stations. The fungi with their frequency of isolation were; Aspergillus (25.3%), Fusarium (5.4%), Mucor (11.5%), Penicillium (12.6%), Rhizopus (2.5%) and Saccharomyces (42.8%). All the fungi were isolated from all the stations. Statistical analysis using ANOVA (F — test) showed that there were no significant differences in the bacterial and fungal populations between the four stations. However, there was significant difference at 5% level for fungal populations between different sampling periods.

ABSTRACT: The acute toxicology effect of diesel fuel in rats using hematological parameters was investigated. Five groups of rats consisting of ten rats per group, all of 0.2kg average body weight were used for the study. Four doses (65/kg; 87 g/kg; 209; g/kg; 131 g/kg) of diesel fuel were administered intraperitoneally, into the rats and the effect monitored within 24hours. The following hematological parameters ( Haemoglobin concentration, palled cell volume, white blood cell count) and enzyme (Aspartate/ alamine aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase) levels were monitored. Results indicated a decrease in haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and white blood cell count with increase in dose levels of diesel fuel in the rates. Conversely, there was an increase in serum enzyme levels with increase in dose of diesel fuel. The results indicate possible aplastic anaemia in the rat being in the rats being induced by administration of diesel fuel. Furthermore, the enzyme analysis results suggested a possible hepatotoxic effect of diesel fuel in the rat.

ABSTRACT: Tolerance of Nitrobacter to Orange II (C.L. 15510) and Direct Blue 71 (C.I. 34140) dyes was determined by total viable count. There was decrease in percentage log survival with increase in concentration of the toxicants and increase in exposure time. Percentage survival at 20h was 84.50% and 75.50% at toxicants concentration of 100mgI^-1 and 300mgI^-1 respectively for orange II. The data obtained with direct Blue 71 for 20 were 88.96% and 83. 31% at 100mgI^-1 and 300mgI^-1 respectively. The LC₅₀ for Orange II at various exposure times were 48h (139.86mgI^-1) and 36h (352.79mgI^-1). The LC50 was >1,000mgI^-1 for exposure times of)-36h.The LC50 Direct Blue 71 were > 1000mgI^-1 for all exposure times. The difference in toxicity of the two dyes was attributed to difference in dye content and molecular weight.