Use of Geoelectric Method for Groundwater Assessment in Awe Brine Area, Awe Nasarawa Nigeria

A total of Forty-five vertical electrical soundings (VES) were conducted using Schlumberger electrode configuration to map the groundwater condition in the Awe Brine Field, Nasarawa, Nigeria. The result of the study exhibited significant variations in resistivity across the area, which allowed the generation of iso-resistivity contour maps for four distinct geoelectric layers. The first layer, consisting of a thin top layer of unconsolidated material, displayed resistivity values ranging from 85 Ωm to 2437.8 Ωm. The second layer, composed of shale-sandstone, has a resistivity between 1.2 Ωm to 785 Ωm. The third layer showed resistivity ranging from 1.2 Ωm to 430.5 Ωm. it was observed that a thick layer of sandy clay contained fresh water, with resistivity levels ranging from 27 Ωm to 1825.9 Ωm. The Dar Zarrouk parameters were calculated to evaluate the protective attributes of the aquifers. The analysis revealed that the longitudinal conductance (Sc) ranged from 0.06 to 3.86 S, the longitudinal resistivity (ρL)) ranged from 71.66 to 3830.4 Ωm, and the transverse resistance (TR) ranged between 2.55 and 1102.18 Ω. Based on the resistivity values and thickness of the geoelectric layers, the researchers identified four distinct aquifer zones labelled A, B, C, and D. Notably, the third layer, referred to as the C horizon, displayed significantly lower resistivity and higher salinity compared to the other layers. This layer corresponds to the Awe Formation, renowned for its brine deposits. Consequently, the study suggests that exploring freshwater resources near New Awe is more promising than the Old Awe are

Comparative Evaluation of the Proximate, Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Selected Leafy Vegetables (Bitter, Pumpkin and Spinach Leaves)

The study is aimed at comparative evaluation of the proximate, phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of three leafy vegetables (V. amygdalina, Spinacia oleracea and Telfairia occidentalis).The study was carried out using standard analytical procedures. The proximate analysis revealed highest percent moisture (5.08±0.13%), crude protein (19.69±0.87%), carbohydrate  (38.31± 1.42 %) and metabolizable energy (244.24±3.82 KJ/100 g) in pumpkin,  highest percent ash (15.20± 0.86 %), %) and crude fat contents (8.30±0.18 %) in spinach, while bitter leaf recorded  the highest percent crude fibre (20.01 ± 1.20%).  The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoid, saponin, alkaloid, tannin and phenol which ranged from 8.67±0.11 mg/100 g to 18.98± 0.15mg/100 g, 0.9±0.00 mg/100 g to 1.21± 0.10 mg/100 g, 8.87±0.21 mg/100 g to 11.65±0.68 mg/100 g, 0.81 ± 0.01 to 10.32± 1.2 mg/100 g and 1.36 ±0.01 mg to 4.24±0.01 mg/ 100 g respectively. The antioxidant activities revealed highest percent inhibition (71.20%) in bitter leaf. However, based on the analysis of variance on the results obtained, the study revealed that there were significant differences in most of the analyzed parameters at P ≥ 0.05. Therefore, this study inferred that  the nutritional and phytochemical contents of the leafy vegetables samples varied significantly and their consumption in a diet  will be responsible for maintaining good health and proper functioning of the body system

Prevalence of Candida Species Among Unmarried Women Attending Lafia Primary Health Care Centers

oai:lafiascijournals.org.ng:article/159One of the several normal-flora of an individual’s vaginal, oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and mucosal membrane are Candida species. Candida have been associated with diverse diseases including life threatening invasive, superficial and hematogenic infections. This study determined the prevalence of Candida species amongst unmarried women attending Lafia Primary Health Care Centers. Forty high vagina swabs were collected from unmarried women. Isolation and identification of Candida species were performed according to standard procedures using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, Gram staining and Germ tube test. 13 (32.5%) were positive for five different Candida species. C. albicans was the most prevalent (38.46%; 5/13) species while non-albicans Candida [C. glabrata (23.07%; 3/13), C. tropicalis (6.89%; 2/13), C. parapsilosis (3.44%; 1/13) and C. krusei (6.89%; 2/13)] accounted for 61.54% (8/13) of the total positive cases. Women aged 15-18 years and 23-26 years had the lowest and highest prevalence rates of 14.28% (1/7) and 42.10% (8/19) respectively. Candidiasis is a threat to global health and should be taken with all seriousness. The high candidiasis prevalence observed herein portrays a concern and calls for a continuous study of unmarried women attending Primary Healthcare Centers in Lafia. Furthermore, there should be an improvement in creating awareness of the opportunistic pathogenic characteristic of Candida species as normal flora and the effect they cause when there are hormonal imbalances caused by drug abuse, pregnancy, and poor dieting. The practice of good hygiene should be observed to prevent the spread of the infection

Anti-diabetic Effect of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Ziziphusspina-christi on Alloxan Induced Albino Rats

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an ethanol extract obtained from the leaves of Ziziphus spina christi on alloxan-induced diabetic rats using standard analytical procedures. Fifteen Albino Wistar rats were divided into five groups, each consisting of three rats. The groups included a normal uninduced rats as control group, a diabetic untreated group as the diabetic control, a group treated with a dosage of 150mg/kg body weight, a diabetic group treated with metformin as the standard drug, and another treatment group. The levels of liver marker enzymes, such as alanine transaminase (60.7±3.25) and aspartate transaminase (69.5±1.84), as well as liver function parameters like total protein (7.47±0.02), were found to be higher in the diabetic control group compared to the normal control and other treatment groups. However, in all the treatment groups, there was a significant decrease observed in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase. The level of kidney function markers such as blood creatinine (1.58±0.07) and blood urea (43.50±0.86) were significantly (p˃0.05) higher in the diabetic control group when compared to the normal control. However, significant (p˃0.05) reductions in blood creatinine and blood urea were observed in all the treatment groups. The presence of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, and cardiac glycosides in the ethanolic extract of sidr leaves were probably responsible for the anti-diabetic activities of the plant extract. In conclusion, the antidiabetic effect of ethanolic extract of sidr as observed in this study may be attributed to its antioxidant properties.

Synsepalum dulcificum extract as green corrosion inhibitor for acid corrosion of mild steel in HCl solution

Anticorrosive potential of Synsepalum dulcificum leaf extract on the corrosion of mild steel in HCl solution was investigated using chemical technique. The extract inhibited the deterioration of mild steel in HCl solution and the inhibition efficiency increased with increasing concentration of the extract at 30o C. The results obtained showed that inhibition was as a result of the adsorption of the inhibitor molecule onto mild steel surface and the adsorption obeyed Flory-Huggins adsorption isotherm

Redox Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reactions of µ –Oxobis [aquobis (2,2’ – Bipyridine)] diruthenium (III) Ion and some Aliphatic Alcohols in Acidic Medium

The redox kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions of μ – oxobis[aquobis(2,2’ - bipyridine)]diruthenium (III) ion, [(bipy)2(H2O)RuORu(H2O)(bipy)2]4+ (hereafter denoted as Ru2O4+ or [(H2O)2(bipy)4Ru2O]4+) and some primary aliphatic alcohols was studied in perchloric acid medium, [H+] = 5.0 x 10-3 mol dm-3, ionic strength (I), = 0.5 mol dm–3 (NaClO4), temperature (T) = 31 ± 1°C and  wavelength ,λmax =  660 nm. The reactions, which led to the formation of corresponding aldehydes had a stoichiometry of 1:1, were all first order with respect to each reactant, and second order overall. The reactions proceeded in the absence of acid but when acid was added, the reactions ceased. Varying the ionic strength and dielectric constants of the reaction medium had no effect on the reaction. Added ions catalysed the reaction and free radicals were identified in the reaction mixtures in the course of the reactions. There was no evidence for the formation if intermediate complex in the course of the reaction. The order of reactivity is of the order CH3OH > C2H5OH > C3H7OH Based on the  results, it is suggested that all the reactions proceeded through the outer – sphere electron transfer mechanism and a plausible mechanism that represented all the reactions is proposed

Pre-Foundation Investigation Using Electrical Resistivity Method: A Case Study of Proposed Phase II, Faculty of Law Building, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria

The proposed Phase II, Faculty of Law Building, was investigated to determine the competence of the sub-soil for building construction. The Electrical Resistivity method was employed for the geophysical investigation. The 2-D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) techniques were adopted using the dipole-dipole electrode and Schlumberger arrays respectively. Using an electrode spacing (a) of 5 m and expansion factor (n) varying from 1 – 5, electrical resistivity measurements were taken along two traverses having South – North (SN) and East – West (EW) orientations respectively. Thirteen VES stations were occupied within the study area with half-current electrode spacing (AB/2) ranging from 1 – 65 m. The interpretation of the geophysical data was carried out using DIPRO software. The 2D ERI showed that the sub-soil along traverse 1 and northern part of traverse 2 has high resistivity values (>900 Ωm) at 4.5 m depth. The geoelctric sections identified three geologic layers comprising topsoil, weathered layer and fresh basement. The electrical resistivity results revealed that the sub-soils on or within the proposed site are found to be fairly competent for engineering structure

Green Synthesis of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles and its Application in the Degradation of Methyl Red

Environmental pollution is a threat to human health, with methyl red dye used in printing and textile dyeing being a notable pollutant that can cause eye, skin, and digestive system irritation. This study investigates the degradation of methyl red dye using nanoparticles of Nickel Oxide (NiO NPs) as photocatalysts. NiO NPs were synthesised at room temperature through thermal decomposition using antioxidant-rich extracts from strawberries (Fragaria ananassa), grapes (Vitis vinifera), and grapefruits (Citrus paradisi). Characterisation of the NiO NPs was performed using FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and SEM. FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of NiO NPs with peaks between 577 – 585 cm–1. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed absorption wavelengths between 322-326 nm for the synthesised NiO NPs and a blue shift to 422-470 nm during methyl red degradation. This study presents a sustainable method for  synthesising NiO nanoparticles and demonstrates their effectiveness in environmental remediation, specifically for the removal of  pollutant dyes. 

The Effect of Post-treatment with Yellow Bitter Yam (Dioscorea dumetorum) on the Antioxidant Status of Streptozocin-induced Diabetic Rats

This study assesses the effects of supplemented diet of Discorea dumenturom on antioxidant status of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Twenty-five adult male wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups each containing five rats, group two to five were subjected to high fat diet for four weeks and was thereafter induced with STZ intraperitoneally (45mg/kg body weight) resulting to type 2 diabetes. The body weight, glucose concentration and the activities the antioxidant enzymes, Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Glutathione S-transferase (GST), Catalase (CAT), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione concentration in the kidney, heart and liver were assessed. The Post-treatment with 10% and 20% Yellow Bitter Yam significantly reduced glucose and an healthy reduction in weight in treated groups compared to diabetic controls. In diabetic kidneys, GSH and GST were similar to controls, while GPX, CAT, and MDA decreased. Diabetic hearts showed increased CAT, GSH, and MDA, regulated in the treated group. In diabetic livers, GPx, GST, and MDA were consistent across groups, but GSH and CAT significantly (p>0.05) decreased in post-treated groups. The study suggests Dioscorea dumetorum supplementation regulates antioxidant enzymes, indicating potential hypoglycemic and antioxidative effects, particularly in kidney, heart, and liver enzyme activities associated with Type 2 diabetes.

Physicochemical Properties of Oil Extracted from Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Seeds

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae and its fruit parts are edible. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of extracted oil from the seed of pumpkin. The results revealed a percentage yield of 41.08 ± 2.33, refractive index of 1.47 ± 0.18, relative density of 0.09 ± 0.02 g/cm3; saponification value of 184.60 ±1.67 mg/KOH/g, Acid value of 2.64 ±1.31 mgKOH/g, iodine value of 80.27±2.09 g of I2/100 g, and peroxide value of 11.0 ±1.0 mEq/Kg. The result shows that pumpkin seed oil may find application either in food industry as food addictive as it may pose a good quality shelf life or energy generation as biofuels