Determination of selected heavy metals in inland fresh water of lower River Niger drainage in North Central Nigeria

The concentrations of some ferruginous ore associated heavy metals were determined in freshwater from River Niger. Water samples were collected from both upstream and downstream along the mainstream drainage channel, traversing past the steel production industry Ajaokuta between 2003 and 2005. The water samples were digested according to standard methods and tested for Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Cupper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Lead (Pb) using Unicam 969atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean concentrations (mg/L) of heavy metals were: Mn, 3.85 ± 0.93; Zn, 2.72 ± 0.57; Cu, 2.17 ± 0.73; Cr, 2.08 ± 1.27; Ni, 0.78 ± 0.12; Cd, 0.05 ± 0.02; Pb, 0.03 ± 0.02. Theconcentration of Mn, 1.74 to 8.37 mg/L; Cu, 0.58 to 4.50 mg/L; Cd, 0.02 to 0.13 mg/L were variable and inundating. The variations in heavy metal levels between sampling stations were not significant (P >0.05) with relative standard deviation from 2% for Cd and Pb to 12.7% for Cr. The order of dispersion (2 to 14%) showed that the measured metals are nearly homogenously distributed in the water with Cr, Mn, Cu and Zn having the highest concentration variations in the water samples. The concentrations of the evaluated heavy metals were within the guideline levels for freshwaters, and did not appear to have significant negative impact on the water quality.Key words: Heavy metals, freshwater, concentrations, quality, variation, distribution

Microanatomy and histomorphometry analysis of the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on lead-induced kidney damage in adult wistar rats

This study evaluated the effects of lead exposure on the histoarchitecture of kidney, assessed the effects of lead on the levels of creatinine, urea and albumin in the plasma and determined the effects of M. oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) on the histoarchitecture of kidney in Wistar rats after lead-induced kidney damage. This was with a view to providing information on the ameliorative effects of M. oleifera leaf extract on lead-induced kidney damage. Thirty adult male Wistar rats weighing 120 - 180 g were used for this study. Kidney damage was experimentally induced by daily administration of lead acetate (50 mg/kg/day) for a period of 14 days. The test groups were treated with the M. oleifera leaf extract (100 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. At the end of treatment period, the rats were sacrificed and their kidneys were excised for histological and histomorphometric studies. Markers of renal function were biochemically determined in the plasma using enzyme calorimetric assay kit. Histomorphological examinations of the stained kidney sections revealed that 100 mg/kg of MOLE had no adverse effects on the kidney of group C rats as the morphology of kidney of the rats in this group were normal and comparable with that of groups A and B. However, deleterious effects such as distortion of Bowman’s capsule with diminished glomerular space, structural alteration of proximal and distal convoluted tubules were observed in the kidney of group D rats following lead-induced damage. Treatment with MOLE protected the kidneys of groups E and F rats from lead-induced damage as the renal morphology appeared normal. The results of biochemical analysis revealed a significant increase in the plasma level of urea (F=203.9, p = 0.0001), and creatinine (F= 7.42, p = 0.0002), in group D rats (56.79 ± 0.06 g/l, 2.91 ± 0.07 mg/dl), respectively compared with groups A (14.02±1.53 g/l, 2.33 ± 0.06 mg/dl), B (50.44±1.75 g/l, 2.54 ± 0.06 mg/dl), C (58.91±2.95 g/ l, 2.42 ± 0.11 mg/dl), E (12.18±1.45 g/l, 2.45 ± 0.08 mg/dl) and F (7.48±1.00 g/l, 2.39 ± 0.08 mg/dl) respectively. This is an indication of impaired renal function. Also, the results of the histomorphometry analysis showed a significant decrease in the number of glomeruli present in each photomicrograph and the diameter of the urinary space in group D respectively compared with groups A, B, C, E and F. This study showed that treatment with Moringa oleifera prevented the toxicity brought about by lead exposure and this is evidenced by an enhancement in the glomerular morphology and clearly seen renal tubules. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Moringa oleifera leaf extract had ameliorative and protective properties on lead-induced kidney injury.Keywords: Nephrotoxicity, lead acetate, renal, prophylactic

Techno-economic packaging of palm wine preservation and bottling technology for entrepreneurs

The study was carried out to investigate the economic viability of setting up a small scale palm wine bottling factory with a view to providing investment data to guide entrepreneurs in making investment decisions. The economic evaluation was based on a factory capacity of 750,000 bottles (60cl) per annum with production commencing in year one at 75% capacity utilization. Production cost estimate varies between N37.85/bottle (60cl) in the first year and N35.37/bottle (60cl) in the fifth year. The annual netprofits are N8, 460,430.00 and N12, 025,710.00 in years one and five respectively. Projected cash flow is positive in year one i.e. N5,329,960.00 while the projected balance sheet shows that the net worth of theproject is N19,904,010.00 in year one and N41,887,370.00 in year five. Payback period, discounted payback period and profitability index are 1.4 years, 3.3 years and 1.5 respectively. The breakeven point in year one is 48.1% or a breakeven sales volume of N16, 236,312.35.00.  The Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Equity (ROE) in year one are 57.5% and 86.1% respectively. Capital Turnover Ratio (CTR) varies between 2.3 and 2.9 within the first five years. Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is above 45%. The Net Present Value (NPV) at 25% is estimated at N3, 143,100.00. The Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) increases gradually from 1.33 to 2.75 between the first and the fifth year

Assessment of the phytoremediation potential of Panicum maximum (guinea grass) for selected heavy metal removal from contaminated soils

Non-vascular plants have potential for rapid uptake of metals, but are rarely used for phytoremediation because of their short life cycle. This property can however be advantageously used in a number of metal removal cycles within a short time. The selection of promising plants is critical to success of phytoremediation. The potential for heavy metal uptake by Panicum maximum a non-vascular plant was investigated using pot plant experiments. Seventy-two (72) pots of 7 L capacity were each filled with 5 kg of mixed soil collected from the Fadama (fertile soil) and College of Animal Sciences and Livestock Production farms (less fertile) of the University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria. The pots were divided into six groups of twelve pots each. Each of the group of 12 pots was further divided into three groups of four pots each, in which P. maximum were planted. Five of the six groups were treated with 20, 50, 75, 100 and 120 ppm each of Pb2+, Cr3+ and Cd2+ and the sixth served as control. Levels of Pb2+ decreased from 1.40 to 1.05 µg/g and 1.57 to 1.30 µg/g in soils treated with 20 and 120 ppm of Pb2+, respectively. Generally there was increase in Pb2+ uptake by the different tissues of P. maximum ranging between 0.21 to 0.38 µg/g, 0.18 to 0.30 µg/g, and 0.09 to 0.18 µg/g in root, stem and foliage, respectively. Corresponding bioaccumulation factors (BAF) ranged between 0.21 to 0.45, 0.17 to 0.35 and 0.08 to 0.21. Metal uptake followed similar trends for Cr3+ and Cd2+ in plant tissues. The BAF values for Cr3+ ranged between 0.31 to 0.69 in root, 0.17 to 0.52 in stem and 0.07 to 0.34 in foliage. Similar values for Cd2+ were 0.14 to 0.53, 0.10 to 0.44 and 0.05 to 0.37. Accumulation of heavy metals in P. maximum ranged from 13 to 45%, Pb2+; 13 to 65%, Cr3+ and 11 to 52%, Cd2+ of the soil concentration level with tissue abundance decreasing in the order Cr3+ > Pb2+ > Cd2+. Furthermore, the concentration of metals in P. maximum tissues decreased in the order root > stem > foliage. The phytoremediation of Pb2+, Cr3+ and Cd2+contaminated soils with P. maximum seems to be promising under the conditions of the experiment. Obvious signs of phyto-toxicity however appeared in plants exposed to 120 ppm Pb2+ and Cd2+ at day twenty-three, suggesting that P. maximum may be a moderate metal accumulator.Keywords: phytoremediation, heavy metals, uptake, tissues, accumulatorAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(19), 1979-198

Assessment of atmospheric profile of some heavy metals in barks of Parkia biglobosa (African locust bean) trees

Natural resource exploitation involving the mining of iron-ore from earth's deposits result in the release of aerodynamic size particulate metals, dusts and other atmospheric pollutants. The atmospherics baseline levels some iron-ore associated heavy metals were assessed around Itakpe iron-ore deposit, North Central Nigeria, using tree barks of African locust bean (Parkiabiglobosa) as indicator. Tree barks of P. biglobosa were randomly scaled off dried and digested using standard procedures. The digests were quantified for Cd, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in flame of Unicam 969 atomic absorption spectrophotomer. The concentration of Zn, 20.387-52.07 mg/kg was the highest in respect of other metals determined, followed by Mn, 8.74-24.18 mg/kg and then Pb, 2.95-8.66 mg/kg. Cu levels ranged 0.68-3.14 mg/kg, Ni, 0.34-3.12 mg/kg and Cr, 0.34-0.91 mg/kg. Cd concentration was the least; 0.16-0.48 mg/kg in barks of P. biglobosa trees. The overall mean concentrations (mg/kg) were: Zn, 34.21 ± 4.09; Mn, 13.59 ± 2.04; Pb, 25 ± 0.75; Cu, 1.34 ± 0.34; Ni, 1.18 ± 1.05; Cr, 0.55 ± 0.09; and Cd, 0.33 ± 0.06, with availability sequence is in the order Zn > Mn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cr > Cd. The detected heavy metals levels in the barks of P. biglobosa trees were variable, and may be a function of vegetation proximity/orientation to source points, plant distribution/population density, level of exposure and atmospheric stability, which is dependent on prevailing climatic factors. The evaluated P. biglobosa barks did not contain the heavy metals at concentrations capable of impacting negatively on the plant. Thus, the tree barks concentration of the evaluated metals were within natural concentration levels, and are therefore regarded as not polluted. This implies that atmospheric levels of the aerodynamic particulates heavy metals were low and not hazardous. The detected levels could serve as baseline concentration for monitoring against potential atmospheric deposit build up of heavy metals when mining becomes fully operationa

Assessment of air quality and noise around some telecommunication base transceiver stations in Ibadan, South West Nigeria

The ambient air quality and noise level around some base trans-receiver stations (BTSs) in Ibadan, South West Nigeria were investigated, in order to determine the health and safety of emission from BTSs operations. The atmospheric levels of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), total hydrocarbons (THC) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) were measured at selected sampling points (upwind and downwind) in twenty base trans-receiver stations spread over nine Local Government Areas within Ibadan and its suburbs. A Honeywell and 3M hand-held air quality meter and gas detectors were used to detect the parameters at intervals of three hours for forty eight hours. A hand-held Extech sound level meter with measuring range of 30–130 dB (A), accuracy of ±1.5 dB (A) was used for the monitoring noise levels. The atmospheric concentrations of CO, NO2, SO2, THC and SPM were <0.0001-1.0, <0.000-0.3, <0.0001-0.6, <0.0001-27.1 ppm respectively, while H2S, NH3 were not present at measurable levels. The detected SPM and noise level were 80.9-165.9 μg/m3 and 43.4-77 dB. The measured air quality parameters did not exceed the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) stipulated threshold concentrations for potential air contaminants in the ambient air, except for SO2 at S1, S5, S7, S12, S14, and S17 and THC at S1, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S12, S14, S15, S16, and S19 which measured higher than limit set by FMENV. Apparently, the detected levels are not a threat to the environment since the atmospheric density of the pollutants shows a distance disintegration pattern, which result in concentration reduction farther away from the BTSs

Eco-partitioning and indices of heavey metal accumulation in sediment and Tilapia zillii fish in water catchment of River Niger at Ajaokuta, North Central Nigeria

In this study the distribution and accumulation indices of some heavy metals in sediments and Tilapia zillii fish in freshwater catchment of River Niger by Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASC), North Central Nigeria were investigated. Water, bottom sediments and Tilapia zilliifish samples were collected upstream and downstream of the drainage column by ASC, Ajaokuta. The sample were digested according to standard methods and analysed for Cd, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb using flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Accumulation indices or factor (AI or AF) of the investigated heavy metals were defined using the ratio of mean concentration Co in component/organism and that in the surrounding water Cw at steady state (AI/AF = Co/Cw). Sediment accumulation indices (AI) of the metals were: Cd, 5.4; Mn, 3.4; Cr, 1.6; Ni, 12.5; Cu, 1.6; Zn, 25.9 and Pb, 411.6, while the AI of the metals in fillets of T. zillii were Cd, 3.0; Mn, 2.1; Cr, 1.6; Ni, 5.1; Cu, 4.6; Zn, 3.2 and Pb, 14.0. Seasonal climate changes induces little marginal or no changes in the AIs of the metals except for Pb (841.5, 411.6) and Cd (11.6, 5.4) in sediment, and Pb (32, 14) and Cd (5.3, 3.0) (p<0.05) in fish fillets. Thus significant changes in metal AIs may be the consequence of their concentration levels in the aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, accumulation indices or factors may be an estimate of ecosystem status, and may be a useful tool for monitoring and predictive risk assessment (MPRA) purposes

In vitro toxicity of extracts from Hyptis suaveolens (L.) poit on eggs and second-stage juveniles of Heterodera sacchari

The replacement of synthetic nematicides with comparatively more bio-degradable, bio-active plant  extracts is desirable. Studies on the nematicidal potential of different extracts of Hyptis suaveolens on the eggs and second stage juveniles of sugarcane nematode, Heterodera sacchari was conducted. Leaves of H. suaveolens were hydro distilled to extract the essential oil. A second set of the leaves were  extracted separately in dichloromethane (DCM) and in water. Essential oil (EO) obtained was analyzed using Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). The essential oil was tested in-vitro along with other extracts on the eggs and second stage juveniles of H. sacchari. The fractions were significantly (p&lt;0.05) effective in inducing mortality. Bioactivity was highest at a concentration of 20mg/mL, which was significantly (p&lt;0.05) different from all other concentrations. The essential oil (EO) compared well with the standard carbofuran (CBFN) at 65.58% and 66.06% mortality respectively, while the dichloromethane and aqueous extracts were not as effective. Mortality increased with increase in exposure time. There was total egg hatch inhibition with the essential oil and carbofuran, all the levels of concentration also inhibited egg hatch. The constituent of H. suaveolens as revealed by GC/MS include sabinene (29.5%), betacaryophyllene (11.8%), terpinolene (9.8%) and 1, 8-cineole (7.3%). The extracts of the leaves of H. suaveolens are nematicidal and holds promise as a natural bio-degradable alternative crop protectant against Heterodera sacchariKey words: Heterodera sacchari, dichloromethane, essential oil,Hyptis suaveolen

Bothersome lower urinary symptoms during pregnancy: a preliminary study using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire

Background: During pregnancy, many women suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms which they hardly report to their care providers. Measuring the prevalence of these symptoms has been difficult because of lack of uniform nomenclature and standardized tool. The updated nomenclature and the new ICIQ-FLUTS questionnaire offer an opportunity for assessment of these symptoms especially in developing countries. Objective: This study aimed to establish the prevalence of bothersome lower urinary symptoms among pregnant women in Zaria, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire on Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS) was administered by trained interviewers to 204 consenting pregnant women aged 15 to 42 years who were attending Antenatal care (ANC) at a tertiary health facility in Zaria, Nigeria. Results: Storage phase symptoms (nocturia, urgency, daytime frequency and painful bladder) were common among respondents. Of these, nocturia was the commonest with 94.1% of the respondents reporting it. Voiding symptoms (hesitancy, straining to pass urine and interrupted stream) were also found. Interrupted stream was the commonest of these, occurring in 8.3% of respondents. Incontinence; stress (13.7%), urge (9.8%) and enuresis (1%) were found among the respondents. Conclusions: These findings show that diverse, bothersome forms of lower urinary tract symptoms are experienced by pregnant women in this environment and the ICIQ-FLUTS questionnaire is a helpful tool in identifying these symptoms

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs] in processed meat products using gas chromatography – Flame ionization detector

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in smoked, grilled and boiled meats were determined using gas chromatography – flame ionization detector (GC–FID). PAHs in the processed meats were extracted in n-hexane after hydrolysis with methanolic KOH. Clean-up was achieved using solid phase extraction in neutral-Si/basic-Si/acidic-Si/neutral-Si frits. The fractions, benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkP), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), indeno[123-cd]pyrene (IP) and benzo[ghi]perylene (BghiP) were separated and quantified using GC–FID. The method and instrument limits of detections were 0.1, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 lg/kg and 0.5, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 lg/kg, respectively, for BkP, BaP, IP and BghiP. The method’s recovery and precision generally varied between 83.69% and 94.25% with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3.18–15.60%; and 90.38–96.71% with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.82–12.87% respectively. The concentration of BkP, BaP, IP and BghiP in smoked, grilled and boiled meat samples were ranged 0.64–31.54 lg/kg, 0.07–7.04 lg/kg, 0.09–15.03, 0.51–46.67 lg/kg and 0.01–5.11 lg/kg, respectivel