Biodisinfection and Coagulant Properties of Mixed Garcinia kola and Carica papaya Seeds Extract for Water Treatment

Garcinia kola (Heckel) and Carica papaya (Linn.) seeds from ripe fruits were investigated for their disinfection and coagulation activity in water. The phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of alkaloid, saponins, flavonoid and tannins in both seeds. Physicochemical analysis of the water samples was determined before and after treatment with seed solutions. Results showed that mixed Garcinia kola and Carica papaya extracts had no significant effect (P > .05) on temperature, pH, conductivity and chloride but significantly reduced (P = .05) TDS, BOD, nitrate, nitrite and turbidity. The coagulation and antimicrobial efficiency of mixed Garcinia kola Heckel and Carica papaya seed solution at different concentrations on turbid surface water (collected from Ogbor Hill River in Aba) were studied and compared. Microbial reduction for mixed extract of Garcinia kola and Carica papaya solution showed antimicrobial efficiency of 41.67 – 83.33% for Total coliform, 47.85 – 60.89% for E. coli, 12.87-83.33% for Fecal streptococcus, 40.46 – 83.33% for staphylococcus Aureus and 50.43 – 74.36% for Total heterotrophic bacteria at different concentration. Mixed Garcinia kola and Carica papaya seed solution reduced the turbidity perfectly at the optimum doze of 3% at which 67.83% turbidity was removed by mixed solution. Garcina kola and Carica papaya seeds are non toxic and do not significantly affect the pH and conductivity of the treated water. So, as natural coagulants, both seeds may be potentially viable for treating water

SLUDGE DEWATERING SUBJECTED TO CONSTANT VACUUM PRESSURE: A MODELLING APPROACH

Sludge is often generated from the treatment of wastewater and it is essential to reduce its volume before disposal into the environment through dewatering. This helps to reduce the cost of final sludge disposal. This study was therefore aimed at developing a model for the draining time of sludge through the application of vacuum pressure. A vacuum filtration experiment was performed on sewage sludge collected from the wastewater treatment plant situated at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The sludge sample was poured into Buchner funnel apparatus and the volume of the filtrate collected was noted at a certain time interval until the end of the experiment. The specific resistance values were obtained using the newly derived-, modified-, and Carman’s-equation, respectively. A comparative study was carried out on the three values obtained and the results showed that the newly derived equation gave the best result. Overall, the newly derived equation demonstrated conformity with Carman’s equation and can be used for sludge dewatering investigation. This paper covers a relevant subject within the field of waste treatment processes, namely the dewatering of sludge from wastewater treatment system and on a large scale, can aid in producing cost effective mechanism that makes it more possible for developing nations to incorporate adequate and effective sanitation

The Exposure Of Heterobranchus bidorsalis Juveniles To Different Concentrations Of Bonny-Light Crude Oil And Their Effects On Amylase And Cretinine Kinase Activities

The effects of exposing Heterobranchus bidorsalis juveniles (14.08 ± 0.12 g) to diferent concentrations of Bonny-light crude oil (BLCO) on amylase and cretinine kinase activities were studied The exposure of the fsh to 1.00, 2.00, 400, 8.00 ml L-1 BLCO and a control for 4 days toxicity period indicated that the signiicant increases (P < 0.01) in the serum amylase (SRA) and the hepatic cytosolic amylase (HCA) activities in the fish were BLCO concentrations dependent. Reduced SRA and HCA activities noticed within the first 14 days o the recovery period implied thatthe removal o the oil polutant from the ambient water chemistry probably lowered the pressure on the blood serum and liver amylase enzyme to catalyse the metabolism o the ingesed carbohydrates. Signicant increases (P < 0.05) in the serum cretinine kinase (SRCK) and the hepatic cytosolic cretinine kinase (HCCK) activities in the fish also followed the pattern shown by the SRA and the HCA activities. The increased SRA, HCA, SRCK and HCCK activities in the blood serum and liver of the fish were indications o a shit in the carbohydrate metabolism due to crudeoil exposure. Keywords: Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Bonny-light crude oil, Serum, Cytosolic, Amylase, Cretinine kinase.Animal Research International Vol. 3 (3) 2006 pp. 516-52

Toxicity, Growth And Survival Of Clarias Gariepinus Juveniles Exposed To Different Concentrations Of Crude Oil Fractions-Polluted Water

Studies were carried out on the toxicity, growth and survival of Clarias gariepinus juveniles exposed to different concentrations of oil-polluted water. Thirty-nine aerated aquaria (60 × 30 × 30 cm3), arranged in a 4 × 3 Complete Randomized Block Design were used for the study. Three oil types: the Bonny light crude oil (BLCO), the premium motor spirit (PMS) and kerosene (DPK) at oilconcentrations of 1.00, 1.50, 2.00 and2.50 ml L -1 were used in triplicates of 5 ml to contaminate 15L of dechlorinated tap water and 20 fingerlings o Clarias gariepinus (22 ± 0.24 g) exposed to it. A control treatment (0.00 ml L-1) of non-oil contamination was aso used in riplicates. A 96-hour toxicity phase in the oil-polluted water preceded a 42 days recovery phase. 38% crude proein dietwas fed to fish during exposure and recovery phases at 3% and 5% body weight per day respectively. Water temperature, pH, fish mortality and normalized biomass index (NBI) of each aquarium were monitored. The total organic nitrogen, soluble organic nitrogen and colloidal organic nitrogen in addition to soluble and adsorbed ammonia in the aquaria water and sediments were analyzed using standard methods. Results showed that the water temperature was 26 ± 2.04° C, pH was 6.50 ± 0.30 and fortnighty eed intake of fish increased between days 14 and 42. This increase, which corresponded wth the increase in the fortnightly weight gain, could be attributed to the reduction of stress caused during the 96-h toxicity phase. The increase in the soluble ammonium and the exchangeable ammonium concentrations o water correlated with the increase inthe concentrations (1.50 – 2.50 ml L-1) ofBLCO, PMS and DPK. Percent mortality of fsh reduced between days 14 and 42 irrespective o oil treatment while fish exposed to the control treatment had lower percent mortality than those exposed to the oil treatments. This trend was corroborated by the relatively higher NBI for the control during the exposure (-0.02) and recovery{0.08 (14 days), 0.08 (38 days) and 0.21 (42 days)} periods than those of oi treatments (-49.64 to-0.10). Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, Toxicity, Soluble ammonium, Feed intake, Weight gainAnimal Research International Vol. 3 (2) 2006 pp. 466-47

Wildlife species diversity indices and seasonal distribution assessment in road-side markets of South-west Nigeria

Wildlife species are under serious exploitation by the rural populace in Nigeria because hu­man beings have understood their ecology. The need to update the existing knowledge of wildlife population is therefore essential. Twenty-three games markets along five Roads in South-west Nigeria were visited to document the wildlife displayed for sale. Two hundred and fifty copies of structured questionnaire were administered using systematic random sampling (odd) method for wildlife species information from market stakeholders. Direct method was counting for species and their numbers. Data generated were analysed through Species Diver­sity Indices Assessment. All emergent species were compared with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) abundance rating. Road seasonal distribution of the marketed wildlife was determined by percentages, standard deviation, standard error of mean, mean differences, t-test, and tests of significance and Diversity Indices. Results revealed that 69,398 wild animals were displayed. Also more wildlife were sold during rainy than dry seasons. Appropriate recommendations of government sensitization of rural and urban settlers against over-utilization of wildlife resources, encouragement of the public towards animal domesti­cation and others were made

Sirenomelia in a Nigerian triplet: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Sirenomelia, also known as mermaid syndrome, is a very rare fatal congenital abnormality in which the legs are fused together, giving them the appearance of a mermaid's tail. It is commonly associated with abnormal kidney development, genital and rectal abnormalities. A handful of cases have been reported in other parts of the world, however, no cases have previously been reported in a Nigerian neonate. To the best of our knowledge, we believe that this is the first case reported from West Africa and in a triplet.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 16-hour-old baby boy, the second of a set of Nigerian triplets, presented to our facility with fusion of the entire lower limbs, imperforate anus, indiscernible genital structures, single umbilical artery and a neural tube defect. His parents were from the Hausa ethnic group and not related.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Sirenomelia has not been previously described in a set of triplets, and it is hoped that this report from West Africa will give information about the non-racial predilection of this condition.</p

Stroke prevalence amongst sickle cell disease patients in Nigeria: a multi-centre study

Background: Stroke is a life-changing, debilitating complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). Previous studies had recorded high stroke prevalence amongst this group of patients. Nigeria has a large population of people affected by this condition and this study aims to assess the stroke prevalence in this large population.Methodology: Stroke prevalence data from 14 physicians working in 11 tertiary health centres across the country was collated by doctors using the sickle cell registers and patient case notes. This data was then collated and used to obtain the overall stroke prevalence in adult and children.Results: The stroke prevalence in sickle cell disease patients in Nigeria was observed to be 12.4 per 1000 patients. Prevalence in the adult patients was 17.7 per 1000 patients and 7.4 per 1000 patients in children. Twenty three percent of the affected patients had more than stroke episode.Conclusion: The stroke prevalence in Nigeria is lower than previously recorded rates and further studies will be required to investigate other factors which may play a role.Keywords: sickle cell, stroke, Nigeria, prevalenc

Post COVID‐19: a solution scan of options for preventing future zoonotic epidemics

The crisis generated by the emergence and pandemic spread of COVID-19 has thrown into the global spotlight the dangers associated with novel diseases, as well as the key role of animals, especially wild animals, as potential sources of pathogens to humans. There is a widespread demand for a new relationship with wild and domestic animals, including suggested bans on hunting, wildlife trade, wet markets or consumption of wild animals. However, such policies risk ignoring essential elements of the problem as well as alienating and increasing hardship for local communities across the world, and might be unachievable at scale. There is thus a need for a more complex package of policy and practical responses. We undertook a solution scan to identify and collate 161 possible options for reducing the risks of further epidemic disease transmission from animals to humans, including potential further SARS-CoV-2 transmission (original or variants). We include all categories of animals in our responses (i.e. wildlife, captive, unmanaged/feral and domestic livestock and pets) and focus on pathogens (especially viruses) that, once transmitted from animals to humans, could acquire epidemic potential through high rates of human-to-human transmission. This excludes measures to prevent well-known zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, that cannot readily transmit between humans. We focused solutions on societal measures, excluding the development of vaccines and other preventive therapeutic medicine and veterinary medicine options that are discussed elsewhere. We derived our solutions through reading the scientific literature, NGO position papers, and industry guidelines, collating our own experiences, and consulting experts in different fields. Herein, we review the major zoonotic transmission pathways and present an extensive list of options. The potential solutions are organised according to the key stages of the trade chain and encompass solutions that can be applied at the local, regional and international scales. This is a set of options targeted at practitioners and policy makers to encourage careful examination of possible courses of action, validating their impact and documenting outcomes