The phytochemical constituents, antimicrobial activity, anti-mycobacterial activity and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the West African ecotype of Bidens pilosa was investigated for possible medicinal properties. The antimicrobial activity of the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from the leaf of Bidens pilosa was evaluated using agar dilution method. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening was carried out according to standard procedures. Partitioned fractions of the methanolic extract was subjected to anti-mycobacterial bioassay. Different fractions of the leaf were subjected to GC-MS to ascertain the compounds present. The antimicrobial analysis revealed the methanolic fraction as having the highest number of activity against test organisms such as: Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Rhizopus sp. between 10 – 40 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration showed the methanolic fraction to be active against Candida albicans and Rhizopus sp. at the concentration of 6.25 g/ml and 3.25 g/ml respectively. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and terpenoids in all the solvents. Tannin was present in all the solvent fractions except hexane fraction. Saponin was not found in any of the solvents. The hexane-methanol interface of the partitioned solvents was sensitive to the anti-mycobacterial activity while other solvents showed resistance. The GC-MS and the chromatogram gave insight into the volatile components of the leaf extract. The findings reveals Bidens pilosa as a medicinal plant with potentials for the treatment of tuberculosis.

Screened plant species with potential for green belt development can act as eco-sustainable tools for restoring the polluted ecosystem. Eight plant species from two study locations in Ado-Odo, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, were examined to identify their air pollution response and performance by deploying two air pollution indices, namely air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and anticipated performance index (API). APTI results identified all screened plants as sensitive species suitable as bio-indicators of air pollution, with Ficus auriculata (2.42) common to the non-industrial location being the most sensitive. API scores categorized Ficus auriculata (56.25%) as a moderate performer, while Syzygium malaccense (75%) and Mangifera indica (75%) were identified as very good performers, suitable for green belt development. The relationship between each biochemical parameter with APTI was investigated using regression analysis and two-way analysis of variance. The model result showed a significant relationship between each biochemical parameter with APTI, and relative water content had the highest influence on APTI (R2 = 0.99436). Both indices (APTI and API) are suitable for screening and recommending native plant species for cultivation in the polluted environment, thus promoting ecological restoration. Hence, Syzygium malaccense, Mangifera indica and Ficus auriculata, respectively, were recommended for green belts design. Further intensive screening to identify tolerant species and best to excellent performer’s trees suitable for restoring the ecosystem is advised.

The poor access to water quality for Nigerians has pushed for the designing of new trend silver nitrate impregnated locally made Point-Of-Use (POU) ceramic filters to enhance water purification efficiency for household use. This study utilized silver nitrate-molded ceramic filters prepared with Kaolin from Owode, silt soil, sodium silicate, sawdust, and distilled water in three varying proportions to ascertain pollution removal efficiencies. Heating was carried out by firing the filters at 900 °C and further preheating at 400 °C after dipping in silver nitrate solution. Silver nanoparticle and dissociated particle discharge from filter pot painted with 0.03 mg/g casein-covered nAg or AgNO 3 were estimated as an element of pH (5–9), ionic strength (1–50mM), and cation species (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+). Silver delivery was constrained by disintegration as Ag+ and resulting cation exchange measures, paying little heed to silver structure applied. Water analysis for both heavy metals (Pb and Cd) and microbial load ( E. coli ) evaluated, corroborate the maximum removal efficiency. It was observed that kaolin-sawdust with the Silver nitrate filters showed a constant and effective removal of both heavy metals and disinfection of microbial loads. The minimum flow rates observed were 4.97 mL/min for batch filter used for Iju River water sample one (AF1) and 4.98 mL/min for batch filter used for Iju River water sample two (AF2) having porosity 49.05% and 50.00%, whereas the 5 mL/min higher flow rate was used for batch filter from borehole water sample one (BF1) and batch filter used for well water sample two (CF2) with porosity of 50.00%. Significantly, the results obtained show that the filters are suitable for point-of-use application in both the urban and rural areas of developing countries such as Nigeria

Limestone exploration has numerous advantage to the nation’s economy. However, major anthropogenic activities such as mining of such mineral deposits causes environmental contamination due to heavy metals pollution. The presence of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic can interfere with the biochemical pathways by interaction with enzymes and proteins. They equally have the capacity to alter the DNA repair mechanism and act as the inducers of carcinogenesis. The focus of the research is therefore to detect the extent of heavy metals contaminations within the sampled Ewekoro limestone, southwestern Nigeria and to ascertain the risks they posed to the quarry workers, miners and the people residing in the study area.

No abstract