The comparative hypocholesteremic effect of feeding palm oil and palm oil mill effluent (POME) was investigated in male albino rats. Diets were prepared and designed to contain 50% of energy as carbohydrate, 35% as fat, and 15% as protein. Groups of six rats were each fed one of these diets, while a group was fed pelletized mouse chow which served as the control. Feeding on palm oil and POME led to a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and vLDL. Feeding on POME led to significant increase (p < 0.05) in cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL levels in brain tissues. Increased hepatic LDL level was also observed in POME fed rats. Except for hepatic triglyceride and tissues HDL level, a rather reduced level of the studied lipids was observed in the serum and tissues of palm oil fed rats compared to POME. These results indicate the protective potentials of palm oil against cardiovascular disease, as well as hyperlipidemia that characterize obesity and hypertension; as compared to its effluent.

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The ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of Cola millenii were investigated for it secondary metabolites as well as its effect on serum indices and antioxidant status in normal male albino rats. Fresh leaves of C. millenii were air dried, extracted with ethyl acetate and concentrated. The extract was analysed for its secondary metabolites using the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Three concentrates consisting of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) of the extract were prepared. Groups of five rats were intraperitoneally injected with each of the doses, whilst a fourth group was not injected and served as the normal control. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum was analysed for hepatic and renal biomarkers as well as cholesterol level. Hepatic tissue was analysed for malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). FITR spectroscopy revealed the presence of aliphatic, carboxylic acids, esters and alkenes functional groups. Administration of the extract doses led to the increased serum activities of hepatic and renal biomarkers. About 50 mg/kg bw of the extract had the least cholesterol level compared to the other doses. MDA level was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in rats administered with 50 mg/kg bw of the extract. Except for the lowest dose, little or no significant effect was observed on SOD and CAT activities. These results indicate the medicinal potential of ethyl acetate extract of C. millenii leaves as portrayed by the low cholesterol and MDA levels and increased CAT activity with 50 mg/kg bw being the most active concentration.

A research innovation on product development through principle of applied biotechnology was demonstrated for production of ethanol bio gel, an alternative cooking energy source. Bio ethanol was produced using pretreated sawdust as substrate by solid state fermentation technique using Aspergillus niger. The bio ethanol was further used in a combination with water and a nitrosol compound in a ratio (70:10:20) for production of ethanol biogel. Preliminary analysis showed that the ethanol biogel had the following properties; viscosity at 40oC and 80oC recorded (421.20cst and 210.87cst respectively), flashpoint (26oC), density at 25oC (0.908kg/m3), total acid number (0.12mgKOH/g), pour point (-13% still flowing) with pH 6.16 having no base settlement and no water content. The flame produced was thinner compared to kerosene and wood flames. It also had a blueish colour full of motion, also odourless with complete combustion.