Sylvester Chibueze Izah

A Review of Heavy Metal Concentration and Potential Health Implications of Beverages Consumed in Nigeria

Beverages are consumed in Nigeria irrespective of age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Beverages may be alcoholic (wine, spirits, and beers) or non-alcoholic (soft drink, energy drinks, candies, chocolates, milks). Notwithstanding, most beverages are packed in cans, bottles, and plastics. This paper reviews the concentration of heavy metals from some commercially-packaged beverages consumed in Nigeria. The study found that heavy metal concentrations, including iron, mercury, tin, antimony, cadmium, zinc, copper, chromium, lead, and manganese, seldom exceed the maximum contaminant level recommended by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as applicable to drinking water resources. The occurrence of heavy metals in the beverages could have resulted from the feedstocks and water used in their production. Consumption of beverages high in heavy metal could be toxic and cause adverse effect to human health, depending on the rate of exposure and accumulation dosage. This study concludes by suggesting that heavy metal concentration in the feedstocks and water should be monitored by producers, and its concentration in beverages should also be monitored by appropriate regulatory agencies.

Physicochemical and Microbial Screening of Palm Oil Mill Effluents for Amylase Production

With the advent of biotechnology, several industries are dependent on enzyme for production processes. This study evaluated the physicochemical and microbiological quality of POME for amylase production. Triplicate POME samples were collected aseptically from semi-mechanized oil palm processing mills in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. The physicochemical properties of the POME samples were determined using standard analytical procedures. The results of the physicochemical quality assessment result were 6.56 (pH), 4.69 mg/l (DO), 1806.33 mg/l (COD), 382.93 mg/l (BOD), 8.18 mg/l (PO 4 3 -), 19.64 mg/l (K), 12.87 mg/l (N), 73.07 mg/l (oil and grease), 0.03 mg/l (Cd), 2.44 mg/l (Cu), 5.62 mg/l (Fe) and 2.01 mg/l (Cr). The microbial populations of the samples were1.3 x 10 5 cfu/ml and 6.9 x 10 3 cfu/ml for total heterotrophic bacteria and total fungi respectively. The bacteria isolates are Micrococcus species , Bacillus species , Pseudomonas species, Staphylococcus aureus, while the fungi isolates are Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida species , Fusarium species, Mucor species and Penicillium species. Of bacterial isolates, Micrococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus has the highest and least occurrence frequency of 34% and 13% respectively, while in fungi isolates Penicillium species and Fusarium species has the highest and least isolates with 23% and 7% respectively. Of the microbial isolates of POME, Bacillus species , Pseudomonas species, Staphylococcus aureus, Penicillium species, Fusarium species, Mucor species, Candida species and Aspergillus niger were predominant for the production of amylase. This amylase can be utilized in several industrial/biotechnological sectors including biofuels.

A Review on Heavy Metal Concentration in Potable Water Sources in Nigeria: Human Health Effects and Mitigating Measures

Nigeria is one of the most populated black nation in the world with a population of about 170 million. Over the years, potable water source which is one of the basic essential requirements for healthy living has been challenging due to inadequate controlled anthropogenic activities and by lesser extent natural conditions. This paper reviews the various potable water sources, heavy metal concentration, and its associated health effects in Nigeria. The study found that surface water such as stream, river, lake; ground water including borehole and hand-dug well; rain water; and packaged water such as bottled and sachet are the major source of potable water. The dominant heavy metals found in potable water include iron, zinc, copper, chromium, lead, and manganese. The concentration of heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, iron, cobalt, manganese, chromium, nickel, zinc, and copper often exceed the maximum permissible limit recommended by standard organization of Nigeria and World Health Organization. The concentration of heavy metals fluctuates in most states/geographical coverage depending on the type of potable water sources. To a large extent, industrialization causes heavy metals concentration to exceed the permissible limits. The high concentration reported in most locations could cause various disease conditions depending on the type of metal and level of exposure. This study also suggest possible treatment and mitigating measures to avoid such harmful effects.

Possible Contributions of Palm Oil Mill Effluents to Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Nigeria

Aims: Environmental degradation associated with greenhouse gases (GHG) including methane and carbon dioxide which causes global warming is one the challenges facing global environmental sustainability. This study was designed to assess the possible contribution of palm oil mill effluents (POME) to GHGs generation in Nigeria. The paper also discusses emissions from projection of three growth scenarios (current, low and high

Employment and Socioeconomic Effects of Semi-Mechanized Palm Oil Mill in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Aims: The unemployment rate in Nigeria has risen in recent years. Activities related to the oil palm industry could employ millions of people. This study evaluated the employment and socioeconomic influence ofsemi-mechanized oil palm processing in Elebele, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Methodology: Direct observations and interviews of the employees of the processing units of the mill were used to obtain the data. Results: The mill employed eleven workers for eachshift and each person had the capacity of producing 9.1 liters of palm oil per day. The labor force was comprised of able bodied men and women (72.7 and 27.3% respectively). During processing, women sieved the oil while men received the palm bunches at th e plant.Men also loaded bunch on stripper, stripped, sieved, sterilized/boiled, digested/pressed, clarified and dried the oil. The processors ranged from 21 to 51 years old. The educational background showed that they were graduates of universities (degre e), polytechnics (diploma), secondary (high)

Changes in the Treatment of Some Physico-Chemical Properties of Cassava Mill Effluents Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cassava is majorly processed into gari by smallholders in Southern Nigeria. During processing, large volume of effluents are produced in the pressing stage of cassava tuber processing. The cassava mill effluents are discharged into the soil directly and it drain into nearby pits, surface water, and canals without treatment. Cassava mill effluents is known to alter the receiving soil and water characteristics and affects the biota in such environments, such as fishes (water), domestic animals, and vegetation (soil). This study investigated the potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to be used for the treatment of some physicochemical properties of cassava mill effluents. S. cerevisiae was isolated from palm wine and identified based on conventional microbiological techniques, viz. morphological, cultural, and physiological/biochemical characteristics. The S. cerevisiae was inoculated into sterile cassava mill effluents and incubated for 15 days. Triplicate samples were withdrawn from the setup after the fifth day of treatment. Portable equipment was used to analyze the in-situ parameters, viz. total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, salinity, and turbidity. Anions (nitrate, sulphate, and phosphate) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were analyzed using spectrophotometric and open reflux methods respectively. Results showed a decline of 37.62%, 22.96%, 29.63%, 20.49%, 21.44%, 1.70%, 53.48%, 68.00%, 100%, and 74.48% in pH, conductivity, DO, TDS, salinity, sulphate, nitrate, phosphate, and COD levels respectively, and elevation of 17.17% by turbidity. The study showed that S. cerevisiae could be used for the treatment of cassava mill effluents prior to being discharged into the environment so as to reduce the pollution or contamination and toxicity levels.

Heavy Metal Concentration in Water, Sediment and Tissues of Eichhornia crassipes from Kolo Creek, Niger Delta

This study evaluated the level of some heavy metals in water, sediment and Eichhornia crassipes from Kolo creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Triplicate samples were collected from three locations. The samples were processed and analyzed following standard procedures. Results showed that the concentration of lead, cadmium, iron, manganese, mercury and copper ranged from 0.001 – 0.002 mg/l, 0.001 – 0.001 mg/l, 0.137 – 0.157 mg/l, 0.013 – 0.017 mg/l, 0.000 – 0.001 mg/l and 0.019 – 0.114 mg/l respectively for water, 1.676 – 1.757 mg/kg, 0.137 – 0.147 mg/kg, 3.020 – 3.810 mg/kg, 0.407 – 0.490 mg/kg, 0.011 – 0.023 mg/kg and 0.365 – 0.782 mg/kg respectively for sediment. Furthermore, the level of heavy metals in the Eichhornia crassipes ranged from 0.002 – 0.003 mg/kg, 0.003 – 0.004 mg/kg, 0.000 – 0.004 mg/kg and 0.040 – 0.048 mg/kg for lead, cadmium, mercury and copper respectively. Statistically, there was no significant variation (P>0.05) among the various locations in majority of the heavy metals analyzed. The heavy metal concentration in water was below the permissible limit for heavy metal in potable water as specified by World Health Organization and Standard Organization of Nigeria. The concentration of heavy metals were low in water and Eichhornia crassipes suggesting that Kolo creek is not contaminated by heavy metals. However, the heavy metal were in the order Eichhornia crassipes< water sample< sediment.

Evaluation of Total White Blood Cells and Cluster of Differentiation 4 Cells among Post-Menopausal Women in Elele, Nigeria

This study investigated some immune system related parameters among post-menopausal women in Elele, River state, Nigeria. Forty-two individuals participated in this study and forty control subjects were established as well. Blood was collected from the participants, and CD4 cells and total white blood cells count were analyzed using standard procedures. Result showed that test subjects and control values were 5.46 ± 1.64 × 109/L and 7.24 ± 1.47 × 109/L, respectively for total white blood cell and 1265.19 ± 458.56 cells/μl and 2159.53 ± 400.02 cells/μl respectively, for CD4 cells. There was significant difference (P < 0.001) among the test subject and control for both parameters. The results in the test subjects for both parameters were significantly lower compared to the control. The decline in immune system related parameters among the test subjects may predispose them at risk of multiple infections and other associated health conditions.

Assessment of some haemostatic parameters at different stages of pregnancy

Anaemia has been recognized as one of the adverse health conditions during pregnancy.3,4 According to American Pregnancy Association,5 Chowdhury et al.,3 Eledo et al.2 anaemia is a health situation that results from insufficient healthy red blood cells that could transport oxygen to body tissues and system. Authors have indicated that anaemia during pregnancy is a contributing factor to low birth weight, maternal mortality and premature birth.2,4,5 Anaemia symptom at pregnancy are mainly fatigue, low concentration, breath shortness, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness, pale skin, lips, and nails, cold hands and feet,2,5 weakness, tiredness, anorexia, swollen legs, trembling and palpitation.2,3

Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Cassava Mill Effluents Contaminated Soil in a Rural Community in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

M oil spill accidents give a variety of adverse influences on aquaculture organisms for a long time. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), one of the major crude oil constituents, have been reported to induce developmental inhibition, morphological deformity, histopathological effects and genetic damage on fishes. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the PAHs on early life stages of three aquaculture fishes (red sea-bream, Pagrus major, rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus, and olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus) using pyrene, 2-methylnaphthalene, and phenanthrene. Embryonic development and larval morphology were investigated for each species. The median effect concentration (EC50) was not estimated for pyrene, and phenanthrene for all test species. The EC50s for 2-methylnaphthalene of Pagrus major, Oplegnathus fasciatus, and Paralichthys olivaceus were 12.8, 10.9 and 18.0 μmol/L, respectively. The no observed effect concentrations (NOECs) for pyrene of Pagrus major, Oplegnathus fasciatus and Paralichthys olivaceus were 99, 99, 0.013 μmol/L, respectively. The NOECs for 2-methylnaphthalene of Pagrus major, Oplegnathus fasciatus and Paralichthys olivaceus were 5.5, 5.5 and 3.5 μmol/L, respectively. The NOECs for phenanthrene of Pagrus major, Oplegnathus fasciatus and Paralichthys olivaceus were 7.0, 224, 0.96 μmol/L, respectively. There was no morphological deformity in the hatched larvae of Pagrus major exposed three PAHs. The spinal curvature and fin deformity were observed in Oplegnathus fasciatus at 11 μmol/L of 2-metylnaphthalene. Pericardial edema, ocular development inhibition, spinal curvature and fin deformity were observed in Paralichthys olivaceus exposed to 0.013 μmol/L of pyrene, 3.5 μmol/L of 2-metylnaphthalene, and 1.0 μmol/L of phenanthrene. It was considered that Paralichthys olivaceus to be more sensitive than Pagrus major and Oplegnathus fasciatus to PAHs. Some embryo of Paralichthys olivaceus successfully hatched in lower concentrations, while morphological deformity was observed in these concentrations. PAHs seem to have large effects on the early life stages of aquaculture fishes.B biofertilizers are those plant growths promoting rhizobacteria applied in the field to promote crop growth and to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers. However, in conventional agriculture, the applying pesticides is a routine practice and is unavoidable to achieve reasonable profit. Thus, to develop effective bacterial biofertilizers, the effect of pesticides on plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) should be considered before application. In this study, bacterial strains with both PGP traits and pesticide tolerant ability were isolated for selection as potential bacterial biofertilizers. Rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings were planted in the soils with high dose of fungicide etridiazole, metalaxyl, and tricyclazole applied. Endophytes were isolated from rice roots, and 16S rDNA sequence and related plant promoting characteristics including the potential nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilizing and indoleacetic acid (IAA) production ability for those endophytic bacteria were determined afterward. A total of seventeen different strains were isolated. Among them, five strains with both nitrogen fixation potentials and IAA production ability were identified. The species isolated included Rhizobium larrymoorei E2, Bacillus aryabhattai E7, Bacillus aryabhattai MN1, Pseudomonas granadensis T6, and Bacillus fortis T9. Except for T9, four strains out of five were even capable of tolerating two or more fungicides without retarding the growth rates. We inoculated the above four endophytic bacteria to the rice roots and confirmed that they were all equipped with rice growth promoting abilities. We applied recommendation rates of etridiazole and metalaxyl on the growth medium in Bacillus aryabhattai MN1 and found out that MN1 can produce high rates of IAA with fungicides applied. The bacteria strains isolated from this study presented PGP traits upon high rates of fungicides application and can be viewed as potential members in bacterial biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture application.