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16 articles foundIN SILICO AND TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF OREGANO (Origanum vulgare) PHYTOCHEMICALS AS INHIBITORS OF METHIONYL-tRNA SYNTHETASE OF Brucella melitensis
Brucellosis remains a neglected zoonosis of major veterinary and public health importance in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa, and the long, relapse-prone antibiotic regimens currently in use have sustained interest in alternative antibacterial scaffolds. Methionyl-tRNA synthetase of Brucella melitensis (BmMetRS) has been experimentally validated as a drug target for the disease. This study screened ten phenolic and flavonoid constituents of oregano (Origanum vulgare) against BmMetRS and profiled their predicted pharmacokinetic and toxicological behaviour. Ligands were prepared with LigPrep and the crystal structure of BmMetRS (PDB ID: 4PY2, 2.15 Å) with the Protein Preparation Wizard in the Schrödinger Suite 2023. Docking was carried out with Glide, drug-likeness and pharmacokinetics with SwissADME, and fifteen toxicity endpoints with ProTox. All ten phytochemicals docked into the BmMetRS active site within a narrow affinity band of −6.35 to −6.59 kcal/mol, a range too small to rank the compounds reliably but sufficient to indicate that the flavonoid fraction of oregano engages the site as a class. Binding was anchored consistently at ASP 51, with MET 227, TYR 14 and TYR 228 recurring across ligands through hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking. Nine of the ten compounds showed high predicted gastrointestinal absorption, none violated Lipinski's rule of five, and bioavailability scores of 0.55–0.56 exceeded that of streptomycin (0.17). Predicted acute oral LD₅₀ values separated the compounds far more sharply than affinity did, ranging from 159 mg/kg (quercetin, class 3) to 5000 mg/kg (rosmarinic acid, class 5). Taking affinity, absorption and predicted safety together, kaempferol, apigenin, luteolin and rosmarinic acid emerged as the most balanced candidates. These are computational predictions and require in vitro confirmation, including assessment of selectivity against human methionyl-tRNA synthetase, before any therapeutic inference can be drawn.
Oshibanjo Olusegun Debola, Ngurukwem Henry Chiebuka, Ugwu Ben Kingsley, Oyinlola Olajire Opeyemi
INFLUENCE OF AQUEOUS GINGER EXTRACT AS EGG WASH AGENT ON INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL EGG QUALITY
This study investigated the effects of storage duration and aqueous ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract as a natural washing agent on the egg quality. A total of 300 eggs collected from a commercial farm at 44 weeks of hen age were stored at ambient temperature (28–31 °C, 55–60% RH) for 0, 5, and 10 days. Eggs were washed with ginger extract at 0 g/L (control), 25 g/L, 50 g/L, 75 g/L, 100 g/L, and 125 g/L, with an additional no-wash group and a chlorine-based disinfectant as a positive control. External and internal traits were assessed, and data were analyzed using the General Linear Model in SPSS 25. Storage duration significantly affected egg quality. Egg length increased from 51.82 mm at day 0 to 54.29 mm at day 10, while width rose from 40.19 mm to 43.38 mm. Albumen weight declined from 44.50 g to 41.49 g, yet Haugh unit improved from 89.50 to 94.86. Yolk quality deteriorated markedly with extended storage: yolk height dropped from 12.80 mm to 0.22 mm, whereas yolk diameter expanded from 37.03 mm to 42.03 mm. Ginger extract concentration also influenced egg quality. At 75 g/L, eggs exhibited the best external traits, including weight (57.30 g), width (44.63 mm), and albumen weight (47.08 g). Yolk percentage increased across treatments, reaching 46.81% at 50 g/L compared to 38.46% in the control. In conclusion, ginger extract—especially at 75 g/L—effectively preserves egg quality without any negative effects.
Oshibanjo Olusegun Debola, Kaye Joshua, Adelowo Victoria Olayinka, Oyinlola Olajire Opeyemi, Aboh Moses Salami, Abiola David Ejidare, Zungum Aliyu Garba, Babatunde Kolawole, Timothy Meshach Gyang
EFFECT OF TURMERIC (Curcuma longa) EXTRACT ON THE TENDERIZATION OF SPENT LAYERS MEAT
The study investigated the impact of turmeric extract on the tenderness and overall acceptability of spent layer hen meat. Twenty hens were used, and their meat was marinated with different levels of turmeric extract (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). The higher the inclusion level of turmeric extract, the greater the improvement in meat tenderness. Specifically, the meat marinated with 15% turmeric extract exhibited the best tenderness and overall acceptability. The research also assessed other quality parameters, including cooking loss, water holding capacity, pH, temperature, oxidative rancidity, flavor, juiciness, texture, and color. The results showed significant differences among the treatments. For instance, the meat from 15% turmeric extract had the lowest cooking loss and highest water holding capacity. Furthermore, sensory evaluation by the panelists indicated that meat marinated with 15% turmeric extract scored highest in terms of flavor, juiciness, texture, tenderness, and overall acceptability. In conclusion, the study highlights the potential of turmeric extract as a natural meat tenderizer, providing valuable insights for improving the quality of spent layer hen meat for consumers. From the results obtained in this research, it was observed that greater tenderness and overall acceptability were achieved with 15% turmeric extract.
Kaye Joshua, Oshibanjo Olusegun, Selzing Dandam Nanvyek, Oyinlola Olajire Opeyemi, Timothy Meshach Gyang
IN-SILICO AND TOXICOLOGY ASSESSMENT ON ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF HORNED MELON (Cucumis metuliferus) ON SALMONELLOSIS
This study investigates the antimicrobial potential of bioactive compounds from Cucumis metuliferus against antibiotic-resistant Salmonella, particularly in poultry, where resistance rates are alarmingly high. The Crystal structure of Penicillin-Binding Protein 1a (2OQO) was employed molecular docking using the Glide ligand docking in Schrödinger Suite 2023. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) properties were determined using in silico integrative model predictions at the SwissADME and ProTox-II online servers. Toxicity assessments were conducted using the Protox-II web servers. Natural ligands show superior docking scores, with isovanillic acid (-5.189) and gallic acid (-5.171) outperforming ciprofloxacin (-4.955). Toxicity classifications varied significantly, ranging from Class 3 for quercetin (LD50 = 159 mg/kg) to Class 6 for amoxicillin and catechin (LD50 ≥ 10,000 mg/kg). Molecular interaction analysis revealed that ligands primarily formed hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, and pi-cation interactions with key residues LYS 124, GLU 140, and ARG 132. ADME analysis reveal that enrofloxacin demonstrated high gastrointestinal absorption and blood-brain barrier permeability, whereas natural compounds showed limited BBB permeability despite high solubility. Bioavailability scores ranged from 0.11 (tetracycline) to 0.85 (flavonoids). Toxicological evaluation revealed hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and mutagenicity in antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and tetracycline, while natural compounds showed varying degrees of hepatotoxic and cytotoxic effects. In conclusion, natural ligands, despite certain limitations, offer promising therapeutic alternatives due to favorable docking interactions and generally lower toxicity profiles compared to conventional antibiotics.
Oshibanjo Olusegun Debola, Kaye Joshua, Ugwu Ben Kingsley, Alkali Abubakar Adamu
CULTURE OF ROTIFERS USING DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIVESTOCK WASTES
A ten-day study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of different livestock manures as organic media for rotifer culture and to assess the associated water quality parameters. Twelve 6-L microcosms arranged in triplicate were assigned to four treatments: control (municipal tap water only), rabbit droppings (RD), poultry droppings (PD), and sheep droppings (SD), each supplemented with NPK fertilizer and soybean cake except the control. Rotifers were isolated from river water and inoculated into the culture media after three days of aeration. Baker's yeast was provided as feed throughout the culture period. Rotifer abundance was determined every other day from the second day of culture, while temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and alkalinity were monitored. Water quality remained within acceptable ranges for rotifer production: temperature (21–25°C), pH (6.7–7.5), dissolved oxygen (8.1–11.3 mg/L), carbon dioxide (9–14 mg/L), and alkalinity (90–111 mg/L). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed among the measured physicochemical parameters across treatments. Rotifer populations increased steadily and reached peak abundance on the eighth day of culture before declining slightly by the tenth day. The poultry droppings treatment recorded the highest mean rotifer yield (131.33 individuals/mL), followed by rabbit droppings (108.67 individuals/mL) and sheep droppings (94.00 individuals/mL). Although differences in rotifer yield among the organic media were not statistically significant (P > 0.05), poultry droppings demonstrated the greatest carrying capacity and sustained higher rotifer production throughout the culture period. The findings indicate that livestock manures can serve as effective and inexpensive nutrient sources for rotifer culture. Among the media evaluated, poultry droppings showed the greatest potential for large-scale rotifer production because of their superior productivity and ability to sustain rotifer populations over an extended period. The use of locally available livestock manure offers a practical and sustainable approach for producing live feed to support fish hatchery operations and aquaculture development.
Lawrence Ejeh Igoche, Keziah Vou Absalom, Peter Owoicho Uja
Influence of onion skin waste on growth performance, carcass characteristics, physiological responses, and histological indices of broiler chickens
This study investigated the effects of dietary inclusion of onion peel waste (Allium cepa L.) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, hematology, biochemistry, and intestinal histology of broiler chickens. A total of 200 day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 g of onion peel per 25 kg of feed) using a completely randomized design for 56 days. Results showed that moderate inclusion levels (2.5–5.0 g) significantly enhanced growth performance, weight gain, and carcass yield, while higher levels (7.5–10.0 g) reduced performance but improved feed conversion ratios. Nutrient digestibility, especially crude protein and ether extract, was positively influenced by onion peel supplementation. Histological examination revealed no adverse effects on intestinal morphology across treatments. Hematological parameters remained largely unaffected, while biochemical indices such as albumin, total protein, and globulin improved significantly at higher inclusion levels. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds such as saponins, flavonoids, and tannins. The study concludes that onion peel waste can serve as a sustainable, functional feed additive that enhances broiler productivity and carcass quality without detrimental health effects. Further studies are recommended to optimize the dosage for maximum benefit.
Adelowo Olayinka Victoria, Oshibanjo Olusegun Debola, Aka-Tanimo Akeem, Olaiya Olalekan, Dampo Vivian Aron, Ugwu Ben Kingsley, Ashom Ezekiel Bitrus, Lukshik Freeman Phillip, Oso Cynthia, Nokshwan Timak Samuel
IMPACT OF HEAT STRESS ON GROWTH, CARCASS TRAIT, MEAT QUALITY AND SENSORY EVALUATION OF ABBOR AND COBB BROILER CHICKEN STRAINS
This study evaluated the physiological responses, carcass characteristics, organ development, meat quality, and sensory attributes of Abbor Acre and Cobb 500 broiler chickens under heat stress. The experiment was conducted at the Department of Animal Science Teaching and Research Farm, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, using 120 day-old chicks assigned to four treatment groups in a completely randomized design, with exposure to either control (24°C) or heat stress conditions (35°C day/30°C night for six hours daily) from weeks 3 to 6 post-hatch. Birds were monitored for heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, growth performance, and carcass traits, while meat quality and sensory attributes were assessed post-slaughter. Results indicated that physiological responses showed no significant differences between strains, although Cobb 500 exhibited a slightly higher heart rate and rectal temperature, while Abbor Acre had a higher respiratory rate. Carcass and primal cut yields were comparable, with Abbor Acre showing heavier thighs and wings, whereas Cobb 500 had higher breast and back weights. Internal and external organ characteristics did not differ significantly, though Abbor Acre tended to have heavier visceral organs, while Cobb 500 had slightly heavier external body parts. Meat quality analysis revealed a significantly higher pH in Cobb 500 (6.20 vs. 6.02, p = 0.006), while oxidative rancidity and water-holding capacity were similar between strains. Sensory evaluation showed Cobb 500 scored higher in color and flavor, while Abbor Acre was rated better in juiciness and tenderness, with overall acceptability being equal (6.70) for both strains. In conclusion, both Abbor Acre and Cobb 500 broilers exhibit similar physiological, carcass, and organ responses under heat stress, with minor differences in meat quality and sensory traits.
Kaye Joshua, Oshibanjo Olusegun, Ja’afar Khadija Musa
HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS WITH VARIOUS INCLUSION LEVELS OF ATILI (Canarium schweinfurthii) LEAF MEAL
This study was carried out to assess the health status of broiler chickens fed Canarium schweinfurthii leaf meal in a completely randomized design. A total of 150 two weeks old broiler chicks were used randomly distributed into five dietary treatments comprising 0% (control), 2.0%, 4.0%, 6.0% and 8.0% (Treatment 1 to 5, respectively) of Canarium schweinfurthii leaf meal (CSLM) inclusion. Each treatment contains thirty birds three replicates of ten birds. The haematological profile of the birds showed that pack cell volume (PCV) was significantly different (p< 0.05) across treatments, birds in T5 having the highest value (32.50). The haemoglobin (Hb) values were significantly different (p<0.05) across all treatments, treatment T5 having the highest value. The values for Red Blood Cell showed significant difference (p< 0.05) across treatment with the highest observed in T5 which was significantly different from T2 and T3. The serum albumin content was also significantly (p< 0.05) higher in birds fed 2.0%, followed by birds fed control diet, 8.0%, 6.0% and 4.0%. Total protein contents were significantly different (p< 0.05) across all treatments with birds in 2.0% showing the highest value. The aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were similar across all treatments, no significant difference was observed. Cholesterol, Triglycerides, LDL, HDL were significantly (p<0.05) increased from control (0%) to T4 (6.0%). It could be concluded that Canarium schweinfurthii leaf meal, can be incorporated into diets of broiler chickens up to 8.0% inclusion level.
Adelowo Olayinka Victoria,, Oshibanjo Olusegun Debola, Shoaga Auwal Olalekan
Optimization of Reinforced Concrete Beam and Column Sections Design Using a Python-Based Genetic Algorithm Integrated with BIM Parametric Modelling: A Framework for Sustainable Land Development
Conventional reinforced concrete (RC) structural design relies on manual procedures that produce over-designed, resource-intensive structures, driving up construction costs and embodied carbon per unit of developed land. This paper presents a Python-based Genetic Algorithm (GA) integrated with Building Information Modelling (BIM) parametric modelling as a unified, automated framework for the optimization of RC beam and column sections design in accordance to Eurocode. The framework employs real-valued GA encoding, penalty-based fitness evaluation, Simulated Binary Crossover (SBX), polynomial mutation, and bidirectional JSON-based data exchange between the optimizer (Python GA engine) and a parametric Autodesk Revit model driven by Dynamo scripting. A four-storey RC framed building serves as the case study, incorporating eleven mixed continuous-discrete design variables and twelve Eurocode-based structural constraints. The primary objective for the optimization is to minimize the cost of construction material subject to the code constraints with structural efficiency and estimated embodied CO₂ monitored as secondary performance metrics. The proposed framework addresses a critical gap identified in the literature: the absence of a transparent, Python-based, bidirectionally integrated BIM-GA system with full design code compliance for RC member optimization. By systematically reducing material consumption per structural element, the framework directly contributes to cost-effective, sustainable land development, particularly relevant to rapidly urbanizing emerging economies where infrastructure construction costs constitute a primary barrier to viable land utilization. The framework is designed for practical deployment using widely accessible tools, enhancing adoption potential in small and medium engineering practices in developing contexts.
Emmanuel Ushahemba Orhiiga, Meshach Ileanwa Alfa, John Engbonye Sani
DRIVERS OF ZOOPLANKTON DIEL VERTICAL MIGRATION
Vertical migratory behavior, a daily synchronized up-and-down movement practiced by zooplankton shaping the availability of zooplankton to fish as food, was studied in Liberty Reservoir in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State in August 2018, November 2018 and March 2019. The distribution of zooplankton at different times of the day was investigated alongside some physicochemical parameters. Water samples were collected at three hours intervals from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on sampling days. Data on zooplankton abundance was analyzed using the SPSS statistical package. A two-way analysis of variance showed that water temperature, pH, water transparency, and dissolved oxygen varied significantly (P<0.05) significantly during the daytime. Pearson correlation analysis showed that zooplankton abundance correlated positively with air temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Variation in zooplankton abundance at different depths and times of the day revealed that vertical migration is taking place in these reservoirs. Abundance is more at the top by 6 a.m. and at 3 p.m. at the reservoir’s bottom. Temperature, water transparency, pH, and water transparency were attributed to the drivers of daytime migration in these reservoirs.
Oyedapo folasade Adebisi, Akpa Lucy Ene, Mohamed Musa yahaya, Oshibanjo Olusegun Debola