Journal of Applied Life Sciences International

Urinary Schistosomiasis and Associated Risk Factors in Ondo State, Nigeria

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, with substantial health and socioeconomic consequences. Nigeria bears a disproportionate burden because of socioeconomic and geographical factors, particularly in communities located near streams and rivers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and the factors predisposing residents of riparian communities in Ondo State, south-western Nigeria, to infection. A total of 210 participants aged 9-62 years (mean, 30.5 ± 0.8 years) were enrolled; the median and modal age group was 21-30 years. There were more males (77.1%) than females (22.9%), and 53.8% were married. Most participants had no formal education (53.4%) and were engaged in fishing (52.9%). Sixty-two participants (29.5%) relied on rivers or streams as their main household water source, and domestic chores were the most common reason for visiting the river (42.9%). A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic and behavioural data. Urinalysis, urine microscopy, culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed on the urine samples. The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 19.1%. Infection was significantly associated with age (p = 0.029), sex (p = 0.031), marital status (p = 0.022), occupation (p < 0.001), duration of residence (p = 0.002), household water source (p < 0.001), purpose of river contact (p < 0.001) and frequency of river contact (p < 0.001). It was also associated with proteinuria (OR = 13.981, CI: 5.030-38.862, p < 0.001), leukocyturia (OR = 20.944, CI: 9.916-44.241, p < 0.001), haematuria (OR = 31.246, CI: 15.738-62.036, p < 0.001), nitrituria (OR = 2.535, CI: 1.5501-4.144, p < 0.001), ketonuria (OR = 5.935, CI: 1.176-29.94, p = 0.031) and bilirubinuria (OR = 4.779, CI: 1.255-18.197, p = 0.022). Prevalence increased significantly with increasing urinary pH (p = 0.001), but was not significantly associated with glucosuria or urobilinogen levels. These findings indicate a substantial burden of urinary schistosomiasis among riparian residents of Ondo State. Health policymakers should strengthen community education, screening, free treatment and preventive measures in the affected communities.

Effect of Culinary Practices on Phenolic Compound Content and Antioxidant Activity of Organically and Conventionally Grown Onion Bulbs

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Onions are a rich source of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic compounds, which can help to prevent and treat chronic diseases. However, if not properly applied, culinary practices can compromise this nutraceutical potential. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of cutting and cooking versus immersion on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of onions from organic and conventional farming. Standard spectrophotometric methods were employed to determine the levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in onion samples of various sizes (thin, medium, large and diced) from both types of cultivation. Analysis of these data showed that total phenolic levels ranged from 108.08 ± 7.4 to 507.21 ± 31 µg GAE/g during immersion in water, with the maximum level obtained after one hour in the conventional sample with a medium cut. The highest flavonoid content (75.46 ± 6.6 µg EQ/g) was obtained after one hour's immersion of the thin-cut organic onions, whereas the conventionally grown onions showed an increase in flavonoid content over the course of the experiment for all cut types. Conversely, when boiled, phenolic compound levels decreased substantially. Therefore, the optimal boiling time would be 10 minutes to ensure the maximum total phenolic and flavonoid content. DPPH inhibition decreased during boiling and immersion. However, the FRAP antioxidant activity increased, reaching its highest value in organic onion bulbs. Therefore, in addition to protecting the environment, organic onion bulbs are more effective at protecting consumers' health.

Effect of Substrate Formulation on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Growth in Greenhouse Conditions

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Vegetable crops contribute significantly to the supply of essential food staples to urban markets. Cucumbers are among these crops because of their nutritional properties, which are valued by consumers. They are generally grown on the outskirts of cities. Thus, agricultural production is constrained by the availability of arable land, which is limited by rapid urban expansion. To compensate for this shortage of arable land, farmers have turned to soilless cultivation. The success of this method depends on the growing medium used.

In this context, this study aims to determine an appropriate growing medium for cucumber production in a greenhouse.

Three growing media were used to conduct this study : potting soil, a mixture of soil and coconut fibre, and natural soil. The plants were obtained by germinating cucumber seeds in à nursery using the formulated growing media. After ten days of germination, the best seedlings were transplanted into pots containing the various growing media. The plants were grown in a greenhouse established at the experimental site. Various growth and fruiting parameters were measured during cucumber cultivation on the tested substrates.

The experimental results showed that seed germination rates and cucumber plant height were highest in potting soil. Cucumber flowering and fruit ripening occurred earlier and were more abundant in potting soil than in the other growing media. Thus, yield per hectare was highest in potting soil. This medium is therefore an effective growing medium for cucumber production in soilless cultivation under greenhouse conditions.

Response of Selected Soil Enzyme Activities to Pulverized Costus afer Stem and Cow Dung Augmentation in Crude Oil–contaminated Soil

D. Agbo, K. T. Nwauche, S. C. Amadi, W. O. Kalu — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Crude oil contamination can alter soil biochemical functioning, and enzyme activities provide indicators of treatment-related microbial responses. This study investigated the combined effects of pulverised Costus afer stem and cow dung amendments on selected enzyme activities in crude oil-contaminated soil. Non-polluted soil samples were obtained from farmland at Mini Orlu Road by Ada George, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, and the soil was divided into nine (9) experimental groups of five kilograms (5 kg) each, placed in polypropylene bags (20 cm in diameter × 30 cm high). Group 1 served as the control (unpolluted group), while Groups 2 to 9 were contaminated with 1000 mL of crude oil each. Fresh whole stems of Costus afer were pulverised using an electric blender, measured, and inserted into the polluted soil samples, ensuring adequate depth for rooting. The polluted soil was mixed thoroughly with cow dung to introduce nutrients and hydrocarbon-degrading microbes, as described in the table containing the experimental design.

Each bag was subsequently tied with masking tape. All bags were incubated at 28 ± 2°C for 60 days prior to laboratory analysis. The findings from the analysis of enzyme activities clearly show that laccase activity was significantly higher in treated soil samples than in the control. Oxygenase levels were generally low across the various groups, with Group 7 (Polluted soil (5 kg) + Costus afer (200 g)) showing the highest activity. Peroxidase activity fluctuated, with Group 3 (Polluted soil (5 kg) + Triton X-100) showing the highest activity compared with the control. The increase in treated soil samples indicates an enhanced oxidative capacity of the soil microbiome stimulated by the amendments.