Bacteriological characteristics of abattoir effluents (wastewater), abattoir water source, and water bodies receiving abattoir wastewater were investigated in Abuja, Nigeria using the multiple-tube fermentation technique. Source of water to the abattoirs and the usage of water bodies receiving abattoir effluents were determined using questionnaires. Bacterial counts ranged from 4.8 × 106 to 5.8 × 105 /100 mL of total coliform (TC), 8.2 × 104 to 3.2 × 104/100 mL of Fecal coliform (FC), 5.2 × 104 to 2.0 × 104/100 mL of Fecal streptococcus and 1.2 × 104 to 2.0 × 103/100 mL of Escherichia coli for abattoir effluents 6.6 × 105 to 6.0 × 105/100 mL of TC, 6.2 × 104 to 1.8 × 104/100 mL of FC, 1.8 × 104 to 6.0 × 103/100 mL of F. streptococcus, and 4.8 × 103 to 6.6 × 102/100 mL of E. coli for water bodies receiving abattoir effluents 100 m downstream. TC bacteria counts for abattoir effluents exceeded recommended limit for discharge into surface water in Nigeria. No significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between bacterial counts of abattoir effluents and receiving water bodies 100 m downstream: an indication of contamination of receiving water bodies by abattoir effluents and possible public and environmental health hazards.

Whole seeds, dehulled seeds and seed coats of bottle gourd seed (Lagenaria siceraria) were analysed for their proximate, amino acids and mineral compositions. The results of the analysis showed that, whole seed has highest content of moisture (17.5 ± 0.21%) and ash (5.80 ± 0.83%) while dehulled had highest amount of crude protein (35.0 ± 0.48%) and crude lipid (39.22 ± 1.48%) and seed coat contain highest amount of crude fiber (59.05 ± 0.98%). The study showed a profile of seventeen amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, valine, alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, proline and serine) with glutamic acid, leucine and aspartic acid being the predominant amino acid. The percentages (%) of essential and non-essential amino acids in dehulled seeds, whole seeds and seed coats were 44 vs 56, 41 vs 59 and 51 vs 49 respectively. The dehulled seeds contained essential amino acids that were found to be higher than WHO/FAO/UNU requirement. In whole seeds, threonine, lysine and lysine were found to be the most limiting amino acids. Seed coats were deficient in all the essential amino acids except for valine. Generally, the mineral composition of the seed was found to be relatively high, indicating the seed to be a good source of dietary elements, except for Ca, Zn, Co and Cr where very low values were obtained. Finally, the results of the study indicate that, bottle gourd seed is a potential source of protein, lipid, micro and macronutrients, and if properly utilised, could contribute in solving the problem of malnutrition and also serve as raw material for agro-based industries.

Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria*Correspondence: Tel.: +2348187384271; E-mail: seabalaka@yahoo.co.uk Abstract Escherichia coli infection was diagnosed in 5-week old broiler chickens raised intensively on a medium-sized commercial farm in Gaube-Kuje, Abuja, Nigeria. Signs of weakness, depression and inappetance with ruffled feathers and pasted vents were reportedly observed in affected birds within the flock. Detailed post mortem examinations revealed diffuse splenomegaly and hepatomegaly with multifocal greyish areas on their surfaces while the diffusely enlarged kidneys were congested with mottled pale appearance. Histopathologically, the liver of affected broilers showed diffuse congestion, multifocal coagulative necrosis and cellular infiltration. Generalized perivascular and inter-septal oedema and haemorrhage were observed in the lungs of affected broilers with generalized lymphocytic depletion within the spleen as well as locally extensive congestion and haemorrhage within the kidney, and cellular infiltration and necrosis within heart musculatures. Microbiological evaluation of liver samples yielded pure E. coli growth only. A diagnosis of colibacillosis, especially colisepticaemia, was made with appropriate treatment based on culture and sensitivity test result involving Levofloxacin (R) . The client was consequently advised to guard against possible predisposing factors as control and preventive measures for the disease outbreak on the farm.

Background. Aquatic pollution by heavy metals has become a global problem and is of great concern due to the detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and possible human uptake. Objectives. The present study aimed to evaluate tissue bioaccumulations of heavy metals and possible human health risks in addition to associated cellular damages in fish for sale in a fish market in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods. Clarias gariepinus sold at the Kado Fish Market in Abuja, Nigeria, in March–April 2017 and March–April 2018 were randomly purchased and sampled. The heavy metal contents of the sampled fish were assayed and used to assess the extent of potential health risks to human consumers. The extent of histopathological changes associated with the bioaccumulations in the sampled fish were also evaluated according to standard procedures. Results. Levels of most heavy metals were above permissible limits, except for lower levels of zinc (Zn) in liver and muscle and higher levels of lead (Pb) in muscle in the sampled fish. Similarly, significant (p<0.05) liver bioaccumulation occurred for Zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) compared to their levels in muscle. The total hazard index (non-cancer risk across all metals) was 0.0415, which is very low and acceptable. The cancer risks ranged between the acceptable values of 1.98 × 10−5 – 3.71 × 10−6. Associated histopathological changes, which occurred in the sampled fish, differed between the various assayed tissues. Conclusions. Most of the heavy metals were significantly bioaccumulated (p<0.05) and were above the permissible levels, particularly in liver samples. The levels of muscle heavy metal bioaccumulation in the sampled fish posed no apparent cancer or non-cancer health risks to human consumers. However, further efforts are needed to minimize heavy metal aquatic environmental pollution to safeguard the health of aquatic flora and fauna and human consumers because of the tendency of these pollutants to persist and bioaccumulate to toxic levels over time. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

76ABSTRACT: Nutritional and antinutritional contents of Parkia biglobosa flower were analysed using standard analytical methods. On dry weight basis, the flower had the following proximate compositions; ash (6.50 ± 1.00%), crude lipid (4.66 ± 0.29%), crude protein (6.77 ± 0.15%), available carbohydrate (78.9 ± 1.18%) and crude fibre (3.17 ± 0.29%). The calorific value was 384.7 kcal/100g. Mineral analysis indicates that the flower contain some essential minerals such as K, Na, Ca, Mg, and Zn, but was low in Cu, Mn, and Fe. The flower has low concentration of anti-nutritive factors: phytate (1.41±0.24mg %); oxalate (0.03±0.01mg %); hydrocyanic acid (0.17±0.01mg %) and nitrate (1.32±0.10mg %). The values are below the reference toxic standard levels. Therefore, P. biglobosa flower could supplement the microelements requirement, energy and to some extent protein.

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The focus of this study was to investigate the nutritional values of Lepidium sativum leaves, a vegetable commonly consumed by the people of NorthWestern Nigeria. Sample of L. sativum leaves were collected from different farm lands at More town, Kware Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The leaves were dried then subjected to proximate, amino acids, minerals and antinutritional analyses. The results of proximate analysis indicate that the leaves had high crude protein (18.25%), crude fibre (9.31%) and ash (15.38%). The minerals assay showed that the leaves are particularly high in potassium (1850.00 mg/100g), calcium (829.13 mg/100g), magnesium (160.60 mg/100g), sodium (141.13 mg/100g) and iron (63.47 mg/100g) with low level of phosphorus (4.10 mg/100g), manganese (5.74 mg/100g), copper (0.39 mg/100g) and chromium (0.36 mg/100g). The amino acid profile revealed that the leaf protein is generally low in lysine, sulphur containing amino acids (methionine and cystein), and threonine. Lysine was the most limiting amino acid in the leaves. In terms of antinutritional factors, the leaves had low concentrations of phytate (10.95 mg/100g), nitrate (0.05 mg/100g) and HCN (31.54mg/100g) with moderate amount of oxalate (337.50 mg/100g). Based on these nutrient contents, the leafy vegetable will have potential benefits as part of feeding programmes, as well as their promotion as part of composite die.

Impaction of the proventriculus and ventriculus due to ingestion of stones, wood, ceramic tiles, metal spoons and plastic materials was confirmed at postmortem examination in two ostrich chicks (Struthio camelus) aged 8months and 4-months from two flocks in Gwagwalada and Lugbe in Abuja, Nigeria respectively. Both cases were presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of University of Abuja (U.A.) in November, 2014 (first case) and in May 2016 (second case) with pale mucous membranes, sternal recumbency, outstretched neck, ruffled feathers, dehydration and emaciation. Abdominal palpation in both cases revealed firm and gritty sensations. Antibiotic (oxytetracycline) long acting, Vitamin B-complex and 5% Dextrose saline therapy was instituted in both cases. However, both ostriches later died and were autopsied. The post-mortem revealed impaction of the proventriculus and ventriculus with foreign bodies (such as stones and sand, spoons, wood fragments and ceramic tiles). In addition, there was thickened mucosa of the proventriculus with ulcers, hydropericardium, petechiae on mucosal and serosal surfaces of cervical part of the trachea in the first case; while the second case had petechiae in the mucosa of the duodenum. Proventricular-ventricular foreign body impaction was diagnosed as the cause of death in both ostrich chicks.