Journal of Natural Sciences Engineering and Technology

DEVELOPMENT OF A SMART HOME AUTOMATION AND WATERING SYSTEM USING IoT

F. DURODOLA — 2025-02-26

Home automation refers to the use of technology to monitor various aspects of a home. Using smart devices and apps, users can control things like lights, room temperature, security systems, and more from anywhere in the world. Home automation is becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience and energy-saving benefits. This paper describes the expansion of a smart home system using the Internet of Things (IoT). The system was developed to provide users with a convenient way to control their home appliances and monitor their home environment through the use of a variety of sensors. The soil moisture sensor measures the moisture level of the soil in order to irrigate the surrounding vegetation, while the ultrasonic sensor detects the presence of a person in the house. The light-dependent resistor (LDR) sensor uses the ambient light level to control light intensity, and the passive infrared (PIR) sensor detects movement. All of these sensors send data to the microcontroller, which uses the information to make decisions about how to switch ON or OFF the appliances. The system can also be controlled with a friendly graphical user interface (GUI). It allows users to view the current status of the appliances. It also provides an easy way to adjust the system’s settings, such as the threshold for the soil moisture sensor. The GUI is designed to be intuitive and easy to use so that users can get the most out of the system. The evaluation of the smart home system was carried out and demonstrated functionality in accordance with expectations, effectively managing appliances autonomously based on sensor data. The development of this smart home automation system underscores the capabilities of Internet of Things (IoT) technology to enhance convenience, improve energy efficiency, and elevate the overall living standards for homeowners.

EXAMINING ZINC OXIDE-CELLULOSE NANOPARTICLE COATINGS' CORROSION RESISTANCE ON MILD STEEL IN SODIUM CHLORIDE MEDIA

B.U. ANYANWU — 2025-02-26

Chloride-induced corrosion of mild steel is a major challenge in construction, automobile, agro-processing, oil and gas industries. When chloride ions come in contact with mild steel surfaces, they penetrate the oxide layer and react with the metal, leading to the formation of corrosion products such as iron chloride that accelerates its degradation and consequent failure in service. Structurally enhanced metallic oxides and biopolymers have been reported to hinder the penetration and progression of these ions to the base metals, when deposited on them. This study's objective was to use electro-deposition to apply zinc oxide-cellulose (xZnO-xC_n) nanoparticle coatings to mild steel (the substrate) in order to increase corrosion resistance in sodium chloride media. Weight loss technique was used to determine the corrosion rates of the deposited coatings (samples). Optical and scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the samples' morphology. The corrosion rate values of all the coatings were observed lower than the substrate's, which was 5.0025 mm/y. With the lowest corrosion rate value of 0.3127 mm/y, sample P8 (20gZnO-20gC_n) demonstrated a 93% coating protection efficiency on the substrate. Sample P1 (20gZnO-5gC_n) had the highest corrosion rate of 1.8954 mm/y and the highest protection efficiency of 62% among the coatings. The surface of the substrates showed fine, uniformly distributed grains according to the coating morphologies. The study demonstrated that in the sodium chloride media, ZnO-cellulose nanoparticle coatings could create protective barriers on the substrate.

DISTRIBUTION AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PATTERNS OF Salmonella SEROVARS IN POULTRY CARCASSES IN LAGOS STATE, SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

M. AGBAJE — 2025-02-26

Salmonellosis is a major bacterial disease causing huge economic losses in the poultry industry globally. Most of the Salmonella infections in humans results from the consumption of contaminated poultry and poultry products. This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of non-typhoidal Salmonella, their serovars and the associated antibiotic resistance pattern in processed chicken carcasses in Lagos, Nigeria. A total of 100 dressed chicken carcasses spread across old layers (n=50) and broilers (n=50) were randomly collected in different live bird markets in Lagos, Nigeria. Culture and identification of Salmonella spp. were performed using standard bacteriological techniques followed by antimicrobial susceptibility test using the disk diffusion technique. Serotyping was performed at a Salmonella reference laboratory in Padova, Italy. A 16% Salmonella prevalence was obtained in this study spread across eight serovars (Bredeney, Wagadugu, Telelkebir, Corvallis, Chomedey, Kentucky, Nima and Hato). Five (31.25%) isolates were found in broilers while 11 (68.75%) isolates were from old layers. Of the 16 antimicrobial agents tested, seven of the positive Salmonella isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents tested while out of the remaining 9 isolates, 6 were resistant to nalixidic acid (NAL), 5 showed resistance to each of spiramycin (SPR), sulphonamides (SSS) and tetracycline (TET). The presence of non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars and the antimicrobial resistant nature of some serovars impose public health challenges on the healthcare system and suggest poor hygiene practices and misuse/abuse of drugs in the poultry industry in the study location.

GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT WITHIN THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA: PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, HEAVY METALS POLLUTION INDICES, AND HEALTH RISK

M.A. NOFIU — 2025-02-26

Access to potable water has become a perpetual problem to people worldwide; hence, their preferences shift to groundwater utilization for their socio-economic survival. This study assessed the physicochemical properties, heavy metal pollution indices and health risk assessment of groundwater quality within the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Nigeria. Twenty (20) groundwater samples were collected from 20 stations during the rainy season and analysed for physicochemical, heavy metals, and health risk characteristics using the standard methods. All sampled waters were clear, colourless, and odourless. Water pH samples ranged from 7.66 to 9.75; electrical conductivity ranged from 191.0 to 1110.0 μS/cm; total dissolved solid ranged from 95.0 to 555.0 mg/L and total hardness ranged from 1.58 to 5.63 mg/L. Levels of cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺_, Na⁺ and K⁺) in water samples ranged from 1.00 to 6.97 mg/L, 1.60 to 16.5 mg/L, 5.00 to 74.20 mg/L and 1.00 to 17.50 mg/L. Levels of anions (HCO₃^-, Cl^- and SO₄^2-) in wat er samples ranged from 1.20 to 6.20 mg/L, 18.00 to 334.00 mg/L and 1.13E-03 to 37.26E-03 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of chloride ion (334.0 mg/L) and electrical conductivity (1110.0 μS/cm) in groundwater sample at FUNAAB Zoological Park (2) were higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) allowable limits of 250.0 mg/L and 1000 μS/cm for drinking water. Heavy metals analysis results showed that Al, Fe, Hg and Sc in six selected groundwater were above the WHO’s permissible limits. The total hardness, Ca, Mg, Na, K and Cl^- had significant positive correlation with electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids. Pipe Plot Analysis revealed sodium and chloride as the groundwater type of the study area. Also, the pollution indices (HPI, HEI and Cd) for the majority of heavy metals in six selected groundwater were categorised as low contamination. Only cancer risk (CR) values of Fe were higher than the acceptable range of ≤ 1 x 10^-6 to 1 x 10^-4 set by the USEPA. Multivariate analysis predicted that lithogenic and anthropogenic factors were the probable sources of groundwater pollution of the heavy metal in the study area. Hence, there is a need for periodic monitoring and thorough treatment of all groundwater samples within the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; at least once in every two years to curb the incidences of contamination observed in this study.

RISK ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS ACCUMULATION AND PREVALENCE OF PATHOGENIC MICROBES IN ORGANS OF Clarias gariepinus EXPOSED TO SILVER NANOPARTICLES AND COW DUNG CONTAMINATION

A.L. Adejumo — 2025-02-26

Using nanomaterials in food packaging and applying cow dung as manure can adversely impact aquatic organisms, with further consequences for human health. Thus, this study investigates metal bioaccumulation, energy requirements and health risks from consumption of Clarias gariepinus exposed to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-cow dung contaminated water. C. gariepinus samples were exposed to clean water (control) and contaminated water with AgNPs (0.75 mg/mL), cow dung (0.75 mg/mL) and AgNPs-cow dung (0.75 mg/mL) for 10 days. Cow dung had a comparable load to the control while AgNPs dramatically reduced microbial load in water. The metal concentration of C. gariepinus gills, muscle, kidney, and liver is as follows: Na > K > Mg > Ca > Fe > Al > Zn > Mn > Cr > Cu > Ag > Ni > Pb > Cd > Co. Metal bioaccumulation was highest in the muscle and lowest in the liver. The estimated daily intake of heavy metals from C. gariepinus consumption was < 0.51, confirming safe consumption. Non-carcinogenic risks from consumption of C. gariepinus exposed to different treatments assessed with hazard index (HI) and target hazard quotients (THQ) were < 1 indicating no non-cancer adverse effects on health. However, calculated life cancer risks (LCR) were higher than the 10^-4 suggesting possible carcinogenic toxicity from C. gariepinus consumption. Creatine kinase activity increased in all study groups, but only the C. gariepinus exposed to cow dung showed statistically significant alterations in energy demand. AgNPs considerably decreased the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and the bacterial population in C. gariepinus organs. These results conclude that the combination of AgNPs and cow manure posed a significant environmental hazard to the survival of C. gariepinus.

APHRODISIAC AND HYPOGLYCEMIC POTENTIAL OF ROOT BARK EXTRACTS OF FERETIA APODANTHERA DEL IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC MALE WISTAR ALBINO RATS

R. ABDULLAHI — 2025-02-26

Diabetes mellitus is one of the prevalent chronic diseases. Men with diabetes have a threefold higher chance of erectile dysfunction than men without the condition, which makes diabetes a known risk factor for male sexual dysfunction. Feretia apodanthera (Rubiaceae spp), is a dense and deciduous shrub with winding or twisting branches. The root bark of Feretia apodanthera del is believed to possess sex-enhancing properties in Nigerian indigenous medicine, although there is limited open-access scientific research on it. Therefore, the aphrodisiac potentials of root bark extracts of Feretia apodanthera del in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male wistar albino rats were investigated using standard methods. Phytochemical analysis was conducted on the aqueous, ethanol and n-hexane extracts of the root plant. Male wistar albino rats (150-200g) were induced with streptozocin (50mg intravenous injection . The rats were randomised into seven groups (A, B, C, D, E, F and G). Animals in group A (control) received 1 ml of distilled water (vehicle), B (Diabetic control) and test groups C and D were administered 100 and 200mg/kg b.w aqueous extract, groups E and F received 100 and 200mg/kg b.w ethanol extract while G received a combination treatment of 5mg/kg b.w sildenafil citrate + 100mg Metformin). Quantitative analysis reveals the significant (p<0.05) presence of flavonoids, tannin, saponins and cardiac glycoside in aqueous extract compared to ethanol and hexane root bark extracts of Feretia apodanthera del. Sexual behaviour parameter was monitored in the male rats for 7, 14 and 21 days, after 7 doses, 14 doses and 21 doses respectively once daily by pairing with a receptive female (1:1). Mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation frequency and ejaculation latency were significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.01) decreased in diabetic control rats and significantly (p<0.05) increased mount latency and intromission latency when compared with the normal control and treated groups. Rats treated with standard drugs combination and aqueous extract (200 mg/ kg body weight) showed significant (p<0.01) increase in mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation frequency and ejaculation latency and a significantly (p< 0.05) decreased mount latency and intromission latency compared to normal control and other treated groups. Hypoglycemic effect of Feretia apodanthera del root bark reveals that the aqueous extract significantly (p<0.05) decreased the fasting blood sugar and concurrently enhanced the sexual functions. These results suggest that aqueous extracts of root bark of Feretia apodanthera del (200 mg/kg bw) administered for 28 days possesses significant sexual behaviour and antihypoglycemic properties among other therapeutic values justifying its use in folklore medicine.

HYDRAULIC EVALUATIONS OF AQUIFER YIELDS IN RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY OF EWEKORO, SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

A. Ishola — 2025-02-26

Groundwater serves as supplements to the surface water supply in Ewekoro area of Ogun State because of the output of the public surface water supply system in the area which cannot sustain the needs of the teeming populace of the Ewekoro residence. Pumping tests were conducted on twenty five (25) selected boreholes and twenty five (25) hand-dug wells within Ewekoro area to ascertain the yield of these water sources. Constant rate pumping test for boreholes and recovery method test for hand-dug wells were carried out in residential community of Ewekoro, South-West Nigeria. It was revealed that discharge is directly proportional to the yield of the boreholes and hand-dug wells at a constant drawdown; hence the discharge rate determines the yield of each of the selected boreholes. The average depth of the existing boreholes were found to be 60.32m higher than the depth of hand-dug wells whose average depth was found to be 8.28m in the investigated area. The borehole discharges ranged from 3.0×10^-2l/s to 6.0×10^-2l/s with an average discharge of 4.0×10^-2 l/s while the discharges from the hand-dug wells ranged from 1.0×10^-2l/s to 6.0×10^-2 l/s with an average discharge of 2.0×10^-2 l/s. Transmissibility ranged from 8.64 to 6912 /day with an average value of 777.6/day and from 8.64 to 35,424 /day with an average value of 7344/day respectively for boreholes and hand-dug wells. Average residual drawdown of 7.48m, average Static Water Level of 22.1m within a range of 4.41m to 48.1m, average Specific Capacity and Well Loss Constant were 6.0×10^-3 m²/s and 0.616×10⁴ s²/m⁵ respectively with maximum Transmissibility of 8.0×10⁻²m²/s (6912 m²/day) were recorded for Ewekoro boreholes while the average residual drawdown of 0.93m, average Static Water Level of 2.04m within a range of 0.64m to 4.94m, mean Specific Capacity and Well Loss Constant (WLC) of 6.2×10^-2 m²/s and 1.247×10⁴ s²/m⁵ respectively with maximum Transmissibility of 4.1×10⁻¹m²/s (35,424 m²/day) were recorded for Ewekoro hand-dug wells. The average recovery period of 2483 seconds and 7961 seconds were respectively recorded for Ewekoro boreholes and hand-dug wells. Results from the two water sources in this study, most specifically the transmissibility revealed that investigated aquifer in the study area possesses high groundwater potentials (>500 m²/day) based on standard aquifer potentiality classification and the possibility of exploiting even the shallow aquifers for domestic uses as well as small-scale purposes where the demand for continuous use of public surface water supply is not met. Ewekoro Groundwater yield ranged between 2.86×10⁻² l/s and 5.747×10⁻² l/s in Boreholes and 5.721×10⁻³ l/s and 60.976×10⁻³ l/s in hand-dug wells with coefficient of variation greater than 10%. The yield was not totally dependent on the depths, but also on such parameters as porosity and permeability. Therefore, this implies that the variation exhibited in the hydraulic parameters is high enough to be significant in hydrogeological system of Ewekoro water sources with high prospectivity of meeting the current and future needs of the increasing population in the study area.

E.A. Makinde — 2025-02-26

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