Bioresources and Environment

Enhancing urban resilience through greenbelts development in Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria

Wasiu Raheem — 2026-06-29

Urbanisation and rapid urban growth have intensified environmental challenges in many cities, including pollution, urban heat island effects, biodiversity loss, flooding, and the conversion of agricultural land. These challenges have affected urban residents’ access to natural resources, food, livelihoods, and other essential opportunities. Greenbelts are increasingly recognised as important ecological and socio-economic assets that can support urban resilience. This study assessed the contribution of greenbelts to urban resilience in Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 384 respondents using structured questionnaires. Data were obtained on respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics, perceived benefits of greenbelts, and the contribution of these benefits to community resilience. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and charts, were used to summarise the respondents’ characteristics and reported greenbelt benefits, while multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between greenbelt benefits and urban resilience. The findings show that residents derived several benefits from the greenbelt, including food supply, medicinal resources, livelihood opportunities, environmental regulation, and preservation of flora and fauna. The regression results indicate a statistically significant relationship between greenbelt benefits and urban resilience, F = 2.759, p = 0.013. The correlation coefficient, R = 0.482, suggests a moderate positive relationship, while the coefficient of determination, R² = 0.240, indicates that greenbelt benefits explained 24% of the variation in urban resilience in the study area. The remaining 76% may be attributed to other social, economic, infrastructural, and environmental factors not captured in the model. The study concludes that greenbelts play an important role in strengthening urban resilience in Epe and recommends legal protection, community-based conservation, and sustainable use of greenbelt resources to enhance environmental quality, livelihood security, and long-term urban sustainability.

Antioxidant activity of Phyllanthus watsonii extract and its major isolated constituents

Mohd Nazrul Hisham Daud — 2026-06-29

Phyllanthus watsonii is one of Malaysia’s traditional medicinal herbs and is endemic to the Endau-Rompin area. Although several studies on the bioactivity and phytochemistry of P. watsonii have been reported, information on its antioxidant potential and major chemical constituents remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitroantioxidant activity of the crude extract and its major isolated constituents.The antioxidant activity was assessed using the ferric thiocyanate (FTC) method, thiobarbituricacid (TBA) method and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Isolation and purification of the major constituents were carried out using open column chromatography. The purified constituents were further identified and elucidated using spectroscopic techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The crude extract of P. watsonii showed more than 90% inhibition in all three antioxidant assays. Among the isolated constituents, glochidonol (PW2) exhibited more than 90% inhibition in the FTC and TBA assays. Based on these findings, P. watsonii possesses strong antioxidant activity, with glochidonol (PW2) identified as one of the major contributors to this activity. These results suggest that P. watsonii is a promising source of natural antioxidants and has potential for further development in food and nutraceutical applications.

Gut bacteria isolates of Hirudinaria manillensis and its antibacterial activities

Siti Suhaila Harith — 2026-06-29

Leeches have been used in traditional and modern medical practices for centuries; however, information on leech species identification, gut-associated bacterial communities, and their potential antimicrobial interactions remains limited. This study aimed to identify leech specimens and isolate and characterise their gut-associated microbiota with potential antibacterial activity. Leech samples were collected from two locations: Kemaman, Terengganu, and Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia. Species identification was conducted based on external and internal morphological characteristics. Gut bacteria were isolated and differentiated according to colony morphology and cellular characteristics. The antibacterial activity of the isolates was evaluated using cross-streaking and disk diffusion assays against selected pathogenic bacteria, namely Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Morphological analysis confirmed that all leech specimens belonged to the dark buffalo leech, Hirudinaria manillensis. A total of three bacterial isolates were successfully obtained from the leech gut, of which two showed observable zones of inhibition against the tested bacteria. Overall, this study provides baseline information on the morphology of H. manillensis and its associated gut microbiota. The findings enhance current understanding of leech–microbe interactions and provide a basis for future studies on the antimicrobial potential of leech-associated bacteria.

A contribution to trees and shrubs checklist in Pelangai Forest Reserve, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan

Ahmad Fitri Zohari — 2026-06-29

A preliminary floristic study focusing on a checklist of trees and shrubs in Pelangai Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, was conducted during scientific expeditions in June and December 2023. The expeditions were organised by UiTM Kuala Pilah Campus, Negeri Sembilan, to document the biodiversity of flora and fauna in the forest reserve. Voucher and herbarium specimens were collected along forest trails and within two ecological plots measuring 25 m × 20 m. A total of 165 tree and shrub species, representing 122 genera and 47 families, were recorded. Among these, seven species endemic to Peninsular Malaysia were documented, namely Alphonsea maingayi, Cleistanthus ellipticus, Dendrokingstonia nervosa, Dichapetalum griffithii, Diospyros singaporensis, Pentace strychnoidea, and Ptychopyxis caput-medusae. Further surveys are recommended to provide a more comprehensive inventory of tree species and other flowering plants in Pelangai Forest Reserve.

Wild fruit trees in Pelangai Forest Reserve, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan

Nik Hazlan Nik Hashim — 2026-06-29

A checklist of wild fruit trees in Pelangai Forest Reserve, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan was provided. Data collection was carried out around the forest trail randomly. A total of 19 species within 13 genera and 10 families of wild fruit trees were recorded. Three families, namely Clusiaceae, Fabaceae and Phyllanthaceae had the largest number of species, with three species each. The common species include Artocarpus lanceifolius, Baccaurea parviflora, Lepisanthes senegalensis and Microcos fibrocarpa. The total number of wild fruit tree species in this forest can be considered low for a lowland dipterocarp forest that had been logged. However, the maintenance and conservation of wild fruit trees are important as food resources for frugivores which inhabit this logged-over forest.