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Volume 33 (2) 2019

  • Authors: Adeyemo, O. M., and Onilude, A. A.

    Abstract:The aim of this study was to profile the antimicrobial metabolites synthesized by Streptomycesrimosus-OG95 (KU934251) and to assess the inhibitory activity of the strain against some indicator strains. The production of the antimicrobial compounds was carried out by submerged fermentation. Partial purification of the antimicrobial metabolites was carried out by column chromatography using silica gel while chemical characterization was determined out using FTIR and GC-MS. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the partially purified antimicrobial extract was determined by macro broth dilution method. Eleven antimicrobial compounds were identified in the partially purified antimicrobial extract of Streptomyces rimosus-OG95. Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate had the highest abundance at 46.55 %. The MIC ranged between 3.12 to 12.5 mg/L. The antimicrobial compounds produced by Streptomycesrimosus-OG95 possessed antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.
    Keywords: Actinomycetes; antimicrobial metabolites; Broad spectrum activity; Streptomyces rimosus-OG95; Minimum Inhibitory Concentration

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  • Authors: Bashir Salim Faruk, Muhammad Ruqayyah Hamidu and Dauda Haruna

    Abstract:Hyptis suaveolens is an important plant used traditionally as an ethnomedicine and widely distributed in Nigeria as well as African and Asian countries. In this study, antibacterial activity of ethanolic leaves extract of H. suaveolens was conducted. The plant metabolite was extracted using standard protocols and the antibacterial activity of the extracts was evaluated using the standard in-vitro methods against four (4) clinical isolates; Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The result of the study revealed that the extraction process gave a yield of 6.2g extract (6.2%) of the original sample used. The plant extract exhibited a dose-dependent antibacterial activity against the test isolates with higher zone of inhibition of 18.67±0.33mm against S. aureus, followed by E. coli with 17.33±0.12mm both at 100mg/mL while lowest activity was recorded against S. pyogenes (6.1±0.66mm) at 12.5mg/mL. S. aureus showed a significant antibacterial activity, even at 12.5 mg/mL with the activity more pronounced at highest concentration of 100mg/mL. There was a dose-dependent increase in antibacterial activity across all test isolates. It was also the most susceptible of the isolates at all concentration while P. aeruginosa was the most resistant at all concentrations. E. coli and S. aureus had the lowest MIC of 25mg/mL and S. pyogenes had and 50mg/mL as its MIC, while P. aeruginosa on the other hand showed growth at all concentrations tested. Results of minimum bactericidal concentration showed that both the concentrations of 50 to 12.5mg/mL are unable to kill the gram negative isolates (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) while for the gram positive isolates (S. aureus and S. pyogenes) the concentration of 50mg/mL was found to totally kill the test isolates thus representing their Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The study confirms that the leaves of H. suaveolens exhibited some antimicrobial activities owing to its significant zone of inhibition, lesser MIC and MBC as well as its broad spectrum of activity. Further phytochemical and pharmacological investigations are recommended.
    Keywords: Antibacterial, Extract, Hyptis suaveolens, ethnomedicine, in - vitro

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  • Authors: Erhimu Loveday Obakpororo, Tasie Floretta, Nwachukwu Ujunwa Felicia and Obodo Chidubem Nathaniel

    Abstract: The phytochemical and antimicrobial effect of cornstarch extracts was investigated. Corn starch of yellow and white corn variety were extracted successively with ethanol, methanol and distilled water. These crude extracts were assessed for antimicrobial activities against Escherichiacoli and Salmonella typhi. Escherichia coli were sensitive to the methanolic and ethanolic extracts of white corn starch with zones of inhibition of 22mm and 20mm respectively. Escherichia coli was also sensitive to ethanolic extract of yellow corn starch with a zone of inhibition of 22mm. Salmonella typhi was also sensitive to ethanolic and methanolic extracts of white maize starch with zones of inhibition of 20mm and 21mm respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of extracts of various corn varieties on E. coli and Salmonella typhi were investigated.The minimum inhibitory concentration of ethanolic (1.56mg/ml) and methanolic extract (0.78mg/ml) of white maize starch had zones of 17mm and 19mm on Escherichia coli respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of ethanol and methanol extract of white corn starch on Salmonella typhi where found to possess zones of inhibition17mm and 18mm respectively, while the minimum inhibitory concentration of ethanolic extract (0.78mg/ml) of yellow corn starch on Escherichiacoli had zones of inhibition of 18mm. Phytochemical screening of both varieties of cornstarch revealed the presence of alkaloid, tannin, saponins and terpenoids. Sensitivity testing of the phytochemicals present revealed that tannins had zone of inhibition on the test organisms (Salmonellatyphi and Escherichia coli (23.20mm and 25mm) respectively, while the other phytochemicals had no zones of inhibition.
    Keywords: Antimicrobial, Corn starch, Escherichia coli, Phytochemical, Salmonella typhi

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  • Authors: Adeyemo, S.M. and Bamidele, K.F

    Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely employed in food fermentation processes for the biosynthesis of certain important products or metabolites which helps in breaking down anti-nutritional factors in some food. This study investigated the role of LAB in extending the shelf life and reduction in anti- nutritional factors of ‘pupuru’ produced with selected LAB strain with the best technological properties. Fresh cassava tubers (Manihot esculenta Crantz) were purchased at Oja Tun-tun, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The cassava tubers were washed with distilled water to remove adhered surface soil particles, peeled, chopped and thoroughly washed with sterile distilled water. Two LAB strains with desirable technological properties were selected as starter for this study. The cassava chips were divided into three portions for fermentation (one was fermented with L. plantarum only, the second was co-fermented with L. plantarum and L. fermentum and the third portion was fermented spontaneously that is without starter culture Changes in pH, titratable acidity, and hydrogen cyanide were monitored using standard procedures during fermentation. Reduction in anti nutrient and microbial load of the starter- produced and spontaneously- produced‘Pupuru’ samples were determined. Lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and diacetyl production by the isolates ranged from 0.2365-0.6418, 0.0008-0.0014, and 0.0962-0.2217 g/L respectively. There was a reduction in the hydrogen cyanide content of ‘Pupuru’ samples as fermentation progressed (0.13-0.00 mg/100g). Cyanogenic glycosides reduced from 0.87-0.02 mg/100g, phytate from 65.00-31.67 mg/100g and protease inhibitor from 0.47-0.00mg/100g. The microbiological monitoring of the quality assessment showed that ‘Pupuru’ produced through combined starter had a consistent microbiological quality during storage and the microbial load was within acceptable levels when compared with spontaneously fermented ones. The study concluded that combination of Lactobacillus plantarum and L. fermentum could be used as starter to reduce the anti-nutritional factors and assess the microbiological quality of smoked fermented cassava (‘Pupuru’) during storage.
    Keywords: Anti-nutritional factors, Enzyme, Storage, Cassava, Lactic acid bacteria

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  • Authors: Awe, Sunday and Abdulmumini, Shakirat Afodun

    Abstract: The potentials of various combinations of three preservation techniques: the use of chemical preservative (sodium benzoate), pasteurization and lime to preserve zobo drink at room temperature (28±2 ºC) were evaluated over six days. The samples were treated and stored for six days during which the proximate composition, physiochemical and microbiological properties of the zobo drink were determined daily. Isolates obtained were subjected to molecular characterization and identification. The proximate composition of zobo drink before treatment showed that it contains 92.52% moisture content, 0.56% ash content, 1.05% fat and oil, 2.16% protein, 0.17% fibre and 3.54% carbohydrate. The pH values ranged from 2.8 to 3.4, while the titratable acidity ranged from 0.2586 to 0.2816 %. There was increasing acidity of the zobo samples with storage (reduction in pH and increase in the titratable acidity). Bacterial counts ranged from 3.0 x 102 to 3.15 x 103 cfuml-1 while fungal count ranged from 3.5 x 102 to 2.35 x 103 cfuml-1. Six organisms comprising of four bacteria: Bacillus cereus ZB1 (MH566234), Lactobacillus brevis ZB2 (MH566235), Staphylococcus aureus ZB3 (MH559826), Micrococcus luteus and two fungi: Aspergillus niger and Penicillium citrinum were found in the zobo drink samples. Combining pasteurized with addition of preservatives was the most effective in reducing bacterial load followed by lime and sodium benzoate. This study revealed that the synergistic effect of pasteurization and lime, pasteurization and sodium benzoate introduction into zobo sample can be used to minimize bacterial load to acceptable limit for at least six days after production.
    Keywords: Zobo, Shelf-life, Bacterial, Fungal, Molecular characterization

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  • Authors: Banjo T.T. Ogbonna, C.B. Banjo, T.O. EZE, O.I.

    Abstract: Bioethanol which is an alternative source of fuel to fossil fuels can be produced from renewable crops. However, some of these renewable feedstocks are food competitive. Hence, this study therefore investigated the production of bioethanol from bitter yam and water yam peels. Strains of Aspergillus spp and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were obtained from the Microbiology laboratory of the University and characterized using morphological characteristics. The spores of Aspergillus tamarii and colonies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were cultured in bitter yam and water yam medium using the bitter and water yam peels as substrates for ethanol production at substrate concentrations of 5 – 30 %, temperature range of 25 - 45 oC, agitation speed of 60-160 rev/min and pH range of 4.0 - 8.0. Optimum bioethanol yield of 13 % was obtained with bitter yam peels at substrate concentration of 20 %, temperature of 35 oC, agitation of 100 rev/min and pH of 7.0. Similarly, optimum bioethanol yield of 11 % was obtained with water yam peels at substrate concentration of 20 %, temperature of 35 oC, agitation of 100 rev/min and pH of 5.0. Bioethanol yield from bitter yam peels was observed to be higher than that of water yam peels at substrate concentration of 20 %, temperature of 35 oC, agitation of 100 rev/min and pH of 7.0. This study shows the potential of bitter yam and water yam peels as substrates for the biosynthesis of ethanol which can serve as alternative source of fuel.
    Keywords: Aspergillus tamarii; Bioethanol; Bitter yam peels; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Water yam peels.

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  • Authors: Obasi, Nnenna Patrick., Ifeanyi, Virginia O. and Ayogu, Chukwuemerie Victor.

    Abstract: Corn waste contains moisture, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin which make it a good raw material for making substrate in the production of organic acids with the aid of bacteria. These bacteria, during metabolism are able to produce acids that can be used as solvents. The proximate analysis of corn waste (corn cob) was determined using AOAC methods. The bacteria were isolated and identified using serial dilution method, pour plating technique, culturing, subculturing using streaking method, gram staining technique, biochemical tests etc. Physicochemical analyses such as titratable acidity and specific gravity were determined using AOAC methods. The corn waste was hydrolyzed using H2SO4. The hydrolyzed sample was neutralized using 1% NaOH. Ten grams of the corn waste was added and then fermented for 96hours. From the results, the composition of corn cob for cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, moisture, ash, protein, fat and starch were 44.02%, 32.72%, 11.30%, 6.02%, 2.23%, 2.89%, 0.30% and 0.54% respectively. The bacteria isolated and identified were Lactobacillus casei, Gluconobacter frateuri and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The titratable acidity increased from 0.02mol/dm3 to 0.06mol/dm3 . The specific gravity decreased from 1.0010 to 0.9641. This study shows that corn waste (corn cob) contain vital nutrients which support the growth of bacteria that are of industrial importance in the production of lactic acids. Hence it is recommended for industrial production of lactic acids. Key words: Proximate analysis, cellulose, hemicellulose, titratable acidity, organic acids.

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  • Authors: Abdullahi Nuhu, Mukhtar, M.D. and Bukar, A.

    Abstract: The high prevalence of Dermatomycoses coupled with the residual side effect associated with orthodox medicine, treatment failure and cost of the chemotherapeutics, have necessitated exploration of new avenues of controlling these diseases with the use of plant such as Khaya senegalensis which is cheap and available, so that potent and efficacious candidate drugs could be identified. Therefore, this study determined the antidermatophytic activity and the phytochemical constituents of the stem bark extracts of Khaya senegalensis. This was achieved through extraction of powdered stem bark of the plant with methanol, distilled water and chloroform using percolation method. The extracts were subjected to qualitative detection of plant secondary metabolites. The extracts were tested for antidermatophytic activity using agar well diffusion method against Trichophyton mentagrophyte, Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton terrestre and Microsporum canis, followed by testing the extracts for toxicity using brine shrimp lethality assay. Some phytochemicals identified in the stem bark are alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and anthraquinone. The antifungal assay indicated that aqueous extract exhibited no activity against all the test organisms. Methanolic extract showed less activity (8mm at 78μg/ml) compared to chloroform extract (14mm at 78μg/ml) when tested against T. mentagraphyte, but when tested against M. canis, Methanolic extract showed greater activity (26mm at 78μg/ml) compared to the chloroform extract (24mm at 78μg/ml). Both methanolic and chloroform extracts showed similar activity on T. verrucosum and T. terrastre. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of both methanolic and chloroform extracts ranged from 1.2-2.4 μg/ml while the Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) was generally 4.9 μg/ml. Toxicity study revealed that the extracts were nontoxic at LC50 values of 919.3 μg/ml and 370 μg/ml for methanolic and chloroform extract respectively. It could be concluded that the stem bark of Khaya senegalensis habours important phytochemicals and has methanolic and chloroform extracts that showed good potencies against some dermatophytes. The low toxicity results of the extracts indicate that the plant may not be toxic to human and could be a potential source for the production of antifungal drugs.
    Keywords: Antidermatophyte, Activity, Extract, Fungi, Khaya senegalensis.

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  • Authors: Ahaotu, I., Uchendu, C.G., Maduka, N. and Odu, N.N.

    Abstract: Freshly prepared tybo drink has a short shelf life which could be extended using chemical preservative. In this study, 0.1 % and 0.3 % concentration of sodium benzoate and acetic acid were incorporated into tybo drink which constitute zobo drink and tigernut milk mix together in the ratio 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3. Tybo drinks without preservative were the control samples. All the products were stored at room temperature (28±2 oC) for fifteen (15) Days. The total titratable acidity (TTA), pH and microbiological quality of the stored drinks were monitored using standard methods. Our results showed that during storage of the drinks, there was reduction in TTA (0.12 - 0.08 %) but increase in pH (3.16 - 5.63), total bacterial count (4.49 - 7.48 log10CFU/ml) and total fungal count (4.87 - 5.55 log10CFU/ml). Microbial counts of each control sample were higher than other tybo drinks of the same tigernut-zobo drink ratio treated with chemical preservatives with few exceptions. Bacterial genera isolated from the drinks during storage were Bacillus, Micrococcus, Shigella, Enterococcus, Proteus, Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Serratia, and Pseudomonas sp, whereas fungi genera were Coccidioides, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Microsporium, Trichophyton, Cryptococcus, Saccharomyces, Aphanoascus, Candida, Chrysosporium, Mucor, and Rhizopus. Based on total aerobic plate counts of foods recommended by International Commission on the Microbiological Specifications for Food (ICMSF), the stored tybo drinks was fit for consumption within nine (9) days. Hurdle technology and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) during production of the drinks is recommended in order to eliminate pathogenic microbes identified in the product during storage which could be of public health concern.
    Keywords: Tybo drink, Physicochemical properties, Acetic acid, Sodium benzoate, Shelf life

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  • Authors: Mukhtar G.L, Mukhtar M.D, and Magashi, A. M.

    Abstract: Over the counter (OTC-drugs) oral preparations being classified as non-sterile pharmaceutical products are easily prone to microbial contamination. The presence of microbial contaminants in these products may cause spoilage resulting in physical and chemical changes, as well as risk of infection or potential health hazard to the patients. A study aimed at evaluating the microbiological quality of some OTC drugs commonly dispensed to patients in Katsina was conducted from April, 2017 to March, 2019. One hundred and twenty-five (125) samples of four different OTC drugs on sale were evaluated for microbial quality using standard procedures as described in the official monograph of the British and United Stated pharmacopoeia. Incidence of microbial contamination was observed in 60 (48%) of the tested samples with 23 (18.4%) of the tested preparations having microbial count exceeding the USP and BP acceptable limit for the microbiological quality of non-sterile oral dosage forms. Bacillus species were the predominant contaminants recovered from the tested products. The study revealed a considerable level of microbial contamination in the examined products and thus highlighted the need for the manufacturers of these products to pay more attention and adhere strictly to the guidelines of the current good manufacturing practices.
    Keywords: Microbial contamination, Non-sterile, OTC, British and United States pharmacopoeia.

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  • Authors: Haruna, M, Saleh, A., Dangora, D. B., Zongoma, A. M. and Ali, M.

    Abstract: Aflatoxin is a common contaminant of agricultural produce resulting from the growth of Aspergillus species under conditions of favourable temperature and moisture. This study was conducted to assess the level of aflatoxin contamination in fresh vegetables and tamarind used on daily basis by the populace. A total of 9 different fresh vegetables and tamarind samples were randomly collected in new polythene bags from Samaru market, Zaria, Nigeria, and were screened for aflatoxin contamination. The vegetables were onion, cabbage, bell pepper, pepper, pumpkin, tomato, peas, cucumber and amaranthus, and tamarind. Aflatoxin contamination was determined by using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All the samples tested positive to total aflatoxin contamination ranging from 2 – 100 μg/kg. Six out of the 10 samples namely onion, cabbage, amaranthus, tomato, cucumber and tamarind contained total aflatoxin above the acceptable limit of 10 μg/kg set by National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), therefore, are not safe for human consumption.
    Keywords: ELISA, Vegetables, Spice, Total Aflatoxin, NAFDAC

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  • Authors: Nwachukwu, Ujunwa Felicia George-Okafor, Uzoamaka Ogechi and Ojiogu, Doris Ada

    Abstract: Micrococcus spp were among the predominant organisms isolated from earlier developed fermented corn-soybean wastes meal meant for human consumption. Hence the study was aimed at identifying the Micrococcus isolates to their species level. The Micrococcus spp were first subjected to phenotypic analysis and thereafter followed by genotypic analysis using 16SrRNA sequencing method after their DNA isolation and polymerization processes. The phenotypic and genotypic analyses confirmed all the Micrococcus isolates to be Micrococcus luteus Cs which had 99% relatedness to Micrococcus luteus NCTC 2665. The identification of the Micrococcus spp as Micrococcus luteus Cs suggested that the developed meal can be utilized for human consumption since strains of M. luteus are generally regarded as harmless bacteria.
    Keywords: Corn-soybean wastes -meal, Identification, Micrococcus luteusCs, Phenotypic, Genotypic

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  • Authors: Anchau R.G., Umar Y.A., Denwe S.D., Daudu M., Abdulrahim S., Ogar M.U., Dauda H., Saminu A., Tambuwal Z.A. and Rabiu A.I.

    Abstract: Detection of trypanosomes in selected areas of southern Kaduna; Pantaki, Kagarko LGA of Kaduna state was carried out between 2016 - 2017. One hundred and thirty-nine (139) Glossina palpalis palpalis and 69 Glossina tachinoides were dissected and examined for trypanosome infection using dissection and light examination (Olympus) microscopes. A total of 47 infections (22.6%) out of the 208 flies caught were detected, of which 30 (63.8%) were due to Trypanosoma vivax while 17 (36.2%) were Traypanosoma congolense. There was higher infection rates 85.1% during the wet compared to the dry 14.9% dry recorded in the dry season. The result revealed a higher prevalence of T. vivax infections than T. congolense in the tsetse flies caught. Infections detected in both Glossina species encountered indicate the important role they play in the epidemiology of African Animal Trypanosomiasis in the area.
    Keywords: Glossina species, Infection rate, T. congolence, T. vivax

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  • Authors: Sale, M., Ja’afaru, M. I. and Adedeji, B. A

    Abstract: The emergence of multidrug resistance among strains of Salmonella Typhi has continued to complicate treatment options with increased morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. This study was undertaken to determine the occurrence and distribution of antibiotic resistant and biofilm producing Salmonella Typhi in Mubi and Michika LGAs of Adamawa State, Nigeria. This cross sectional study was undertaken among people attending public hospitals who were beingtreated for enteric or other fevers in the study area. Stool and blood samples from the patients were cultured following standard microbiological methods and Salmonella Typhi isolates were confirmed using standard antisera for S. Typhi. Findings from this study revealed that 27% of the stool samples and 5.7% of the blood samples yielded growth of S. Typhi. Overall prevalence of S. Typhi was 16.8% while it was 16.5% and 17.4% in Mubi and Michika respectively. The risk ratio of S. Typhi for females to males in the study area was 1.19. Biotyping of S. Typhi revealed that 78.2% of the isolates were biotype I. Antibiogram of the isolates revealed that 67% of the isolates from the study area were resistant to ampicillin, nalidixic acid and tetracycline. The overall occurrence of multi drug resistant isolates from the study area was 58% with the multiple antibiotic resistance index of the isolates being predominantly within the high risk zone. Again, 61.7% and 76.2% of the isolates from Mubi and Michika respectively carried resistant plasmid while 80% of all the isolates produce biofilm. It was observed that lack of good quality drinking water, poor human waste disposal and hygiene are responsible for the continued occurrence of enteric fever in the study area. Furthermore, self-medication and empirical antibiotic without laboratory support are attributable risk factors for the emergence of multi drug resistant strains. These findings underscore the urgent legislation that will limit access to antibiotics over the counter as is the case today. It also calls for greater synergy between physicians and the laboratory in the choice of antibiotics for the treatment of typhoid fever.
    Keywords: Multidrug, Biofilm, Resistant

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  • Authors: Shamsuddeen U., Haladu, A., and Panda, T. W.

    Abstract: Food borne campylobacteriosis is distributed all over the world. Raw poultry become contaminated during processing when intestinal contents contact the meat surfaces. Chicken meat is considered the primary source of infection with Campylobacter spp. in humans. Twenty (20) chicken samples were collected from different sites in Kano State which is located in North western Nigeria. All the samples were processed and analyzed in the laboratory using modified Charcoal Cefoperazone Deoxycholate Agar (mCCDA) selective media for isolation of Campylobacter species. Presumptive tests were carried out against the isolates Gram’s stain, catalase, oxidase and mortility tests; and confirmed to be Campylobacter jejuni using Hippurate hydrolysis test. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Syzigium aromaticum, Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale and Piper nigrumwere tested against Campylobacter jejuni via disc diffusion techniques. Commercially prepared antibiotics (Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Clindamycin, Ciprofloxacine and Cotrimoxazole) were also tested against Campylobacter jejuni.From the 20 chicken samples examined, 10 isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni. Based on the findings of this research work, occurrence of Campylobacter jejuni is (50%) from the samples tested, occurrence of this bacterium particularly in processed food samples is of serious public health importance. Statistical analysis revealed that there are significant differences (P < 0.05) in the bacterial count between (raw and processed) samples of chicken. S. aromaticum, Allium sativum, and Zingiber officinale extracts were active against Campylobacter jejuni. Among the antibiotics tested against C. jejuni, Ciproflaxacine (100%) and Erythromycin (79%) were active. All the plant extracts except Piper nigrum, showed antibacterial activity on C. jejuni. Both the ethanolic and aqueous plant extracts were not toxic (LC50 > 1000).

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  • Authors: Monday Ubogu, Lucky O. Odokuma and Ejiro Akponah

    Abstract: The effectiveness of bioaugmentation using a consortium of indigenous hydrocarbon utilizing microorganisms in conjunction with NPK fertilization for localized remediation of crude-oil polluted rainforest soil was investigated by subjecting soil to these treatments: soil (S); soil + oil (SO); soil + oil + fertilizer (SOF); soil + oil + fertilizer + microorganisms (hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and fungi) (SOFM); soil + oil + fertilizer + microorganisms (hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and fungi) + solarisation (SOFMS). Soil was monitored and evaluated for 120 days for culturable heterotrophic and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and fungi populations, and residual total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH). Results indicated that while culturable heterotrophic populations rose continuously throughout the study, hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial and fungal populations increased up to day-90 before diminishing in contaminated soils. Bacterial populations were consistently higher than fungal for all applied treatments (P ˂ 0.05). Residual TPH decreased in all contaminated soils with time. Treatment SOFM had the highest TPH reduction in soil with 66.81 % loss at degradation rate of 39.25 mg/kg/day; SO had the lowest loss of 24.82 % at the rate of 14.58 mg/kg/day within 120 days. Soil inoculation with constituted autochthonous microbial consortium in conjunction with NPK fertilization was effective for localized remediation of crude oil contaminated soil. Keywords: Autochthonous; bioaugmentation; crude oil; hydrocarbon utilizing microorganisms; Niger Delta; remediation.

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  • Authors: Abdulsalam, R., Nengak, Y., Maude, A.M., Abdulsalami, H., Adamu, Z.

    Abstract: The antimicrobial resistance of microorganisms makes them untreatable using the convectional antibiotics, therefore a need for alternative routes of treatment. Among several different alternative Buchholzia coriacea (wonderful kola) is an effective choice because of its numerous phytochemical components. The wonderful kola sample used in this study was purchase from Kure market in Niger State, Nigeria. The phytochemical screening, antibacterial susceptability test, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were performed using standard methods. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, tanins, flavonoids, steriod and the absence of saponins. Antibacterial activity of wonderful kola on some medically important bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia and Klebsiella pneumonia shows wonderful kola seed exhibit antibacterial acitivity producing zone of inhibition against all tested bacteria and has the hgihest zone of inhibition at 250 mg/ml concentration. The results from this study show that wonderful kola seed could be used as an antibacterial agent and also be used for the development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of ailment associated with the test organisms. Keywords: Buchholzia coriacea, antibacterial, seed.

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  • Authors: Uzeh Roseline Ekiomado and Agunlanna Stephanie Chineye

    Abstract: Meat obtained from cattle serve as a major source of protein in Nigeria, ensuring its safety will therefore be of great importance. This study was carried out to investigate the contamination of cattle carcass with E. coli O157:H7 and determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of the organism. Twenty meat samples from bowel, aitch bone, hide, rib and hunch back were collected from abattoirs in Lagos, Nigeria. MacConkey agar and Eosine methylene blue agar were used for isolation of E. coli. Isolates were sub-cultured on sorbitolMacConkey agar and E. coli O157:H7 were differentiated from other strains due to its inability to ferment sorbitol. Identification was based on cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Susceptibility of the isolates to amoxicillin, ceftazidime and cefuroxime was also investigated. All E. coli isolates were catalase and indole positive, oxidase, citrate and urease negative. The mean total coliform count varied from 4.45x107 cfu/g (hunch back) to 9.20x107 cfu/g (bowel). E. coli O157:H7 occurred in 37% of the meat samples while other E. coli strains occurred in 63%. They both occurred in meat samples from the different parts of the carcass investigated. Among the fourteen E. coli O157:H7 isolates 57.14% were resistant to ceftazidime, 42.86% to cefuroxime and 78.57% to amoxicillin. E. coli, although an enteric bacterium, was found to contaminate different parts of cattle carcass as a result of slaughtering. Of greater concern was the antibiotic resistance and isolation of the pathogenic strain, E. coli O157:H7.
    Keywords: Escherichia coli O157:H7, cattle, carcass, antibiotic resistance

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  • Authors: Efunwoye, O.O. and Oluwole, O.R.

    Abstract: Production of bioethanol from pineapple waste was investigated using the solid state fermentation method. Aspergillus niger was co-cultured with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the substrate to produce saccharification and fermentation activities respectively. The microorganisms were isolated from natural sources; soil and palm-wine respectively. Two highest cellulose-hydrolyzing strains of A. niger were selected for the study. Two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated from the palm-wine and identified using both colonial morphological studies and various biochemical tests. The strain that showed tolerance to 15% ethanol concentration was selected for the bio-ethanol production study by co-culturing it with each of the two A. niger strains selected. Results of the bioethanol production showed that the fermentation process terminated at 120hr with the highest bioethanol concentration of 11.3 % (v/v) in one combination (FB6 + SC) and 7.0 % (v/v) in the second combination (SW3 + SC). The pH of the substrate dropped from 4.1 to 3.3, and the initial total soluble solids of 9.4 mg/g decreased to 3.9 mg/g at the end of fermentation. In addition, production of reducing sugars peaked at 24 hr of fermentation with 57.8 mg/g, after which it declined steadily to 16.0 mg/g at the end of fermentation. The potential shown by solid state fermentation of pineapple waste for bioethanol production indicated that it can favourably compete with submerged fermentation method commonly used for bio-ethanol fermentation. The use of A. niger isolated from natural sources produced good saccharification results, favourably competitive with that observed in commercially sold enzymes used by several workers. This may present a cheaper alternative to the commercially sold enzymes. In commercial production of bioethanol from cellulosic/lignocellulosic materials, solid state fermentation method may require smaller area of space compared to submerged fermentation method.
    Keywords: Bioethanol, fermentation, pineapple waste, saccharification, solid state.

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  • Authors: Arekemase, M.O., Adams, A. I., Ibrahim, T. O., Babashola, K. D., Ahmed, M. I. and Dunmoye, T. D.

    Abstract: This study was undertaken with the aim to investigate the potency of cashew leaf and bark extracts on microorganism associated with banana spoilage. Banana (Musa paradisica) was subjected to spoilage in the laboratory for 7days. Bacteria isolated from the sample include Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris and Corynebacterium spp. The efficacies of the extracts were tested against the isolated microorganisms at various concentrations for 8 weeks. The results showed that the ethanolic extracts of both leaf and bark of Anacardium occidentale at the last concentration (10%) showed the highest antimicrobial activity. At 8.5% concentration, the activity of the aqueous leaf extract decreased with an increase in microbial growth and later decreased at 7.0% concentration. At the highest concentration of the ethanolic bark and leaf extract (10%), there was no count of Corynebacterium spp. and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. The aqueous extract showed a bit of effectiveness at the 7.0% of the extract by reducing the numbers of growth of the microorganism, but at the 8.5% concentration there was an increase in the microbial growth. The phytochemicals present in the Anacardium occidentale leaf and barks include saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phenol, glycosides, terpenoid and alkaloids. The study shows that the ethanol extract was more effective than aqueous extract.
    Keywords: Banana, Cashew, Extraction, Concentration, Phytochemical, Susceptibility.

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