Volume 29 (2015)

1

Research Article

REVIEW ON MEDICINAL PLANTS

Korondu S. I.^*, Adeleye S. A, Okorondu M.M.O.

Medicinal plants have been of existence from time immemorial. Over 250,000 exist and are believed to have different medicinal activities. Moreover, only the activities of about 50,000 plants have been examined. The use of plants for the remedy of diseases is usually termed phytotherapy, complementary and alternative medicine or phytomedicine. These plants have been classified based on part use...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3167-3183

2

Research Article

EFFECT OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING BACTERIA ON GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF MAIZE, BEANS AND GROUNDNUT SEEDLINGS IN POTTED SOIL

Nwanyanwu, C. E^*, Umeh, S.I, Sapele A.

Growth effects of phosphate solubilizing bacterial strains on maize, beans and groundnut seedlings in potted soil samples were investigated. The bacterial strains were isolated from uncultivated agricultural farmland on nutrient agar medium. The isolates were tested for their phosphate solubilizing potential using National Botanical Research Institute Phosphate (NBRIP) agar containing tricalci...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3159-3166

3

Research Article

EFFECT OF STORAGE CONTAINERS ON THE BACTERIOLOGICALQUALITY OF WATER FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES

Osuji M.J.^*, Odu, N. N.

This research work was therefore carried out to assess the effect of different containers on the quality of different water samples and the effect of long storage time on the bacterial load (bioload) of the water samples. Spread plate count technique was adopted using Nutrient, Salmonella/Shigella, MacConkey and Thiosulphite Citrate bile sucrose agar. Calabash, Glass, Metal and Plastic contain...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3148-3158

4

Research Article

ISOLATION AND GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF Bacillus sp. SD12 IN MEDIUM CONTAINING MIXTURES OF 4-CHLOROPHENOL AND ZINC

Nwanyanwu, C. E^*, Opurum, C.C., Eze, C.C

A bacterial strain tolerance to 4-Chlorophenol and Zinc was isolated from sediment of Okrika River that receives effluent from petroleum refinery plant. Out of fifteen (15) bacterial strains isolated, only one of the isolates identified as Bacillus sp. SD12 with highest adhesion to soil (47.4 %) was found to be tolerant to high concentrations of both 4-CP (400 ug/ml) and Zn (200 ug/ml), and he...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3062-3074

5

Research Article

ASSESSMENT OF PATHOGENIC POTENTIALS OF COLONIAL AND FILAMENTOUS Candida ALBICANS'IN VARIED IMMUNOLOGICAL STATE OF ANIMALS

Uzoechi A. U^*, Orji Justina C, tNwachiikwn M.I.,, Ohttocha P./Nzvachukwu I.O

The infection process when C albicans grew in the filamentous and colonial forms were assessed in rats by determination of survival times, fungal burden from kidney and histological examination. Rats in the various immunological state survived C albicans in the Colonial form than in the filamentous form. Neutrophil deficient rats and rats depleted of all forms of immunity had the highest morta...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3127-3138

6

Research Article

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIAL CONTAMINANTS FROM DOOR HANDLES IN A TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Nwankwo Emmanuel Omvubiko^*, Afuruobi HelenChinyeaka

Objects such as door handles, mobile phones, pens, often touched with hands can act as vectors of microbial pathogens. The aim of this study was to isolate, identify and evaluate the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bacterial contaminants from door handles in Michael Okpara University of agriculture, Umudike.A total of one hundred door handles randomly scattered within the university campus o...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3139-3147

7

Research Article

THE DOMINANCE OF THE GENERA Myroides AND Proteus WITHIN HYDROCARBON UTILIZING POPULATIONS IN SOME CRUDE OIL-IMPACTED SITES

Chioma Blaise Chikere^*, Gideon Chijioke Okpokwasili

Hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria in environmental samples collected from crude oil impacted sites at Eleme, Rivers State, and five water samples from effluent discharge points at five different flow-stations in Delta State, all in the Niger Delta were isolated using Bushnell Haas agar. Bacterial genera tentatively characterized were Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Bacillus, Edwardsiella, Enterobacter,...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3089-3095

8

Research Article

THE SEROLOGICAL STATUS FOR NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN LOCAL CHICKENS OF LIVE BIRD MARKETS AND HOUSE HOLDS IN NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Eze, lfeanyi Amos^*, Ike, Anthony Chibuogwu

Newcastle disease (ND) is the most important viral disease of poultry in the world and a major constraint against both Industrial and village poultry production in Africa and Asia. A serological study was conducted to estimate the level of circulating antibodies against ND in unvaccinated local chickens, raised under traditional management system in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Haemagglutinat...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3096-3104

9

Research Article

ANTAGONISTIC ACTIVITIES OF HUMAN ORAL FLORA AGAINST FUNGAL PLANT PATHOGENS

Aruwa, C. E.^*, Adednro, S. H., Adetuyi, F. C

This study was carried out to investigate the antagonistic activities of tongue isolates; Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus mutatis, and Corynebacterium sp. and Aspergillus sp. against five test pathogenic fungi; Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, Colletotrichum capsici, Colletotrichum pisi, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Fusarium oxysporum, monitored over a period of five days incubation. All isolates w...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3105-3115

10

Research Article

CULTURE-BASED AND MOLECULAR DETECTION OF THE MIROBIAL QUALITY OF BOREHOLE WATER USED IN SOME HOSTELS IN IHIAGWA, IMO STATE

Ogbulie, T.E.^*, Nwanjo, G.O, Azuwike, C O.

Culture-based and molecular detection of the quality of borehole water collected at random from seven hostels in Ihiagwa was undertaken. The bacterial isolates identified using culture-based analysis include Staphylococcus sp, Klebsiella sp, Micrococcus sp, Salmonella sp, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The presence of fungal isolates such as Trichoderma sp, Aspergillus sp and Rh...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3116-3126

11

Research Article

BIOCONVERSION OF ORANGE PEELS INTO A NUTRITIONALLY ENRICHED SUBSTRATE BY Trichosporonoides oedocephalis, Penicillium italicum AND Aspergillus flavus

Oladipo O. Olaniyi^*, Emmanuel O. Bankefa, Olukayode A. Ibitoye

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of fungal based fermentation on the nutritional composition of orange peels. The effect of solid state fermentation (SSF) on the nutrients and anti-nutritional factors (ANF) of orange peels was achieved by Trichosporonoides oedocephalis, Penicillium italicum and Aspergillus flavus with two inocula concentrations (103 and 105 spores/ml). The p...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3075-3088

12

Research Article

MORPHOGENESIS OF ORAL AND GENITOURINARY TRACT ISOLATES OF Candida albicans STRAINS AS INFLUENCED BY DIFFERENT GROWTH CONDITIONS

Uzoechi A. U^*, Vwaezuoke J,C,, Nwachukwu I. O, Ahuocha Pauline, Nwachukwu M.J

Growth pattern and mycelia formation of two strains O (Oral isolate) and G (genitourinary tract isolate) of Candida albicans in horse-serum, MSB and RPMI 1640 media indicates that the first medium promotes filamentation in both strains while MSB initiates medium mycelium formation for O strain and RPMI stimulates the yeast growth and low filamentation. However, RPMI promotes moderate filamenta...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3039-3037

13

Research Article

EFFECT OF AERATION ON FERMENTATION OF Mucuna jaspadae USING Bacillus subtilis AS THE STARTER CULTURE

Gabriel-Ajobiewe R.A.O.^*, Akinbobola A.

Various efforts are currently being directed at exploiting the vast majority of unconventional protein sources in order to ameliorate the problem of protein deficiency associated with developing communities and of such is the production of Mucuna beans condiments through fermentation process. The effect of aeration on the fermentation of Mucuna jaspadae beans using Bacillus subtilis at three a...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3038-3048

14

Research Article

ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF Nicotiana tabacum (TOBACCO) LEAF EXTRACT ON Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Korondu S. I.^*, Okorondu M.M.O., Oranusi,S. C.

The present study evaluates the phytochemical composition of ethanolic extract and antimicrobial property of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Nicotiana tabacum. The antimicrobial effects of Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) leaf extract on microbial isolates (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) was evaluated using using agar well diffusion method. Also, the Phytochemical screening of the pl...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3049-3061

15

Research Article

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERN OF BACTERIAL ISOLATES OF LIQUID WASTES AND WASTE DUMP SOILS OF HOSPITALS IN OWERRI, NIGERIA

Adieze, Ifechukwu E.^*, Nnadi, Chioma, Braide, Wesley, Azubuike, Chituru, Ndnka, Ijeoma

The present study investigates the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and resistance patterns among bacterial isolates from liquid wastes and waste dump soils of hospitals in Owerri metropolis Nigeria. The bacterial isolates were identified on the basis of standard cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was tested by disc diffusion m...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3002-3011

16

Research Article

DIVERSITY OF POLYAROMATIC HYDROCARBON UTILIZING MICROBES IN AN ABANDONED CRUDE OIL POLLUTED FARMLAND

Anekzue E. C^*, Chikere C. B

Polvcyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are hydrophobic organic compounds known to he highly toxic and recalcitrant in the environment and are present in hydrocarbon contaminated soil and sediment. This study was investigated to selectively ascertain the prevalence of anthracence utilizing microbes in a chronically polluted site. Samples were collected from crude oil contaminated sites in Obag...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3012-3021

17

Research Article

BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF PROCESSED, PACKAGED AND STORED CONOPHOR (Tetracarpidium conophorum) NUTS

Emeka Nwabunnia^*, Ngozi E. Ezeimo

The present study dealt with the formulation and bacteriological quality assessment of two novel methods for processing of conophor (Tetracarpidium conophorum) nuts as food. Cooked-and-roasted (CR) and steeped-and-roasted (SR) conophor nuts stored for 28 days in air-tight transparent glass bottles at room temperature (30±2°C) were analyzed for total aerobic heterotrophic bacterial (TAHB) and ...

Dec, 2015 pp. 3022-3028

18

Research Article

EFFECT OF ESSENTIAL OILS FROM THE LEAVES OF Ocimum gratissimum, Callistemon rigidus, peels of Citrus paradisi and extract of C. paradisi seeds on Staphylococcus SPECIES FROM CLINICAL SPECIMENS.

Ndubuisi F.N.^*, Axjinde B.A., Eiiabulele O.Ι

Essential oils from grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) and bottle brush (Callistemon rigidus) were obtained by steam distillation. Hot water extract of the grape seed was also obtained. They were screened for antimicrobial activity against 115 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus spp and a locally isolated antibiotic sensitive strain of S. aureus using the agar-well diffu...

Dec, 2015 pp. 2985-2992

19

Research Article

A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON THE EMERGENCE OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT BACTERIA RESULTING FROM INAPPROPRIATE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN THE PURIFICATION OF ALGAL CULTURES

Peekate, L. P.^*, Abu, G. O

Cultures of algal species are often needed for research purposes. These cultures are frequently accompanied by bacteria that are picked up from the environment together with the algal cells, thus the practice of purifying algal cultures using antibiotics. Water sample from fish pond having algal bloom was inoculated into BG-II medium supplemented with 62.5 ug.mF Chloramphenicol and 100 ug.ml-1...

Dec, 2015 pp. 2993-3001

20

Research Article

COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF HARVESTED RAINWATER QUALITY FROM DIFFERENT ROOFING MATERIALS IN PETROLEUM PRODUCING COMMUNITY, EGBEMA, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Gwuorah, A.U.^*, Egbu, A.U, Eze, M.U., Nwaugo, V.C.

A comparative study of the quality of rain water from different roofing materials was carried out in Egbema, an oil producing community in Rivers State. While SO4, P04, NO3, turbidity and hardness of the rain water samples were more in asbestos and concrete roofs, the metallic ions, Zn, Fe, Al. Mn and Pb were statistically (p=0.05) more in corrugated iron and aluminum roofs which also had high...

Dec, 2015 pp. 2972-2984

21

Research Article

MICROFLORA OF THE SHELLS OF READY-TO-EAT CONOPHOR (Tetracarpidium conophorum) NUTS ON RETAIL SALE IN OWERRI

Emeka Nwabunnia^*, Chiotna C. Otogbor

A study was undertaken to determine the bacterial population and diversity of the shells of ready-to-eat conophor (Tetracarpidium conophorum ) nuts retailed in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Fifty samples (5 nuts per sample) of ready-to-eat conophor nuts were purchased from 50 retailers in Ekeonunwo market (EM), Okigwe road motor park (ORMP), Arugo motor park (AMP), New market (NM) and Relief mar...

Dec, 2015 pp. 2964- 2971

22

Research Article

DETECTION OF METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN SELECTED PIG FARMS IN NEKEDE, OWERRI/IMOSTATE

Umeh, S.I^*, Otorogu U.F

In recent years, a negative trend of increasing prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) Stains has been noted worldwide. Cases of MRSA have increased in livestock animals and are found in intensively reared production animals where it can be transmitted to humans. The study investigated the occurrence of MRSA in pigs from selected piggery farms. In Nekede with high den...

Dec, 2015 pp. 2860-2963

23

Research Article

MICROBIAL HYDROGEN GAS PRODUCTION FROM FERMENTED CORN WASTE WATER BY Rhodobacter Sphaeroides

Mbachu, I. A. C^*

Rhodobacter Sphaeroidesw as isolated from four environmental samples, lake, mud, soil andstream by specific enrichment. Identification of the isolate by cultural characteristics, Gram stain, sugar fermentations and sulfide oxidation showed that it is Rhodobacter Sphaeroidesby Bergey'scriteria. R. Sphaeroidescan produce hydrogen gas as a product of metabolism, and previous studies have shown th...

Dec, 2015 pp. 2946-2959