Published Articles

Abstract: Spices are commonly contaminated with aflatoxins, a group of potent mycotoxins produced by moulds. This study investigated the incidence of aflatoxigenic fungi and aflatoxin contents in spices commonly used in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria. Sixty samples of thirteen different spices were purchased from three markets. Fungal isolates were identified using phenotypic characteristics. Aflatoxin contamination was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively using thin layer chromatography and ELISA techniques respectively. Six species belonging to the fungal genera Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Penicillium were recovered. A. flavus and A. niger were the most dominant species. Thirty-one (47.1 %) out of sixty (60) samples analyzed were contaminated by total aflatoxin while 29 (52.9 %) were not. Three samples had aflatoxin contents above the 20 ppb (µg/Kg) limit value by the EU while the others did not exceed the 20 ppb (µg/Kg) limit. These results provide baseline information on fungal contamination in spices in Ilorin. Proper spices handling that will limit risks of fungal contamination and their metabolites accumulation at all production and storage stages is recommended while monitoring of aflatoxin contamination and creation of local benchmarks by regulatory agencies is recommended.
Keywords: mycotoxin, Aspergillus, contamination, dried spices, Ilorin.

Abstract: Among the great diversity of etiological agents attributed to urinary tract infections, bacteria are the major causative organisms that are responsible for more than 95% of Urinary Tract Infections ( UTIs). This study aimed at the isolation and identification of bacteria in urine from diabetics and non-diabetics. A total of 300 mid-stream early morning urine specimens were collected from diabetic and non-diabetic patients attending some Hospitals in Rivers State. The specimens were inoculated aseptically onto CHROMagar Orientation plates and incubated aerobically for 24-48 hours at 37oC. Glucose in urine was also measured using uristrip (Combi 9). A total of 95 isolates belonging to 12 genera were isolated. Some of the isolates include Staphylococcus sp., Tatumella sp., Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Kluyvera sp., Rauotella sp., Proteus sp., Serratia sp., Enterococcus sp., Escherichia sp., Pragia sp., and Photorhabdus asymbiotica with Staphylococcus aureus having the highest occurrence of 19%. Others include Escherichia coli 9%, Kluyvera ascobata 7%, Klebsiella aerogenes 8%, Serratia liquefactens, Enterococcus sp., Pragia fontium constituted 5% each, Enterobacter cloacea , Enterobacter pyrinus, Rauotella planticola, Serratia ficana, Tatumella terrea constituted 4% each, Enterobacter cancergenes, Enterobacter hormaechie constituted 3% each, Klebsiella oxytoca, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia odorifera, Serratia fonticola and Photorhabdus asymbiotica constituted 2% each while Kluyvera intermedia constituted 1% respectively. The study showed different types of bacteria isolated which in most cases were significantly higher in diabetic than non-diabetic patients.
Keywords: Diabetic, Non-Diabetic, Urine, Klebsiella aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract: The public health threat posed by bacteria producing extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) is increasingly contributing to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which is slowly ushering in a post antibiotic era – where no antibiotic is likely to work. AMR is a global health threat that warrant urgent steps to mitigate its growing ugly trend. This study investigated the susceptibility profile of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species – with the goal of informing Nigerian physicians on the best antibiotic therapy when ESBL-positive bacteria is implicated in an infection or disease. Standard microbiology technique was employed in the bacteriological analysis of clinical samples of urine and feaces (n=246) for the isolation and characterization of Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli isolates. ESBL production was phenotypically confirmed using the double disk synergy test (DDST) technique while susceptibility studies was carried out using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion technique. 80 (50%) isolates of E. coli and 30 (18.75%) isolates of Klebsiella species were recovered from in-patients while 28 (17.5%) isolates of E. coli and 22 (13.76%) isolates of Klebsiella species were recovered from the out-patients samples. The result revealed that ESBL was phenotypically confirmed in 26 (31.71%) isolates of E. coli, 15 (18.29%) isolates of Klebsiella species from in-patients; and 7 (8.54%) isolates of E. coli and 4 (4.88%) isolates of Klebsiella species from out-patients samples. All E. coli and Klebsiella species isolates showed varied (high) resistance to the tested antibiotics with exception to imipenem (100%) to which the bacterial isolates showed complete susceptibility. Surveillance of ESBL-producing bacteria is advocated to assuage the nefarious activities of these multidrug resistant organisms in the hospital setting.
Keywords: ESBL, E. coli, Klebsiella, Antimicrobial resistance, Multidrug resistant bacteria

Abstract: Roadside foods are often contaminated by various pathogenic bacteria, which can cause food borne diseases. This study was aimed at using molecular methods to identify bacterial contaminants in pounded yam sold along major roads in Makurdi metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. Isolation and biochemical characterization of the bacterial contaminants in pounded yam samples was done on Nutrient agar, Eosine methylene blue and Mannitol salt agar. The ZR DNA Miniprep was utilized in DNA extraction. BigDye Terminator kit was used for sequencing on a 3510 ABI sequencer. BLAST analysis was performed on the sequences. Results of isolation and biochemical characterization revealed six bacterial genera: Pseudomonas spp, Bacillus spp, Staphylococcus spp, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp and Proteus spp. Lowest bacterial occurrence of 11.98 % was recorded in pounded yam samples from Gboko, Wadata samples accounted for the highest percentage occurrence of 17.19 %. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp were implicated as the most contaminating bacteria accounting for 20.84 and 19.27% respectively. Bacillus spp was the least contaminating bacteria accounting for 8.33 %. The 16SrRNA gene amplification of the isolated bacterial DNA was at 1500 bp. Result of BLAST analysis revealed the bacterial contaminants in the pounded yam samples as Staphylococcus aureus strain B3A22 (93.80 % pairwise identity), Staphylococcus sciuri strain LZH-22 (93.10 % pairwise identity) and Escherichia coli strain G1F12 (76.70 % pairwise identity). The bacterial contaminants in the pounded yam contain some species involved in food-borne illnesses. Therefore, hygienic way of food preparation is of utmost importance.
Keywords: Molecular characterization, Bacteria, Pounded yam; Food contamination.

Abstract: Pesticides are used to increase crop production. Besides combating pests, pesticides affect the activity of beneficial soil microbial communities thereby affecting the nutritional quality of soils. This study investigated the impact of pesticides on the ecological activity of microorganisms in LASUSTECH agricultural field. Twenty milliliters of Fungicides (Copper (1) oxide metalyxl and 2,3-Dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (DDVP), Insecticides (Chlorpyrifos, Cyperrmethrin, Deltamethrin and Dimethoate) and Herbicide (Glyphosphate) was separately added to 2000g of soil. The microbial counts were examined by serial dilution and plating methods weekly for four weeks. The results demonstrated a decrease in the microbial count in all the soils treated with pesticides and the controls but the percentage decrease in soils with pesticides is higher than the percentage decrease in the controls. The highest decrease in bacterial count was recorded in soil treated with Deltamethrin (from 20 to 7 x 10⁵cfu/mL) and the lowest decrease was recorded in the soils treated with Cypermethrin (from 40.5 to 20.5 x 10⁵ cfu mL), DDVP (from 43 to 23 x 10⁵ cfu mL). For fungi, the highest decrease in population was recorded in the soil treated with DDVP (from 23 to 6 x 10⁶ cfu mL) and the lowest decrease was observed in the soil treated with Chlopyrifos (from 7 to 3.5 x 10⁶ cfu mL).In conclusion, this study has shown that the investigated pesticides significantly decreased the microbial population in soil. This confirms and reinforces the reports that prolong use of pesticides in soil destabilizes soil microbial activity and ecology.
Keywords: Fungicides, Herbicides, Insecticides, Microbial- ecology, Pesticides.

Abstract: The bacteria species associated with post-harvest rot of Colocasia esculenta Lin (Cocoyam) tubers sold in Bukuru market of Plateau State were investigated. Fifty (50) Samples of C. esculenta were obtained randomly from 3 different Markets within Bukuru and brought for analysis. The tubers were surface disinfect with Sodium Hypo chloride (NaOCl) for 5 minutes. A portion of the rotten sample and the surface tissue were sliced into thin sections and inoculated on Nutrient agar and incubated for 24 hours at 37 °C followed by Subculture for another 24 hours to obtain pure cultures. Pure cultures were examined using microscopic examination and biochemical test to identify the bacteria species while a pathogenicity test was carried out using healthy C. esculenta corms and cormels. The study identifies nine different bacteria species associated with post-harvest rot of cocoyam. They include with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.7 %) Corynebacterium spp (4.2 %) Enterobacter cloacae (4.2 %), Staphylococcus aureus (8.3%) Escherichia coli (20.8%), Bacillus subtilis (12.5 %), Shigella spp (4.2 %) Salmonella spp (12.5 %) and Bacillus pumillus (12.5 %). The percentage frequency of the identified bacteria species shows that Escherichia coli had the highest frequency of occurrence to be 20.8 % while Corynebacterium spp, Shigella spp Enterobacter cloacae had the least percentage of occurrence to be 4.2 % each. The pathogenicity test confirmed that the organisms isolated were the actual causal agents of rots in cocoyam sold in Bukuru market. Efforts should be made to put preventive and control measures, which includes proper handling of tubers during harvest, Post harvest, transportation and storage to reduce loss of the crop.
Keywords: Bacteria, Post-harvest, Rot, Cocoyam

Abstract: Laccases are increasingly being used in the biodegradation and utilization of biomass. This trend has led to increased need for development of efficient production systems. This research was carried out with the aim of optimizing the fermentation conditions of selected and consortia of four fungal species (Lachnocladium flavidum, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma reesei, and Lenzites betulina) for production of laccase from biodegradation of corn cobs. Maize cobs were prepared, alkaline pretreated and fermented with various lignocellulolytic fungi. Single and mixed-culture solid state fermentation with various fungal species was carried out. Process parameters of pH, incubation time, moisture content and inoculum concentration were optimized and the effects of various carbon and nitrogen supplementation were determined. Changes in the fibre contents were analyzed using standard methods. Lachnocladium flavidum proved to be the most effective lignin degrader with optimal lignolytic activities. Optimal conditions were supported at incubation period of 8-9 days with culture conc. of 8 x 10³ spores/ml, pH 6-7, moisture at 65-70%, sucrose and yeast as best supporting carbon and nitrogen sources. Results also show variability in degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Cellulose and hemicellulose were most affected. Mixed culture of T. reesei and A. niger had the most significant reduction in cellulose (10.50±1.20%), T. reesei had the most significant reduction in hemicellulose (15.30±1.30%). Lignin was most significantly reduced by mixed culture of Lach. flavidum/ A. niger (7.20±0.80%).
Keywords: Fungi, lignin, laccase, maize cob, mixed fermentation

Abstract: Traditionally, yoghurt is fermented whole milk. It is believed to possess nutritional and therapeutic properties. Appropriate aliquot of commercially prepared yoghurts was sourced and used to isolate LAB bacteria using standard procedures. The morphological characteristics of the isolates were studied and recorded. They were later stored in MRS agar slants at 4^oC in the refrigerator for further use. Biochemical and sugar fermentation tests were carried on the isolates and the isolates were identified as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. They were then inoculated into extracted, sterile tiger nut and soy milks for the production of yoghurts. For pH, it was observed that the highest pH at zero hour was 6 from MILK COM while the lowest after 8 hours of fermentation was 3.6 from both TGN LAB and TGN COM respectively. For temperature, 29.0^oC was the lowest temperature at the beginning of the fermentation from MILK LAB while the highest temperature at the end of the fermentation was 31.5^oC from TGN LAB, TGN COM, SOY LAB, SOY COM and MILK LAB respectively. The protein content of SOY LAB yoghurt (3.69) was the highest while those of MILK LAB and MILK COM (statistically the same) were the lowest. TGN LAB yoghurt had the lowest (3.09) fat content while MILK LAB (Control 1) had the highest (3.87) value. The fiber content of the four samples produced from soy and tiger nut milks were of the same value statistically while MILK LAB and MILK COM have zero fibre. The lowest carbohydrate content (3.41) was found in yoghurt made from SOY LAB while the highest value (4.90) was in TGN LAB yoghurt. Yoghurt made from TGN LAB has the highest acceptability (7.37). Yoghurts made from soy and tiger nut milks have higher carbohydrate and protein contents than those made from animal milk. They also possess better nutritional values such as lower fat and higher fibre contents than the dairy yoghurts. Yoghurt made from tiger nut milk had best acceptance to the panelists than the dairy yoghurts.
Keywords: Fermentation, LAB, starter culture, Soy milk, Tiger Nut Milk, yoghurt

Abstract: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii an obligate intracellular parasite. It results in severe complications in the foetus if the infection is acquired during pregnancy including spontaneous abortion, low birth weight, congenital malformations and intrauterine death. The study was Hospital based and cross-sectional and was carried out among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Zaria, Kaduna State. The samples were collected from Gambo Sawaba General Hospital Kofan Gayan, Ahmadu Bello University Medical Centre and Major Ibrahim Bello Abdullahi Memorial Hospital. A total of 182 blood samples were collected. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method was used to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma IgM antibodies. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics and factors associated with Toxoplasma infection. The study established an overall seroprevalence of 19.2%. There were no significant associations of T. gondii infection with all demographic and risk factors measured in this research (p>0.05), except ownership of cat (OR=0.23, 95%CI=0.1 – 0.5, P=0.00) and blood transfusion (OR=0.04, 95%CI=0.04 – 0.50, P=0.01)
Keywords: T.gondii, B1 gene, Seroprevalence, PCR, Risk factors

Abstract: This study aimed at evaluating the bacteriological quality as well as the antibiogram (antibiotic sensitivity profile) of organisms isolated from raw cow milk produced in Ibadan metropolis. Raw cow milk samples were collected from University of Ibadan Research farm, Bodija, Sabo and Akinyele cow settlement ibadan. Bacterial counts, isolation and phenotypic identification of bacterial isolated from the assessed raw cow milk were determined using standard procedures. Antibiotic sensitivity tests was carried out by disc diffusion method. The total bacterial counts and total coliform counts ranged between 0.9×10⁶ to 4.5×10⁶ CFU/ml and 0.4×10⁶ to 4.2×10⁶ CFU/ml, respectively. Fourty-two (42) bacterial isolates were identiifield as Staphylococcus aureus (16), Escherichia coli (8), Salmonella typhimurium (6), Shigella dysentriae (6), Enterobacter aerogenes (4) and Serretia marcescens (2). Based on the antibiogram, S. aureus, E. coli , S. typhi and S. dysentriae had 100% resistance to Tetracycline, Gentamycin and Nitrofurantoin while Serratia marcescens strains had 100% susceptibility to all the antibiotic except Nitrofurantoin which had 50% susceptibility and Tetracycline which had 100% resistance. All of the E.coli isolates were resistance to tetracycline. The raw cow milk samples analysed exceeded the WHO microbiological standard of 1.0×10⁵ CFU/mL and 3.0×10¹ CFU/mL for total bacteria count and coliform count for raw milk respectively. The antibiogram studies revealed that some bacteria isolates were resistant to most of the antibiotics used. This may pose a high risk of milk borne illnesses among consumers and put them at risk of being infected with antibiotic resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria. There is utmost need for an awareness program with a follow up mechanism to educate dairy farmers and handlers on hygienic production practices and discourage the indiscriminate use of antibotics to have a wholesome milk.
Keywords: Antibiogram, Bacteriological quality, Cowmilk, Bacterial isolates, Pathogens

Abstract: The study investigated the effect of fermentation on the nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of fermented mung bean ‘iru’ as a protein condiment. The mung bean was processed to mung bean ‘iru’ using the local method of producing ‘iru’ from African locust beans. The mung bean was sorted, washed and boiled for 1 hr. The boiled seeds was dehulled to remove the seeds coat, washed and boiled again for 1 hr. The water was drained, spread and seed were spread on a sack bag to cooled and wrapped with enough banana leave (Musa saplentum) and packed in a cleaned plastic container, to ferment for 5 days in a warmed place at room temperature. Mung bean ‘iru’ were dried using an electric oven at 50^oC for 18 hrs used for chemical analysis. The fermented samples were cultured on the following medium; plate count agar, potato dextrose agar and nutrient agar to isolate microorganisms. The proximate composition was analysed using standard methods. The microbial load count of bacteria (8.85 × 10⁶ CFU/ml), yeast (1.18 × 10⁶ CFU/ml) and fungi (3 × 10⁴ CFU/ml) respectively. The overall microorganisms isolated and identified from the sample were Pediococus sp, Alcaligen sp, Bifidobacterium sp, Staphylococcus aureus, Lysinibacillus sp, Bacillus sp, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillin sp, Candida sp and Geotrichum sp.; ash content (2.080 ±0.06 %), crude fibre (2.857 ±0.02 %) were lower than moisture content (7.646 ±0.08 %), crude fat (6.683 ±0.13 %) while protein content (20.349 ±0.07 %) and carbohydrate content (60.385±0.12 %) were higher and energy (1527.566 ±0.15 kj/g) with the highest value. Anti-nutritional factors values were tannin (1.434 ±0.04 mg/g), phytic acid (1.915 ±0.09 mg/g) were lower than oxalate (2.701 ±0.07 mg/g), phytate (6.798 ±0.14 mg/g) and phenol (15.255 ±0.13 %) had highest value. Mung bean ‘iru’ is a good source of protein and energy.
Keywords: Mungbean, fermentation, microbial, proximate, antinutrient

Abstract: Ugba is the Igbo name of the fermented African Oil bean seeds (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth). It is a traditional food condiment generally produced by natural fermentation and is an important and cheap source of protein for people whose staple foods are deficient in protein. The study was carried out to determine the microbiological, nutritional and organoleptic changes associate with ugba when stored at ambient temperature. The oil bean seeds were processed traditionally and subjected to a four day spontaneous fermentation to produce the ugba. One gram of the fermenting and fermented samples was serially diluted and 0.1 ml aliquots was plated by spreading on appropriate media for the isolation of bacteria and fungi. The isolates were purified and then characterized. The ugba sample was then stored in an air-tight container for 7 days. Each day, the sample was examined for sensory properties and acceptability by a team of panelists. The bacterial isolates recovered during the fermentation were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus and Lactobacillus species while Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rhizopus species, Candida and Fusarium spp were the fungal isolates recovered from the sample. Only Bacillus spp and Lactobacillus spp were isolated at the end of the fermentation while Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the only fungus isolated at the end of the fermentation. The food borne pathogens and spoilage organisms were eliminated from the final product making the ugba safe for consumption. The ugba was found to be high in protein (27.64 %) and fat (24.93 %) but low in ash, fibre and carbohydrate. Acceptability of ugba was best on the 2^nd and 3^rd days of storage with acceptability scores of 79.22 and 78.9% respectively. Beyond the 4^th day of storage, the ugba was not found acceptable for consumption. In conclusion, the production of ugba is by a mixed microbial flora. However, only health organisms GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) (Bacillus and Lactobacillus species) remained at the end of the fermentation as the contaminating food borne pathogens and spoilage organisms were eliminated from the final product making the ugba safe for human consumption. Fermentation also increased the protein and fat contents of the ugba thereby making it a good supplement for animal protein especially in rural areas where animal protein is very expensive to provide.
Keywords: Fermentation, microbiological, nutritional, oil bean seed, sensory, storage

Abstract: Lafun, a fermented cassava product, confronts challenges in terms of product quality and safety as a result of spontaneous fermentation systems. To resolve these issues, a production method utilizing starter cultures was developed. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from fermented cassava and screened for their technological properties. The physicochemical parameters, proximate and antinutrient content of the control fermented Lafun samples were determined by standard procedures. A total of twelve (12) lactic acid bacteria were obtained and identified as Lactobacillus plantarum (41.67 %), Lactobacillus. salivarius (25.00 %), Lactobacillus kalixensis (25.03 %) and Lactobacillus pentosus (8.3 %). Lactic acid, diacetyl and hydrogen peroxide produced by lactic acid bacteria isolates ranged from 0.06 – 11.70 1.40 – 2.50, and 0.30 - 2.00 (mg/mL) respectively. The pH of the controlled and spontaneous fermentation of cassava ranged from pH 7.20 -3.60 and pH 7.10 – 4.30 and total titratable acidity (TTA) ranged from 1.27 -1.9 and 0.61- 1.55 respectively. Controlled fermented lafun with L. plantarum (LF 7) as starter culture had significantly higher (p < 0 .05) protein, fat, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, vitamins C, B1, and A while containing lower cyanide, saponin, and phytates 0.10, 0.20, 0.01 mg/g respectively. The study concluded that L. plantarum has the potential to improve the nutritional value and degradation of antinutrients in fermented Lafun hence, improving food safety and quality.
Keywords: Cassava, Fermentation, Lactic acid Bacteria, Lafun, Starter culture

Abstract: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is a DNA virus from the family Papillomaviridae (De, Sanjosé et al., 2018 and Virus Taxonomy, 2018). Capable of causing abnormal tissue growth, leading to warts and other changes to cells; thus, it is the major cause of cervical cancers globally. In Nigeria, the increase in the rate of cervical cancer infections and associated deaths is alarming. Thus, the present review was conducted to enrich the data bank of information on HPV in circulation amongst women, with particular focus on Nigeria. Adhering to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions/Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) instructions for documenting meta-analysis and systematic reviews, this study randomly sampled publications related to human papillomavirus in Nigeria from relevant databases, particularly published reviews and researches published on Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, with a cross-sectional approach. From a total of 220 identified studies, 18 pooled data studies were extracted using the developed systematic review protocol as a guide, which were subsequently used to analyze the extent of research on HPV performed in Nigeria with regards to the location. Findings by Manga et al., (2015); Aondona et al., (2021) uncovered that the common strains of HPV circulated within Nigeria are HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35 and 45. The study therefore recommended that research and sensitization programme on HPV be conducted in all the six (6) geopolitical zones of the country to create awareness and to suggest possible preventive measures that may mitigate the increasing rate of infection with cervical cancer within the country.
Keywords: Cervical cancer, HPV, virus, warts.

Abstract: The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Alchornea cordifolia and Sida acuta were screened for antibacterial activities against isolates from meat. A mortar and pestle were used to macerate the meat and a serial dilution was obtained. The diluents were cultured and biochemical tests were done. For the antibacterial activities, the disc diffusion method was employed while the macro broth dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations. Five (5) genera of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, and Shigella spp were isolated from meat and used for this work. The ethanol and aqueous extracts of the two plants’ leaves showed a broad spectrum of activities. The aqueous extract of A. cordifolia had larger zones of inhibition ranging from 3.0 mm – 17 mm and lower MIC and MBC values that ranged from 3.125 mg/mL – 6.25mg/mL, while the ethanolic extract had zones of inhibition that ranged from 4.0 mm – 15mm and MIC and MBC values that ranged from 6.25mg/mL- 12.5mg/mL. Sida acuta had higher zones of inhibition that ranged from 5mm- 18mm and lower MIC and MBC values that ranged from 1.563mg/mL- 3.125mg/mL in the ethanolic extract. The aqueous extract had lower zones of inhibition that ranged from 5mm- 15mm and MIC and MBC values ranging from 6.25mg/mL- 12.5mg/mL. The biochemical determinations of the plants leave revealed the presence of Tannin, Saponin, Terpenoids, Steroids, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Phenol, and Hydrogen Cyanides in varying quantities. Steroids were absent in Sida acuta. This study revealed that both extracts had antibacterial activities against the test organisms hence suggesting that they could be a good source of antibiotics for treating foodborne diseases caused by these bacteria.
Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance, Antibacterial Activity, Plant Extracts, Phytochemicals

Abstract: Immunocompromized individuals are subject to various forms of infections including that due to opportunistic pathogens like Candida species (candidiasis), which exhibits variety of manifestations seen in different parts of the body of the affected individual. The review aimed to highlight on the occurrence of candidiasis among immunocompromized individuals like TB patients that show various manifestations consistent with Candida infections that can be diagnosed and treated using different antifungal agents. Data were retrieved from various search engines, including Google, being and Yandex among others, using relevant search terns related to the subject matter. Information regarding candidiasis as opportunistic disease among immunocopromized individuals were obtained. Additionally, more data revealing the variety of manifestations related to this disease, diagnosis and various treatment options were also obtained. The obtained data suggests that some of the clinical manifestations observed among immunosuppressed individuals are associated with secondary infections due to Candida species and can be diagnosed through microscopy, culture and serology among other methods and are treatable using appropriate antifungal agents.
Keywords: Candidiasis, Immlsunocompromized individuals, Clinical manifestations, Diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: As a skin treatment, rice water is becoming increasingly popular. It is said to aid in the treatment of a variety of skin ailments. Despite the fact that rice water has some genuine benefits, science has yet to fully validate many of its claims. The aim of this study is to biosynthesize nanoparticles using fermented rice water and to carry out the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized nanoparticles. To synthesize the silver nanoparticles, rice was subjected to a 48-hour fermentation process to obtain fermented rice water (FRW), which served as a bio-reductant and stabilizer for the nanoparticle synthesis and was used as the antimicrobial agents. UV-Visible spectroscopy was used to characterize the particles. The antimicrobial potential of FRW-AgNPs was assessed against common clinical bacterial and fungal isolates associated with skin diseases and infections (Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum). The inhibitory effects of FRW-AgNPs were compared to those of FRW alone. The colloidal AgNPs were brownish in color and had a maximum absorption wavelength of 380nm, indicating that nanoparticles had formed. FRW-AgNPs demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans strains, inhibiting their growth with inhibitory zones measuring 21.3 mm and 22.0 mm, respectively. In contrast, FRW displayed lower inhibitory effects, with inhibitory zones of 13.3 mm and 13.0 mm against the respective strains highlighting the enhanced antibacterial and antifungal activity of FRW-AgNPs compared to FRW alone. Additionally, FRW-AgNPs completely inhibited the growth of Trichophyton rubrum at a concentration of 100 µg/ml. This study successfully biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using fermented rice water and demonstrated their promising antimicrobial properties against clinically relevant fungal strains associated with skin disease and infection.
Keywords: Fermented Rice Water, Nanotechnology, Nanoparticle, Silver Nanoparicles, Green synthesis.

Abstract: Cost effective production of β-glucosidase which is of high value in most biotechnological processes requires an efficient microbial producer, technologies and biomass resources that are economical. This study aimed at evaluating the biochemical characteristics of β-glucosidase produced by Aspergillus niger under solid state fermentation using agro-industrial residues. Fungal isolates from spoilt yam were isolated and screened for the production of β-glucosidase. Study on the optimized conditions and industrial suitability of the produced β-glucosidase was carried out using the most potent fungal producer and the substrate that supported the highest yield of the enzyme. The β-glucosidase producer was identified culturally and morphologically as Aspergillus niger. The highest yield of β-glucosidase (161.4±3.2 U/g) was supported by bread fruit seed hull out of the four screened agro-waste. Optimal cultural conditions for the enhanced production of β-glucosidase ((210.1 U/g) were at pH 6.0, 35 ^oC, moisture level 75 %, inoculum size 2 % and incubation period of 72 hrs. The optimum activity of the crude enzyme was recorded at pH 6.0 and 60 ^oC. The pH stability of the enzyme was over a broad range of 4.0 – 8.0 with relative residual activity above 70 % recorded after incubation for 120 min. The β-glucosidase was thermostable as its half life was 4 hrs at 65 ^oC. This study showed that Aspergillus niger can effectively utilize a low cost substrate (breadfruit seed hull) for the production of β-glucosidase which might be suitable for diverse industrial processes as depicted by its biochemical characteristics.
Keywords: β-glucosidase; Aspergillus niger; solid state fermentation; breadfruit seed hull.

Abstract: Monodora myristica is a spice whose various parts are used traditionally for the treatment of a variety of ailments. The purpose of this study was to determine the phytochemical constituents and in-vitro antimicrobial activity of methanolic seed extract of M. myristica against Staphylococcus aureus, Esherichia coli and Candida albicans. Plant seeds were collected, dehulled, air-dried, blended and extracted with methanol using soxhlet apparatus. The result of the qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavanoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, tannins and cardiac glycoside. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of the extract revealed the presence of twenty-one different compounds. The first compound detected was formic acid at a retention time of 6.032 minutes while the last compound detected was7-Acetyl-2-hydroxy-2 methyl-5 isopropylbicyclo [4.3.0.] nonane, at a retention time of 0.72 minutes. The extract exhibited increased antimicrobial activity with increasing concentration. The mean inhibition zone diameter (IZD) at 80mg/ml, 40 mg/ml, 20 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml extract concentrations were 25.8mm, 22.5mm, 20.5mm and 15.0mm for E .coli, 22.5mm, 21.0mm, 17.8mm, 15.0mm for S. aureus and 24.5, 20.5, 17.0, 18.0mm for C. albicans. The MIC ranged between 2.5 and 3.5 mg/ml while the MBC values ranged between 3.0 and 3.5 mg/ml
Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, antimicrobial resistance, bioactive compounds, medicinal plants, Monodora myristica.