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Published by the Nigerian Society for Microbiology. Supported by TedFund.

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This study was designed to isolate and characterize the microflora associated with selected solid waste dump sites in Okitipupa Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State, Nigeria. Solid waste samples were collected in triplicates from ten (10) dump sites in Okitipupa LGA at two-week interval for three months using a random sampling procedure while culture method is used to isolate the bacteria. The standard method of ASTM-D5231-92 was employed to determine the quantity and composition of wastes. The most prevalent waste was food or green wastes, which ranged from 39.40% to 19.50%, while polythene materials were the least with a range of 5.20% to 0.90%. The mean bacterial counts ranged from 9.2 x 106 to 4.6 x 106 cfu. Colonial morphology and biochemical identifications of the bacteria from the samples revealed Serratia sp. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Bacillus sp, E. coli and Actinomycetes. Respiratory reactions may be induced in individuals. It is then concluded that, to lower the health risks linked to microflora in solid waste dumpsites, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) facilities should have regular inspections, clean and disinfect surfaces and equipment, make sure workers wear protective gear, and follow proper waste management and disposal practices

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Hospital activities have resulted in increased discharge of untreated effluent into the environment, posing substantial risks to public health and the environment due to the presence of diverse harmful components, including extended spectrum β–lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria harboring resistance genes, which are adding to the global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ESBL genes in bacterial isolates from wastewater of two selected tertiary hospitals in Enugu State. A total of 20 samples were aseptically collected, transported and processed for bacteriological identification and susceptibility testing following standard procedures. Phenotypic and genotypic detection of extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) were conducted following standard procedures. Screening for ESBL production was done by double disk synergy test and data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 23. A total of 65 bacterial isolates, 41(63.1%) Gram-negative and 24(36.9%) Gram-positive, were detected from the samples. Out of these isolates, ESBL production was observed in five 5(81%) isolates of Escherichia coli, thirteen 13(81%) isolates of Klebsiella spp and one 1(20%) isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ESBL encoding genes- bla SHV, blaCTX-M, bla OXA, bla TEM were found in varying levels among the E. coli and Kleb. spp isolates, while the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were found to be harboring bla-CTXM, bla OXA, bla TEM genes, but bla SHV genes were absent. All the ESBL producers were multi-drug resistant, therefore proper treatment of hospital wastewater before discharge into the environment is highly recommended

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Infections caused by using contaminated water are common in developing nations. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to increased spread of antibiotic-resistance bacteria, even in underground water. This study investigated the susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates from borehole water and hand-dug wells in Ohaukwu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Twenty (20) water samples were collected at random from hand-dug wells and underground boreholes located throughout Ohaukwu Local Government Area, and were examined for their physicochemical parameter, presence of bacteria as well as the antibiogram of the bacteria isolates using standard techniques. Our test results showed most of the physicochemical parameters were within permissible limits. The bacteriological analysis however exceeded the WHO limit of 0Cfu/100ml for drinking water with the presence of Escherichia coli 22 (42.5%), Pseudomonas spp. 3 (8.9%), Klebsiella spp.15 (36.0%), Salmonella spp. 15 (36.0%), and Staphylococcus aureus 6 (12.6%) make up the percentage distribution of the bacteria isolates. The antibiogram analysis revealed that most isolates were resistant to Mupirocin (97%), Bacitracin (91%), Gentamycin (84%) and Clindamycin (76.3%), but were sensitive to Ofloxacin (99.4%), Ceftazidime (86%) and Amikacin (72.3%). The study revealed that while Salmonella species was susceptible to Amikacin (72%), Ceftazidime (82.1%), and Ofloxacin (86.9%), it was resistant to the other three tested drugs. The resistance profile and low bacteriological quality of the drinking water sources evident in this study, is of great importance for the public health to the people resident in Ohaukwu Local government Area of Ebonyi State. It emphasizes the need for public education campaigns against the risks of building substandard wells and boreholes, and maintaining stringent standards for sanitation and personal hygiene.

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Ogbese river is the primary source of drinking water for the community’s inhabitants. It is located in Ogbese town, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical parameters which are of public health significance from Ogbese river in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Three sampling points, upstream, midstream, and downstream, were chosen with intervals of 100 meters apart, and water samples were collected against the water current. Samples for physicochemical analyses were collected in sterile clean containers, appropriately labelled, and analyzed using standard analytical methods. The results showed that temperature ranged from 26.00 ±1.000C - 27.00 ±1.000C, pH ranged from 6.63 ±0.12 - 8.20 ±0.10, total dissolved solids ranged from 24.83 ±1.53 mg/ml - 156.77 ±16.47 mg/ml and conductivity ranged from 48.00 ±3.00 µS/cm - 224.07 ±166.53 µS/cm respectively. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that the parameters sampled apart from Temperature and pH values were all below the permissible limit. Concerted efforts should be put in place, by the relevant authorities, to checkmate the public health menance associated, with the consumption of water from Ogbese river, Nigeria.

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The studies on the effects of the herbicide (atrazine, glyphosate and gramaxone) on soil physico- chemical properties was carried out between the months of August 2022 to January2023. Two sites forest and a garden were selected in Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria using randomized complete block design (RCBD). The herbicides had significantly increased the amounts of soil organic carbon, organic matter, pH, sodium, potassium, bulk density, particle density, percentage moisture, available phosphorus and percentage nitrogen at p< 0.001 level of confidence, at same time lowering the values of available phosphorus (6.27 ppm), magnesium (2.19 ppm), sodium (0.36 ppm), potassium (2.10 ppm), iron (0.25 ppm) and manganese (7.21 cmol k -1). Bacterial species isolated at the study sites showed Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus sphaericus, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Azotobacter nigricans, Flavobacterium aquaticum, Micrococcus loteus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Proteus vulgaris. Forest soil was found having the highest percentage of (52.75 %), while, the garden (47.25 %) of soil bacterial isolates. The herbicides caused a decrease in the soil bacterial counts and that gramaxone at higher dosage caused the highest decrease while glyphosate the least. Garden soil was found as having higher bacterial counts compared with the forest. Month of November/120th day (157.5x10-3 ±13 cfu/g) had the highest counts, followed by August, while December and January had the lowest which may be attributed due to seasonal variation from rainy to dry season.

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Biosurfactant production from Bacillus subtilis RT9(4)B isolated from restaurant wastewater contaminated soil was investigated. The isolated Bacillus subtilis RT9(4)B was screened for biosurfactant production using the emulsification index, oil displacement, zone of haemolysis, surface tension and a positive drop collapse method. Effects of carbon and nitrogen sources, pH, temperature and incubation periods on biosurfactant production were determined by optimization. The biosurfactant characterization was by Fourer Transform Infra-Red and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analyses. Preliminary assessment showed that the emulsification index was 56.41 ± 1.30 %, oil displacement, 6.02 ± 1.24 mm, zone of haemolysis, 5.12 ± 1.06 mm, surface tension, 29.46 ± 0.62 mN/m and a positive drop collapse test. At optimal conditions of temperature (40 ºC), pH (7), carbon and nitrogen sources (lactose, 20 g/l and urea, 1.5 g/l respectively), the surfactant reduced surface tension up to 11.10 ± 0.78 mN/m and the emulsification index rose to 95.51 ± 2.66%. The highest biosurfactant produced was 3.73 ± 0.19 g/L at 72 h. Bacillus subtilis RT9(4)B produced lipopeptide type biosurfactant containing hexadecanoic, octadecanoic acid, peptides, aliphatic, alkyl and esters

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Borehole water supplies within residential settings in southern Nigeria are a major source of drinking water for low- and middle-class families. This study was designed to assess the water quality, phenotypic characterization and antibiogram profiling of bacteria isolated from some borehole water supplies within residential environments in Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria, that low and some middle-class families rely on as their source of drinking water. A total of 30 borehole water samples were collected at various geo-referenced points and subjected to physicochemical analysis and bacteriological before antibiotic susceptibility tests using standard methods. Results of the physicochemical analysis revealed that most water quality parameters fell within the safe limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) except for chromium (2∙0mg/L) and fluoride (25-100mg/L) which were above their permissible limits of 0∙05 and 1∙5 mg/L respectively. Predominant pathogenic bacteria; Escherichia coli (7, 50∙0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp pneumoniae (2, 14∙3 %), and Enterobacter spp (5, 35∙7 %) experimentally annotated and confirmed by the VITEK® 2 Compact system, were all multidrug-resistant, MDR (100 %), phenotypes. However, this study unveiled the high rate of sensitivity (100%) for Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp pneumoniae and Enterobacter spp to ofloxacin, streptomycin and gentamycin 100 % resistance to meropenem and chloramphenicol. E. coli showed varying sensitivity and resistance levels to the test antibiotics. This study therefore, offers insight to the diversity of the predominant MDR bacterial phenotypes in borehole water within the study area and the use of ofloxacin, streptomycin and gentamycin in the treatment of waterborne infections caused by MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp pneumoniae and Enterobacter spp within the study area. Also, regular evaluation of chromium and fluorine levels in these water supplies is needed to encourage the early development of an intervention strategy once detected above the WHO permissible limit.

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Water occupies about 70% of the earth’s surface and is one of the most demanded of all urban and rural amenities, thus indispensable for human activities. Microbiological properties of water and sediment samples from four surface waters in Anambra state Nigeria were investigated for the evaluation of their pollution level. A total number of twenty (24) samples, with three (3) samples per sampling station were collected and examined in this study. Standard plate counts method was used to estimate the total aerobic, heterotrophic and coliform counts. The total aerobic heterotrophic bacterial counts obtained varied in each station from 3.6 x 104 cfu/ml – 2.23 x 105cfu/ml in the rainy season and from 3.2 x 104cfu/ml – 2.1 x 105cfu/ml in the dry season. The microorganisms found included Escherichia coli, Micrococcus sp., Pediococcus sp., Citrobacter sp., Planococcus sp., Flavobacterium sp., Mucor sp., Allescheria sp. and Saccharomyces sp. The average high iron content ranging from 6.4 – 52.55 mg/l was greater than the World Health Organization (0.3 mg/l) permissible range for drinking water. There was a negative correlation between the alkalinity value with total coliform of water, but positive correlation between the alkalinity values and the total coliform counts of the sediment and water. There was a significant difference at P <0.05 between the mean seasonal alkalinity values of the water and sediments. The findings revealed that the selected surface waters are highly contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms with poor physicochemical characteristics and remains unsafe for human consumption.This necessitates the need for primary prevention measures to be identified

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Sludge contains nutrients, heavy metals, and metalloids some of which are essential macronutrients, such as N, P, K, Ca, Mn and other essential trace elements, such as Cu, Fe and Zn. This paper examines the heavy metals within the septic tank system and their eventual accumulation as components of sludge with implication for agricultural use. Sludge samples from the inlet and outlet chambers of the septic tank were randomly collected from three study locations in the south-south region of Nigeria. The composite samples were made for each of these study locations from which nine trace metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni and Va) were analysed. The concentrations of the metals were determined using standard methods for water and wastewater examination. Results showed that sludge samples from the anaerobic bioreactors contained a high concentration of various trace metals. Iron had the highest mean concentration level of 556 ± 0.2 mg/kg – 3391 ± 1.13 in the raw sewage sludge sample, while vanadium was the least in abundance with mean concentrations of 0.86, 0.77, and 1.52 mg/kg in locations A, B and C respectively in the inlet chamber sludge samples. Although, sludge is variously used for agricultural purpose, there is need for treatment to reduce the concentration levels of heavy metals prior to its use as fertilizer as a matter of public health importance.

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Probiotics are live microorganisms which when consumed in adequate quantity; promote the health of the consumer. This study was carried out to evaluate probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented foods (wara, ogi, orange juice, pickles, sauerkraut and grape juice). A total of eighty four isolates were identified as LAB species by morphological, Gram staining and short biochemical tests. All isolates were characterized for probiotic properties including NaCl tolerance, bile tolerance, sugar fermentation, proteolytic activity, acid tolerance, antibiotic susceptability assay and adherance to stainless plates. All isolates survived in 2%, 4%, 6.5% and 8% NaCl concentrations. Four isolates were tolerance to pH 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0 for 24 and 48 hours. The four acid tolerant isolates were found to tolerant 0.3% bile salt for 24 hours with 85 to 99% rate of survival. Results of fermentation test showed that most isolates fermented all sugars. All strains digested casein by producing protease enzyme in skim milk agar plate. All the four isolates were found inhibiting some pathogenic bacteria to varying degrees and also displayed varying susceptibility to different antibiotics. The in vitro adherence to stainless steel plates of the 4 screened isolates were ranged from 32.83 to 37.70% adhesion rate. The phylogenetic analysis and the 16S rDNA sequencing assigned all the four efficient LAB isolates with probiotic properties to genus Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc and Weissella and were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteriodes and Weissella paramesenteroides. The four LAB strains were found to be potentially useful to produce probiotic products. Further study is needed to find specific probiotics with specific benefit from fermented foods.

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Aflatoxin contamination in poultry feed poses a significant threat to both poultry health and food safety. This study aimed to explore the potential of using Candida tropicalis, isolated from palm wine, to detoxify aflatoxins in poultry feed ingredients. In this study, Candida tropicalis was isolated from palm wine samples collected within Akure metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria. The isolated yeast strain was identified morphologically, through sugar fermentation tests and molecularly. Concurrently, toxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains was isolated from contaminated poultry feed ingredients and was confirmed for aflatoxin production through quantification using thin layer chromatography (TLC). The ability of the isolated Candida tropicalis to degrade aflatoxins was assessed by inoculating toxigenic A. flavus into formulated poultry feed, followed by treatment with a suspension of C. tropicalis. The detoxification efficacy was evaluated by comparing the aflatoxin levels in treated and untreated feed samples. The in vivo effects of detoxified feed on broiler chickens, dividing them into five dietary groups and their haematological and liver enzyme parameters were monitored using standard techniques. Broilers fed with Candida tropicalis-treated feed showed improved hematological profiles, including higher white blood cell counts, compared to those fed with aflatoxin-contaminated feed. Additionally, liver enzyme activity was closer to normal in broilers consuming detoxified feed, demonstrating the protective effects of Candida tropicalis. Findings of the research demonstrates the potential of Candida tropicalis, as an effective biological agent for mitigating the effects of aflatoxins in poultry feeds.

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Fruit juices are drinks consumed worldwide as it contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, dietary fibers, sugars and bioactive compounds which are important for the wellbeing and health of humans. Fresh fruits are minimally processed to obtain juices which render it perishable products and hence the need to preserve these juices. This study was aimed at investigating the biopreservative potential of jackfruit seed and bark on freshly prepared juices (watermelon, pineapple and pawpaw). The colony count was observed during the 96 hours storage period at 0 hour, 48 hours and 96 hours by standard spread plate count method. The samples were screened for total Heterotrophic Bacterial Count (THBC), Total Coliform Count (TCC), Total Lactic Acid Bacteria Count (LAB) and Total Fungal Count (TFC) according to the standard methods for the enumeration of bacteria and fungi. The microbial counts of the juices preserved with jack fruit seeds ranged from 1.0f x 104 to 1.18b x 107 cfu/ml while those preserved with jackfruit bark ranged from 1.3e x 104 to 8.8e x 106 cfu/ml. Jack fruit seeds exerted more biopreservative effects on the pineapple juice, while jackfruit bark had more biopreservative effects on the watermelon juice. The isolated microorganisms included Escherichia coli, Bacillus species, Salmonella species, Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter species, Micrococcus species, Lactobacillus species, Rhizopus species, Aspergillus species and Penicillium species. Bacillus sp were the most occurring bacteria in all fruit juices, followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Lactobacillus sp. while the most occurring fungi was Penicillium sp. Some of the microorganisms detected in this study can cause spoilage, food borne illness and pose great risks to human health, so there is need for mitigating the potential risks to consumer health and improving the quality of fruit juices by the addition of natural antimicrobials of plant such as jackfruit to fruit juices which are with little or no negative health consequences. In conclusion, jack fruit seed and bark has been found quite effective as a biopreservative and therefore, could serve as a good candidate for use in extending the shelf life of fruit juices.

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Antibiotic resistance in most bacterial infections remains a threat to humanity. This necessitates the search for natural sources of remedy from Anacardium occidentale Linn (cashew) slender branches. The plant slender branches were air dried for four weeks at 25oC and process for extraction. Cold maceration method was used to obtain the extract using ethanol as menstruum. Antibacterial susceptibility test (AST) of the extract was carried out against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtained from the department of Biological Science Laboratory Ciprofloxacin and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were used as positive and negative controls respectively. Ethanol extract at 200 mg/ml, shows 17.5±0.5 mm zone of inhibition against P. aeruginosa, 16±1.0 mm against E. coli, 14±0.0 mm against P. mirabilis and 11±1.0 mm against S. aureus. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most susceptible, while S. aureus, the most resistant to the extract. The findings of MIC and MBC revealed that the extract was bactericidal at 250 mg/ml. Profiling the phytochemical constituents revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, quinone, phenols, saponins, and carotenoids in the extracts. High Performance Liquid Chromatography shows the presence of quercetin a flavonoid, chlorogenic acids a phenol and testosterone which could be responsible for its antibacterial activity. This study reveals that A. occidentale Linn slender branch has antibacterial activity and could be use as precursor for drugs development.

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Food security is required national development and for human survival. However, it is important that food security should not be seen only in the perspective of availability but also on safety. This study determined the mycological quality of selected white and yellow Garri sold within Jos North metropolis. The study was conducted at the biology laboratory of Federal College of Forestry, Jos. A total of 24 samples (12 white and 12 yellow) were purchased from Katako, Terminus, Busa buji and New market. The sample were collected in sterile polyethylene nylon. The fungi were isolated using prepared and sterilized Patatose dextrose agar. Identification of fungi was carried using microscopic method. Disk Diffusion Technique on Muller Hilton Agar (MHA) was used to determine fungal sensitivity. Data were statistical analyses using ANOVA and t-test at pvalue ≥ 0.05. The means was separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The result revealed white Garri from Terminus has the highest fungal load of 14.50+ 1.26 Sfu/gl. Busa buji showed the lowest value of 5.50±1.53 Sfu/gl. The Fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger, Curvilaria sp, Penicillium sp, fusarium oxysparum, Geitricum sp and Macrophrosis. Aspergillus sp had the highest frequency of occurrence (28.95% and 23.68%) in both white and yellow Garri while Macrophrosis had the least frequency occurrence of 2.63%. The pH values of white and yellow Garri ranges between 5 and 6 and moisture content showed that yellow Garri had the highest moisture content of 21.76 ± 1.24. The isolate were more sensitive to keteconarzole than fluconazole and Griseofulvin. The findings revealed that consumers are exposed to the risk of fungal infestation. Therefore renewed vigilance on the efficiency of garri processing condition, handling and storage is required.

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Herbal infusions medicinal benefits in wine and the impact of malolactic fermentation on wine quality is of high significance. The study aimed at improving the quality of watermelon wine with Clerodendrum volubile extract using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus. S. cerevisiae and L. delbrueckii isolated from palm wine and yoghurt, respectively were used in this study. Fermentation must was prepared in various dilution ratios ranging from 95:5, 90:10 and 85:15 (watermelon to C. volubile). Static fermentation was carried out for 5 days with S. cerevisiae followed by malolactic fermentation with L. delbrueckii and then fermentation with S. cerevisiae for 23 days at room temperature. Physicochemical, phytochemical, mineral, and sensory properties were observed. Noticeable was pH decrease (5.21 -.3.33), increased titratable acidity (0.05-0.69 g/l), decreasing reducing sugar (0.59-0.011 mg/ml), temperature (30.5-24.2℃) and increasing total dissolved solids (19.7 48.9oB). Wine fermented with S. cerevisiae (D) had the highest phenolic content (481.68±0.37 mg/100ml), while vitamin C increased (20.2±0.73 - 29.28±0.70) with increase in C. volubile concentration. The Na+ was most abundant (51.71 mg/100ml), while Ca2+ (5.23 mg/100ml) was improved. Watermelon wine (D and H) showed the least (1.38±0.5%) alcohol content while wine C and G recorded the highest. Organoleptic properties of wine E received the highest preference rating for flavour, colour and taste. Therefore, the nutritional and sensorial properties of Watermelon-C. volubile wine can be improved through sequential malolactic fermentation

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The protease of malted Digitaria exilis (white acha) species was extracted, purified and characterized. The enzyme was extracted with 200 ml of 0.1M citrate phosphate buffer (pH 7) containing 0.4% (w/v) cysteine and 0.86% NaCl, purified by dialysis against 4M sucrose, Ion exchange chromatography on CM sepharose and gel filtration chromatography on Sepharose 4B gel. On ion exchange chromatography and gel filteration chromatography, the white acha protease was purified 2.21 folds with a specific activity of 362 Umg-1 protein. The relative molecular weight of the protease was estimated to be 88,000 daltons by Gel filtration. The white acha protease was optimally active at 50oC and pH 7, but retained about 40% of its activity at 70oC (30 mins) and pH 8. Appreciable stimulation (P<0.05) of the white acha protease was only achieved by Mn2+, while the other metal ions (Zn2 ,Ba2+ , Fe2+ ,Cu2+ ,Ca2+ ,Sr2+ & Hg2+) were inhibitory. Guanidine chloride, n-bromosuccinamide and EGTA were inhibitory (P<0.05) to the acha protease, while sodium sulphite and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-Me) were stimulatory with striking stimulation obtained with 2-ME. A significant effect (P<0.05) of inhibitors on acha protease was recorded. The enzyme exhibited broad specificity (70 – 100%) in the hydrolysis of various proteins (Bovine serum, albumin, casein, egg albumin and gelatin) and showed strongest affinity for casein when its km (0.188 mg/ml) and Vmax (0.208 U/mol) values were obtained, respectively. Therefore, Digitaria exilis protease can be useful in food industries if harnessed

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Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colonic mucosa and it’s clinically portrayed by diarrhea, abdominal pain and so on. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are one of the most significant groups of probiotic organisms, commonly used in fermented dairy products. These group of organisms enhance lactose digestion, stimulate the immune system, prevent and treat diarrhea. In the present study, the therapeutic effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PQ104969 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PP893151 on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis was evaluated in Wistar albino rats. Acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis was achieved by intrarectal administration of 5% acetic acid after acclimatization. Wistar rats were then treated orally with either 1 ml of normal saline, L. plantarum PQ104969 (5 × 107 Cfu/ml), L. plantarum PP893151 (5 × 107 Cfu/ml) or prednisolone (2 mg/kg) once a day for 7 days. Disease activity index (DAI) was recorded daily after colitis induction by assessing the symptoms. The rats were sacrificed on day 3 and 7 by cervical dislocation, and colon tissues were isolated for the biochemical analysis of oxidative stress parameters. Depletion of total glutathione (GSH) levels in the colitis group was significantly restored in the L. plantarum PP893151 treated groups, while L. plantarum PQ104969 regulated the expression of proteins, thus alleviated inflammatory response. Both lactic acid bacteria inhibited neutrophil infiltration to suppress myeloperoxidase activity in order to mitigate inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress development in acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis. Hence, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum associated with indigenous fermented foods could be used as an alternative treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

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Medicinal plants represent potential sources of new antibacterial agents against drug resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activities of aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves of Moringa oleifera and Alchornea cordifolia against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa expressing various virulence and biofilm-forming characteristics. Five hundred grams (500 g) of each of the powdered plant materials was soaked in 1,500 ml of ethanol/water respectively for 24 h at room temperature. The extracts were filtered using non-adsorbent muslin cloth into a clean beaker. The filtrates were dried by evaporating off the solvent at 50 oC in a hot air oven. The inhibitory activities of the extracts were tested against the strains using the agar well diffusion and microbroth dilution assays. The crude ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Moringa olifera and Alchornea cordifolia produced inhibition zones ranging from 10.0 mm to 20.0 mm at a concentration of 200 mg/ml. The extracts of Alchornea cordifolia had higher inhibitory effects on all the test isolates. The antibacterial activities of the extracts varied according to the genetic determinants carried by the various strains with the zone sizes decreasing to between 7.5 mm to 13.0 mm for some strains. The wild-type strain (PA14-GFP) carrying the green fluorescent protein was susceptible to the aqueous and ethanol extracts of both plants while some of the strains carrying mutations for biofilm formation were less susceptible to the plant extracts. It is remarkable that the ethanol extract of A. cordifolia had appreciable inhibitory activity against all isolates including strains like PA01-L-wt-PqSR and PA01-L-wt which carry mutations for biofilm formation. The minimum inhibitory concentration against these strains ranged from 6.25 mg/ml to 25 mg/ml while the minimum bactericidal concentration was between 12.5 mg/ml for the ethanol extracts and 25 mg/ml for the aqueous extracts. Findings of the study provides justification for further research on the potentials of these medicinal plants as sources for antibacterial and antibiofilm compounds.

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Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have emerged as major public health challenges facing tuberculosis control programme particularly in Asia and Africa. In Nigeria, the seroprevalence of HIV is 4.4%, the third highest infection burden in the world, with 21% of all tuberculosis patients dually infected with TB and HIV. The impact of MDR-TB is likely to increase if adequate measures are not taken. Despite the high prevalence of MDR-TB in Nigeria, not much effort has been made at tackling the problem. This paper reviews the burden of MDR-TB and the factors that are responsible for the problem particularly in Nigeria. Internet search of studies on MDR-TB was done and those relevant for this study were reviewed. The major risk factors of MDR-TB in Nigeria are previous TB treatment and HIV/AIDS coinfection. Efforts should be made towards proper diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and MDR-TB and adequate treatment given where causes are treatable. Patients should be adequately counseled and where facilities for diagnosis and treatment are inadequate, the government can provide and subsidize the cost for ease of management and treatment

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The indolent, necrotizing Buruli ulcer disease is a chronic condition caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, an environmental bacteria that can damage the skin, tissues, and bones. It is now recognized as one of the 20 Neglected Tropical Diseases targeted for elimination by the year 2030. Public health continues to face difficulties due to its mechanism of transmission that is yet to be completely unravel. From December 2019 to September 2023, a hospital-based study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of Buruli ulcer in parts of Jigawa State, Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was adopted in selecting and diagnosing 382 samples from patients with various degrees of skin ulcerative lesions across all age groups and gender. The diagnosis of all the samples initially involved the use of Ziehel Nelseen staining procedure. Thirty-five (35) samples with symptoms suspected to be Buruli ulcer were diagnosed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. The results were negative for the 382 samples diagnosed using Ziehel Nelseen staining procedure as well as the 35 suspected Buruli ulcer using real-time PCR. This study concludes that despite testing samples with obvious ulcerative lesions suspected to be Buruli ulcer from patients, both Ziehel Nelseen staining procedure and real-time PCR revealed negative results. It is recommended that more samples suspected to have symptoms of Buruli ulcers should be diagnosed using real-time PCR and also make use of both IS2404 and IS2606.

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Dogs are domestic animals as well as human pets with potential zoonotic respiratory infections. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from a total of fifty-five (55) dogs at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria. Ten (10) breeds were examined for probable bacteria responsible for upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and antibiotic resistance among the isolates. The isolates per breed with age as a factor, were microbiological screened, while antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) was performed by Kirby-Bauer’s disc diffusion method with their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The URTI was highest (49.0%) for dogs younger than 12 months, while the least percentage of 5.5% was recorded for dogs between ages 6 and 10 years. The decreasing order of URTI rate based on breed was; Alsatian (43.6%)>Boerboel (20.0%)>Italian mastiff>Terrier cross (1.8%). The frequency of occurrence of ten identified bacterial species were Escherichia coli (83.1%), Citrobacter freundii (73.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (67.5%), Klebsiella oxytoca (65.2%), Bacillus subtilis (57.6%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (40%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (38.2%), Streptococcus spp. (18.2%), Proteus mirabilis (14.5%) and Haemophilus spp. (5.8%). All the isolates expressed significant differences (P<0.05) across all the parameters tested and were also 100% resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested. Percentage susceptibility rate (%) to nitrofurantoin (100), ciprofloxacin and amoxycillin (90.0), ceftriaxone (10.0), while augmentin was completely resisted by all the isolates (0%). The study revealed that most pet-dogs in the sampled area were potential carriers of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. More public awareness aimed at curtailing the spread of these pathogenic agents is highly recommended.

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Helicobacter pylori the aetiologic agent of peptic ulcer, also associated with gastritis and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, has been reported to be prevalent in some developing countries. Taking into consideration its mode of transmission which is faecal oral, it is important for developing countries to be alert on the nation’s own prevalence, as a high rate could facilitate increase in transmission which would be detrimental to public health. This review, analyzes on available related research published online between 2010-2023, to identify the prevalence rate of H. pylori in Nigeria. The research papers collected for this review represented the North, South, East and West regions of Nigeria. Thus, showing a representative overview of prevalence rates of H. pylori in Nigeria. The range identified was 20%-80% prevalence rate, with most over 50% and the highest percentage prevalence of H. pylori, reported in the Northern region of Nigeria. Risk factors observed included among others, overcrowding, low socioeconomic class, water sources and toilet facility. Therefore taking into consideration the economic status of Nigeria, the risk factors and prevalence showed that a large proportion of Nigerians are at risk and may not have the facilities required to prevent this infection. As a result, it may be futile to limit the H. pylori prevalence management to personal efforts of individuals, rather more governmental and non governmental groups should be set up and financed to aid the control of the spread of H. pylori infection.

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and patients with underlying medical conditions. The prevalence of biofilm formation and muti drug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa isolates has been on the increase. This study was aimed at in-vitro biofilm formation in metallo beta-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa of clinical origin. A total of 590 different clinical samples were used for this study, during which the samples were collected from different units of Alex-Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital and Mile 4 Hospital all in Abakaliki. Standard microbiological methods were used to identify the isolates. The isolated P. aeruginosa were further subjected to imipenem-ethylene diamine tetractic acid combine disc test (CDT) to ascertain the metallo beta-lactamase production, biofilm assay using tube method to determine the ability of isolates to form biofilm. The isolates were also subjected to antibiotics susceptibility studies against different classes of antibiotics through disc diffusion method. Out of the 590 samples collected and screened, fifty nine (59) isolates were identified and characterized as P. aeruginosa. Thirty four (34) were metallo beta-lactamase (MBL) producer, and 21 were biofilm producers. The antibiogram of the biofilm producing P. aeruginosa revealed high resistance rate to cefoxitin (95.2%), nalixidic acid (85.7%), cefepime (80.9%), piperaciilin (80.9%), ofloxacin (76.2%), colistin (76.2%), amikacin (76.2%), tetracycline (71.4%), amoxicillin (71.4%), and ceftriaxone (66.7%). Strict implementation and adherence to antibiotics stewardship in the hospital setting is highly recommended to control and manage the rise antibiotic resistance

Abstract

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Animals used in food production have been identified as one of the major primary sources of antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria within the Enterobacteriaceae family. The Escherichia coli harboring metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) is a serious threat to global health. This study was aimed at the occurrences of metallo-beta-lactamase in multidrug resistance Escherichia coli isolated from donkey slaughter market. A total of 75 swab samples were collected from equipment used in donkey slaughters and E. coli was identified using Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (EMBA), MacConkey Agar (MCA) media and other microbiological standard techniques. The E. coli isolates were tested for multidrug resistance (MDR) using disk diffusion method and multiple antimicrobial resistances index (MARI) were calculated. The presence of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) in multidrug resistance E. coli was confirmed using modified Hodge test method. Thirty (40.0%) swab samples were positive for E. coli, knife had 8(32.0%), table had 12(48.0%) and slab harbored 10(40.0%). The isolates were resistance to tetracycline (40.0% 80.0%), gentamicin (25.0%-30.0%), erythromycin (40.0%-50.0%), ampicillin (70.0%-75.0%) and ciprofloxacin (20.0%-37.5%). Three major antibiotics resistance pattern were revealed from the 14 (46.7%) isolate that were MDR-E. coli which includes; TE-CN-E-AMP-CIP, TE-E-AMP-CIP and TE-CN E-AMP. This study revealed the occurrences of MBLs in MDR- E. coli to be 5(35.7%). The presence of MBLs in MDR E. coli isolated from donkey creates strong threat to the treatment of such infection in clinical setting and it calls for an urgent veterinary surveillance program to monitor antibiotics used as growth enhancers in animal production.

Abstract

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This research was carried out to examine the phytochemical composition and antibacterial efficacy of garlic against some bacteria pathogens. A standardized phytochemical investigation was done qualitatively utilizing benchmark protocols. The garlic extract’s ability to combat bacterial growth was evaluated using the agar well diffusion assay. Potency of the Allium sativum extracts was investigated by determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values via micro dilution methodology against selected bacteria pathogens. Phytochemical analysis of the garlic extracts revealed many bioactive constituents, including saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, anthraquinolones and steroids; which are found diverse levels of presence across various extracts The antimicrobial efficacy of Allium sativum extracts (aqueous and ethanol) was evaluated at potency from 25 to 200 milligram/ml, resulting in diameters of inhibition size 10-22 millimeter (S. aureus), 9-21 millimeter (E. coli). Garlic extracts MIC against Staphylococcus aureus ranged from 25 milligram/milliliter (ethanol) to 50 milligram/milliliter aqueous while E. coli had a uniform MIC of 25 milligram/milliliter for both extracts. Both S. aureus and E. coli exhibited MBC values of 50 milligram/milliliter (aqueous extract) and 25 milligram/milliliter (ethanol extract), indicating ethanol extract's enhanced bactericidal potency. The observed antibacterial effects of garlic extracts are likely due to the synergistic action of some of its bioactive compounds; supporting its potential use as a natural antimicrobial agent. The ethanol extract of garlic exhibited superior antimicrobial activity (11-22 mm) compared to the aqueous extract (9-21 mm); displaying concentration-dependent inhibition. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct a thorough structural elucidation of garlic bioactive constituents to assess the actual potency among various phytochemicals discovered in it.