Bacterial contamination and heavy metal residues in frozen shellfish retailed within Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

Shellfish has become a worldwide delicacy amongst seafood lovers due to its essential nutrients which are beneficial to human health. An investigative study was carried out on eight different shellfish– White Shrimp (Penaeus occidentalis), Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon), Pink Shrimp (Farfantepenaeus notialis), Guinean Mantis Shrimp (Squilla aculeata calmani), Royal Spiny Lobster (Pallinurius regius), Lagoon Crab (Callinectes amnicola), Smoothswim Crab (Portunus validus) and Periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus) obtained from Better Life market- exploring their bacterial quality and heavy metal accumulation. The highest Total Bacterial Count (2.71±0.03×108 CFU/g) was observed in P. occidentalis while the lowest count (1.00±0.04×108 cfu/g) was observed in T. fuscatus. The Total Faecal Count of the shellfishes reduced under 440C temperatures except in P. occidentalis which increased from 1.40±0.05×103 to 1.70±0.01×103 CFU/g. Although, all identified bacteria (Bacillus spp, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp ) were found in C. amnicola and T. fuscatus but the most contaminated shellfish was Penaeus occidentalis, with 38.5% E. coli, followed by F. notialis having 37.3% P. aeruginosa. The mean heavy metals concentration occurred in the following decreasing order: Iron> Zinc> Copper> Chromium> Manganese while Cadmium, Lead, Nickel and Arsenic were not detected in most of the samples. The study revealed that frozen shellfish are preserved under unhygienic environment most times and the fact that some levels of toxic metals were found in the samples is a cause for constant monitoring. Keywords: Heavy metal, Bacterial, Shellfish, Frozen, Makoko, Nigeri

Antagonistic effects of three lactic acid bacterial strains isolated from Nigerian indigenous fermented Ogi on E. coli EKT004 in co-culture

E. coli is one of the major pathogenic bacteria that cause diarrhoea in human. Traditional fermented foods, e.g. Ogi, has been used indigenously to treat diarrhoea. This study was aimed at investigating the antagonistic activity of selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from three varieties of ogi against multidrug resistant E. coli EKT004. Antibiotic susceptibility of the tested E. coli EKT004 strain to ofloxacin, gentamycin, cefuroxime, ceftazidine, lincomycin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and nitrofurantoin was tested by disc diffusion method. E. coli EKT004 was co-incubated in two different experiments with Weissella paramesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, and L. fermentum that have been previously isolated from Ogi. An 8 h old E. coli was introduced into an overnight culture of LAB and a fresh E. coli was inoculated into overnight culture of LAB. Viable count of pathogen at 0 h and after 24 h co-incubation at 37 °C was observed. The tested E. coli EKT004 was resistant to cefuroxime, ceftazidime, lincomycin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, and cefotaxime. The tested LAB isolates have a broad spectrum of activity against E. coli EKT004 used for the study with a decrease of 6–8 log of E. coli as compared with the control. These results indicate a direct effect of lactic acid bacterial strains on multidrug resistant E. coli strain

Variations in the performance, fruit shelf life, and mineral compositions of two varieties of pepper (Capsicum chinense) grown under different soil amendments and seasons

Purpose: A study was carried out during the 2021 dry season and 2022 rainy season to evaluate the differences in the performance, fruit longevity, mineral, and vitamin C compositions of two varieties of pepper (Capsicum chinense) cultivated using different organic amendments and inorganic fertilizer as a check. Poultry manure (PM), Tithonia diversifolia (TD), cattle manure (CM), inorganic fertilizer (NPK 15:15:15), and the control (CTRL) were used as treatments. Method: Organic amendments were applied at a rate of 20 t ha-1, while NPK was applied at a rate of 180 kg ha-1. The experiment was a 2 x 2 x 5 factorial with three replications laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design. Vegetative, yield, and quality parameters were collected. Results: Results show that Caribbean red produced higher values for vegetative parameters, yield, and longer shelf life in season 1. In a similar vein, mineral compositions (Cu, Ca, and Mg) of the Caribbean red variety were found to be higher than that of the Efia variety. Results also indicated that the use of poultry manure was found to improve the vegetative parameters, increased the number of days to fruit shrinkage, and increased the Ca, Cu, Mg, and vitamin C content. Conclusion: This study, therefore, concludes that the use of the Caribbean red variety cultivated during the dry season (season 1) under the application of poultry manure will give the best vegetative performance, longer shelf life, and improved fruit minerals and vitamin C contents

Chemical composition of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa l.) seeds fermented at varying durations

A study was carried out to determine the chemical composition of roselle seeds fermented at varying durations. One kg cleaned Roselle seeds were soaked in 3L of water for 8 hours. The soaked seeds were drained and fermented for 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours as treatments. Samples of fermented roselle seeds at different duration of fermentations were analyzed for chemical composition including anti-nutritional factors. The results showed  that there was significant (P<0.05) effect of fermentation duration on chemical composition and antinutritional factors of roselle seeds. Dry matter and crude protein content increased as fermentation duration increased from 0 to 96 hours. The highest dry matter (91.87%) and crude protein (35.05%) were obtained at 96 hours while crude fibre and ether extract decreased with increased fermentation duration. Crude fibre (6.55%) and  ether extract (26.79%) were highest at 0 hours. Ash and nitrogen free extract content ranged from 5.41 – 5.78 % and 30.62 – 39.19 %, respectively. Anti-nutritional factor contents declined with increased fermentation duration. The lowest values for saponin (2.02%), tannin (0.15%), phytic acid (5.44%) and trypsin inhibitor (8.93%) were obtained at 96 hours fermentation. It can be concluded that roselle seeds fermented for 96 hours  enhanced nutrient availability and significantly reduced tannin, phytate, saponin and trypsin inhibitor anti-nutritional factors. Keywords: Anti-nutritional factor, chemical composition and fermentation

Chromosomal abnormalities in couples with recurrent abortions in Lagos, Nigeria

The study was to investigate the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in  couples with two or more recurrent miscarriages of unknown cause. The study  population included 55 women and 32 male partners with medical history of 2 or  more consecutive abortions and primary infertility. The controls were 20 healthy  couples with at least one live delivery and without a history of pregnancy loss.  Individuals with medical disease or reproductive organic abnormality were excluded from the study. Chromosomal analysis was performed on peripheral blood   lymphocytes cultured for 72 hours, using Trypsin-Giemsa (GTG) banding. In all cases, at least 20 metaphases were analyzed and 2 karyotypes were prepared, using light microscopy. Out of 78 cases of karyotype analyzed, 6 cases (7.7%) of abnormal chromosome karyotypes and two (2) Y chromosome variants (2.56%) were seen. No case of structural anomaly was seen. There was no case of  chromosomal abnormality seen among the control group in this study. The median age and age range of couples with recurrent miscarriages were 33 years and 28-42 years respectively for the females and 37 and 31-51 years for the males. The male to female ratio is 1:1. The most frequent age group of involvement is 35-39  (44.9%) followed by 30-34 (33.3%) and then 40-44(14.1%) Chromosomal  alterations affected most commonly age group 30-34(3.84%) followed by group 40-44 (2.56%). All the groups have equal average number of pregnancy wastage of 4 per couple. Of the 6 abnormal cases, 1 case (1.28%) each of the mosaic  Kleinfelter syndrome (XXY) and Superman (XYY) as well as 2 cases of   translocations made up of reciprocal and Robertsonian types. Also seen are 1case (1.28%) each of mosaic Turners syndrome and trisomy X. An association between chromosomal abnormalities and recurrent miscarriage of pregnancy was observed inthe study. Etiologic identification of genetic factors represents important clinical information for genetic counseling and orientation of the couple about the risk for future pregnancies and decreases the number of investigations needed to elucidate the possible causes of miscarriages.Keywords: Chromosomal abnormalities, recurrent miscarriages, Genetic counselling

Pattern of intestinal helminthiasis among under five children and their family members in Ilesa West Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria

Background: Intestinal helminthiasis is one of the most common infestations worldwide, especially among the poorest communities of the developing world. The disease burden of intestinal helminthiasis is as great as those of tuberculosis (34.7 million Disability Adjusted Life Years - DALYs) and malaria (46.5 million DALYs). It has significant adverse impact on the growth and cognitive development of children especially those less than five years who make up 10 to 20 percent of the two billion people who are infested with helminths. A number of studies have identified some of the risk factors for helminth infestation among school-aged children but relatively little work has been done on helminth infestation among children aged less than five years. It was therefore necessary to embark on this study, with the aim of studying the pattern of intestinal helminthiasis among under five children and their family members in Ilesa West Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional survey of 340 children under five years, and their caregivers was conducted in Ilesa with a pretested interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Stool specimens were examined using the kato-katz technique.Results: Stool was positive for helminths among 81 (23.8%) study subjects and in 73 (21.5%) families, another family member was helminth infected. Majority (44, 54.3%) of infected children were females. Children in the age group 12 – 24 years (24, 29.6%) were the most affected. Intensity of infection was light (less than 1000 eggs per gram of stool) among study subjects and their family members. Ascaris lumbricoides occurred most frequently among study subjects (82.7%) and their family members (86.3%). Surprisingly, there was no mix infection in the study. Majority of the studied families belong to the higher socioeconomic class (228, 67.1%). Most mothers reported that they washed their hands before eating (99.1%), after using the toilet (94.4%) and after toileting for their children (79.4%).Conclusion: The frequency of helminth infection was found to be high among children under five years and their family members.Keywords: intestinal; helminthiasis; under-five; children; famil

Genetic diversity and population structure of Nigerian indigenous goat using DNA microsatellite markers

Twenty-nine microsatellite markers were used to evaluate genetic diversity and rela- tionships among three Nigerian goat breeds and to compare with one South African and one European goat breeds as outgroups. A total of 244 goats from the Sahel (47), Maradi (47), and West African Dwarf (67) breeds; and as outgroup: Kalahari (47) and Saanen (36) breeds were included. DNA was extracted from blood preserved on FTA Classic cards according to manufacturer’s protocol. The microsatellite regions were amplified using thermal cycler. Mean number of allele (MNA), expected and observed Heterozygousities (He and Ho, respectively), Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) and genetic distances between populations were calculated. A dendogram was constructed to reveal evolutionary trend in the studied breeds. A genetic structure of the populations was performed using STRUCTURE. Genetic diversity was high with MNA per locus ranging from 6.69 to 8.79 for Kalahari and West African Dwarf, respectively. Ho values ranged from 59 % for West African Dwarf to 64.9 % for Saanen. The highest He estimates were observed in the West African Dwarf (70 %). The lowest He (66.5 %) was observed in Saanen population. The Mean Fis values for the studied populations ranged from 0.055 to 0.148 for Kalahari and West Africa Dwarf, respectively. Genetic distances between populations revealed the least genetic relationship between Saanen and Maradi (0.386) and highest between Maradi and Sahel (0.025). The HWE test revealed eighteen, seventeen, thirteen, twenty-three, and twenty-one loci were in HWE (p>0.05) in Maradi, West African Dwarf, Sahel, Saanen, and Kalahari, respectively. A gra- phic representation of the STRUCTURE analysis revealed that Nigerian goats descended from a common ancestor different from South African and European breeds used as outgroups.Se analizaron 29 microsatélites para evaluar la diversidad genética de tres razas capri- nas Nigerianas y establecer las relaciones genéticas entre ellas utilizando las razas Saanen y Kalahari como poblaciones outgroup. Se analizaron 244 distribuidas de la siguiente manera: en Sahel (47), Maradi (47) y WestAfrican Dwarf (67), Kalahari (47) y Saanen (36). El ADN se extrajo a partir de sangre conservada en tarjetas FTA Classic siguiendo las instrucciones del fabricante y se amplificaron los microsatélites mediante PCR. Se calcularon el número medio de alelos (MNA), las heterocigocidades observada (Ho) y esperada (He) y las distancias genéticas entre pares de poblaciones. Se hizo una prueba de equilibrio Hardy-Weinberg (HWE) y un análisis de la estructura genética de las poblaciones mediante el programa STRUCTURE. La diversidad genética encontrada fue alta con valores de MNA entre 6,69 y 8,79 para Kalahari y West African Dwarf, respectivamente. Los valores de Ho oscilaron entre un 59 % para West African Dwarf y un 64,9 % para Saanen. La He más alta se encontró en la raza West African Dwarf (70 %), mientras que el valor más bajo se observó en la raza Saanen (He= 66,5 %). Los valores medios de Fis para las poblaciones estudiadas variaron entre 0,055 en Kalahari y 0,148 en West African Dwarf. La distancia genética más elevada fué la encontrada entre Saanen y Maradi (0,386) y la menor entre Maradi y Sahel (0,025). La prueba de equilibrio de HWE reveló que dieciocho, diecisiete, trece, veintitrés y veintiún loci estaban en equilibrio HWE (p>0,05) en las razas Maradi, West African Dwarf, Sahel, Saanen y Kalahari, respectivamente. Una representación gráfica del análisis de estructura genética reveló que las cabras de Nigeria descienden de un ancestro común diferente de las razas sudafricanas y europeas que fueron utilizadas como grupos externos

Lack of phylogeographic structure in Nigerian village chickens revealed by mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequence analysis

Genetic diversity studies that utilize phenotypic and genetic information are informative when formulating breeding and conservation plans. The present study utilizes sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region of 232 village chickens from Southern and Northern Nigeria to determine the origin and diversity of Nigerian local chickens. Thirty-six polymorphic sites which generate 35 haplotypes are identified. Phylogenetic analyses group Nigerian local chickens to a single clade and 97.8% of the total maternal variation occurs within populations. Reference sequences representing the major chicken mtDNA lineages from Asia indicate the Indian subcontinent to be the likely main center of origin of Nigerian village chicken. Lack of phylogeographic structure among Nigerian village chickens suggest extensive genetic intermixing within the country. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2010

Physiological growth, yield and quality responses of okra to sole and combined soil application of green biomass, poultry manure and inorganic fertilizers

Agronomic practices using different organic materials helps in improving soil fertility and quality of produce. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different sole and combined application of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on the physiological growth, yield and quality of okra. Treatments consisted two green biomass viz- Gliricidia sepium leaves (5 and 10 t ha-1 Gs), Chromolaena odorata leaves (5 and 10 t ha-1 Co), poultry manure (5 and 10 t ha-1 Pm), zinc sulphate (0 and 10 kg ha-1 Zn) and NPK fertilizer (200 kg ha-1 NPK) in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Application of 5 t ha-1 Co ? 5 t ha-1 Pm (T2), 10 t ha-1 Pm ? 0 kg ha-1 Zn (T8) and 10 t ha-1 Pm ? 10 kg ha-1 Zn (T9) increased vegetative growth, number of fruits and quality of okra fruits similar to application of NPK except fruit weight per hectare while 5 t ha-1 Gs ? 5 t ha-1 Pm (T1) improved all the parameters including fruit weight. Effects of treatments had significant influences on the proximate composition. The average concentrations of the heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu and Fe) detected in the samples were all below the safe limit. Incorporation of 5 t ha-1 Gs ? 5 t ha-1 Pm (T1) will be adequate for growth, yield and quality characteristics of okra without the addition zinc sulphate fertilizer. Further increase in the amendments may therefore not be economical