Partial characterization of lignin peroxidase expressed by bacterial and fungal isolates from termite gut

Lignin peroxidase producing microorganisms were isolated from the gut of Macrotermes nigeriense (Soldier and worker termite). The microorganisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Epidermophyton flocussum, Microsporum distortum, Trichophyton megininii, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Aspergillus niger. When the isolates were incubated for 24 hours in the presence of 0.5 w/v pyrogallol to test for the expression of peroxidase activities, B. subtilis produced the highest activity among the bacterial isolates, with optimum temperature of 35 °C, and optimum pH of 6.5. Similar screen among the fungal isolates found M. distortum to express the most activities, with optimum temperature of 40 °C, and optimum pH of 5.0, after 72 hours incubation. The results from this study suggest that B. subtilis and M. distortum can be a cheap source of lignin peroxidase for large scale commercial production, biotechnological and industrial applications.Keywords: Macrotermes nigeriense, lignin peroxidase, microorganisms, enzyme Activit

Partial characterization of lignin peroxidase expressed by bacterial and fungal isolates from termite gut

Lignin peroxidase producing microorganisms were isolated from the gut of Macrotermes nigeriense (Soldier and worker termite). The microorganisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermis , Bacillus subtilis , Micrococcus luteus , Epidermophyton flocussum , Microsporum distortum , Trichophyton megininii , Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Aspergillus niger . When the isolates were incubated for 24 hours in the presence of 0.5 w/v pyrogallol to test for the expression of peroxidase activities, B. subtilis produced the highest activity among the bacterial isolates, with optimum temperature of 35 \ub0C, and optimum pH of 6.5. Similar screen among the fungal isolates found M. distortum to express the most activities, with optimum temperature of 40 \ub0C, and optimum pH of 5.0, after 72 hours incubation. The results from this study suggest that B. subtilis and M. distortum can be a cheap source of lignin peroxidase for large scale commercial production, biotechnological and industrial applications

Potential and Accuracy of Hand Length and Hand Breadth in Sex Determination: An Insight into Hausa Population of Nigeria

The identification of an individual in mass disasters and traffic accidents is a fundamental goal in forensic investigations. However, it is suggested that every population needs anthropological reference data. The objectives of this study were to determine the potential and accuracy of hand length and hand breadth in sex determination among the Hausa population of Nigeria. Random sampling was employed to select 204 male and 194 female subjects aged 18-30 years. Hand length and hand breadth were measured using standard protocols. Two-sample t-test, binary logistic regression, receiver operating characteristics curve, and Youden’s index were used for determining sex using hand dimensions. Posterior probability and likelihood ratio were used to determine the favor odds of each category of hand dimension in sex discrimination. A significant sexual dimorphism was observed in hand length and hand breadth with higher mean values in males. The variance of sex explained by hand parameters ranges from 38.50/51.35% (lower/upper limits) to 52.98/70.66%, which were exhibited by right hand length and left hand breadth respectively. The overall prediction and percentage accuracy of sex discrimination ranges between 80.40 to 86.70 % that were exhibited by right hand length and handbreadth respectively. We observed that left hand breadth exhibited higher Younden’s index with an area under curve (AUC) ranging from 91.60% to 96.05%. We found that hand length of > 189.99 mm was indicative of male origin and hand breadth of > 79.99 mm was indicative of male origin

Natural multi-occurrence of mycotoxins in rice from Niger State, Nigeria

Twenty-one rice samples from field (ten), store (six) and market (five) from the traditional rice-growing areas of Niger State, Nigeria were analysed for aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2), and patulin (PAT) by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) respectively. T-2 toxin was determined using TLC only. AFs were detected in all samples, at total AF concentrations of 28–372 μg/kg. OTA was found in 66.7% of the samples, also at high concentrations (134–341 μg/kg) that have to be considered as critical levels in aspects of nephrotoxicity. ZEA (53.4%), DON (23.8), FB1 (14.3%) and FB2 (4.8%) were also found in rice, although at relatively low levels. T-2 toxin was qualitatively detected by TLC in only one sample. Co-contamination with AFs, OTA, and ZEA was very common, and up to five mycotoxins were detected in a single sample. The high AF and OTA levels as found in rice in this study are regarded as unsafe, and multi-occurrences of mycotoxins in the rice samples with possible additive or synergistic toxic effects in consumers raise concern with respect to public health

Assessment of Foods and Drinks for the Presence of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) Producing Bacteria in Gombe Metropolis, Nigeria

Objectives: To make preliminary screening study for the presence of ESBL producing bacteria, in food and drinks sold in Gombe metropolis. 30 samples of food and drinks were collected and analyzed. Method: Bacterial isolation was performed on nutrient agar and identification started from gram staining; the gram negative isolates obtained, among which ESBL producers were found and further subjected to standard biochemical tests and confirmed to be enterobacteriaceae. They were then screened for ESBLs in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) breakpoint, and the suspected ESBLs bacteria were confirmed using double disc synergy testing (DDST) with standard Augmentin (Amoxycillin/ Clavulanic Acid, 30μg; Oxoid England, CT0223B), Ceftriaxone (CRO 30μg; Oxoid England, CT0417B) and Ceftazidime (CAZ 30μg; Oxoid England, CT0412B). Findings: The fourteen 14(100%) Gram negative bacteria isolated were found to include Pseudomonasaeruginosa 2(14.29%) and members of the family Enterobacteriaceae (enteric gram negative rods): Citrobacterfreundii 2(14.29%), Enterobacterspp. 1(7.14%), Escherichiacoli 4(28.57%), Klebsiellapneumoniae 3(21.43%), Proteusvulgaris 1(7.14%) and Salmonellatyphi 1(7.14%). When screened for ESBL production based on CLSI breakpoint, only 6 (49.99%) were positive and included C.freundii 1(7.14%), E.coli 2(14.29%), K.pneumoniae 1(7.14%), S. typhi 1(7.14%) and 1(7.14%) for Ps. aeruginosa. On subjecting them to DDST, only 2(33.34%) out of them were found to be ESBLs positive by an increase in inhibition zone of 5mm toward the centre disc, Augmentin. They include E. coli 1(16.67%) and S. typhi 1(16.67%). Application: In a nutshell, foods and drinks sold therein could serve as reservoirs for ESBLs producing bacteria