Influence of soy fortification on microbial diversity during cassava fermentation and subsequent physicochemical characteristics of garri

This study investigated the influence of the addition of soy products on the microbiology, nutritional and physico-chemical characteristics of garri, a fermented cassava product. Malted soy flour (MSF) and soy protein (SP) were separately added (12% w/w) to cassava mash prior to controlled fermentation, while non-supplemented cassava mash served as a control. Identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and aerobic mesophilic bacteria was accomplished by repetitive sequence based (rep)-PCR analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Physicochemical, nutritional and sensory characterisation of control and soy-fortified garri was performed using conventional methods. rep-PCR allowed differentiation of 142 isolates into 41 groups corresponding to 6 species of LAB and 25 species of aerobic mesophiles. LAB isolates belonged to the genera Lactobacillus, Weissella, Leuconostoc and Lactococcus with Leuconostoc mesenteroides being the dominant species in control and MSF-cassava while Weissella cibaria dominated SP-cassava fermentation. Aerobic mesophiles included Gram positive and negative bacteria such species of the genera Bacillus, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Serratia, Acinetobacter and Raoultella. Diversity of aerobic mesophiles varied between control, MSF- and SP- cassava mash. Protein content of soy-fortified garri increased from 0.73% to 10.17% and 10.05% in MSF and SP garri respectively with a significant decrease in total cyanide from 26 to 11 ppm. Results from physicochemical and organoleptic evaluation indicate that supplementation of cassava with soy products prior to fermentation can produce acceptable garri. Soy products can be considered a viable option for protein fortification of garri, a low protein food with the aim of combating malnutrition

Effects of used engine oil polluted-soil on seeds’ germination and seedlings’ growth characteristics of some tropical crops

The ability of Phaselous vulgaris, Zea mays L., Solanum lycopersium and Sorghum saccharatum to germinate and grow in unpolluted soils, 1% w/w and 2% w/w used engine oil polluted soils were investigated. Twenty (20) seeds of each plant species were sown in the various polluted and unpolluted soils and germination were monitored for 7 days, and subsequent growth for 7 weeks. The numbers of germinated seeds were counted daily from the 2nd to the 7th day, and percentage germination recorded. Plants' growth parameters (shoot heights and leaf area) of the seedlings were assayed and recorded on the 3rd, 5th and 7th week. Percentage germination varied for the various plant seeds. S. saccharatum had the best germination in polluted and unpolluted soil with 100%, 95% and 90% germination as against the least germination 100%, 65% and 25% observed in S. lycopersium in unpolluted, 1% w/w polluted and 2% w/w polluted soils, respectively. In terms of growth, P. vulgaris had the best performance in unpolluted and polluted soils with mean shoot heights of 47.8 cm, 41.3 cm and 28.4 cm as against S. lycopersium with mean shoot heights of 10.8 cm, 5.8 cm and 3.6 cm in unpolluted, 1% w/w and 2% w/w polluted soils, respectively at the end of the study. The results of this study showed that used engine oil inhibited the germination of these seeds in a dose depended manner, and that inhibition of seeds' germination does not connote inhibition of subsequent growth. This highlights the need to prevent agricultural soil pollution with used engine oil

The effects of fermentation and boiling on the level of hydrogen cyanide in Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean)

The effects of fermentation and boiling on the level of hydrogen cyanide in Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean) were investigated. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of Mucuna pruriens revealed the presence that tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides and cyanogenic glycosides. Quantitative analysis revealed that raw Mucuna pruriens contained 42.10 mg/kg hydrogen cyanide (HCN). The respective fermentation and boiling treatments given to Mucuna pruriens significantly reduced the HCN level in the bean. Fermentation for 4 days reduced the HCN concentration to 8.10 mg/kg (33.25%), while boiling for 60 min reduced it to 26.70 mg/kg (36.38%). Combined 4 days fermentation and 60 min boiling treatments significantly reduced the level of HCN in the bean to 18.85 mg/kg being more effective than its respective fermentation or boiling method in reducing the HCN content by 55.23%. Microorganisms involved in the fermentation were bacteria (Proteus spp, Bacillus spp and Pseudomonas spp) and fungi (Saccharomyces spp, Penicillium spp and Rhizopus, spp). The result showed that a combined 4 days fermentation and 60 minutes boiling treatment was more effective in reducing the level of hydrogen cyanide in Mucuna pruriens to safe levels allowed in human and livestock feeds.Keywords: Boiling, fermentation, hydrogen cyanide, Mucuna pruriens, velvet bean

A Survey of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains from Clinical Sources in Owerri

A survey of antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains from clinical specimens was carried out. A total of 100 different clinical specimens were investigated with a yield of 48 Staphylococcus aureus isolates. A high resistance of 95.8% to penicillin, 89.6% to ampicillin, 87.5% to tetracycline, and 75.0% to chloramphenicol by Staphylococcus aureus strains were recorded. A high susceptibility of 91.7% to gentamicin and 85.4% to cloxacillin were also record. The high percentage resistance to the antibiotics studied could be attributed to their prevailing usage and abuse in the area under study. The implication of the high percentage recorded for the antibiotics is that Staphylococcus aureus infections could be effectively treated with gentamicin and cloxacillin and not with penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol in the area under study. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 8 (1) 2004: 67 - 6

A Survey of Antibiotic Resistant <i>Staphylococcus Aureus</i> Strains from Clinical Sources in Owerri

A survey of antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains from clinical specimens was carried out. A total of 100 different clinical specimens were investigated with a yield of 48 Staphylococcus aureus isolates. A high resistance of 95.8% to penicillin, 89.6% to ampicillin, 87.5% to tetracycline, and 75.0% to chloramphenicol by Staphylococcus aureus strains were recorded. A high susceptibility of 91.7% to gentamicin and 85.4% to cloxacillin were also record. The high percentage resistance to the antibiotics studied could be attributed to their prevailing usage and abuse in the area under study. The implication of the high percentage recorded for the antibiotics is that Staphylococcus aureus infections could be effectively treated with gentamicin and cloxacillin and not with penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol in the area under study. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 8 (1) 2004: 67 - 6