The potentials of henna (Lawsonia inamis L.) leaves extracts as counter stain in gram staining reaction

The potentials of aqueous and ethanol extract solutions of the henna plant (Lawsonia inamis L.) leaves adopted as alternative counter stain in Gram staining reactions were studied. Different extracts were formulated into various staining solutions of different concentrations. The solutionswere modified with hydrogen peroxide, ferric chloride, potassium alum and potassium permanganate. These staining solutions were used to stain bacterial isolates of Lactobacillus spp and Escherichia coli strains. The experimental henna plant extracts solutions were used with usualcounter stains (neutral red, safranin and dilute carbol fuchsin) as positive controls. The result obtained showed that aqueous extracts (cold and hot) oxidized with potassium permanganate with neutral pH gives a better staining reaction. While the ethanol extract after oxidized with potassiumpermanganate had no staining reaction. The result obtained therefore implied that the aqueous henna leaves extracts (cold or hot) when oxidized with potassium permanganate can be a substitute to the usual counter stains used in Gram staining reactions.Keywords: Aqueous Extract, Dyes, Henna, Counter-Stainin

Listeria monocytogenes: the nature, public health aspects and retrospective situations of an emerging infectious pathogen in Nigerian

New food borne infectious diseases have continued to emerge world over in the food industries. Listeria monocytogenes, an intracellular bacterium has become an emerging food borne pathogen that causes listeriosis; a zoonotic disease, posing serious risks to public health; in livestock industries, pregnant mothers, neonates and in immunocompromised individuals. Organ of asymptomatic carriers and infected hosts (human, animals and birds) serve as reservoirs of the pathogen from where they spread and infect other susceptible hosts. L. monocytogenes in food contamination may occur in the farm or during food processing, handling and packaging due to poor quality control measures. The molecular and genetic factors on the part of the pathogen may be responsible for its pathogenesis in susceptible individuals. Its' public health importance cannot be over emphasized as L. monocytogenes causes huge economic loss to livestock industries, abortion in pregnant mothers and animals, food poisoning which may lead to death in infected individuals. It is therefore, suggested that proper control strategies, good quality control practices and adequate prevention measures be put in place for effective prevent and control of food borne listeriosis in health, agriculture and environmental systems in Nigeria. Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2(2) 2006: 86-9

Occurrence of Listeria Monocytogenes in Irrigation Water and Vegetables at Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

In this study, thirty water samples obtained from rivers, streams and ponds used for irrigation of vegetables at thirty different sites in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria were analyzed for the presence Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species using the two-step enrichment method. Ten samples each spinach, lettuce and cabbage, which are common vegetables grown in Jos were analyzed for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The results obtained showed that out of the 30 water samples screened 10(33.3%) were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Ponds accounted for 50% of the positive samples, followed by streams (33.3%) and rivers (27.2%). Of the ten samples of vegetables analyzed, only two spinach samples were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Other bacteria species isolated from the water samples include L. onnocua, L. ivanovii. L. grayi, Bacillus spp, Streptococcus spp, Aeromonas spp, Pseudomonas spp, Klebsiella spp, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Dry season farmers and vegetables handlers in the irrigated fields should be educated on measures aimed at minimizing or eliminating the hazard associated with Listeria monocytogenes. Keywords: Farmers, vegetables, irrigation waters, bacteria, Listeria monocytogene

Bacteriological Evaluation Of Pre-Cut Fruits Sold In Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria

One hundred and fifty (150) pre-cut fruit samples comprising of Pineapples (50), Paw-paw (50) and Watermelon (50) at the point of standretail outlets were tested by standard bacteriological methods to determine bacterial contamination of the fruits. Out of these 150 examined136 (90.67%) were contaminated with bacteria. The bacterial distribution were; Escherichia coli 69 (46.00%), Staphylococcus aureus 29(19.33%), Salmonella species 13 (8.67%), Proteus species18 (12.00%), Enterobacter aerogenes 3 (2.00%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 2 (1.33%)and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2 (1.33%). Among the 50 Pineapple pre-cuts, Escherichia coli 26 (17.33%), Staphylococcus aureus 6 (4.00%),Salmonella species 7 (4.67%), Proteus species 9 (6.00%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2 (1.33%); the 50 Watermelon had Escherchia coli 22(14.67%), Staphylococcus aureus 13 (8.67%), Salmonella species 3 (2.00%), Proteus species 5 (3.33%), Enterobacter aerogenes 2 (1.33%),Klebsiella species 2 (1.33%). Of the 50 Paw-paw pre-cuts were; Escherichia coli 21 (14.00%), Staphylococcus aureus 10 (6.67%), Salmonellaspecies 3 (2.00%), Proteus species 4 (2.67%), Enterobacter aerogenes 1 (0.67%) were isolated. The findings in this study have shown thatthe food vendors failed to adopt adequate hygiene for food handling and thus, suggest that the quality of all the pre-cut fruits sold at theretail outlets were not bacteriologically satisfactory. The public health risks associated with these pre-cut fruits may suggest that these fruitscould serve as the vehicles for foodborne illnesses. This study has shown the need to educate the vendors on how to protect utensils andfruits to avoid contamination and spoilag