Enterotoxicity of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from beans pudding

36 samples of beans pudding from selected sources were analysed for Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus using standard protocols aimed at assessing its bacteriological quality. Samples obtained from restaurant showed slightly lower value for total plate count (1.3 x 104 - 1.6 x 106 cfu/gm) compared to samples from cafeteria (2.7 x 104 - 2.6 x 106 cfu/gm) and hawkers (3.1 x 104 - 3.2 x 106 cfu/gm). Count of S. aureus from samples obtained from hawkers varied between 1.2 x 103 - 2.0 x 106 cfu/gm while those of cafeteria and restaurant showed counts varying between 1.3 x 103 - 1.0 x 105 cfu/gm and 2.2 x 103 - 1.1 x 105 cfu/gm respectively. The counts for B. cereus from samples obtained from hawker ranged from 1.0 x 102 - 1.3 x 104 cfu/gm, while those from cafeteria and restaurant ranged from 1.0 x 102 - 2.10 x 104 cfu/gm and 1.0 x 102 - 1.0 x 104 cfu/gm respectively. 53% of the 13 isolates of S. aureus produced enterotoxin A but non produced enterotoxins C and D. The results from this study showed that S. aureus is common in vended beans capable of producing pathogenic enterotoxin A. Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, moin-moin, enterotoxin, enterotoxicity, cellophan

Assessment of levels of copper, cadmium and lead in secretion of mammary gland of cows grazed on open fields

The levels of copper, cadmium and lead were determined in milk samples from cows grazed on open fields. The use of H2O2 cleared the residual colours of the metal solutions following digestion with HNO3 acid. The results of the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric analysis of the metal solutions from the milk samples showed the metal concentrations in the order Pb (0.531±0.299 mg/dm3)>Cd (0.257±0.127 mg/dm3)>Cu (0.062±0.026 mg/dm3). The levels of Pb and Cd in the milk samples studied exceeded the permissible maximum daily intake recommended by W.H.O. in the health criteria. Keywords: Copper, Cadmium, Lead, Cow, mammary gland, secretio

Effects of millet malt wort on brewer's yeast

The effect of Pearl Millet, Penniserum americanum (L), malt won obtained by modified infusion method of  mashmg was investigated on the brewers yeast, Saccharomyces uvarum, growth and fermentation  performance. Bud formation in the yeast was observed nine hows into the initiation of. the fermentation process which slowed down towards the termination of the fermentation period with cells looking elongated and with irregular buds. Yeast generation time was high .(32 to 40 hours) with low number of generation (5 to 8) and low growth rate 5.1 x 10-4 ). The percent acidity as acetic acid was low (50%) however, the won pH was satisfactory (3.8). Malting regime was found to have direct correlation with yeast viable counts as the won obtained from the 3 day regime malt gave the highest viable counts. Yeast viability was maintained for the three pitching cycles. Erythrodextrin and amylodextrin were largely the prcxlucts of the unconverted starch in the 3 - day and 2 - day regime wort - derived malt respectively. Yeast flocculence in the wort. Alcohol percent by volume obtained was 1ow ( 1.3 % V. V). This cereal appears inadequate for beer production due to the low extract content of the wort

Cellulase production from waste paper using Trichoderma species isolated from rhizospheric soil

The recent interest in bioconversion of cellulosic wastes to value added chemicals has led to extensive studies on microorganisms capable of producing the enzyme. The possibility of using waste paper for the production of cellulase by Trichoderma species isolated from the soil was investigated using submerged fermentation technique. The fermentation temperature and pH were varied. Results indicated that maximum cellulase production of 0.18 IU/ml/min was obtained at 96 h. Maximal enzyme activity was at pH 5 when compared to the activity obtained at pH of 6.0 (0.11 IU/ml/min) and 7.0 (0.06 IU/ml/min). Incubation temperature influenced the cellulase production greatly with about 50% of the cellulase activity lost when the temperature was switched from 28 to 37°C. The cultivation and application of the organism in cellulose hydrolysis will lead to efficient conversion of cellulose materials to other important products.Key words: Cellulose, Trichoderma, cellulase, submerged, fermentation, wastepaper

Efficacy of Sakacin on Selected Food Pathogenic Microorganisms Isolated from Fermented Milk Products

The efficacy of sakacin on selected food pathogenic microorganisms isolated from fermented milk products  was investigated. The L .sake was isolated using the pour plate technique and was characterized based on it colony, cell morphology and some biochemical tests. This isolate was identified using standard scheme. The L .sake FCF 33 was propagated in De Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) broth for bacteriocin (sakacin) production. The sakacin had inhibitory effects on all test microorganisms (ranging from +5mm to +6mm) except Shigella dysenteriae N11, Salmonella typhimurium N8, Klebsiella ozaenae W24 and Proteus mirabilisN16a). Bacteriocins are antimicrobial substances of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have gained tremendous attention as potential bio preservatives in the food and dairy industries. The LAB can serve as probiotics, which are products aimed at delivering living, potentially beneficial bacterial cells to the gut ecosystem of humans and other animals. © JASEMKeywords: Inhibition, sakacin, De Man Rogosa Sharpe, broth, morpholog

Molecular identification of rotavirus strains associated with diarrhea among children in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to determine the molecular characteristics of the rotavirus strains associated with diarrhea among children in Kwara state, Nigeria. A total of 150 stool samples were collected from diarrheic children. The stool samples were screened for rotavirus,using Enzyme linked  Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nine (9) stool samples were positive 6%. The prevalence of rotavirus infection according to sex was as follows: Male 3.30% and Female 2.70%. The distribution of infection according to age of the children was as follows; <1-2 years 4% and 3-5 years had 2%. The prevalence of infection in dry months was 4.7% while in wet months it was1.3%. Chi-square test revealed that there was no relationship between the rate of infection and factors such as age and sex of the children except seasonal variations. Molecular identification of the virus indicated P4, P6, G1 and G8 as the common genotypes of rotavirus in Kwara State. Morehospital and community base investigations should be conducted to  ascertain the diversity of the virus in Kwara State.Keywords: Genotypes, prevalence, rotavirus, gastro-enteritis, Enzyme linked immunosorbent, Kwara State

Antibacterial activity of Euphorbia hirta against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris

This investigation was conducted to determine the in-vitro effect of  aqueous, ethanol and methanol crude extracts of Euphorbia hirta at concentrations ranging from 10mg/ml – 100mg/ml against three pathogenic bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris) using cup plate method. The extracts showed  appreciable inhibitory effect (6-11mm and 2-20mm) on Streptococcus  pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris when compared to the positive control (penicillin). Klebsiella pneumoniae was resistant to all the extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was between 60mg/ml – 80mg/ml on Streptococcus pneumoniae and 60mg/ml-100mg/ml on Proteus vulgaris. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was between 90-100mg/ml on Streptococcus pneumoniae and 100mg/ml on Proteus vulgaris. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins,  flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and volatile oils. The result from this  preliminary study suggests that the plant contains active compounds that could be used for the development of drug for the treatment of ailments associated with the test organisms. More work needs to be done on the separation and purification of active compounds in the plant extract in order to determine the role of each compound in the crude extracts. Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Euphorbia hirta, Crude extracts, Bacterial isolates

Management lessons learned in supply chain development: the experience of PICS bags in West and Central Africa

In order to facilitate the transformation of African agriculture, Africa’s smallholders will require more and better access to input markets that deliver context-specific and well adapted innovations. This article summarizes the management lessons learned in developing supply chains for Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags in West and Central Africa. PICS bags are hermetic grain storage bags that are leading a revolution in the post-harvest handling of grain on smallholder farmers in Africa. The bags have been very popular with farmers, but the major challenge has been developing supply chains to make those bags available for purchase at the village level. This article: (1) describes the PICS supply chain in West and Central Africa; (2) identifies constraints (i.e. financial, structural, social) that impede the development of the PICS supply chain; and (3) analyzes strategies used by businesses to expand distribution channels and increase bag sales

Clinical Study The Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Salmonella typhi among Patients Attending a Military Hospital in Minna, Nigeria

The threat to human health posed by antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens is of growing concern to medical practice. This study investigated the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Salmonella typhi isolated from blood specimen. One hundred blood samples were collected from suspected typhoid fever patients in 31 Artillery Brigade Medical Centre, Minna, and were analyzed for S. typhi while antibiotic sensitivity testing was done Kirby-Bauer method. Sixty (60.0%) samples out of the total 100 were positive for bacterial growth. The organisms isolated 2 include Salmonella typhi; 45 (75.0%), Shigella; 6 (10.0%), E. coli; 3 (5.0%), Klebsiella; 3 (5.0%), Enterobacter; 2 (3.3%), and Citrobacter; 1 (1.7%). Result of the sensitivity test showed that the isolates were resistant to all the antibiotics; ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, amoxicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, and augmentin, which are the drug of choice routinely used in the study area for the treatment of typhoid fever. They were however sensitive to chloramphenicol and ofloxacin, which, unfortunately, are not used in this study area for the treatment of typhoid fever. There appear to be multiple drug resistant (MDR) strain of S. typhi in the study area. These may be as a result of overdependence or uncontrolled use of the few available antibiotics and/or inaccurate or inconclusive diagnosis resulting in the development and spread of resistant strains of S. typhi. The study, therefore, highlights the need for a strong collaboration between the physicians and the laboratory in the choice of antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial diseases in order to discourage the development of resistant strain of bacterial pathogen