Microbiological safety evaluation of snacks sold in fast food shops in Ota, Ogun state, Nigeria.

The microbial quality of snacks (ready to eat foods) sold in Ota, Ogun State was investigated. A total of 100 different samples from 3 vending sites namely, a University Cafeteria, a top class snacks bar and a local kiosk were analyzed for total aerobic plate count, coliform count and for specific pathogens and fungi. The University Cafeteria had mean total aerobic plate count and coliform count ranging from 1.1x103-3.0x104 and 1.0x102-2.2x103. The snacks bar had mean total aerobic plate count and coliform count ranging from 2.0x103-5.8 x 105 and 1.4x102 -1.8x105 while the local kiosk had mean total aerobic plate count and coliform count ranging from 2.1 x 103-5.4x105 and 1.0x102 -8.0 x 104 respectively. The fungal counts from the three sites are within 1.0 x102- 4.0x102. Six different bacterial and three fungal isolates were identified to include E. coli, S. aureus, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp and Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp and Mucor. The presence of E. coli and Enterococci which are indicator organisms call for concern. Adoption of good manufacturing practice and hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) are necessary to preventing occurrence of food borne illness

Viruses Infecting Yam in Ghana, Togo and Benin in West Africa

Yam is a food security crop in West Africa and other tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. However, yam production and productivity is threatened by viral diseases which reduce the yield of the desired yam tuber and also hinder the exchange of yam germplasm for breeding and improvement purposes. The documentation of virus prevalence and variability among strains of a particular virus, provide a foundation for deploying strategies to contain virus spread, facilitate the development of improved diagnostic methods and mitigate crop loses. This book reports the occurrence, distribution and molecular variability among viruses infecting yam in major yam producing areas in Ghana, Togo and Benin, three of the five world topmost producers of yam. The procedure for the production and optimization of polyclonal antibodies for the detection of some yam viruses is also described. This book would be useful to breeders, research scientists, quarantine and extension officers within the National and International Agricultural Research institutes in Africa and around the world. It would also serve as a valuable guide for graduate student

Molecular detection of two cassava Begomoviruses in some parts of Southern Nigeria

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD), caused by an array of is the most economically important viral disease of cassava in sub-Saharan Africa. The most frequently reported in West Africa are African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV). In this study, 42 cassava leaves and 30 symptomatic weeds belonging to the Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae and Leguminosae families were collected from backyard gardens in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, and Delta States in 2009. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracts from these leaves were tested for ACMV and EACMCV in a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The PCR primers used were designed to amplify the replicase regions of DNA-A components of both viruses. Most of the cassava plants within the survey area were either symptomless or showed mild symptoms. ACMV was detected in 16% of cassava leaves from Edo State but not in any of the cassava leaves from the other three states. One weed sample each from Edo State (5.56%) and Ondo State (10%) were also positive for ACMV. EACMCV was not detected in any of the samples tested. The low virus occurrence observed from PCR results and the observed low incidence of the CMD characteristic mosaic symptoms on cassava leaves in the states sampled may be attributed to the use of CMD resistant or tolerant cassava varieties, and may be a result of the massive distribution of virus resistant cassava cuttings to these States by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

Microbial Quality and the Occurrence of Aflatoxins In Plantain/Yam And Wheat Flours In Ado‐Odo Ota

Flours made from various foods including plantain, yam and wheat are a major part of daily diet for millions of people in Nigerian. If these food crops are not dried rapidly and thoroughly prior to milling, fungal growth and mycotoxin production can occur. Aflatoxins, a type of mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus species have been classified as Group 1 human carcinogens hence should be monitored in routinely consumed foods as the populace maybe potentially exposed to doses of aflatoxins in their daily diet. This study sought to determine the microbial quality and the occurrence of fungi and aflatoxins in plantain, yam and wheat purchased from four markets (Oja‐ota, Sango, Atan and Owode markets) in Ado Odo Local Government Area. The mean microbial count for each sample was determined by plating each sample on nutrient agar and fungi was isolated by plating on Potato Dextrose Agar. The total aflatoxin content of the food samples was determined using the Agra Quant® competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The highest mean microbial count (9.30 × 1013 cfu/g) was observed in a plantain flour bought from Sango market while the lowest (1.16 × 1012 cfu/g), was observed in wheat flour from Oja‐Ota market. Aspergillus flavus was the predominant (31%) aflatoxigenic fungi isolated compared to A. niger (21%). The other fungi isolated include Rhizopus spp, Geotrichium spp, Yeast, Penicillium spp and Paecilomyces spp. Aflatoxin was detected in all the food samples tested in this study at concentrations ranging from 0.2 ppb to 5.9 ppb which were all within the CODEX Alimentarius Commission (CAC) aflatoxin acceptable limit of 15 ppb

Health, Information, Perception and Demographic Variables as Correlate of Gender Equality in Science Technology Engineering and Math (Stem) Education in South-West Nigeria

With the level of efforts and interventions by researchers and organizations around the world towards gender equality in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM), the number of women participation is still very low. UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2015) revealed that female representation is only about 30% of the total population in STEM while in Africa it is about 17% ( Ekine, 2013). This statistics, raises the question of what could be responsible for the resistant disparity

Farmer Knowledge of Cassava Mosaic Disease and Management Practices in Ogun State

This study assessed CMD knowledge and management practices of farmers in Ogun state Nigeria during a farmers' training exercise. A total of 101 farmers (80 male and 21 females) participated in this study. Only a few farmers (35.22%) however, were aware that whiteflies are vectors of cassava begomoviruses. Farmers generally obtained their planting material from neighbours’farms (42.71%) and previous planting season (41.67%). This study has shown poor knowledge of CMD amongst farmers in Ogun state and underpins the need for interventions towards farmer education in the study region

Production of Polyclonal Antibodies Against a Yam Isolate of Cucumber Mosaic Virus (Cmv).

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) genus Cucumovirus was recently detected in yam in Ghana, Togo and Benin bringing to six the total number of countries reporting CMV infection in yam worldwide. Two serotypes of CMV are distinguished and a specific antibody against the yam isolate of CMV is currently not available. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies were produced against purified preparations of a yam isolate of CMV from Nigeria. The antibody titre was determined by Protein-A sandwich (PAS) enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and antigen-coated plate (ACP) ELISA. Antigen detection limit of the antibody was determined by PAS-ELISA using serial dilutions of infected sap. The CMV antiserum produced had a titre of 1:25,600 and 1:64,000 by PAS- and ACP-ELISA, respectively and a sap dilution end point of 1:160. The antibody detected homologous antigen in infected yam leaves from Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. The CMV polyclonal antibody produced in this study will enhance CMV monitoring and contribute to prevention of the spread of CMV infection which is spreading in yamCucumber mosaic virus (CMV) genus Cucumovirus was recently detected in yam in Ghana, Togo and Benin bringing to six the total number of countries reporting CMV infection in yam worldwide. Two serotypes of CMV are distinguished and a specific antibody against the yam isolate of CMV is currently not available. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies were produced against purified preparations of a yam isolate of CMV from Nigeria. The antibody titre was determined by Protein-A sandwich (PAS) enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and antigen-coated plate (ACP) ELISA. Antigen detection limit of the antibody was determined by PAS-ELISA using serial dilutions of infected sap. The CMV antiserum produced had a titre of 1:25,600 and 1:64,000 by PAS- and ACP-ELISA, respectively and a sap dilution end point of 1:160. The antibody detected homologous antigen in infected yam leaves from Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. The CMV polyclonal antibody produced in this study will enhance CMV monitoring and contribute to prevention of the spread of CMV infection which is spreading in ya

Production of Polyclonal Antibody Against an Isolate of Yam-infecting Badnavirus from Nigeria

Integrated viral sequences and high sequence variability among badnaviruses complicates the development of specific reliable molecular detection tests for yam-infecting badnaviruses. Thus Serological techniques are of notable importance for routine testing and monitoring of these viruses. The major limiting factor to the use of serological techniques is the limited availability of antibodies. Rabbit polyclonal antibody was produced against a purified preparation of a yam-infecting badnavirus from Nigeria. Antibody titre was determined by Protein-A sandwich (PAS) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The antibody produced had a titre of 1:1280 in PAS-ELISA and detected yam-infecting badnaviruses in infected yam leaves from Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Togo. The suitability of the antibody for use in immunocapture polymerase chain reaction (IC-PCR) was evaluated. The antibody successfully trapped both Dioscorea alata bacilliform virus (DaBV) and Dioscorea sansibarensis bacilliform virus (DsBV) for IC-PCR detection. The antibody produced in this study will enhance certification of yam planting materials across West Africa and also facilitate the safe international movement of yam germplasm

Production of yam mosaic virus monoclonal antibodies in mice peritoneum

Yam mosaic virus (YMV) is one of the most economically important virus infecting yams. Immunoassays are routinely used for laboratory diagnosis of YMV and for certification of planting materials. However, YMV antibodies, the key reagents, needed for these immunoassays are not readily available. We describe in this paper, the production of YMV monoclonal antibodies for the detection of YMV. The monoclonal antibody was produced by immunizing six weeks old BALB/c mice with YMV hybridoma cells and tapping soft peritoneal tumor tissues for antibody. Antibody titre was determined by triple antibody sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA) using YMV infected yam leaves and non-infected tissue culture yam leaves. The antibody produced had a titre of 1:1,310,720 and an optimal TAS-ELISA detection dilution of 1:80,000. This high-titre YMV monoclonal antibody is useful for monitoring and certification purposes

Assessment of Growth and Cellulase Production of Wild-Type Microfungi Isolated from Ota, Nigeria

The aim of the study was to isolate and identify filamentous microfnngi involved in wood-waste decomposition in Canaanland, Ota, South-West Nigeria and to evaluate their potentials for cellulose saccharification. Microbiological techniques were used to isolate and identify the ftmgi. Four filamentous microfnngi, identified as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillusflavus, Penicillium chrysogenum and Trichoderma sp., were isolated. All the isolates, particularly Trichoderma sp., grew rapidly on Sabouraud's agar and Czapek-Dox agar. Two of the isolates, Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma sp., was cultivated for 168 h by submerged fermentation in modified Czapek-Dox liquid medilllll containing cellulose as sole carbon source and harvested at 24 h intervals. The mycelia weight of the harvested cultures, and the protein content and cellulase activity of the filtrates were determined. The peak mycelia weight of 4.6 and 3.0 mg mL - 1 was, respectively obtained for Trichoderma sp. and A. niger at 48 h. The protein and cellulase activity of Trichoderma sp. peaked at 72 h whereas for A. niger, the peak protein content and peak cellulase activity was obtained at 96 and 72 h, respectively. The peak protein and cellulase activity values of A. niger were 0.175 and 0.077 nnit mL - 1 , respectively. Trichoderma sp. yielded a protein peak of 0.180 mg mL - 1 and peak cellulase activity of 0.108 nnit mL - 1 . There is a correlation between the protein content and cellulase activity of the culture filtrates. The strains of A. niger and Trichoderma sp. obtained from this study are potential tools for the saccharification and bioconversion of cellulosic material