Fifty years of oil exploration in Nigeria: the paradox of plenty

It is expected that countries with an abundance of natural resources should prosper. Yet over many years, it has been observed that nations rich in oil, gas, or mineral resources have been disadvantaged in the drive for economic progress. The concept of resource curse which refers to the observation that nations with rich endowments of natural resources [oil as in the case of Nigeria] often dramatically under perform economically relative to what one would expect was used in this study. The methods employed in data collection, primarily from secondary sources include; literature review of NNPC publications, national dailies and newsmagazines; internet reports on OPEC, oil production in Nigeria, etc. Descriptive statistic was used in data analysis. The results revealed that the oil wealth was initially well applied towards the development of the country. Overtime, successive governments began to mismanage it and a situation like this had given rise to other contemporary oil nations overtaking Nigeria. The consequence is that the early gains of oil disappeared in the face of declining quality of general infrastructure across the country. The growing reliance of the country on oil and gas alone may undermine the democratic structure-rule of law, political stability [as in the case of militancy in the Niger Delta region], government effectiveness and the fight against corruptionKEYWORDS: Resource curse, Nigeria, Oil and Gas, GDP, Infrastructure, Corruptio

Antibiogram of nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from antenatal clinic attendees in a tertiary hospital, South-South Nigeria

The antibiogram of nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from pregnant women attending University of Uyo Teaching Hospital was investigated using standard microbiological procedures. Out of 772 women, 180(23.3%) harboured nasal MRSA while 592 (76.7%) had MSSA (Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus). The highest frequency (33.3%) occured at week 16 while the lowest occured at week 36 of the pregnancy period. Evaluation by logistic regression showed no risk factor involvement for MRSA. The patients were evaluated on their first visit (booking) therefore the MRSA were likely community-acquired. Antibiogram of isolates showed sensitivity mostly to clindamycin (80%), amoxacillin-clavulanic acid (76.7%), ceftriazone (69.4%) and resistance to co-trimoxazole (51.7%). The asymptomatic nasal colonisation of MRSA in pregnant women may therefore be a risk factor for serious systemic infection after delivery

Seasonality of surface water contamination by heavy metals in the lower Enyong creek, s.e. Nigeria)

Surface water samples from three locations in the Lower Enyong Creek, S.E. Nigeria were sampled over six months i.e June to October (wet season) and November in dry season for heavy metals such as Cd, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cr) using Atomic absorption spectroscopic method. Some specific physicochemical characteristics, such as temperature, hardness, alkalinity, salinity, TDS, TSS, pH and conductivity which are known to influence the interactions and dynamics of trace metal loads in water bodies were also determined. The result of the analysis indicated significant monthly variation of these parameters for the six months. Monthly summary statistics revealed a few seasonal patterns that echoed the hydrologic regime. During the short dry season in August–September period, all the sampled stream channels had lower levels of Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu Cr, Pb and Fe. Salinity, for instance, correlated strongly (p<0.05) with Cu (0.70); Cr (0.56); Ni (0.72); nitrate (0.61) and Na (0.49). However, the concentrations of most heavy metals were low, while Zn content was higher than the WHO standard for surface water which indicated significant contamination by Zn in the water body

Bdellovibrio and like organisms: The much-anticipated “magic bullet”

With advances in next generation sequencing and microscopy, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge about the predatory properties of Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs). BALOs are Gram negative microorganisms which are natural predators of other Gram-negative microorganisms, especially those associated with diseases in humans and animals. One of the limitations of BALOs is their inability to prey upon Gram-positive organisms that cause the bulk of human diseases. The global spread of antibiotics resistance to almost every group of antibiotics, and the paucity of newer antibiotics since 1970s is very worrisome. The ability of BALOs to decimate pathogen populations principally those carrying multidrug résistance genes coupled with the increasing rate of antibiotics resistance, has made them an attractive option as biocontrol agents. With the absence of resistance to BALOs, these much anticipated “magic bullets” will certainly find more and more applications in health, agriculture, medicine and environment in the nearest future

Microbial abundance, diversity and physicochemistry of sediments of Iko River Estuary, Akwa Ibom State

Microbial abundance, diversity and physicochemistry of the sediments of Iko River Estuary in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were evaluated using standard plate count, analytical, whole bacterial community analyses and DNA sequencing techniques. The total hetrotrophic bacteria ranged from 2.1 × 106 to 3.6 × 106 CFU/g and sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) from 2.1 × 101CFU/g to 4.1 × 101CFU/g. Culture dependent analysis revealed 16 bacterial genera with Bacillus subtilis, Kleibsiella sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and P. flourescens as the most abundant species (100%). Metagenomic analysis showed that the phyla Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria had the highest and lowest counts respectively for bacterial species. The two top spots were occupied by Unknown organisms with read counts of 582.0 (33.88%) and 562 (33.26%). Top known bacteria in sediments were Thiomicrospira frisia 20.0 (1.36%), Fusibacter 15.0 (1.02%), Thiomicrospira chilensis 13.0 (0.88%) and Sulfurimonas 13.0 (0.88%). Physicochemical analyses revealed slight decrease in sediment pH (6.20) upstream, (6.40) midstream, (6.50) downstream, Temperature (28oC for upstream and 29oC for downstream) and Electrical conductivity (130μScm-1) towards the downstream. The rich organic matter and microbial population in the sediments of Iko River Estuary provide nutrients and niches for commercially and ecologically important flora and fauna. These data may form the baseline during future ecological evaluation, monitoring and assessment of estuaries in the Niger Delt

Bread Production from Different Flours Using Strains of Baker’s and Palm Wine Yeasts

Bread is widely eaten across the world and the science of its baking has come a long way. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of using Baker’s and palm wine yeasts on the performance and sensory properties of bread  baked with bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), corn (Zea mays), golden penny and wheat flours in addition to nutritional analysis of the flours and Baker’s yeast. Collection of samples, processing of flours, palm wine yeast isolation, proximate and elemental analyses, and baking of the various breads were done using standard methodologies. Sensory evaluation was performed using Likert scale and replicate readings were analysed using analysis of variance. Baker’s yeast had the highest amount of fat, ash and protein but lower than the rest in fiber and carbohydrate content. Amongst the flours examined for proximate composition, bean flours had higher amounts of moisture, ash and fiber, but not carbohydrate and fiber. Vitamins A, total and soluble vitamin C were present in all our sampled flours and Baker’s yeast. Baker’s yeast had the highest amount of these vitamins followed by corn and beans. Elemental composition analysis showed that the flours contained potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and phosphorus in varying amounts. Although Baker's yeast did slightly better than the isolated yeast with all the flour types, its sensory evaluation with maize and wheat flours samples were better than that of bean flour. The findings indicate that isolated yeast from palm wine compares favourably with Baker's yeast in the leavening of wheat bread, sensory properties and performance parameters

Nutritional analysis and wine production potentials of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) leaves and Cucumis sativus L. (cucumber) using Baker’s and palm wine yeast strains

Telfairia occidentalis leaves and Cucumis sativus (cucumber) are vegetables that grow best in Tropical countries like Nigeria and have good nutritional properties but are highly perishable. Both vegetables were evaluated for wine production singly and in composite forms using palm wine and Baker’s yeast strains. In addition to wine production, the vegetables were screened for phytochemicals, anti-nutrients and nutrients (proximate composition, elements and vitamins) using standard methodologies. Proximate composition (g/100g dry matter) revealed that T. occidentalis leaves had moisture content, ash, protein, fat, fibre and carbohydrate contents of 86.60±0.10, 5.72±0.02, 4.30±0.10, 0.97±0.02, 6.30±0.10 and 82.45±0.02, respectively. In contrast, Cucumis sativus had a moisture content, ash, protein, fat, fibre and carbohydrate contents of 96.75±0.01, 5.40±0.02, 13.50±0.02, 10.30±0.10, and 66.12±0.01, respectively. Both plants contained various phytochemicals, including alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, reducing compounds and polyphenol, but not anthraquinones and phlabotanins. However, on quantification, reducing compounds and polyphenol recorded the highest concentrations. Vitamins A and C were detected in both samples. C. sativus had high amounts of K, P, and Mg and moderate amounts of Ca, Na, Cu, Fe and Mg. T. occidentalis leaves had moderate amounts of Ca, Zn, Fe, Mg, Ca and Na. Anti-nutrients levels were all below allowable regulatory limits for vegetables. Density, pH and alcohol values ranged from 0.20 - 0.99, 0.30- 4.6 and 1.95 - 9.94%, respectively. Sensory evaluation of the wine samples showed that wine produced from 70% fluted pumpkin and 30% cucumber had the best scores in terms of acceptability, taste, aroma and appearance. Given the findings in the study, wine production using tropical vegetables could double as a viable alternative to tropical fruits and also help to curb post-harvest losses commonly experienced in the tropics

Structural and chemical changes of thermally treated bone apatite

The thermal behaviour of the animal by-product meat and bone meal (MBM) has been investigated in order to assess how it is affected structurally and chemically by incineration. Initially composed of intergrown collagen and hydroxyapatite (HAP), combustion of the organic component is complete by 650 °C, with most mass loss (50–55%) occurring by 500 °C. No original proteins were detected in samples heated at 400 °C or above. Combustion of collagen is accompanied by an increase in HAP mean crystallite size at temperatures greater than 400 °C, from 10 nm to a constant value of 120 nm at 800 °C or more. Newly formed crystalline phases appear beyond 400 °C, and include β-tricalcium phosphate, NaCaPO4, halite (NaCl) and sylvite (KCl). Crystallite thickness as judged by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) increases from 2 nm (25–400 °C) to 8–9 nm very rapidly at 550 °C, and then gradually increases to approximately 10 nm. The original texture of HAP within a collagen matrix is progressively lost, producing a porous HAP dominated solid at 700 °C, and a very low porosity sintered HAP product at 900 °C