Textile effluent biodegradation potentials of textile effluent-adapted and non-adapted bacteria

Environmental pollution has been recognized as one of the major problems of the modern world. The increasing demand for water and the dwindling supply has made the treatment and reuse of industrialeffluents an attractive option. Textile effluents are of concern because they colour the drains and ultimately the water bodies. They also diminish the water quality. The ability of microorganisms todegrade and metabolize a wide variety of compounds has been recognized and exploited in various biotreatment processes. This study investigated the potential of bacteria isolated from textile industrieswastewater and drains (textile effluent adapted bacteria) and isolates from a municipal landfill (effluent non-adapted bacteria). We discovered effluent adapted strains of Acinetobacter, Bacillus and Legionellawith potentials for colour removal and strains of Acinetobacter, Bacillus and Pseudomonas with chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal activities. Only strains of Bacillus with potentials for use incolour and COD removal were isolated from the landfill. Plasmid screening did not reveal the presence of plasmids in the isolates. Thus the involvement of extra-chromosomal genes is not suggested. Inconclusion, as a preliminary step in the development of textile effluent biotreatment using indigenous microbes, we have discovered some strains with potency to decolourize and/or remove COD

Effect Of Dietary Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) supplementation On Performance And Hysiological Response In Cockerels

Concentrated HCl of 11.6 molar concentrations was supplemented in cockrel feed at 0.0 (control) 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00m1/kg feed in a 28 day experiment. The chicks were slaughtered on day 30, performance characteristic and physiological indices were investigated. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between control and HCl treatment for feed intake, crude protein intake and feed: gain ratio. Significant difference (

Production of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes by a phytopathogenic Myrothecium roridum and some avirulent fungal isolates from water hyacinth

The cellulolytic and xylanolytic activity of a pathogenic Myrothecium roridum Tode (IMI 394934) and non-pathogenic Fusarium solani and Curvularia pallescence Boedjin isolates from water hyacinth were investigated. The mycelial plugs of each isolate was grown in submerged cultures of Czapeck Dox broth containing the appropriate carbon source (carboxymethylcellulose, sawdust and homogenized dry water hyacinth leaf) at 25°C for 16 days. The enzyme activity assay was carried out on the culture filtrates obtained. This was measured as micromole sugar released per min. The result obtained showed that the enzyme activity (U/ml) for b-1,4-exoglucanase, b-1,4-endoglucanase and xylanase was maximum 3.70 ± 0.43, 0.95 ± 0.03 and 2.32 ± 0.10, respectively, in C. pallescens Boedjin grown on carboxymethylcellulose and minimum 0.12 ± 0.02, 0.13 ± 0.03 and 0.34 ± 0.01 respectively, in M. roridum grown on homogenized dry water hyacinth leaf. The b-glucosidase activity (U/ml) was highest, 1.74 ± 0.06 in M. roridum grown on sawdust and least, 0.08 ± 0.00 in C. pa llescens Boedjin grown on homogenized water hyacinth leaf broth. The maximum (324.00 ± 19.51 mg/ml) and minimum (130.00 ±5.83 mg/ml) total extracellular protein was produced in M. roridum grown on homogenized dry water hyacinth leaf and carboxymethylcellulose, respectively. This study showed that the phytopathogenic strain of M. roridum is capable of producing cellulases and xylanase enzyme in submerged cultures but to a lesser degree compared to F. solani and C. pallescence Boedjin

Growth and survival of Shigella flexneri in commonly consumed foods in Nigeria

The incidence of shigellosis is on the increase in Nigeria and foods have been strongly implicated as vehicles of transmission of infection. In this study the survival and growth of Shigella flexneri were investigated in foods that are commonly consumed in the country which include cooked rice, beef, cooked beans, fish, cooked maize and banana (Musa sapientum). Survival at 5°C and growth at 25°C and 37°C were quantitated by viable cell counts on MacConkey agar. The organism survived and showed considerable growth in all the foods examined. Cell growth increased from 105 to 1010 within 6 and 24h following inoculation at 25°C and 37°C. Keywords: foods, survival, Shigella flexneri, shigellosis, Nigeria Nigerian Food Journal Vol. 23 2005: 205-20

Effects Of Telfairia occidentalis On The Heamatological Parameters, Liver And Spleen Of Pregnant Wistar Rats

Telfairia occidentalis is a dioecious perennial vine widely used for its medicinal and dietary benefits. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of T. occidentalis on haematological parameters of pregnant rats following oral administration, as well as its effects on the liver and spleen of these rats. Fifteen pregnant Wistar rats weighing between 110-130 g were used for the study. The rats were divided into 3 groups: Group A was the control, Group B was the treatment group given T. occidentalis twice daily for 4 days, while Group C received the extract twice daily for 10 days. Findings showed increase size in hepatocytes of the treated groups and increase in the trabeculae and white pulp of the treated group non-statistically significant increases in haematological parameters (RBC, PCV haemoglobin level and lymphocyte count) of treated animals. These increases in blood parameters observed in this study were not as pronounced as those obtainable in non-pregnant and male rats. Keywords: Telfairia occidentalis, haematlogical parameters, cytoarchitecture, liver, spleen