MICROBIAL LOAD AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTY OF TWO NIGERIAN HERBAL REMEDIES

The use of herbal remedies had increased significantly in the last one decade in Nigeria. This has led to the production of herbal products with bogus claims. The microbial quality and antibacterial properties of two Nigerian herbal remedies with such claimed efficacy of curing all manners of microbial diseases were assessed. The herbal remedies were discovered to be contaminated with the following microorganisms: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus cereus, Basidiobotrytis sp, Oedocephalum sp, Varicosporium sp and Articulospora inflata. Antibacterial analysis using the killing rate revealed that the herbal remedies had bacteriostatic and not bacteriocidal effect. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the herbal remedies revealed the presence of saponin, tannins, alkaloids, anthraquinone and cardiac glycosides which suggest possible antimicrobial effect. However, the presence of microbial contaminants in the herbal remedies suggests that they may serve as source of infection to end users

Financial Literacy and Women Entrepreneurs’ Performance in Lagos State, Nigeria

Purpose: The study seeks to examine the influence of financial literacy on women entrepreneurs’ performance with particular reference to Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: A survey research design was employed for this study and a judgmental sampling technique was used to select 250 women entrepreneurs engaging in trading, teaching, fashion design, and agro-allied businesses. Mean, frequency, simple percentage, and least square method of estimation were used to analyze the data. Results: The study establishes that financial literacy is a major determinant of women entrepreneurs’ performance. Implications: The implication of this study is that if women entrepreneurs are equipped with an array of financial skills on income statement preparation, cash flow statement and cash budget preparation, the opening of a separate account for business, bookkeeping, internal control on cash, and daily cash reconciliation, they will be able to expand their businesses

Antibacterial Property and Bioactive Compounds of Selected Herbal Products

Ten herbal products, made up of five powdery and five liquid samples of different brands, were assessed microbiologically for the presence and types of microorganisms. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of the samples above was also conducted to verify the presence or absence of bioactive components. Ten bacterial species, viz: Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Corynebacterium diptheriae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Clostridium botulinum, were isolated from these herbal products. The fungi isolated were Aspergillus Niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium oxysporium, and Mucor racemosus. Results of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and tannins. Alkaloid was the most abundant in the samples, with a value of 1070.04 mg/100g in sample F, while the least abundant in sample F was phenol (0.38 mg/100g). The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of certain compounds such as thiophene, propanoic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-, ethyl ester, pentanoic acid, 2-methyl, toluene, and many others in sample F that exhibited significant antimicrobial effects. These compounds are known to possess antimicrobial properties. Results from this study revealed that, though these herbal products contain bioactive compounds with potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, they are contaminated with microorganisms of health importance. Hence, local herbalists preparing these herbal products need to be educated on good manufacturing practices (GMP).   Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2022-04-04-03 Full Text: PD

Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potentials of Lemon Juice and Sorghum Ogi (lemon-ogi) Mixture against Paracetamol-Induced Liver Damage in Rats

This study is aimed to determine the hepatoprotective activity and antioxidant properties of aqeous extract of Sorghum porridge (Ogi), a Sorghum fermentation product, mixed with lemon to form Lemon-Ogi mixture at various concentrations after inducing liver injury in rats. Rats were divided into 9 groups (n=4) the positive control group, negative control group, normal control and the treated groups (which include extracts at varying concentrations between 0-50% v/v). Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by oral administration of paracetamol (1 g/kg body weight) suspended in normal saline on the first day of the experiment. After 7 days of post-treatment with the test mixture (Lemon-Ogi), biochemical markers such as L-aspartate aminotransferase (AST), L-alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Gamma Glutamyl transferase (GGT) were estimated. This was followed by the measurement of liver cytosolic antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan post hoc test. The test mixture at concentrations of 30-50%v/v significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the elevated levels of AST, ALT, GGT when compared with the negative control animals. The Lemon-Ogi mixture also showed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in the reduced levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and peroxidase when compared with the negative control. The effects of the Lemon-Ogi mixture on these parameters were comparable with those of the standard drug, Vitamin E at 50% (v/v) concentration. The findings of this study indicate that Lemon-Ogi mixture showed a potential hepatoprotective activity and the protective action might have manifested by restoring the hepatic SOD, catalase, and peroxidase levels. The results of this study validate the traditional use of Sorghum porridge steep water as a strong antioxidant. Keywords: Paracetamol-Hepatotoxicity, Biochemical Marker Enzymes, Antioxidant Enzymes, Lemon, Og

Morphological and biochemical characterization of strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vignicola isolated from cowpea grown in three agroecological zones in Nigeria

Cowpea bacterial blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv vignicola) is a devastating disease of cowpea in Nigeria. Accurate identification is the first step for an effective management option. Thus, X. axonopodis pv. vignicola isolated from cowpea (Vigna unguinculata (L.) Walp) grown in different Agro-ecological zones in Nigeria were characterized using morphological characteristics, biochemical and antibiotic sensitivity tests. Pot experiments were conducted on two susceptible lines of cowpea (IT90k – 76) and (IT84s – 2246 – 4) in the screen house. In vivo infectivity studies were carried out to determine the effect of each of theX. axonopodis pv. vignicola isolate groups on the cowpea. All isolates from each of the agroecological zones were classified into Group 1 (light yellow) and Group 2 (brownish yellow) based on their morphological presentation on nutrient agar medium. Results from four of the biochemical test showed differences between the two morphologically different groups. Group 2 isolates showed a large zone of inhibition to a Lincomycin hydrochloride while isolates from Group 1 were not affected by the action of the same antibiotic. Blight symptom was only observed when the two types of isolates were combined and inoculated simultaneously. This study showed that there are two morpho-types of X. axonopodis pv. vignicola and their synergetic infectivity results in blight symptoms expression in cowpea

Bioconversion of Some Agricultural Wastes and Associated Enzymes by Trametes species: A Wild Mushroom

The ability of Trametes speciesto degrade readily available agricultural wastes with associated enzymes under submerged fermentation was the aim of the study. Tissue culture technique was employed in obtaining active mycelium of the mushroom from its fresh fruiting body. Proximate analysis of the agricultural wastes after fermentation revealed that the percentage protein and moisture contents increased while the fat, crude fiber, ash and carbohydrate contents decreased. Analysis of the mineral contents of the wastes revealed a reduction with fermentation. Several types of agro-industrial wastes were evaluated as substrates for enzymes production by Trametes speciesin comparison to commercial substrates (control). The composition of the wastes was observed to affect the quantity as well as the activity of the enzymes assayed. Wheat bran had higher cellulase activity of 236.66?mol/min/mL between 48 and 72 h of fermentation

A drop-in clinic for patients with poorly-controlled diabetes: a community pharmacy feasibility study

Background Preparatory work suggests that there may be a role for the pharmacist in managing sub-optimal medication adherence and dose titration of prescribed medicines in patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients have reported that they are receptive towards pharmacists becoming involved in their care providing that this is integrated into the care received from their medical practice. Objective To determine whether a community pharmacy diabetes drop-in clinic is feasible and acceptable to patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Setting Five community pharmacies in Norfolk, UK. Method Poorly controlled patients, as defined by a national General Practitioner incentive scheme, were invited to participate in the study by a letter posted by their medical practice. One four-hour, pharmacist clinic, where participants were able to "drop-in", was conducted in five pharmacies every week for four to six weeks. Questionnaires before and after the consultation were used to determine the clinic's effect on satisfaction with, and beliefs about, medicines and adherence along with participant satisfaction. Pharmacists had the opportunity to provide feedback via "debrief" interviews. Main outcome measure As a feasibility study, a combination of outcomes were explored including informationsatisfaction and adherence. Results Thirty-three (9.6%) of the 342 patients with type 2 diabetes posted letters were recruited from four pharmacies. Follow-up questionnaire completion rate was 88%. The clinic demonstrated little change in the parameters measured over three months. All of the participants rated their general impression of the service as good or very good and all would be happy to recommend the service to others with diabetes. Sixteen participants (59%) stated that it would make them more likely to consult their pharmacist in the future. Pharmacists enjoyed providing the service as it allowed them to interact more formally, and for longer, with patients. Conclusion This research has demonstrated that a community pharmacy drop-in clinic is feasible and likely to be acceptable to both patients and pharmacists; however, cost effectiveness of such a service should be explored in future studies. Further thought should also be given to how this service can complement that provided by a nurse in the medical practice and how the pharmacist can provide additional benefit to the NHS

Evaluation of the Microbial, Proximate, and Sensory Properties of Biscuits Fortified with Pleurotus ostreatus at Various Inclusion Levels

<p>To satisfy consumer desires for more health advantages, food products must be fortified. The sensory, proximate, and microbiological characteristics of biscuits enriched with Pleutotus ostreatus at different inclusion levels were assessed. The manufacturing of wheat flour, baking of mushroom powder biscuits (MPB), microbiological examination of MPB, proximate analysis, and sensory evaluation of MPB were all done using standard procedures. The fortified mushroom biscuit had varying mushroom compositions, ranging from 50-100% (sample A-F). The results showed that the composition with 90% mushrooms had the highest bacteria count (62 CFU/ml) while 50% had 1 CFU/ml. Various microorganisms were tentatively identified from MPB, including Staphylococcus warnei, Bacillus niacin, Kluyuera georgiana, B. circulans, B. licheniforms, B. megaterium, B. barbaricue, B. cereus, B. simplex, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, and P. ostreatus. According to the study, the nutritious value of wheat cookies supplemented with mushrooms rose as mushroom powder concentration rose. The value of the carbohydrates was the highest at 73%, while the value of the ash content was the lowest at 2%. Sample D, which contained 50% each of flour and mushrooms, had the highest crude fibre level. Higher mushroom powder concentrations reduced the fortified biscuit's overall acceptability (OA). Sample E (10% mushroom) had the highest OA, scoring 9.30 0.21 for both texture and flavour. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the commercial production of biscuits be carried out at a 50% level of mushroom inclusion for the best nutritional, essential mineral and sensory efficacy.</p><p>Keywords:- Mushroom, Biscuit, Proximate, Sensory, Nutritional, Mineral.</p&gt

Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Properties of Coagulants and Soft Cheese Produced from Goat Milk Using Different Biocoagulants of Plant Origin

The nutritional importance and easy accessibility of soft cheese has made it indispensable. This study assessed the phytochemical constituents and the effects of antioxidant of biocoagulants used in soft cheese produced from goat milk. Different biocoagulants such as Calotropis procera, Carica papaya, lemon juice and steep water from cereals (maize, millet, and sorghum) were used. The results of the antioxidant properties revealed that Carica papaya had the highest ferric reducing property and displayed better DPPH scavenging activity of 14.94 mg AAE/g and 10.82%, respectively, when compared with other biocoagulants. Also, the results of phytochemical screening revealed that cheese coagulated with Carica papaya displayed the highest DPPH scavenging activity (1.93%) compared with other cheese samples. Cheese coagulated with lemon juice had the highest phenol content (19.88 mgGAE/100g) and also displayed the highest ferric reducing property (10.31mg AAE/g). Cheese coagulated with steep water from millet had the highest flavonoid content (0.20 mgGAE/100g) and cheese coagulated with Calotropis procera had the highest alkaloid content (13.42 (mgGAE/100 g). Therefore, cheese produced from goat milk coagulated with Carica papaya or lemon juice may be incorporated into the daily diet because of its high phenolic content which can improve the health status of the consumers. It also possesses some natural antioxidant compounds, which can effectively scavenge free radicals