Antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of essential oil of Lantana Camara L. leaves from Nigeria

The chemical composition of essential oil obtained from air-dried leaves of Lantana camara L. by hydrodistillation was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. A total of thirty-two compounds representing 74.8% of the oil were identified. The main constituents were 1,8-cineol (15.8%), sabinene (14.7%) and β- caryophylene (8.9%). The essential oil was tested for antibacterial activity against 6 strains, using disc diffusion method, and for cytotoxicity using brine-shrimp lethality assay. The oil showed moderate activity against Candida albican, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus aureus. These activities support its potential use as a remedy for bacterial infectious diseases. The essential oil with LC50 value of 0.01 was found to be highly toxic

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Pinus caribaea from Nigeria

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the needles of Pinus caribaea by hydrodistillation was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. A total of twenty ninecompounds, representing 93.8% of the oil were identified. The major constituents of the essential oil were β-phellandrene (67.9%), β-caryophyllene (10.2%) and β-pinene (5.4%). High concentration of β- phellandrene in the oil suggests its usefulness as fragrance. The antibacterial activity of the essential oil was evaluated using disc diffusion method. The essential oil exhibited moderate activity againstPseudomonas aeruginosa at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1000 ug/ml and no activity against Candida albican, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus typhi, Bacillus aureus and Proteus mirabilis. The antibacterial activity of the oil against P. aeruginosa suggests its potential use as a remedy for food-borne diseases

Evaluation of microbial systems for bioremediation of petroleum refinery effluents in Nigeria

The potential of various organisms to catabolize and metabolize organic compounds has been recognized as potentially effective means of disposing of hazardous wastes. Phenolic compounds has long been recognized as one of the most recalcitrant and persistent substance in petroleum refinery effluents. This is a cause of some concern because of the high toxicity and of this compound. Bioremediation of phenolic compounds has been recognized as a potential solution for the disposal of phenolic compounds due to its scale ability, cost effectiveness and simplicity. The two species of Pseudomonas, P. aeruginosa and P. fluorescence were studied for their bioremediation potential on Refinery effluent with respect to phenol biodegradation in a batch reactor. Phenol was degraded completely by the two species. While P. aeruginosa completely mineralize phenol at the 60th hour of cultivation, only 75% (23 mg/l) of phenol was degraded by P. fluorescence; complete degradation was achieved at the 84th hour of fermentation. There was highly positive correlation between phenol biodegradation and the microbial growth. (r = +0.994 and r = +0.980 at

Unlocking preservation bias in the amber insect fossil record through experimental decay.

Fossils entombed in amber are a unique resource for reconstructing forest ecosystems, and resolving relationships of modern taxa. Such fossils are famous for their perfect, life-like appearance. However, preservation quality is vast with many sites showing only cuticular preservation, or no fossils. The taphonomic processes that control this range are largely unknown; as such, we know little about potential bias in this important record. Here we employ actualistic experiments, using, fruit flies and modern tree resin to determine whether resin type, gut microbiota, and dehydration prior to entombment affects decay. We used solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) to confirm distinct tree resin chemistry; gut microbiota of flies was modified using antibiotics and categorized though sequencing. Decay was assessed using phase contrast synchrotron tomography. Resin type demonstrates a significant control on decay rate. The composition of the gut microbiota was also influential, with minor changes in composition affecting decay rate. Dehydration prior to entombment, contrary to expectations, enhanced decay. Our analyses show that there is potential significant bias in the amber fossil record, especially between sites with different resin types where ecological completeness and preservational fidelity are likely affected

Effect of road transportation of cattle between transboundary area and central abattoir of Abeokuta, Ogun state on plasma cortisol, blood glucose and leukocyte parameters

No Abstract

Experimental reproduction of rotavirus and Salmonella pullorum gastroenteritis in broiler chicks

Numerous viruses, including astroviruses, reoviruses, rotaviruses, coronaviruses, and adenoviruses, have been implicated as causative agents of enteric disease. This is because they have been isolated from or identified in the intestines and intestinal contents of affected poultry flocks. Four experiments were conducted to reproduce enteritis in broiler birds using rotavirus and Salmonella pullorum. Fifty-two broiler birds were obtained and randomly divided into 4 groups. Group A chicks were inoculated with 1 X 106 pfu/ml of rotavirus, group B chicks were inoculated with 1 X 106 cfu/ml of Salmonella pullorum, group C chicks were inoculated with 1 X 106 pfu/ml of rotavirus and 1 X 106 cfu/ml of Salmonella pullorum, while group D birds were given 1ml of PBS alone. Birds in all groups were observed daily for clinical signs and the intestines were processed for histopathological evaluation. Diarrhea and depression were the major signs in chicks given any one of the inoculum. Histological changes were characterized by swollen villus tips and constricted villus bases, proliferation of enterocytes and necrotic villi. Significant growth retardation was observed in chicks given either rotavirus or Salmonella pullorum, but this effect was more pronounced in chicks given the combination of rotavirus and Salmonella pullorum. The present study reveals that oral inoculation of birds with rotavirus or rotavirus/Salmonella pullorum combination leads to diarrhoea and significant growth depression. It is thus important to continuously screen and prevent against organisms infecting the GIT for optimal performance of birds.Keywords: Broiler, Diarrhea, Growth depression, Rotavirus, Salmonella pulloru