Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria isolation and surfactant influence on the growth of organisms: A case study in Ibadan, Nigeria

Hydrocarbons are substantially insoluble in water, often remaining partitioned in the non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL). However, there had been little or no attempts to advance the bioavailability of hydrocarbons through the use of surfactants. This study was conducted based on the need to isolate hydrocarbon degrading bacteria and to establish the effect of surfactants on the growth of organisms. Ten organisms were isolated and classified into five genera based on their physiological, morphological and biochemical characteristics. These genera include Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Micrococcus, Flavobacterium and Corynebacterium. In determining the effect of surfactant on isolated organisms, Bacillus strain and Corynebacterium strains were enhanced by palmitic acid. Detergent was found to have stimulatory effect on Bacillus and Pseudomonas. There is a significant difference between separate applications of palmitic acid and detergent on the samples with respect to the growth of Micrococcus sp. (p < 0.01). There was also a significant difference between the applications of detergent and control on the selected samples with respect to Flavobacterium sp. (p < 0.001). Surfactant which stimulated bacterial growth is highly recommended in bioremediation, although the use of improved strains may be preferable.Keywords: Hydrocarbons, surfactants, biodegradation, pollutants, microoganism

Risk Factors Associated with Breast Cancer among Women in Warri and lbadan, Nigeria

Ojectives Breast cancer is a common cause of death among Nigerian women. Identifying some of the risk factors is vital to strategic intervention in breast cancer control. This study was carried out to  determine risk factors associated with breast cancer among women in two referral hospitals in Nigeria.Methods A case control study was carried out among 266 women aged 20-80 years. The participants with breast cancer and the comparison group (controls) were matched in the ratio of 1:3 respectively for  age and duration of stay in the area of residence. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, family history of breast cancer, dietary pattern, nutritional status, physical activity and environmental factors.ResultsThe mean age of the respondents was 48. 7±11.8 years. Family history of breast cancer was reported by 6.2% of the cases and 5.0% of control group. Dietary pattern revealed that the cases (69.2%) significantly had high risk consumption pattern for high calorie containing foods than the controls (54. 7%).  Significantly more of the controls than cases had engaged in good physical exercise (17.9% versus 6.2%). The odds of developing breast cancer was four times higher among women who reported daily exposure to fumes from automobiles and electricity generating plants than those who were rarely exposed (0R=4.40, C/=1.25-15.57) and seven times higher among women who reported occasional  exposure to wastes from operating industries than those who were rarely exposed (0R=6.91, C/=2.87- 16.66).Conclusion Major risk factors for breast cancer among  women in this study were lack of  exercise,high calorie intake, and environmental pollutants. Health education to improve knowledge of self-protection against pollutants and healthy dietary habits may reduce risk of breast cancer.Keywords: Breast cancer; Risk factors; Environmental pollutants; Dietary pattern; Nigeria

Enhancement of Soil Health Using Biochar

Over the years, the carbon-rich biochar has been used for the purpose of environmental conservation and reservation. Typically produced from varieties of materials ranging from sewage, farm produce, energy crops and agricultural waste or residues, the properties usually considered in the application of biochar include the chemical composition, porosity and stability. Contemporarily, the use of biochar has extended to its utilization in the industry, agriculture, forestry, and the natural environment. Soil fertility depends on the holistic process of managing the soil and likewise maintaining a robust biodiversity. This process involves the application of natural carbon-rich materials like biochar as soil amendments. The rapid absorption tendency of biochar, both on organic and inorganic materials has contributed immensely to the removal of excess antimicrobials from the environment. Biochar has been known to be a good enhancer of the soil due to its rich content of carbon and other nutrients good enough for the soil. Other striking effects of biochar on the soil and environment include the enhancement of the uptake of nitrogen, improvement of the soil structure, mitigation of greenhouse gases, conservation of the environment and enhancement of soil microbial community

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Accumulation in Meats Singed with Kerosene and Waste Tyres: A Case for Public Health Concern in Nigeria

Singeing is a common post slaughtering process of livestock and this has been associated with the introduction of high level of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) in the meats. There is dearth of information on alternative singeing technology for safe meat. Therefore, this study is aimed at proffering an alternative method for singeing livestock carcass as a post-slaughtering process to reduce accumulation of PAH in meat. An experimental study, involving the use of a singeing device (singeing torch) sourced locally was conducted. Singeing was carried out on a sacrificed goat using conventional methods and the Singeing Torch (ST). Five grams of meat samples singed with kerosene, tyres and the ST were collected from two abattoirs and observed for physical qualities. The physicochemical properties such as pH and PAH were determined using standard procedures. Results were compared with International Agency for Research in Cancer guidelines. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at 5% level of significance. Bright appearances with red coloration for ST singed meat while black patches and dull appearances were observed on meat singed with kerosene and tyres respectively. ST singed meat showed a better olfactory quality, a more neutral PH value and PAH of 7.3 and 3.30 (n/ng), while kerosene and tyre singed meat showed 6.8 pH value, 4.20 (n/ng) and 6.61 (n/ng) respectively with mean of 0.194±0.56, 0.248±0.94 and 0.389±1.21 respectively. The principal PAH compounds in ST meat identified were 1-Methylnaphthalene, 2-Methylnaphthalene, Acenaphthene, Pyrene and Benz(a)anthracene. This study indicates that meat singed with ST had lower PAH contents and better physical quality. The use of device and method that generates no chemical contaminants such as the ST should be encouraged for the singeing process of livestock carcasses as a strategy for the control of chemical contaminants of meat

Phytochemical Properties and Heavy Metal Contents of Commonly Consumed Alcoholic Beverages Flavouredwith Herbal Extract in Nigeria

There is proliferation of alcoholic beverages flavoured with herbal-extracts that are perceived to have medicinal values. Information on the phytochemical and heavy metal contents of these products is scarce. This study assessed the phytochemical properties and heavy metal contents of herbal-extract flavoured alcoholic beverages in major motor parks in Ibadan, Nigeria. The phytochemical properties of the beverages were determined in triplicate using standard methods, while the heavy metal contents were assessed while using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and means were compared using ANOVA at p < 0.05.The pH range of the beverages was 3.28–6.57 and the alcohol content was 34.0–51.5%. Detected major phytochemicals and concentration ranges were phytic acid (0.72–2.37 mg/g), alkaloids (0.42–4.11 mg/g), flavonoids (0.22–3.64 mg rutin equivalents/g), total phenols (1.13–3.66 mg gallic acid equivalents/g), anthraquinones (0.74–1.93 mg/g),and triterpenoids (0.74–1.93 mg/g). The heavy metal contents were Pb (2.13–4.70 mg/L), Cd (0.06–0.07 mg/L), Co (0.12–0.23 mg/L), Zn (0.14–0.40 mg/L), and Fe (0.72–4.22 mg/L); only Pb and Cd were above the World Health Organization (WHO) limits of 0.01 mg/L and 0.03 mg/L in water, respectively. The herbal-extract flavoured alcoholic beverages contain beneficial phytochemicals and traces of heavy metals. Safety awareness of these products for improved consumers’ health would be of public health importance

Spatial distribution and challenges in accessing HIV drugs centers in Oyo, Nigeria

There is no complete cure for HIV infection, but highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been applied to reduce the morbidity and mortality of HIV worldwide. Still, the ease of accessing these medications poses a serious concern. This work was carried out to understand the effectiveness and efficiency of area coverage of HIV drug centers. Google Earth Pro was employed to capture imagery of the study area and GPS instrumentation was used to pick the coordinates of the HCT and HIV Drugs centres within the study area. A questionnaire was then used to collect the attribute information of the facilities that exist. Subsequently, ArcGIS software was applied to import imagery to bring out the spatial entities of the area. Herein, GIS operations like network analysis, nearest neighborhood and Query were accessed. Average Nearest Neighbor Index (Rn) for HIV Drugs centres within Oyo metropolis was then calculated based on average straight line distance from each facility to its nearest neighboring facility. Herein, the Rn was 28.8. The Rn value indicates that spatial pattern of HIV Drugs centres in Oyo metropolis are dispersed. The Z-score (74.813624) and P-value (0.00000) reveals that the pattern of HIV Drugs centres in Oyo metropolis also exhibits significant dispersion. This means that the pattern of HIV Drugs centre location in the study area was significantly different from a random pattern. Network operation was then applied to determine best route from one HCT centre to HIV Drugs centre and to find if alternative routes were possible. The study shows that the spatial distribution of HIV Drugs centres is uneven - with 35 existing HCT (HIV Counselling and Testing) centres in 3 local governments, as well as 2 HIV Drugs centres. The service area calculation result shows other areas are in need of HIV Drugs