Biodegradative activities of some gram- negative bacilli isolated from kerosene treated soil grown with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

The biodegradative activities of three Gram negative bacilli (Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibro parahaemolyticus and Actinobacillus sp) isolated from soil contaminated with kerosene and planted with cowpea was investigated. The isolates were identified using MicrobactTM ID 24E system for the identification of Enterobacteriaceae and common miscellaneous Gram negative bacilli (MGNB). 2kg of soil collected from University of Ilorin was placed inside transparent, drilled buckets. Physicochemical properties of the soil were recorded. The soil was contaminated with kerosene at different concentrations of 0ml, 7ml, 14ml, 21ml, 56ml, 112ml, 168ml and 224ml. The setup was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Cowpea seeds of the variety Samaru-40 were cultivated and observed for eight weeks. The results indicated that kerosene contamination of soils significantly affected the growth parameters: germination percentage, time of germination, rate of germination, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and root nodules. A negative interaction existed between the level of the contaminant and the growth characteristics measured. Their biodegradative activities were studied and confirmed by the change in the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) using gravimetric method. The biodegradative abilities of the isolates were compared by measuring the optical densities, total viable count, pH and emulsification activity. The results showed that the organisms did better as a consortium rather than singly. Aeromonas hydrophila had the highest biodegradative activity followed by Vibro parahaemolyticus and then Actinobacillus sp. The study recommends the use of Aeromonas hydrophila and consortium for more effective biodegradation.Keywords: Bacterial Biodegradation, Soil, Cowpea, Kerosene, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbo

Dynamic relationships among non-oil revenue, government spending and economic growth in an oil producing country: Evidence from Nigeria

This paper investigated the dynamic relationships among non-oil revenue, government spending and economic growth in Nigeria for the period of 1981 to 2015. After establishing a long run relationship among the variables, the error correction model, impulse responses were estimated as well as the granger causality test among the variables. The results of the short run and long run showed negative effects of government spending on economic growth while non-oil revenue showed positive effect on economic growth. We also found non-oil revenue to have negative shocks on economic growth while the government spending shock was positive. The Granger causality revealed that government spending granger caused both non-oil revenue and economic growth supporting the Keynesian and spend-tax hypothesis in Nigeria over the period of the study. We recommend that the economy of Nigeria should be diversified into non-oil sector rather than relying solely on revenue from oil export. JEL codes: O23, Q28, O47, Keywords: Non-oil revenue, Government spending, Cointegration, Short run and long run, Impulse response, Nigeri

Egg Hatch Assay and Lavicidal Activity of Piliostigma Thoningii Pod Extract and Fractions on Haemonchus contortus

The inhibitory effects of Piliostigma thoningii pod extract and fractions were carried out on Haemonchus contortus, a gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants (sheep and goats). Egg hatching and larvicidal inhibitory effects of pod extract and fractions of P. thonnigii pods were determined using the egg inhibition assay (EIA) and larval development inhibition assay (LDIA) assay. The assay was tested in 96-flat bottom microtitre plate, using different concentrations of 0.78, 1.56, 3.125, 6.25 and 12.5 mg/ml of the experimental extracts with three replicates. The plant extract showed higher anthelmintic activity after exposing H. Contortus to the EIA and LDIA assays. It was observed that at 12.5 mg/ml, the crude extract and albendazole had 100% inhibitory effects on the ovicidal and larvicidal activities of the parasites, showing no significant difference (p>0.05) when compared, while n- butanol had significant (p<0.05) inhibitory effects on the hatching of eggs and n- butanol, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether and aqueous had significant (p<0.05) inhibitory effects on the larval development when compared with albendazole. However, the fractions tested on H. Contortus at the concentrations of 0.78, 1.56, 3.125 and 6.25 mg/ml possessed anthelmintic activity that produced above 90% ovicidal and larvicidal inhibition of the parasite. The anthelmintic effect of P.thoningii on H. contortus in this study is further subjected to confirmation through In vivo and toxicity profile studie