Effect of nitrogen and phosphate limitation on utilization of bitumen and production of bitu-oil and gas by a bacterial consortium

Five strains of bacteria; Pseudomonas fragi, Streptococcus zymogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus macerans, capable of utilizing bitumen as source of carbon and energy were isolated from water sample obtained from bitumen producing area, Agbabu, Ondo state, Nigeria. The degradation of bitumen was found to be associated with the production of carbon (IV) oxide, natural gas and oil. As a result of using nitrogen limited and phosphate limited media, 1750 and 1250 cm3 of gas and 0.95 and 0.85 g/l of oil were obtained respectively. Nitrogen and phosphate limitation have profound effect on bitu-oil and gas production

Antimicrobial resistance of bacterial strains isolated from orange juice products

Forty samples of twenty brands of sachet orange juice products were examined microbiologically. All the products were contaminated with bacteria and yeasts. The organisms encountered include Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces sp, Rhodotorula sp, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Micrococcus sp. The resistances of thirty bacterial strains isolated from orange juice products to the commonly used antibiotics were studied. About 66.67% of the isolates were resistant to augmentin and amoxycillin; 63.33% to cotrimoxazole, 56% to cloxacillin, and 23.33% to tetracycline. Resistances of 10, 6.67, and 3.33% were obtained for gentamicin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol respectively. Among the eight antibiotics tested, seven patterns of drug resistance were obtained. Six out of these are multiple-drug resistance with number of antibiotics ranging between 2 to 8. While MIC of amoxycillin ranged between 10-25mg/ml for the strains of E. coli, MIC of 10-20mg/ml was obtained for the strains of S. aureus. The MIC for cloxacillin was 0.1-1.0mg/ml for E. coli strains, and 0.01-1.0mg/ml for S. aureus strains. In all, ten strains of the bacterial isolates had evidence for the production of β-lactamases. Key words: Orange juice, antibiotics, resistance pattern, β-lactamase, microbiological standard. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(6) 2004: 334-33

Histological and biochemical markers of the liver of male Wistar rats on oral administration of nevirapine suspension

Background: Mechanism of action of nevirapine in the prophylaxis treatment and treatment of HIV-1 may involve elevations in levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and other biomarkers of liver function. This study presents the hepatotoxic effect of nevirapine suspension using animal model.Methods: A total number of 15 male Wister rats were fed normal chow and antiretroviral drug (Nevirapine) for a period of six weeks. The liver organ of the rats were obtained and subjected to histological procedures and biochemical analysis using enzyme assay obtained from Randox Laboratories Limited, Antrim United Kingdom (BT294QY).Results: The wistar rats showed no significant mean body weight difference when compared with the control group. However there was significant difference in the mean values of AST (77.77±3.03) and ALT (89.37±3.19) of the treated rats. Nevirapine treated rats showed significant difference in AST, ALT, and ALP in the single (77.77± 3.03, 31.80±1.73, 43.81 ±1.54) and double (89.37±3.19, 33.38±2.01, 34.64 ±1.02) doses when compared with the controls (75.14 ±2.00, 29.16±0.17, 45.44 ±1.85) respectively. Mild vascular congestion, infiltration of sinusoids by inflammatory cells, and haemorrhage were induced by nevirapine as compared with the control group showing normal vessels without congestion, normal sinusoids appearing normal without infiltration.Conclusion: The liver histology of the rats fed with Nevirapine suspension showed diffused hepatocellular necrosis. Routine check of the drug effect is important as it provides effective life management of HIV infected individuals.Keywords: Nevirapine, Wister rat, Hepatotoxicity, Liver, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP

Incidence of cephalosporin resistance among clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria

Background: The emergence of beta-lactam resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major global challenge, particularly, the rise in the resistance to 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins.Aim: This study was carried out to determine the resistance pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to different generations of cephalosporins.Methods: A total number of one hundred clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from June to November 2014 at University Teaching Hospital Ibadan, Oyo State. These were tested for their sensitivity to antibiotics by means of disc diffusion method using prepared antibiotics disc containing different μ of antibiotics; Cefotaxine (30μ), Cefaclor (30μ), Cefamandole (30μ), Cefixime (5μ), Cefepime (30μ), Cefpodoxime (30μ) and Ceftazidime (30μ).Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed absolute resistance to all antibiotics used except Ceftazidime, and Cefepime which are third and fourth generation of cephalosporin respectively. Ceftazidime had minimal resistant of 21% and higher susceptibility rate of 76%, Cefepime had the highest susceptibility rate of 90% and minimal resistance of 6%. Cefotaxime and Cefpodoxime had minimal intermediate of 1%, Ceftazidime of 3% and Cefepime of 4%.Conclusion: The result from this study provided more evidence that among third generation of cephalosporins used, some are more active than the other while fourth generation is still the most effective of all other generations. Knowledge on the distribution of cephalosporin-resistant organisms is of ultimate importance as a guide in empirical therapy, taking note of preventive strategies as well as control measures against the spread of resistant microorganisms.Keywords: Cephalosporins, resistance, susceptibility, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, antibiotics, organis

Immunomodulating properties of Trino IB immunobooster

Trino IB mixture at a very minimal concentration (0.2 ml) was found not only to protect rats against lethal dose of pathogenic isolates of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus but it is also capableof ameliorating the deleterious effect of very high concentration of sodium arsenite (6 mg/kg body weight) in rat and bird

Inhibitory effects of selected disinfectants and antiseptics on some resistant strains of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

No abstractKeywords: disinfectants; antiseptics; resistance pattern; Pseudomonas; resistant isolatesGlobal Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 11(3) 2005: 367-36

Arcobacter Adherence, Invasion And Cytotoxic Effect On Human Carcinoma Cell

No Abstract

ASPECTS OF THE ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATON OF THERMOSTABLE &alpha -AMYLASE FROM Alternaria alternata.

A local isolate of Alternaria alternata isolated from soil under the decaying cassava peels heap was screened for the production of a-amylase and hydrolysis of starch. The maximal dextrinizing amylolytic activity of the partially purified enzyme was obtained at temperature of 600C and pH 7.0. Apart from glucose, sucrose and maltose, several other unknown products of cassava starch hydrolysis were obtained at elevated temperatures (60 – 900C). The thermostable property of the enzyme is discussed in relation to its potential in improving the nutritional quality of starchy foods and industrial usefulness in the future. KEY WORDS: Thermostable &alpha - amylase; Starch hydrolysis products; Alternaria; Starchy foods; Thin Layer Chromatography. Global Jnl Pure & Applied Sciences Vol.10(1) 2004: 75-7

Effect of Edible Coatings from Aloe vera gel on Citrus sinensis during Ambient storage

Extension of the shelf life of orange fruits continues to be a challenge in Nigeria. The search for safe, healthy and environmental friendly treatments has led to increased interest in research into edible and biodegradable films and coatings. In this work, the use of Aloe vera gel as a coating to extend the shelf-life of orange fruits was investigated. The oranges were stored at ambient temperature (27+2oC) and at 50-60% relative humidity for five weeks. During ambient storage, uncoated fruits showed 43.11% and 60.63 % increases in total soluble solids and reducing sugar contents respectively. Rapid weight loss and loss of firmness were also observed. The above parameters which are related to post- harvest quality loss were however significantly controlled in the oranges coated with A. vera gel. Percent increase in total soluble solids 56.89% and reducingsugar contents 39.36% were observed. The storability of orange fruits was  extended by five weeks. It was concluded that A. vera gel used as a coating for orange could serve as an alternative to post-harvest chemical treatments