The microbiological, parasitological and physicochemical studies of waste refuse dumpsites in University of Benin (Ugbowo Campus), Benin City, Nigeria

This paper examined the effect of the refuse waste on the microbiological, parasitological and physicochemical properties on the immediate University of Benin Community. The microbiological, parasitological and physicochemical assessments were studied using the basic microbiological and parasitological techniques. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 1.1 × 105 ±0.35 cfu/g to 5.4 × 105 ± 0.56 cfu/g and the total fungal counts ranged from 1.5 × 104 ± 0.42 cfu/g to 1.9 × 105 ± 0.14 cfu/g of the refuse dumpsites between August, 2011 and January, 2012. The bacterial counts were shown to be highest in Faculty of Agricultural Science refuse dumpsites in the month of September, 2011. The microbial isolates isolated and characterized includes nine bacterial genera and seven fungal genera, they include Bacillus, Enterobacter, Staphylococcus, Proteus mirabilis, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Arthrobacter, Citrobacter and Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Fusarium, Cladiosporium, Trichoderma respectively. The total mean value of the frequently isolated bacterial isolates were Micrococcus sp 400 (21.8%) and Bacillus sp 369 (20.1%) respectively. The most frequently isolated fungal isolates from the refuse dumpsites were Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp with the mean values of 146 (23.4%) and 167 (26.8%) respectively. This study also showed the degree of dumpsites contamination with pathogenic parasites in the community. A total number of fourteen parasites were isolated and identified, they include Ascaris lumbricoides (4.1%), Taenia sp (33.8%), Ancyclostoma sp (5.0%), Tapeworm (25.7%), Taenia saginata (10.6%), Hymenolepsis sp (4.8%), Hymenolepsis diminuta (2.0%), Fasciola hepatica (6.2%), Capillaria hepatica (1.5%), Capillaria sp (3.2%), Aspiculus sp (0.5%), Ornithobiharzia sp (0.8%), Trichostrongylus (1.1%) and Syphacia obvelata (0.7%). The result of the physiochemical parameters showed the pH mean value of the pH range of the refuse dumpsites in the various Faculties for six months of sampling ranged between 5.21 ± 0.39 and 5.57 ± 0.24 with the highest pH was obtained in the Faculty of Management Sciences and the least pH mean value was obtained in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. The results of the metal contents were revealed to be within the permissible limit. Statistical analyses of the total heterotrophic bacterial counts and fungal counts revealed that there was significant difference (P>0.05) for the counts obtained from the refuse dumpsites between August, 2011 and January, 2012. Thus, it is recommended that the proper waste management system are essential and the practice of wastes management practices like waste re-use and recycling should be encouraged

Optimization of amylase and lipase enzymes produced by Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis isolated from waste dumpsites

The enzyme amylase is one of the most important in biotechnology, and lipase operates as a catalytic agent for a broad range of hydrolytic and synthetic activities. This study aimed to assess the optimization of amylase and lipase enzyme produced by microorganisms isolated from selected waste or garbage dumpsite in Akure, Ondo State Nigeria. The isolates were identified using biochemical and cultural characteristics. A total of seven bacterial isolates were identified and quantitative production of amylase and lipase by solid-state fermentation was assessed for each bacterial isolate. The optimization of nutritional and environmental parameters on enzymes produced by the isolated organisms was standardized with respect to incubation time, temperature, pH, and carbon and nitrogen sources. The activity of the enzymes generated was determined by spectrophotometric assay.  Of the seven organisms isolated, Bacillus cereus LA326 and Bacillus subtilis AU021 had the highest amylase and lipase activity and were therefore chosen for further research. The maximum level of amylase and lipase activity attained by B. subtilis AU021 was 68.0 mmol/min and 16.3 mmol/min after 18 hours of incubation respectively, while the maximum levels of amylase and lipase activity attained by B. cereus LA326 were found to be 76 mmol/min after 12 hours and 16.3mmol/min after 18 hours of incubation, respectively. The study found that B. cereus and B. subtilis isolated from dumpsites could be efficient producers of biotechnology-relevant enzymes and that environmental conditions could influence their enzyme production

Prevalence of Anemia among Pregnant Women Registered at Antennal Clinic of Ondo Specialist Hospital, Ondo State, Nigeria

Anemia remains a major risk factor for unfavorable outcome of pregnancy both for the mother and the fetus. It is the world’s second leading cause of disability and one of the most serious global public health problems among children and pregnant women. Its diagnosis remains a challenge in poor and underfunded hospitals and primary health centers. This study is a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in Ondo Specialist Hospital, Ondo town to assess anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic from August to October 2015. One hundred and fifty pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Data were collected using pretested questionnaire, which contains socio-demographic characteristics of the pregnant women. Blood samples were collected to measure hemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) levels. Data were entered and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Association between variables was done using chi square, and statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. The mean age of pregnant women was 28.92±4.89 years and the prevalence of anemia obtained in this study using the Tallquist, Hemoglobin cyanide methods and PCV was 36%, 36.7% and 47.3% respectively, based on the World Health Organization criterion for the diagnosis of anemia in pregnancy (hemoglobin <11.0 g/dl; PCV <33%). Our study revealed a high prevalence of anemia in pregnant women and calls for more health intervention including health education about causes of anemia and its risk factors. Antenatal care follow up should also be improved on