Evaluation of the Biofilm Forming Capacities of Bacterial Isolates Recovered in Raw and Treated Effluent from Wastewater Treatment Plant of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria

Biofilm producing bacteria are associated with many recalcitrant infections and are highly resistant to antimicrobial agents, hence notoriously difficult to eradicate. This study aimed at determining the biofilm forming capacities of bacterial isolates recovered in the raw wastewater and treated effluent from Wastewater Treatment Plants of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria using Tube Method (TM) and Congo Red Agar (CRA) method; and from the results, among the isolates recovered from the raw wastewater, TM detected 62.5% isolates as positive and 37.5% as negative for biofilm production, CRA detected 37.5% isolates as positive and 62.5% as negative for biofilm production. TM also demonstrated to be more suitable in detecting biofilm producing bacterial isolates from the treated effluent were it detected 50% isolates as positive and 50% as negative. However, CRA detected only 12.5% isolates as positive and 87.5% as negative for biofilm production. We therefore, conclude that the TM is more efficient and reliable for detection of biofilm producing bacteria in the laboratory when compared to CRA method and can be recommended as one of the suitable standard screening method for the detection of biofilm producing bacteria in laboratories.Keywords: Biofilm; Bacteria; Congo red agar and Tube metho

An Overview of Ipomoea carnea subspecies fistulosa toxicosis in ruminants

Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (convolvulaceae) is identified and confirmed as a poisonous plant to animals in many parts of the world. It is evergreen and common in Sahel region of Nigeria where there is lack of green pasture in most part of the year. It contains two toxic principles, swainsonine and calystegines causing neurological condition called acquired lysosomal storage disease. Its toxicological status is not determined in the region despite risk of poisoning. Therefore it is being reviewed for its toxic effects, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentations, pathology, diagnosis and management. More attention should be paid to the plant as potential source of toxins for domestic animals in the Sahel region of Nigeria.Keywords: Clinical presentation, Epidemiology, Goats, Ipomoea carnea, Pathogenesis, toxins, Sahel regio

Ethanol production from corn cobs by co-culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger

Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger were used in a co-culture for the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of 1% and 10% (w/v) dry pre-treated corn cobs to ethanol. Positive controls of glucose of same concentrations in a synthetic medium were also fermented. At 1% substrate concentration, the complex medium containing corn cobs had a maximum ethanol yield of 4.17%, while the synthetic medium with glucose gave 3.45%. At a higher concentration of 10% the synthetic medium gave a yield of 6.23% which is comparable to 6.17% by the complex medium. Residual sugar concentration was observed to decrease with increase in ethanol production and cell growth increased with time of fermentation. Keywords: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger, corn cobs, glucose, ethanol

Comparative Study on The Potency of Antibiotic Discs With Commercially Sold Antibiotics on Clinical Isolates From Urinary Tract

A total of 250 urine samples were collected from patients attending Ahmadu Bello University Health Service Clinic (Sick bay), Salama Hospital and Major Ibrahim Abdullahi Memorial Hospital (Kaduna State Ministry of Health). The samples were screened for UTI and forty-three (43) were positive for Klebsiella and Escherichia coli. Of all the isolates, 24 were K. species and 19 were Escherichia coli. Their susceptibilities to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin were examined using the antibiotics disc and the commercially sold antibiotics. The susceptibility of K. species to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin for the antibiotics disc was 16.7%, 62.5% and 41.7% respectively. For the commercially sold antibiotics its susceptibility was 0%, 8.3% and 50.0% to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin respectively. The susceptibility of Escherichia coli to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin for the antibiotics disc was 31.6%, 52.6% and 57.9% respectively. For the commercially sold antibiotics its susceptibility was 0%, 36.8% and 31.6% to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin respectively. Our results showed that antibiotics disc was more effective than the commercially sold antibiotics and that both organisms were resistant to Ampicillin but susceptible to Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin.Keywords: Potency, Antibiotics, Disc Isolates, Urinary tractNigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (2011), 19(2):231- 23

Levels of Heavy Metals in Soil, Water and Vegetables around Industrial area in Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria

This study examined the levels of heavy metals in soil, water, and vegetables (amaranthus, hibiscussabdariffa, and allium cepa leaves) around the industrial area Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria. The composite samples of soil, water, and vegetables were collected and determine the level of heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, and As) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The level of the heavy metals decreased in the order of Mn > Zn > Pb > Cd, Pb > Zn > Mn > Cd, and Mn > Zn > Mn > Cd in the soil, water, and vegetables respectively. Among the vegetables, amaranthus had the highest heavy metals level followed by allium cepa leaves and hibiscus sabdariffa. The levels of heavy metals obtained were below the tolerance level recommended by the world health organization (WHO). The bio-concentration factors of the heavy metals for the studied samples were below one except Zn in amaranthus. The daily intake of metals for Mn was found to be the highest in amaranthus for children and estimated to be 1.149 mg/person/day. Health risk index of Zn for amaranthus and allium cepa leaves for children and Pb for amaranthus, hibiscus sabdariffa and allium cepa leaves for both children and adults were above 1, except in hibiscus sabdariffa for adults, signifying provable of health risks for the consumption of the vegetables in the study area. Therefore, the consumption of these vegetables as food could pose a health hazard, and regular monitoring is recommended to prevent metal accumulation with their associated health implications in the consuming public

Biodegradation Studies of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) Compounds by Gliocladium sp. and Aspergillus terreus

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are monoaromatic hydrocarbons found frequently in petroleum and its derivatives; and they are among the most important pollutants of soil and groundwater. This study focused on harnessing the enzymatic capabilities of filamentous fungi Gliocladium sp. and Aspergillus terreus, dwelling in a petroleum-contaminated soil to degrade benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) compounds. The biodegradation experiment was carried out using the fungi individually and in consortium in a batch culture containing mineral salts medium supplemented with 1% v/v BTEX. The experiments were carried out in triplicates at room temperature on a rotary shaker (180rpm) for twenty five days and aliquots were taken on a five day interval to determine the hydrocarbon utilizing fungal (HUF) count and residual BTEX in order to monitor the rate of biodegradation. The hydrocarbon utilizing fungal counts were determined by direct counting using a Neubauer Haemocytometer while, the residual BTEX was determined using absorbance values measured using a spectrophotometer and the corresponding concentrations determined from a standard curve. The highest percentage degradation of BTEX was observed with Aspergillus terreus (89.1%) while, the least was observed with Gliocladium sp. (84.4%). The growth peak was attained on the 15th day in all treatments after which the HUF counts declined. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean amounts of BTEX degraded and hydrocarbon-utilizing fungal counts between the treatments. The strains of Gliocladium sp. and Aspergillus terreus used in this study showed high ability for BTEX degradation thus, they are potential candidates for bioremediation of soils contaminated with monoaromatic hydrocarbons

Prevalence of Escherichia coli some public water sources in Gusau Municipal, North Western Nigeria

This study investigated the presence of Escherichia coli from some public water sources in Gusau municipal, north- western Nigeria. This was done by determining the total coliform counts and the presence of Escherichia coli and its antibiotic susceptibility profile. A total of 180 well 60 tap and 60 packaged water samples were obtained from Gusau municipal on weekly basis over a period of seven month (August, 2006-Feb, 2007) covering part of rainy and dry seasons. Standard procedures were used for the identification of Escherichia coli and for estimating total coliform counts. All samples had coliform counts higher than the international standard recommended by the World Health Organization. Results of biochemical analysis of the samples showed that out of 63 confirmed Escherichia coli isolated, 41 (45.5%) were from well water, tap water had 14 (23.3%) while packaged water had 8(13.3%).The susceptibility profile of the isolates to nine antimicrobial agents indicated that majority of the isolates were highly susceptible to Chloramphenicol, Gentamycin, Perrfloxacin, Tarivid, Augmentin, Streptomycin, Sparfloxacin, and Ciprofloxacin, moderate susceptibility to Septrin and resistant to Amoxacilin were observed. None of the water samples met the WHO standards for drinking water and thus pose a serious health risk to its consumers and users if not properly treated. Key words: Bacteriological quality, Escherichia coli, Prevalence, susceptibility profile, public water sources, Gusau

Phytochemical and antibacterial properties of garlic extracts

The antibacterial potency of aqueous and methanol extracts of garlic was determined invitro against three bacterial isolates (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) by agar well  diffusion method. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannin, flavonoid, carbohydrate, protein, saponin, alkaloid and glycoside in the plants while anthraquinone was absent. Both the aqueous and methanol extract of garlic were observed to be more potent against E. coli with maximum zone of growth inhibition of 21.5mm at 200mg/ml and 24.0mm at 200mg/ml respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the aqueous and methanol extracts of garlic against E. coli was 100mg/ml and 50mg/ml respectively, and for S. aureus it was 200mg/ml and 100mg/ml respectively. Similarly, The MIC against Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the aqueous and methanol extracts was 200mg/ml and 200mg/ml respectively. Higher minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 300mg/ml was observed against P. aeruginosa with aqueous extract and 250mg/ml with the methanol extract. The MBC for both the aqueous and methanol extract was 200mg/ml respectively against E. coli while MBC of 300mg/ml was observed against S. aureus for the aqueous extract and 200mg/ml for the methanol extract. These findings therefore justify the traditional medicinal use of garlic.Keywords; Phytochemical, Antibacterial, Efficacy, Garlic, Isolates

Antibiotics Susceptibility Pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Wounds in Patients Attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria

This work investigated the prevalence and antibiotics sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from wounds of patients attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria-Nigeria. One hundred Isolates were characterized and identified from the specimens using standard microbiological methods. The results of the isolation and identification showed that 55(55%) were Gram-negative organisms and 44 (44%) were Gram-positive. Klebsiella species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounted for 25% of the Gramnegative organisms, followed by Proteus species 19%, Klebsiella species 14% and Escherichia coli accounts for 11%, while Staphylococcus aureus 44% was the predominant Gram-positive organism. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined using the disc diffusion method where the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated in wounds was observed. The highest sensitivity was observed for ofloxacin, moderate susceptibility was observed for ampicillin, cefuroxime and ceftriazone. The results obtained indicated strong resistance to cotrimoxazole, amoxicillin tetracycline and augmentin. There is the need for routine antibiotic sensitivity check

Antimicrobial Activity of Sabulun Salo a Local Traditional Medicated Soap

The antimicrobial activity of Sabulun salo; a local traditional medicated soap widely used by different tribes in Nigeria such as Hausa, Yoruba and Nupe against skin infections was examined against some clinical isolates of pathogenic microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans) using agar dilution method. The pattern of inhibition varied with the soap concentration and the organisms tested. The soap was more effective on S. aureus with maximum zone of growth inhibition of 28 mm at 100% w/v followed by C. albicans (24mm). However, E. coli was resistant to the soap at all concentrations tested. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found to be 12.5% w/v for both S. aureus and C. albicans. The antibacterial activities exhibited by sabulun salo in this study could be attributed to the presence of its constituents which signifies the potential of the soap as a of topical therapeutic agent. These findings therefore, justify the traditional medicinal use of sabulun salo