Impact of Bisphenol A on the Physicochemical and Bacteriological Characteristics of Water in Storage Tanks from various Locations in Salem University Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

This study examined the impact of Bisphenol A (BPA) on the physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of water in storage tanks in Salem University Lokoja. Borehole water samples were collected from three (3) locations within the University environment and stored in a jerry can for analysis. Total Heterotrophic Bacteria Count (THBC) in water samples ranged from 1.00± 0.30 x104 at week 0 to 8.95±1.00 x104 cfu/ml at week 3, while the total coliform count (TCC) also ranged from 1.30±0.15 x104 to 7.11±0.82 x104 cfu/ml. TCC and THBC were found to be higher than the NSDWQ Standard. The identified isolates from the borehole samples were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Serretia spp. Bisphenol A (BPA) was not detected in week 0, after week 3, components of Bisphenol A detected were methyl chloride, Benzene and Dichlorobenzene and their highest values were 0.054±0.033, 0.021±0.020 and 0.055±0.062 mg/l respectively. The pH, Turbidity, Total suspended solids, BOD and conductivity reduced as storage increased. Magnesium and calcium for sample B were found to have the highest value of 0.31 and 1.73 mg/l respectively. Storage of water for a long period of time should be discouraged as it could trigger increased leaching of BPA into the water which will affect its physicochemical and microbiologically quality. Keywords: Bacteria, Bisphenol A, Storage Water Tanks, Drinking Water Quality

Effects of Pesticide Application on the Growth of Soil Nitrifying Bacteria

This research studied the effects of pesticide application on the growth of soil nitrifying bacteria. Nitrosomonas sp. was isolated from the Soil samples gotten from five different locations within the University of Benin, Benin City and cultured using Winogradsky medium. The bacterial isolate was characterized and identified based on its cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. After 4 to 5 days of growth, Nitrosomonas Counts obtained from Winogradsky medium ranged from 4.8×103 to 9.2×103cfu/g. There was an increase in bacteria growth at lower pesticide concentration which began to decrease as the pesticide concentration increased with time. The percentage nitrite accumulation gradually decreased with time, the LC50 values were higher than EC50 values which shows that the bacteria could survive and grow at lower pesticide concentrations but were completely inhibited at higher pesticide concentrations. It is therefore very important to examine pesticides so as to determine its toxicity to soil bacteria before application

Production of Biosurfactants by Actinomycetes Isolated from Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils and Ikpoba River Sediments in Benin-City, Nigeria

The production of biosurfactants by Actinomycetes isolated from hydrocarbon contaminated soils and Ikpoba river sediments were evaluated. Soil samples were collected from mechanic workshops located in various parts of Benin City and Ikpoba river sediments. Physico-chemical analyses were performed. Isolation of Actnomycetes was done using starch casein agar incorporation with antibiotics incubated for 7 – 10 days at 30oC. Growth on mineral salt medium initiated the production of biosurfactants which was extracted by centrifugation and filtration followed by liquid extraction using chloroform: methanol (2:1v/v). Characterization and stability studies were conducted. The pH of the contaminated soil was 4.92 +/- 0.049 while that of Ikpoba river sediments was 6.62+/-0.056. The hydrocarbon contaminated soils had a higher concentration of surphur, nitrogen, potassium, sodium, magnesium and manganese compared to Ikpoba River, but only chlorine concentration was higher in Ikpoba River. Aerobic Gram positive rods with extensive branching were observed confirming growth of Streptomyces sp. The result showed stability across different temperature ranges with no significant difference observed in the two sites in emulsification activity (P>0.05). There was significant difference observed in the mean surface tension of the biosurfactants produced from the two sites across different temperature ranges with hydrocarbon contaminated soil having higher values (P>0.05). There was also significant surface tension difference between pH2 and pH8 (P<0.05) suggesting higher activity within those ranges. The result also show stability across different salt concentrations and had foaming characteristics. Actinomycetes have complex enzymatic mechanism that aids hydrocarbon mineralization and thus increases the potential for biosurfactant production. These biosurfactants are stable across temperature ranges and are not majorly affected by salt concentration; this property aids its potential usage in decontamination of oil contaminated areas in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and other countries.Keywords: Biosurfactants, Actinomycetes, hydrocarbon contaminated soils and Ikpoba river sediment

Online Education and its Effect on the workforce

The use of technology in education, commonly defined as electronic learning (e-learning), is commonplace in the curricula of the 21st century. The role of e-learning in professional development and workforce advancement, and more specifically, its impact on Louisiana`s workforce, was analyzed. Broader statewide efforts to address barriers and challenges that impact local adult learning opportunities are also examined. This paper also reviews the benefits of online education as it impacts on students, institutions, state and federal government, and the society in its entirety. Two models are proposed: the first addresses outreach programs to improve enrollment and retention of adult students; the second discusses methodologies to ensure the successful implementation of online programs to help those adult students to succeed

Effects of Plastic Pollution of Soil on the Growth and Survival of Bacteria and Fungi

The study examined the effect of plastic waste on soil bacteria and fungi. The test soil samples were collected from Lokoja international market waste dump site and the control soil sample was collected from non plastic contaminated garden in Salem University, Lokoja. The samples were analysed using Gas chromatography with mass spectrometer. The test soil sample soil sample had high quantity of plastic contaminant which were Methylene chloride 17.45mg/kg, hexane 10.05mg/kg, chloroform 1.56mg/kg, toluene 5.87mg/kg, tetrachloroethylene 1.48mg/kg as compared to the control garden soil sample, which had methylene chloride 0.54mg/kg, hexane 0.26mg/kg, chloroform 0.31mg/kg, toluene 5.87mg/kg and tetrachloroethylene 0.01mg/kg. The result showed the presence of plastic in the soil and it effect on bacteria and fungi. The totals of 11 bacteria were isolated from both soil samples using nutrient agar. The bacteria isolated are; Corynebacterium spp. (12%), Enterobacter spp. (8%), Acinetobacter spp. (6%), Escherichia coli (16%), Epidermis, Bacillus subtilis (15%), Serratia sp. (8%), Proteus spp. (4%), Micrococcus luteus (7%), Flavobacterium spp. (10%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15%). Micrococcus luteus, Flavobacterium spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginose were not isolated in plastic composted soil sample due to the presence of plasticizers. The total of 6 fungi were isolated, namely Penicilliun expansion (12%), Sacchromyces sp. (24%), Aspergillus niger (19%), Fusarium spp. (20%), Rhizopus stolonifer (10%) and Mucor piriformis (15%). This study reveals the effect of plastic waste, as it inhibits the growth of microorganism that is important for soil activities, thereby reducing the soil nutrients, fertility and productivity

Biochemical, rheological and hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) evaluation of Archachatina marginata (snail) mucin extract for possible nutraceutical and nano biopharmaceutical applications

Purpose: To evaluate the rheological, biochemical, hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of Archachatina marginata (snail) mucin extract for possible use as a nutraceutical and nano biopharmaceutical material. Methods: Snail mucin was extracted with acetone and water, lyophilized and the biochemical, proximate and mineral analyses of the extracts were studied using standard methods. The rheological properties of the extracts (1, 2, 4 and 8 % w/v) and their emulsion-based preparations were evaluated. Other physicochemical properties and HLB values of the preparations were also determined. Results: Snail mucin extracts contained protein (84 %), fats (2.91 %) and carbohydrate (1.2 %) and showed significant nutraceutical composition (p < 0.05). Ash content of 4.21 and 4.12 % was obtained for water and acetone extracts, respectively. Moisture content was < 9 % for both the aqueous and nonaqueous mucin extracts. Potassium, calcium and phosphorus were present in high quantities in the extracts while iron, copper and zinc were in trace amounts (< 4 %). Mucin dispersions exhibited viscosity in the range of 0.89 to 0.93 cp. Water sorption and dry weight were higher in the acetone extract than in the aqueous extract. The HLB values, which ranged from 7 to 15, were within the acceptable values for material for nanobiopharmaceutical application, except that the acetone extract. Conclusion: Snail mucin exhibits good nutraceutical properties and also possesses good properties that render it a potential excipient for use in the formulation of drug delivery system

Design and simulation of a novel 3-point star rectifying antenna for RF energy harvesting at 2.4 GHz

The rectenna as a device, is critical for achieving long-distance wireless power transfer. The centrality of this study is focused on adding to the collective knowledge of the subject matter, by providing a new perspective in terms of an alternative design for the antenna component of the rectenna. Essentially, this study features a novel “3-point star” design which was simulated in comparison with the conventional square microstrip patch antenna design. Both designs (i.e., operating at the Wi-Fi band 2.4 GHz), were assessed in terms of simulated performance parameters: gain, directivity, return loss, radiation pattern, and efficiency. From the simulation results, the proposed “3-point star” design, though slightly less efficient exhibited improved performance over the conventional square patch alternative, in terms of gain, directivity, and return loss. For the rectifying component, a greinacher voltage-doubler (with two HSMS2820 diodes), was designed separately and simulated over a range of input power levels (10dBm—34dBm), for 220-Ω, 380-Ω and 810-Ω load resistances, respectively. A maximum conversion efficiency of 88.02% was achieved at 28dBm for an 810 Ω load resistance. All design simulations were executed using Advanced Design System (ADS) software

Demand and supply analysis for maternal and child health services at the primary healthcare level in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The low demand for maternal and child health services is a significant factor in Nigeria's high maternal death rate. This paper explores demand and supply-side determinants at the primary healthcare level, highlighting factors affecting provision and utilization. METHODS: This qualitative study was undertaken in Anambra state, southeast Nigeria. Anambra state was purposively chosen because a maternal and child health programme had just been implemented in the state. The three-delay model was used to analyze supply and demand factors that affect MCH services and improve access to care for pregnant women/mothers and newborns/infants. RESULT: The findings show that there were problems with both the demand and supply aspects of the programme and both were interlinked. For service users, their delays were connected to the constraints on the supply side. On the demand side, the delays include poor conditions of the facilities, the roads to the facilities are inaccessible, and equipment were lacking in the facilities. These delayed the utilisation of facilities. On the supply side, the delays include the absence of security (fence, security guard), poor citing of the facilities, inadequate accommodation, no emergency transport for referrals, and lack of trained staff to man equipment. These delayed the provision of services. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that there were problems with both the demand and supply aspects of the programme, and both were interlinked. For service users, their delays were connected to the constraints on the supply side

Community waste management and its health impact on Obalende and Lafiaji Villages of Lagos Island

Managing municipal solid waste in cities has become a serious challenge which could result in the accumulation of heavy metals in the environment. Against this background, the municipal solid waste management practices in peri-urban communities (Obalende and Lafiaji Village) of Lagos Island and the impact of heavy metals in soil were studied. This study aims at examining the present municipal waste management practices in Lagos Islandandhowthey can beimproved upon. Random sampling was used to administer 100 questionnaires to household while the different heavy metal concentrations in the soil samples were determined using Buck 200 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). About 58 % of the respondents are aware of solid waste management while LAWMA (50%) and Cart pushers (40%) were the two main options for waste disposal. The wastes were mainly composed of food wastes, plastics/pet bottles and nylon. Although majority of the respondents (67%) have a waste bin/bag assigned to their houses, about 74% do not sort their wastes. The concentrations of the heavy metals (Co, Zn, Ni, and Mn) in the soil samples were higher in Obalende and Lafiaji village, where wastes were dumped indiscriminately on roadsides. SWOT analysis revealed the need for improving environmental awareness in order to minimize the threat of low sorting of wastes. Also, opportunities exist for recycling plastics/pet bottles and nylon while wastes from food materials could benefit agriculture through composing. This study suggests that more environmental awareness, policies and better administration are needed to improve the status of waste management in peri-urban communities of Lagos Island

Quality of Restaurants in Lokoja Metropolis and Its Public Health Impact

Abstract Indoor air is an essential environment for healthy living and it can become a dominant source of contaminants when it is incorporated with complex mixture of biological and non-biological particles as a result of human activities. The effect of high customer patronage on the indoor air quality of restaurants in Lokoja metropolis and its public health impacts was investigated. Twelve restaurants were sampled; seven from Lokoja-Abuja highway and five from IBB way using standard microbiological assays and biochemical test such as citrate utilization test, urease test, catalase test, indole test, oxidase test and coagulase test. Bacteria isolated from the sampled restaurants were Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Micrococcus luteus. The airborne fungal isolates were Aspergillus niger, Aspergilus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus stolinifer, Fusarium oxysporum and Clasdosporium fulvum. Restaurant B on the LokojaAbuja high way has the highest bacterial count of 400cfu per minute of exposure while restaurant Y on the IBB way has the lowest bacterial count of 25cfu per minute of exposure. Restaurant B has the highest fungal count of 6.0 cfu per minute of exposure while restaurant Z has the lowest count of 1.5 cfu per minute exposure. Escherichia coli was the mostly distributed bacteria while Streptococcus pyogenes was the least distributed. Rhizopus stolinifer was the highest fungal distributed and Clasdosporium fulvum the least. Human activities contribute to the indoor air quality of these restaurants and this could pose a danger to customers especially the immunocompromised customers which will have a concomitant effect on the patronage of the restaurants. Proper sanitation, personal hygiene and good ventilation system is recommended to avoid contamination of food and spread of diseases