Assessment of microbiological qualities of Vigna subterranean pudding sold in Ota, Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria.

Millions of people worldwide depend on ready-to-eat foods (RTEFs) vended on the streets daily, for a wide variety of food choices that are relatively cheap and easily accessible. Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc.) Pudding ‘Okpa’ is a RTEF gaining enormous popularity in Nigeria, thus the need to investigate its microbiological qualities. A total of 30 samples were purchased from six different vendors along the popular ‘Sango under-bridge’ in Ota and were analyzed for total aerobic plate count, coliform count, fungal count and for specific bacterial and fungal pathogens. The mean total aerobic plate count ranged from 4.06 x 104 to 5.38 x105 cfu/g, mean coliform count ranged from <10 to 1.44 x 102 cfu/g and mean fungal count was 4.54 x 102 to 5.61 x 104 cfu/g. Five different bacteria and three fungi species were identified based on morphological and biochemical tests as major contaminants. These include: Bacillus, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Mucor, Aspergillus and Rhizopus. The presence of E. coli an indicator organism of faecal contamination, and the relatively high coliform count can be an indication of poor hygiene and sanitation standards post processing or inadequate heat treatment during the preparation of these products. The application of good manufacturing practices (GMP), effective hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) evaluation and adequate supervision and implementation of food safety practices and regular education of food handlers on food quality standards is advanced to improve this product and other RTEFs

Probiotics in the Management of Diseases: A Review

In recent years, there has been an increase in the application of probiotics for the treatment of some diseases and to alleviate the symptoms of many others. Diseases and ailments such as diarrhea, pouchitis, cancer, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel disease, and a host of others have experienced an increase in the use of certain probiotics bacteria to combat them. The complete mechanisms of action of probiotics in disease management and enhancement of the health of the host remain largely unknown, but the major activity thus appear to be via modulation of immune responses (immunomodulations) and colonization competitive shielding off of pathogens. This paper is set to review some of the various ailments for which probiotics have been used. With an upsurge in the use of probiotics, also comes an increase in skeptism on the safety of their use for medical purpose, the safety concerns that may obstruct effective usage and thus judicious application of probiotics in disease management warrants further investigations

Microbiological quality of fermented Cassava (Gari) sold in Ota Ogun State Nigeria

Thirty six gari samples (eighteen each of white and yellow types) were subjected to microbial analysis. Samples were serially diluted to 104 and appropriate dilutions inoculated by spread plate method onto Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar and Potato- Dextrose agar plates for Total aerobic plate count (TAPC), Coliform count (CC) and Fungal count respectively. TAPC for white gari ranged from 2.0x102 to 1.1x104, coliform count ranged from no growth (NG) to 7.1x103 while fungal count ranged from no growth to 6.0x102. The microbial load of yellow gari ranged from 1.0x102 to 5.0x103 for TAPC, NG to 6.0x103 for coliform count and NG to 3.0x103 for fungal count. The bacteria isolates from the various samples include Bacillus spp Enterobacter spp, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Klebsiella spp. Fungi isolated includes Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium, Rhizopus and Penicillium spp. The pH of the samples ranged from 4.76 to 4.94 in the yellow type and 4.78 to 4.91 in the white type. The moisture content was 6 to 8 percent in yellow type and 4 to 7 percent in the white type. Application of good manufacturing practices (GMP) and HACCP in gari production is imperative

Assessment of the nutritional and growth enhancement quality of some brands of milk on selected bacteria.

Studies were carried out on the nutritional and growth enhancement quality of four brands of milk selected based on consumer preference. These are 'Cowbell', 'Jago', 'Milcow' and 'Peak' milk powder. Nutritional facts of the four brands shows that all of them have similar composition except 'Cowbell' that contains vegetable fat 26%. The protein composition of the four brands were in the range (25-26%), lactose (35-38%) and mineral salts (5.5-6.0%). Various types of milk media were composed using the stipulated milk and different protein sources which include 'Daddawa'(Locust beans), Yeast Powder, Yeast extract and Peptone. Growth enhancement quality of the composed media was assessed using three bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus plantarum while Imported Milk Agar (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany) was used as the Control. Nutritional quality of the milk media were assessed based on proximate and elemental analysis of the composed media. Obtained result showed that there was no significant difference in the moisture content, carbohydrate, crude fat, protein, crude fibre and ash content of the locally compounded milk agar (LCMA) and that of the Imported Milk Agar (IMA). There was also no significant difference in the elemental composition such as sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, iron and magnesium in the LCMA and that of the IMA. Generally, Staphylococcus aureus showed the least growth and development on all composed media (3.1x104 – 1.3 x 105cfu/ml) while the highest viable counts were obtained in Lactobacillus plantarum (1.0 x 105 – 2.0x 106cfu/ml) on the various milk media. There was a significant difference between total viable counts of Staphylococcus aureus on the LCMA and IMA (Control). However, there was no significant difference in the total viable counts of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus plantarum on the locally compounded media and control. Media containing 'Cowbell' milk powder had the highest total viable counts for the three isolates (1.3 x 105cfu/ml, 1.8 x 106cfu/ml and 2.0 x 106cfu/ml) for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus plantarum respectively. It was observed that 'Cowbell' milk powder in conjunction with Daddawa (locust bean) and edible yeast powder is the best combination when compounding Milk agar using our local resources

Assessment of Micro Flora, Deoxynivalenol (Don) and Fumonisin Contamination of Grains sold in Local Markets, Nigeria

Fusarium the major deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin producing species of fungi grow as a corn endophyte often without causing disease symptoms in plant. Climate changes resulting in appropriate weather conditions helps in Fusarium growth causing seedling blight, stalk rot and ear rot. Thus most grain contamination of Fusarium comes from the farm. This study was carried out to assess the micro flora and level of DON and fumonisin contamination in Zea mays, Sorghum bicolor, Triticum aestivum and Pennisetum americanum sold in Ota. Forty samples comprising ten of each grain type was analyzed, Fumonisin at concentration ≥4.0 mg/kg (ppm) was detected in eight samples of Zea mays and two samples of Triticum aestivum while DON at concentrations ≥1.25mg/kg (ppm) was detected in all the wheat samples using the Rida® Quick Fumonisin and DON test kits. The total aerobic plate count for the samples ranged from 2.0×104 to 8.4×106 cfu/g, fungal count ranged from 1.0×104 to 6.0×106 cfu/g while coliform count ranged from < 10 to 2.0×103 cfu/g. The predominant microbial isolates from the grains included species of Fusarium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Penicillium, Bacillus, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas. Infection of grains by fungal species and contamination with mycotoxins can generally be influenced by favourable weather conditions. Measures to address climate changes, effective hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) and good storage system are advocated to prevent mould contamination and deleterious mycotoxin production in grains

Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Species Isolated from Ice-cream Vended in Ota and Lagos Metropolis

Background: Most milk and milk products (ice-cream) could be a veritable avenue for the transmission of multidrug resistant genes among any community. In this study, antibiotic susceptibility patterns were surveyed in some selected ice-cream sold in Ota and Lagos metropolis. Materials and Methods: Samples of branded ice-creams were surveyed for antibiotic susceptibility patterns, a total of 9 bacteria species were selected from the pool of isolates and characterized morphologically and biochemically. The antibiotic reactions of the isolates assigned as D1, D2, D3, G1, G2, G3, J1, J2 and J3 to the standard Gram negative and Gram positive antibiotics was done by agar diffusion method. Results: Based on the comparison of the isolates with standard reference organisms, the isolates belonged to the Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Yersinia, Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species. Most of the organisms exhibited antibiotic reactions ranging from susceptible, intermediate to resistance to the assayed standard antibiotics. Conclusion: From this study, the incidence of antibiotic resistance patterns could be on the increase unless strict measure during processing and handling of ice-cream is ensured

Prevalence of Dermatophytes and other Associated Fungi among School Children

The study investigated the prevalence of dermatophytosis and associated non-dermatophytes among Islamiyya school children of ages 5 – 13 years old in Kano metropolis. A total of 100 samples were collected and 91 (91%) yielded positive to fungal growth from which 66 (72.5%) were identified from males and 25 (27.5%) from females school children respectively. Dermatophytes amounting to 53 (58.2%) in frequency were recorded out of which 39 (73.6%) were isolated from males and 14 (26.4%) on females. Non-dermatophytes were also more in males (27 isolates) than females which had 11. The etiological agents of dermatophycoses recorded in this study in descending order of prevalence are M. ferrugineum (15.4%), M. canis (15.4%), M. audounii (9.9%), T. concentricum (5.5%), T. verrucosum (3.3%), T. rubrum (3.3%), T. mentagrophyte (2.2%), T. tonsorans (1.1%) and T. schoenleini (1.1%). A. flavus (9.9%), A. niger (8.8%), Penicillium sp. (7.7%), Candida albicans (5.5%), Mucor sp. (4.4%), Trichoderma sp. (3.3%) and A. fumigatus (2.2%) constituted the non-dermatophytes associated with these cutaneous infections. Higher frequency of dermatophytosis occurred more in children with greater propensity for play, interaction with domestic animals and who lacked the luxury of school seats during classroom learnin

Global Economic Recession: The Place of Biotechnology

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a leading cause of congenital infections worldwide Women infected for the first time during pregnancy are especially likely to transmit CMV to their fetuses and has been proposed as a risk factor for preterm birth. The seroprevalence of CMV in adults and the incidence of congenital CMV infection are highest in developing countries (1 to 5% of births) 90% of infected infants are asymptomatic at birth and are not recognized as at risk for CMV-associated infection. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence rate of CMV infection among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic. In this study, Two-hundred and eighty eight (288) pregnant women were enrolled. Questionnaires were issued to volunteer subjects after due consent was sought, to determine demographic and other relevant data. 5mls of blood was collected by venous puncture from the antecubital fossa and dispensed into plain containers; sera were collected after centrifugation of the blood. Sera obtained were screened for the presence of CMV (IgM) antibodies using ELISA technique (Clinotec Laboratories Canada).Result showed that out of the 288 women tested, 54 (18.8%) were positive for CMV antibodies while 234 (81.2%) tested negative. With regards to age group distribution, women within 15 – 20 years had a prevalence rate of 4.5%, 21 – 30 years both had 3.5%, 31 – 35 had 3.1%, 36 – 40 years had 1.3% while 41 – 45 years had a prevalence rate of 2.8%, all the age groups had no statistical significant (P>0.05) result. With regards to trimester of the volunteer subjects screened, 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester subjects recorded a prevalence rate of 3.1%, 9.4% and 6.2% respectively which was statistically significant (P0.05).Occupational status of subjects studied recorded no statistical significant (P0.05) result obtained showed that unemployed subjects recorded a prevalence of 5.6% compared to the self-employed with 4.9%, farmers recorded 3.8%, while students had a prevalence of 1.7% however subjects who are civil servants recorded a prevalence of 2.8%. Location of volunteer subjects studied showed that pregnant in rural areas had a prevalence rate of 12.2% while those living in urban areas recorded 6.6% prevalence without any statistical significant (P0.05).Records from this study indicates the of presence of CMV (Igm) antibodies amongst the subjects screened. Hence the need for early detection of the virus in pregnant women

Studies on FT-IR Spectroscopy of modified Montmorillonite clays applied for the removal of T-2 toxin in maiz

Montmorillonite clay has a wide range of industrial applications which include the removal of mycotoxins in foods and feed because of its low toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. T-2 toxin is produced mostly by fungal species of Fusarium. Other T-2 producing fungal species are Myrothecium and Stachybotrys. T-2 toxin poses several health hazards such as dystrophy in the brain, heart, kidney and liver as well as ulceration and necrosis of the digestive tract in man and animals. To reduce T-2 toxin in maize, montmorillonite clay modified with lemongrass essential oil (MMT-LGEO) and montmorillonite clay washed with NaCl (Na-MMT) were applied to maize at a concentration of 8% and 12% and kept under storage for one month at 30�C. Untreated maize samples and unmodified montmorillonite clay (MMT) served as controls. The FTIR spectra were recorded for the two treatments and unmodified montmorillonite clay (MMT) used for the removal of T-2 toxin in maize. The FTIR spectra of the two treatments and unmodified clay (MMT) showed the major functional groups as Si-O and -OH. All Montmorillonite clay has a wide range of industrial applications which include the removal of mycotoxins in foods and feed because of its low toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. T-2 toxin is produced mostly by fungal species of Fusarium. Other T-2 producing fungal species are Myrothecium and Stachybotrys. T-2 toxin poses several health hazards such as dystrophy in the brain, heart, kidney and liver as well as ulceration and necrosis of the digestive tract in man and animals. To reduce T-2 toxin in maize, montmorillonite clay modified with lemongrass essential oil (MMT-LGEO) and montmorillonite clay washed with NaCl (Na-MMT) were applied to maize at a concentration of 8% and 12% and kept under storage for one month at 30�C. Untreated maize samples and unmodified montmorillonite clay (MMT) served as controls. The FTIR spectra were recorded for the two treatments and unmodified montmorillonite clay (MMT) used for the removal of T-2 toxin in maize. The FTIR spectra of the two treatments and unmodified clay (MMT) showed the major functional groups as Si-O and -OH. All the treatments reduced the level of T-2 toxin in maize. However, sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) and montmorillonite clay modified with lemongrass essential oil (MMT-LGEO) were more efficient than unmodified montmorillonite clay (MMT) in the removal of T-2 toxin in maizethe treatments reduced the level of T-2 toxin in maize. However, sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) and montmorillonite clay modified with lemongrass essential oil (MMT-LGEO) were more efficient than unmodified montmorillonite clay (MMT) in the removal of T-2 toxin in maiz

MICROBIOLOGICAL AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF KUNU-ZAKI MADE FROM DIFFERENT GRAINS

Evaluation was made of the microbial profile and nutritional content of Kunu zaki prepared from different grains and their combinations; Millet only, White Sorghum only, Maize only, Red Sorghum only, Millet and Maize (1:1), Sorghum and Maize (1:1) and Sorghum and Millet (1:1). Total Aerobic Plate Count (TAPC) of the samples ranged from 2.0×103 - 1.4×105cfuml-1, Coliform Count (CC) ranged from 2.0 × 103 - 2.2×105 cfuml-1 and Fungal Count (FC) was 2.0× 103 – 6.0× 104 cfuml-1). The pH values ranged from 3.55 - 3.92. The proximate composition of the Kunun-zaki prepared from the different grains ranged from 83.74 - 88.39% for moisture content, 0.28 - 0.45% for protein, 0.38 - 1.35% for Crude fat, 0.001 - 0.010% for Crude fibre, 9.99 - 14.86% for Carbohydrate and 0.12 - 0.73% for Total ash content. Bacteria isolated from the various Kunu zaki samples were Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphyloccocus aureus, species of Klebsiella, Lactobacillus and Shigella. The fungi isolated include Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, species of Cephalosporium, Mucor and Penicillum. Kunun-zaki is a refreshing drink produced by natural unclassified array of microorganisms some of which could be pathogenic. The need to employ HACCP, GMP during production and development of starter culture is advocated