Antibacterial effect of leaf extract of Ricinus communis

The antibacterial activity of aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Ricinus communis were studied by the agar diffusion method. The ethanolic extract produced the greatest antimicrobial activity and the aqueous extract the least. Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive to the extracts while Bacteroides fragilis was the most resistant. The minimum bactericidal concentration of the extracts ranged between 60% (w/v) and 100% (w/v). Thus the extracts of Ricinus communis could be useful as a source of antibiotics against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

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A review on diseases and management problems affecting reproductive performance in semi-intensive raised local guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Investigations based on field records and experiences at the Guinea Fowl Production Research Unit of the Kainji Lake Research Institute have shown that some diseases management conditions which include: yolksac, fungal infections, collibacillosis, helminthiasis, management problems in particular inbreeding, moulting, heatstroke and nutritional deficiencies affect significantly the reproductive organs, egg laying and hatchability.

Drug resistant enterobacteria in drinking water supplies of Kano State, Nigeria

Drinking water sources are epidemiologically suspected as one of the major transmission agents for pathogenic and perhaps drug resistant Enterobacteria. Accordingly, in the period October, 1995 – September, 1996, water samples as were available from tap, borehole, well, dams and rivers in randomly selected 19 Local Government areas of Kano State were screened for these bacteria. 1201 isolates comprising Citrobacter sp. (16.91%); Enterobacter aerogenes (14.99%); Klebsiella sp. (10.24%); Proteus sp. (9.58%); Shigella sp. (9.49%); Escherichia coli (8.24%); Salmonellae (7.99%) and Vibrio sp.

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Repellent and toxic activities of fumes of some plant materials against Culex mosquito

Mosquito coils (bars), formulated from three plant leaves, namely; Acalypha torta, Carica papaya and Calotropis gigantica, and seeds of Peganum harmala, were tested as repellents or toxicants against laboratory reared Culex sp. adult mosquitoes when burnt as an incense. None of the plants showed toxic activity, as knockdown was less than 5% in all cases. Slight repellency was observed with Acalypha sp. (0.21) and P. harmala (0.19), as these showed significant difference (P < 0.05) from values recorded for the control, i.e. bars without plant material.

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Susceptibility response of Claria gariepinus to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and prophylactic treatment with chloramphenicol

Susceptibility responses of cat fish – Clarias gariepinus to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa vis-à-vis treatment with chloramphenicol were investigated in the present study. Thirty healthy and physically active fishes weighing between 200-350g sourced from Challawa Gorge Dam, Karaye, Kano State were used for the study. These were divided into three aquarium tanks A, B, C (ten in each case). Fishes in A were infected with 1.0ml (about 1.2 x 106 cfu/ml) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pyrenterally through linea alba by ventral medial furrow. This was 

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Phytosterol, phenolic acid, amino acid and sugar profiles of the unripe fruits of Solanum melongena L. (Round variety)

Numerous health benefits of consuming eggplant fruits (Solanum melongena L.) have been reported. This research was carried out to determine some of the constituents responsible for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The unripe fruits of Solanum melongena L. (round variety) were evaluated for its phytosterol, phenolic acid, amino acid and sugar profiles by gas chromatography. The Phytosterol analysis showed the presence of seven phytosterols and sitosterol (233 ± 0.852 mg/100g) was found to be significantly higher (p<0.01) than the other phytosterols.

Effects of Below Ground Controlled Injections of CO2 on Microbial Respiration of Soil Planted With Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

 Below-ground carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions occur naturally at CO2 springs, but the risk of occurrence at other sites will increase as geologic CO2 storage is implemented to help mitigate climate change. This investigation examines the effect of controlled injection of below ground CO2 emission on wheat plant and soil microbial respiration where spring wheat (triticum aestivum L.) was grown. The study involved setting up eight (8) experimental plots (each 2.5 x 2.5m) for the growth of spring wheat.

Chemical Analysis and Biological Activity of Natural Preservative from Beet root (Beta vulgaris) Against Foodborne Pathogens and Spoilage Organisms.

Proximate and elemental analysis of Beta vulgaris was carried out using standard procedures. Ethanolic and aqueous extract of the root were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively for phytochemicals. The agar well diffusion assay was employed to determine the antibacterial activity of both ethanolic and water extracts of Beta vulgaris. Carbohydrate, protein, fat/oils, ash and moisture content were 9.50±0.01, 1.58±0.00, 0.23±0.00,1.43±0.01 and 88.69±1.20 % respectively. The mineral content ranged from 1.90±0.01 to 15.98±0.01 % with 

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In vitro cytotoxic effect of aqueous and hydroethanolic leaf extracts of Stachytarpheta cayennensis on the human pancreatic cell line (ASPC-1)

There is an urgent need for agents with improved efficacy against pancreatic cancer, as only 20% of pancreatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy respond to treatment. This study investigated the antiproliferative attributes of hydroethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Stachytarpheta cayennensis on human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (AsPC-1). Human pancreatic (AsPC-1) cells were seeded (1.07×105 cells/well) into 96 well microtitre plate, allowed to stabilize, then exposed for 24hrs to graded (0 – 10000 μg ml-1) 

Callogenesis of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) using immature inflorescence and young leaf explants

The study was aimed at generating callus from immature inflorescence and young leaf explants of coconut (Cocos nucifera L). Eeuwen’s medium which was supplemented with Murashige and Skoog macro salts, 6-Benzylamino purine (BAP) and 6-y dimethylally amino purine (2iP) at concentration of 1 mg/l each, was used as the culture medium. The effect of different concentrations of growth regulators when added to the culture medium was tested on callus generation.