Vol 16, No 2 , 2015-1, African Scientist

Maize (Zea mays) is an annual monoecious crop and the most important cereal in the world after wheat and rice with regard to cultivation areas and total production. Despite the various improvements in the drying and storage of maize, the growth of moulds is usually a common occurrence in stored grains. The grain is vulnerable to biodeterioration by mycotoxigenic fungi which include Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium.

Standard bacteriological methods and physico-chemical procedures were utilized in the determination of the isolation and enumeration of the culturable heterotrophic bacterial flora, MCPA utilizing bacteria and physico-chemical profile of top soils collected from a variety of edaphic sites under varying anthropogenic usages. The mean heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 3.5 × 104 - 1.15 × 105 cfu/g. No MCPA-utilizing bacterial counts were recorded for all the soils after seven days. The observed differences in the mean counts were not significant (P>0.05).

Industrial wastes like starchy wastes cause environmental pollution especially of waterways however, they can be used for biosynthesis of enzymes (amylases) thereby reducing their pollution impact on the environment. Amylases are starch degrading enzymes that have great importance in biotechnology and starch processing industries. This study aimed at optimizing Penicillium chrysogenum biomass and amylase production in cassava whey media using organic and inorganic nitrogen supplementations. Biomass yield of P.

This study was carried out to assess the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat papaya fruit from selected locations in Benin City. Standard bacteriological techniques using selective/differential media were employed for the isolation, purification and putative identification of selected bacterial isolates present in vended papaya fruits. The susceptibility and resistance of these bacterial isolates to common antibiotics was accessed. The public health implication of the identified isolates were also evaluated using their multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index.

This study was done to determine the histological and biochemical effects of aqueous leaf extract of Tectona grandis on egg yolk induced non- alcoholic liver damage. The rats were randomly divided into four groups A, B, C, and D comprising of 8 rats each. Group A served as the control. Group B received egg yolk daily for 30 days, Group C was treated with 300 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of T. grandis alone while Group D was fed egg yolk and was treated with aqueous leaf extract of T. grandis for 30days.

The suitability of banana peel medium for Aspergillus niger Single Cell Protein (SCP) and amylase production was studied. Single Cell Protein and amylase production was investigated using media designated as Supplemented Banana Peel (SBP), Glucose Banana Peel (GBP) and Unsupplemented Banana Peel (UBP). Biomass of A. niger protein content, amylase production and pH were determined using standard techniques in the course of submerged fermentation. Analyses of the various media showed that SBP medium produced the highest yield of A.

Plants that are referred to as “herbs” are not used as a food, but are grown and consumed as a garnishment for flavour enhancement, seasoning, and sometimes for alleged healing properties. This study investigates the microbiological quality of common herbal drugs sold in Benin City and antibacterial susceptibility profile of the Isolates. Herbal concoctions were purchased from various traditional medicine sales outlet in Benin City, Nigeria, coded as HA to HJ. Bacterial were cultured on Nutrients Agar while fungi were cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar.

The Ebola virus and its link to bush meat species in Nigeria was received differently by people. While some believed and took precautions others did not and continued the consumption of bush meat. Consequently, a survey of ten markets in Benin City was undertaken between December 2014 and April 2015 to compare bush meat patronage during the pre- and post -Ebola period. Markets visited included, Oba Market, New Benin Market, Oliha market, Uwa market, Santana market, Evbuotubu market, Oregbeni market, Uselu market, Ekiosa market and Ugbighokho market.

In this study, Bacillus subtilis isolated from decaying pineapple fruit peel was identified by both phenotypic and molecular techniques and employed for the production of single cell protein from three agricultural wastes: melon, groundnut and walnut shells. Chemical analysis showed these agro-wastes to contain high amounts of carbohydrate which ranged from 61.26 - 65.12 %. Using submerged fermentation, maximum yield of cell biomass was produced from the groundnut shell followed by melon shell as substrate for fermentation.

Fermentation is one of the oldest methods of food preservation known to man. Oil seeds and legumes have been fermented to give condiments. Molecular characterization of the bacteria associated with the spontaneous fermentation of Bambara nut (Vigna subterranea) seeds into “Ogirri” was carried out. Vigna subterranea seeds were subjected to pre-treatments of soaking and boiling and spontaneously fermented in 3 setups for a period of 96 h at 28±2 0C to yield ogirri product.