Volume 17, No 1 , 2016

Antibacterial Activity of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers on Some Clinical Bacterial Isolates

This study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activities of commercially available alcohol-based handsanitizers (2Sure, Dettol and Carex) on some clinical bacterial isolates. The isolates were obtained from the laboratory stock culture of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City.

AuthorName(s)

Selected Biochemical Parameters and Oxidative Stress Status of Rats Administered Antimalaria Herbal Extract – ‘Agbo’

Herbs are increasingly used across the globe; In fact, the World Health Organization reported that most African countries, including Nigeria, depend on herbal medicines for primary health care, without much documented evidence of adverse effects. Agbo polyhebral extract is popular in Nigeria, especially among (but not limited to) the local populace of the southwestern areas. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of malaria alcoholic herbal extract (Agbo) on renal, liver, oxidative stress markers and hematological parameters on wistar rats.

Molecular Characterization of Iron-Related Bacteria in Ground Water in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

 Fe (III) compounds which are formed from the oxidation of Fe(II) by iron bacteria precipitates, and forms iron oxides - an extensive orange mats of organic material, which is often found present in the ground water, evident by the rust stain colour seen on almost all the water storage tanks in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Hence, this study characterized iron bacteria diversity in groundwater, which is a major source of drinking water in the state.

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.

AuthorName(s)

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.

AuthorName(s)

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.

AuthorName(s)

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 

AuthorName(s)

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.