Aims:The aim of the study was to produce yoghurt from milk extract of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) using lactic acid bacteria isolated from locally fermented milk (nono) with specific objectives of comparing the proximate composition of tigernut-yoghurt with a popular yoghurt brand in Keffi, Nasarawa State and determining the acceptance level of both products based on sensory evaluation.

Asclepias syriaca, commonly called common milkweed is a species of a flowering plant. It has a long history of folklore uses, but has not been explored for commercial purpose. Traditionally the hot water extract is used to treat typhoid fever, among other medicinal uses. Despite its numerous acclaimed uses, its full resources are yet to be tapped. This study carried out the phytochemical screening and proximate analysis of this important ancient plant so as to expose some of its potentials. Enough sample of Asclepsias syriaca was collected from around Bingham University campus in Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The sample was dried at room temperature (280C) for 2 weeks. The air-dried plant was separated into root, stem, leaves, and flower/ fruits. The dried stem was pulverized using a mechanical blender. The pulverized stem was then subjected to phytochemical screening and proximate analysis, using standard methods. The results of phytochemical screening revealed high concentration of tannins, saponins and glycosides, with alkalloids and phenols present in lesser concentrations. Proximate analysis result yielded protein (31.35%), crude fat (14.85%), carbohydrate (11.50%), moisture content (2.30%). Most of the phytochemical components found in Asclepias syriaca have been documented to have antimicrobial property, hence, the plant could be a potential effective and cheap cure for many infections. The proximate analysis result also confirmed the nutritive value of this multipurpose plant.

Aims: The study is aimed at isolating and identifying the gram negative bacteria associated with spoilage of tomatoes at Mararaba and Masaka markets, New Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. Study Design: A cross-sectional study to isolate gram negative bacteria associated with spoilage of tomatoes at Mararaba and Masaka markets, New Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. Place and Duration of Study: The isolation of gram negative bacteria was carried out at the Department of Biological Sciences, Bingham University New Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, between January, 2018 and September, 2018. Methodology: The samples collected were crushed with a sterile mortar and pestle after which tenfold serial dilution was carried out using sterile distilled water before inoculating on MaCconkey and Blood agar using the pour plate technique. Colonies were then subjected to gram staining and biochemical test. Results: From the result of the biochemical test, Salmonella spp, Esherichia coli spp, Klebsiella spp and vibrio spp. were the gram-negative bacteria isolated from the tomato samples collected at both markets. Conclusion: Tomatoes sold in an unclean environment that is contamination with food- borne pathogenic bacteria poses a risk to the consumers.

The adoption and use of biological marker also known as biomarkers in clinical studies and management of disease conditions spans over 40 years. Biological marker are measurable biochemical or molecular alterations that can be adopted as indicator of normal biological or responses to the action of pathogen or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention. Molecules, macro and micro molecules, metabolites, and chemical compounds from the body adopted for use in predicting and monitoring health outcomes are constant from individual to another which qualify them as standard biomarker parameters. Use of biological markers spans clinical screening of an underlying cause of disease, prognosis, predisposition to a disease condition and predicting outcomes of treatment. In the environment, biological markers can be applied to determine the effects of xenobiotic chemicals and reaction effect on living cell. A good marker while being specific, should be easy to measure, cheap, provide correct measurement and outcomes. The objective of this review paper is highlight the different types of biological markers and areas where they are applicable.

Antibiotic resistance, as well as the evolution and spread of new strains of disease causing agents are of great concern to the global health community. The high cost of antibiotics has made it inevitable to search for cheaper sources of antimicrobials. There has been considerable interest in the use of plant materials as an alternative method of controlling pathogenic microorganisms. Asclepias syriaca is one of such plants that need to be investigated in view of its acclaimed medicinal uses. It has been reported to contain certain bioactive chemicals which could be antimicrobial in action. This work investigated Asclepias syriaca stem for antimicrobial activity. Cold water, Hot water and Methanolic extracts of Asclepias stem were prepared using standard methods. The extracts were used to carry out susceptibility test, determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the stem extract on Salmonella typhi, Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extracts were found to be effective on the three test organisms, with the methanolic extract being most active, followed by hot water extract, then cold water extract. Inhibitory zone diameter ranged between15 to 26mm for Methanolic extract, 14 to 23mm for Hot water extract, and 12 to 20mm for Cold water extract. The extracts were most active on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, then Salmonella typhi, and lastly Salmonella typhimurium. The MIC of the extract on Salmonella typhimirium was 200mg/mL for both the Cold and Hot water extracts, but 100 mg/mL for methanolic extract. The MIC of the extract on Salmonella typhi was 12.50mg/mL for Methalonic extract and for both Cold and Hot water extracts. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the MIC was 3.125mg/mL for all the extracts, i.e Cold and Hot water extracts, as well as Methanolic extract. MIC of the standard antibiotic was 3.125mg/mL. The MBC result showed no inhibition by all the extracts on Salmonella typhimurium, even at 400 mg/mL. All the extracts had MBC at 400 mg/mL for Salmonella typhi. All the extracts had MBC at 200 mg/mL on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while MBC of the standard control on all test bacteria was 6.25 mg/mL. From our results, it is evident that Asclepias syriaca stem extracts possesses antimicrobial property which can be exploited to treat Salmonella typhi infection as used traditionally, as well as infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.