In the quest for novel bioactive metabolites, which can also be used as therapeutic agents, Adiantum philippense (A. philippense), an ethnomedically important fern, has become a fascinating herb. In this study, the predictive mathematical modelling of A. philippense crude extract was tested against Shigella flexneri, a common food pathogen for its phytochemical constituents, antagonistic ability, and effect on bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation was calculated. Various kinetics models such as Von Bertalanffy, Baranyi-Roberts, modified Schnute, Modified Richards, Modified Gompertz, Modified Logistics and latest Huang were used to get values for the above kinetic constants or parameters. modified Gompertz of the entire model was found to be the best model with the highest adjusted R2 value and lowest RMSE value. The accuracy and bias factors values were close to unity (1.0). The maximum specific growth rate (mmax (h-1) for S. flexneri treatment with A. philippense extract was significantly much lower (p<0.05) with a value of 0.292 (95% confidence interval of 0.254 to 0.331) compared to control with a value of 0.540 (95% confidence interval of 0.481 to 0.599) indicating potential biofilm inhibition.
This study was conducted to assess the health risk of heavy metals from some fruits and vegetables sold in the Dutse Ultra-modern market, Jigawa State. Two fruits (watermelon and orange) and two vegetables (okra and spinach) were selected randomly from two vendors for two consecutive periods within one week. The samples were transported to the laboratory for acid digestion. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used for the determination of heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cr and Ni) concentration in the various samples. Bioaccumulation factor, pollution index, hazard quotient and hazard index were calculated and compared with WHO standard. Results obtained in the present study revealed that Cd levels in the samples were significantly higher as compared with the control value (0.2 mg/mL). Pb, Fe, Cr and Ni evaluated were insignificant as compared with their control (2 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, 1.3 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL, respectively). The results revealed only Cr (1.5) and Ni (1.7) have significantly high bioaccumulation factors while all other heavy metals show relatively low bioaccumulation. The pollution index of heavy metals in the samples of fruits and vegetables evaluated shows a relatively low pollution index, values obtained vary from 0.11 in Pb to 0.9 in Ni. While hazard quotients and hazard index were insignificant. The study concludes that okra, spinach, orange and watermelon in the Dutse ultra-modern market in Jigawa state despite their proximity to the mechanic village and a lot of activities occurring may not cause a serious health threat to human consumption. The study recommends further studies on other fruits and vegetables not selected for this study.
Groundwater is sometimes considered as the cleanest form of water available to Nigerians. A total of two hundred water samples (10 from each of the 20 cities) were analyzed for the presence of coliform bacteria as an indicator of water quality. The mean coliform viable counts, aerobic mesophilic bacterial count as well as a biochemical test were conducted. Based on the result obtained, seven cities were found to contain coliform count above the acceptable limit of the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water. Escherichia coli was also found in water samples of four cities. Presence of faecal coliform is an indication of faecal contamination of any drinking water which can be due to leakage of pipes from the main source. Efforts need to be intensified in the monitoring of activities in this rapidly expanding industry with a view to raising standards.
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