This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence and detection of virulence genes in Salmonella isolated from poultry farms in Kwara State, Nigeria. Ten commercial layer farms located in three senatorial districts of the state were sampled.

Trypanosomosis is a major disease of Man and animals. This study investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on the survivability rate, weight gain and histopathological changes of Wister rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei. A total of thirty (30) rats randomly divided into six groups (A-F). Rats in group A remain untreated and uninfected while rates in group F were infected and untreated. Rats in groups B and C were treated with Moringa oleifera leave extract orally at 200 mg/kg for 14 days pre-infection and the treatment continued in B but not in C. Rats in groups D and E were treated with the extract orally for ninety days at 200 mg/kg (pre-infection) and the treatment continued in D but not in E. The weight changes in all rats were monitored weekly. Rats in B-F groups were infected with 3 × 106 of Trypanosoma brucei per mL of blood. The results showed that all the infected rats died but the treated group survived extra two days when compared with the untreated group. The percentage weight gain of rats in groups B and C was high (23.9% and 21.1%) respectively as against negative control (17.2%). The groups with chronic administration of the extract (D and E) had a lower percentage weight gains (64.3% and 60.3% respectively) when compared with negative control (71.8%). The histopathology results showed that the extract was a potent ameliorative agent that reduced neuronal degeneration and congestion in the brain and the spleen of the infected rats respectively. In conclusion, Moringa Oleifera leave extract has mitigative effects on the pathogenesis of trypanosomosis.

Efforts have been made to extend the poor shelf life of cassava roots through low‐temperature storage like refrigeration, but the effects of this on lafun (fermented cassava flour) had not been investigated. This study determined the chemical composition of lafun obtained from cassava roots refrigerated for 1–3 weeks and the physicochemical and sensory properties of its cooked paste. Refrigerated storage (4°C) slightly reduced the whiteness of lafun and appearance of the cooked paste. Lafun from refrigerated cassava roots showed similar titratable acidity values (approx. 0.53%), but varying pH values (4.10–5.25). Carbohydrate was the major macro‐component of lafun (approx. 84%), while calcium (40.13–60.11 mg/100 g), sodium (39.60–48.70 mg/100 g), magnesium (20.12–40.99 mg/100 g), and potassium (24.92–32.01 mg/100 g) were the major minerals. An increase in the swelling index and peak viscosity of lafun suggests an alteration in starch composition due to refrigeration. Cooked paste from lafun prepared from refrigerated cassava showed comparable quality with the control. Practical applications Refrigeration is a low‐temperature method of preservation that could be used to reduce the rate of biochemical and microbiological changes during storage and hence to extend the shelf life of fresh and processed foods. This study demonstrates the possibility of extending the shelf life of cassava roots using refrigeration without significant changes in the properties of lafun and cooked paste obtained from the stored roots. Furthermore, refrigerated storage could be used by small‐holder farmers through cooperatives and government interventions to store cassava roots for at least 3 weeks before use.

Aim:The study determined the effect of ascorbic acid (administered orally and intramuscularly) in short-term transportation stress.Materials and Methods:Twenty-four apparently healthy Kalahari goats were grouped into four groups (A, B, C, and D) of 6 animals each: Group A - untreated and unexposed to stress; Group B - treated with 200 mg/kg Vitamin C orally and exposed to 2 h transportation stress; Group C - treated with Vitamin C 200 mg/kg intramuscularly and exposed to 2 h transportation stress; and Group D - untreated and exposed to 2 h transportation stress. The animals were stocked using standards stipulated by the Nigerian Animal Disease Control Act and transported at 40 km/h. Cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assayed using quantitative sandwich ELISA. Classical stress hematological parameters and antioxidative stress markers such as glutathione s-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde were determined. Heart rate variability (HRV) was also assessed.Results:The route of ascorbic acid administration did not influence the expression of IL-6, and changes in cortisol surge, antioxidative stress markers, and other hematological parameters in Kalahari goats though Group C goats showed higher HRV values (p<0.05) than others. This gives credence to the enhanced cardiac responsiveness and stress survivability in Kalahari goats.Conclusion:Both routes could be used in the administration of ascorbic acid. Kalahari goats exposed to short-term stress; however, the intramuscular route had better heart variability and thus improved the survivability of the animals.

Some plants have been reported to be of medicinal values and reserve some antimicrobial properties. One of such plants is Mitracarpus scaber and its effect on bacterial growth is evaluated. The study aimed at evaluating the phytochemical analyses and antimicrobial potentials of Mitracarpus scaber against aquatic bacteria including Aeromonas, Bacillus, Vibrio and Staphylococcus Spp. Leaves of Mitracarpus scaber were collected, washed and air dried and phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial investigation of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves were carried out against a panel of bacteria isolated from diseased catfish from various farms. The phytoconstituents detected include saponins, tannins, flavonoids, tarpenoids, steroids, anthraquinones and alkaloids in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts. Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of M. scaber showed varying degree of antibacterial activities but ethanolic extract showed a higher activity against the pathogens tested. The ethanolic extract had zones of inhibition similar to that of standard antibiotics (enrofloxacin) across all tested microbes.  The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of ethanolic extract of M. scaber was against Bacillus sp with 10mg/ml while the highest was 85mg/ml against Staphylococcus species. The results of the assays showed promising evidences that M. scaber is a potential antibacterial agent against aquatic microbes.  However, further studies are recommended to fractionate its constituents and determine the in vitro and in vivo anti-microbial activities and the exact mechanism of action of the constituents.