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The histo-pathological effects of contaminated gentamicin injections on the kidney tissues of juvenile wistar rats have been investigated using standard microbiological and histo-pathological techniques. Freeze-dried and heat fixed thin sections of wistar rats' kidney were observed under the microscope using x10, x40 and x100 magnifications. The results revealed marked necrosis and erosion of proximal borders especially the focal epithelium of proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) of the kidney, with the retention of the cytoarchitecture. Plasmolysis was observed in the epithelial cells of the distal convoluted tubules (DCT) when treated with contaminated unexpired gentamicin injection sample as compared with control. Glomerular hypoplasia and fibrosis of the Bowman's space occurred in the kidney when compared with the control. Also medulla interstitial oedema leading to focal tubular fibrosis as a result of microbial activity was observed when compared with control. Interstitial hemorrhage which led to complete tubular necrosis with loss of defined tubular cyto-architecture was observed. This effect made the tissue fibrous, resulting in a nonfunctional or shrunken kidney as compared to control. Results obtained from this work have raised serious health concerns, considering the risk posed by contaminated drugs on patients.

Microbial fermentations for value-added metabolites production are exploited for efficient bioconversion of agro-industrial wastes for the dual purposes of pollution abatement and cost-effectiveness. In the present study, the regular 2-level factorial design was employed to screen fermentation parameters that enhance production of a novel alkaline protease by a strain of Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila using cassava processing effluent as substrate. Data from randomized experiments of central composite rotatable design for improved enzyme activity, guided by path of steepest ascent experiments, were modeled and optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). Shake flask kinetics of production under optimized conditions was modeled by logistic and modified Gompertz models and determinations of maximum specific growth rate, µmax, maximum volumetric rate of substrate consumption, rsm, maximum volumetric rate of biomass formation, rxm and specific yield of product, Yp/x were made. Logistic model poorly fitted RSM-generated product formation and substrate consumption data. However, biomass formation was accurately fitted (adjusted r2 >99%), with µmax of 0.471 h-1. The modified Gompertz model, on the contrary, more accurately fitted all three major response data with minimal mean squared error. Potential for scale-up of bioprocess evaluated in 5-L bioreactor satisfactorily revealed 8.5-fold more substrate consumption in bioreactor than in shake flask. The 86.76-fold aqueous two-phase system-purified protease had a specific activity of 1416.73 Umg-1 which improved with increasing surfactant concentration. These results suggest significant bioprocess potential for sustainable cassava effluent management and concomitant commercial production of alkaline protease for industrial detergent application.