This investigation aimed at production of gluconic acid by fungal species isolated from soil in Keffi. Standard microbiological methods were employed for isolation and identification of the fungal isolates. The yields of gluconic acid produced by the different isolates of the fungi were determined using gas chromatograph and mass Spectrometry. The occurrence of fungi showed that Rhizopus oryzae was 100%, Aspergillus carneus was 75.0%, Aspergillus niger was 75.0% and Aspergillus terreus was 100% while Trichoderma viride was 25.0% and Fusarium moniliforme was 25.0%. The result further demonstrated that three species of the fungal isolates Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus carneus and Fusarium moniliforme were found to produce gluconic acid. Screening for gluconic acid production showed that Aspergillus carneus isolated from locations As1, Cs1 and Cs2, Aspergillus niger isolated from locations Bs1, Bs2 and Cs4 were able to produce gluconic acid. Result of effect of temperature, pH, substrate concentration and fermentation time on production of gluconic acid showed that Aspergillus niger Bs2 produced highest amount of gluconic acid at 28oC, similarly highest amount for gluconic acid produced by Aspergillus carneus As1 was at 28oC, whereas Fusarium moniliforme Bs4 produced highest at 30OC. pH 6.5 was found to the best optima pH for production of both gluconic acid for the fungi studied namely Aspergillus niger Bs2 and Aspergillus carneus As1 and Fusarium moniliforme Bs4 produced highest gluconic acid at pH 5.5. The substrate concentration showed highest production of gluconic acid was produced by Aspergillus niger Bs2 at substrate concentration of 25%. Aspergillus carneus As1 produced highest at substrate concentration of 20% and Fusarium moniliforme Bs4 produced highest at substrate concentration of 20%. The fermentation time showed highest production of gluconic acid by Aspergillus niger Bs2 and Aspergillus carneus As1 was after 144 hours whereas F. moniliforme Bs4 produced gluconic acid after 120hrs respectively. The fungi species isolated from soil in keffi revealed great ability in production of gluconic acid.

Phytochemical analysis of ethanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves and bark of Bidens plasa and Brilliantasia patula plant were carried out using standard technique. The plants parts were extracted through cold maceration technique. Bacteria were isolated using standard microbiology methods. Antibacterial activity of the extracts was carried out using agar well diffusion technique. Results of the phytochemical analysis revealed flavonoids, phenols, alkaloid, tannins, steroids, saponins, anthraquinone, reducing sugar, terpenes and glycosides were present in the plant extracts. The extracts were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Salmonella spp and P. aeruginosa isolated from tomato, vegetables and dry fish. The aqueous leaves extract of Bidens plasa inhibited all the test isolates at 50.0 mg and 25.0 mg. The ethanol leaves extracts of Bidens plasa had more antibacterial activity against the test bacteria. The ranges of inhibition zone of the test bacteria were E. coli had 14.0±0.42 mm at 50.0 mg, 11.00±2.00 mm at 25.0mg and 7.00±0.10 mm at 12.5 mg; Klebsiella spp with 13.03±0.32 mm at 50.0 mg and 10.0±3.00 mm at 25.0mg respectively. The bark of extract of Brilliantasia patula had more antibacterial activity in various amount of the extract ranging from 50mg – 12.5mg against the test bacteria. The range of inhibition zone of the test bacteria were E. coli had 13.0±0.21 mm at 50.0 mg, 7.0±1.00 mm at 25.0mg and 5.00±0.11 mm at 12.5 mg and Klebsiella spp with 10.00±1.00 at 50.0 mg and 6.00±0.01 mm at 25.0 mg. The antimicrobial activity demonstrated by these plant extracts on food borne pathogens indicated the preservative potentials these extracts possess in controlling the bacteria growth.

Petroleum hydrocarbon is a major environmental pollutant throughout the world today because exploration and downstream utilization are associated with economic development. This work focus on effect of animal waste on bioremediation of soil contaminated spent hydrocarbon from auto mechanic workshop in Keffi. Isolation of bacteria and studies on utilized spent hydrocarbon supplemented with animal waste was carried out using standard microbiological methods and identified using 16s rRNA molecular techniques. The total spent hydrocarbon utilization was determined using Gas Chromatographic methods. The highest total bacteria count was recorded from High court (2.1 x105 cfu/g) and the lowest was from Keffi garage2 (1.2 x105 cfu/g). bacteria isolated and molecularly identified were Pectobacterium wasabiae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Priestia aryabhattai. The utilization of spent hydrocarbon after 4weeks of the experiment set up at ambient temperature Pseudomonas fluorescens recorded highest utilization of spent hydrocarbon amended with Poultry dropping and Cow dunk with 16.23±1.21 mg/ml and 13.44±0.23 mg/ml and Pectobacterium wasabia recorded the least with 8.12±0.20 mg/ml and 10.00±1.43. At temperature of 35 ℃ Pseudomonas fluorescens recorded highest utilization of spent hydrocarbon amended with Cow dunk and Poultry dropping with 17.13±1.11 mg/ml and 15.14±1.13 mg/ml while Priestia aryabhattai recorded the lowest from Poultry dropping with 6.10±0.06 mg/ml and Cow dunk with 8.23±0.03 mg/ml. at 40 ℃ the highest utilization was recorded by Priestia aryabhattai from Cow dunk amended spent hydrocarbon with 18.13±1.01 mg/ml and Poultry dropping with 16.24±1.33 mg/ml. from the findings of this study temperature plays a key role spent hydrocarbon that containment our environmental

To counter the effects of climate change due to use of fossil fuels, much attention has been placed into the production of biomass-derived fuels. This investigation was aimed at producing biodiesel from microalgae species isolated from water samples in Keffi, Nasarawa state. Standard microbiological methods were used for isolation and identification of the microalgal isolates. The percentage occurrence of the isolates showed that Chlorella vulgaris had a 100% occurrence with Chlorella lewinii and Stigeoclonium tenue having a 50% occurrence each while Cladophora glomerata having a 25% occurrence. The growth curve showed that the micro algal isolates experienced exponential growth under daily sunlight exposure. The effect of temperature on the biomass and lipid extracted showed that Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella lewinii and Stigeoclonium tenue had the highest biomass yields of 8.01g/l, 12.17 g/l and 15.10 g/l respectively and lipid production of 3.30 µg/l, 3.11 µg/l and 5.11 µg/l respectively at 32 ℃. Further increase in temperature led to decrease in their biomass yields and lipid production. The effects of pH showed that all the microalgal isolates had its highest biomass yields and lipid production in an alkaline pH of 7.5 but when the pH was reduced up to 4.5, the resultant microalgal biomass yields and lipid production of the microalgal isolates decreased. The fatty acid profiles of the biodiesel derived from the microalgal isolates showed that it was composed mainly of palmitic, oleic, Myristic and Stearic acids which made it a viable fuel source.

Background: The presence of spent hydrocarbon in soil is a serious problem to the environment hence study on bioremediation of soil polluted with auto-mechanic oil in Abuja Metropolis was carried out. Methods: A total of twenty (20) soil samples were collected, bacteria were isolated from the contaminated soil and identified using standard microbiological methods. The spent hydrocarbon utilization was determined using Atomic Adsorption UV Spectrometer. Results: The total viable count of the bacteria was 1.07 x 106 from Apo Mechanic village, 1.10 x 106 from Utako Mechanic workshops, 0.40 x 106 from Gwarinpa Mechanic workshops and 2.04 x 106 from Area one Mechanic workshops. The percentage occurrence of bacteria from Apo Mechanic village was Enterobacter species 40.0%, Pseudomonas synxantha 60.0%, Bacillus zanthoxyli 40.0% and Proteus vulgaris 20.0%. Utako Mechanic workshops were Enterobacter kobei 20.0%, Pseudomonas synxantha 40.0%, Bacillus zanthoxyli 20.0% and Proteus vulgaris 40.0%. Gwarinpa Mechanic workshops were Pseudomonas synxantha 20.0% and Bacillus zanthoxyli 20.0%. Area one Mechanic workshops were Enterobacter kobei 40.0% and Pseudomonas synxantha 40.0%. The effect of days on utilization of spent hydrocarbon showed that Pseudomonas synxantha had highest utilized of spent hydrocarbon 19.55mg/ml after 21 days. The effect of pH on utilization of spent hydrocarbon show that at pH 7.5, Enterobacter kobei, Bacillus zanthoxyli and Proteus vulgaris species had the highest utilization of spent hydrocarbon ranging from 5 9.33mg/ml-12.70mg/ml. Effect of temperature on utilization of spent hydrocarbon showed that at 28OC Enterobacter kobei, Pseudomonas synxantha, Bacillus zanthxyli and Proteus vulgaris had the highest utilization of spent hydrocarbon ranging from 5.51mg/ml- 11.11mg/ml. the bacteria isolated from the contaminated soil have the ability to utilized the hydrocarbon if the soil is amended with some mineral element as shown in this study. Conclusion: In conclusion bacteria isolates effectively bioremediated the automechanic oil polluted soil with a reduction of hydrocarbon pollutants.

No abstract

Background: Fermented rice is known to possess probiotic capability. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confers consumer with enormous health benefits. This research was determined on isolation and molecularly identifies beneficial lactic acid bacteria from fermented rice water. Methods: Locally cultivated Osuemegbe Rice grains were steeped and fermented to isolate lactic acid bacteria strains. De Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) media was used for the isolation of lactic acid bacteria. The fermented rice water was serially diluted, plated and incubated at 37 °C for 48 hours under anaerobic conditions. Single colonies were subjected to biochemical analysis and gram-staining. Subsequently, 16s rRNA Identification of bacterial isolates was conducted. Results: The strains of LAB isolated were lactiplantibacillus plantarum CIP 103151and Limosilactobacillus fermentum CIP 102980 which are both beneficial and highly recommended as alternatives to antibiotics since their various mechanisms of growth inhibition against pathogenic bacteria have been extensively documented. Conclusion: The findings in this study confirmed rice to possess strains of probiotic Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) which can be exploited to achieving quality advancement in one health: integrated and unify approach aim at sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystem.

Background: Intestinal helminth infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals have been widely reported to play an important role in HIV progression. Aim: The study provides data on the prevalence of intestinal helminths among HIV-positive individuals. Methods: A total of 169 consenting HIV-positive individuals were recruited for the study. Stool specimens from the HIV-positive individuals were analyzed for the presence of intestinal helminths using wet mount and formalin-ether concentration methods. Results: The overall prevalence of infection was 21.9% with 5 types of parasites detected. The Intestinal helminth that occurred with the highest prevalence was Ascaris lumbricoides (37.8%), followed by Hookworm (16.2%), Taenia spp. (16.2%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (13.5%) with Trichuris trichiura (8.1%) being the least prevalent. However, there was more single (91.9%) than mixed infections (8.1 %). Concerning socio-demographic factors, there was no significant association (p > 0.05) between intestinal helminths and gender (X 2 (1, N = 169) = 1.239, p = 0.266), although, the parasites were found to be more prevalent among males than females. Infection was reported in 16.1% of those on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 53.8% of those that were HAART-naïve indicating that there was a significant association (X 2 (1, N = 169) = 18.346, p = 0.001**) between intestinal helminth and HAART status. Conclusions: This study reported a low burden of intestinal helminths among HIV-infected individuals on HAART while a higher burden was recorded in the HAART naïve patients. Regular check-up for intestinal parasites, good personal hygiene, and effective therapy for HIV/AIDS positive persons is hereby advocated.