Biological evaluation of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by wild type and mutant Lactobacillus delbureckii (EPSWLD and EPSMLD) was investigated. Varying degrees of functional groups associated with polysaccharides were present thus confirming the EPS. The EPSs had strong antioxidant potential in a dose dependent (0.5-10 mg/ mL) manner. EPSWLD and EPSMLD exhibited the highest 1,1-diphemy 1-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) activity (73.4 % and 65.6 %), total antioxidant activity (1.80 % and 1.42 %), H 2 O 2 scavenging activity (88.5 % and 78.6 %) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) (1.89 % and1.81 %) at 10 mg/mL respectively. WLD and MLD were highly susceptible to chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline, erythromycin and ceftazidine and resistant to cefuroxime, gentamicin and cloxacillin. The EPSs had antibacterial activity against the test pathogens. B. subtilis and S. aureus had the highest susceptibility (26.0 mm and 23.0 mm). EPSMLD modulate the highest IgG, IgA and IgM production (68-126 mg/dL and 67-98 mg/dL and 64-97 mg/dL) in the treated tumor induced mice (TTIM). EPSWLD and EPSMLD exhibited reduction capability on the CEA level (3.99-4.35 ng/L and 4.12-4.23 ng/L) of the TTIM. EPSWLD TTIM had the highest amount of RBC, WBC and PCV (5.6 Â 10 12 %, 68000% and 42%). The EPS increased the lifespan of TTIM. In conclusion EPSWLD and EPSMLD had strong biological potential with pharmacological and neutraceutical activity.

Baking of sourdough is a common practice and has the advantage of improving the nutritional value, sensory qualities and increasing the shelf life of the bread. This study therefore focus on the antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity of exopolysaccharides form Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and its application in sourdough production. The Lactobacillus delbrueckii LDYG2 and Weissella confusa WCFF1 were collected from the culture collection Centre and the LABs were maintained in De Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) broth. Modified Exopolysaccharide Selection Medium (mESM) was used to produce the EPS while the total sugar concentration was determined using phenol-sulfuric acid method. The antibacterial, antioxidant, proximate, physical, organoleptic properties and the shelf life of the SDB produced were also evaluated. The quantity of EPS produced by LDYG2 and WCFF1 ranged from 4743.75 -5090.03 g/L. Eight different sugars were present in both EPSLD and EPSWC with high antibacterial activity (24 mm and 23 mm) against B. cereus and S. aureus respectively. EPSLD and EPSWC had antioxidant capacity increased in a dose dependent (0.5 -10 mg/mL) manner. EPSWCSDB had the highest proximate content except for moisture content. There was a significantly different (P ≤ 0.05) in the shelf life extension of the sourdough bread. WCEPSSDB was generally accepted in terms of colour, aroma, taste, texture and palatability. EPS produced by L. delbrueckii (EPSLD) and W. confusa (EPSWC) has antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity and can be used in pro-

This study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Microbiology Laboratory, Ado-Ekiti State University, Ekiti State, Nigeria between July, 2018 to March, 2019. Due to the diverse biotechnological importance of lipases as a biocatalytic enzyme, extracellular production of microbial lipases has to gain lots of interest. This study, therefore, focused on the physicochemical parameters of lipase producing microorganisms from different soil samples. Microorganisms were isolated from four different soil samples using Nutrient Agar (NA) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). The isolates were identified and characterized. Production, an assay for Lipase enzymes, purification, the effect of pH, Temperature and metal ion was investigated. The isolates were culturally, morphologically and biochemically characterized. Two of the bacteria strains (Bacillus sp. and Staphylococcus sp.) and four fungi (Fusarium sp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, and Trichophyton sp.) isolates were able to produce lipid using Sudan Black B Fat staining techniques. Fusarium sp. isolated from dumpsite soil had the highest specific lipase activity (21.16 µmol/min/ml) while Bacillus sp. isolated from red oil spill soil had the highest lipase activity (0.59 µmol/min/mg). The specific activity of partially purified lipase for Fusarium sp. was 2.39 µmol/min/mg while Bacillus sp. had a specific activity of 2.46 µmol/min/mg. 30oC - 50oC, pH 7.0 to 9.0 and KCl2 (139.672%) supported the highest production of lipase by the Bacillus sp. and Fusarium sp. This study demonstrated that the Bacillus sp. produced a high amount of lipase activity followed by Fusarium sp. Extensive and persistent screening for new microorganisms and their lipolytic activities will help to provide faster ways to solve most environmental soil pollution.

This research work aimed at screening for different microorganisms associated with Irvingia gabonensis var. gabonesis Kernels, its nutritional value and detection of aflatoxins from some of the infested I. gabonensis Kernels sold in Oyo town. A total of 30 different I. gabonensis var. gabonesis Kernels were randomly purchased from six different points in the five major markets in Oyo town and isolation was done on Nutrient agar (NA), McConkey agar, Eosine Methylene Blue Agar (EMB) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) using pour plate method. The isolates were culturally, morphologically and biochemically characterized. The mineral, proximate and aflatoxin detection of the I. gabonensis Kernels with high microbial load and growth of Aspergillus flavus was carried out using standard methods. A total of 25 bacteria and 18 fungal were isolated which include Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and yeast. Irvingia gabonensis seeds with growth of A. flavus (OOW1) had the least mineral composition with 5.4% sodium, 20.0 mg/kg vitamin C, 29.4 mg/kg calcium, 0.9 mg/100g iron, 34.4 mg/100 g magnesium and 0.02 mg/100 g zinc. The I. gabonensis Kernels with the growth of A. flavus (OOW1) had the least mineral composition with 5.5% moisture content, 4.2% crude protein, 45.7% crude fat, 9.1% crude fibre and 1.5% total ash. The I. gabonensis Kernels with the growth of A. flavus (OOW4, OOJ6 and OOW1) had aflatoxin level of 3.47, 3.69 and 5.10 ppb, respectively. Irvingia gabonensis seed with high microbial load and growth of A. flavus had low nutritional value making them unsafe for consumption.