Aim: This study was aimed at determining the number of children infected in relation to study population. Study Design: Cross sectional Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted among school children in Gadabuke and Garagwa LGEA Primary schools in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria between October-December, 2012. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 samples were collected comprising 192 urine and 58 faecal samples. Samples were investigated using standard World Health Organisation guidelines for identification of parasites. Samples were analysed macroscopically and microscopically. Results: Out of the 192 children screened. Gadabuke LGED primary school had a

No abstract

Kunun-zaki drink is a locally prepared indigenous non-alcoholic beverage that is widely produced and consumed in Nigeria. Standard microbiological methods were employed to isolate bacteria from Kunun-zaki drink sold in Keffi metropolis, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Samples of Kunun-zaki drink were collected from ten (10) different locations and their bacteriological loads were determined in terms of total bacterial counts using standard methods involving pour plate. The antibiotic resistance pattern of the bacterial isolates against some antibiotics was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The bacterial counts of the Kunun-zaki in the ten different locations range from 9.1×10 8 to 2.6×10 8 cfu/mL. Four species of bacteria were isolated and identified by standard microbiological methods and these were Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. The most predominant isolate in terms of occurrence was Escherichia coli (100%) followed by Enterobacter aerogenes (70%), Staphylococcus areus (30%) and Streptococcus spp (10%). Escherichia coli showed high resistance to Chloramphenicol (75%), followed by Septrin (68.7%) and Sparfloxacin (68.7%), while Enterobacter aerogenes, Streptococcus spp and Staphylococcus areus had low rates of resistance to all the antibiotics tested. E. coli had very sensitivity to Pefloxacin (100%), Gentamicin (88%), Amoxicillin (88%), Augmentin (75%), Tarivid (68.7%) and Streptomycin (68.7%). Streptococus spp are the most susceptible isolates which had 100% sensitivity to Septrin, Chloramphenicol, Amoxicillin, Gentamicin and Pefloxacin respectively and this was followed by Staphylococcus areus which had 100% sensitivity to Chloramphenicol, Amoxicillin, Augmentin and Tarivid respectively. The antibiotic resistance pattern exhibited by E. coli isolated from the Kunun-zaki sold in Keffi is indicative of possible abuse of the use of antibiotics and this has serious health implications. The results of this study demonstrate that Kunun-zaki sold in Keffi is contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria including antibiotic resistant E. coli and these may lead to failures in antibiotic chemotherapy among consumers of Kunun-zaki in the Keffi metropolis.

Physicochemical and bacteriological analysis of underground water of Crush Rock mining pit in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State Nigeria were carried out to determined the pollution level and the potability of the groundwater due to mining and human activities. The results were compared with standards for water pollution and World Health Organization for drinking water. The results showed that total dissolved solids (TDS), total alkalinity, calcium and sodium, which had concentration ranges of 126-986ppm, 200.18-615.55ppm, 7.8- 30.10ppm and 64-88ppm respectively, were above standards. However, the mean concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO)(1.2-3.20ppm) was below the standard. Other parameters measured were found to be within the permissible acceptable standard. Pseudomonas, Chromobacterium, Bacillus, Escherichia, Staphylococcus, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus, Citrobacter and Achromobacter species were identified as the major bacteria isolated from the underground water. The study revealed that the underground water from Crush Rock mining pit in Ishiagu Ebonyi State, Nigeria require some chemical and physical treatment as it is unsafe for human consumption.

Many rural communities in Imo State, Eastern Nigeria do not have access to potable water. Rainwater has been a major source of water supply in these areas mainly during the rains. Bacterial quality of harvested rainwater from three communities (Umunumo, Egbema, Ihiagwa) were determined. Rainwater samples were harvested directly, from zinc roof, thatched roof and from asbestos roof, at different periods of the rains – May (beginning of rains), July (peak of rain) and October (end of rains). Stored rainwater from zinc roof in Umunumo was also examined. The bacterial count was high at the beginning of rains with rainwater collected from thatched roof in Egbema showing the highest (7.4 x 103 cfu/100ml) value. The total coliform and faecal coliform (Escherichia coli) counts ranged highest at the beginning of rains between 10 – 36 cfu/ 100ml and 1 – 5 cfu/100ml respectively. The total bacterial counts, total coliform counts and faecal coliform counts of stored rainwater were highest in samples from underground tank. Samples collected directly at the peak and end of rains in all the communities met the WHO standard for drinking water. Using a statistical model, at a = 0.05, the null hypothesis, was rejected for methods and period of collection, while location of collection was accepted, hence only period and method of collection of rainwater affected the bacterial quality.

Butanol as fuel component has some advantages compared to ethanol. The Study was aimed at isolation of different types of Clostridium species from the soil and screening for their ability to produce bio-butanol. Soil samples were collected from three different areas in keffi. Clostridium species were isolated using Reinforce Clostridial media and identified using standard microbiological methods, mutation was induced in the Clostridium isolates and 16s rRNA identification technique was used to identify the isolates. Quantitative screening of the Clostridium species isolates capacity in bio-butanol was carried out using sugar cane molasses and waste paper substrate. The result of 16s rRNA of the Clostridium isolated from old barracks was C. acetobutylicium the one isolated from Angwan kwara was C. perfringenes and C. difficile was isolated from Angwan Jaba. Screening for bio-butanol producing ability of the clostridium isolates, shows that C. acetobutylicium produce highest bio-butanol before been exposed to UV light to induce mutation with 9.61± 0.94 mg/l using sugar cane molasses and 4.89± 0.19 mg/l using waste paper followed by C. perfringenes 6.24± 0.61 mg/l using molasses and 3.21±0.11 mg/l using waste paper. After exposing to UV light to induce mutation C. acetobutylicium produced 18.03 ± 0.17 mg/l using molasses and 8.63± 0.06 mg/l using waste paper substrate follow by C. perfringenes 14.19 ± 0.11 mg/l and 5.99 ± 0.31 mg/l. From this study it was observed that C. acetobutylicium has the capacity to produce bio-butanol and also inducing mutation will enhance the capacity of Clostridium species in the production of bio-butanol.

Aim: This study was conducted to assess fermented condiments that were made from watermelon seeds, using isolated organisms from traditional fermentation as starter-cultures. Study Design: This is a laboratory-controlled experimental design. Place and Duration of Study: Dept. of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria, between March and May 2017. Methodology: Traditionally fermented (chance-inoculated) ‘ogiri’ condiment was made from sun-dried watermelon seeds. Microbiological isolation and identification were carried out using standard techniques, to obtain the participating organisms. Afterwards, sterilized packages of another batch of boiled, mashed and banana-leaf packaged seeds were aseptically inoculated with the pure isolates obtained earlier as starter cultures for a subsequent laboratory-controlled 3-day-fermentation process at 37°C in an incubator. All the different fermented products (produced by both uncontrolled and controlled fermentation) were subjected to proximate analysis. Also, the organoleptic quality attributes of the products were determined by conducting sensory evaluation on the various samples. Results: The traditional fermentation of the watermelon seeds yielded an oily brownish paste, which has a strong characteristic pungent aroma. The participating organisms obtained from traditional fermentation were Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Corynebacterium xerosis and Lactobacillus fermenti. The result of the proximate composition show that the moisture content of the samples ranges from 3.5% to 5.4%, protein content ranges from 13.4% to 21.1%, fat content ranges from 25.5% to 40.8%, carbohydrate content of the samples ranges from 29.4% to 49.5% and the ash (total minerals) content ranges from 4.5% to 6.5%. The result of sensory evaluation generally indicated that in terms of all organoleptic attributes assessed, the combined isolates fermented sample was most preferred by the panelists. Conclusion: It can be concluded that a laboratory prepared watermelon seed ‘ogiri’ with starter cultures of Lactobacillus fermenti, Corynebacterium xerosis and/or Bacillus subtilis can yield an organoleptically acceptable and highly proteinous condiment.

Clostridium species have been reported as one of the most common groups of bacteria that produce biobutanol. The Study was aimed at isolation of Clostridium species from the soil environment in Keffi Metropolis and screening for their ability to produce biobutanol. Ten different location soil samples were collected within keffi Metropolis. Nutrient Blood agar was used for the isolation of the Clostridium species. biobutanol production was carried out using Clostridial isolates and Lucas test was used to detect biobutanol production Clostridium isolates after fermentation. The results show that six (6) species of Clostridial were isolated with a percentage frequency of Clostridium difficile (30%), Clostridium botulinum (10%), Clostridium cylindrosporum (20%), Clostridium perfringens (10%), Clostridium acetobutylicum (20%) and Clostridium celerecrescens (10%). The result further revealed that all the six (6) isolates were found to be able to produce biobutanol. Biobutanol is an industrial organic chemical that can place fossil fuel if harnessed and production of Biobutanol using Clostridium in large quantity can be alternative to fossil fuel.