The microbiological and chemical qualities of some commercially packed fruit juices sold in Nigeria were assessed. A total of 30 fruit juice samples were collected including Orange, Lemon, Pineapple, Punch and Guava juice. Samples were screened for total aerobic mesophilic bacterial counts which ranged from 1.4x10 4 to 2.6x10 5 cfu/ml. The fungal count ranges from 1.4x10 3 to 1.7x10 5 cfu/ml, while the coliform counts ranges from 1.1x10 4 to 6.0x10 4 cfu/ml. The isolated microbes include S. aureus, B. subtilis, P. caseicolum and species of Saccharomyces, Enterobacter, Corynebacterium, Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Streptococcus, Acetobacter, Staphylococcus, Bacillus and Lactobacillus. The total microbial counts are within acceptable standards for human consumption. Bacillus, S. aureus Saccharomyces and Penicillium was the most prevalent organisms isolated. All the samples were of acidic pH ranging from 3.20 to 4.50. Titrable acidity was 0.19 to 0.48; sugar (% sucrose) was 0.30 to 13.00. Heavy metals were not detected in any of the samples. The level of bacterial counts, fungal count and the absence of heavy metals conform to the standard specifications of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON). The presence of coliforms in some of the fruit juice calls for strict adherence to GMP and effective HACCP applications.

No abstract

This study investigates the potential of ethanol production from agro wastes. Agro waste from sugarcane Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane baggasse, sugarcane bark) and maize plant Zea mays (corncob, corn stalk, corn husk) was subjected to a pretreatment process using acid hydrolysis was applied to remove lignin which acts as physical barrier to cellulolytic enzymes.Ethanolic fermentation was done using Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 5days and the ethanol yield, specific gravity, pH and total reducing sugar were also determined. From the results, the specific gravity, sugar content and pH decreased over time while the Sugarcane baggasse, Sugarcane bark, Cornstalk, Corncob and Cornhusk gave maximum percentage ethanol yield of 6. 72, 6.23, 6.17, 4.17 and 3.45 respectively at 72hrs Fermentation. Maximum yields of ethanol were obtained at pH 3.60, 3.82, 4.00, 3.64 and 3.65. These findings show/prove that ethanol can be made from the named agricultural waste and the process is recommended as a means of generating wealth from waste.

Abstract. This study evaluated the effects of gas flaring on the physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of water sources at Egbema, Imo State, Nigeria. Surface and ground water samples from the area were compared with samples from Ihiagwa Autonomous Community in Owerri West, a non-gas flared community. Both water sources were then compared with WHO standards for drinking water. The results revealed that water sources from the gas flared area have high levels of temperature, total chlorine, nitrate, nitrites, sulphates, calcium, and zinc, chromium with a very acidic pH when compared with water from non-gas flared sources. Also, microbial load increased the farther the distance from the flare site. The human health imparts of the presence of heavy metals and microorganisms in drinking water had been reported. In conclusion, gas flaring can pollute water sources within oil and gas facilities, thereby making them unsuitable for human consumption. Oil and gas industries should therefore treat water within their areas of operations before discharged into water bodies in addition to other remediation measures as part of their social responsibility.

A study was conducted between March and September 2007 to determine the relationship between HIV/AIDS and poverty in two urban cities in Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 382 respondents, made up of 235 (61.5%) HIV/AIDS positive patients, 119 (31.2%) HIV-negatives, while 28 (7.3%) were of unknown status. Using educational level, employment status and salary structure, it was found that the disease in the state was not caused by poverty. It was therefore concluded that drastic measures besides poverty alleviation, should be adopted if emergence of new infections in the state must be checked.

This study aimed at the simultaneous treatment of wastewater obtained from swine and generation of bioenergy in form of electricity from the energy stored in the organic component of the wastewater. The Open circuit voltage, current, power density and microbiological and physicochemical parameters were monitored. An initial Open circuit voltage of 516mV, Current of 0.29mA, and Power density of 32.74mW/m2were recorded, which increased to give maximum Open Circuit Voltages of 836mV, Current of 0.49mA, and Power density of 88.45mW/m2. The results revealed that The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Organic carbon, Total Soluble solids (TSS), Ammonia, Ammonium and Ammonium-Nitrogen all showed percentage decrease of 85.92%, 51.74%, 78.16%, 98.87%, 55.87%, 55.79% and 55.90% respectively while parameters such as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrogen, Phosphates, Phosphorus and Orthophosphates however increased after treatment to give a percentage increase of -273.60%, -131.65%, -134.85%, -168.77%, -159.26%, and -157.03% respectively. Bacteria isolates identified at the biofilms on the anode wereCorynebacteriumspecie, Bacillusspecie, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosaandStreptococcus faecalis. The results from this study further exacerbate the Bioelectricity production as well as wastewater treatment potentials of the Microbial Fuel Cell technology.

The antimicrobial activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum fruits was investigated against clinical isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Candida albicans). Qualitative phytochemistry of the plant indicated that the plant contained Flavonoids, Steroids, Alkaloids, Tannin, Anthraquinone and Cardiac glycosides while Saponins were reported absent. The maximum activity of the aqueous extracts in the test isolates was observed on Staphylococcus aureus, which showed clear zones with diameters of 24.0mm, 20.0mm and 16.5mm at concentrations of 100mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 25mg/ml respectively while it had low activity on Klebsiella pneumonia, with clear zones of inhibition of 15.0mm, 12.0mm and 10.5mm at same concentrations. On the other hand, Methanolic extracts activity on Staphylococcus aureus produced clear zones of 21.0mm, 17.5mm and 12.0mm at concentrations of 200mg/ml, 100mg/ml and 50mg/ml respectively as its best activity while the it had least observed activity on Klebsiella pneumonia with clear zones of 14.0mm, 11.5mm and 10.5mm at same concentrations. The aqueous extracts had greater activity than the methanolic extracts at same concentrations. Therefore, the fruit of the plant can be a good source of remedy in phytomedicine.

Investigation into the microbiological quality of processed Rhynchophorus species revealed the presence of bacteria and fungi. Total bacterial and fungal counts were 1.08 × 10 5 CFU/g and 9.2 × 10 2 CFU/g respectively. Bacterial isolates identified included, Lactobacillus plantarum, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris, while the fungal species included Cladosporum sp, Penicillium verrecosum, Aspergilus flavus and Fusarum poae and one species of yeast. Rhynchophorus sp is rich in protein (71.63%), indicating high nutritional quality. The crude fibre (1.59%) and ash (11.97%) are high and could aid bowel movement and increase mineral contents respectively in the human body. High moisture (12.14%) and protein contents could encourage spoilage by proteophilic and hydrophilic bacteria and fungi. Poor sanitation and inadequate storage and marketing conditions may contribute to contamination and recontamination of the products. Intensive education on pre and post-harvest (handling) activities, including proper disposal of intestinal contents, preservation with spices and the application of atmospheric packaging system could reduce contamination with microbes.