MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Effect of raw commercial honeys from Nigeria on selected pathogenic bacteria

O. E. Agbagwa* and N. Frank - Peterside

Abstract: The antibacterial effect of eight unprocessed commercial honey sold in some local markets in Nigeria were investigated. These samples were selected to examine and compare their ability to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. The test organisms were isolated from wound swabs of patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria. Agar diffusion method was employed to ascertain degree of sensitivity of the isolates to different honey samples. Different honey samples showed varying degrees of antibacterial activity. Excellent antibacterial activity was observed with respect to honey from northern Nigeria with zones of inhibition of 17.0 mm. Next to it was honey from southern, eastern and western Nigeria with zones of inhibition of 15.4, 13.5 and 11.6 mm, respectively. P. aeruginosa and P. mirabilis showed less antibacterial activity and can be regarded as being resistant to the inhibitory effects of honey. Investigated honey samples began to significantly inhibit microorganisms at 80 and 100% concentrations, demonstrating that commercial honey sold locally in Nigerian markets has lesser antibacterial effects on microorganisms.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Nigeria, antibacterial activity, honey, zone of inhibition.

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In vitro effects of four heavy metals on glyphosate utilization by some bacteria isolated from rice fields

Okpala N. Gloria* and A. N. Moneke

Abstract: The effect of heavy metals (zinc, cadmium, chromium and lead) at concentrations 50, 100 and 500 g/ml of the heavy metal salts on glyphosate utilization by some bacterial species isolated from rice fields were studied, the addition of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) to the glyphosate mineral salt medium used in growing the Acetobacter sp. significantly (P < 0.05) increased the rate of glyphosate utilization as indicated by the increase in the growth of the organism and could be attributed to easy uptake of the metal-glyphosate complex by the organism. The growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens was enhanced in the presence of zinc in the glyphosate medium, when compared to its growth in the medium without the heavy metals. This was followed by lead, cadmium and chromium, respectively.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Glyphosate herbicide, utilization, metal-glyphosate complex.

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Detection and identification of Campylobacter spp. from retail raw chicken, turkey, sheep and goat meat in Ahvaz, Iran

Ebrahim Rahimi*, Hamid Reza Kazemeini, Saman Safaei, Karim Allahbakhshi, Manouchehr Momeni, Majid Riahi

Abstract: Campylobacter species are common bacterial pathogens causing gastroenteritis in humans worldwide and the consumption of poultry meats is suspected to be the leading cause of this illness. This study was therefore conducted to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. from retail raw meats in Ahvaz, Iran. From July 2009 to February 2010, a total of 215 raw meat samples from chicken (n = 60), turkey (n = 50), sheep (n = 50) and goat (n = 45) were purchased from randomly selected retail outlets in Ahvaz, Iran and were evaluated for the presence of Campylobacter. Campylobacter spp. isolated from 60 of 215 meat samples (27.9%) examined. The highest prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was found in chicken meat (61.7%), followed by turkey meat (36.0%), sheep meat (6.0%) and goat meat (4.4%). The most prevalence Campylobacter species isolated from meat samples was Campylobacter jejuni (88.3%), the remaining isolates were Campylobacter coli (11.7%). All 60 Campylobacter strains identified as C. jejuni and C. coli were also positive by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Significantly higher prevalence rates of Campylobacter spp. (P < 0.05) were found in the meat samples taken in summer (44.1%). Furthermore, to ensure food safety, poultry meats must be properly cooked before consuming.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Campylobacter, raw meat, chicken, turkey, sheep, goat.

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The changes of iron and zinc concentrations in heart and aortic tissues of rabbits fed on high fat diet during the progression of atherosclerosis

Mohamed Anwar K. Abdelhalim

Abstract: High level of serum triacylglycerol and cholesterol is an important risk factor for the progression of atherosclerosis. The severity of atherosclerosis can be markedly influenced by iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) overload or deficiency in aorta tissues of the rabbits. The changes of Fe and Zn in heart and aortic tissues of rabbits during the progression of atherosclerosis have not been well documented. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes of Fe and Zn in heart and aortic tissues of rabbits fed on high fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. The HFD group was fed a normal rabbit chow supplemented with 1.0% cholesterol plus 1.0% olive oil for a feeding period of 12 weeks. Fe and Zn concentrations were measured in two types of tissue from control and HFD rabbits using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The Fe concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in HFD rabbits (Mean ± SE; heart: 10.52 ± 1.04 and aorta: 3.01 ± 2.61; n = 25 specimens) compared with control rabbits (Mean ± SE; heart: 8.41 ± 0.01 and aorta: 2.25 ± 0.37; n = 20 specimens). The Fe concentration was increased with percentage normalized changes of 25.09% in heart and 33.78% in aortic tissues of HFD rabbits compared with control rabbits while the Zn concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased with percentage normalized changes of 14.39% in heart and 18.37% in aortic tissues of HFD rabbits compared with control rabbits. AAS was used to elucidate the changes of Fe and Zn in heart and aortic tissues of HFD rabbits compared with control rabbits. The findings of this study can be summarized as follows; percentage normalized change of increase of Fe was 25.09% in heart tissue accompanied by percentage normalized change of decrease of Zn 14.39% in heart tissue while percentage normalized change of increase of Fe was 33.78% in heart tissue accompanied by percentage normalized change of decrease of Zn 18.37% in aortic tissue. This study suggests that the increase in Fe concentrations in heart and aortic tissues may accelerate atherosclerosis through the production of free radicals while the decrease in Zn concentrations may act as a protective factor against atherosclerosis perhaps by reducing lesion Fe content. These results suggest that the changes in Fe and Zn concentrations in heart and aortic tissues of rabbits are closely related to the progression of atherosclerosis.[...] Read More.

Keywords: High cholesterol diet, iron, zinc, atherosclerosis, heart and aortic tissues, atomic absorption spectroscopy.

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Antimicrobial susceptibility of non-sorbitol fermenting Escherichia coli isolated from cattle feaces and milk samples

Joshua Orungo Onono*, Erastus Kiambi Kangethe and William Okelo Ogara

Abstract: The objective was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of the non-sorbitol fermenting Escherichia coli colonies from cattle feaces and milk samples collected from Dagoretti division in Nairobi. A total of 285 feacal and 260 milk were collected from urban dairy farming households while non -dairy households provided 137 milk samples. The samples were used for culture and isolation of E. coli and the colonies isolated using standard microbiological methods. 23% (66) and 8.8% (23) of feacal and milk samples from urban dairy farming households had non sorbitol fermenting colonies, while 8.8% (12) of non-dairy farming household neighbours had non sorbitol fermenting colonies in milk samples. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns showed that isolates of E. coli were resistant to various antibiotics. There was a high percentage resistance to sulphamethoxazole in feacal samples isolates (14.4%), milk sample isolates (10%) from dairy farming household and milk sample isolates (11.7%) non-dairy households. The feacal isolates had a low resistance to ampicilin (1.4%), but the resistance in isolates from milk samples of urban dairy household (6.5%) and non-dairy household’s milk samples (7.3%) were high. The other antibiotics showed varied resistance pattern with feacal isolates having a high percentage resistance to tetracyclines (6.7%) while most bacterial isolates were susceptible to gentamicin. Multiple antibiotic resistances was observed in feacal sample isolates (6.7%), dairy farming household milk isolates (4.2%) and non- dairy farming household milk isolates (7.3%). Non-sorbitol fermenting E. coli colonies from cattle feaces and milk samples were resistant to most of the antibiotics tested and the higher percentage resistance to sulphamethoxazole, ampicilin and tetracyclines requires further investigation to isolate, identify and compare the genes responsible for development of resistance.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Non-sorbitol fermenting, Escherichia coli, urban dairy households, antimicrobial susceptibility.

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Morinda officinalis How enhances exercise endurance and possesses protective effects against oxidative stress of the rats after exercise

Zhang Dao-rong*, Wan Yu, Zu Jing, Zhan Jian-guo, Li Lei and Bai Jian-qing

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Morinda officinalis How (RMO) on exercise endurance capacity and exercise-related changes in lipid peroxidation. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were taken in the study, and the animals were divided into four groups (n = 8 per group) including one control group and three RMO administered groups (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight). The RMO extracts were administered every day orally using intragastric tube for 30 days. Forced swimming test was performed with a weight corresponding to 3% body weight attached to the tail. Forced swimming time and biochemical parameters were measured. The result indicated RMO could enhance exercise endurance and possessed protective effects against oxidative stress of the rats after exercise. The study also revealed that RMO elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations, suggesting that RMO were able to up-regulate antioxidant enzymes to protect against oxidative stress- induced injury after exercise. In addition, RMO also possessed the ability to retard and lower the blood lactate produced after exercise.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Morinda officinalis How, endurance capacity, lipid peroxidation, exercise.

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Bacterial species associated with soils contaminated with used petroleum products in Keffi town, Nigeria

M. D. Makut* and P. Ishaya

Abstract: This investigation was carried out to determine the bacterial flora of soils contaminated with used oil (petroleum products) in Keffi town. Pour plate method involving the use of serial dilutions was employed for the isolation of the bacteria. Soil samples from 10 different mechanic workshops in Keffi town were obtained and plated out on plate count agar, eosin methylene blue agar, brilliant green agar, desoxycholate citrate agar and mannitol salt agar to isolate the bacterial species from the soils contaminated with petroleum products. The bacterial species isolated were Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus sp., Klebsiella sp., Bacillus sp., Mycobacterium sp., Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella sp., and Micrococcus sp. The hydrocarbon substrates (petroleum products) used were petrol, kerosene, diesel and engine oil. Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp., and Bacillus sp., were found to utilize all the four petroleum products as their sole source of carbon and energy. Staphylococcus sp., and Micrococcus sp., utilized petrol, kerosene and diesel, while Klebsiella sp., and Mycobacterium sp., utilized only petrol and diesel. Salmonella sp., E. aerogenes and E. coli did not utilize any of the test substrates (Petrol, kerosene, diesel and engine oil). The results of this study revealed that Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp., and Bacillus sp., are the most versatile species of bacteria that could utilized petroleum products in the soil environment of Keffi. The investigation demonstrates that Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp. and Bacillus sp. could be harnessed for use in bioremediation of land polluted with petroleum and petroleum products [...] Read More.

Keywords: Bacterial species, contaminated soils, used petroleum products, Keffi, Nigeria.

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Isolation and characterization of Arthrobacter sp. HW08 capable of biodegrading swainsonine

Yan Wang, Yanchun Hu, Jianhua Wang*, Yongtao Yu, Yumin Song, Guodong Yang and Guoxia Geng

Abstract: The aim of this study was to isolate bacteria capable of degrading swainsonine, an indolizidine alkaloid in poisonous plants of Oxytropis and Astragalus. The bacterium HW08 was isolated and enriched from soil and its physiological and biochemical properties, 16S rRNA gene and the ability of swainsonine-degradation were investigated. The results showed that HW08 was a species of Arthrobacter sp. Under the optimized temperature (30°C) and pH value (7.0), HW08 (OD600 = 0.3) could degrade about 2 mg swainsonine in 5 ml degrading reaction within 4 h. In conclusion, HW08 would be a better potential candidate to be considered for SW-degrading in practice.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Locoweeds, Arthrobacter; swainsonine, biodegradation.

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Inhibition and control effects of the ethyl acetate extract of Trichoderma harzianum fermented broth against Botrytis cinerea

Guoliang Yin, Weimin Wang, Sha Sha, Lei Liu and Xiaoping Yu*

Abstract: Botrytis cinerea is a widespread parasitic fungus that infects many crops and reduces their productivity. Trichoderma harzianum, also a fungus, has been commercially used as a biofungicide to control B. cinerea. The spores of T. harzianum, currently used in the application, have some drawbacks such as efficacy affected by the environmental condition and sensitivity to chemical fungicides. Instead of using the living microbe, the extract from T. harzianum fermented broth may be applied to control B. cinerea. It was found that the extract could inhibit mycelial growth (EC50 = 13.6 mg/L), conidia germination (EC50 = 17.5 mg/L) and conidia production (EC 50 = 23.6 mg/L) of B. cinerea. In vitro, the extract showed excellent control effects on tomato grey mould caused by B. cinerea and the protective effect (EC 50=99.6 mg/L) was better than the therapeutic effect (EC50=135.8 mg/L). In pot experiments, the extract also showed persistent protective (EC50=99.0 mg/L at day 7 and EC 50 = 142.7 mg/L at day 15) and therapeutic (EC 50 = 195.0 mg/L at day 7 and EC 50 = 393.7 mg/L at day 15) effects over 15 days. This study showed that the extract was equivalent or superior to the commercial dicarboximide fungicide, procymidone. In conclusion, the ethyl acetate extract of T. harzianum fermented broth is effective in the treatment of tomato grey mould caused by B. cinerea.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Botrytis cinerea, fungicide, tomato grey mould, trichodermin, Trichoderma harzianum.

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Investigation of Demodex spp. in perinea areas and faces of young men visiting the urology policlinic

Haluk Soylemez, Ali Beytur, Ilhan Gecit, Ulku Karaman*, Ali Ozer and Sinan Calik

Abstract: It has been reported that types of Demodex can be transmitted to other people through close contact and they can play a pathogenic role in rosacea, acne vulgaris, perioral dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, micropapillary-pruritic dermatitis, and blepharitis. Types of Demodex are reported to be located in various places of human body. The purpose of the present study was to detect the presence of Demodex spp. in the samples taken from the faces and perinea areas of the young men using standardized surface skin biopsy (SSSB). Accordingly, samples were obtained using SSSB method from the faces and perinea areas of 200 men aged 19 - 34, which were then covered with entellan and sent to the parasitological laboratory. Demodex spp. was found in 42.0% of the samples taken from perinea area and in 83.0% of the samples taken from subjects’ faces, while Enterobius vermicularis was detected in two cases. One of the samples taken from was Demodex brevis, while the others were Demodex folliculorum. It was concluded that, given that species of Demodex can be found in perinea area under conditions of collective accommodation, specimens should be taken from patients consulting with pruritus or allergic reactions in order to diagnose the parasite, and treatment protocol should be planned according to the results of the analysis.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Demodex spp., facies, perinea and cheek.

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