MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Microbiological quality of packaged drinking water brands marketed in Ibadan metropolis and Ile-Ife city in South Western Nigeria

O. Oyedeji*, P. O. Olutiola and M. A. Moninuola

Abstract: Continuous increase in the sale and indiscriminate consumption of packaged drinking waters in Nigeria is of public health significance. One hundred and eight samples comprising 16 bottled and 20 sachet water brands purchased randomly all over Ibadan and Ile-Ife cities in South Western Nigeria were analysed for presence of bacterial indicators of water quality. Total heterotrophic bacteria plate counts (HPC) ranged from 2 to 150 for bottled water and 5 to 200 for sachet water brands. One brand of bottled water and eight brands of sachet water had mean HPC greater than 100 per ml millilitre water and thus fell below the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and World Health Organisation (WHO) drinking water standard of 100 HPC per millilitre water. Total coliforms and Escherichia coli were detected in only one brand of bottled water. All brands of sachet water (100%) had total coliforms, four brands (20%) had presence of E. coli while Enterococcus faecalis was recovered from two (10%) of the brands. Most of the sachet water brands fell below WHO drinking water standards and are therefore of doubtful quality. Efforts need to be intensified in the monitoring of activities in this rapidly expanding industry with a view to raising standards.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Bottled water, sachet water, microbiological quality, drinking water, South Western Nigeria.

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The impact of bacteriophages in bacteria removal associated with soba stabilisation station efficiency

Ayman Ahmed Elshayeb

Abstract: The existence of bacteriophages in wastewater of Soba Stabilisation Station was determined by isolating and identifying methods for their activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the anaerobic, facultative and maturation ponds. The general viable count of the bacteria showed an average of 2.0 x 106 cfu/ml. In broth media the affection of the bacteriophage interactions with bacteria showed increasing of bacteriophages with concomitant decrease in bacteria due to culture clearance, where the readings of the turbidity for the first and second infection showed statistical significant of light transmission among E. coli phages’ samples due to place of sample collections as follows: from the anaerobic and facultative ponds P > 0.05, facultative and maturation P < 0.05 and anaerobic and maturation P > 0.05. Whilst, the S. aureus phages samples’ light transmission from the anaerobic and facultative P < 0.05, facultative and maturation P < 0.05 and anaerobic and maturation P > 0.05. On solid media, the affection of the bacteriophage was recognised by the phage plaque formation on bacterial cultures. The linear equations of phages’ densities and distributions according to their wavelength were y = 0.0008x + 0.0303 for E. coli phage and y = -0.0102x + 0.2438 for S. aureus phage. This study concluded that phages naturally present where their hosts present and naturally destroyed bacteria that aided to recover from polluted environment.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Bacteriophage, Escherichia coli/ general viable count, light transmission, linear equations, stabilisation station, Staphylococcus aureus.

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Application of methylene blue dye reduction test (MBRT) to determine growth and death rates of microorganisms

Subir Kumar Nandy and K. V. Venkatesh*

Abstract: An efficacy of a compound for antimicrobial characteristics is typically evaluated through experiments to obtain the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Similarly, a minimum activating concentration (MAC) can be obtained for a compound necessary for growth. We report a protocol for the determination of MIC and MAC for antibiotic and exhibition assays, respectively using methylene blue reduction test. The assay has been demonstrated on the growth of Escherichia coli on the antibiotic kanamycin, as an inhibitor, and on vitamin B12, as an activator. The slope of discoloration of methylene blue was used to determine the growth and death rates of the organism. The use of the rate constants to determine MIC/MAC values established a rational basis for determination of these relevant constants. The methodology presented here is general and can be easily adapted to other systems. The dose-response curves for extent of death / growth can be used to establish the MIC90 or MAC90 for an inhibitor or an activator, respectively. The methodology presented here rationalizes and standardizes the antibiotic and exhibition assays. The main advantage of the reported assay is the rapid and easy determination of the MIC and MAC values. Keywords: Escherichia coli, vitamin B12, kanamycin, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum activating concentration (MAC).[...] Read More.

Keywords: Escherichia coli, vitamin B12, kanamycin, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum activating concentration (MAC).

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Bioactivity of essential oil from Ailanthus altissima bark against 4 major stored-grain insects

Jianhua Lu* and Shuhui Wu

Abstract: The essential oil was extracted by Soxhlet method with anhydrous diethyl ether from Ailanthus altissima Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae) bark, a traditional Chinese herbal plant and its repellent, contact and fumigant activities were investigated against four major stored grain insects. A. altissima bark oil significantly repelled Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Liposcelis paeta Pearman (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) adults, with the repellency value reaching IV grade or stronger during the whole exposure period. A. altissima bark oil also pos-sessed strong contact toxicity on S. oryzae adults which gradually enhanced with increased exposure time and the corrected percentage mortality reached 76.5% after 72 h treatment. Furthermore, A. altissima bark oil had high fumigant activity against O. surinamensis and S. oryzae adults with the corrected percentage mortality 99.3 and 81.9% within 24 h, respectively.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Ailanthus altissima bark, essential oil, stored-grain insects, bioactivity.

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Effect of particulate materials on lactic fermentation of new local white variety cassava (â€œBianbasseâ€) using both spontaneous and starter culture

I. A. Adetunde*, A. A. Onilude and L. A. Adetunde

Abstract: The effect of particulate materials on lactic fermentation of cassava using both spontaneous and starter culture - Lactobacillus plantarum was investigated. The mean value counts during spontaneous fermentation, the total dissolved loads in all the samples, the total reducing sugars of all samples, the microbial loads in all the samples, the contents of crude protein, crude fibre, ash contents, ether extract, phytic acid and tannin were determined. All samples had an increase in lactic acid bacteria counts through out the fermenting time of 72 h than total bacteria counts in all samples. Sample A had the highest counts of lactic acid bacteria but total bacteria counts in sample A showed decrease in their counts. Sample C had an increase in both lactic acid bacterial and total bacteria counts. Other samples with added particulate materials showed corresponding increase in lactic acid bacteria counts compare to total bacteria counts. There was corresponding increase in total dissolved solids of sample containing varying concentrations of particulate materials ranging from 300 - 2500 mg/l. Total reducing sugar content for the samples ranged from 3.0 - 6.4 mg/l. Sample A had the highest total reducing sugar of 6.4 mg/l at 72 h of fermentation while sample C had the lowest value of 4.8 mg/l. Sample A inoculated with starter culture and other samples with supplemented materials, sample A1, A2 and A3 had an increase in crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat/ether, phytic acid and tannin content than sample C which was not inoculated.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Particulate materials, samples.

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Transforming p-coumaric acid into p-hydroxybenzoic acid by the mycelial culture of a white rot fungus Schizophyllum commune

Ashish Sachan,*, Shashwati Ghosh, and Adinpunya Mitra

Abstract: The aim of this paper was to study the catabolic product(s) of p-coumaric acid by a white rot fungus, Schizophyllum commune. TLC and HPLC chromatogram showed that p-hydroxybenzoic acid was formed as a major degradation product of p-coumaric acid. The purity of p-hydroxybenzoic acid was further confirmed by mass spectrometry. A maximum amount 2.5 mg/l of p-hydroxybenzoic acid was detected in the culture medium on 12th day of incubation using 5.0 mM p-coumaric acid as sole source of carbon. It was assumed that during the process of p-coumaric acid degradation, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde was produced as an unstable intermediate, which was rapidly converted into p-hydroxybenzoic acid and accumulated in the media. An indication of a very slow reverse conversion, that is, p-hydroxybenzoic acid into p-hydroxybenzaldehyde was also traced.[...] Read More.

Keywords: p-coumaric acid, Schizophyllum commune, p-hydroxybenzoic acid.

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Mycorrhizal root colonisation and the subsequent host plant response of soil less grown tomato plants in the presence and absence of the mycorrhizal stimulant, Mycotech

Y. Cwala, C. P. Laubscher, P. A. Ndakidemi* and A. H. Meyer

Abstract: A hydroponic trial was carried out to assess the effect of inoculating tomato plants with AM fungi, in the presence and absence of a mycorrrhizal stimulant (Mycotech). Four treatments were applied: (1) AM inoculant, (2) mycorrhizal stimulant, (3) AM + Stimulant and (4) Stimulant alone. Arbuscular mycorrhizal treated plants were 14% root colonized, whilst AM + Stimulant treated plants, were 25% colonized. No colonization was observed in non -AM and non-AM + Stimulant treated plants. However, AM + Stimulant treated plants did not show any significant improvement over AM treated plants, in either the plant nutrient concentrations, except Cu, or the growth of the plants, despite a root colonization advantage. In general, there was also no improvement in colonized plants over non- colonized plants, possibly due to the abundant supply of nutrients. However, Stimulant treated plants performed better than the other plants in terms of their P, K, Ca, Mg and Mn nutrition. The causes of this increase remain unknown. This study has shown that the combined use of mycorrhizal stimulant and AM have a definite advantage for improving root colonization levels, but more research with regard to nutrient supply in the system, is required to ensure further benefits to the plants.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal, dry matter, hydroponics, inoculant, macronutrients, micronutrients, tomatoes.

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Irrigation influence by treated domestic wastewater instead of agronomical water on essential oil yield of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Hossein Hassanpour Darvishi*, Mohammad Manshouri, Hossein Sedghi and Sayed Habib Mousavi Jahromi

Abstract: In this experiment, we have used the soil profile as a biological filter that can to absorb pollution and microbes in the domestic wastewater at Iran during 2009. In this experiment, we had 15 lysimeters, that were planted canola (Brassica napus L.) in 1 to 5 lysimeters and were irrigated by domestic wastewater with BOD5 about 150 mg/lit and primary drainage water were accumulated. In the 6 to 9 lysimeters was planted alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and were irrigated by primary drainage water and then, were accumulated secondary drainage water. We have irrigation 10, 11 and 12 lysimeters by secondary drainage water that was planted inside the basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). In order to compare plants characteristics, in 13, 14 and 15 lysimeters were planted canola, alfalfa and basil respectively and were irrigated by agronomical water. The results showed that the soil could reduce BOD5 and COD from 150 and 232 mg/lit to 11 and 18 mg/lit respectively in secondary drainage water. The essential oil yield of basil 17% increased under irrigation by secondary drainage water into irrigation by agronomical water. Therefore, the use of secondary drainage water can be increase the quantity and quality yields in plants and the other hand, protects sweet water resources.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Domestic wastewater, agronomical water, essential oil yield, basil.

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Antagonistic activity of a novel antibiotic against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Chen-Xiaoxi and Yue Jun*

Abstract: The antibiotic produced by a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis has potent anti-tubercular activity against sixteen strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, most of which belong to MDR strains. MICs for the sixteen strains were evaluated. A series of spectrum analysis and element analysis determined that the antibiotic’s molecular formula was C27H46O2.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Bacillus subtilis, antibiotic, MIC, serum, anti-tubercular.

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Chemical composition of lavender essential oil and its antioxidant activity and inhibition against rhinitis-related bacteria

Lu Hui, Li He , Lu Huan, Li XiaoLan* and Zhou AiGuo

Abstract: In this study we assessed the chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Lavender essential oil. The antioxidant and antibacterial capacity of test sample was assayed by a linoleic acid system and conventional method of bacterial growth inhibition. The results demonstrated that the essential oil consisted of 1,5-Dimethyl-1-vinyl-4-hexenyl but yrate as the most abundant component (43.73%), followed by 1,3,7-Octatriene, 3,7-dimethyl- (25.10%), Eucalyptol (7.32%), and Camphor (3.79%). Lavender essential oil display the stronger antioxidant activity against lipid peroxidation in a linoleic acid model system and good antibacterial activity against four rhinitis-related bacteria including staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus ascoformans, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Antibacterial, Lavender; antioxidant, essential oil, extraction, rhinitis.

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