*OSHOMOH, E. O. AND BASSEY, P.

Department of Science Laboratory Technology

Faculty of Life Sciences
University of Benin

Benin-City, Edo State.

*Corresponding Author email: Emmanuel.oshomoh@uniben.edu

This investigation of the bioremediative property of Lentinus squarrosulus was carried out to determine its potential on sawdust contaminated with crude oil. Fresh cultures of L. squarrosulus obtained and identified by the African Centre for Mushroom Research and Innovation, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State was used for spawn preparation. Thirty grammes each of sawdust was measured into a locally available soya milk bottles labeled: Control, A, B, C, D, E, and F, after which 0 ml, 5 ml, 10 ml, 15 ml, 20 ml, 25 ml, 30 ml of crude oil and the spawn of L. squarrosulus were added to each bottle respectively. The bioremediative potential of L. squarrosulus was determined by assessing the pH, nitrogen, heavy metals and total petroleum hydrocarbon content. The bioremediative potential of L. squarrosulus on the nitrogen content of sawdust substrate contaminated with different concentration of crude oil showed that L. squarrosulus was able to reduce the nitrogen content in the crude oil sample from 1.86 % to 1.79 % for spawn contaminated with 5 ml of crude oil, and from 1.86 % to 1.81 % for spawn contaminated with 10 ml of crude oil. While on the heavy metal contamination, L. squarrosulus was able to reduce the concentrations of heavy metals in all the treatments with signs of spawn formation. The result of the bioremediative potential of L. squarrosulus on the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) of sawdust substrate contaminated with different concentration of crude oil showed that L. squarrosulus was able to reduce the amount of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in all the samples showing signs of spawn formation from 85 % to 36.94 % for spawn contaminated with 5 ml of crude oil and 86 % to 47.58 % for spawn contaminated with 10 ml of crude oil within a period of 3 months treatment. Therefore, it could be generalized that L. squarrosulus have bioremediative potential on crude oil and could be employed in environmental sanitization.

BIOREMEDIATION, CRUDE OIL, MUSHROOM SPAWN, MINERALIZATION.

^*ONYIMBA, I. A¹., NJOKU, A. I.¹, JOB,

M. O. ¹ADENU, G. E. ¹, AND ISAAC, D. C. ²

¹Department of Science Laboratory Technology

and

²Department of Microbiology,

University of Jos, Nigeria

^*Corresponding Author’s e-mail: am_isaac2002@yahoo.com,

In an effort to find cheaper sources of animal feed from agricultural wastes, the ability of Aspergillusniger and Trichodermaviride to enhance the nutritive value of melon husks through solid state fermentation was investigated. Pulverised melon husks were fermented for a period of 7 days at room temperature (25 ± 2 ^oC). The husks were analysed for their proximate and anti-nutrient compositions before and after fermentation and the resultant values were compared. The fibre content of the husks decreased significantly (P<.05) from a value of 38.49 to 35.79 and 29.98% after fermentation withA. niger and T. viride respectively.The crude protein content of husks fermented with A. niger showed a slight increase from 8.36% to 8.39%. Ash content of the husks was found to increase (3.35 - 4.34%) after fermentation with A. niger. Nitrogen free-extract content increased from 44.79% to 48.07% and 55.90% for husks fermented with A. niger and T. viriderespectively. Fermentation led to significant reductions in oxalate content from 341 to 35.75 mg/100 g and 41.25 mg/100 g for A. niger- and T. viride-fermented husks respectively. Cyanide and tannin were completely eliminated as a result of fermentation by both A. niger and T. viride. The nutritive value of the husks was enhanced by the microorganisms.

BIOENHANCEMENT, FERMENTATION, MELON HUSKS, NUTRITIVE VALUE.

ABDULMUMIN S.¹*, DASHAK D.A. ¹, FAWOLE C.¹,

LARBONG M.R.,¹ AND NDAKS B.I.¹

Department of Chemistry,

University of Jos, Plateau State – Nigeria.

* Correspondence: faabdulshaheed@gmail.com

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons are some universally detected organic pollutants in the environment because of high industrial use of petroleum product worldwide. The world petroleum consumption in 2001 was 77 million barrel per day, this scale of use result in high potential for contamination from both accidental and fugitive releases. In this study, the concentrations of 17 USEPA priority polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in a discharged effluent water of NNPC Jos Depot, Nigeria. The chemical analysis was carried out by means of GC-MSD employing USEPA 8270-625 methods. The result of the analysis showed that the PAHs in the effluent water were present in very small or minute values ranging from 0.00 – 0.02mg/l or below detection limit of WHO which is 0.00001 mg/l

Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (Pahs), Petroleum Contamination, Concentration, Environmental Risk.

LARBONG M.R.*¹, DASHAK D.A.¹, FAWOLE C.¹

ABDULMUMIN S.¹ AND NDAKS B.I.¹

Department of Chemistry, University of Jos

Roselar1987@gmail.com

Accumulator plants have the facility to accumulate contaminants from either soil or water that contains low as well as high concentration of pollutants (be it metal or organic pollutants). Plants that show such exceptional properties are known as hyper accumulators. This research analyzed the TPH concentration in Pistiastratiotes and effluent water discharge of NNPC Jos Depot. The plant was sampled based on its population density coverage at the study area. TPH was analyzed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC/MSD) Agilent Technologies 7890A employing standard analytical method of US EPA 8270; 625. Results obtained showed that Pistia stratiotes have absorbed a higher concentration of 37244.57 mg/kg from the contaminated water while the effluent water revealed 3540.84 mg/l higher than the international permissible standard of DPR (Department of Petroleum Resource). Pistia stratiotes have been able to absorb more of the TPH and yet it is surviving and thriving very well, it has also proved high level of decontamination of the contaminated effluent water. Therefore, it revealed that Pistia stratiotes is a good accumulator plant which can be essential for the phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon in water.

Pistia Stratiotes, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (Tph), Hyperaccumulator Phytoremediation, Jos.

^1*AYISA T.T., ²OYEWOLE O.A., ²OYELEKE, S.B.,

³ADAMU B.B, ³AHMADU, H.

¹Department of Biological science

The Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger state, Nigeria

²Department of Microbiology

Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

and

³National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria

*Correspondence author: ayisatimothy@gmail.com

This study investigated the effects of pH and temperature on the decolourization of textile effluent contaminated soilby Pseudomonas aeruginosa DM1. The physicochemical parameters of the textile effluents were temperature (33.5 ^oC), pH (6.10), Total Dissolved Solids (465.5 mg/L), Total Soluble Solids (310 mg/L), Dissolved Oxygen (0.162 mg/L), Biological Oxygen Demand (0.13 mg/L), Chemical Oxygen Demand (123.5 mg/L). The Pseudomonas aeruginosa DM1 was isolated from textile effluent contaminated soil samples in Challawa, Kano State, Nigeria. The 3 mL culture of the isolate was inoculated into medium comprising 2 g of yeast extract, 2 g of glucose, 2.8 g of lactose broth in 50 ml of different concentrations of the effluent (0%, 5%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90% and 100 %) and incubated for 30 days at 37 ^oC. The effects of temperature (30 °C, 35 ^oC, 40 ^oC, 45 ^oC) and pH (4, 6, 8, and 10) on the decolourisation potential of the isolates were determined. The rate of biodecolourisation was determined using spectrophotometry at 600 nm. The optimum biodecolorization temperature was 35 ^oC (60.7%) after 30 days while the optimum pH was 6 with biodecolorization rate of 85.1%. The results obtained in this study revealed that 35 ^oC and pH 6 were optimum for decolourization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa DM1 of textile effluent contaminated soil.

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Dm1, Textile Effluents, Biodecolourisation, Spectrophotometry.

MOHAMMED, S.S.D¹*., BALOGU, T.V³, GAMBO, A³,

158358631. N. N². AND MUHAMMAD, A².

^*1Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences

Nile University of Nigeria, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

²Department of Microbiology

Faculty of Science

Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria

³Department of Microbiology

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai,

Niger State, Nigeria

Corresponding Author email: sani.mohammed@nileuniversity.edy.ng; mosada78@gmail.com

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are serious health problems worldwide. Antibiotic resistance has emerged due to its frequent use and resistance has also emerged even to more potent antimicrobial agents. The study was conducted to determine antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of selected bacteria isolates from urine of students attending Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Clinic. A total of one hundred (100)early morning urine (EMU) samples were collected in sterile sample containers separately and were transferred to the microbiology laboratory, IBB University, lapai for analysis. The urine samples were cultured for isolation of the microbial agents of UTIs on Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Eosin methylene blue (EMB) agar using standard techniques. The bacteria isolates were identified using morphological and biochemical tests. Disk diffusion susceptibility test was carried out to determine antimicrobial susceptibility of selected bacteria to antibiotics. Out of the 100 samples analyzed, 61 (61%) yielded positive significant growth bacteria isolates while 39 (39%) had no growth of bacteria. Result showed that E. coli had 32 (47.8%) occurrence and was the most commonly isolated pathogen, followed by S.aureus with 14 (20.9%), Pseudomonas sp. had 3 (4.5%), Enterococcus sp. 3 (4.5%), Klebsiella sp. 3 (4.5%) and Klebsiella sp had 12 (17.9%) of occurrence. The sensitivity rates of the Gram negative and positive bacteria showed the series of susceptibly to different antibiotics which include Tarivid (67%), Ampicillin (100%), Gentamicin (33%), Nadilixic acid (58%), Septrin (100%),Streptomycin (100%), Rifampicin (54%), Levofloxacin (67%.), Ceporex (100%). Conclusively, the high prevalence rates of E. coli and S.aureus in the urine samples could probably be responsible for the urinary tract infections observed in this study. Also, this survey indicates the emergence of antibiotic resistant infections in the studied students. So, there is a need to improve the effectiveness of integrated infection control programs to control and manage nosocomial infections caused by highly resistant organisms.

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS, URINE, ANTIBIOTICS, BACTERIA

FAWOLE C.*¹, DASHAK D.A.1

AND SALAMI S.J.1

¹Chemistry Department

Faculty of Natural Sciences

University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

*cfawole@gmail.com

Petroleum contaminated wastewater were characterized for 17 priority pollutants of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (17 PAHs). The US EPA 16 priority pollutants of PAHs (16 PAHs) were also identified using Gas chromatograph with Mass spectrometric detection (GS-MSD) in accordance with standard analytical method of US EPA 8270;625. The raw petroleum-contaminated wastewater sample revealed the result of Naphthalene (2.6000 mg/l), Acenaphthylene (8.0000 mg/l), Fluorene (9.0008 mg/l), O-Terphenyl (5.0200 mg/l), Fluoranthene (1.1000 mg/l), Pyrene (8.0000 mg/l), Benz(a)anthracene (1.0900 mg/l), Benzo(b)fluoranthene (10.0000 mg/l), Benzo(e)pyrene (0.0000 mg/l), Dibenzo(a, h)anthracene (4.0100 mg/l), Indeno(1,2, 3-c, d)pyrene (9.2000 mg/l) and Benzo(g,h, i)perylene (3.0000 mg/l). The results indicated that some of the 17PAHs constituents were above the PAHs World Health Organization (2003) Maximum Permissible Limits (MPL) in drinking water. After the employing the combined processes of phytoremediation and vermiremediation for 3 weeks using artificial wetland system, the raw 17 PAHs constituents were decontaminated and fell below the MPL of WHO and US EPA (2001) standards.

PHYTOREMEDIATION, VERMIREMEDIATION, POLYCYCLIC-AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS (PAHS), PETROLEUM-CONTAMINATED WATER.

*Department of Microbiology

Delta State University

Abraka.

bunmakp@yahoo.com

*AKPOMIE, O.O., AKPONAH, E., ADEWUYI, I.S AND OBILOR, B.

ABSTRACT

Herbal products which contain the necessary nutrients for microorganisms are being used as an alternative to conventional drugs on the presumption that they are safe. This study was aimed at determining the microbiological quality and health implication of herbal drug formulations. The samples used in the study were bought from different outlets in Onitsha, Nigeria. The total heterotrophic; coliform and fungal counts, cfu/ml (THC, TCC and TFC respectively) ranged from 1:1-9.5; 1.0-8.4 and 1.5-8.0 respectively. The values were quite higher than the acceptable limits. The bacteria isolated were Escherichiacoli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp. Pseudomonas sp., Citrobacter sp and Proteus sp. while the fungal isolates were Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus sp., Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp.Pseudomonas sp, and Citrobacter sp were absent in the industry samples while Proteus sp. was not present in the local samples. The local herb samples (Agbo) harboured more of the isolates (25%) than the industry samples (15%). The antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates using paper disk diffusion showed that Pseudomonas sp, Proteus sp,Staphylococcus sp and Citrobacter sp were resistant to conventional antibiotics such as septrin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, tarivid, ampiclox, gentamycin thus exhibiting multi-drug resistance. The diameters of zones of inhibition varied and ranged from 0-27 mm. The organisms isolated are of health significance so there is an urgent need to ensure safe and hygienic practices in the production and storage of herbal formulations.

ANTIBIOTICS, BACTERIA, FUNGI, HERBAL FORMULATIONS.

SALLAU, L. H. ^1*, ORUKOTAN, A. A. ¹ AND IJAH, U. J. J.²  

¹Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.

²Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

Email: hadizalawalsallau@gmail.com

The study was aimed at assessing the potential of Persea americana (Avocado) and Citrillus lanatus (Watermelon) seed extracts in the treatment of water from wells located in Sabon Tasha (ST) and Tudun Wada (TW) in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Three concentrations (1, 2 and 3 %) of the seed extracts at 60 minutes were used for treatment of the water samples. The phytochemical analysis showed that phenol/tannins, flavonoids and saponin were present in both seeds. Both seeds showed good antimicrobial efficiency as did chlorine and alum. Both seeds have significant effects on pH, conductivity and chloride in the water samples from both wells. Dissolved oxygen and Biological oxygen demand level increased in Tudun Wada well but decreased in Sabo Tasha well. Water samples treated with Persea america from all the locations had chloride concentration within the standard limit (45.98±5.85 in Sabon Tasha to 130.90±2.66 mg/L in Tudun Wada well). Total dissolved solids increased in Citrillus lanatus seed treated water with exception of Tudun Wada well water sample. The LD₅₀ of both Persea americana and Citrillus lanatus seeds administered orally were > 5000 mg/kgbw. The seeds of these plants can therefore be used as safe natural coagulants for treatment of well water instead of the use of synthetic chemicals which may pose threat to human health.

Well water; Bacteria; Phytochemicals; Coagulation.

MUHAMMAD S.A.^1*, ORUKOTAN A.A.¹ AND DADAH A.J.¹  

¹Department of Microbiology

Faculty of Science,

Kaduna State University

Kaduna, Nigeria

Corresponding author’s email:ahosafiyyah@gmail.com

The present study was aimed at comparing the antibacterial efficacy of Citrullus lanatus (water melon) and Carica papaya (pawpaw) seeds extracts which are commonly consumed all over the world. Two extraction methods were adopted (Cold extraction by maceration and soxhlet extraction). Agar well diffusion method was employed for the antibacterial activity. Urine samples were collected from pregnant women and Three clinical isolate were isolated (E.coli, Klebsiella species, Staphylococcus species). It was observed that Citrullus lanatus (Water melon) methanolic in cold extraction by maceration had the highest antibacterial efficacy on Klebsiella having zone of inhibition of 25 mm at a concentration of 80 mg and E.coli recorded the lowest having the zone of inhibition of 6 mm at a concentration of 20 mg/ml. In Citrullus lanatus aqueous extract Staphylococcus spp was recorded the highest having the zone of inhibition of 23 mm at a concentration of 23 mg/ml, and the lowest was recorded as 0 mm at a concentration of 20 mg/ml in Klebsiella. Pawpaw methanolic extract had a highest zone of inhibition on E.coli having zone of inhibition of 23 mm at a concentration of 80 mg/ml, and Klebsiela recorded as the lowest having a zone of inhibition of 9 mm at a concentration of 20 mg/ml. Papaya aqueous extract recorded no zone of inhibitions in all the concentrations. For the soxhlet extraction, no evidence of antibacterial efficacy was recorded. Therefore, the present study reveals that Citrullus lanatus seed has a higher antibacterial activity when compared with Carica papaya.

Antibacterial, Efficacies, Watermelon Seeds, Pawpaw Seeds

ABU, I. M.¹, MAIKAJE, D.B.¹ AND ORUKOTAN, A.A.¹  

¹Department of Microbiology

Faculty of Science

Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Corresponding author’s email: munat693@gmail.com

The study was designed to reassess the therapeutic effects of first generation trypanocides on Trypanosoma congolense using inbred rabbits as study animals. Sixteen (16) male rabbits aged between 7 and 8 months, weighing between 2.0 and 2.4 kg were randomly distributed into four groups (A-D) of four each. The rabbits in B, C and D were infected with 2 × 10⁶ of Trypanosoma congolense. Three days post parasitaemia, group C and D Trypanosoma congolense rabbits were treated with 1 mg/kg of Novidium^® and Veriduim^® respectively. Group A rabbits were uninfected and untreated (positive control), while group B rabbits were infected-untreated (Negative control). Parameters monitored were prepatent period, parasitaemia, body weight, rectal temperature, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell and differential white blood cell counts (DWBC). The results of the study showed that parasitaemia was detected in the T.congolense infected rabbits 9-14 days post infection (PI). Following treatment with Novidium^® and Veriduim^® three (3) days post patency, the parasites were cleared from group C1 and D1 T. congolense infected rabbits respectively. Infection relapse occur 9 days post treatment in two Novidium® treated group C2 animals at peak parasitaemia. The clearance of Trypanosoma congolense parasitaemia in group C1 and the relapse infection observed in C2 infected and treated with Novidium^® may suggest that animal trypanosomiasis treatment with Novidium can only be effective at early stage of this disease.

TRYPANOSOMA CONGOLENSE, INFECTION, TRYPANOCIDES, PARASITAEMIA

ABDULMUMIN S.¹*, DASHAK D.A. ¹, FAWOLE C.¹,

LARBONG M. R.¹, NDAKS B.I.¹

Department of Chemistry, University of Jos, Plateau State -Nigeria.

Correspondence: faabdulshaheed@gmail.com

An increase of Petroleum hydrocarbons level in soil and aquatic environment has become an issue of concern because of their deleterious impact not only on aquatic and soil organisms, but also its effects on human health. This study therefore, investigates the level of TPH in effluent water discharged and soil of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Jos Depot. The chemical analysis was carried out with the aid of GC – MSD Agilent technologist 7890A model employing USEPA-8270, 625 methods. The results of the analyses collected from three different locations within the same vicinity of the discharged point were pooled to obtain a representative sample for effluent water and soil, their results indicated substantial amount of TPH of 6778.0545 mg/l and 28013.0000 mg/kg respectively. Thus, the obtained results were above United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) permissible limits of 10 mg/l and 50 mg/kg respectively.

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (Tph), Water, Soil, Concentration

MUAZU, N.B^1*, MAIKAJE, D.B¹ AND INABO, H.I²  

¹Department of Microbiology

Faculty of Science, Kaduna State University

Kaduna state, Nigeria

²Department of Microbiology

Faculty of Science

Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

Kaduna state, Nigeria

Corresponding author; E-mail; nblmuazu@gmail.com

Antibiotic resistance, especially to the most commonly used antimicrobials in humans and in animal production systems, is of critical concern in Nigeria where resistant strains of Salmonella are among the most frequent causes of bacteremia in children. This study intends to identify antibiotic resistance genes possessed by salmonella typhi isolated from some hospitals within Kaduna metropolis. This is in order to employ combined or alternative therapy that overcomes the resistance factors. One hundred and eighty (180) samples were investigated by isolation and characterization of Salmonella species from blood samples of widal test confirmed typhoid fever patients, followed by antibiotic sensitivity profiling of Salmonella species isolated using conventional antibiotic multidisc available in the study area Molecular identification of Salmonellatyphi isolates using PCR was carried out and the genes coding for multidrug resistance factors in the blood isolates of Salmonella typhi were detected and amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of the 180 samples investigated, 19 samples were positive for bacterial growth. The result of the characterization and identification of the isolates revealed that Salmonella typhi had a frequency of 6 (31.6%), Shigella 9(47.5%) and E.coli 4(21.1%) respectively. The isolates were only sensitive to chloramphenicol, septrin and taravid. there was an intermediate reaction to gentamycin, ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin. And were resistant to amoxicillin, augmetin, sparfloxacin and streptomycin. Although six Salmonella isolates were identified by gram staining, biochemical and PCR tests, the identity of only one isolate could be confirmed by BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool). A particular region of the entire genetic sequence may have been picked during the PCR and amplified which leads to generation of completely different organism sequence. The Salmonella typhi isolate possessed all of the three investigated antibiotic resistance genes, blaTEM gene conferring resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, floR gene coding for resistance against florfenicol and chloramphenicol antibiotics and OmpS1 conferring resistance to antibiotics by making the bacterial cell wall impermeable to antibiotics. This study shows that Salmonella typhi uses multidrug resistance factors namely, bla-TEM, floR and OmpS1 antibiotic resistance genes to ensure effective resistance to all antibiotics irrespective of site and method of antimicrobial action of the drug. Widal test should be augmented with cultural and molecular diagnosis. The use of alternative medication such as plant extracts should be encouraged. Gene therapy, including gene blockers, gene silencers and gene deletors should be employed to combat generation of drug resistance in patients.

Molecular; Antibiotic; Resistance; Salmonella Typhi.

LARBONG M. R.*¹, DASHAK D. A. 1, FAWOLE C.¹ ,

SHAHEED A.¹ AND NDAKS B.I.¹

Department of Chemistry

University of Jos

Roselar1987@gmail.com

Increase in rate of industrial and agricultural activities lead to an increase in concentration of organic contaminant. Plants especially aquatic plants have been shown to play important role in contaminated site through their active and passive circulation of contaminants in a remediation processes. In this research, Sampling was done for Pistiastratiotes being one of the dominant aquatic plant in the NNPC Jos depot. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were analyzed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS). Results of individual concentration of the PAHs obtain in Pistia stratiotes and water were sum up and the total concentrations of the PAH in Pistiastratiotes were 14.82 mg/kg, and 0.04 mg/l in effluent water. Thus the plant has been able to phytoextract the PAH contaminants in its system from the water, this therefore makes it an effective plant for the phytoremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated site.

Pistia Stratiotes, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS), Phytoremediation, Phytoextraction.

TYABO,S. Z.^1*, ORUKOTAN, A.A.¹ AND IJAH, U. J. J.²  

¹Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Science,

Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.

²Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology,Minna,

Niger State, Nigeria

.*Author of Correspondence: Email: zainab25042@yahoo.com

Bacteria were isolated from automobile workshops in Kaduna, Nigeria and screened for potential to utilize spent lubricating oil (SLO) using the minimal salt medium (MSM). The frequency of occurrence of the bacterial isolates confirmed Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Acinetobacter haemolyticus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the most frequently occurring isolates. Two bacteria isolates were selected as the best degraders with OD values of 1.812 and 1.732 respectively after screening for 21 days. Molecular analysis confirmed the best degraders to be Pseudomonas aeruginosa MF105 and Chronobacter sakazakii MBG3 and were used to construct a consortium. An experiment was setup for bioremediation, with the consortium and individual treatments of Pseudomonas aeruginosa MF105 and Chronobacter sakazakii MBG3. There was a general increase in bacterial count for all the treatments with the consortium having a higher bacterial count. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 1.20 x 107 to 2.36 x 107 cru/g while the hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria ranged from 5.3 x 103 to 12.4 x 103 cfu/g. The consortium of the two isolates was most effective in oil bioremediation by increasing microbial activities and enhancing SLO degradation from the soil by 29.83%, while Pseudomona aeruginosa MF105 and Chronobacter sakazakii MBG3 individually degraded 28.75% and 26.03% of SLO respectively. GC-MS showed a significant decrease in alkane constituents of the residual oil after 84 days. The correlation analysis showed that there was significant difference in the mean values for the microbial counts among treatments and hydrocarbon degradation. Thus bacteria isolates from automobile workshops are recommended for restruction of spent lubricating oil polluted soil in the tropics.

SPENT LUBRICATING OIL (SLO), BIOREMEDIATION, BACTERIA, CONSORTIUM.

1. ADEPOJU, A. T., ²OLUWAFISOYE, P. A. AND ³ARUNA, O.T.

¹Department of Physics

Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

²Department of Education Training and Inspectorate,

Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Samonda Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

^2,3Physics Research Group

Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Samonda Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

*E-mail: bayolastic@gmail.com,

All electrical coils dissipate heat when operated – a situation which is expected due to eddy current. It is therefore pertinent to maintain this heat at its minimum and check coils against permanent damage due to overheating. Presented in this paper is the development and implementation of a controller circuitry (device) that is capable of achieving automatic operation with any 220 Volt, 2.5 horsepower liquid pump. The controller is equally capable of monitoring heat within the coil windings and switching the pump from state-to-state to prevent damage to the winding (coils). The controller would allow the pump to come “ON” if and only if the water level is below a preset lower limit and the temperature of the coil winding is below 10% its rated upper limit. If either condition is not met, the controller keeps the pump “OFF” to prolong its life and prevent wastage. This process is carried out several times until the liquid level rises to a preset upper limit.

ARDUINO, MICROCONTROLLER, BIASING, COIL.

^1* OSHOMOH E.O. AND ¹BECKY OBINYAN OKOBIEBI

¹Department of Science Laboratory Technology

Faculty of Life Sciences

University of Benin, Benin City. Edo State.

Corresponding Author’s email: emmanuel.oshomoh@uniben.

The study was carried out to determine the phytochemical content antimicrobial activity and mineral composition of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf)and Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) stems. Bitter leaf and scent leaf stem were bought from New Benin market, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The two plant samples were washed, chopped into pieces, sun dried and milled into powder. A weight of 65 g of each ground sample was transferred into clean containers and 650 ml of distilled water added to each and shaken every 1 hr for 10 minutes for 2 days. Fifty grams of each plant sample was weighed into separate clean containers and 500 ml of ethanol added and shaken for 10 minutes over a 24 hour period. Both water and ethanolic extracts were filtered separately using a clean muslin cloth, and concentrated in a water bath set at 80 ⁰C. Phytochemical screening was carried ground plant samples of V. amygdalina and O. gratissimum to ascertain the quantity of plant secondary metabolites. The antimicrobial activity tests revealed that the aqueous extract of both plants were most effective at the concentration of 75 mg∕ml, which inhibited all microorganisms tested. The zones of inhibition of the aqueous extract of bitter leaf stem on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae ranged from 9.1±1.2 to 19.3±1.8 while those of the fungi Penicilium chrysogenum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ranged from 10.0±0.2 to 16.0±0.6 mm. The zone of inhibition of the aqueous extract of scent leaf stem on E. coli, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae ranged from 11.0±0.6 to 17.7±0.9 mm, while the fungi, P. chrysogenum and S. cerevisiae exhibited inhibition zones ranging from 9.3±1.7 to 16.0±0.5 mm. The ethanolic extracts of both plants had higher antimicrobial activities at the various concentrations compared the aqueous extracts. Bitter leaf and scent leaf stems contained adequate amount of copper, iron, phosphorus, total nitrogen and zinc. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and phenol in both plant extracts. The result indicated that both plant extracts had bacterial and antifungal effects on the test organisms, showing that they contain active ingredients which can help remedy infectious diseases caused by these organisms.

SECONDARY METABOLITES, MINERAL CONTENTS, ANTIBACTERIAL, ANTIFUNGAL.

AFOLABI T.A.^(A) AND AGUNBIADE F.O.^(B)

^(a)Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology,

Federal Ministry of Science and Technology,

Samonda Sango/U.I, Ibadan,Oyo State, Nigeria.

lekeafo1@gmail.com

^(b)Department of Chemistry

Faculty of Sciences

University of Lagos

Akoka, Lagos.

foagunbiade@gmail.com

Lead is one of the major components of bullets and other explosives used by security agents. There are however limited reports of the metal pollutions in the environment where these materials are used particularly area like shooting range in Nigeria. This study therefore evaluates metal pollution in a shooting range at Owode - Ajilete area of Yewa South Local Government, Ogun State. Samples of soil were randomly and systematically collected at 0-15cm and 15-30cm and were analysed for Co, Cr, Cd and Pb after wet oxidation with 2M HNO₃ using Flame Atomic Spectrophotometer (Bulk Scientific model 210 VGP). The results obtained showed that Co was not detected in the samples. The distribution of metals in the site follows the order Pb>Cr>Cd>Co. The predominance of Pb in high concentration in the site is evidence of pollution from shooting activity. The deposit of Pb was very high in the soil samples in the site. The concentration was within the range of below detectable limit to 95,000mg/kg which is an indication of the negative effects of the bullets used in the shooting range on the environment. The highest Pb content was obtained at the area where bullet drops with dispersion downstream and upstream. A higher concentration of the Pb metal in the bottom sample compared to the top was witnessed which implies that the lead is percolating and leached into the lower soil level and may make it more bioavailable to deep rooted plants. This study therefore reports negative metal impact of the shooting range on the ecosystem and the agricultural practice on the areas neighbouring the shooting should be discontinued for safety of lives.

Shooting Range; Metal Pollution; Lead

1. GUSHIT, J. S., AND ²NVAU, J. B.

¹Department of Science Laboratory Technology,

University of Jos, Nigeria.

and

²Department of Chemistry, Plateau State University (PSU),

Bokkos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

Corresponding author’s email: johngushit@yahoo.com

The extraction and purification of ‘Ultramine’ to obtain the 2,4-D standard using relevant analytical techniques was carried out. This was necessitated by the difficulties encountered and delays suffered in importing the standards for laboratory analysis. A known volume of the ‘ultramine’ was diluted with 100ml of CH₃OH and shaken thoroughly until a homogenous solution was obtained. This was evaporated and the residue kept undisturbed for 12-15hrs. A solid crystals of 2,4-D was obtained by subjecting the solids through crystallization and recrystalization techniques using acetone as the solvent. The thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the crystals showed a single spot which correspond to that of 2,4-D from the literature. Similarly, the melting point (MP) of the crystal was determined and was found to be within the limits of MP for pure 2,4-D. The GCMS spectra of the sample obtained showed a single absorption peak area with 100% resolution which confirmed that a standard 2,4-D was obtained and can be used as standards for any analytical studies.

2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, ultramine, herbicide, standards