ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS AND ESSENTIAL OIL OF SPICES (Lemon grass and Holy basil) ON SELECTED HUMAN PATHOGENS

Afuape A.O., Osifeso O.O., and Adewunmi A.R

Department of Science Laboratory Technology,

Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere Abeokuta.

E-mail: afuapeolajumoke@yahoo.com

Abstract: Aim is to ascertain the effectiveness of lemon grass and holy basil extracts with their essential oils against five human pathogens. The ethanol extracts and essential oils were screened against four gram-negative organisms viz: E.coli, klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, and one gram- positive organism viz: Staphylococcus aureus. Essential oils were obtained through steam distillation. The MIC/MBC of extracts was tested using agar dilution method at 50/100mg/ml concentrations each, active component of the oils were tested by photochemical screening. Essential oils of the species showed antibacterial activity on all pathogens but significant activity shown similarly on both Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus followed by E. coli and Klebsiella pneumonia while Shigella dysenteriae showed least inhibitory activity. Although ethanolic extracts and oil of both spices showed promising antibacterial activity on all pathogens, the broadest activity was verified on their essential oils; being good preservative, can also be good sources of antibacterial agents.

AN EVALUATION OF STUDENTS PERCEPTION OF HOSPITALITY AS A CAREER CHOICE IN NIGERIA

Muntari Ado Matazu

Department of Food Science Catering and Hotel Management

College of Science and Technology Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic Katsina, Nigeria

E-mail: adomukhtar@gmail.com

Abstract: The students’ perception of hospitality is expected to move from negativity to positivity. To date the enrolment into hospitality and related courses are still debatable and below expectation. This study examines and evaluates the effect of personality traits, socio-economic status and employment status on choosing hospitality as a career with the aim of finding solutions to why students develop negative perception of hospitality programme and to improve students’ enrolment into hospitality and related programme. After reviewing related literature, a questionnaire was prepared and distributed to 200 students, out of which 60% were from hospitality courses and 40% from hospitality related courses. The participants were selected through purposive random sampling. The data collected were analyzed using mixed strategy i.e. quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis. In conclusion, the results of the study showed that the effect of personality traits and employment status have a strong influence on students’ negative perception of hospitality while socio-economic status has mild influence. The research finds students positive perception due to five motivational factors as provided by the industry. The motivational factors include self-actualisation, job opportunity, field attractiveness, ease of study and scholastic achievement. On the other side the study also out line some of the reasons for negative perception as long hours out of the normal work schedule and relatively low pay, low status, low employee retention, job dissatisfaction, poor employment conditions and absence of motivating factors and high turnover that appear common in the industry as the major causes of setback in the industry.

EFFICACY OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA A. JUSS LEAF AQUEOUS EXTRACT AGAINST BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM THE GUTS OF IXODID TICKS IN MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA.

¹Biu A. A., ²Gulani I. A., ¹Nkechi O. P., ³Jajere S. M., ²Yakaka W., ¹Zango M. K. and ³Mustapha F. B.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

²Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

³Department of Veterinary Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

E-mail:  biuvet@yahoo.com

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of Azadirachta indica leaf aqueous extract against the bacterial isolates from the gut of ixodid ticks of small ruminants viz Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus spp. and Amblyomma spp. in Maiduguri Metropolis, Nigeria. Four bacteria were isolated from these ticks comprising three Gram positive: Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Corynebacterium spp. and one Gram negative: Proteus spp. The efficacy of the leaf extract at various concentrations of 1000mg/ml, 800mg/ml, 600mg/ml, 400mg/ml and 200mg/ml, was compared with standard antibiotics using disk diffusion methods on Mueller – Hinton Agar (Oxoid^®). In both tests, the diameter of the inhibition zones were measured in millimeters and recorded. No zone of inhibition was observed for all concentrations of the tested extract among the bacteria isolates. However, the antimicrobial sensitivity testing revealed highest inhibitory zones of 30mm each on ciprofloxacin by Corynebacterium spp., and Proteus spp. and by Streptococcus spp. on augmentin  Complete resistance was observed with Cotrimoxazole, Cloxacillin and Clindamycin and pockets of partial resistance with Erythromycin and Cefraxone for the Gram positive isolates. In conclusion, this study revealed that the aqueous extract of A. indica leaf was not effective against bacteria isolated from hard ticks of small ruminants in Maiduguri.

COMMON NON-ARTICULAR SYNDROMES AMONG NIGERIANS

¹Oguntona S.A., ²Adelowo O.O. and ¹Edunjobi S.A.

¹Rheumatology Unit Department of Medicine Olabisi Onabanjo University Sagamu,Ogun State. Nigeria

²Arthrimed Specialist Clinic Ikeja, Lagos

E- mail- oguntonasa@yahoo.com

Abstract: Background- non-articular pain syndrome forms a broad spectrum of health problems. Most of the conditions are poorly defined according to diagnostic criteria. The impact of these conditions on health care and society is high. Aetiological factors are poorly understood, however, many physical, psychosocial and work related factors are implicated. Lack of good knowledge on the risk factors does not allow for a good prevention strategies. Methods- this is a prospective study of all the patients seen in the rheumatology clinic over a period of three years (July 2009 – June 2012). Detailed history and examination were carried out to rule out articular problems. Those with articular disease and past history of injury or trauma to the affected joint region were excluded from the study. Results- sixty patients were diagnosed with non-articular pain syndrome out of a total of 336 that presented within the study period. Upper limb non-articular syndromes were the commonest. Generalized non-articular syndrome was predominantly found in females and the condition was positively associated with psychosocial disturbances. Conclusion- non-articular pain syndrome is very uncommon among the adolescents. Non-articular pain disorders are diagnosed based on clinical grounds. Imaging and laboratory testing is usually not necessary unless the diagnosis is in question. Most non-articular pain syndrome can be managed conservatively and rarely is surgical intervention necessary.

THE CURSE OF OIL; THE UNSPOKEN ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEVASTATION IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Ferdinand Daminabo and Owajionyi Frank

Department of Architecture, Rivers State

University of Science and Technology Npkolu, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

E-mail: ferdydaminabo@yahoo.com

Abstract: In his 2006 State of Union address, the former US President, Gorge W. Bush described America’s severe case of oil addiction. 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana, and four years later, a massive explosion occurs on the 20th of April 2010 on Transocean Deepwater Horizon rig spilling 210,000 gallons of crude every 24 hours into the sea sparking off a massive clean up with an estimated $20 billion escrow fund by shell to tackle the menace; the worst environmental disaster in US history. However, in the Niger Delta region an ecological and environmental nightmare is occurring with little or no intervention by Shell or government with total devastation to ecology and the environment with communities sacked and economic means destroyed. The Department of Petroleum Resources estimated 1.89 million barrels of petroleum were spilled into the Niger Delta between 1976 and 1996 out of a total of 2.4 million barrels spilled in 4,835 incidents (approximately 220 thousand cubic metres). A UNDP report states that there have been a total of 6,817 oil spills between 1976 and 2001, which account for a loss of three million barrels of oil, of which more than 70% was not recovered 69% of these spills occurred off-shore, a quarter was in swamps and 6% spilled on land. Some spills are caused by sabotage, however most are due to poor maintenance by oil companies such as Shell in a vast wetland of about 20,000 Km² comprising of 40 ethnic groups. This paper seeks to bring to a sharp focus the plight of devastated centres far from the Gulf of Mexico to global attention and the need to promote the use of alternative and renewable sources of energy instead of concentration in the use of fossils. While the developed countries with their relatively small population have produced most of the carbon dioxide which produces global climate change, they also have the benefits from the production of carbon dioxide and the resources to protect themselves from the consequences of the resulting climate change. The developing countries, on the other hand, with their large and rapidly growing populations, have less responsibility for causing global climate change, have received fewer benefits from the production of carbon dioxide, and have fewer resources to protect themselves from the consequences of the resulting climate change, a scenario that plays out in oil exploration and exploitation as in the Niger Delta and like Mexico requires global attention.

Keyword: Oil, Environment, Niger Delta, Nigeria

PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE DIVERSITY OF INSECTS OF HADEJIA- NGURU WETLANDS

Abubakar, M. M., Kutama, A.S. and Sulaiman, M. I.

Department of Biological Sciences

Federal University Dutse, Nigeria

E-mail: mmabubakar2005@gmail.com

Abstract: Threats to the aquatic ecosystem by human activities constitute threats to the biodiversity of such ecosystem, which affect the quality of human life in the wetland area, either directly or indirectly. The Hadejia-Nguru wetlands consist of several temporary and permanent floods and drylands. Aquatic insects and the aquatic stages of some terrestrial insects were sampled using water net, plankton net, sweep net, pitfall traps and pooters from seven locations in the wetland. Collected insects were identified using several keys. Twenty species of aquatic insects belonging to seven orders were recorded. With the highest diversity observed at Nguru Lake which is a permanent water body. The order hemiptera is the most represented taxa in the wetland. Factors such as draught, pollution, macrophyte cover, nature of substratum were implicated as affecting the diversity and species richness of the aquatic insects in the wetland. It was recommended that the present survey be extended to cover a seasonal and spatial study of the insects, as well as investigating the interaction within and between species, in order to establish vital links among insects and other organisms that inhabit the wetland.

ECONOMIC OF SNAIL REARING IN NDUKWA WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Uche Okeke

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus

E-mail: stan2kc@yahoo.com Abstract: The study analysis economics of snail rearing in Ndukwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. It considered the socio-economic characteristics of snail rearing farmers; the profitability of the enterprise, the problems associated with snail farming in the study area. It also makes recommendations based on the findings.             A total of 50 respondents from five clans in the L.G.A. were selected. A well structured questionnaire was administered to the chosen farmers. The work was analyzed using descriptive statistics and budgeting technique. The budgetary technique was used to determine the profitability of the enterprises, which was found to be profitably in the study area at a gross margin of N234,370, net farm income of N191.981.3, mean net farm income of N 3,839.6 and net return on investment of N 1.56. Constraints in snail production in decreasing magnitude were slow growth, predator attack, theft, feed availability, source of foundation stock, mortality, capital, marketing and inexperience. It was recommended that extension agents should teach farmers on improved technique in snail rearing, more research should be carried out, government should establish breeding centers, provide farmer’s with incentives and other inputs and encourage farmers to

ADSORPTION STUDIES FOR THE REMOVAL OF CU (II) AND PB (II) FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION BY LOCAL ADSORBENT USING NONLINEAR REGRESSION METHODS

Uwadiae, S. E.

Department of Chemical Engineering,

Afe Babalola University, P.M.B. 5454, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

E-mail: suwadiae@yahoo.com 

Abstract: The sorption of two divalent metal ions – copper and lead – from aqueous solution onto Ikpoba clay in single component systems has been studied. Batch adsorption study for the clay fraction was conducted at ambient temperature, using <0.02mm particle sizes. The experimental data have been analysed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, Toth and Sips isotherm models. In order to determine the best fit isotherm for each system, five error analysis methods were used to evaluate the data:  hybrid fractional error function (HYBRID), Marquardt’s percent standard deviation (MPSD), average relative error (ARE), sum of the errors squared (ERRSQ) and sum of the absolute errors (EABS). However, the sum of normalized error (SNE) was further employed in order to have a better comparison between the error functions sets for the isotherm models. The error values indicated that the Sips isotherm was able to provide the best quality of fit for all the experimental data, over the concentration range (3-6 mg/L) studied for Cu(II) with error values of 13.9609 , 0.3104, 0.0025, 2.9965, 0.1220 and 0.2111  for ARE, EABS, ERRSQ, HYBRID, MPSD and SNE respectively; while Toth isotherm gave the best quality of fit for all the experimental data, over the concentration range (20-40 mg/L) studied for Pb(II) with error values of 19.9202, 0.4070, 0.0469, 6.0984, 0.2316, 0.33072  for ARE, EABS, ERRSQ, HYBRID, MPSD and SNE respectively.

ABATTOIR SURVEY OF “PIMPLY GUT” AMONGST SLAUGHTER SMALL RUMINANTS IN DAMATURU, YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

¹Biu, A.A., ²Yakaka, W., ³Mustapha, F.B., ¹Zango, M.K., ¹Lawan, F.A. and ¹Ashraf, M. G.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

² Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

³ Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri

E-mail:  biuvet@yahoo.com

Abstract: This study was carried out using postmortem examination of sheep and goats slaughtered at the Damaturu abattoir between November, 2009 and January, 2010.  Both the small and large intestinal tracts of 400 goats and 105 sheep were examined with a prevalence of 74 (18.5%) and 23 (21.9%) respectively (p>0.05). Female and ages >6 months of both sheep and goats had a significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence of 52.2%/71.6% and 91.3%/82.4% respectively compared to the male and ages < 6 months of the same sheep and goats examined 47.8%/28.4% and 8.7%/17.6% respectively). Also, the small intestinal tracts of both sheep and goats were significantly (p<0.05) more infected having prevalence rates of 95.7% and 79.7 % compared to their large intestines with 4.3% and 20.3% respectively. Based on breed, Yankasa of sheep had a significantly higher (p<0.05) prevalence of 47.8% compared to Balami (34.8%) and Ouda (17.4%), also Kano red of goats had a significantly higher (67.6%) prevalence compared to Sahel white with 32.4%. It is concluded, that oesophagostomosis is a disease of the intestinal tracts of small ruminants in Damaturu, Nigeria.