July 2015

Phytochemical screening and biological activities of Garcinia kola (bark, leaves and seeds) collected in Benin

Garcinia kola is a tropical plant which grows in moist forest. It seeds are edible and are consumed for their multiple property. This study aimed at making phytochemical screening and evaluating some biological activities of G. kola organs (bark, leaves and seeds) extracts. The selected organs powdered were used for phytochemical screening and extractions. The antibacterial activity was tested on 10 references strains...

Author(s): Durand Dah-Nouvlessounon, Farid Baba-Moussa, Adolphe Adjanohoun, Haziz Sina, Pacôme A. Noumavo, Hubert Adoukonou-Sagbadja, Nafan Diarrassouba, Christine N’tcha, François S. Anago and Lamine Baba-Moussa

July 2015

Evaluation of bacteriological quality and essential elements in commercially bottled/packaged water produced and marketed in Southeastern Nigeria

The bacteriological quality and levels of essential mineral elements and organic acids were evaluated in 33 randomly selected bottled/packaged water samples produced and marketed in Southeastern Nigeria. The microbiological assay, essential mineral elements and organic acids were determined using American Public Health Association (APHA) standard methods. The distinguishing characteristics of the microorganisms...

Author(s): Onoja Uwakwe Simon, Nweze, Innocent Emeka, Agbo Matthias Onyebuchi, Nnamani Petra Obioma, Eke Felicia Nkechi, Ivoke Njoku, Eyo Joseph Ekpenyong,  Attama Chinedu  Ifeanyi and Ejere Vincent Chikwendu

July 2015

Optimization of bioprocess for enhanced production of alkaline protease by a Bacillus subtilis SHmIIIa through Plackett-Burman design

Optimal conditions for the maximum production of alkaline protease by Bacillus subtilis SHmIIIa were evaluated by Plackett-Burman design. Nine process parameters namely, pH, temperature, agitation, inoculum, glucose, peptone, KH2PO4, FeSO4 and tween 20 at two levels were selected for the design. Out of nine selected parameters, six parameters (pH 9.75, agitation 225 rpm, inoculum 3.5%, glucose 5.5 g/L, peptone 3.5 g/L...

Author(s): S. Jeevan Chandra, P. Pallavi, B. S. Anuradha and S. Ram Reddy

July 2015

Virulence factors expressed by Mycobacterium ulcerans strains: Results of a descriptive study

Mycobacterium ulcerans is a slow-growing mycobacterium responsible for Buruli ulcer. The pathogenic virulence of MU is being linked to the expression of toxin called Mycolactone, whose form varies according to the origin of the productive strains. Forms A and B are secreted by African and Malaysian strains, C by Australian strains and D by Asian strains. Forms E and F of mycolactone are secreted by animal mycolactone...

Author(s): AKA N’guetta, KAKOU-NGAZOA E. Solange, COULIBALY N. D.,  VAKOU Sabine, KOUADIO Kouamé, AOUSSI Serge, KADIO M. Constance, KOUAKOU Hélène, AKE Julien, N’GUESSAN Raymond and DOSSO  Mireille

July 2015

Prevalence of Brucella antibodies in marketed cow milk in Benue State, Nigeria

Brucellosis is an endemic disease in the animal population in Nigeria and of great public health importance, particularly among livestock owners and workers who are ignorant of the risk of Brucella infection. A total of 102 milk samples comprising 62 from cattle herds and 40 from milk vendors in Benue State, Nigeria were screened for Brucella antibodies by the milk ring test (MRT). The herds for the study were randomly...

Author(s): Daniel Douglas Ior, and Cornelius Chijioke Chukwu