Bacteriological Evaluation of Nigerian Paper Currency (Naira Notes) Circulating In Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Generally, the contamination of currencies with various microbial species is increasingly being reported. This usually results from improper handling during exchange of goods, services and certain environmental factors. This study on the bacteriological evaluation of the Nigerian paper currency (Naira notes) circulating in Owerri, Imo State was carried out with the aim of evaluating the prevalence of bacteria contaminants of Nigerian currency notes in circulation. A total of One hundred and twenty (120) Naira notes of ₦5, ₦10, ₦20, ₦50, ₦100, ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1000 denominations were collected in separate polythene bags from traders, students, hawkers, meat sellers, food vendors, taxi drivers, keke drivers and banks for the study. The notes were chosen on the basis of denominations and physical appearance (Mint, Neat, dirty, very dirty and mutilated). Each of the notes was inserted into a sterile bottle containing 10mls of distilled water and allowed to stand for twenty minutes. Double dilution of the solution was inoculated into Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Mannitol Salt agar and Salmonella and Shigella agar for viable counts. Further identification of the bacteria was carried out using standard morphological and biochemical tests. The data from this study were subjected to statistical analysis using percentage, charts and anova. The result from the analysis showed that, 82 (68.33%) out of the 120 samples evaluated were contaminated. The study showed that dirty naira notes are potential routes for bacteriological disease transmission to man during handling and constitutes a public health risk. Therefore, the appropriate authorities should embark on public enlightenment campaign targeted at the handlers and associated risks.

BACTERIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF LOCALLY PRODUCED SOYBEAN MILK

Soybean milk is a regular beverage commonly sold across the streets and markets in Nigeria and beyond. The demand for soybean milk is fast growing due to its affordability and similarity to dairy milk, including its health benefits. However, there is a growing concern about the public health-related issues associated with this artisanal products production, storage, and distribution. The primary objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the bacteriological composition of the locally produced soybean milk commonly consumed in the Kogi state of Nigeria. The samples for the study were collected from vendors in different locations of the state. The analysis was conducted on the samples using established standard procedures. The result found certain microorganisms such as Micrococcus spp, Lactobacillus spp, Streptococcus spp, Enterobacter spp, Klebsiella spp, and other fungi, which comprises Aspergillus spp and Saccharomyces. The study concludes that the soybean milk consumed in the study parameter was mainly contaminated with varying bacteria.

New Trimethoprim-Like Molecules: Bacteriological Evaluation and Insights into Their Action

This work reports a detailed characterization of the antimicrobial profile of two trimethoprim-like molecules (compounds 1a and 1b) identified in previous studies. Both molecules displayed remarkable antimicrobial activity, particularly when combined with sulfamethoxazole. In disk diffusion assays on Petri dishes, compounds 1a and 1b showed synergistic effects with colistin. Specifically, in combinations with low concentrations of colistin, very large increases in the activities of compounds 1a and 1b were determined, as demonstrated by alterations in the kinetics of bacterial growth despite only slight changes in the fractional inhibitory concentration index. The effect of colistin may be to increase the rate of antibiotic entry while reducing efflux pump activity. Compounds 1a and 1b were susceptible to extrusion by efflux pumps, whereas the inhibitor phenylalanine arginyl β-naphthylamide (PAβN) exerted effects similar to those of colistin. The interactions between the target enzyme (dihydrofolate reductase), the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and the studied molecules were explored using enzymology tools and computational chemistry. A model based on docking results is reported.

ASSESSMENT OF SAFETY OF APPLICATION OF POLYMER MATERIAL «PENOPLEX» IN LIVESTOCK

The article presents data on veterinary and sanitary and hygienic assessment of the polymer material «Penoplex». The above material is made of Styrofoam and used in many areas of production, including to reduce heat loss of livestock facilities. Cattle and pig manure was used as a contact medium with the material under study. The duration of contact with the material (exposure) was 30 days. To study the resistance of the material to disinfectants, we used: 10 % sodium hydroxide solution (80 °C); 5 % solution of soda ash (70 °C); clarified solution of bleach containing 3 % active chlorine; 40 % solution of formaldehyde; 2 % solution of hydrogen peroxide. Studies of samples of the polymer material «Penoplex» for resistance to animal secretions and disinfectants have shown that the polymer material is resistant to them. During the experiment and after its completion, the «Penoplex» material had no visually visible changes on the outer layer. The used disinfectants and the model environment did not violate the structure of the polymer material «Penoplex». A slight change in the color of the «Penoplex» was found on the 20th day of exposure to 10 % solution of sodium hydroxide with temperature of 70 °C. For sanitary and bacteriological evaluation of «Penoplex», the disk method was used. Discs with a diameter of 10 mm were prepared from the material under study; wood discs were used as a control. Studies have found that Penoplex has no effect on sanitary-indicative microorganisms and is neutral in relation to their growth, which indicates the absence of release of substances from it into the environment that can delay or stimulate the growth of test cultures. The veterinary and sanitary and hygienic assessment of the polymer material «Penoplex» is the basis to recommend it for use in the construction of livestock buildings and inclusion as an addition to the current «List of polymer materials and structures permitted for use in the construction and technological equipment of livestock facilities» in the prescribed manner.

Seasonal Variety on Bacteriological Evaluation of Borehole Waters in Orumba South Local Government Area in Anambra State

Aims: This study was carried out to determine the seasonal variety on physico-chemical and bacteriological evaluation of Borehole waters. Place and Duration of Study: 10 selected borehole tanks in 5 different towns were collected from five towns from (ORS) Orumba South L. G. A; (Umunze, Onneh, Nawfija, Isulo and Ezira) in Anambra State, with one hundred and twenty samples each in both dry season (December, January, February) as January (peak of dry season) and rainy season (May, June, July) as June (peak of rainy season) within 2018. Methodology: A total of one hundred and twenty water samples were analyzed. (1) ml of water sample was added to 10 ml single strength of the Lactose fermentation broth and serially diluted. The isolated bacterial isolates were identified using their morphological characteristics, biochemical tests, microscopical and molecular characteristics. The DNA was extracted from the identified isolates and analyzed by 16S rRNA. The bacteria isolated from the studied water samples were identified to be Bacillus subtilis (BTC), Escherichia coli (RSS), klebsiella aerogenes (TSS) and staphylococcus aureus (GY), PC – Providencia stuartii, BCD – Bacillus toyonensis, FY- Bacillus spp and ANT – Proteus spp. Frequency rate of occurrence in percentage for the isolates in dry and rainy seasons in ORS L. G. A were determined and for removal of all the isolates were within the WHO limit of 0.08ct (mg.min L-1) by the use of chlorine solution. Confirmatory profile on bacteriological in chlorine treated borehole water samples was determined. Results: The highest TCC was recorded for sample 10 which was 27 MPN/100ml estimated during rainy season against (TCC) recorded for samples 10 which was 22 MPN/100ml during dry season. Out of eight isolates, Escherichia coli had the highest rate frequency of occurrence of 70% in rainy season against dry season. All the isolates 1 to 8 range from (0.01ct) (mg.min L-1) to (0.06ct (mg.min L-1) all the values were within the WHO recommended limit for water purity. The confirmatory test on sample locations form ORS 1 to ORS 10 for total coliform count in chlorine treated borehole water samples by most probable number estimation revealed that all the samples were within the WHO permissible limit of 0.00MPN/100ml. Conclusions: Chlorine solution may have proven to be the cheaper and better solution for achieving water purity in boreholes water.