Different DNA extraction protocols are evaluated for DNA isolation from various samples. In our study we compared three DNA extraction methods; a Chelex resin (C100), Qiagen DNA extraction kit and Cethyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) protocols obtained from dry collected materials of Urophora cuspidata and Urophora macrura (Diptera: Tephritidae) samples. Although, the hihgest yield of DNA was obtained from C100 method, the purest DNA was obtained with Qiagen protocol. Using RAPD-PCR, we demonstrate the efficacy of Qiagen protocol on these samples collected up to 6 years ago.

A common weed, Euphorbia hirta L. has been studied for its antibacterial activity with special reference to reversal of antibiotic resistance. Preliminary studies with aqueous and ethanolic extract of the inflorescence corroborated the antibacterial efficacy of the plant as already reported but reversal of antibiotic resistance is a new report by our group. Pseudomonas and E. coli were chosen for the study and of the two,Pseudomonas reveals much clear picture of reversal of resistance against both the chosen antibiotics tetracycline and chloramphenicol. We have presented a photographic evidence of bioautographic study on the ethanolic extract of E. hirta L. on the above two bacterial genera which is reported here for the first time. E. Hirta L. is a promising medicinal plant that can be further studied as a drug resistance modifier and can be used in conjunct with antibiotics for effective control of multidrug resistant bacterial infections.

The study evaluated the effect of fluazifop-p-butyl on the kidney and liver electrolytes of Clarias gariepinus. Adult fish sample was purchased from biotechnology resource centre, Odi, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The fishes were transported to the wet laboratory of the Department of Fisheries and Animal Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Adult Clarias gariepinus were exposed in various concentrations of the toxicants (0.00, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03ppm) in a 30 day semi static bioassay. Thereafter, the fish was dissected and kidney and liver obtained. They were processed and analyzed using standard protocol. The electrolytes in the kidney and liver were respectively observed in the range of 0.02 – 0.15mmol/L and 0.10 – 0.15mmol/L (calcium), 3.90 – 13.10 mmol/L and 3.40 – 5.51mmol/L (potassium) and 65.50 – 150.00mmol/L and 61.00 – 177.50 mmol/L (sodium). The result trend showed significant decline and elevation of potassium content in the kidney and liver respectively. The sodium content showed significant decline in the liver and fluctuation in the kidney. While the calcium content showed significant fluctuation in both kidney and liver of the fish. The study found that electrolytes are useful parameter in determining the sublethal effect of fluazifop-p-butyl on potential non-target organism in the aquatic ecosystem.

The use of ameliorative antioxidant potentials of some selected antioxidant supplements in the management of fluoride toxicity on adult male Wistar rats’ fecundity was investigated. Thirty-six adult male albino rats were divided into 6 groups. Group I (positive control) received oral dose of normal feed and water for 4 weeks and 6 weeks, Group II (negative control) sodium fluoride (10mg/kg) body weight (b.w), Group III received sodium fluoride (10mg/kg) + selenium(0.5mg/kg) b.w, Group IV sodium fluoride (10mg/kg) + zinc (14.8mg/kg) b.w, Group V sodium fluoride (10mg/kg) + ginseng (10mg/kg) b.w, Group VI sodium fluoride (10mg/kg) + vitamin E (100mg/kg) b.w. At the end of the 4th and 6th week, hormone assay: (testosterone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, sperm quality analysis: morphology, motility, abnormality, sluggishness, deadness and sperm count) were analysed. Result showed that Group 11 had a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the sperm quality parameters and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the hormone parameters compared to the positive control group. However, there was no significant difference in the sperm sluggishness parameter after 4 weeks and 6 weeks and also no significant difference in the sperm abnormality parameter after 4 weeks. Testicular examination of group 11(Sodium fluoride only) showed necrosis, epithelial apoptosis, and atrophied seminiferous tubules. Concomitant administration of sodium fluoride +selenium, sodium fluoride + zinc, sodium fluoride + ginseng, and sodium fluoride + vitamin E respectively showed a significant reversal of the toxic effect of NaF on the treated animals and this corroborated with the histology results of the testes. The result showed that sodium fluoride induced severe toxic changes in the male reproductive system while these supplements provided partial and complete amelioration against these toxic effects.

Biosurfactants are surface active compounds that reduce the surface and interfacial tension between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid. They are produced from a variety of microorganisms such as bacteria. This study focused on the extraction of the biosurfactants produced by bacteria isolated from waste oil contaminated soil. Four different waste oil-contaminated soil samples (Designated Samples A-D) were collected from mechanic sites and filling stations within Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi State, Nigeria and these were analyzed in the Microbiology Laboratory Unit of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki using standard microbiological procedures. Twelve bacterial isolates were isolated from the waste oil-contaminated soil and were then tested for biosurfactant production using different techniques which included oil spreading test, emulsification test and blood haemolysis test. Out of the twelve bacterial isolates, six were found to produce biosurfactants. They were identified as Pseudomonas spp (4 strains), Bacillus sp and Staphylococcus spp. The Pseudomonas species were isolated from samples A, B, C and D, the Bacillus specie was from sample B and the Staphylococcus spp were from A and D. The result of their emulsification test showed that Pseudomonas b had the highest emulsification index (E), E24 in fuel (60.00%), followed by Pseudomonas a (50.00%). In kerosene, Pseudomonas a and Pseudomonas d had the highest E24 (47.50%), while in vegetable oil, Bacillus sp, Pseudomonas a and Pseudomonas b had the highest E24 (50.00%). Also, in paraffin oil, Pseudomonas a showed the highest E24 (71.43%) followed by Staphylococcus sp and Pseudomonas b (50.00%). The result of the oil spreading test showed that Pseudomonas d had the highest ODA (2.27cm2). This was followed by Pseudomonas and Pseudomonas c (1.77cm2) whereas Pseudomonas b had the least ODA (0.07cm2). Out of the six isolates, only three showed haemolytic activity (Pseudomonas b, d and Staphylococcus). The results showed that Pseudomonas represents a good candidate for the production of the biosurfactant when grown in both nutrient broth (NB) and mineral salt medium (MSM) supplemented with 2% glucose. The biosurfactants produced were extracted by centrifugation. Biosurfactant from Pseudomonas b had the highest weight (18.9g), followed by Pseudomonas a (18.8g) while that of Staphylococcus had the least weight (15.2g). The study was carried out on a small scale and if biosurfactant can be produced in large quantity, it can play an important role in the petroleum industry as well as in the bioremediation of oil-contaminated sites.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of commercial extracts of Salvia officinalis L. against Coliformes spp., Pseudomonas spp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Zygosaccharomyces bailii and Lactobacillus plantarum. Antimicrobial activity of extracts was investigated on the basis of Inhibition zones (IZ) measurement by Agar well diffusion method at concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 ppm. Extracts exhibited IZ between 0 and 4.3 mm against the five tested microorganisms. Maximum inhibition (4.3 mm) was shown by 10 ppm of this oil against Z. baillii, while 100 ppm was inactive against Coliforms spp. and Z. baillii. Coli forms spp, Z. baillii and Pseudomonas spp. were more sensitive to the oil than S. cereviceaeand L. plantarum.

Antibiotics underpin modern medicine; their use has reduced childhood mortality and increased life expectancy, and they are crucial for invasive surgery and treatments such as chemotherapy. However, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance has become a problem of public health concern both in developed and developing countries. There are different mechanisms by which bacteria are either intrinsically resistant or acquire resistance to available antimicrobials. These include prevention of access to drug targets, changes in the structure and protection of antibiotic targets, direct modification or inactivation of antibiotics, mutagenesis of key amino acids in the macromolecular targets of specific chemotherapeutics, or drug efflux from the cell, among others. All these mechanisms are encoded by several genes and other genetic elements, many of which can transfer between bacteria. Also, new resistance mechanisms are constantly being described, and new genes and vectors of transmission are identified on a regular basis. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in bacteria of public health importance including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae and Neisseria gonorrhea.

Proximate composition of two freshwater fish species (Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus), caught from River Rima were examined. The results revealed variation in nutrient composition, crude protein content ranged from 17.95 to 35.44% in flesh, bones and heads. arias gariepinus has the highest moisture content of 22.5% than Oreochromis niloticus with 9.50% in flesh parts. Clarias gariepinus has the highest crude protein of 35.44%. The study provides valuable information of Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus status on their proximate composition.

Plants are reservoirs of different kinds of phytochemicals used for treatment of infections and other diseases. This study was aimed at evaluating the phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) seeds against some selected bacteria. Water and ethanol were used to obtain the extracts and they were analyzed for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins and saponins. Out of the phytochemicals screened, only saponins were not detected in both aqueous and ethanolic extract. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were selected for antibiotic susceptibility testing. Antibacterial activity revealed that S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa were most susceptible to the extracts at concentrations ranging from 6.25mg/ml to 50mg/ml. Klebsiella pneumoniae was observed to be resistant especially to the ethanolic extract. Largest zone of inhibition (8 mm) was produced against P. aeruginosa using aqueous extract at 50mg/ml. Higher concentrations were generally efficacious than the lower concentration whereas, ciprofloxacin (control) exert better activity than either of the extracts. Results for the MIC and MBC suggest that the constituents of the extract could be bactericidal as they were in close range. The findings of this study showed that seeds of C. lanatus contained bioactive compounds with potent antibacterial activity and thus could be used as herbal preparations just as the other parts of the plant.

Green Computing is one of the emerging concept and practice towards design and development and maintenance of computing and information system which are eco friendly, releases less harmful material and chemical and based on less carbon [CO2] emission. Green Computing is the practice of using computing resources efficiently. Green Computing can facilitate safe, secure place and improved environment all over in the world. Virtually Global temperature is increasing day by day and Electronic goods are many ways responsible for such; hence technologist and scientists are dedicated to building sustainable electronic product and system worldwide. This paper is talks about Green Computing including its nature and feature and requirement. Paper highlighted the bad side of Electronic and Computing goods and side by side possibilities to overcome such Electronic Goods.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes, family Pontederiaceae) is extremely productive plant present on the earth and could be considered as the world’s worst aquatic plant and hence known as “Blue Devil”. It is a high water consumer plant, and has a horrible dense mats of floating green blocks. Water hyacinth causes numerous negative effects on aquatic ecosystems; as well as boat traffic, offset swimming, fishing. Moreover it covers the water column and submerged plants from sunlight. On contrary, water hyacinth is considered a candidate plant for tremendous advantages in economical industries and contaminated water treatment. Other than, it has wide acceptance in phytoremediation and it is considered as a good agent for bioaccumulation of heavy metals. In the same manner, it can be used in cleaning water streams from radionuclides. This article will present state-of-the art research and experimentation in the development of new concept and new applications of water hyacinth as a biological remediating agent for hazardous pollutants including radioactive wastes. This review will cover remediation application of water hyacinth and testing of new approaches developed in laboratories that could be more attractive for readers including students, chemists, molecular scientists and industrial researchers.

Antibiotics have always been considered one of the wonderful discoveries of the 20th century. Their use as effective antibacterial agents was however short-lived, as bacteria started developing resistance almost as soon as the agents were discovered. The worrisome growth of antibiotic resistance is blamed primarily on the misuse and overuse of the agents in human and agricultural settings. This study was carried out to identify common bacterial species in hospital wastewater and to determine their pattern of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Grab samples were collected from the general wastewater channel of The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri. The bacterial isolates identified were E. coli, S. enterica, P. aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, V. cholerae, M. morganii, Proteus vulgaris and C. fruendii. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was assayed using the Modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Resistance was highest with Nalidixic Acid (100%) and lowest with Ciprofloxacin and Streptomycin (20% each). Others include Ceporex and Ampicillin (88% each), Tarivid, Gentamycin and Septrin (50% each), Reflacine (63%) and Augmentin (75%). Out of all the antibiotics used, E. coli showed 100% resistance whereas M. morganii was susceptible to all the antibiotics except Gentamycin and Erythromycin. It was found that, except for M. morganii, all the isolates were multi drug resistant suggesting that they have been well exposed to antibiotics and thus, developed multi resistance. This emphasizes the need for surveillance on trends in antibiotic resistance and development of alternative therapy to tackle antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa Lin. (Nigella sativa L.) on Serum Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Uric Acid concentration (mg/dl) in patients suffering from Diabetes mellitus type 2 compared to normal) human beings. Methods: Nigella sativa was selected to estimate its effect on Serum Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Uric Acid in diabetics and normal (control) human beings. Previous workers, fed 2gm/day Nigella sativa L. as crushed seed with meals. The present study continued for 42 days and serum samples were collected on Day 01, Day 28 and day 42. The above parameters were estimated by using enzymatic kits through spectrophotometry. Results: The results revealed significant decrease(P<0.05) in Serum Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Uric Acid in diabetics on Day 28 and the decrease further increased on Day 42 as compared to Day 01, or with control individuals. The Nigella sativa Lin. did not show any significant effect on any of the above parameters in normal individuals. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Nigella sativa L. can be safely substituted allopathic treatment of diabetics to manage the disease with beneficial effect on its dislipidemic and uricemic complications.

Anaerobic sludge digestion is still one of the most widely sustainable applications which are used for sludge reduction and energy production. In the present study, the effect of different Zero-Valent Iron (ZVI) sources on enhancing biogas production from anaerobic sludge digestion was evaluated. Three different ZVI sources were examined, namely, ZVI powder, ZVI non-rusty scrap, and ZVI rusty scrap. The results showed that with increasing ZVI powder concentrations from 0 g/l (Control) to 15g/l, CH4 production increased from 1.27 M CH4/gVSS ( for the control) to 2.3 M CH4/gVSS (i.e. 82% increase). While with using 15g/l ZVI scrap (either non-rusty or rusty), CH4 production increased up to 2.45 and 2.7 M CH4/gVSS respectively), which Indicates the possibility of using other cheap ZVI alternatives such as Iron Scrap. The results have confirmed, by using methyl fluoride (CH3F), that supplying anaerobic digestion process with ZVI stimulates the activity of hydrogenotrophic methanogens rather than acetolastic methanogens.

In Nigeria, efforts are being made to boost the agricultural sectors that the country once neglected. Oil palm is one notable area that Nigeria can produce and provide millions of job. Nigeria oil palm industry is dominated by smallholders and to lesser extent semi-mechanized and mechanized processors. Smallholders and semi-mechanized palm oil processors account for about 95% of the total domestic production. For effective production, the role of the drivers is essential. These include farmers, processors, marketers/consumers and equipment fabricators. For Nigeria to be able to increase her share of domestic production reduces importation and produce palm oil with improved quality, the challenges of the drivers need to be addressed. The study concludes by suggesting techniques through which the challenges of the drivers can be overcomed.