Pour-plate Method Research Articles

COMPARISON OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIAL ISOLATES FROM VARIATIONS IN TIME FERMENTATION PROCESS OF CEMPEDAK SKIN

Cempedak is a tropical native fruit from Indonesia and can be consumed by fermenting the skin fruit using a salt solution. The results of the fermentation called Mandai. Fermentation will be successful if there is a role of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB). Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the content of LAB in Mandai and isolates when fermented at different times. This study was carried out by dilution and the Pour Plate method, identifications such as morphological identification by gram staining and biochemical test by catalase t and TSIA test. Identification of this study was the observation of clear zone around the bacteria grown on MRSA media as a selective medium for LAB plus CaCO3. In this study, 5 samples of Mandai were used with different fermentation times. The results of the LAB isolation study in Mandai showed that the longer the Mandai fermentation was carried out, the more colonies there would be. While the LAB type was only found in sample 5 which was fermented within 20 weeks. The results obtained were following the characteristics of LAB, including gram-positive bacteria in the form of bacilli or cocci, not having catalase enzyme, and being able to ferment carbohydrates.

Screening of Yoghurt Produced by Local Strains of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Locally Fermented Yoghurt “Kindirmo” For Flavour Compounds

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt This study presents comprehensive screening of local strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from "Kindirmo" for their potential to produce flavor-enhancing compounds in yoghurt. The research uniquely identifies specific LAB strains, such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides dextranicum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, and demonstrates their capacity to produce a variety of volatile flavor compounds using GC–MS analysis. The findings suggest the potential application of these isolates in improving the taste of "Kindirmo" and other food products, thereby contributing valuable insights to the field of food microbiology and fermentation. Full Abstract Yoghurt is known as cultured milk which is derived from the action of bacteria on lactose to produce lactic acid, carbon dioxide (CO2), acetic acid, diacetyl, acetaldehyde, and other flavor compounds. The aim of this research was to screen yoghurt produced by local strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from locally fermented yoghurt “Kindirmo” for the production of flavor-enhancing compounds. A total of five “Kindirmo” samples were collected from two farmhouses located in Daura local government of Katsina State, Nigeria. The samples were collected and transported in ice containers. Serial dilutions of the “Kindirmo” samples were made and plated using the pour-plate method on de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) agar and incubated anaerobically at 37°C for 72 hours, followed by bacterial identification using Vitek system. Thereafter, yoghurt was produced using the isolated lactic acid bacteria and volatile flavor compounds in the yoghurt were determined using GC–MS analysis. Out of all the five (5) samples analyzed, only two (2) were positive for Lactic acid bacteria. The lactic acid bacteria identified were leuconostoc mesenteroides dextranicum and Lactobacillus acidophilus. While Lactobacillus acidophilus produced 14 volatile flavor compounds, leuconostoc mesenteroides dextranicum produced only 12. Butanoic acid, Hexanoic acid, Acetaldehyde, Propane, Acetone, ethyl ester, Lactic acid, and Diacetone were some of the flavor compounds detected. The research shows the potentials of the isolated LAB to produce flavor compounds, which could be used to enhance the taste of Kindirmo. It is recommended that the isolates should be used for further study on how to produce Kindirmo with single and co-culture of the LAB, or rather on how to produce the flavor enhancers for application in other foods or food products.

Construction of a convenient microbial-growth observation system based on microscopic image analysis applicable to the evaluation of preservative effects

The pour-plate method, a conventional approach to the evaluation of food microbial contamination, is costly and time-consuming. We have developed a novel and efficient system to evaluate microbial growth on the surfaces of foods using a membrane filter and microscope followed by image analysis. While Wickerhamomyces anomalus cells directly inoculated onto loin ham were undetectable because of the complex surface structure of the food, the placement of a hydrophilic polytetrafluoroethylene membrane filter on the loin ham enabled us to clearly observe the yeast cells on the filter by microscopy without affecting their growth. Under microscopic observation, cells on the membrane filter as well as those on the agar plate were always observed with surrounding annular dark regions, which were separated from the background by clear boundaries. We defined the areas inside the boundaries, including the cells and the annular dark regions, as the “bounded areas”. In image analysis, the numbers of pixels in the bounded areas increased exponentially in parallel with the viable cell count (CFU/g), suggesting that the pixel numbers were proportional to the viable cell numbers. We applied this system to investigate the adverse effects of sorbic acid preparation (SAP), a common food preservative, on yeast growth. The yeast was incubated on filter-overlaid agar medium in the presence or absence of SAP, resulting in a dose-dependent reduction in the specific pixel increase rate (k [/h]) determined by image analysis as well as in the specific growth rate (μ [/h]) estimated by the agar-plate-based conventional method. Regression analysis revealed a strong correlation between the k and μ values (R2, 0.985) normalized to the corresponding values without SAP. Our system could be applied to estimate the growth rate of microbes on foods and to examine the effects of environmental factors on microbial growth by using the k value as an index. Furthermore, this system would contribute to enhancing food safety, extending shelf life, and solving the important global problem of food loss.

Detoxification of Bacterial Toxins in Soured Soups Using the Extract of Aidan Tree (Tetrapleura Tetraptera L.) Fruit

The study evaluated the use of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit extract to detoxify bacterial toxins in soured soups. Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit extracts were prepared and analyzed for phytochemicals. Three different types of soured soups (egusi, ogbono, and Abua native soup) were used. The soups were prepared and left for 24 hours at room temperature to sour. The pour-plate method and streaking techniques were used to isolate and identify the bacteria. The lateral flow assay device, Biothreat Alert test strip, and enzyme immunoassay kits were used to detect the bacterial toxins, while the extracts were used to test the detoxifying effectiveness of the bacterial toxins. The results showed that Lactobacillus sp, Bifidobacterium sp, Streptococcus sp, Pediococcus sp, Leuconostoc sp Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter jejuni, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Salmonella sp, Shigella sp, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes were associated with the soured soups; alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids were present. The quantity of saponin (5.670±0.15), steroid (4.102±0.13), terpenoid (3.194±0.03), and alkaloid (0.596± 0.01) were very high in concentrations; phenol (0.373±0.02) and tannin (0.366±0.02) were present in moderately high concentrations, while cardiac glycoside (0.007± 0.00) and flavonoid (0.073±0.00) were present in low concentrations. The toxins detected in the soured soups included Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus exotoxins. Therefore, it is concluded that the extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera has no detoxifying effect on the stability of the bacterial toxins and should, therefore, be discouraged.

Comparison of PetrifilmTM AC and Pour plate techniques used for the heterotrophic aerobic bacterial count in water.

Heterotrophic bacteria (HPC) are commonly found in water samples. While these bacterial counts do not necessarily indicate a health hazard, high counts provide a good indication of the efficiency of water disinfection and integrity of distribution systems. The aim of this study was to compare the PetrifimTM AC method to the Pour Plate technique for the testing of HPC in water samples. Artificially contaminated (192 samples) and natural water samples (25) were processed using two methods. Both methods accurately detected high, medium and low counts of HPC, producing average Z scores between -2 and+2. Paired-wise student t-test and correlation coefficient showed nonsignificant differences between the results of two methods. Acceptable repeatability and reproducibility was obtained using both the methods. Uncertainty of measurement for PetrifilmTM AC and Pour Plate method was found to be 2.9% and 5.4% respectively. PetrifilmTM AC proved to be robust at 33°C and 37°C. In conclusion, PetrifimTM AC, which is easy to process, read and less time consuming, proved to be comparable to the conventional Pour Plate method in establishing HPC in water. In addition, PetrifimTM AC requires less space for the processing and incubation, generate small volume of waste for disposal and requires no equipment, except for the incubator.

Effect of Moringa olifera leaves on growth and gut microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Moringa olifera on the growth and gut health of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The feed having 30% crude protein was prepared as an experimental diet with 4%, 8% and 10% M. olifera leaf supplementation, respectively. The control diet was devoid of M. olifera leaves. The 10 weeks feeding trial was carried out on 60 fish in aquaria. Fish was fed @ 3% of body weight twice a day. Diet with the high level of inclusion of M. olifera leaves significantly increased the growth rate, Survival Rate (SR), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and Feed Conversion Efficiency (FCE) in all treatment groups compared to the control group. Similarly, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) gradually decreased and found highly-significant. To check the gut health of the Tilapia, random samples were selected and dissected. Nutrient agar was used as culture media to check the growth of bacteria. Pour Plate Method was used for viable colonies count by colony counter. Through staining method, the different bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were identify abundantly in the intestine of control diet fish but less number present in treatment diets groups. These results showed that M. olifera leaves up to 10% of dietary protein can be used for Nile tilapia for significant growth and healthy gut microbiota of fish.

Analisis Kontaminasi Logam Berat dan Mikroba Pada Gula Aren Sesuai Standar Pangan Indonesia di Pusat Produksi Desa Menggala Lombok Utara

Palm sugar is widely produced in the North Lombok region, but the production process is still conventional. Consequently, the probability of metal contamination and microbial contamination is very high. This study aims to assign the safety characteristics of palm sugar in Menggala Village, North Lombok, in guaranteeing public health by analyzing the possible contamination. The requirements of factors are based on SNI 3743-2021 for metal contamination and SNI 7388:2009 for microbial contamination. This study used samples from Menggala Village, North Lombok, in November 2021. Samples were taken from one batch of the final product at the production house center, as much as 2 kg from 5 kg of total production. Heavy metal content was analyzed using AAS and ICP-OES. Analysis of Total Viable Count (TVC) and Total Yeast and Mold Count (TYMC) used the pour-plate TPC method, while the coliform test was analyzed using the Most Probable Number (MPN) method. The results of heavy metal contamination meet the SNI 3743:2021 standard. So, the palm sugar is free from these. The results of the TVC and TYMC meet the SNI 7388:2009 standard. However, the palm sugar does not meet the established criteria of SNI 7388:2009 for coliforms. The amount of presence above the threshold is the possible presence of pathogenic microbes that are harmful to human health. The cleanliness factor is the main factor causing the high value of coliform analysis. Several recommendations can be implemented, namely improving hygiene and sanitation facilities for workers, maintaining worker hygiene such as washing hands before and after processing, going to the toilet, handling dirty materials, and wearing clean clothes with head coverings, gloves, masks, or work shoes. Training and education programs are required, and incentives for workers to comply with these standards.

Effect of Biocides Blend on Microorganisms in Produced Water

The exploration and production of crude oil lead to the production of a significant quantity of associated gas and produce water. The produce water is either reinjected into the oil well or discharged into the environment. There is therefore a need for the water to be treated before any of the aforestated operations are carried out, as it contains a significant amount of microorganisms that pose a threat to production facilities as well as the environment. This research studies the use of a combination of two types of biocides, quaternary ammonium chloride (QUAT) and tetrakis-hydroxymethyl phosphonium sulfate (THPS), at various ratios in order to determine which is most effective. The pour-plate method for total viable bacterial enumeration was applied. It was discovered that, generally, the blends of biocide proved to be more effective in combating bacterial activities in produce water at lower concentrations and longer reaction times than the individual biocides. Thus, the 75% THPS + 25% QUAT as well as the 50% THPS + 50% QUAT were most effective at a concentration of 1000 ppm and a reaction time of 9 hrs in reducing the microbial population from 1.53 ×108 bacterial cells/ml to 3.3×102 bacterial cells/ml and 3.7×102 bacterial cells/ml, respectively.

Microbiological analysis in different brands of Hepato-protective liquid herbal medicines available in the Dhaka city

Introduction: The use of herbal medicine is on the rise worldwide, and safety issues associated with herbal medicines may have an impact on the population who are using it. Herbal medicines are generally considered as safe based on their long-standing use in various cultures. However, there are concerns regarding the safety especially microbial growth of many of the liquid herbal medicines. Objective: To isolate and identify the organisms from the Herbal Preparations used by the mass people. Methods: A total of 27 different Hepato-protective herbal medicines (HPHMs) were purchased randomly from identified herbal shops and retail outlets in different parts of Dhaka city. All collected samples were analyzed by the Pour Plate method for microorganisms in the Department of Microbiology, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS), Mirpur, Dhaka. Results: The results of the culture of the studied Hepato-protective drugs showed “No growth” of any Bacteria among 14 samples (51.9%). Growth was found in the remaining 13 samples (48.1%). There was “No growth” of any fungi in all Hepato-protective liquid herbal medicines. Conclusions: The levels of viable bacteria in the studied samples were found to be above safety limits. Pathogenic bacteria were also isolated from these herbal medicines. So, the use of homemade and commercial herbal medicines is a major risk to the health of the people who use these therapies due to the lack of microbial quality standards. Therefore, this warrants immediate need of management of herbal medicines to scale up its quality & safety issue.

СТРУКТУРА МИКРОПЛАНКТОНА В ВОДЕ р. ВОЛГА НА УЧАСТКЕ с. ПРИЛУКИ – пгт КРАСНЫЙ ПРОФИНТЕРН (ЯРОСЛАВСКАЯ ОБЛАСТЬ)

In August 2021, in the channel part of the Volga River, within the river stretch between Priluki village and Krasnyi Profintern townlet, studies of bacterio- and mycoplankton have been carried out. The study was conducted at 25 stations.The quantitative structure of communities of heterotrophic microorganisms is presented by individual stations and by groups of stations identified by the type of anthropogenic load: “across from a settlement”, “lower border of a settlement”, “5 km downstream from a settlement”, “10 km downstream from a settlement”, “water intake”. The water quality was assessed. Saprophytic bacteria were isolated by the pour-plate method, the total number of bacteria and fungal propagules was determined by direct counting using an epifluorescence microscope. The total number of bacteria at the stations ranged 98.65–99.97% (on average 98.63%) and exceeded the fungi number by 73.0–3824.4 times (on average 1177.8 times). The bacterial biomass amounted to 90.0–99.86% (on average 98.63%) and exceeded the fungal one by 9.0–663.8 times (on average 168 times). In the structure of mycobiota, the mycelium biomass ranged 46.56–96.82% (on average 62.06%), which indicates the functional activity of fungi. Cluster analysis of the quantitative structure of microbial communities, for individual stations, revealed their high similarity: the values of the Bray-Curtis coefficients for number ranged 74.49–99.21%; for biomass – 71.03–98.34%. Cluster analysis of microbial communities by station groups also revealed their significant similarity: in number – 86.6–98.3%; in biomass – 88.20–98.87%. For groups of stations, a high correlation was found between the biomass of bacteria and fungi – –0.85, which indicates different environmental conditions favorable for the development of these microorganisms. The water quality in the station groups was appraised as transitional from polluted to dirty waters, from β-mesosaprobic to polysaprobic, and in trophicity, from mesotrophic to eutrophic.

Helical Static Mixer Simulations for Its Integration in the Pour Plate Method: Mixing Agar and a Nutrient Solution

In microbiology laboratories, it is essential to obtain high-quality samples where the culture media are completely homogeneous. The pour plate method includes having to melt the culture media—a mixture of agar and a nutrient solution—before seeding. A static mixer is designed for this purpose, employing CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) with the software OpenFOAM to simulate the fluid’s behaviour in a helical static mixer with both internal and external configurations. The objective is to validate the CFD model by comparing it with the literature and provide a first approach to the mixer design. After satisfactory validation of the model, the results of the initial designs for Reynolds number 14 reveal the notably different behaviour of the fluids during mixing due to their differing properties, since agar and the nutrient solution present a high viscosity ratio. While the mixing efficiency is similar for the internal and external mixers, improved performance is demonstrated in the internal mixer, even for a shorter version. The external version of the mixer reaches a value for a mixing efficiency of 0.89 whereas the internal version performs more homogeneous mixing for the same number of mixing elements. This evaluation is based on a simplified internal design for computational simulations, whereas the external mixer is easier to manufacture but more complex to implement computationally. Finally, homogeneous mixing is achieved for the internal mixer configuration when adjusting its dimensions to those available on the market.

Prevalence of bacterial isolates from cell phone surfaces in Madonna University Elele Campus

Cell phones is a major revolution in the communication industry. In recent times, cell phone is carried by almost everybody, however, in some areas where not everyone has a cell phone, people patronize paid phone booths to communicate with loved ones. Madonna University, Elele Campus, is in Rivers State Nigeria and accommodates the University where all the students and staff are living on campus, The Madonna University Teaching Hospital, the pilgrimage center where pilgrims from all over the world visit regularly. There are phone booths at strategic locations where individuals pay and use their phone. Since different people use the same phone with their hands and mouth to make calls, this research was aimed at accessing the prevalence of bacteria isolates from cell phone surfaces in Madonna University, Elele campus, and the susceptibility of these organisms to commonly used antibiotics. Fifty swab samples were collected from the surface of cell phones at various locations in Madonna University, Elele Campus, and were microbiologically analyzed for the aerobic bacteria count and susceptibility to different antibiotics using the pour-plate method. Madonna University Teaching Hospital phone booth recorded the highest total aerobic bacterial count and number of bacteria isolates compared to other centers. Staphylococcus species was significantly (p<0.05) the most prevalent bacteria species isolated on the cell phones, and the percentage occurrence of various isolates were: Staphylococcus species (59.5%), Salmonella species (19.1%), Streptococcus specie (9.5%) Psuedomonas species (3.1%) and Escherichia coli (2.1%). Among the gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli had 100% susceptibility against all the antibiotics, Salmonella species recorded 100% susceptibility against ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, gentamycin, chloramphenicol and ampicillin while Proteus species had 100% against streptomycin and chloramphenicol. For the gram-positive, Streptococcus species and Staphylococcus species recorded a significant percentage of susceptibility ranging from 62.5% to 100% against some of the antibiotics used. This study conclude that cell phone surfaces could be a reservoir for different disease causing micro-organism and users should take precaution against bacterial infection while using cell phone.

Dehydrated thin film media to rapidly estimate bioburden for planetary protection flight implementation

AbstractPlanetary Protection (PP) is the practice of safeguarding solar system bodies from terrestrial biological contamination and screening the Earth against potentially harmful extraterrestrial biological contamination. On Earth, cleanrooms and spacecraft surfaces are assayed using swabs and wipes that are then heat shocked for 15 min at 80°C to select for spores. The samples are further processed using the pour-plate method and Petri plates (TSA plates), with trypticase soy agar (TSA) serving as the growth medium. This sampling and processing procedure, called the NASA Standard Assay (NSA), is used by PP engineers around the world. Recent years have seen an increase in the incorporation of state-of-the-art technology, such as membrane filtration, into the NSA, with a push for implementing environmentally friendly technology into day-to-day activities. Dehydrated thin film media, such as Petrifilm Rapid Aerobic Count (RAC) plates, suit these goals as an alternative method to TSA plates. RAC plates show bacterial growth (and distinguish colonies from foreign particles such as bubbles) faster than TSA plates due to the incorporation of chromogenic colour indicators in the media. RAC plates also possess a much smaller environmental footprint than TSA plates, and are designed to evaluate even some of the challenging-to-detect environmental organisms, including spreaders that fill over 25% of the plate area in only a few hours. With these benefits in mind the PP Group at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory took on the task of comparing RAC plates directly to TSA plates within the context of the NSA. Not only were the RAC plates able to detect surface environmental samples and in vitro spiked samples equivalent to NSA-processed TSA plates, but spreader organisms were countable on RAC plates at culture densities 10- to 100-fold greater than on TSA plates. In addition, RAC plates showed a robust, linear detection capability when challenged with membrane filter incorporation and organisms were easily acquired from RAC plates for archiving or post-processing experiments including MALDI-TOF bacterial identification. With their ease of use, small footprint, and both rapid and accurate bioburden measurements, RAC plates have the potential to overcome limitations posed by current PP culturing protocols.

Efficacy comparison of an automated growth-based system and plate-count method on the detection of yeasts and molds in personal care products.

The present investigation studies the efficacy of an automated growth-based system for a quantitative determination of Candida albicans and Aspergillus brasiliensis in several personal care products. The main purpose of this validation study was to prove that the alternative method's entire performance is not inferior to the conventional pour-plate method for a quantitative determination of yeasts and molds. Thus, a performance equivalence was established in accordance with the United States Pharmacopeia <1223>. C. albicans and A. brasiliensis were pooled to use as inoculum (equivalent to 1.0x108 CFUs/mL) in the suitability of the method test. Personal care product's preservatives were chemically neutralized leading to the yeast's and mold's recovery by means of the alternative microbiological method and the pour-plate method. A correlation curve was generated for each personal care product by plotting DTs relative to the corresponding log CFU values. 30 personal care products have been tested for quantification of yeasts and molds using an alternative microbiological method. An equivalence of results were made through the construction of correlation curves that allow the establishment of numerically equivalent results between the enumeration data from the reference method and the alternative method. Thus, following the guidelines of <USP 1223>, essential validation parameters were tested, such as equivalence of results (CC > 0.95), linearity (R2 >0.9025), accuracy (% recovery >70%), operating range, precision (CV < 35%), ruggedness (ANOVA, P > 0.05), specificity, limit of detection, and limit of quantification. It was shown that all the test results obtained from the alternative method were in statistical agreement with the standard plate-count method. Thus, this new technology was found to meet all the validation criteria needed to be considered as an alternative method for yeast and mold quantification in the personal care products tested. Implementation of alternative methods can offer benefits in execution and automation while improving accuracy, sensitivity, and precision and reduce the microbiological process time compared to the traditional ones.

Improvement of the Pour Plate Method by Separate Sterilization of Agar and Other Medium Components and Reduction of the Agar Concentration.

Although the pour plate method is widely employed in microbiological quality control, it has certain drawbacks, including having to melt the culture medium before seeding. In this study, the preparation of the culture medium was modified by using a lower concentration of agar (10 g/L), which was separated from the nutrients during sterilization. The new protocol was assessed in media frequently used in microbiological quality control of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products, with tryptic soy agar (TSA), Sabouraud 4% dextrose agar (SDA), and violet red bile glucose agar (VRBG). In comparison with the conventionally produced media, the modifications significantly improved the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in SDA, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium, and Candida albicans in TSA and Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and ATCC 25922 and S. Typhimurium in VRBG. The modified VRBG was also more selective for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Regarding physicochemical properties, a significantly lower pH was observed in TSA and VRBG and lower strength values in TSA. Sterilizing agar separately from the other components of the medium and reducing the agar concentration to 10 g/L can improve microorganism growth and enhance the selectivity of differential media in the pour plate method. These modifications could facilitate the automation of this culture technique. IMPORTANCE In the era of rapid microbiological methods, there is a need to improve long-established culture techniques. Drawbacks of the pour plate method include having to melt each medium separately before seeding. For this technique, we demonstrate that separating the agar from the other components of commonly used media during sterilization and reducing the agar concentration to 10 g/L can enhance microbial growth. The new protocol could have advantages in routine laboratory practice because less agar is required and the same molten agar suspension can be used to prepare different media. Moreover, these modifications could facilitate the automation of the pour plate method.

Microbial evaluation of allopathic and herbal non-sterile pharmaceutical liquid dosage forms

Nonsterile pharmaceutical finished products are not manufactured through aseptic processes so are not completely free from microbial contaminations, which can impact their efficacy due to the degradation of active ingredients. The aim of present study was to enumerate, isolate and identify the microbial contaminations in non-sterile liquid finished pharmaceutical dosage forms. A total of 50 nonsterile liquid products were collected from different pharmacies across Lahore city, Pakistan. Pour plate method was used to test the total microbial count as per USP guidelines. The results showed a microbial count of 140 cfu mL-1 in nutraceuticals manufactured liquid dosage form, 60 cfu mL-1 in multinational products, 120 cfu mL-1 in registered herbal products, and 390 cfu mL-1 in non-registered herbal liquid products. Major bacterial contaminants isolated from allopathic (local and multinational) products and herbal (registered and non-registered) products are reported.

Significant Rise in Growth of Pleurotus Ostreatus on Substrates Deriving from Different Agriculture &amp; House Hold Waste Leads to Environment Cleanups

Oyster mushroom occupy important place in quality rich food due to their delectability &amp; nutritive enrichment for living being also used to grow widely more in agro waste &amp; household waste showing Bioremediation effect on waste material by breakdown into a suitable media to grow Mushroom mycelium. Unique data obtained showing assembles its food by secreting degrading enzymes, its decomposing the complex organic materials on which it grows the substrate to generate simpler Compounds for Its nutrition. The product we carried or substrate use are house hold waste like raw residue Wheat flour, rice flour, gram flour and agricultural ashes of wheat (choker),rice coverings, burned and filtered teas, raw vegetables washing, utensils washing water. Are considering as wastes these waste, are not carefully disposed of in surrounding by dumping or burning type of vernacular method create lot of pollution. Oyster create a ecologic balance Link to use this waste as a substrate to grow the mushroom mycelium fast increasing Mushroom yield too by the process of bioremediation. mushroom cultivation reports that the economical viable biotechnology process for conversion of waste food residues , ashes agriculture waste &amp; washing water at the outlet fits very well into this category, after treating dry sterilization or wet sterilization of all substrate For growth promotion test Of given substrate By pour plate Method on the select given media compositing with these three types of waste in triplicates (G1)Raw food stuff in equal ratio like Wheat flour, rice flour, gram flour(G2)Ashes of wheat (choker),rice coverings, burned and filtered teas,(G3)Vegetable Washings, utensil washing ,kitchen cleaning water, In growth promotion test showing the maximum colonies in raw food stuff then ashes than washing water shown by minimum concentration of waste or unused product. Pleurotus Ostreatus act as a scavenging agent for the waste food Stuff creating new Fruiting mushroom body to grow In it &amp; Utilized to environment cleanups. Keywords : Pleurotus Ostreatus, Growth promotion test, Pour plate method, Bioremediation.

Detection of fungi in stored maize grain: Isolation, identification and characterisation in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria

The study isolate, identified and characterized fungi associated with spoilage of store maize grains in Birnin Kebbi. Two maize varieties were used samar 37VA and samar 37B. The two samples were collected from the store for isolation and identification of fungi associated with maize grain spoilage. Pour plate method were used in the enumeration of fungi which showed that fungi count was found on samar 37 VA washed maize had 4+ 0.00 to 8+ 1.11 and unwashed samar 37 VA had 7.00+1.00 to 10+ 3.00. Pure colonies on PDA agar plate were identified base on the morphological characteristics. Twenty nine (29) fungi isolates were identified and belong to three (3) genera i.e Aspergillus species. Rhizopus species and Penicillium species. Inferential statistics were used (Frequency and percentage). Aspergillus species had 13(44.83), Rhizopus species 11(37.93), Penicillium species 5 (17.24). Aspergillus sp. Were the most frequent fungi isolated. From the study it showed that maize grain are affected by fungi under various treatment factors. Therefore there is the need to further study the biochemical and molecular properties of the fungi isolated and to screen the fungi isolated for cellulolytic properties.

Characterization of Pathogenic Bacteria Associated with Contamination of Domestic Water in Owerri Area

This study examined characterization of bacteria pathogens associated with domestic water contamination in Owerri area. Ten samples of water were collected from various sources of water in Owerri and were bacteriologically analyzed. Using the Pour-plate method on nutrient agar, MacConkey, and Salmonella-Shigella agar and the Most Probable Number technique, the total heterotrophic count and the most probable number index of coliform using double and single strength MacConkey broth as well as confirmed and completed test were determined. Result was presented in mean ± standard deviation, and Log10cfu/ml. The total heterotrophic count ranges from 7.8 ± 1.06 x 105cfu/ml to 6.1 ± 0.21 x 105cfu/ml, total coliform count ranges from 4.0 ± 1.41 x 104 cfu/ml to 1.5 ± 0.0 x 104cfu/ml. The Log10cfu/ml for heterotrophic count ranges from 8.7 Log10cfu/ml to 5.79 Log10cfu/ml, total coliform ranges 3.6 Log10cfu/ml to 1.9 Log10cfu/ml. Student t - test was used in comparing the mean between total heterotrophic count and total coliform count. The result revealed that there is a significant difference between the mean P &gt; 0.005. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas species, Salmonella species and Enterobacter species were the organisms identified. Water is indispensable for human health and wellbeing. Portable water is an essential amenity that will aid eradication of water-borne diseases as well as improve the environmental sanitation. There should be enlightenment programs for the communities and other concerned populace in order to educate them on the dangers of such water sources serving for drinking or utilization for other domestic activities

Implications of Leather Tanning Wastewater Exposure for Soil Bacteria Viability and Phosphate Solubilizing Activity

Leather tannery wastewater pollutes the environment because it contains BOD, COD, and chromium at levels above safe thresholds. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of exposure to tannery wastewater on the viability of the soil PSB community and selected PSB isolates, and to examine the ability of selected bacterial isolates to dissolve phosphate in Picovskaya’s broth medium supplemented with tannery wastewater. The viability of the bacterial community was determined based on their growth in soil exposed to the waste at concentrations of 30, 60 and 100%, under field capacity moisture conditions, while the ability of the isolates to dissolve phosphate was observed using liquid Pikovskaya’s medium which was added to the waste so that the concentration reached 30, 60, and 100%. The bacterial isolates RP-1 and RP-2 were used, which were obtained from the soil surrounding the tannery which was contaminated with leather tanning waste. The parameters that were analyzed were the number of cells and the amount of soluble phosphate. The number of cells was determined through the pourplate method using an agar nutrient medium, and the amount of soluble phoshate was examined using the P chlorostannous reduced molybdophosphoric acid blue method. According to the findings of this study, exposure to effluents reduced PSB viability in the soil. Exposure to waste also negatively affected cell viability and the ability of isolates to solubilize phosphate.&#x0D; Keywords: Wastewater, tannery, viability, ability, phosphate, solubilization