Total Fungal Counts Research Articles

Culture-Dependent Characterization of Hydrocarbon Utilizing Bacteria and Fungi from an Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Site

Crude oil refining is a global insert responsible for the production of a wide array of petroleum based products crucial for various sectors including energy, transportation, and manufacturing. However, the artisanal form of crude oil refining, often characterized by its small scale and limited technological infrastructure, has emerged as a major environmental concern in several regions around the world. Illegal refining of crude oil has led to oil spillages which in turn lead to a disruption of the microbial population of the soil. Hence, the aim of this study was to isolate and characterize the heterotrophic and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and fungi from an artisanal crude oil refining site. A total of thirty six (36) soil samples were collected from three (3) artisanal crude oil refining sites at iwofe, ogbogoro and ibaa community all in Rivers State, Nigeria. The samples were collected using soil auger and subjected to standard microbiological procedures such as culturing, isolation and identification. The results revealed significantly elevated levels of heterotrophic and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and fungi in the soil samples, with notable variations (p≤0.05) across the different artisanal crude oil refining sites. Total Heterotrophic Bacteria (THB) counts ranged from 3.75x105CFU/g in Iwofe to 2.70x105CFU/g in Ibaa, Total heterotrophic Fungal (THF) counts ranged from 2.80x104CFU/g recorded in Ogbogoro to 1.45x104CFU/g recorded in Iwofe, Hydrocarbon Utilizing Bacteria (HUB) counts ranged from 2.25x103CFU/g in Ibaa to 1.30x103CFU/g in Iwofe and Hydrocarbon Utilizing Fungi (HUF) counts ranged from 2.50x102CFU/g recorded in Ogbogoro to 1.40x102CFU/g recorded in Ibaa community with significant differences (p≤0.05). Bacteria isolated and characterized from the soil include Enterobacter, Pseudomonas putida, Serratia and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens while fungi include Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor. The microorganisms identified in this study have been reported to play key roles in the utilization of crude oil. Pseudomonas and Bacillus were the most dominant bacterial isolates and their dominance could imply that the soil could support the growth of crops. Thus, while they utilize the hydrocarbons, they also serve as plant-growth promoting microorganisms. Although some of the microorganisms in the present study have been reported to promote the growth of plant, the dumping of crude oil products legal or illegal should be minimized to avoid the extinction of plant-promoting microorganisms.

Biodegradation potentials of soil-borne fungal cultures grown on haloxyfop R methyl ester herbicide medium

The heterotrophic and haloxyfop-R methyl ester utilizing fungal counts associated with two top soil samples was determined. Five (5) fungal isolates; Aspergillus niger, Candida sp., Trichoderma sp., Fusarium sp., and Alternaria sp. Were cultured from the soil samples using serial dilution as well as pour plate techniques. These isolates were sub-cultured and screened for their ability to use haloxyfop-R methyl ester as sole source of metabolic energy as well as using the turbidimeteric method. Two of the screened fungal isolates which exhibited maximal optical density (OD) difference values; A. niger and Fusarium sp. Were selected and utilized for the subsequent degradation/shake flask experiment. Growth profile parameters which included; pH, OD, dissolved CO2 and weighed dry fungal biomass were determined during the growth profiling test at a 96 hour interval for 16 days using appropriate methods and equipment. Mean soil pH values were 5.08 ± 0.02 and 4.62 ± 0.02 for samples A and B. The mean total heterotrophic fungal count was 8.7×10³ cfu/g ± 1.5 for A and 1.6 × 10⁴ cfu/g ±1.0 for B. The mean pH value observed for A. niger in the course of the growth profile test ranged from 6.0 ± 8.7 to 7.3 ± 8.0 and 7.3 ± 5.8. The mean OD values observed for A. niger and Fusarium sp. In the course of the shake flask experiment varied from 0.66 ± 7.1 to 1.96 ± 4.5 and 1.62 ± 5.4 to1.99 ± 3.6 respectively. With reference to the detection of mean dissolved CO2 values, utilized as an indirect indicator of herbicide mineralization, the axenic cultured A. niger was the most effective amongst the growth profile fungal cultures.

Influence of soil microplastic contamination on maize (Zea mays) development and microbial dynamics

BackgroundMicroplastics are contaminants in soil ecosystems that alter biophysical processes, affect plant growth, ecosystems and humans in the long run. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of soil microplastic contamination on the growth, development, and microbial dynamics of maize (Zea mays).Composite soil samples were collected from the farm from 0 to 10 cm depth. Physicochemical properties were assessed before maize seed sowing. Three soil weight categories were treated with 30 g, 20 g and 10 g microplastics. Soil physicochemical properties and heavy metal content in maize plants were analyzed. Morphological parameters, microbial counts, and microorganism identification were conducted. FTIR analysis was carried out in selected plant parts.ResultsThe study revealed a pH range of 5.00–6.70, electrical conductivity of 70–158 µS/cm, organic carbon and organic matter, total nitrogen, average phosphorus content, clay and silt content. The concentrations of heavy metals in plant parts were within WHO standard limits of 425.5 and 500 mg/kg for iron and manganese, but above the limits of 40, 60, and 350 mg/kg for copper, zinc and magnesium. The plant had various leaf sizes and heights, with chlorosis and necrotic activity ranging from 0.33 to 2.67, and a range of 1.33 to 6.33, respectively. Soil samples showed a total bacterial count (TBC) of 2.00 × 103 cfu/g to 7.60 × 104 cfu/g and a total fungal count (TFC) of 4.00 × 103 cfu/g to 2.20 × 104 cfu/g. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus cereus had percentage occurrences of 44.31, 21.17, 9.12, and 3.26%, respectively. Penicillium notatum was the most prevalent, while Fusarium spp. was the least prevalent. The FTIR analysis of maize seeds from soil samples A, B, and C revealed various organic compounds, with opium powder and streptomycin sulphate being the most abundant. The study revealed that pot B had the highest microplastic concentration at 1 WAS, while pot C had the lowest at 0.10 mg/kg, indicating a differential soil microplastic accumulation.ConclusionMicroplastics impact soil health, plant growth, and nutrient cycling, necessitating sustainable agriculture. Long-term research is needed to understand ecological and physiological impacts and explore remediation techniques.

Microbiological assessment of bioaerosols in the residential areas of Dhaka City, Bangladesh

This study looked at particulate matter (PM10) in terms of its microbiological features and how bacterial populations are related to PM10. It also tested the antibiotic resistance of different types of microbes that live in PM10. We conducted the study in six different locations (Badda, Chittagong Road, Basabo, Jurain, Mirpur, and Gulshan) of Dhaka city, taking into account residential and commercially important areas, traffic congestion, and infrastructure development. The microbiological study revealed that Bacillus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were primarily present in PM10. The study also revealed that the total bacterial count (46585±1226.8 CFU/m3) of the Badda zone is higher than in another area. Similar findings were also observed in the case of Bacillus spp. (15625±5729 CFU/m3), Staphylococcus spp. (18518±5730 CFU/m3), and total fungal count (726852± 98209 CFU/m3). Moreover, a positive correlation was observed among Bacillus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. vs. mean PM10 concentration, which implies that airborne microbes in Dhaka city are likely to propagate with the increase of dust concentration. The antibiotic sensitivity assay of Bacillus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. revealed that all the Bacillus spp. (n=16) and Staphylococcus spp. (n=3) were resistant to Ceftazidime (30 µg), Oxacillin (1 µg) and Cefixime (5 µg). So, the research findings highlighted the increased levels of Bacillus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. than the international standard in PM10 of Dhaka city, suggesting potential health risks and indicating antibiotic resistance among these bacterial strains.

Unveiling the effects of ZnO nanoparticle incorporated chitosan coating on postharvest quality of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Due to rapid moisture loss, eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), a significant economic product, has a short postharvest shelf life. This study examined at 4 °C for 20 days at the effects of chitosan (CH) 1% and CH with micro ZnO (0.25 g/L) on eggplant quality. After 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 days, coating effects on parameters (weight loss, pH, respiration rate, total acidity, soluble solids, firmness, total anthocyanin, antioxidant, phenolic, antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and malondialdehyde activity), as well as microbiological count (total bacteria and yeast), were examined. When compared to the control, the coatings significantly affected the quality parameters, eggplant fruit coatings with CH (1 %) + nano ZnO (0.25 g/L) had the significantly least respiratory rate, weight loss, firmness, TAC, TPC, TAA and enzyme activity (P < 0.05). The microbial load during fruit preservation was suppressed by nano ZnO treatments (total bacterial and fungal count in control and eggplant treated with nano ZnO were 4.46, 4.33 and 3.96, 3.17 log CFU g−1 respectively). Treatments had little effect on fruit's flavour or aroma, but ZnO-treated fruit had improved texture, colour, and acceptance overall compared to control fruit. Finally, nano ZnO may offer a chance to preserve quality and limit deterioration during extended storage.

Microbiological and nutritional assessment of ‘&lt;i&gt;ncha iwu&lt;/i&gt;’ (edible emulsion) vended in selected markets in Umunneochi Lga, Abia State, Nigeria

‘Ncha iwu’ is commonly used as a sauce in the preparation of ready-to-eat African salad, a wellknowndelicacy among the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. A total number of fifteen (15) samples of ‘ncha iwu’ were randomly purchased from three (3) vendors in Orie Ngodo and Eke Eziama market in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia state. The microbiological quality, proximate composition, and mineral content of the samples were determined using Standard Methods. ‘Ncha iwu’ prepared in the laboratory served as the control. The results showed that total bacterial, Staphylococcal, Coliform and fungal counts of the samples ranged from 3.81-4.37, 2.0-3.58, 3.0-3.8, and 2.0-3.0 log10 CFU/g, respectively. The bacterial species isolated and frequency of occurrence were Staphylococcus aureus (28 %), Klebsiella spp. (18 %), Pseudomonas spp. (18 %), Escherichia coli (18 %) while the fungal species were Penicillium spp. (50 %), Aspergillus spp. (40 %), and Candida spp. (10 %). Proximate analysis indicated that ‘ncha iwu’ contains ash (63.93%), moisture (15.88 %), fibre (8.99 %), lipid (7.70 %), protein (3.50 %) and carbohydrate (0.0 %) while minerals content include Fe (3.679 mg/g), Mg (1.055 mg/g), K (1.054 mg/g), Ca (1.030 mg/g), Mn (0.469 mg/g) and Na (0.222 mg/g). Although ‘ncha iwu’ contains beneficial nutrients, majority of the commercial samples were contaminated with potential pathogenic microorganisms which is a public health concern unlike the control. This is as a result of poor handling by the producers and vendors. Good hygienic practices by the handlers, proper packaging and storage of ‘ncha iwu’ will reduce the microbial contamination of the product. Hence, adequate public health awareness campaign, training on food safety, sanitation and hygenic practices should be provided to the local processors and vendors of ‘ncha iwu’.

Assessment of microbial contamination on generator surfaces: a case study at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Microorganisms pervade the atmosphere, with inert surfaces serving as secondary repositories for the transmission of bacteria and fungi, posing public health concerns. This study aimed to assess the microbial burden on top surfaces and handles of specific generators at the University of Port Harcourt. Total Heterotrophic Bacteria counts ranged from 5.0 to 8.13 log CFU/ml, with the highest count observed on the handle of a generator at Ematex and the lowest on the top of a generator at the SSLT building. Total Fungi counts ranged from 5.0 to 6.45 log CFU/ml, with the highest count on the handle of a generator at English House and the lowest on the handle of a generator at Ofrima and the top of a generator at SSLT. Identified organisms include Staphylococcus spp, Enterococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Bacillus spp., Salmonella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, as well as Aspergillius spp., Penicillium spp., Chysosporium spp., Fussarium spp., Muccur spp., and Candida spp. Microorganisms on generator handles exceeded those on the top, and the microbial profiles of handles were similar across the generator sets. Improved personal hygiene and regular handwashing is advised to mitigate bacterial presence on hands, which can be transferred from generator surfaces and handles.

The Effect of Metallic Nanoparticles Supplementation in Semen Extender on Post-thaw Quality and Fertilizing Ability of Egyptian Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Spermatozoa.

Nanomaterials offer several promising prospects in the field of farm animal reproduction, encompassing a broad range of applications such as transgenesis and the precise delivery of substances to sperm cells, antimicrobial, antioxidants properties as well as their potent role in improving cryopreservation methods. The aim of the present study is to explore the effect of supplementing the semen extender with 10µg/mL nano gold (Au-NPs10), 10µg/mL nano silver (Ag-NPs10), 1µg/mL nano selenium (Se-NPs1), and 100µg/mL nano zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs100) on sperm characteristics and kinematics parameters, acrosome integrity, oxidative biomarkers, morphological and apoptosis-like changes of frozen-thawed buffalo bull sperm, and, ultimately, their fertilizing capacity. The results revealed that all aforementioned nano materials significantly improved viability, progressive motility, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and kinematic parameters as well as apoptosis-like changes of post-thawed buffalo bull sperm compared to the control (p < 0.05). No discernible effects were observed on sperm ultrastructure morphology measures as a response to the addition of these metallic nanoparticles to the extender. The values of caspase 3 significantly decreased by 64.22, 45.99, 75.59, and 49.39% in Au-NPs10, Ag-NPs10, Se-NPs1, and ZnO-NPs100treated groups, respectively, compared to the control. The addition of 100µg ZnO-NPs to the extender significantly decreased the total count of bacteria, fungi, and yeast compared to the control (p < 0.05). The AuNPs10 and SeNPs1 treated groups showed lower content of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide concentrations and higher values of total antioxidant capacity of post-thawed extended semen (p < 0.05). Pregnancy rates increased by 17.5, 20, and 30% in buffalo cows inseminated with sperm treated with ZnO-NPs100, Se-NPs1, and Au-NPs10, respectively, compared to the control group. The present results indicate that the freezing extender supplemented with metallic nanoparticles can be an effective strategy to enhance the cryotolerance and fertility potential of buffalo bull sperm.

Assessment of microbial quality of some industrially packed food seasoning obtained from different retail outlets in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Qualities of curry, thyme and pepper commonly marketed in Nigeria were investigated. The total bacterial and fungal counts, types of microorganisms present and the physico-chemical qualities were also determined. These spices had a pH range from 5.92 to 6.44, with a moisture content of 6.08% to 36.32%. The bacterial load was within the range of 13.0 × 103 to 43.8 × 103 cfu/g with a lower fungal count of 6.5 × 103 to 35.2×103 cfu/g. Five bacterial and six fungal species namely Aeromonas, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus and Bacillus;as well as Mucor, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillum, Candida, Aspergillus and Rhodotorula, respectively, were isolated. The implication of these findings on the health of the populace was discussed from a microbiological viewpoint. The presence of these microbes in the spices may pose a serious threat which is of significance in public health.

Effect of Crop Establishment Methods on Rhizospheric Soil Microbiota in Mustard Due to Different Land-Use Systems

A field study was conducted to assess the effect of crop establishment methods on rhizospheric soil microbiota in mustard due to different land-use system at the Research Farm, Department of Forestry, College of Agriculture, JNKVV, Jabalpur (MP) for two consecutive years (2022–23 and 2023-24). The experiment was assessed in the double-split plot design with three replications. The experiment consisted of two land-use systems as main plot treatment (S1: Agroforestry system and S2: Open system), three crop establishment methods of mustard (M1: Broadcasting, M2: Line sowing, and M3: Transplanting) as sub-plot treatments and four levels of boron (B0: Control, B1: 1 kg ha-1 as basal B2: 2 kg ha-1 and B3: ½ kg ha-1 as basal + ½ kg ha-1 as foliar spray) as sub-sub plot treatments. The soil samples were collected after harvesting of crop during both the years of study to analyse soil microbiota (total bacteria, azotobacter, rhizobium, total fungi and actinomycetes). The results revealed that, significantly higher counts of azotobacter (31.37 CFU x 105), rhizobium (21.99 CFU x 106), total bacteria (42.78 CFU x 106), total fungi (8.30 CFU x 105) and actinomycetes (12.98 CFU x 105) were higher under agroforestry system than the open system. Meanwhile higher counts of azotobacter, rhizobium, total bacteria, total fungi and actinomycetes were found to be significantly superior in broadcasting (29.59 CFU x 105, 20.28 CFU x 106, 37.52 CFU x 106, 7.97 CFU x 105, 12.68 CFU x 105, respectively) over both line sowing and transplanting crop establishment methods. In case of boron levels, no significant changes occurred in the soil biology under both agroforestry and open systems. Hence, it could be concluded that vegetative cover over soil helps to proliferation of population of soil microbiota in the rhizospheric zone of crop.

Impact of UV-C irradiation on pests and fungi in stored wheat

The application of UVC radiation in stored wheat grains in Brazil is still very recent and the study of the parameters of this technology in stored products becomes important for the advancement in the scientific as well as technological areas. This is mainly due to the fact that it is a cheap technology that does not leave residues, and can be used to replace chemical pesticides. Thus, the objective of the present work is to evaluate the effect of UV-C radiation on the control of insect pests and fungi in wheat grains. For this purpose, wheat grains containing 20 adult insects of Sitophilus sp were irradiated with UVC light for 15 and 30 minutes at intervals of 15 days for 120 days of storage. At the end of the period, live and dead insects, mass loss and total fungal count were evaluated. Based on the analyses carried out, the use of UV-C Light has been reaffirmed as an effective microbiological control method. On the other hand, the study of its use as a method of biological control, under the conditions of the experiment in which the plant material used were wheat grains with moisture content below 10%, is not feasible since the exposure of wheat grains infested with Sitophilus sp. During the 15 and 30 minute periods, every 15 days there was no statistical difference when compared to the control group.

Growth Performance, Antioxidants, Intestinal Microbial Composition and Histological Effect of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) through diets Enriched to Pomegranate Peel (Punica granatum) Extracts

Graphical Abstract Highlight Research PPE supported the growth indices like final weight, weight gain, SGR, and FCR. PPE affected the total aerobic bacteria or total lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count, but the enteric gram-negative bacteria count was significantly reduced in the experimental groups. Add PPE caused a reduced total fungi count in all treated fish. The histological examination showed enlargement of the villi, depth of the villi, and an increase in goblet cells for the treatments supplemented with PPE. Abstract Pomegranate is considered one of the medicinal herbs rich in antioxidants that can be used in aquaculture to support immunity and health. The objective of this investigation was to ascertain the impact of pomegranate peel (Punica granatum) extract (PPE) on growth performance, the intestinal bacteria count, the total number of fungi and the histological analysis of the grass carp. 105 fingerlings (11.04±0.22g) were distributed among 21 aquariums (60-L) in a completely randomised design (triplicated) and fed diets containing 0, 0.5, and 1% PPE for 70 days at a feeding rate of 3% body weight. A spectrophotometry assessment indicated for PPE that the total phenol content was 151.09 and 175.95 GAE/100 g, and the flavonoid content was 36.04 and 42.89 RE/100 g, respectively. The results of the present work revealed that growth indicators (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR)) increased (P&lt;0.05) in the PPE group in comparison to the control group. PPE had an impact on the total count of aerobic bacteria or lactic acid bacteria (LAB), but the experimental treatments dramatically decreased the amount of enteric gram-negative bacteria (P&lt;0.05). The total fungi count showed a significant increase in all treated fish (P&lt;0.05). Also, histological examination showed improvement and elongation of the villi, and an increase in goblet cells for the treatments supplemented with PPE. Therefore, it is recommended to use PPE (0.5%) as a diet additive for grass carp to improve their growth performance and health.

Indoor air disinfection by non thermal atmospheric pressure plasma: a comparative study of performance in low and high humidity environments

Atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) has intrigued the interest of researchers for various applications such as disinfection, air purification, etc. In this context, a deeper understanding of the correlation between APP’s characteristics like discharge parameters, active species composition, and eradication of airborne microorganisms with varying relative humidity (RH) has been examined using a dielectric barrier discharge based atmospheric pressure plasma (DBD-APP) source. One of the electrodes of the developed DBD-APP source has been coated with TiO2 nanoparticles to enhance the generation of reactive species during the discharge process. The results show that, even with the same peak-to-peak applied voltage, the peak-to-peak current and discharge power decrease with increasing RH. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is used to determine the relative emission intensity of the reactive species, whereas spectrophotometry is used to quantify the reactive species produced by the plasma at various parameters. Instead of UV radiation, the plasma-produced highly energetic electrons activates the TiO2 nanoparticles for electron–hole pair generation. The geometry of the plasma device has played an important role in generating high energy electrons. From the developed DBD-APP source, the airborne microorganism’s disinfection efficiency of ∼95.8% and ∼98.7% has been achieved in the total bacterial counts (TBCs) and total fungal counts (TFCs) at an RH range of 70%–90%, in just 20 min of continuous operation. However, in the RH range of 20%–40%, the inactivation efficiency dropped to ∼78.8% and ∼87.5% for the TBCs and TFCs, respectively. The outcome indicates that higher humidity levels are better for indoor air purification using DBD-APP sources and that plasma with a circulation system can effectively disinfect indoor environments.

Microbial Assessment of Spoilt Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum Linn) Being Sold in Some Markets in Ondo City, Nigeria

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum Linn) are one of the most consumed fruits in Nigeria and the world at large but they are highly susceptible to microbial spoilage. Consumption of these spoilt tomatoes could increase the risk of food poisoning and also cause serious health issues which are of public health concern. This study was therefore designed to investigate the bacteria and fungi associated with spoilt tomatoes being sold in some selected markets in Ondo city. Different media (Nutrient, MacConkey, Mannitol Salt, Salmonella –Shigella, Eosin Methylene Blue, Sorbitol MacConkey and Potato Dextrose agar) were used for the determination of the total viable bacterial and fungal counts from the samples collected from Odoshida, Adeyemi and Iyalaje markets in Ondo using the pour plate technique. The isolates obtained after subculturing were characterized based on their cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The total bacterial count ranged from 1.25 ×108 to 8.06 ×108cfu/mL while the total fungal count ranged from 2.75 ×105 to 5.65 ×106 cfu/mL. The identified bacteria obtained were Staphylococcus species, Proteus species, Salmonella species, Pseudomonas species, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Shigella species, Enterobacter species and Bacillus species, while the fungi were Alternaria species, Penicillium species, Aspergillus species, and Rhizopus species. This study has shown that all the isolates obtained from the selected samples are of public health concerns because of their pathogenic and toxigenic nature; an indication that spoilt tomatoes ordinarily should not be consumed or consumed with utmost caution.

Microbiological Assessment of Smartphone Surfaces Obtained from Final Year Students at Hezekiah University Umudi, Nkwerre, Imo State, Nigeria.

Smartphones of students in tertiary institutions have been described as an understudied and under-explored microcosm by leading public health experts. The microbial quality of smartphone surfaces has been a constant reason for several scientific discussions. Two hundred students were initially targeted for the study, ten students in the final year class at the Hezekiah University Umudi permitted access to their phones during the sampling. The study carried by swabbing the surface of their phones with a normal saline-moistened swab stick using a square quadrant. The content was dislodged and diluted using a 10-fold serial dilution technique. The samples were evaluated for total heterotrophic count, coliform, fungal and Staphylococcal count. The bacterial isolates were tentatively identified using biochemical reactions. The total heterotrophic count of the samples obtained from the male students ranged from Log 2.82 CFU/cm2 to Log 3.21 CFU/cm2 while the total coliform count was observed to range from Log 1.3 CFU/cm2 to Log 1.6 CFU/cm2. The total heterotrophic count ranged from Log 2.82 CFU/cm2 to Log 3.21 CFU/cm2 for male students and from Log 1.6 CFU/cm2 to Log 2.73 CFU/cm2 for female students. The isolates obtained from the study were Acinetobacter sp., Escherichia coli, Proteus sp., Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Staphylococcus sp. There is a need for the University to educate students on the need to routinely use alcohol-based wipes to clean the surfaces of their phones as a precautionary measure to limit diseases associated with the use of mobile phones.

The relationship between occupant behaviour and indoor air quality in Malaysian hospital outpatient departments: A multistage cross-sectional study

IntroductionPoor indoor air quality (IAQ) in healthcare settings may adversely impact occupants’ well-being and promote transmission of infectious respiratory disease. However, evidence on its potentially modifiable determinants, including occupant behaviour, remains scarce. This study aims to determine the relationship between occupant behaviour and IAQ in Malaysian hospital outpatient departments (OPDs). MethodsA multistage cross-sectional study of six randomly selected Malaysian public hospital OPDs was conducted. In stage one, IAQ parameters, including temperature, relative humidity (RH), air velocity (AV), carbon dioxide (CO2), total bacterial count (TBC), and total fungal count (TFC) were measured. In stage two, an observation form based on the Korsavi and Montazami tool for measuring adaptive behaviour was used to examine occupant density, activities, and operation of building envelopes and appliances. Simple correlation, partial correlation, and linear regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between occupant behaviour and IAQ parameters. ResultsThe IAQ of selected hospital OPDs complied with established standards, except for temperature and AV. Occupant density was positively correlated with temperature and CO2. Meanwhile, occupants' activities including slow walking and brisk walking were positively correlated with temperature, AV, CO2, TBC and TFC. Conversely, occupants' opening of windows and doors were positively correlated with temperature and AV but negatively correlated with CO2, TBC and TFC. Finally, turning on fans was positively correlated with AV but negatively correlated with TBC, whereas turning on air conditioner was positively correlated with CO2. Among occupants’ behaviour, opening of windows and doors contributed the most to variation in IAQ parameters. ConclusionsThe study findings suggest that IAQ in hospital OPDs are influenced by occupant density, activities, and operation of doors, windows, and appliances. Prospective hospital IAQ guidelines should incorporate policies and measures targeting these factors to ensure occupants’ best practices in maintaining healthy hospital indoor air environments.

ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF HONEY FROM SLOVAKIA

In this study, the antibacterial activity of 10 honeys at three concentrations 50%, 25%, and 12.5% was tested against two G- and two G+ strains, also the microbiological quality of the honeys in terms of the representation of total count of bacteria, coliforms, yeasts, and filamentous fungi was evaluated, and micromycetes to the species level were identified. Antibacterial activity of the honeys was assayed using well diffusion method, determination of microbial groups by the pour plate method and diversity of mycobiota in honey according to macro- and micromorphological characteristics. Results showed the antibacterial effects of Slovak honey collected from the Spiš region, against bacterial strains Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus, which are among the most common bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections. We found that honeydew honey was very effective against E. coli and S. aureus, rapeseed honey against P. fluorescens, and mixed honey (no. 10) against E. faecalis. Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible bacteria tested for all honeys. The presence of both yeasts and molds was detected in 3 honey samples at concentrations ranging from &lt;4x101 to 3.6x101 CFU/g, while the total count of bacteria was detected in 9 samples at concentrations ranging from 2.3x101 to 3.6x102 CFU/g (in 1 sample, the occurrence of microorganisms was not recorded even at the lowest dilution of 10-1). Coliforms were not isolated. A total of 3 strains belonging to the Aspergillus section Nigri were identified. The microbiological analyses of the samples indicates that the honeys were produced, processed and stored in accordance with the rules of good hygiene practice.

AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION AND NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF DRIED JUVENILE FISH (Clarias gariepinus) SOLD IN IBADAN METROPOLITAN MARKETS

The contamination of food due to the occurrence of mycotoxigenic fungi is a public health concern. Therefore, fungi and aflatoxin contamination of smoked-dried juvenile fish (SDJF) (Clarias gariepinus) were investigated. The samples were purchased from three major markets in Ibadan. The total fungal count ranged from 1.0 x 103 to 12.0 x 103 CFU/g. Thirty-two fungi were isolated, including Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., Alternaria sp., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus ochraceus. A. niger had the highest frequency of occurrence (38%), while A. ochraceus (3%) had the lowest. All the samples were contaminated with aflatoxin. The total aflatoxin content ranged from 0.237 to 1.995 ppb. Of the 11 Aspergillus strains obtained from the samples, 5 were aflatoxigenic, while 6 were not. 85 and 94% of the mycobiota were xerophilic and halophilic. The percentage moisture content, crude protein, crude fat, and ash content in the samples ranged from 12.99–17.82%, 68.72–77.62%, 0.49–6.00%, and 6.97–12.24%. Phosphorus and potassium concentrations of the SDJF samples ranged from 388.2–509.6 mg/100g and 1113.8–1517.0 mg/100g, while lead and cadmium were not detected in the samples. Though the level of aflatoxin contamination in this study was within the maximum limit permitted (20 ppb), proper attention is needed for adequate preservation before sales and consumption.

Development of Mycological Medium using Tomato Juice Extract as Principal Base

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt This study introduces an approach to mycological media development by utilizing Tomato Juice Extract (TJA) as a primary base, highlighting its rich nutrient profile and potential for sustainable, cost-effective fungal cultivation. The research uniquely demonstrates the influence of various TJA concentrations on fungal growth, revealing selective preferences for certain fungi and emphasizing the importance of medium optimization. These findings provide significant insights into the potential of natural sources in microbiological practices, laying the groundwork for future studies to further optimize TJA and explore its practical applications in mycology. Full Abstract This project focused on developing mycological media using the primary base of Tomato Juice Extract (TJA). Tomatoes contain a rich mix of vitamins, minerals, and organic acids, creating an ideal environment for cultivating various fungi. Various concentrations of Tomato Juice Agar (TJA) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) were prepared (200 mL, 300 mL, and 400 mL). TJA was created by combining tomato filtrate with different sugar concentrations (10g, 15g, 20g), keeping agar agar powder constant at 20 g. Samples of soil from refuse dumpsite and spoiled bread were inoculated onto the prepared TJA and PDA (control). The total fungal counts, isolation, and identification were determined using PDA and TJA. Microscopic analyses, serial dilutions, and colony characterization provided a detailed assessment. TJA exhibited total fungal counts of 2-3 propagules/g for refuse dumpsite soil and 3-4 propagules/ml for spoiled bread. PDA yielded counts of 3-6 propagules/g for refuse dumpsite soil and 3-5 propagules/ml for spoiled bread. Various fungi, including Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium. digitanum, and Fusarium oxyporum were identified. TJA showed selective preferences for Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonifer. This study successfully developed mycological media with tomato juice extract, yielding promising fungal cultivation results. Different TJA concentrations influenced fungal growth, thus emphasizing the importance of selecting the appropriate medium. The absence of growth of some of the test fungal isolates on TJA and exclusive isolation of Fusarium oxysporum on PDA shows medium-specific preferences. Tomato juice extract aligns with sustainability and cost-effectiveness, offering an alternative to traditional components. Valuable insights into concentration-dependent fungal growth guide future experimentation and optimization. Tomato juice extract as a mycological medium base introduces a sustainable alternative with unique nutritional profiles. Concentration-dependent fungal preferences revealed the significance of medium optimization. These findings encourage the use of natural sources for more sustainable microbiological practices. While laying innovative mycological media groundwork, further research is needed to optimize tomato juice agar fully. Mycological media development with tomato juice extract offers practical benefits in cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

Biofumigation Treatment Using Tagetes patula, Sinapis alba and Raphanus sativus Changes the Biological Properties of Replanted Soil in a Fruit Tree Nursery

Apple replant disease (ARD) may cause significant losses both in commercial orchards and in fruit tree nurseries. The negative effects of ARD may be limited by using biofumigation. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of this treatment on the biological properties of replanted soil in a tree nursery. In two-year experiment, apple trees of the ‘Golden Delicious’ cultivar were used. The trees were planted into soil from two sites. The soil from one site had not been used in a nursery before (crop rotation soil). The other soil had been used for the production of apple trees (replanted soil). Three species of plants were used in the replanted soil as a forecrop: French marigold (Tagetes patula), white mustard (Sinapis alba), and oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus var. oleifera). The following parameters were assessed in the experiment: the enzyme and respiratory activity of the soil, the total count of bacteria, fungi, oomycetes and actinobacteria in the soil, as well as the count and species composition of soil nematodes. The vegetative growth parameters of the apple trees were also assessed. The biological properties of the replanted soil were worse than those of the crop rotation soil. In the replanted soil, the organic matter content, enzyme and respiratory activity as well as the count of soil microorganisms were lower. The biofumigants, used as a forecrop on the replanted soil, significantly increased its enzyme activity and respiratory activity. Dehydrogenase activity increased more than twofold. Growth parameters of the trees were significantly improved. The height of the trees increased by more than 50%, and the leaf area, weight and total length of side shoots were higher as well. The density of nematodes in the replanted soil after biofumigation was significantly reduced, with a larger reduction in the marigold fumigated soil. Eight of the eleven nematode species were completely reduced in the first year after biofumigation treatment.