ABSTRACT
Mosquitoes are a menace for millions of people around the world, they are vectors for destructive microorganisms which cause diseases like Malaria, Dengue fever and Lymphatic filariasis, affecting people in developing countries and areas with tropical climates. Anopheles, a predominant genus transmits malaria, and the World Health Organization have shown that 350,000 lives especially children and pregnant women are lost annually by it. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of eosin solution exposed to sunlight on larvae of Anopheles mosquito. The use of control method was aid at eliminating the larva stages of the mosquito life cycle. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) Anopheles mosquito larvae were harvested using dipper with handle and net from drainages at Eagle Island and Rivers State University both in Port Harcourt. Five different concentrations of Eosin solutions were prepared in volumes of 1000 microlitre (µl), 800µl, 600µl, 400µl, 200µl after a stock solution of 1gram(g) in 100ml and a control, the physicochemical parameters of the solutions were determined using Extech model DO700 measuring instrument. Twenty (20) mosquito larvae, were carefully introduced into each of the concentrations, exposed to sunlight and observed for 24 hours (hrs) for a period of six (6) days for susceptibility. A hundred percent (100%) mortality was recorded in eosin volume of 1000µl and 800µl. The separate solutions of eosin showed significant effects of their concentrations on the Anopheles mosquito larvae of P-value 0.017 at P<0.05. The result obtained for the physicochemical parameters were; pH 5.24, temperature 30.4oC, conductivity 168µS/cm, salinity 0.08%, total dissolved solids 118 milligram per litre(mg/L) and dissolved oxygen was 6.5mg/L for the control. Changes occurred in the values of the dissolved oxygen before and after exposure to sunlight in all the dilutions. The results obtained showed that after 24 hrs, the mortality rate of the larvae increased, indicating that Anopheles mosquito larvae expose to concentrations of eosin solutions results in their mortality within 48 hrs. It may be concluded that this study has provided some evidence of larvicidal effect of eosin solution exposed to sunlight on larvae of Anopheles mosquito.
ABSTRACT
Background: Bitter leaf and palm oil combination in treating diarrhoea is common in Africa. The aim of this study is to determine the synergistic and antimicrobial potential of Vernonia amygdalina and Elaeis guineensis on bacteria isolates from diarrheic stool.Methodology: One hundred and fifty (150) diarrheic stool samples from the Diagnostic Laboratory in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, were inoculated in Selenite F broth, MacConkey, Nutrient and Salmonella-Shigella agar plates using standard methods. Fresh and dry bitter leaf extracts were prepared by mashing, weighing and dissolving 100 grams(g) and 150 g concentrations of each in 100 milliliters(mls) of ethanol and sterile distilled water respectively. Undiluted mixture of bitter leaf and palm oil were prepared by mixing 2 mls of each in a sterile beaker. Zero-point one milliliter (0.1ml) of each undiluted extract, their mixture, ethanol and palm oil were separately dispensed into appropriately labeled wells using sterile pipette for sensitivity test on the isolated bacteria. The pH, temperatures and the phytochemical contents of the bitter extracts and palm oil were determined using pH meter, thermometer and spectrophotometric method.Results: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp. were isolated. The pH and temperature of bitter leaf extract and palm oil were 7.2 and 26?C and 6.7 and 26?C respectively while the pH and temperature for bitter leaf and the palm oil mixture was 6.9 and 26?C. The bitter leaf and palm oil extracts, their combination, ethanol and distilled water used on the isolates as antibiotics did not show any sensitivity. The phytochemicals identified in the bitter leaf were saponins, alkaloids and tannins while carotene was detected in the palm oil.Conclusion: It can be concluded that the bitter leaf extract, palm oil and their combination did not inhibit the growth of bacteria as a result of lack of bioactive components from the bitter leaf. The nature of the diluents used for the extraction may not have been the right one as it would have caused the low concentration, dilution and disfiguring of the molecules of the bioactive compounds that prevented the proper reaction between the bacteria and the extracts used.
ABSTRACT
Background: Bacteria present in the atmosphere often show predicable patterns across space and time. and these patterns and properties of the bacteria can be affected by presence of soot which is generated by artisanal refining and excessive burning of fossil fuel. These bacteria are being inhaled by humans on daily basis and this can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. Aim: This work was carried out to investigate the microbial load and antimicrobial susceptibility of an environment associated with artisanal refining activities. Methodology: The eight samples were taken randomly from four different locations in a high artisanal refining state Rivers State (Ojoto Roundabout, Nembe Waterside, Rumuokalagbor Village, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Rivers State University Microbiology laboratory and Mile 1 Park) all in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and compared to two locations from another state Kano state (No. 33 Lamido Crescent and God is Good Motors Park, Kano State) without artisanal refining activities all in Nigeria and tested for viable bacteria load. The six test and two control samples were collected on prepared dry nutrient agar exposed to free air for a period of five (5) minutes and were covered properly and transferred to the laboratory and incubated at 37OC for 24 hours. The isolates were morphologically and biochemically determined and identified. Results: The Total Heterotrophic count indicates that samples from Rumuokalagbor village have a high number of bacteria growth colonies with a colony forming unit of 1.43 x 106 while sample from Rivers State University Teaching Hospital had lesser colony forming unit of 7.5 x 105,. However, the Total Heterotrophic Bacteria Count from our control is seen to be very low with 3.2 x 105 and 2.8 x 105 respectively. Microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus species and Staphylococcus species. were identified from the various locations. Few isolates were gotten from the entire laboratory with a total of 22 isolates, 18 Bacillus species (77), 3 Staphylococcus species (18%) and 1 Staphylococcus aureus (5%). The antimicrobial sensitivity results revealed Ciprofloxacin (77%) having higher sensitivity followed by Levofloxacin (66.6%). Norfloxacin (0%), Rifampicin (0%) and Ampiclox (0%) were seen to be highly resistant to the bacteria isolated. Conclusion: This work was able to identify Bacillus species,Staphylococcus species and Staphylococcus aerues. as bacteria associated with artisanal refining at the different sampled sites. Strict implementation on stopping artisanal refining in our communities is recommended to reduce the public health risk posed by soot inhalation.