ABSTRACT
Aims@#Several cockroach and ant species have been revealed to infest households with inadequate insect control and food storage practices. These household insects harbor countless bacteria species of public health, agricultural and industrial importance. Many studies have reported disease-causing bacteria from both cockroaches and ant’s species collected from hospitals and residential areas. The aim of this study was to characterize the culturable bacterial communities of two common household insects, big headed ants (Pheidole rugaticeps) and American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) using 16S rRNA genes sequencing.@*Methodology and results@#A total of 64 bacterial sequences were obtained from P. rugaticeps (48.44%) and P. americana (51.56%) and Firmicutes was the most dominant phylum from both insect species. Bacillus was the most dominant bacterial genus from both cockroach and ant samples. Other important genera isolated were Pseudomonas and Stenotrophomonas which have previously been suggested to have members that are of biotechnological importance. Food poisoning bacterial species, B. cereus and other bacterial strains such as B. subtilis, Acinetobacter baumannii, Burkholderia cepacia, P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Serratia marcescens and S. pseudintermedius with the history of human infections were isolated from some of the insect’s specimens.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#Thus, these household insect pests harbor bacterial species known to cause diseases of serious public health importance that needs serious attentions. Similarly, the insects harbor other bacteria species that may provide opportunities for biotechnological exploration.
Subject(s)
Ants , Periplaneta , Public HealthABSTRACT
The increase in the prevalence, complications and cost effect of diabetes management necessitated the search for alternative treatment and a look into the anti-diabetic and biochemical effects of Persea americana seed extract on the liver of diabetic rats. This study was conceived and designed based on the gaps in the research that has been performed and what is known about the plant. The anti-diabetic and biochemical effects of both the water and ethanol extracts of Persea americana (avocado pear) seed on alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats were investigated. The seeds were minced by means of a grater and dried to a constant weight in an oven at 50°C. It is then ground to powder. One hundred grams (100 g) of the sample was extracted with 1000 ml of both water and methanol using the maceration method. The extracts were evaporated to dryness using a rotary evaporator and the extracts stored at 4°C until use. The effects of different doses (200 mg/bw, and 300/bw) of both water and methanol extracts of P. americana seed on alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats were compared with those of a reference drug, insulin. The glucose level and weight of the rats were measured weekly for 21 days. The liver function tests of the rats were investigated. Results of study showed that the extract possess a significant anti-diabetic effect for both extracts (P < 0.05). However, when compared within the experimental groups, the rats treated with ethanol extracts of P. americana seed showed a better anti diabetic effect. The liver function enzyme parameters showed no significant difference (P> 0.05) and reversed the increased liver function parameters that occurred in alloxan-induced albino diabetic untreated rats, comparable to the effects of insulin. In conclusion, the present study provides a pharmacological basis for the traditional use of P. americana seeds extracts in the management of Diabetes Mellitus.