Isolation and characterization of microorganisms from instruments used by pedicurists operating within Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

Eight bacterial and five fungal species were isolated from swab samples taken from instruments used by pedicurists operating at three different sites in Lagos, Nigeria. The bacterial isolates included Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus roseus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Hafnia spp, Shigella spp, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus spp. The five fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Mucor spp, Trichophyton spp and Candida albicans. The presence of these microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic, is an indication that pedicurists could be contributing towards the spread of skin and nail infections within the Lagos metropolis

Isolation and characterisation of antibiotic producing microorganisms in composted Nigerian soil.

Compost samples obtained from different locations within the premises of the university of Lagos were analysed to determine the presence and types of antibiotic-producing bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes using nutrient agar, potato Dextrose agar and starch casein nitrate agar respectively as culture media. A variety of bacteria were isolated and these included Staphylococcus aureus, B. subtilis, B. pumilis, B. lactesporus, B. megaterium, B. pulvifaciens, B. licheniformis, Streptococus spp., Corynebacterium spp. and E. coli. The fungal isolates encountered were Aspergillus niger, A. flarus, T. viridae, P. chrysogenum, P. pinofylum and Absida spp., while the following actinomycetes were identified: Norcadia spp., Micromonospora spp., Streptomyces scabies, S. reticuli and S. hygroscopicus. When these organisms were screened for antibiosis, the following species were found to be antibiotic producers: B. licheniformis, B. subtilis, Penicillium chrysogenum, Streptomyces reticuli, S. hygroscopicus and Micromonospora spp. The fungus Penicillium chrysogenum had the highest rate of antibiotic production with an inhibitory zone width of 17mm while Trichoderma viridae produced toxins lytic to other fungal hyphae.

Effect of some herbicides used in Nigeria on Rhizobium phaseoli, Azotobacter vinelandii and Bacillus subtilis.

The effect of three herbicides namely Agroxone, Atranex 50SC and 2,4-Damine on Azotobacter vinelandii, Rhizobium phaseoli and Bacillus subtilis were studied. These bacteria were isolated from a bean-garden in Lagos. The results revealed that 2, 4-Damine was the most toxic of the three herbicides studied and Azotobacter vinelandii was found to be most sensitive to the herbicides. There was a reduction in LC50 of herbicides with increased number of days. The percentage survival decreased with increased concentration of herbicides and days for Rhizobium phaseoli and Azotobacter vinelandii while an initial reduction in population was followed by increased percentage survival of organisms for Bacillus subtilis.

Antimicrobial activity of extracts of local cough mixtures on upper respiratory tract bacterial pathogens

The punched-hole and the paper disc diffusion methods were used in screening for the antimicrobial activity of six common ingredients used locally in cough mixtures, against the following bacteria: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus. Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Salmonella paratyphi, Shigella dysenteria, Shigella sonnei and Candida albicans. The results, evaluated as the diameter of zone of inhibition of microbial growth, showed that lime, garlic onion, onion and honey were active against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp and Shigella dysenteriae. Bitter-kola nut extract and palm kernel oil showed no antimicrobial activities against any of the tested organisms. None of the extracts inhibited the growth of Salmonella paratyphi and Shigella sonnei and the most susceptible organisms were Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp

Physicochemical and microbiological assessment of Oko-oba--a Nigerian abattoir.

The physicochemical and microbiological assessments of Oko-oba abattoir were carried out during dry and wet season to determine whether the waste discharges are within tolerable limits. All the physicochemical parameters studied showed seasonal variations. Higher temperature and lower pH values were recorded during the dry season than wet season. Similarly, the BOD of wastewater from the slab decreases from 10000 mg/ml during the dry season to 6000 mg/ml in the wet season. Conversely, the BOD of the final waste discharge was 4000 mg/ml during the dry season and 3,500 mg/ml during the wet season. The COD showed similar trend, with values ranging from 12,200 to 18,500 mg/ml depending on the season. The suspended solid values ranged from 1200 to 1950 mg/ml. The phosphate and nitrate ions were in the range of 41-75 mg/l and 22.5- 960 mg/ml respectively. Heavy metals detected were Chromium at 104 -114 mg/ml, Copper 16 -75 mg/ml and Iron 55- 114 mg/ml. The following bacteria species were also encountered: B. cereus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, S. faecalis, S. lactis, Micrococcus sp, A. aerogenes, P. vulgaris, and S. typhi. The results showed significantly high level of pollutants in the waste discharged.