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Abstract : Bacterial Load and Antimicrobial Profile ofEscherichia coliandListeria spp. Isolates from Muscle Tissues of Slaughtered Cattle at a Major Abattoir in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria
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Abstract: Meat is prone to contamination by pathogenic organisms during slaughter and processing due to unhygienic practices in Nigeria. In recent times, there has been an increase in the prevalence of antibiotic resistant foodborne pathogens due to increased drug misuse in livestock industry. We assessed the level of microbial contamination of fresh muscle tissues from cattle slaughtered in a major abattoir in Ibadan immediately after slaughter and also determined the antibiogram of Escherichia coli and Listeria spp isolates from the muscle tissues. These were done using standard plate and Bauer-Kirby disc diffusion techniques for bacteriological assay and antibiotic sensitivity testing, respectively. We found that the muscle tissues from the slaughtered cattle were highly contaminated, with the Total Aerobic (6.59±0.94 log cfu/g), coliform (6.43±0.67 log cfu/g) and Listeria (6.96±0.32 log cfu/g) counts being higher than the acceptable international standards. Isolated E. coli and Listeria spp demonstrated 100% resistance to all tested antibiotics. We thus recommend further studies to be carried out on the molecular characteristics of antibiotic resistant genes responsible for transferability of bacterial resistance among foodborne pathogens in Nigeria. Keywords: Beef, microbial contamination, E. coli, Listeria spp, antibiotic resistance.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Hab River Water, Baluchistan, Pakistan
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Abstract: This study reveals the water quality of Hab River which is the primary source of water supply for Hab City of Baluchistan Province, Pakistan and is also one of the major sources providing water to the mega city of Karachi. The quality of Hab River water is continuously declining owing to the accumulation of industrial effluents of Hab Trading Estate (HTE) and other domestic and agricultural waste. Altogether, 17 samples of water were collected from the study area in pre monsoon and post monsoon seasons and the Physico-chemical parameters like PH, TDS, Turbidity, Salinity, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl and SO4 were evaluated. Spatial analysis of PH, TDS, Salinity and Turbidity has also been carried out by conducting interpolation technique in GIS. This analysis spatially explains the differences in different parameters in pre and post-monsoon period. According to Quantitative Indicator (QI), most of the water bodies have crossed the maximum threshold limits defined by WHO guidelines and have entered in to impaired water category. Keywords: Quantitative indicator, impaired water, threatened, GIS, statistical analysis.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Production and Partial Purification of Amylase By Aspergillus niger Isolated from Cassava Peel
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Abstract: Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 isolated from cassava dumpsites were used for the production of amylase enzyme. The Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 had diameter (mm) zone of clearance of 17.0, 23.0 and 8.0 respectively using Potato dextrose agar plates fortified with starch. Studies on the amylase enzyme activity (mg/ml) of Aspergillus niger strains 1 and 2 showed 19,340 and 16,510 respectively. These values were higher than the commercially available amylase enzyme that had an activity of 5,722.2. The protein (mg/ml) and specific activity (units/mg) for amylase from Aspergillus niger strain 1 was 28.39 and 681.23 while 21.76 and 758.73 from Aspergillus niger 2 respectively. Purification using ammonium sulphate (% w/v) at 60, 80 and 100 on amylase enzyme from Aspergillus niger strain 1 for enzyme activity, protein and specific activity was 44405.49, 17.01 and 2610.55, 28949.76, 23.62 and 1225.65, 36220.25, 16.67, and 2172.787 respectively. The microbial production of Amylase enzyme in Nigeria from Cassava peel will reduce cost of production, convert cassava peel from waste condition to wealth, and will boost economy through indigenous industrialization. Keywords: Aspergillus niger, Amylase enzyme, Cassava peel, Partial purification.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Agricultural Productivity in Balochistan Province of Pakistan A Geographical Analysis
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Abstract: Agricultural sector plays a leading role in Pakistan’s economy. It contributed to nearly one fifth of the national GDP in 2010. Agricultural productivity is regions dependent, demanding further investigation. This study examines the productivity index in districts of Balochistan province of Pakistan from 1981-82 to 2008-2009. Besides the thermal and water regime, pedological conditions play a favorable role in growing of valuable crops. The food crops, wheat, rice, bajra, barley jowar and maize have been selected for the study. By contrast, very low level of agricultural productivity is confined to the districts falling in the drought prone areas characterized by irregular rainfall, rugged topography and poor irrigation facilities. Inadequacy of water is the main hurdle in agricultural productivity. For the present investigation, district wise secondary data have been collected from the agricultural census of Balochistan. The data collected have been processed and Yield Coefficient method has been employed to find out the level of agricultural productivity. The results are depicted by choropleth method on map. Hence, in the present paper an attempt has been made to assess the regional disparities in levels of agricultural productivity in districts of Balochistan province. Identification of causes of the disparity can prove helpful in solving the problem, thus enabling solution of food security. Keywords: Yield Co-efficient, variation, sustainability, food crop, technological factors.Download Full Article |
