DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY

Bacterial and fungal contaminations of borehole water in school hostels is a prevalent issue, particularly in regions where boreholes serve as primary water sources and hygiene practices may be challenging to maintain. This study was aimed at assessing the microbial contamination of water in student’s residential halls in University of Benin, Benin City. The bacterial isolates were characterized and identified using morphological and biochemical methods. The percentage distribution and frequency of the isolates were evaluated using statistical method. From the result obtained in this study, the total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 4.46 log10 cfu/ml to 4.86 log10 cfu/ml, Coliform count ranged from 2.84 to 3.13 log10 cfu/ml and fungal counts ranged from 4.40 to 4.85 log10 cfu/ml. Using the cultural, morphological and biochemical test, the isolates obtained in this study include, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp, Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Citrobacter, Enterobacter sp, Bjerkandera sp, Aureobasidium sp, Scedosporium sp, and Mucor
sp. The contamination of borehole water in school hostels by various bacterial and fungal pathogens, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Bjerkandera sp, Aureobasidium sp, Scedosporium sp, and Mucor sp, presents serious public health risks. These microorganisms, arising from fecal contamination, soil infiltration, and environmental factors, can cause a range of infections, from gastrointestinal illnesses to skin, respiratory, and systemic diseases.

Mattresses and bed linen are clearly recognized as potential reservoirs for microorganisms and could be vectors of disease transmission. Bedding materials include bed sheets, blankets, towels and personal clothing (night wares). Pathogenic microorganisms can be transmitted from bed linen to human. This study therefore, assessed pathogenic bacterial isolates from bed linen and mattresses in Postgraduate hostels in University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus Samples were swabbed from bed linen and mattresses of Post-graduate Hostels in University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus with sterile swab sticks moistened in normal saline. Heterotrophic bacteria were cultured on nutrient agar, while hemolytic bacteria were isolated on sheep blood agar. Isolated pathogens were subsequently assessed for antibiotic resistance to common antibiotics using Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion method. The total bacterial counts of bed linen ranged from 4.00±0.60 x 10 3 cfu/cm2 - 82.1±3.91 x 10 3 cfu/cm2 while the bacterial count from mattress ranged from 4.29±0.31 x 10
3 cfu/cm2- 16.2±0.94 x 10 3 cfu/cm2 . Bacterial isolates identified in bedlinen and mattresses included three (3) Gram negative bacteria: Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and two (2) Gram positive bacteria: Bacillus mycoides and Staphylococcus aureus. Frequency of occurrence of bacterial isolates from bed linen showed that Escherichia coli was the most occurring bacteria (36.4%) while the least occurring isolate was B. mycoides (5.45%). S. aureus (32.3%) was the most occurring bacterial isolates while the least was B. mycoides (10.8%) from mattresses. Staphylococcus aureuswas positive for Dnase, lipase and hemolysin characteristics, E. coli and Enterobacter cloacae exhibited positive DNase and Lipase characteristics. Staphylococcus aureus had the highest multiple antibiotic resistance (0.36%), followed by Enterobacter cloacae (0.33%) while E. coli had least multiple antibiotic resistance (0.29%). Bed linen and mattresses harboured pathogenic bacteria. There is need to strengthen existing infection control strategies in the postgraduate hostels in order to minimise proliferation of bacteria and diseases occurrence in the hostels.

In this study, prevalence of enteric bacteria in ready to eat suya and antibacterial activity of Tetrapleura tetraptera pod extract was carried out. The aim of this research was to isolate enteric bacteria from suya meats and determine the antibacterial potential of T. tetraptera against enteric bacteria. Standard microbiological methods were used to determine the total heterotrophic bacteria and coliform count of the suya samples using pour plate methods. Ethanolic extraction of pod of Tetrapleura tetraptera was done. The result of this study showed the total heterotrophic bacteria count (Log10 Cfu/g) ranged between 3.00±3.00 to 5.455606±2.50 (Log10 Cfu/g) while Total Coliform Count ranged from 3.00±0.50 to 4.921686±1.00 (Log10 Cfu/g). The bacterial
isolates isolated were Morgenella sp, Enterobacter sp, Pseudomonas sp, E. coli, Klebsiella sp and Bacillus sp. Phytochemicals screening showed the presence of saponin, te penoids, phenol, glycoside and alkanoids. Antibacterial screening showed that Tetrapleura tetraptera pod extracts possessed antibacterial activities against the test isolates with Klebsiella sp. Having 33.67mm for 100mg/ml while the minimum zone was recorded in Escherichia coli with 6.33mm for 75mg/ml concentration of extract. This finding also suggests good antibacterial potential of the pod extracts of Gum tree

Plants are the most abundant natural primary source of drugs utilized to treat ailment,s and several plants rich in phytochemicals used as medicine have Nigerian origin. Locally, extracts of plants such as roots, stems, flowers, and fruits are used in the treatment of diseases. This study evaluates the antimicrobial potency of leaves of culinary relevant local Nigerian plants; Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) and Gnetum africanum (Okazi) against selected clinically relevant bacterial and fungal species- Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp, Candida sp and Trichophyton sp. It also served to assess the phytochemical constituents that contribute to their effectiveness as antimicrobial agents. The leaves were obtained, identified, pulverized, and then the leaves extracts were prepared with cold water and methanol. The phytochemical composition of the leaves were determined using standard procedures. The antimicrobial potency was evaluated at concentrations of 2000mg/ml, 1000mg/ml, 500mg/ml and 250mg/ml. Ethanolic extracts proved to be more potent demonstrating broader zones of inhibition and bactericidal activity. Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) aqueous extracts demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity compared to their ethanol counterparts against Gram-negative Klebsiella sp (20.00mm) and fungal Trichophyton sp (15.00mm), while Gnetum africanum (Okazi) aqueous extract was more active against Candida sp (15.00mm). The leaf extracts demonstrated only static activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This study further reinforces the basis of the use of traditional plants in the treatment of microbial infections. However, future investigation on the mechanism of action, toxicity level is essential to fully optimize the potential of G. latifolium (Utazi) and G. africanum (Okazi) as therapeutic agents in the treatment of infections caused by microorganisms.

Plants are the most abundant natural primary source of drugs utilized to treat ailment,s and several plants rich in phytochemicals used as medicine have Nigerian origin. Locally, extracts of plants such as roots, stems, flowers, and fruits are used in the treatment of diseases. This study evaluates the antimicrobial potency of leaves of culinary relevant local Nigerian plants; Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) and Gnetum africanum (Okazi) against selected clinically relevant bacterial and fungal species- Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp, Candida sp and Trichophyton sp. It also served to assess the phytochemical constituents that contribute to their effectiveness as antimicrobial agents. The leaves were obtained, identified, pulverized, and then the leaves extracts were prepared with cold water and methanol. The phytochemical composition of the leaves were determined using standard procedures. The antimicrobial potency was evaluated at concentrations of 2000mg/ml, 1000mg/ml, 500mg/ml and 250mg/ml. Ethanolic extracts proved to be more potent demonstrating broader zones of inhibition and bactericidal activity. Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) aqueous extracts demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity compared to their ethanol counterparts against Gram-negative Klebsiella sp (20.00mm) and fungal Trichophyton sp (15.00mm), while Gnetum africanum (Okazi) aqueous extract was more active against Candida sp (15.00mm). The leaf extracts demonstrated only static activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This study further reinforces the basis of the use of traditional plants in the treatment of microbial infections. However, future investigation on the mechanism of action, toxicity level is essential to fully optimize the potential of G. latifolium (Utazi) and G. africanum (Okazi) as therapeutic agents in the treatment of infections caused by microorganisms.

The worldwide rise in antibiotic resistance (AMR) has warranted the exploration of medicinal plants as alternate sources of antimicrobial agents. The antibacterial and phytochemical qualities of Pueraria phaseoloides (Tropical Kudzu) cold and hot water extracts were assessed in this study. The agar well diffusion method was used to test the extracts' antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. To evaluate potency, the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were calculated. Through phytochemical screening, both extracts were found to contain flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and terpenoids. The hot water extract showed the largest zones of inhibition and the lowest MIC values against P. aeruginosa and E. coli, indicating higher antibacterial activity than the cold water extract. At the tested concentrations, both extracts demonstrated bacteriostatic effects. The results show that the extraction temperature has a major impact on the release of the active ingredients that give antimicrobial activity. This study supports Pueraria phaseoloides' potential development as a natural source of antimicrobial agents and offers scientific support for its traditional use.

Since antimicrobial resistance is a serious public health concern, alternative therapeutic sources derived from medicinal plants are required. In this study, cold and hot water extracts of Polyalthialongifolia leaves were examined for their phytochemical composition and antibacterial qualities. Extracts were made with aqueous solvents and tested using the agar well diffusion method against specific bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The antimicrobial potency was measured using the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of compounds linked to antimicrobial and therapeutic effects, including flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and terpenoids. In contrast to the cold extract, the hot water extract demonstrated better antibacterial activity, suggesting that higher extraction temperatures promote the release of bioactive compounds. The research highlights Polyalthialongifolia's potential as a source of plant-based antimicrobial agents appropriate for upcoming pharmaceutical development and validates its ethnomedical significance.

Wastewater generated from restaurants often contains a mixture of organic matter and microbial contaminants that may pose environmental and public health risks. This research focuses on the detection and isolation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) from wastewater collected from selected restaurants within the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. For this study, wastewater samples were obtained from three restaurants: Helena’s Kitchen, Home and Away, and Buka— during peak operation hours. The samples were collected aseptically and analysed using standard microbiological methods. The pour plate technique was employed for total heterotrophic bacterial counts, while selective media such as Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar were used for the isolation of E. coli. Biochemical tests including indole, methyl red, citrate, urease, and triple sugar iron (TSI) were used to confirm the isolates. The results showed high microbial loads across all samples, with E. coli being consistently present, indicating faecal contamination of the wastewater. The identification of other bacterial species suggest contamination from multiple sources such as food residues, human handling, and the environment. The findings reveal poor wastewater management and hygiene practices in the studied restaurants. In conclusion, the consistent presence of E. coli in restaurant wastewater signifies potential health and environmental hazards within the University of Benin. It is therefore recommended that wastewater from restaurants be regularly monitored, and that adequate sanitation infrastructure and treatment systems be put in place to prevent contamination and safeguard public health.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics (usually used for bacteria) and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective, and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability, and death. This study comprehensively investigated the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcusaureus isolated from paediatric patients. The study adopted a cross-sectional epidemiological design. The participants of the study include paediatric patients aged 2–17 years within UBTH with clinically diagnosed bacterial infections or paediatric patients who were suspected to eventually receive antibiotic treatments. A total of 53 samples were collected from this population, using rectal and nasal swabs, these samples were cultured on MacConkey agar and mannitol salt agar respectively. Isolates were characterized using conventional cultural
techniques. The findings of the study showed that the mean age of the population is between30.5-117.5 months, With male gender being predominant in the study. Atotal of 53Staphylococcus isolates were identified, comprising 36(67.9%) S. aureus and 17(32.1%)Coagulase negative Staphylococcus aureus (CoNS). The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolates, indicated a high level of susceptibility to majority of the antibiotics; including amikacin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, tigecycline, meropenem, levofloxacin, erythromycin, cefuroxime, and tetracycline. Resistance was most pronounced against cefoxitin, cefazidime, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, where significant proportions of isolates were resistant (ranging from approximately45%to80%). Based on the findings of this study, it can be infer that there is mild-high range of AMR among paediatric patient in Benin City. The study thus, supports the need for necessary action, including rational drug use, continuous surveillance, and deployment of adequate preventive and curative policies and actions

Increase in antibiotic resistance of infectious bacteria to conventional antibiotics has emerged as a threat to public health and this has lrd to the growing interest rate in plants as herbal sources of antimicrobial agents. Among such plants, Musa spp (banana stem) has been widely used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. This study explored the antibacterial activity of Musa spp stem extracts against selected bacteria. Fresh stem of Musa spp were cut, cleaned, air-dried and pulverized. The powdered sample was soaked using ethanol and distilled water and extracted to obtain the ethanolic and aqeous extracts. The antibacterial activity of the extracts were assessed against selected bacteria (Escherechiacoli, Staphylcoccus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ), obtained fromthe UniversityofBenin Teaching Hospital using Agar well diffusion method. The phytochemical screening of the aqeous and ethanol extracts, revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids and saponins at varying degrees with the ethanolic extract showing stronger phytochemical activity, compared to the aqeous extract. The bacterial
evaluation of the extract revealed that both extracts, showed dose dependent antibacterial activity with inhibition zones, decreasing at lower concentrations. For Staphylcoccus aureus, ethanolic extract showed moderate inhibition at 11.00mm and no inhibition for aqeous extract. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed moderate inhibition for both the aqeous- 11.00mmandethanol- 10.00mm extract at 50% concentration and 10.00mm at 25%aqeous concentration. Escherechia coli showed both ethanolic and aqeous inhibition at only 50%concentrationat 11.00mm and 9.00mm respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of both aqeous and ethanolic extracts showed that Staplylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherechiacoli, showed bacterioststic activity at 50mg/ml for the ethanolic extract while only P. aeruginosa inhibited at 50mg/ml for the aqeous extract. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration showed that only ethanolic extract at 50mg/ml showed bacteriacidal effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherechia coli showed bacteriostatic activity. This study further emphasizes the antibacterial potential of Musa spp stem extracts against selected bacteria. This supports it’s basis as an alternative to synthetic antibiotics as a medicinal plant.