BACTERIOLOGICAL

Soy milk, sometimes referred to as soybean milk, a staple of the Asian diet is a plant-based beverage made by crushing, boiling, and soaking soybeans, the leftovers are then filtered to create a smooth liquid. However, because of its affordability, growing awareness of its health advantages, and improved public acceptance particularly among those who wish to reduce their intake of animal products its consumption ratio has been rising in other areas. It is also a component of other goods such dressing, soy cheese, and soy yoghurt. Among those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to cow’s milk proteins, it is one of the most popular dairy substitutes consumed globally. Soymilk samples were collected from five major locations; Boundary, Newton, Edo Street, JB, and Backgate and analyzed using standard microbiological methods for total heterotrophic and coliform counts, as well as for the isolation and identification of bacterial species. The total bacterial counts ranged from 1.095 × 10⁷ to 9.5 × 10⁷ CFU/ml, while total coliform counts ranged from 1.0 × 10⁶ to 2.3 × 10⁷ CFU/ml, indicating a high microbial load exceeding recommended limits for ready-to-drink beverages. Three bacterial species were consistently isolated across all samples: Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antimicrobial testing showed that chitosan exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones ranging from 21 mm to 50.5 mm. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most susceptible (MIC = 6.25 µg/ml; MBC = 12.5 µg/ml), while Bacillus subtilis showed the least sensitivity (MIC = 12.5 µg/ml; MBC = 25 µg/ml). These findings reveal significant microbial contamination of locally sold soymilk due to poor hygiene and handling practices and demonstrate the potential of chitosan as a natural biopreservative to enhance the microbial safety and shelf life of soy-based beverages. The study emphasizes the need for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems among local soymilk producers to safeguard public health.

Water meant for drinking and domestic use can easily become a source of infection if stored under poor sanitary conditions. This study emphasizes on the bacteriological analysis of water tanks in halls of residence in the University of Benin, Edo state Nigeria. Swab and water samples were taken aseptically from water tanks in the halls of residence and in a household with regularly treated water tanks. Serial dilution and pour plate methods were carried out for the isolation of microorganisms on different sterile media. The population of the bacteria isolates were enumerated using the colony counter. Pure cultures were obtained by the streak plate method and they were characterized by Gram staining and some biochemical tests. The isolates were further identified using Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. The highest total heterotrophic count for swab samples was gotten from Household A and Household B which both recorded TNC bacterial count and the lowest count was 2.33±0.57 ×10 1 CFU/mL which was gotten from Hall 3A, while that of water samples recorded the highest from 2.67±0.57 ×10 3 CFU/mL which was gotten from Sample B and the lowest was 2.33±0.47 ×10 3 CFU/mL which was from Sample A. The highest total coliform count in swab samples was 7.63 ± 0.58 ×10 3 cfu/mL which was gotten from Hall 4 and the lowest was 1.00 ± 0.57 ×10 2 cfu/mL gotten from Hall 2A, while for that of water sample recorded the highest as 2.33±0.94 ×10 3 cfu/mL which was gotten from Sample A and recorded the lowest as 1.67±0.57 ×10 3 cfu/mL which was gotten from Sample B. The highest total count for Non-lactose fermenting Gram-negative bacteria for swab was 6.60± 0.58 ×10 3 CFU/mL which was gotten from Hall 3A and the lowest was Hall 1B and hall 4 which showed no growth, while for water samples, the highest was 2.63±0.48 ×10 3 CFU/mL which was gotten from Sample A and the lowest was gotten from 1.00±0.58 × 10 3 CFU/mL which was Sample B. The predominant isolates identified included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Enterobacter sp., Citrobacter sp., Proteus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus aureus and weakly fermenting E. coli. This study has shown that the water stored in the halls of residences in University of Benin stores different varieties and levels of bacterial contamination indicating that the water is not entirely safe for domestic use without proper treatment

Despite the presence of different variety of chemical fungicides, the search for new antifungal substances against plant pathogens continues because of the negative effect these fungicides has on both the plants and the environment. This study was aimed at assessing the antifungal activities of Moringa oleifera and Olea europaea oil individually and their synergistic combination against selected phytopathogenic fungi. Two fungi were isolated from agricultural soils obtained from different locations. Antifungal activities of Moringa, Olive oil individually and synergistically were performed using the food poisoning method. Penicillium chrysogenum and Mucor circinelloides used in this study were isolated from the agricultural soil. The phytochemical analysis of Moringa oil revealed a cocktail of phytochemicals while Olive oil showed only the presence of terpenoids. From the results, Moringa oil alone demonstrated strong activity against the pathogens with radial growth inhibition ranging from 2.83±0.04mm (Penicillium chrysogenum, 14%) to 5.83±0.10mm (Mucor circinelloides, 6%) this was significantly different from the controls (17.66±0.33mm for Penicillium chrysogenum and 39.16±0.05mm for Mucor circinelloides). For Olive oil alone the radial growth inhibition ranged from 4.90±0.05mm (Penicillium chrysogenum, 14%) to 24±0.30mm (Mucor circinelloides, 2%)
this was significantly different from the controls (17.66±0.33mm for Penicillium chrysogenum and 39.16±0.05mm for Mucor circinelloides). The synergistic combination of Moringa oil and Olive oil gave a result ranging from 0.00±0.00mm (Mucor circinelloides, 14%) to 12.33±0.14mm (Penicillium chrysogenum, 14%) compared to their controls (17.66±0.33mm for Penicillium chrysogenum and 39.16±0.05mm for Mucor circinelloides). The highest percentage mycelial radial growth inhibiton for Moringa oil on day 7 was 89.79% (Mucor circinelloides) and the lowest was 71.70% (Penicillium chrysogenum).

he bacteriological and biochemical quality of fish feeds used by fish farmers in Ikpoba-Okha and Egor local government area in metropolis were evaluated in this study. A total of twelve (12) samples were assessed from both locations. Questionnaires were administered to the farmers to get their informed consent. Samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory within 1-5 hours after collection, standard microbiological analysis involving total heterotrophic count of the fish feeds, total coliform bacteria count of the fish feeds, Identification of the bacteria most prevalent in the feeds and antibiotics susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates. The results revealed that the mean value of total heterotrophic bacteria count for fish feeds obtained from Ikpoba-Okha was 1.72±7.02x10 2 cfu/ml while Egor had a mean value of 5.20±2.13x10 2 cfu/ml. The total coliform bacteria count for Ikpoba-Okha was 0.2±0.82x10 2cfu/ml and Egor, 0.78±3.16x10 2cfu/ml. The prevalence of bacteria isolates in fish feeds obtained from both Ikpoba-Okha and Egor local government areas revealed that Escherichia coli was most prevalent with a percentage value of 20.00% while Actinobacter was least prevalent with a percentage value of 2.50%. Salmonella, Klebsiella sp, Citrobacter, Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Chromobacterium, Proteus vulgaris and Shigella sp. Were also present. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that all Gram positive bacteria identified in this study was susceptible to gentamycin and ofloxacin, meanwhile all bacteria identified in this study were resistant to ceftriaxone/ceftrazone

The handling of currency notes is an everyday activity that exposes them to various sources of microbial contamination. This study was carried out to evaluate the bacteriological quality of Nigerian currency notes collected from different sources banks, park, and petrol stations. A total of samples of different denominations (₦1000, ₦500, ₦200, and ₦100) were randomly collected from banks, park and petrol station and analyzed using standard microbiological procedures. The currency notes were swabbed, and the isolates were cultured on nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, and mannitol salt agar plates. The bacterial isolates were identified based on their phenotypical characteristics. the isolates were evaluated for their virulence factors and antibiotic susceptibility profile. The results revealed a high level of bacterial contamination on most of the notes examined, with isolates including loads compared to those from banks, possibly due to frequent handling and poor hygiene practices. The presence Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae. Notes obtained from petrol stations and park showed higher microbial of potential pathogens on currency notes indicates their role as fomites in the transmission of infectious diseases. This study emphasizes the need for improved public hygiene awareness, regular replacement of old and damaged notes, and the promotion of cashless transactions to reduce the risk of disease spread.

Animal manure, a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, is rich in beneficial microorganisms capable of improving soil structure, nutrient availability, and crop yield. Understanding the bacteriological characteristics of these manures is crucial for optimizing their agricultural application while minimizing potential pathogenic risks. The study was conducted to investigate the microbial composition and plant growth-promoting potential of ruminant and non-ruminant animal manures to enhance soil fertility management. The research aimed to isolate and identify bacteria present in animal manures using phenotypic and molecular methods, evaluate their PGP traits, and assess their effects on the germination and growth performance of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin). A total of twenty-four manure samples from ruminant and non-ruminant animals were collected
from different farms in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Standard microbiological procedures were used for isolation, enumeration, and biochemical identification of bacterial isolates. Phenotypic characterization involved Gram staining and biochemical assays such as oxidase, indole, catalase, urease, citrate utilization, and triple sugar iron tests. Molecular identification was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Pathogenicity tests, including gelatin liquefaction, DNase, lipase, and hemolysin assays, were conducted to assess the virulence potentials of isolates. The isolates were also screened for plant growth-promoting traits such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and ammonia production. In addition, the impact of different manure treatments on Telfairia occidentalis was evaluated through germination rate, vine length, leaf area, chlorophyll content and biomass yield. The results revealed that the heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 13.30 × 10⁵ cfu/g in nonruminant manure to 27.80 × 10⁵ cfu/g in mixed manure, while the coliform count varied between6.40 × 10⁴ cfu/g and 13.69 × 10⁴ cfu/g, indicating a higher microbial load in the mixed manure samples. Six major bacterial species were identified Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica and Bacillus velezensis with E. coli showing the highest frequency of occurrence (25%). Molecular characterization further revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA3 (88.5% identity), Escherichia coli strain NCCP 15734 (92.1%), Bacillus velezensis strain UA0297 (97.3%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae strain BUH3 (96.8%). Most isolates demonstrated positive results for plant growth-promoting xv traits such as nitrogen fixation, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) and ammonia production. Growth trials on Telfairia occidentalis showed that plants treated with mixed manure had the best performance, with an average vine length of 76.05 cm, leaf number of 33, and leaf length of 25.13 cm by weekeight, compared to control plants with 55.13 cm vine length and 20 leaves. These findings confirm that animal manures, particularly mixed manure, significantly enhanced plant growth and soil microbial quality and therefore can serve as biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture and improved crop productivity