F.I. AKINNIBOSUN

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.

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is an acidic, viscous, and voluminous colloidal suspension formed during palm oil processing from the mixed stream of sterilizer condensate, separator sludge, and hydrocyclone wastewater. The aim of this study was to investigate the microbiological analysis of localized and mechanized palm oil mill effluents. Palm oil mill effluent (POME) were collected aseptically with sterile microbiological bottles from mechanized (NIFOR) and Local palm oil mill in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The samples were immediately transported to the laboratory for analysis. The standard method of isolating microorganisms was adopted. Microorganisms were cultured on Nutrient Agar and …. Antimicrobial analysis was done using the agar well diffusion method. Local palm oil mill effluent had the highest bacteria count (13.00 x 10 3cfu/ml) while mechanized palm oil mill effluent had the least bacteria count (3.0 x 10 3cfu/ml). Bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Shigella dysentariae, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus. P. aeruginosa (18.%) and E. coli (18.8%) were the most occurring bacterial isolates while S. dysentariae (7.8%) and P. mirabilis (7.8%) were the least occurring bacterial isolates. B. subtilis, S. aureus and S. dysentariae were susceptible to rocephin, septrin and resistant to gentamycin, zinnacef and ciprofloxacin. E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. enterica were resistant to augmetin and chloramphenicol and susceptible to pefloxacin and ofloxazin. P. aeruginosa was the most resistant bacteria with multiple antibiotic resistance index of 0.7. E. coli was the least antibiotic resistant bacteria with multiple antibiotic resistance index of 0.2%. Proper hygiene practice by palm oil workers and sanitation of the palm oil facilities should be constantly carried out to avoid transmission of potentially infectious agents to patients. Also, use of fertilizers to grow palm trees should be reduced to minimize the incidence of drug resistance.