Browsing by Author "Odu, N. N."

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    Bacterial contamination of some edible shellfish harvested from Kalarugbani Creek, River State, Nigeria
    (Tapas Institute of Scientific Research and Development, 2011) Odu, N. N.; Njoku, H. O.; Igwiloh, N. J. P.; Akujobi, C. O.
    The bacteriological quality of raw shucked oyster (RSO), raw extracted periwinkle (REP), overlying water (OLW) and mud flat samples (MFS) obtained from Kalarugbani Creek in Rivers State was investigated. The parameters investigated were the total viable count (TVC), salmonella-Shigella counts (SSC), total faecal coliforms (TFC) and total coliform counts (TCC). There were variations in the values of these parameters analyzed, which were sample dependent. Of all the samples analyzed, RSO had the highest microbial counts except for TFC and TCC in which periwinkle has higher counts. Statistical analysis of the mean total viable counts showed high significant differences among the four samples across various months at (p≤0.05). The microbial counts were lower in the wet season and higher in the dry season. Correlation analysis of the seasonal variations of the total viable count for the various samples showed a very weak correlation between the two seasons for MFS and OLW (r= 0.499 and r= 0.515, respectively), while those of REP and RSO were strongly correlated between the two seasons (r= 0.69 and r= 0.607, respectively). The microbial counts obtained from this study were found to be higher than the specified standard limits (1x105 cfu/g) for bacteria by International Commission on Microbiological Specification for Foods (ICMSF) and United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). The results of this study show the presence of organisms of public health concern and highlight the need for maintenance of quality standards in the processing of these shellfish. The data obtained will be useful for the development of food safety schemes and policies.
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    Bioaccumulation of lead by Bacillus species isolated from pig waste
    (Ficus Publishers, 2012-02-07) Akujobi, C. O.; Odu, N. N.; Okorondu, S. I.
    Heavy metals, such as lead, copper, cadmium, chromium and mercury are important environmental pollutants, particularly in areas with high anthropogenic pressure. Their presence in the atmosphere, soil and water, even in traces, can cause serious problems to all organisms. Living organisms are exposed in nature to lead commonly in their ionized forms, which at different concentrations affect microbial population. Microorganisms are known to interact with heavy metals through a number of mechanisms including intracellular accumulation. Bacillus species isolated from pig waste was exposed to different concentrations of lead solution within 24 hours. The percentage log survival / growth rate in the different concentrations of lead was determined periodically. Bioaccumulation of lead by the test isolate was determined in the graded lead concentrations (0, 1.10, 100. 500 µg/ml). The result showed that the growth of the isolate was progressively inhibited by lead in a dose dependent fashion. The isolate showed a potential to survive lead intoxication and accumulated the toxicant. Therefore, Bacillus species isolated from pig waste shows a promise for its use in bioremediation of lead polluted environments. This can be applied as organic manure together with the microorganism in heavy metal-polluted site to prevent heavy metal toxicity and to enhance the growth of plants.
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    cLead bioaccumulation by pseudomonas species isolated from pig waste
    (U. P., 2012) Odu, N. N.; Akujobi, C. O.
    Living organisms are exposed in nature to lead commonly in their ionized forms, which at different concentrations affect microbial population. This can have significant impact given that many microorganisms are essential parts of the decomposing food chain. Their presence in the atmosphere, soil and water, even in traces, can cause serious problems to all organisms. Microorganisms are known to interact with heavy metals through a number of mechanisms including intracellular accumulation. Pseudomonas species isolated from pig waste was exposed to different concentrations of lead solution within 24 hours. The percentage log survival / growth rate in the different concentrations of lead was determined periodically. Bioaccumulation of lead by the test isolate was determined in the graded lead concentrations (0, 1.10, 100. 500 μg/ml). The result showed that the growth of the isolate was progressively inhibited by lead in a dose dependent fashion. The isolate showed a potential to survive lead intoxication and accumulated the toxicant. Therefore, Pseudomonas species isolated from pig waste shows a promise for its use in bioremediation of lead polluted environments and can be used remedy the toxic effect of heavy metals on plants. This can be applied as organic manure together with the microorganism in heavy metal-polluted site to prevent heavy metal toxicity and to enhance the growth of plants.
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    Potential production of lipases by pseudomonas and staphylococcus species isolated from palm oil contaminated tropical soil
    (U. P., 2012-05-20) Odu, N. N.; Akujobi, C. O.
    This study reports on the potential production of lipases by Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus species isolated from palm oil contaminated tropical soil. The lipase activities of Pseudomonas species and Staphylococcus species at 37oC and pH 7 were evaluated. Both organisms grew well and produced lipases at the prevailing assay conditions. The lipase activity by Pseudomonas species was significantly higher than that of Staphylococcus species at P< 0.05. Effect of pH on the enzyme activities of the isolates showed that lipase production varied according to the pH of the assay medium. This shows that pH is a determinant factor in lipase production. There were increases in lipase activities with increase in pH up to optimum pH of 7 in both organisms. The lipase activities decrease progressively after this optimum pH till the last pH of exposure (pH 10). At pH 7 and 8, the two organisms had equal lipase activities (0.64 and 0.63 U/ml/min, respectively), after which, the lipase activity of Pseudomonasspecies reduced gradually with increase in pH unlike Staphylococcus species whose lipase activity abruptly decreased with increase in pH. Lipase activities in both organisms were affected differently by varying temperature changes. In Pseudomonas species, there was a steady increase in lipase activity with increase in temperature up to the optimum at temperature of 30 oC (0.67 U/ml/min). The activity decreased slightly at temperature of 35 oC but effect of temperature against the activity was more pronounced at the temperatures of 40 and 45 oC. The lipase activity of Staphylococcus species was also affected by temperature changes. There was a steady increase in the activity up to the optimum at temperature of 35 oC. The activity started decreasing steady with further increase in temperature. In conclusion, the study showed that Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus species isolated from palm oil contaminated tropical soil has a great potential for the production of lipases.
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    Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of enterohemorrhagic escherichia coli O157:H7 isolated from various samples obtained from three different areas of Rivers State, Nigeria
    (U. P., 2015) Odu, N. N.; Akujobi, C. O.; Iwuji, C. O
    Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of enterohemorrhagic escherichia coli 0157:H7 isolated from various samples obtained from three different areas of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria were investigated.Two hundred and forty (240) samples of fresh beef, dung, cabbages and carrots were obtained from three different areas of Port Hartcourt viz: Rumuokoro, Rumuji and Oginigba. Isolates were obtained on Sorbitol MacConkey Agar (SMAC) supplemented with cefixime and potassium tellurite following pre-enrichment on Triptycase Soy Broth supplemented with novobiocin and cefixime and incubated at 37˚C for 24h. Following routine biochemical tests, confirmation was carried out with the Wellcotex E. coli 0157:H7 specific antiserum (Oxoid, Uk). Both E.coli 0157 and E.coli 0157:H7 strains were isolated depending on the sample and sample site. Determination of beta lactamase enzyme production ability of the isolates revealed that most isolates produced Metallo β-lactamase enzyme while none of them produced Extended Spectrum β-lactamase enzyme (ESBL). The antibiotic susceptibility screening revealed that Nitrofurantoin, Ceftazidime, Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin were effective against the isolates obtained with the isolates being most sensitive to Ciprofloxacin. Due to its public health importance, although the prevalence level was very low, only the presence of one positive sample can serve as a source of a major chain of events. It is therefore very important to develop proper sanitary hygiene within and outside the home, vegetable farms and slaughter houses. The need for proper education of farm workers by the relevant government agencies cannot be overemphasized.
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    Protease production capabilities of micrococcus luteus and bacillus species isolated from abattoir environment
    (Scientific & Academic Publishing, 2012) Odu, N. N.; Akujobi, C. O.
    The study investigated the optimum conditions of temperature, pH, inoculum size and time of incubation on bacterial protease production. Protease producing bacterial species were isolated from abattoir soil and identified as Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus species. The optimum conditions observed for protease production was 37℃ at pH 7, with 1% inoculum in the medium for 24 h of incubation in Micrococcus luteus while in Bacillus species, the optimum conditions observed was 47℃ at pH 9, with 2% inoculum concentration in the medium for 96 h of incubation. Generally, temperature and pH had more effect on the protease activity of Micrococcus luteus while inoculum concentration and time of incubation had more effect on the protease activity of Bacillus species. The study gave evidence that these bacterial isolates could be potentially applied in biotechnological processes.
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    Protein and chlorophyll contents of solanum melongena on diesel oil polluted soil amended with nutrient supplements
    (Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2011-09-10) Akujobi, C. O.; Onyeagba, R. A.; Nwaugo, V. O.; Odu, N. N.
    The study investigated the remediation effect of nutrient amendments of diesel oil polluted soil on protein and chlorophyll contents of eggplant (Solanum melongena). Soil samples were polluted and amended separately with different weights of poultry waste, pig waste, cow dung and inorganic fertilizer. Soil samples were also polluted with diesel oil without amendment to achieve 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% pollution. Samples were analyzed at two weeks interval for sixteen weeks. The plant protein and chlorophyll were affected adversely by the diesel oil pollution and the higher the level of pollution, the more the effect. The nutrient amendments were able to remedy the effect of the diesel oil pollution. The remediation effect was nutrient weight dependent and the best remediation effect was observed in poultry waste amended samples. This study has shown that diesel oil contaminated soil may have adverse effect on the protein and chlorophyll contents of plants, but this can be remedied by addition of organic nutrient supplements especially poultry waste.