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The study aimed at assessing the proximate composition, isolation, characterization of some Enterobacteriaceae from two (2) brands of poultry feeds marketed in Mando, Kaduna, Nigeria. A total of sixteen (16) samples of two (2) different poultry feeds (starter and finisher) from four (4) poultry farms in mando were collected and subjected to proximate and microbiological analysis. The proximate analysis was carried out using standard techniques and procedures. All the feed samples were cultured on separate media which include Eosin methylene blue (EMB), nutrient Agar (NA) and Salmonella-Shigella Agar (SSA) media using standard procedures. The antibiogram of the selected antibiotics was evaluated against the test isolates. The result of proximate analysis of the starter and finisher feeds indicated that the Dry matter of starter feed had the highest percentage composition of 95.02% and crude fiber of the finisher feed had the lowest composition of 3.78%. The highest number of bacterial load was recorded to be 10.0×104 CFU/g for the feed sample A (starter feed) and 12.0x104CFU/g was recorded for the feed sample B (finisher feed) which had the highest number of bacterial load recorded among the two (2) different poultry feeds analyzed. The bacteria isolates were identified as Salmonella species and Escherichia coli. Total viable count (TVC) of Salmonella species and E. coli in the feed samples (starter and finisher) ranges from 3.0×104CFU/g to 12.0×104CFU/g. Both organisms (Salmonella species, E. coli) were found as 37.5% and 25% of the analyzed feeds (Broiler starter and broiler finisher) samples, respectively. There was no level of significant (p>0.05) difference between the level of contamination of Salmonella species and E. coli in the two different feeds analyzed, as p=0.06 and p=0.13 for Salmonella species, and E. coli respectively. Sample A and B (Starter and Finisher) feeds had the highest number of Salmonella species occurrence with six ( 6) positive samples while E. coli was recorded in four (4) samples of A and B (Starter and Finisher) feeds. The result of the antibiogram indicated that ciprofloxacin (30 µg), Gentamycin (30µg), Perfloxacin (30µg) and Tarvid (30µg) was effective against Salmonella species and Escherichia coli. The significant of spread of the species of the Enterobacteriaceae in livestock feeds requires the need for effective quality assurance and control, good hygiene practices in production and proper handling of the poultry feeds.

Reduction of Heavy metals content from the polluted soil by tanneries in sokoto metropolitan using slurry of fungi A. aculeatus, A. niger and co-slurry of both was evaluated. Heavy metal Cu, Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cr content was determined in duplicate using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) up to 12 weeks. The reduction mean ranged was 6.51-9.09 mg/kg, 3.57-9.33 mg/kg and 2.12-10.12 mg/kg Cu for fungi carrying A. aculeatus, A. niger and co-slurry respectively while Cd, Ni and Pb were removed in all the setup. Chromium was decreased most especially in the co-slurry of both fungi 22.10-113.25 mg/kg. Meanwhile, Heavy metal contents in all the setups were different from the control. The study reveals local tanneries utilized many synthetic chemicals for use in their production which becomes detrimental to our soil environment.

Bacteriocin genes are biosynthetic genes which encodes proteins involved in bacteriocin regulation, self-immunity, transport and modification. This research was aimed at identifying the gene for the synthesis of bacteriocin. Four strains of lactic acid bacteria previously isolated from fermented foods (Nono (N2), Ogi (O3), Dawadawa (D1 and D3) and Wara (W3) were identified using molecular technique and used to produce bacteriocin. The bacteriocin activity was assayed against some test bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) using agar well diffusion method and the bacteriocin genes were identified using BAGEL3. The LAB identified were Lactobacillus fermentum O3, Leuconostoc mesenteroides N2, Weissella cibaria D1 and 2 strains of Lactobacillus plantarum D3 and W3. The entire identified LAB was able to produce bacteriocin. The antimicrobial activity showed varied inhibitory effects of the bacteriocins on the test bacteria. Bacteriocin from isolate O3 showed the highest inhibition zone 16mm on S. aureus. The identified gene for these bacteriocins were plnJK gene for Lactobacillus plantarum str WCFS1 and strain LZ95 (W3 and D3), entA gene for Lactobacillus fermentum str 3872 (O3) and ppnC7 gene for Leuconostoc mesenteroides str SRA3 (N2) with the interaction of other peptides were responsible for bacteriocin production.

Bio-preservation of Nigerian soft-white cheese (wara) in submerged consortium of bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) culture was investigated. Lactobacillus acidophilus PIT17 and Lactococcus lactis PIT30 were isolated from pito using the pour plate technique on MRS medium. The selection of L. acidophilus PIT17 and L. lactis PIT30 for the bio-preservation studies were based on their ability to produce acidophilin and nisin to inhibit the growth of the test isolates. The ‘wara’ were submerged in consortia of the L. acidophilus PIT17 and L. lactis PIT30 culture and were kept/stored at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10°C and at room temperature. The shelf-life of the wara alongside control was determined. Physico-chemical and proximate analysis, microbial counts and organoleptic characteristics of the wara were also carried out before and after the bio-preservation. The shelf life of the wara were observed with a significant difference (p < 0.05) at storage temperatures of 2°C (5 days), 4°C (6 days), 6°C (4 days), 8°C (3 days), 10°C (6 days) and 24±1°C (3 days). The proximate analysis of wara showed significant difference (p < 0.05) at different storage temperatures employed. The total viable bacterial count (TVBC) of the cheese (wara) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after 24 h of submerged bio-preservation of wara from 9.8 × 105 cfu/ml, 1.3 × 106 cfu/g to between 6.2 × 105 and 7.5 × 105 cfu/g. The organoleptic characteristics of wara revealed that there were significant difference (p < 0.05) in colour, texture, aroma, taste, and general acceptability. Key words: Organoleptic characteristics, proximate, physico-chemical, cheese, consortium.

Stereotypical changes in pH occur along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Classically, there is an abrupt increase in pH on exit from the stomach, followed later by a sharp fall in pH, attributed to passage through the ileocecal region. However, the precise location of this latter pH change has never been conclusively substantiated. We aimed to determine the site of fall in pH using a dual-scintigraphic technique. On day 1, 13 healthy subjects underwent nasal intubation with a 3-m-long catheter, which was allowed to progress to the distal ileum. On day 2, subjects ingested a pH-sensitive wireless motility capsule labeled with 4 MBq 51Chromium [EDTA]. The course of this, as it travelled through the GI tract, was assessed with a single-headed γ-camera using static and dynamic scans. Capsule progression was plotted relative to a background of 4 MBq 111Indium [diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid] administered through the catheter. Intraluminal pH, as recorded by the capsule, was monitored continuously, and position of the capsule relative to pH was established. A sharp fall in pH was recorded in all subjects; position of the capsule relative to this was accurately determined anatomically in 9/13 subjects. In these nine subjects, a pH drop of 1.5 ± 0.2 U, from 7.6 ± 0.05 to 6.1 ± 0.1 occurred a median of 7.5 min (1–16) after passage through the ileocecal valve; location was either in the cecum ( n = 5), ascending colon ( n = 2), or coincident with a move from the cecum to ascending colon ( n = 2). This study provides conclusive evidence that the fall in pH seen within the ileocolonic region actually occurs in the proximal colon. This phenomenon can be used as a biomarker of transition between the small and large bowel and validates assessment of regional GI motility using capsule technology that incorporates pH measurement.

This study aimed at evaluating the fermentative performance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from palm wine on honey slurry and dates palm fruit juice blend for wine production. The yeast was isolated from palm wine on saboraud dextrose agar (SDA) using pour plate technique and was identified using microscopic and standard biochemical techniques. Physicochemical parameters were determined during 21 days fermentation using standard procedures. The proximate composition of the blend before fermentation and the produced wine was evaluated. The microbiological and sensory evaluations of the produced wine was investigated. The yeast strain was identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The fermentation recorded total viable yeast count from 2.5x106 to 13.0 x 106 CFU/mL. The physicochemical parameters revealed that during the fermentation, the pH values ranged from 4.3 to 5.4, percentage titratable acidity (TTA) ranged from 5.2 to 9.4. The temperature of the fermentation ranged from 24 to 29°C and the specific gravity values decreased steadily from 1.100 to1.010. Proximate composition of the date fruit revealed low protein content between 1.00 and 1.05, but high moisture content (82.43%). The produced wine contained reasonable amount of total carbohydrate A (19.59%), B (25.28%), C (22.7%) and D (21.88%). There were variations on other proximate compositions observed. The produced wine was not contaminated with bacteria and fungi. Sensory evaluation of the wine revealed acceptable aroma/flavor and taste. This study indicates that Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain from the palm wine have good fermentative performance which suggested that it could be used for fruit wine production and other industrial applications preceded by further experiments.

The influence of aqueous extracts of Basella alba on the growth of Desulfovibrio indonesiensis NCIMB 13468 and D. vulgaris NCIMB 8303 was examined. The active components of B. alba extract was determined by GC-MS. The result obtained revealed 46 components in the extract of B. alba. The 5 - 100% extract of B. alba was tested against serial dilution of D. indonesiensis and D. vulgaris. The results obtained revealed a ten times growth induction in 50-100% extracts after 1 day of growth when compared with untreated D. vulgaris and D. indonensiensis. After 2 days of growth, there was 100 times growth induction in 70 - 100 % extracts, 100 times growth induction in 5-100 % extract after 3 days and 10, 000 times growth induction after 4 days in 5-100% extracts. The biofilms of D. indonesiensis and D. vulgaris was examined using scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results obtained revealed an enhanced growth of the test organisms treated with extracts of B. alba when compared with untreated organisms. The results of this study suggest that aqueous extracts of B. alba can be used as a rapid detection tool for D. indonesiensis and D. vulgaris.Key words: Basella alba, extracts, induction, D. indonesiensis NCIMB 13468 and D. vulgaris NCIMB 8303.

Introduction The wireless motility capsule (WMC) allows investigation of regional gut transit times, intraluminal pH and pressure changes as it traverses the gastrointestinal tract. It is a useful diagnostic tool to confirm slow transit constipation (STC), which recent studies suggest is allied to dysregulated rather than impaired colonic motility (Dinning et al . NGM 2010). Whether luminal pH differs in STC is unknown. AIM: to compare colonic pressure and pH profiles between healthy volunteers (HV) and STC. Method data from 18 WMC studies in STC (15 female, median age 37; colon transit time (CTT) >72h) were compared to those of 112 HV (48 female; median age 43). Pressure and pH profiles were analysed for: (1) the whole colon; (2) within the caecum and proximal colon (first 60 min following passage of WMC through the ICJ); and (3) within the distal colon (last 60 min prior to WMC expulsion). Results overall frequency of colonic contractions was similar between STC and HV (STC: 3.0 ± 1.3/min vs. HV: 2.8 ± 1.2/min; P =NS). However, the colonic motility index (CMI) was significantly higher in STC than HV (STC: 330 ± 166 vs. HV: 184 ± 104; P .0001). CMI and CTT were positively correlated ( r = 0 .38; P = 0 .003). The proximal and distal colonic pressure profiles were similar between groups. For colonic pH profile, STC had a significantly more alkaline pH, both overall (STC: 7.7 ± 1.0 vs. HV: 6.8 ± 0.7; P .0001), and in the distal colon (STC: 8.1 ± 1 vs. HV: 7.2 ± 0.9; P = 0 .0004). Using linear regression modelling, alkaline pH was associated with an increase in the CMI when controlling for age and gender between groups (beta=62.1; P = 0 .023). Conversely, proximal colonic pH was more acidic in STC, manifest as a greater difference in pH across the ICJ than in HV (STC delta ICJ: 1.8 ± 0.6 vs. HV: 1.3 ± 0.8; P Conclusion the CMI was found to be higher in STC than HV, supporting a more contemporary acceptance of underlying dysregulation of colonic contractility rather than “inertia”. Differences in colonic pH in STC may reflect alterations in regional gut microbiota (i.e. dysbiosis), resulting in excessive production of acidic metabolites in the proximal colon (e.g. short-chain fatty acids) of STC patients, and more alkaline metabolites in the distal colon (perhaps related to methanogenic activity). The observed associations between colonic pH, CMI and CCT warrants further investigation; conceivably, this may represent a biomarker to sub-classify constipated patients, and identify those who may benefit from antibiotic and/or dietary interventions Disclosure of interest None Declared.

To ascertain whether caecal pH is different in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), whose primary symptoms are bloating and distension, to healthy controls.Motility and pH data were reviewed from 16 patients with Rome III defined IBS and 16 healthy controls, who had undergone a wireless motility capsule (WMC) study using a standardized protocol. Motility measures were anchored around known anatomical landmarks as identified by compartmental pH changes. Sixty-minute epochs were used to quantify antral, duodenal, ileal, caecal and distal colonic contractility. The maximum and minimum pH was measured either side of the ileo-caecal junction.No differences were seen in motility parameters, compartmental transit times or maximal ileal pH between the two groups. Caecal pH was significantly lower in patients compared to controls (5.12 ± 0.05 vs 6.16 ± 0.15, P0.0001). The ileal:caecal Δchange was greater in patients than controls (-2.63 ± 0.08 vs -1.42 ± 0.11, P0.0001). There was a significant correlation between caecal pH and right colonic contractility (r = 0.54, P = 0.002).Patients with bloating and distension have a lower caecal pH compared to controls. The measurement of caecal pH using the WMC provides a quantifiable biomarker of fermentation potentially identifying those patients that may preferentially benefit from antibiotic or dietary interventions.