Search

Ferruginicity is a special condition when soil became rich in iron. This condition is characterized by high pH and reduced bioavailability of plant limiting nutrients. Unfortunately, this type of soil covered 30% of arable lands in Nigeria. This research aimed at using a native plant growth promoting bacteria (Bacillus cereus strain GGBSU-1, Klebsiella variicola strain AUH-KAM-9 and Proteus mirabilis strain TL14-1) with phosphate solubilizing capabilities to remediate iron toxicity and improve soil nutrients, as well as soil micro-biota colonization. Soil physico-chemical properties before rhizo-inoculation (FA), after 16 weeks of rhizoinoculation with the PGPB into the rhizoid of a growing rice seedling (FB) and after 16 weeks of natural attenuation (FC) were analyzed. Phosphate solubilizing capacity of the PGPB was investigated using a developed Pikovskaya’s growth medium. The results showed that FA is rich in iron and deficient in bioavailable phosphorus and nitrogen (200.67 mg/kg, 8.01 mg/kg and 0.20%) respectively, as against the FB soil which showed moderate iron and increased soil nutrients (51.22 mg/kg, 20.21 mg/kg and 0.33%). The presence of acidic exudates, which was indicated by a red litmus paper at the rhizosphere in FB signifies the iron chelation capacity of the PGPBs resulting in iron remediation and soil nutrient improvement. Furthermore, the significant increase in microbial population in the FB soil as against the FA and FC corresponds with the SEM results at the root epidermis. Furthermore, other nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis were observed to be active and motile in the FB. This indicated the effectiveness of PGPB with PSB capacities in iron remediation and soil nutrient enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In treating preeclampsia-induced wistar rats, this study examined the effects of methanolic plant extracts of Jatropha curcas, Alchonnea cordifolia, and Secamone afzelii, respectively, on the evaluation of HELLP syndrome. Fifteen sets of age-matched female Wistar rats were employed, with one serving as a control group. The Adriamycin Model was used to induce preeclampsia. The rats were then administered 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the extracts. Another group was administered methyl DOPA (at 10 mg/kg). At the end of the study, the arts were anesthetized and sacrificed humanely. Platelet counts, hemoglobin, and liver enzymes were measured following standard procedure. The study found that extracts of plant extracts did not cause any toxic effects on test animals, and there was no mortality at 5000 mg/kg. Aspartate transaminase levels increased during preeclampsia, but J. curcas and A. cordifolia extracts at low-to-moderate concentrations reduced these levels. Post-partum AST levels decreased from 60.7 U/l during preeclampsia to 25.3 - 39.2 U/l. There were no significant alterations in total protein levels (p>0.05). Preeclamptic Wistar rats treated with theextracts showed higher packed cell volume and platelet counts during preeclampsia. Upon administration of 100 mg/kg J. curcas and 200 mg/kg S. afzelii, the prognosis of preeclampsia was generally better after postpartum than during the third trimester. The study reveals that preeclampsia treatment with J. curcas, A. cordifolia, and S. afzelii extracts improves liver enzymes, total protein levels, packed cell volume, and platelet counts, suggesting potential therapeutic options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-based nanoparticles offer sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional methods, promising antibacterial properties in the face of antibiotic resistance and addressing global health concerns. Five urine and stool samples were collected from the Benin Medical Centre in Benin City, Edo State, and sent to the Wellspring University Research Laboratory for microbiological analysis. Carica papaya and Bryophyllum pinnatum were used for fresh utilization by washing, weighing, and crushing their leaves, then mixing them with distilled water and heating at 85 °C and 60 °C for 60 minutes. Silver and copper nanoparticles (AgNPs and CuNPs) were synthesized using standard procedures. The NPs were preliminary validated by visual detection of color changes and characterized using a UV-visible spectrophotometer at 300 nm and Fourier transform infrared. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of plant-mediated NPs was investigated using five isolates: S. aureus, B. alvei, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of plant-mediated NPs was investigated using five clinical strains displaying multiple resistance to antibiotics: S. aureus, B. alvei, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli. The agar-well diffusion method showed inhibition of the isolates by plant-mediated NPs but no inhibition by the plant extract alone. The study indicates that plant-mediated NPs exhibit promising antimicrobial activity, promoting sustainability and eco-friendliness, but further research is needed to assess their safety and efficacy in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw palm oil mill effluent contains a high quantity of organic matter that confers a high amount of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) on it. Untreated palm oil mill effluent (POME) causes pollution of the environment affecting microorganisms, plants, and humans. The study investigated the bio-treatment capabilities of Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus, Penicillium, and Aspergillus species on POME from three oil palm milling sites. These sites have been receiving POME for over a decade at Ujiogba, Edo State, Nigeria. Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were inoculated into the bio-treatment and reduced BOD by 60.79 % and 58.65 %, respectively, whereas the consortium of both isolates reduced BOD by 72.37 %. Aspergillus sp. had a percentage reduction value of 65.75%. Penicillium sp. had 70.19% while the consortium of Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. had a percentage reduction of 72.89%. For COD, Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. had a reduction of 70.67% and 72.80% respectively, while their consortium had a reduction of 75.31%. Aspergillus sp. recorded 50.26%, while Penicillium sp. gave a 73.79% reduction. The results showed that the selected isolates, particularly the consortium, showed improved oxygen capabilities of POME thereby increasing its biodegradation and, subsequently, leading to reduced pollution and enhanced environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicines are increasingly being used during pregnancy and little is known of their potential teratogenic effect. The present study is therefore designed to investigate the teratogenic effects of methanol extracts ofthree medicinal plants; Jatropha curcas, Alchornea cordifolia, and Secamone afzelii in Wistar rats. The animals were administered the extractsat doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg.Morphometry of the placenta and foetus were recorded, the weight, crownrump length, head circumference and anogenital distance were measured. Acute toxicity of the extracts was also evaluated. Embryo resorptions in some treated rats as well as foetal malformation were observed. In the acute toxicity test, at the maximum dose of 5000 mg/kg, the methanol extracts of the three plants; Jatropha curcas, Alchornea cordifolia, and Secamone afzelii showed no harmful effects on the pregnant rats. However, strong teratogenic effects were noted. At doses higher than 50mg/kg, Alchornea cordifolia extract-exposed pregnant rats produced 7 dead foetuses out of 9 implantations; the live foetuses were deformed, particularly in their limbs. Animals administered with Secamone afzelii had 11% foetal mortality at 100 and 200mg/kg dose. No dead foetus or foetal deformity wasobserved in the rats administered with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg Jatropha curcasextract. Although the methanolextracts of the plants used in this study were not acutely toxic to pregnant Wistar rats at the doses tested, they caused some teratogenic effects, especially with Alchornea cordifolia extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the possibility of using phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) with plant-growth-promoting (PGP) capabilities to improve the growth properties of rice plants under ferruginous ultisol (FU) conditions through bio-priming. The following PSB with PGP properties were used in this study: Bacillus cereus strain GGBSU-1, Proteus mirabilis strain TL14-1, and Klebsiella variicola strain AUH-KAM-9, which were previously isolated and characterized based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Biosafety analysis of the PSB isolates was conducted using blood agar. The rice seeds were then bio primed with the PSB for 3, 12, and 24 h and then sown in a composite FU soil sample. Differences in germinat ion bioassay were investigated 15 weeks after bio-priming using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), morphology, physiology, and biomass parameters. The composite FU soil used in this study had high pH, low bioavailable phosphorus, low water-holding capacity, and high iron levels, which resulted in low growth properties of rice seeds without bio-priming in the FU soil. Germination parameters were improved in seeds bio primed with the PSB, especially after 12 h of priming, compared with seeds without priming. SEM showed higher bacterial colonization in bio primed seeds. Bio-priming of rice seeds with the studied PSB under FU soil conditions significantly improved seed microbiome, rhizocolonization, and soil nutrient properties, thereby enhancing the growth properties of rice. This indicated the ability of PSB to solubilize and mineralize soil phosphate and improve phosphorus availability and soil properties for optimum plant usage in phosphate-stressed and iron toxic soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Earth has become increasingly overcrowded as a result of rapid urbanization and population growth, with strong predictions that its carrying capacity could be overstretched soon. As a result, it is important to test the possibilities of growing plants under space exploration conditions, especially gravitational balance. Since microgravity impedes plant development, it is important to evaluate the extents by which plant growth stimulators can reverse or enhance this trend. A total of 12 maize seeds were weighed and placed sideways in petri dishes and inoculated with plant growth stimulators, indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), and ascorbate (AA). They were clinorotated at different rates (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 rpm), while the control seeds were just placed on a balanced table. Results of this research showed that under microgravity, the maize seeds had a decreased level of germination percentage with increasing clinorotation rates at 72 hrs, compared to the control group. But when stimulated with IAA, GA and AA, they improved in germination percentage, compared to the control, even under microgravity conditions. The seedling dry weight, germination time and other germination parameters also showed similar improvements. Comparatively, the three growth stimulators showed no major variations in their ability to improve germination percentage under micro-gravitational impact. However, IAA caused more improvements in seedling vigor, compared to the other growth regulators, while GA had more effects on the rate of germination. This research confirmed the possibilities of improving germinability in maize seeds under space exploration conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]