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Kunun-zaki is a cereal-based fermented refreshing drink popular in the Northern region of Nigeria and has become accepted in other parts of the country. Granted is the fact that protein is deficient in fermented cereal beverages. In an attempt to find solution to this problem, this study investigated the upshot of groundnut inclusion in kunun-zaki from millet so as to confirm if the inclusion will increase protein content in the millet-based beverage. Groundnut-fortified kununzaki (GFK) was prepared at different ratios of millet and groundnut blends. Physicochemical properties were determined. Microbial counts and sensory qualities of the kunun-zaki were also evaluated for safety and acceptability. Results showed that addition of groundnut to kunun-zaki increased the protein composition significantly (p<0.05) from 1.51 to 5.45%, with 50% millet + 50% groundnut blend (50MT:50GT) having the highest concentration. Groundnut inclusion increased ash and crude fat contents but decreased crude fiber content. The turbidity and pH varied between 60.0-145.1 and 5.2-5.4, respectively. There was no significant difference in the overall consumer's acceptability of the GFK samples compared to the control, however, in appearance, there were significant differences with 50MT:50GT, having the highest score of 7.03 out of 9.0 points. After production, 60MT:40GT sample had the highest lactic acid bacteria and least total aerobic bacteria counts. Coliform bacteria were absent in all the samples. The nutritional quality of kunun-zaki was improved with groundnut inclusion and the product had high consumer acceptability, showing that the GFK could be a preferred drink for alleviating protein energy malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural products represent an alternative source of potent antimicrobial to combat the increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to synthetic drugs. Plants in particular contain metabolites which have been widely employed in traditional settings to treat ailment. However, there is a need for scientific knowledge on their bioactivity. This study is aimed at elucidating the phytochemicals, and antibacterial activity of Fiscus capensis. The leaves of F. capensis were pulverized and extracted successively using n-hexane, acetone, methanol and distilled water. The plant extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella Typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella sp.) using the agar-well diffusion technique. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the plant extracts were established using the microbroth dilution technique. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids in all extracts. Saponins, phenols, terpenoids and tannins were present in all extracts except n-hexane extract. The antimicrobial studies showed varying levels of activity, with acetone extract having the highest activity against S. aureus and S. Typhi with MIC of 6.25 mg/mL. Methanol had an MIC activity of 12.5 mg/mL against E.coli. While some prior studies reported no activity of methanol extract against S. Typhi, our finding showed that methanol extract of F. capensis exhibited antimicrobial activity against S. Typhi due to the extraction process. Our study concludes that the overall antimicrobial activity of the crude extract of F. capensis leaf provided evidence that future antimicrobial agents could be isolated from this plant leaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The suitability of V4 vaccine coated on cracked local grain (maize) and its husks and used for oral vaccination of chickens was assessed. Seventy-two (72) birds aged three (3) weeks and above were divided into six groups of twelve (12) birds per group. The birds were bled to determine their prevaccination HI antibody status while five different samples of cracked maize were coated with the V4 vaccine and fed to the chickens orally in each of the groups. All birds in the group including the controls were bled at 7, 14 and 21 days post vaccination to determine the presence and level of antibody response in each of the groups. Results obtained showed that prevaccination haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titre was less than two (log2) in 18% of the birds used in this experiment, however 14% of the birds had an HI titre of ≤ 4. The post vaccination antibody titre showed that birds vaccinated with vaccine coated maize gave a post vaccination HI antibody titre of between Log2(6-8). when the coated maize samples were soaked in water at room temperature and assessed after 24 hours, the treated maize parts gave >6.3 log10 EID50 and above while the untreated parts gave < 3.0 log10 EID50. The experiment showed that whole maize and husks, which were not treated, may contain agents which are virus inhibitory. Form this research the treated maize which was soaked and washed gave a higher geometric mean titre, hence tends to be good carriers of the virus (vaccine). It is therefore concluded from this work that processed cracked maize could be a good carrier of NDV4 vaccine. It is hereby recommended that only treated maize could be used as carrier for the V4 vaccine.

Abstract Background Glucose intolerance is observed more in patients with HCV infection compared with control subjects with liver disease, Initial studies suggested that Hepatitis C virus infection may be an additional risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus. This study was therefore carried out to determine the correlation of HCV infection and diabetes. Methods Three hundred (300) confirmed type 2 diabetic patients were screened for hepatitis C virus antibodies at the Plateau state specialist hospital, Jos, using Grand diagnostic test strip. Questionnaire comprising of age, sex, family history on diabetes, duration of disease and marital status were issued to subjects. Results Overall result showed that the prevalence rate of HCV infection was 33(11%). In response to diabetic status, females subjects had a higher prevalence of 178(59.3%) compared to males 122(40.7%). Those aged 47–57 recorded the highest seroprevalence 10(30.3%) to the Hepatitis C Virus, while Patients without family history of diabetes showed a higher seroprevalence of 13(39.4%). Subjects who never had any blood transfusion recorded a prevalence rate of 6(18.2%). Marital status showed no significant difference [(P = 0.275; P.0.05)]. Considering duration of developing diabetes, patients within the range of 1–10 years diabetic status recorded the highest prevalence rate 25(75.8%) compared to other ranges considered. Conclusion This study hence, suggests a relatively strong association between HCV infection and diabetes, this therefore call for an urgent approach strategy in the control and management of this disease of the endocrine system.

Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important public health problem worldwide. Its association with, and predisposing nature for diabetes mellitus (DM) has been long established. This research was carried out to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) amongst people with possible genetic predisposition to diabetes mellitus living in and around Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria. 188 subjects were screened after they filled a structured questionnaire to determine some of their demographic data, social habits and possible risk factors. 5 ml of blood was collected from each subject and sera separated out. Biotech's third generation ELISA Kit for HCV antibodies was used for the screening. Liver enzyme analysis was carried out on positive samples to determine their disease status. A prevalence of 14.36% was recorded with the highest seropositive group being those in the age bracket of 18 – 37 years. 13(13.40%) of males and 14(15.38%) of females were sero-positive. Liver enzyme analysis of sero-positive subjects showed increased levels which may imply early onset of liver damage. These result showed that these individuals could later suffer diabetes which may be triggered by their HCV infection if not treated. This is not over-looking the economic significance of their ill health, assuming they progress to cirrhotic HCV or develop hepatocelluar carcinoma due to HCV chronicity.

The suitability of V4 vaccine coated on cracked local grain (maize) and its husks and used for oral vaccination of chickens was assessed. Seventy-two (72) birds aged three (3) weeks and above were divided into six groups of twelve (12) birds per group. The birds were bled to determine their prevaccination HI antibody status while five different samples of cracked maize were coated with the V4 vaccine and fed to the chickens orally in each of the groups. All birds in the group including the controls were bled at 7, 14 and 21 days post vaccination to determine the presence and level of antibody response in each of the groups. Results obtained showed that prevaccination haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titre was less than two (log2) in 18% of the birds used in this experiment, however 14% of the birds had an HI titre of ≥ 4. The post vaccination antibody titre showed that birds vaccinated with vaccine coated maize gave a post vaccination HI antibody titre of between Log2(6-8). when the coated maize samples were soaked in water at room temperature and assessed after 24 hours, the treated maize parts gave >6.3 log10 EID50 and above while the untreated parts gave < 3.0 log10 EID50. The experiment showed that whole maize and husks, which were not treated, may contain agents which are virus inhibitory. Form this research the treated maize which was soaked and washed gave a higher geometric mean titre, hence tends to be good carriers of the virus (vaccine). It is therefore concluded from this work that processed cracked maize could be a good carrier of NDV4 vaccine. It is hereby recommended that only treated maize could be used as carrier for the V4 vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]