Nigerian Journal of Biotechnology and Life Sciences

Antibacterial Activity of Garlic (Allium Sativum) and Honey (Apis Mellifera) On Respiratory Tract Pathogens

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The exploration of natural products as potential antimicrobial agents is particularly important in the context of the global rise in antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. The study aimed to determine the effects of garlic (Allium Sativum) and honey (Apis mellifera) on respiratory tract infection-causing bacteria. Respiratory tract isolates Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.aeruginosa), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pnuemoniae) Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) were tested for susceptibility to Garlic and Honey extracts. The extracts activity against the isolates were compared with activity of commonly prescribed antibiotics against the bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration MIC and Minimum bactericidal concentration MBC of the extracts were also determined.The extracts were effective against the tested bacteria except P.aeruginosa which was resistant to honey extract. Commercial antibiotic Amikacin was effective against the tested pathogens except against K. pneumoniae. On the other hand all the tested pathogens were resistance to Erythromycin. The MIC of Honey against all the RT pathogens was 12.5%, MIC of Garlic against P. aeruginosa, K. pnuemoniae and S. pneumoniae was 6.25%; against E.coli and S. aureus was 12.5%. MIC of mixture of Garlic-Honey against all the pathogens was 6.25%.The MBC of Garlic on P. aeruginosa, K. pnuemoniae and E.coli was 12.5%, 25% for S. aureus and 6.25% for S. pneumoniae. MBC of Honey was 25% against all pathogens except S.pneumoniae which was 12.5%. The MBC for mixture of Garlic-Honey was 6.25% for P. aeruginosa and S. pneumonia and 12.5% for E.coli, K. pnuemoniae and S. aureus. Comparison of the MIC of the extracts show that there is significant difference between the MIC of Honey and mixture of Garlic-Honey, also there is significant difference between MIC of Honey and Garlic at P ≤ 0.05 significance level. The findings demonstrated that both garlic and mixture of garlic-honey extracts exhibit significant antibacterial activity against the tested pathogens. The comparison with antibiotics revealed that the natural extracts could serve as effective alternatives. The MIC and MBC results also suggest that garlic and garlic-honey mixture could be used as natural treatments for respiratory tract infection. Further studies should investigate the specific mechanisms by which garlic and honey exert their antibacterial effects.

Incidence of Typhoid Fever and Determination of Sialic Acid in Serum of the Patients at Nigerian Airforce Hospital Kano State, Nigeria

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Typhoid fever remains a significant public health concern in many regions of the world. Over-dependence on clinical presentation and/or the widal agglutination test for the diagnosis of typhoid fever in developing countries can lead to antibiotic abuse. The study aimed to determine sialic acid from the plasma of patients with typhoid fever as alternative for Widal test in diagnosis of typhoid fever. Blood specimens were collected from thirty five (35) adult female and male patients attending the Nigerian Airforce Hospital. The specimens were subjected to typhoid fever diagnosis and sialic acid assay. Incidence of typhoid fever among the patients was determined. Also level of sialic acid was determined among typhoid fever positive and negative patients. Out of the total specimens, 24(68.57%) were found to be infected with Salmonella typhi and are set to be the positive group of the study, while 11 (31.43%) patients were not infected with the disease . Incidence of the disease was higher among patients of 17-23 years. Findings of the study shows that there is no significant difference between sialic level of male and female patients but there is a significant difference between the sialic level of Salmonella typhi positive and Salmonella typhi negative patients. This differences in the level of sialic acid revealed that the infection by Salmonella typhi caused increase in the level of total sialic acid (TSA) level in the serum and therefore could be as a diagnostic procedure to determine Salmonella typhi infection.

GC-MS ANALYSIS OF CUTICULAR HYDROCARBON PROFILING ON ANOPHELES GAMBIAE MOSQUITOES EXPOSED TO MELON LEAF EXTRACT

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Anopheles mosquito are vector of malaria, a deadly disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Developing effective and sustainable methods for mosquito control is crucial in malaria prevention efforts. This study investigates the potential of melon leaf extract as natural alternative for disrupting the cuticular hydrocarbon (CHCs) profile of mosquitoes, which may play a vital role in the behaviour of mosquitoes including desiccation resistance, communication, and species recognition. Altering these hydrocarbon can affect mosquito survivability and vector competence, making it a significant area of reseach in vector control. Melon leaf extract, known for its diverse bioactive compounds, was hypothesized to modify CHCs profile of anopheles mosquitoes. Adults mosquitoes were exposed to sub lethal dose under controlled conditions, and their cuticles were subsequently analysed using GC-MS. The results of these study demonstrated that exposure to melon leaf extract significantly altered the CHC profile of the mosquitoes. Notable changes were observed in the abundance and presence of specific hydrocarbon chains, including alkanes, alkenes and methyl-branched hydrocarbons. The control group of this study revealed a total number of 78 compounds in mosquitoes reared in 100 % distilled water while 97 compounds were encountered in mosquitoes reared 1 ml methanol solvent + 99 ml of distilled water respectively. The mosquitoes reared in sub lethal concentration of methanol melon leaf extract revealed 20 compounds. These alteration suggest potential in the mosquito physiological processess, which could influence their ability to thrive and transmit diseases.
KEYWORDS: cuticular hydrocarbon, GC-MS, Anopheles mosquitoes, melon leaf extract and sublethal concentration.

Assessment of Vehicular Emissions Effect on Some Heavy Metal Content of Hyptis Suaveolens (L.) Found along Zaria-Giwa Road, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Lukman Upahi, Aina O. A., Muhammad I. U., Salihu M. U., Animoku M. E. — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Studies on lead, cadmium, copper and zinc content in different parts of Hyptis suaveolens was carried out along Zaria-Giwa road, Kaduna state, Nigeria. The different organs of the plants (roots, stems and leaves) were collected at four different locations namely: Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI Shika), Marabar Guga and along Ahmadu Bello University Dam Quarters (control), which were characterized by dense, high, medium and low traffic densities respectively. The samples were collected at distances of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 100 m away from the edge of the road. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (A.A.S.) was used in the determination of the metal ions concentration in the samples. The data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation was employed in determining the correlation between the heavy metals in the soil and the different organs of the plants. The heavy metals had higher concentration at roadside (0) m and this decreased progressively with increase in distance away from the roadside. However, the region of higher concentration was mostly at 0 and 5 m from the roadside. The ranges of the metal concentrations in H. suaveolens were: Pb (11.52-24.31 mg/kg), Cd (1.45-3.39 mg/kg), Cu (4.41-22.35 mg/kg) and Zn (11.43-68.77 mg/kg). Highest metal concentrations in H. suaveolens were recorded at ABUTH, however, the high level of Pb and Cd were observed in the roots while Cu and Zn were observed in leaves. The concentrations of the heavy metals in all the organs of the plant were in the order of: Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd. Heavy metal concentrations in the plant samples from ABU Dam quarters (control) were significantly lower than those of other locations. In conclusion, distance from the roadside and vehicular densities of the sampled locations had a significant effect on the lead, cadmium, copper and zinc concentrations in the different organs H. suaveolens. Also, there was a significant positive relationship between the heavy metal concentrations in the soil and the different organs of the plant

Canine babesiosis: A Hospital-Based Study Revealing Higher Prevalence in Puppies and a Significant Link to Tick Infestation

Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Canine babesiosis, caused by the Babesia parasite and transmitted by ticks, results in significant illness and mortality in dogs worldwide. Its prevalence depends on tick distribution, which is high in Nigeria's tropical climate. Therefore, there's a need to monitor the disease's prevalence periodically. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Canine babesiosis and assess its clinical signs in dogs at a Veterinary Hospital in Kano, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 254 dogs presented for veterinary care. Blood samples were collected and screened for the presence of Babesia species using microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained thin blood smears. Data on age, gender, and clinical signs, including tick infestation, were recorded for each subject. A chi-square test was used to determine the association between categorical variables at a 5% significance level. The overall prevalence of babesiosis was 20.9%. A statistically significant association (P = 0.010) was found between age and infection rate, with puppies showing a higher prevalence (13.8%) than adult dogs (7.1%). A higher proportion of male dogs (13.5%) were infected than females (7.5%), although this difference was not statistically significant. Among the 168 dogs (66.1%) found to have tick infestations, 25.6% were infected, and this was the only clinical sign significantly associated with the disease. Haemoglobinuria was observed in 40 dogs, but it was a poor predictor of disease, as only 10% cases were confirmed positive for babesiosis. This study confirms a high prevalence of Canine babesiosis in Kano, Nigeria, and identifies puppies as a demographically high-risk group. The strong link with tick infestation underscores the importance of vector control, while the poor correlation of haemoglobinuria with infection highlights the necessity for laboratory confirmation of diagnosis. These findings are crucial for veterinarians in improving diagnosis, implementing effective prevention strategies, and enhancing client education in the region.

Physiological Regulation of Plants for Enhanced Bioactivity

Aisha I., Mohammad M. — Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Plant secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids, phenolics and alkaloids, play a significant role in plant defence and have a wide range of pharmacological and industrial applications. However, the utility of their use is limited by the complex environmental and physiological dependencies which lead to different and low yields. This systematic review offers a thorough review of strategies used to manipulate plant physiology with the ultimate effort of reducing the fundamental yield-quality paradox and improving the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. The review first outlines how a plant's innate stress response is creatively tapped. Physiological elicitors, such as natural stressors (water deficit, light quality and temperature extremes), act as natural stressors, causing oxidative stress, and diverting carbon flux towards defense pathways. On this, specific abiotic and biotic elicitors (e.g., Jasmonates, Chitosan) and fine tuning of the nutrition modulation are studied and their efficacy in achieving hyper-accumulation of controlled secondary metabolites is examined. Two important transitions are underscored: an approach to genome editing for proactive metabolic pathway manipulation using CRISPR/Cas9, and the incorporation of multi-omics data to understand the complex regulatory networks. Though there are some issues of economic scalability and complicated ethical / regulatory issues to overcome, the future of the field is a closed loop system that combines these cutting edge technologies. This will likely lead to the development of predictive models for designing biofortified crops, global health advances and establishing the future supply of high-value compounds.

Isolation, Identification, and Management of Microorganisms Associated with the Spoilage of Ripe Mango Fruit in Dutse, Nigeria

Mohammad M., Aisha I., Nancy J. — Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the microbial spoilage of ripe mango fruit (Mangifera indica L.) harvested from Dutse of Jigawa State, Nigeria and the effectiveness of physical, chemical and biological post-harvest management practices. Samples of mango were taken from the local market and farms and analyzed in the lab. The results showed that higher incidence of fungal pathogens, Aspergillus niger (35%) and Penicillium species (30%), were observed followed by yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 24%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%). For all the microorganisms isolated, pathogenicity tests showed that the microorganisms had different virulence levels; the most virulent microorganism was A. niger. The use of refrigeration at 10°C was found to be most effective among the management practices tested, resulting in 90% reduction in microbial growth and 10 days shelf life of the fruit. The chemical treatment using 0.1% w/v sodium benzoate also proved to be very effective with a microbial reduction of 85% for a shelf-life extension of 7 days. After 5 days, Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP) decreased microbial growth by 80% with an extension of 8 days whereas a dip in 1% (w/v) calcium chloride decreased microbial growth by 75% with an extension of 5 days. Biological agent Bacillus subtilis was effective in suppressing microbial growth by 70% and prolonging shelf life by 6 days, which was considered as a bio-control agent. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between the different management strategies in terms of microbial growth reduction. The results of this study reveal that microbial spoilage is a major problem in mango production in the Dutse region and the series of effective and practical post harvest interventions recommended here can help reduce these losses and enhance food security and livelihood outcomes for farmers in the region.

Epidemiology and Molecular Characterisation of Blastocystis sp. in Nigeria

Dawaki S. S., AbdulSalam A. M., Al-Mekhlafi H. M, Ithoi I, Ado U. A. — Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal protist with global distribution, yet data on its prevalence and genetic diversity in Northern Nigerian communities remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify the subtypes (STs) of Blastocystis sp. circulating in this region. In this cross-sectional community-based study, 551 stool samples were collected from asymptomatic residents of five villages in Kano State, Nigeria. Samples were analysed by direct smear microscopy. Microscopy-positive samples were then cultured in Jones’ medium, and subsequent molecular analysis was performed on positive cultures. This involved DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) gene, cloning, and sequencing to determine the subtypes. Microscopy revealed a Blastocystis prevalence of 29.2% (161/551), with higher infection rates in males and participants aged ≤15 years. Of the 161 microscopy-positive samples, 54 (32.3%) were successfully cultured and subtyped. Four subtypes were identified: ST1 (42.6%), ST3 (31.5%), ST4 (13%), and ST2 (7.4%). Three samples indicated mixed infections. ST1, ST3, and ST4 were more prevalent in male respondents, while all mixed infections were observed in males. The frequencies of all subtypes were generally higher in adults. Sequence analysis of cloned PCR products showed high homology with reference sequences in GenBank. This study confirms a high prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in Northern Nigeria, with ST1 being the most dominant subtype. The occurrence of mixed infections highlights the complex epidemiology of this protist in the study population.

Comparative Efficacy of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Morphological Characteristics of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Mohammad M, Aisha Idris, Salihu S. — Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The effects of different rates of application of organic (cow dung, poultry manure) and inorganic (NPK, Urea) fertilizers were examined on the morphological traits of Spinacia oleracea L. on a field experiment at Federal University Dutse field, Nigeria. The experiment aimed to investigate the effect of various nutrient sources on the most important growth parameters and to identify the best application rates for each fertilizer source. The different treatments were 5g, 3g, 2g and 0g (control) rate of each fertilizer, and morphological parameters like days to germination, no of leaves, plant height, no of branches, area of leaves, fresh shoot weight and dry shoot weight were measured. The outcomes showed that inorganic fertilizers had the highest effect at the dose of 3g while the organic fertilizers had the best effect at the higher dose 5g. In particular, the plants irrigated with 3g of NPK, 3g of Urea, 5g of cow dung and 5g of poultry manure had the highest values of number of leaves, leaf area, number of branches, plant height, fresh shoot weight and dry shoot weight. The results generated indicate a significant difference between the two fertilizers in the rate of nutrient release and the nutrient levels. The study also points to the potentials of using both organic and inorganic fertilizers in order to improve spinach productivity in the semi-arid northern Nigerian environment and the importance of location-specific nutrient management strategies to achieve a balance between yield, cost and longer term soil health.

A Comparative Study on the Phytochemical Constituents of Selected Plant Species in Relation to Their Leaf Maturity Stages

Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Secondary metabolites are essential in the therapeutic value of medicinal plants and their amounts significantly vary depending on the environment and their developmental stage. This comparative study aimed at understanding how the maturity of the leaves affects the quantitative phytochemical profile of eight medicinal plant species namely Syzygium cumini, Calotropis procera, Tamarindus indicus, Parkia biglobosa, Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Azadirachta indica and Psidium guajava. The phytochemicals analysed were Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), saponins, and alkaloids, in three different stages of leaf maturity (young, matured and senescent). Standardised extraction procedures were used and colourimetric and gravimetric assays were used to quantify. The analysis showed that the content of TPC and TFC had the same ontogenetic pattern across all eight species (matured leaves > young leaves > senescent leaves), and that the content in matured leaves was always the highest and significantly different (P < 0.05) from the other leaves. Nitrogenous compound and total alkaloid content showed high level of species-specific variation. The matured leaves contained maximum amount of alkaloids in six species (T. indicus, P. biglobosa, M. indica, E. camaldulensis, S. cumini, A. indica) while the senescent leaves contained maximum amount of alkaloids in C. procera and P. guajava, which corresponds to specialized nitrogen remobilization strategies. The saponin content was generally highest in young leaves (P < 0.05), as it is in the initial tissue defense, except in A. indica which reached its peak at maturity. It was observed that these results highlight the importance of maturity level of leaves as an important criterion to consider when harvesting medicinal plants for phytochemical production, therefore the need to establish uniform and standardized harvesting procedure based on the morphology of the plants to ensure phytochemical consistency and efficacy.

Evaluation of Settled House Dust Sampling Methods for Chemical, Elemental, and Microbial analyses in Homes

Fatima Sule Mohammed, Dr Muhammad Kamaluddeen Lawan, Mr. Abdussamad Yunusa — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract
The study tried to evaluate and develop practical, robust methods for collection of settled house dust and airborne particulates suitable for multi-constituent chemical, elemental, and microbial analyses across contrasting environments.Multiple settled-dust collection techniques (vacuum cleaner bags, petri dishes, ceiling boards, spectrotabs/pin stubs, frisbee and bucket deposition gauges, and manual sweeping) and airborne sampling approaches (Tenax sorbent tubes — passive and pumped, PM10 impactors, P-TRAK ultrafine counter, ICOM CO monitor, Burkard biological sampler) were trialed in homes in north-eastern Nigeria (Harmattan and dust-storm seasons) and the UK. Analytical endpoints included TD/GC/MS for VOCs/SVOCs, ICP-MS for metals, SEM particle characterization, and culture/identification of airborne microbes. The results indicated that Vacuum-cleaner-bag sampling yielded the largest and most versatile bulk dust sample masses (sufficient for TD/GC/MS, ICP-MS, and SEM) and was judged most practical for field conditions, transport, and multi-analytical workflows. Passive petri-dish and deposition gauges provided useful deposition rates but often yielded insufficient mass for multi-method chemical analysis, especially in short deployments or in homes with coarse contamination (rodent excreta). Spectrotabs/pin stubs were suitable for SEM particle morphology when transport integrity was preserved. Tenax diffusive and pumped sampling captured event-specific VOC/SVOC emissions (e.g., cooking, generator use, Harmattan episodes) and combined monitoring (P-TRAK and ICOM) allowed activity-correlated assessment of ultrafine particles and CO. It was also found that Settled dust serves as a practical surrogate for integrated indoor exposure to semi-volatile and particle-bound contaminants; however, sampling method influences particle size fractions collected and thus exposure interpretation (e.g., vacuum bags may underrepresent ultrafine inhalable fractions). For multi-constituent exposure assessment in resource-limited or remote settings, vacuum-bag collection combined with targeted active/passive airborne sampling and microbial impaction provides an efficient, replicable approach. We recommend standardized protocols that prioritize vacuum-bag collection for bulk chemical and elemental analyses, supplemented by passive/pumped Tenax sampling and short-duration instrumentation for event-based airborne metrics; careful sample handling and sieving (e.g., 150 μm) facilitate comparable analyses across sites and seasons.

Analysis of Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) in Micro-Chamber Thermal Extracted Emissions from Household Dust

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Settled house dust acts as a critical sink and surrogate medium for indoor air quality assessment and exposure monitoring. Many hazardous chemical compounds, including biocides and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), exhibit prolonged stability when bound to dust matrices, often accumulating in significantly higher concentrations than in surrounding air. In this study, household dust samples collected from vacuum cleaner bags in Nigerian residences were sieved (<150 µm fractions) and subjected to an innovative thermal extraction technique. Aliquots were heated directly within a micro-chamber thermal extractor (µ-CTE) at temperatures ranging from 40 °C to 120 °C. The emitted chemical vapors were captured using sorbent tubes containing Tenax (Q-Tenax) and subsequently analyzed via thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS). The systematic detection of key target analytes confirmed the viability of µ-CTE heating as a rapid, solventless approach to vaporize and quantify loose SVOC fractions. To validate this method, comparative evaluations were conducted against conventional solvent extraction-GC/MS method. While conventional solvent extraction provided total mass loadings via aggressive matrix dissolution, the µ-CTE method effectively characterized the readily bioaccessible, vaporizable fractions. This method demonstrates strong repeatability with relative standard deviations (RSD) generally between 9% and 27%, presenting a rapid, green analytical tool for indoor environmental health assessments.