Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) in superficial fungal infections are major worldwide public health problem that affects a large part of the human population globally. The antifungal potentials of violacein extracted from Chromobacterium violaceum isolated from domestic and recreational water sources in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, was assessed. Three water samples were collected from different locations of the Otamiri River, five from different swimming pools and three from different borehole locations in Owerri Metropolis. The samples were cultured on nutrient agar by pour plate method. The violet colonies of Chromobacterium violaceum were counted, characterized and identified. Water sample from Otamiri River station-1 had the highest bacteria count (20.00 × 101 CFU/Ml and 19.50 × 101 CFU/mL) respectively. Swimming pool 1 and 3 bacterial counts were (14.50 × 101 CFU/mL, 11.00 × 101 CFU/mL and 11.50 × 101 CFU/mL) respectively. For borehole 1, 2 and 3, swimming pool 2, 4 and 5 counts were (0.00 × 101 CFU/mL). The ethanolic extracts from the isolates (violacein) and the control drug (fluconazole 50µg/mL) both had inhibitory effects on the test organisms (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) at different concentrations. The MIC of Fluconazole on Candida albicans and A. niger were 25µg/ml and 50µg/Ml, respectively. Violacein from both swimming pools and Otamiri River isolates had MIC of 8.75mg/ml on A. niger and MIC of 4.375mg/ml on Candida albicans. Violacein which proved to have inhibitory effects on Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger can be harnessed for treatment of infections caused by these fungi.

The effect of Chromolaena odorata aqueous leaf extract on Pseudomonas aeruginosa induced gastrointestinal tract infection in adult rats was studied using thirty six (36) adult wistar rats, whose weights range from 72-100g. The rats were allowed to acclimatize for two weeks and checked for fitness through weight check and urinalysis. Twelve rats were used for toxicological study (LD50) while 24 rats were used to determine the antibacterial effects of Chromolaena odorata leaf extract. The 12 rats for LD50 were divided into three groups of four rats each while the other 24 rats were divided into four groups of six rats each. The antibacterial effect of Chromolaena odorata extract was significantly high in group Q after treatment (4.5±2.12 Cfu/ml) when compared with the mean value before treatment (20.0±4.24 Cfu/ml). The antibiotic effect of ciprofloxacin was higher in group R rats after treatment (0.00±0.00 Cfu/ml) when compared with the mean value before treatment (24.0±1.41 Cfu/ml). But in group S, the mean value of count after treatment was significantly higher (26.5±13.44 Cfu/ml) when compared with the mean value before treatment (14.5±4.95 Cfu/ml) and this is because this group was not treated with either leave extract or antibiotics. Conclusively, the leave extract of Chromolaena odorata could be adopted as an alternative treatment against gastrointestinal tract infections especially those due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Fufu is a traditional Nigerian fermented cassava food product. Due to the production of objectionable odor, fermentation was done in the Laboratory using improved techniques. Sweet white, Yellow, bitter cassava varieties were used. Since a wet fufu mash is a product of the activities of various microorganisms, this study was aimed at determining the contents of the cassava mash for several days. The microbial, chemical and sensory changes during the fermentation were determined. Microbial counts were higher as retting progressed, but reduced at completion. Heterotrophic bacterial counts decreased from 2.65-2.46Log10CFU/mL, for sweet variety, but increased from 1.95-2.27 Log10CFU/mL for bitter variety; 2.28-2.59 Log10CFU/mL for yellow variety on Nutrient agar. Coliform counts decreased from 2.56 to 2.28Log10CFU/mL for sweet variety, but increased from 2.32 - 2.55Log10 CFU/mL for bitter variety, from 2.30 - 2.49Log10 CFU/ mL, for yellow variety on MacConkey agar and from 1.91 - 2.41Log10CFU/mL, for sweet variety, from day 2; 1.91- 2.23 Log10CFU/Ml, for bitter variety, from day 3), and 2.10 – 2.32 Log10CFU/mL (for yellow variety from day 3) for Fungi on SDA. The dominant Starter organisms were a mixed population of heterotrophic bacteria, Bacillus spp, yeasts and mould. Protein content of the sweet variety increased from 0.3- 5.25% and the yellow variety from 0.2- 4.375%, their cyanide contents reduced from 2.7- 0.01 mg/kg and from 4.3 - 0.04 mg/kg respectively, showing loss of hydrogen cyanide. Cyanide content of bitter variety remained 10.6mg/kg at the end of fermentation, since there was neither retting nor loss of hydrogen cyanide. The pH of the product reduced as the fermentation progressed. Sensory evaluation of the fermented samples accepted all the samples, but liked most, the sweet white variety. The bitter variety was not assessed because it did not ferment even on day 5. These organisms can be used as starter cultures to improve the protein content of fufu, and reduce the cyanide content to minimal level which makes it safer for consumption.

In the present study, the content of Cd, Pb, Hg, Zn, Cu, and Se in blood following extended consumption of tea and coffee was determined. By random sampling method, sixty participants were selected for this study and grouped into 20 tea consumers, 20 coffee consumers and 20 controls. They were administered tea and coffee beverages respectively daily for 30 days, after which venous blood samples were collected from each participant into lithium heparin container. Blood Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu, Zn and Se were determined by employing Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. All data generated were used to perform statistical analysis employing SPSS version 21. Blood Cd, Pb, Hg and Se were significantly higher (p=0.005, p=0.003, p=0.001 and p=0.048, respectively) in tea Consumers compared with controls, while there were no significant difference in blood levels of Cu and Zn (p=0.923 and p= 0.784 respectively) in tea Consumers compared with controls. Blood Cd, Pb, Hg, Zn and Se were significantly higher (p=0.001, p=0.000, p=0.012, p=0.037 and p=0.006 respectively) in Coffee Consumers compared with Controls. There was no significant difference in blood Cu (p=0.222) in Coffee Consumers compared with Controls. There were no significant differences in blood levels of Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn and Se (p=0.154, p=0.459, p=0.662, p=0.226, p=0.080 and p=0.705 respectively) in Tea Consumers compared with Coffee Consumers. There were significant negative correlations of blood Pb with Hg and Cu(r=-0.451, p=0.046 and r=-0.697, p=0.001 respectively) in Tea Consumers. There were significant negative correlations of blood Pb with blood Cu and Zn (r=-0.656, p=0.002 and r=-0.690, p=0.001 respectively) and significant positive correlation of Pb with Hg (r=0.538, p=0.017) in Coffee Consumers. These findings have shown that Tea and Coffee Consumption may be associated with higher blood levels of Pb, Cd, Hg and Se; hence, caution should be applied considering the deleterious effects of heavy metals.

Hepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver. It is commonly caused by a viral infection. There are, however, other causes of hepatitis. These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications and chemical agents. This disease is characterized by fever, vomiting, nausea and jaundice. Various forms of hepatitis exist and they include; Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, F. Owing to the sad experience of wrong diagnosis of this case and wrong treatment which most times lead to death this study work aimed at determining the presence of hepatitis agents and the prevalence of hepatitis among residents of Umuaka Community in Njaba L.G.A of Imo State was carried out between the month of September and November, 2013. Hundred and twenty (120) subjects between the age range of 5-84 years were screened for Hepatitis, using immunochromatographic (IC) strips. Two forms of Hepatitis: HBV and HCV were tested for, in the study area. The overall prevalence of all forms of Hepatitis in the study area was 9.16%. The prevalence for HBV and HCV were 9.16% and 0.0% respectively. The distribution of hepatitis groups among males and females was variable. Hepatitis B virus was the most dominant group and occurred 6.4% among males and 11.0% among females. In the age group 5-14 years 3 subjects were infected with hepatitis B virus and 25-34 years, 4 subjects each, were infected with Hepatitis. Females were more infected in these age groups than males. This is because, the anatomical site of female genital organ allows for easy contact with the semen of an infected sex-partner. These findings imply that there is adverse level of prevalence of Hepatitis B virus in this study area. However, rural people should be educated on the need to abstain from unsafe sexual engagements and avoid sharing of shaving sticks, blades and needles.