ABSTRACT:We aimed to investigate the effects of radiofrequency radiation from telecommunication on bacteria diversity and antibiotic sensitivity of surrounding bacteria micro-flora. In all cases of bacteria isolated, results indicated that radiation majorly influences and selected bacteria of specific morphology (rod-like, gram positive and spore formers) belonging to the genera Bacillus, Clostridium, Corynebacterium and Sporosarcina. Spore formation have been associated with prevention of DNA damage, this suggest that radiation may imposes stress detrimental to various non-spore forming, gram negative bacteria of nonrod morphology. The antibiotic resistance pattern indicated resistance above 50% in three of the ten common antibiotics tested with the highest of 96% recorded against zinnacef, followed by amoxicillin (70%) and ampiclox (56%). The highest resistance recorded was attributed to Bacillus spp while lowest resistance was recorded in Corynebacterium. The two largest groups of isolates; Bacillus and Clostridium have been reported as human pathogens and found to be multidrug resistant. © JASEM http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v18i4.16

Background: Mechanism of action of nevirapine in the prophylaxis treatment and treatment of HIV-1 may involve elevations in levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and other biomarkers of liver function. This study presents the hepatotoxic effect of nevirapine suspension using animal model. Methods: A total number of 15 male Wister rats were fed normal chow and antiretroviral drug (Nevirapine) for a period of six weeks. The liver organ of the rats were obtained and subjected to histological procedures and biochemical analysis using enzyme assay obtained from Randox Laboratories Limited, Antrim United Kingdom (BT294QY). Results: The wistar rats showed no significant mean body weight difference when compared with the control group. However there was significant difference in the mean values of AST (77.77±3.03) and ALT (89.37±3.19) of the treated rats. Nevirapine treated rats showed significant difference in AST, ALT, and ALP in the single (77.77± 3.03, 31.80±1.73, 43.81 ±1.54) and double (89.37±3.19, 33.38±2.01, 34.64 ±1.02) doses when compared with the controls (75.14 ±2.00, 29.16±0.17, 45.44 ±1.85) respectively. Mild vascular congestion, infiltration of sinusoids by inflammatory cells, and haemorrhage were induced by nevirapine as compared with the control group showing normal vessels without congestion, normal sinusoids appearing normal without infiltration. Conclusion: The liver histology of the rats fed with Nevirapine suspension showed diffused hepatocellular necrosis. Routine check of the drug effect is important as it provides effective life management of HIV infected individuals.

This study focused on the synthesis and application of nanoparticles using Neodesmus pupukensis (MG257914). Cell free extracts of the microalga was employed to synthesize both silver (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanoparticles were screened for their antimicrobial potential and free radical scavenging activity against stable free radical (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). The UV absorption spectra showed absorbance peaks of 430 nm and 530 nm for AgNPs and AuNPs respectively. The FTIR spectra at 3283, 2102.87, 1636.02 for AgNPs and 3264.86, 2104.49, 1636.62, 1232.39, 1028.97 cm−1 for AuNPs confirms the participation of proteins in the capping and stabilization of the nanoparticles. The zone of inhibition indicating the activity of the NP-AgNPs were: Pseudomonas sp (43 mm); Escherichia coli (24.5 mm); Klebsiella pneumoniae (27 mm), Serratia marcescens (39 mm) while AuNPs showed activity to only Pseudomonas sp (27.5 mm) and Serratia marcescens (28.5 mm). The antifungal potency of NP-AgNPs was confirmed with mycelial inhibition of 80.6, 57.1, 79.4, 65.4 and 69.8% against Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, A. flavus, Fusarium solani and Candida albicans respectively, while NP-AuNPs had 79.4, 44.3, 75.4, 54.9 and 66.4% against A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. flavus, F. solani and C. albicans respectively. Appreciable free radical scavenging properties was obtained with NP-AuNPs (68.9%) and NP-AgNPs (41.21%). The nanoparticles of Neodesmus pupukensis showed appreciable potential as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents and could be explored for various applications in biotechnology.

Bioremediation remains an eco-friendly and inexpensive method employed in getting rid of the toxic compounds like heavy metals present in wastewater. Different microorganisms are being used in either removing or reducing the concentration of heavy metals in wastewater but microalgae have a high affinity for heavy metals. In this study, nanoparticles from microalgae were evaluated for the potential to absorb lead and zinc from pharmaceutical effluent. Silver (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized from both Nannochloropsis sp (NN) and Chlorella vulgaris (CV). The nanoparticles were introduced into a pharmaceutical effluent and the mixture was allowed to interact for 48 h after which the concentration of zinc and lead was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The AgNPs of Nannochloropsis sp (NN-AgNPs) and C. vulgaris (CV-AgNPs) had percentage reduction of 70.35 % and 74.62% respectively for zinc. Also gold nanoparticles of Nannochloropsis sp (NN-AuNPs) and C. vulgaris (CV-AuNPs) had percentage reduction of 60.32% and 66.83% respectively for zinc. The concentration of lead was reduced by CV-AgNPs (66.10 %), NN-AgNPs (68.86%), CV-AuNPs (57.41%), and NN-AuNPs (66.53 %). This study has established algal based nanoparticles as adsorbent with affinity for heavy metals and can be adopted for bioremediation of wastewater.