This study was carried out to measure the optimum condition for Bacteriocin production by Lactobacillus plantarum. Bacteriocin production with the candidate bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum NRIC 0383) was optimized by varying the incubation temperature and adjusting the pH of the production medium, whilst estimating bacteriocin production in terms of the antagonistic activity (zone of inhibition mm) against bacteria pathogens of selected vegetables using the well diffusion assay. Bacteriocin production was highest at temperatures of 30 and 35

This study was carried out to determine the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using goat milk against pathogens of selected vegetables. Synthesis of Silver nanoparticles was done using Goat milk, and characterized using Ultra Violet-Visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X- ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Maximum absorbance of Goat milk synthesized AgNPs was observed at 417 nm, with FTIR peaks at 3455 cm−1, 1628 cm−1, 1402 cm−1, 1081 cm−1 and 517 cm−1, indicating that proteins in Goat milk (GM) were the capping and stabilization molecules involved the synthesis of AgNPs. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the biosynthesized particles were spherical in shape having a size of 10-100 nm, X- ray diffraction (XRD) pattern agreed with the crystalline nature and face-centered cubic phase of AgNPs. Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of AgNPs synthesized using GM against the indicator strains (Staphylococcus aureus CIP 9973, Pectobacterium carotovorum Pec1, Enterobacter cloacae AS10, Klebsiella aerogenes OFM28, Proteus mirabilis UPMSD3 and Escherichia coli 2013C-3342) isolated from selected vegetables, was carried out using the Agar diffusion assay at different concentrations of 25, 75 and 100 µl/ml. The present study demonstrated that the AgNPs synthesized using Goat milk have potent biological activities, which can find applications in diverse areas.

This research was focused on the use of different concentration of aqueous extract of Moringa leaf and Turmeric rhizome as seed treatment agents against fungi associated with maize seeds. The study was designed using 2 x 3 factorial in completely randomised design. This research was carried out in Biology Laboratory of Federal College of Forestry, Jos from April to June 2018. Untreated maize seeds were collected from farmers in three different areas of Mazah village in Jos North LG. Maize seeds were tested for the presence of fungi by culturing on Petri dish having moist filter paper. Aqueous extract of Turmeric rhizome and Moringa leaf at 25, 50, and 75 ml concentration were used as seed treatment agent against fungi. The seeds were soaked in prepared extracts for 1 hour and then cultured on petri dish having moist filter paper, control samples were soaked in sterile water. Infested seeds were counted manually after twenty days. Results were analysed using one-way analysis of variance at 95% confidence level. Penicillium sp, Fusarium solani, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus were isolated from the untreated maize seed. Fusariumsolani gave the highest percentage occurrence of 35.48. 50 ml concentration of Turmeric rhizome has an antifungal mean value of 3.67 after 20days. The control (untreated) showed the antifungal mean value of 6.67 after 20 days. The results obtained revealed significance between the treatment and the control. The results indicate Turmeric rhizome and Moringa leaf extracts could be used in seed dressing against maize infection caused by fungi.

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Purpose: This research was conducted to determine the occurrence of aflatoxin producing fungi in smoke-dried fish in Bida.Methodology: The study was carried out at the Microbiology Laboratory Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger state. Smoke dried fish samples were collected randomly from three major markets in Bida town. Fungi isolation was done after serial dilution using Potato dextrose agar. Total fungal load per sample was obtained from plate counts and expressed as colony-forming units per gram (cfu/g). The isolates were identified microscopically using Lactophenol cotton blue stain. Aflatoxigenicity text was done using coconut extract agar and exposed to 365 nm ultra violet light. Data collected were analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P < 0.05.Findings: The results showed maximum mean fungal load of smoke-dried fish of 9.54x105±1.83x106 cfu/g. Fungi associated with the smoked dried fish belong to five genera: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Candida, Acremonium and Rhizopus. Comparatively, the assessment showed that smoke-dried fish from old market were the most contaminated followed by samples from small market and modern markets. Aspergillus flavus had the highest prevalence of 32.88 %. Only strains of Aspergillus flavus gave positive to aflatoxins, out of the 24 Aspergillus flavus studied, only 25 % were positive to aflatoxins. Old market exhibited the highest of aflatoxin producing fungi.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: In view of this results, there is need to adopt hygienic practices during smoke dried fish processing and storage in Bida to avoid increase risk of aflatoxin poisoning.