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Microbial Quality of Traditionally Dried Fish Products from Selected Parts of Ethiopia
Bezuayehu Gutema,
Fikadu Hailemichael
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
1-5
Received:
18 January 2021
Accepted:
7 February 2021
Published:
4 March 2021
Abstract: Dried fish is a rich source of protein, lipid and minerals that can serve as a promising source of nutrients to alleviate malnutrition in low-income countries. Nowadays, fish drying is becoming an increasing practice to extend the shelf life of excess catch in areas where other preservation mechanisms such as cold storage are scarce. However, since the drying is often performed in a rural setting with poor hygienic conditions, the microbial quality of such products is uncertain. This study was conducted to evaluate the microbial quality of traditionally dried fish products from sites around the lakes of Tana, Ziway and Chamo, where fish drying is commonly practiced in Ethiopia. Eighteen composite samples were analyzed to determine the microbial load and water activity. High microbial load was recorded in most of the dried fish samples as indicated by total viable count (105 to 107 cfu/g); lactic acid bacteria (901 to 108 cfu/g); total coliforms (<10 to 104 cfu/g), and yeast and molds (103 to 105 cfu/g). The water activity value of all the dried fish samples was below 0.80, indicating the adequacy of the drying since the growth of pathogenic bacteria is not expected at a water activity below 0.86. However, a lack of hygiene during processing and handling was generally noticed. Hygienic processing and process standardization are required to improve the microbial quality of the dried fish.
Abstract: Dried fish is a rich source of protein, lipid and minerals that can serve as a promising source of nutrients to alleviate malnutrition in low-income countries. Nowadays, fish drying is becoming an increasing practice to extend the shelf life of excess catch in areas where other preservation mechanisms such as cold storage are scarce. However, since...
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Occurrence of Chlorine Resistant Bacteria in Drinking Water Filtration Plants of Rawalpindi City, Pakistan
Mehrin Nishad Khan,
Aneela Taj,
Rashida Bano,
Najeeb Ullah,
Saifullah Khan
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
6-14
Received:
21 November 2020
Accepted:
9 December 2020
Published:
9 March 2021
Abstract: Waterborne bacterial infections are mainly caused by the direct transmission of pathogenic bacteria to the host through DW. Chlorination of DW is critical to prevent the water supplies from bacterial pathogens. In present study, microbiological quality of DW provided through filtration plants to Rawalpindi City was investigated. Experimentations were designed to screen bacterial tolerance to the added Chlorine, and to subsequent study the antibiotic sensitivity of isolated bacteria. A total of 107 water samples were collected. Out of which, 57.95% were found satisfactory for human consumption. pH determination revealed that 18.70% of the samples has pH in the range of 8.0 to 8.9. TDS analysis showed 14.01% of samples above the standard HDL (500 mg/L). Furthermore, 13.34% of the samples showed the highest load (351 to 1800 CFU/100mL) of fecal coliforms. Ciprofloxacin and Tetracycline were found to be the most effective antibiotics against the isolated pathogens. These bacterial strains were also able to tolerate 1mg/L of Chlorine. Present study revealed the presence of Chlorine and antibiotic resistant bacteria in DW, which poses a great health risk to the consumers. In conclusion, it is recommended to boil the DW, as it effectively kills all the bacteria in addition to chlorination.
Abstract: Waterborne bacterial infections are mainly caused by the direct transmission of pathogenic bacteria to the host through DW. Chlorination of DW is critical to prevent the water supplies from bacterial pathogens. In present study, microbiological quality of DW provided through filtration plants to Rawalpindi City was investigated. Experimentations we...
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Prevalence of Seed-borne Fungal Invasion on Tossa Jute (Corchorus olitorius) Seeds
Fakhar Uddin Talukder,
Mohammad Sohanur Rahman,
Saleh Mohammad Ashraful Haque,
Mohammad Mia Mukul
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
15-21
Received:
30 December 2020
Accepted:
9 January 2021
Published:
12 March 2021
Abstract: Fungi of different kinds/races have been observed on Tossa jute seeds collected from different locations in Bangladesh. These fungi harm the quality of seeds and lessen germination percentage of the seeds. The aim of this research was to determine the seed-borne fungal pathogens on Tossa jute varieties collected from different locations in Bangladesh. The experiments were conducted following Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications. Eight Tossa jute varieties are used in the present research. Seed sample of each and every variety collected from each of four different districts of Bangladesh. The predominant identified fungi were Macrophomina phaseolina, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp. and Penicillum spp. Kishoregonj District as well as O-72 variety is the most vulnerable in response of seed borne fungal infection, individually and simultaneously. Rangpur District as well as O-795 variety is the most secure in response of seed borne fungal infection, individually and simultaneously. No limitation has been found to conduct the experiment. Seed borne fungal pathogens are the extreme constraints which deadly influenced the healthy Tossa jute seed production. From the results obtained from this study, it will be easy to select the right variety and location for Tossa jute seed production in Bangladesh. And Farmers can be careful at the beginning of Tossa jute seed cultivation to get rid of the fungus which is more prevalent.
Abstract: Fungi of different kinds/races have been observed on Tossa jute seeds collected from different locations in Bangladesh. These fungi harm the quality of seeds and lessen germination percentage of the seeds. The aim of this research was to determine the seed-borne fungal pathogens on Tossa jute varieties collected from different locations in Banglade...
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Characterization of Bacterial Populations in Urban and Rural Houston Watershed Soil Samples Following a Flooding Event
Folasade Tinuke Adedoyin,
Maruthi Sridhar Balaji Bhaskar,
Jason Alan Rosenzweig
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
22-34
Received:
11 February 2021
Accepted:
24 February 2021
Published:
12 March 2021
Abstract: Since Houston is prone to flooding events, bacterial population dynamics in Houston watershed soils pre- and post-Hurricane Harvey were evaluated. Unexpectedly, bayous closer to Houston’s urban core, including Buffalo, Halls, Mustang, and Horsepen Bayous, had significantly higher enteric bacterial loads during the winter than the summer, likely due to water flow rate changes or proximity to wastewater outflow. Following bacterial load determination, isolated colonies were identified using biochemical tests. Additionally, metagenomic sequencing of 16S rDNA allowed for identification of both culturable and unculturable organisms. The phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteriodetes and Firmicutes were found to be dominant in our metagenomic analysis and are human gut bacteria. Some opportunistic bacterial Proteobacteria pathogens identified in our metabolomic analysis were Serratia marcenscens, Pseudomonas mendocina, Pseudomonas fulva, and Pseudomonas putida. To our knowledge, this is the first study that compares Houston-area bacterial populations before and after a major flooding event. Taken together, Hurricane Harvey likely contributed to a redistribution of enteric bacteria, as there was a significant increase in the enteric population of Buffalo and Halls Bayous. Similarly, our 2018 winter data set followed the same trend, as significant increases were seen in the enteric populations of Horsepen, Mustang, and Cypress Creek watershed soils.
Abstract: Since Houston is prone to flooding events, bacterial population dynamics in Houston watershed soils pre- and post-Hurricane Harvey were evaluated. Unexpectedly, bayous closer to Houston’s urban core, including Buffalo, Halls, Mustang, and Horsepen Bayous, had significantly higher enteric bacterial loads during the winter than the summer, likely due...
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Inactivation of Escherichia Coli, Coliforms and Coliphages During Storage of Animal Wastes Under Tropical Climatic Conditions
Philbert Balichene Madoshi,
Amandus Pachificus Muhairwa,
Mkumbukwa M. A. Mtambo,
Anita Forslund
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
35-43
Received:
23 November 2020
Accepted:
15 December 2020
Published:
12 March 2021
Abstract: Background: Animal waste management in the peri-urban and urban settings in the developing countries is hampered by the lack of proper handling of such wastes. The current methods of animal waste handling are based on common practices without considering the impact caused by such wastes in the public health. As a result such wastes are handled as other house garbage and disposed haphazardly in the environment including water bodies. This affects the quality of water for home consumption; contributing to air and environmental pollution and spread of enteropathogens to the public. Objective: Establishing suitable treatment method so as to increase the rate inactivation faecal indicator bacteria as model for management animal waste pathogens under the tropical conditions. Method: Cattle dung was treated basing on conventional heap (farmers practice), semi-aerated heap, semi-anaerobic heap, and modified (aerated) heap, where the dung was stored on a metal mesh, allowing free aeration from below and sides. Cattle waste indigenous E. coli, other coliforms and coliphages were enumerated as a function of treatment and time to determine the inactivation rate (T90). Result and conclusion: Temperature and pH values in heaps were measured on each day of sampling, while %DM values were calculated on day 0, 21 and 50. On average, coliphages declined more rapidly than E. coli and other coliforms in all treatments. The T90 values varied significantly between treatments (p < 0.001) for E. coli and other coliforms (p < 0.01), with the aerated heap as the most effective with regard to inactivation and the semi-anaerobic heap as the poorest. In contrast, there was no statistical significant difference in coliphage inactivation (p > 0.93) with respect to treatment. Storage of cattle waste on metal-mesh in the tropical climate allows optimal aeration resulting into improved inactivation of indicator bacteria. It is recommended that more studies are carried on involving typical farmers’ waste management practise, for the betterment of the environment and the public in general.
Abstract: Background: Animal waste management in the peri-urban and urban settings in the developing countries is hampered by the lack of proper handling of such wastes. The current methods of animal waste handling are based on common practices without considering the impact caused by such wastes in the public health. As a result such wastes are handled as o...
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