ABSTRACT Mosquitoes transmit devastating diseases that kill millions of people each year. The adverse effects on human health, well being and high economic losses inflicted by mosquitoes, the malaria vector, is an important stimulant for the search for new, safe and effective mosquito larvicides. The pool of natural products is an important source of such larvicidal metabolites. Fungi have extensive secondary metabolites at their disposal, and some could be active against the mosquito larvae...
Abstract: Temperature critically affects the performance of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Mathematical models are critical tools used in predictive microbiology but are less adopted for EPF. We selected eight nonlinear models to describe thermal biology; minimum (Tmin), optimal (Topt) and maximum (Tmax) thresholds; and maximal growth (Pmax) of EPF. Conidial germination and mycelial growth of Metarhizium anisopliae (ICIPE 7, ICIPE 20, ICIPE 62, ICIPE 69, ICIPE 78) and Beauveria bassiana (ICIP...
Abstract: Although black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) is effective on crop performance, information on nitrogen (N) mineralization and nutrient release capacity of soils amended with BSFFF is lacking. This study utilized field incubation experiments to investigate the ammonification, nitrification, microbial populations, and quantities of nutrients released by soils amended with BSFFF and commercial organic fertilizer (SAFI) for a period equivalent to two maize cropping seasons. For ...
Abstract: The small hive beetle Aethina tumida Murray, is an African native that has become an invasive pest of honeybees in North America. The beetle is capable of rapid population growth on pollen,honey, and bee brood. It is also capable of feeding and reproducing on various kinds of fruit, but its ability to sustain population growth on diets other than bee products has remained unknown. We examined this question by observing A. tumida on 2 diets: pollen dough (inoculated with a species o...
Abstract: Microsporidia are spore-forming eukaryotes that are related to fungi but have unique traits that set them apart. They have compact genomes as a result of evolutionary gene loss associated with their complete dependency on hosts for survival. Despite having a relatively small number of genes, a disproportionately high percentage of the genes in microsporidia genomes code for proteins whose functions remain unknown (hypothetical proteins—HPs). Computational annotation of HPs has be...
Abstract: Pathological potential of the fungus Beauveria bassiana Balsamo on the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria Forsk was evaluated with an aim to develop a mycoinsecticide as a supplement to the persistent chemical insecticides used for desert locust control in order to min imize the pollution in agroecosystems. Conidial suspension of B. bassiana when topically applied to locusts was found to be effoctive under 27.5 ± 2.50°C and 90% RH. Comparative stage susceptibility studies showed...
Humans share an intimate and life-long partnership with a myriad of resident microbial species (fungi, protists and viruses), collectively referred to as the microbiota (Sampson & Marmanian, 2015). The microbiome co-evolved with its human host (Chrobak et al., 2016) and istransferred from the mother to the baby duringlabor, with method of delivery, diet, drugs and medications (especially antibiotics) as the major contributing factorto the process of microbiome developmentin the infant (Sekiro...
ABSTRACT The safety, efficacy and quality of herbal mixtures have been an important concern for health authorities and health professional, especially now there is increase in the use of herbal mixtures. This study was aimed at isolation and identification of microorganisms from some liquid herbal mixtures sold in Enugu metropolis, South East of Nigeria. A total of twenty samples of herbal mixture were selected at random, from herbal shops in Enugu metropolis and were analysed in Microbiol...
ABSTRACT Maize (Zea mays) is a staple food grown in almost all agro-ecological zones in Kenya. The production output is very low (2.4 million tons annually) nationally. Nyanza region contributes about 5 million bags. This is not enough to feed its population of 5 million people. Maize ear rot disease contributes to low maize productivity in Nyanza, with annual lossess due to aar rot estimated at 18 percent. These pathogens are reported to lower the quality of the maize crop and produce mycoto...
Abstract This study was designed to investigate the microorganisms associated with palm oil mill effluent (POME) in Johor Bahru state, Malaysia. Biodegradation of palm oil mill effluents (POME) was conducted to measure the discarded POME based on physicochemical quality. The bacteria that were isolated are Micrococcus species, Bacillus species, Pseudomonas species, and Staphylococcus aureus, while the fungi that were isolated are Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida species, Fusa...
ABSTRACT . Microbial quality ofcommercially prepared yoghurt sold in umuahia was evaluated. Ten(10) differentbrands of Yoghurt was purchased randomly from hawkers and beverage stores inUmuahia urban and analyzed in the laboratory. Six (6) of the samples whereregistered by NAFDAC [ Sample A, B, C, D, E and F,] while four(4) others werenot registered [ Sample G, H, I, J.]. total viable count (TVC) of the samplesranged from 3.25x102 (sample B) to 5.0x104 (sample F) forregistered samples (A t...
ABSTRACT Aflatoxin contamination of maize is a major risk to health and well-being of Kenyan people. Aflatoxin-producing moulds viz: Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius can infect grains from pre-harvest stages in the field through to post-harvest stages in the stores. In Kenya, deaths have resulted from dramatic outbreaks of aflatoxin poisoning. Existing strategies for control of aflatoxigenic moulds mainly based on moisture reduction have been ineffective in the warm and humid ...
Abstract: Watermelon is one of the major utilized fruits grown in the warmer part of the world. The juice or pulp from watermelon is used for human utilization, while rind and seeds are major solid wastes. Endophytic microbes have been an important and potential resource of bioactive compounds. The present study was undertaken to assess phytochemical analysis, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of endophytic fungal isolates from water melon seeds and fruit rind. The watermelon seed and...
ABSTRACT An assessment of quality parameters of farmer saved pigeon pea seeds was conducted in Babati and Karatu Districts in northern Tanzania. Pigeon pea seed samples were collected from 80 households (farmers), 40 from each district; for testing of their physical and health quality status with respect to three post-harvest handling practices (storage, pre storage seed treatment and seed sorting) following ISTA procedures. Results were then compared with national standards of pigeon peas s...
ABSTRACT Mycotoxin and Brucella abortus contamination of milk along the dairy value chain is of public health concern and contributes to food insecurity. Animal feeds that are contaminated with mycotoxin causing fungi pass the contaminationtion to the milk. Inhygienic handling of milk can lead to Brucella contamination of milk. This study aimed at determining the on-farm risk factors associated with Mycotoxins and B. abortus occurrence and their prevalence on smallholder farms at rural and p...