Journal of Natural Sciences Engineering and Technology

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF UNILATERAL RECURRENT MASTITIS IN A FOUR-YEAR-OLD KALAHARI DOE: A CASE REPORT

O. A. MAKINDE — 2024-03-26

A four-year-old female Kalahari goat, weighing 43kg, was presented to the Veterinary
Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, with complaint of
severe inflammation of the right udder. Conservative medical treatment was previously
done on two occasions, with the administration of penicillin-streptomycin antibiotic
with successful regression, but recurrence following kidding. Bacteriological culture of
fine needle aspirate, revealed the presence of Staphylococcus species while antibiotic
sensitivity test showed sensitivity to ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin. However,
histopathology did not show any evidence of neoplastic cells. It was diagnosed of
bacterial mastitis based on the results of microbiology and cytopathology. A unilateral
mastectomy was used to successfully treat this condition. Oral ciprofloxacin
(1000mg/kg) was administered post-surgery. In conclusion, unilateral mastectomy can
be considered the best option of treating recurrent bacterial mastitis, with the intention
of salvaging the contralateral healthy udder.

MICRONUTRIENT AVAILABILITY IN SOILS UNDER SAWAH RICE PRODUCTION OF INLAND VALLEYS IN NIGERIA

C. I. ALARIMA — 2024-04-02

Despite the vital roles of soil micronutrients in rice production, especially in Nigeria,
where efforts are being made to increase rice production, there is little information on
micronutrient availability in lowland soils of Nigeria. This study therefore investigated
the availability of micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe, Ni and Mn) in lowland soils under sawah
in Nigeria, in order to provide basic information that can also be used as baseline data for
analysis in future investigations. Soil samples for this study were collected from all the
sawah sites in Bida, Zaria, Ilorin, Abakaliki and Akure. Zn, Cu, Fe, Ni and Mn were
extracted in DTPA-TEA solution at pH 7.3 Topsoil (0–15 cm) Cu ranged between 0.43
and 4.09 mg/kg, with an average of 1.90 mg/kg. Mn values ranged between 9.27 and
99.12 mg/kg, with an average of 52.59 mg/kg. Ni values ranged between 0.08 and 1.56
mg/kg, with an average of 0.57 mg/kg. Fe ranged between 41.41 and 451.03 mg/kg,
with an average of 199.09 mg/kg. Zn ranged between 0.07 and 5.83 mg/kg, with an
average of 1.02 mg/kg. These results indicate that soils under sawah in Nigeria are
deficient in Zn and have moderate level of Cu, Fe, Ni and Mn. Although Fe was
generally found to be moderate, Fe toxicity was observed in some sites. While the
average Zn value was 1.02 mg/kg, which is above the critical level of 0.83 mg/kg for rice
production as recommended, majority (60%) of soils under sawah had Zn values below
the critical level. Correlation analysis showed that Zn is significantly and positively
correlated with exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg, exchangeable Na, P, SiO , S, total 2
carbon (TC) and total nitrogen (TN), but no significant correlation was observed with
pH. Further study to investigate the roles of redox potential and pH in micronutrient
availability in soils under sawah in Nigeria is recommended.

DYNAMICS OF SOIL REACTION AND EFFECTS ON GROWTH OF CORCHORUS OLITORUS L. UNDER SEQUENTIAL APPLICATION OF ANIMAL MANURES

H. A. SAKA — 2024-04-02

Availability of nutrients from different manure origins when soil pH changes to support
plants yield in order to encourage food security due to increment of global change is
critical. Hence, manure variability such as types, rates and application time on soil pH
necessitates further study. This experiment probed effects of three animal-manures and
their residuals on soil pH kinetics and Fresh Shoot yield (FSY) response of Corchorus
olitorius L. A randomized complete block design experiment was conducted for 154 days;
three cycles of 42 days per cycle with three replications. The rate of dried cattle, goat and
poultry manures incorporated separately once at onset of the research were; 5, 10, 20,
-1 -1 40, 60, 80, 120 and 150 t ha . Besides, N P K at 0.4 t ha was added at 14, 56 and 98 15 15 15
Days on separate plots as check (first, second and third cycles). After Incorporation of
manures determination of soil pH was carried out at every 14 days. At 42 Days After
Planting (DAP) in each cycle, Corchorus olitorius L. FSY was assessed. Across cycles,
applied manures increased (p<0.01) soil alkalinity while N P K increased soil acidity. 15 15 15
Increment in FSY of Corchorus olitorius L. irrespective of manure rates at second and
-1 third cycles was more than first cycle. Addition of cattle manure at 40 t ha , goat at 60 t
-1 -1 ha and poultry at 20 t ha enhanced the soil pH and Corchorus olitorius L. performance at
first, second and third cycles.

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS OF BASIL AND THYME ON CARIOGENIC BACTERIAL STRAINS: A SYSTEMATIC STUDY

W.E. IKE — 2024-04-02

Dental caries has remained the most prevalent and costly oral infectious disease globally.
Although several techniques have been employed to prevent this biofilm-dependent
disease, many have failed including the use of available synthetic drugs. This current
study investigated the antibacterial activity of the essential oils (EOs) of Ocimum
citriodorum (Basil) and Thymus vulgaris (Thyme) against clinical bacteria of oral origin. The
chemical composition and antimicrobial attributes of the essential oils obtained from
the aerial parts of the plants have been well studied. Nine bacterial strains comprising, K.
pneumonia, E. coli, 2 strains of P. aeruginosa, B. licheniformis, S. aureus, L. acidophilus, and 2
strains of S. mutans were been study. Essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation
Clevenger apparatus. Inhibitory zone dimension, and minimal inhibitory and minimal
bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC) were congruently determined using welldiffusion,
and broth microdilution methods. EO of Ocimum citriodorum showed
significant activity at 64 μl/mL dose against B. licheniformis and the 2 strains of S. mutans,
B. licheniformis, L. acidophilus, E. coli, but the 2 strains of S. mutans, and S. aureus were highly
susceptible at 128μl/mL dose as their MIC/MBC varied from 0.20 to 1.60 μl/mL, and
0.20 to 3.13 μl/mL respectively. For Thymus vulgaris EO, at 64 μl/mL only B. licheniformis
and S. aureus were susceptible. However, all the isolates except E. coli and the 2 strains of
S. mutans were sensitive at 128 μl/mL dose. The MIC/MBC values ranged from 0.20 to
0.40 in both cases. The use of essential oils from basil and thyme leaves may be a
plausible alternative in the prevention and treatment of cariogenic pathogens.

DEVELOPMENT OF A COLOUR-OBJECT SORTING ROBOTIC ARM SYSTEM USING A PIXY2 CAMERA

S.O. OWOEYE — 2024-04-02

There are growing needs for detection and sorting of objects owing to the large
application of artificial intelligence in industrial and agricultural engineering
applications, among other fields. Object detection is extensively used in various areas of
the knowledge society to offer assistance whenever necessary. There is need to develop
sorting systems that are completely automated to reduce these challenges. This paper
describes the implementation and testing of an object-sorting system based on colour
using a robotic arm, arduino nano microcontroller, pixy2 camera and a conveyor system.
The system was designed to sort objects into different categories based on their
dominant colour, as identified by the camera and processed by the microcontroller.
Using a predetermined colour identification algorithm, this model assessed the ability of
a robotic arm to sort various objects. The robotic arm acted as the sorting mechanism,
picking up objects from the conveyor and placing them into designated containers. The
system was tested with a variety of objects with different colours and shapes. It was
found to have an accuracy rate of 85% in colour detection and sorting, a low latency
value of 30%, object orientation of 45 % and robustness against different lighting
conditions. The obtained values demonstrated the effectiveness, accuracy, and costeffectiveness
of employing computer vision in conjunction with a robotic arm for
sorting objects, based on colour and shape. The study therefore provides a system that
represents a promising solution for automating colour-based object sorting tasks.

EFFECTS OF PACKAGING AND STORAGE CONDITION ON THE SHELF STABILITY OF ROASTED AND PULVERISED DATE (Phoenix dactylifera L.) SEED

I. A. KUKOYI — 2024-04-02

Food packaging helps maintain food safety, minimize environmental impacts and
protect from spoilage/damages. This study evaluated the effects of packaging materials
and storage conditions on the shelf-stability of roasted and pulverised date seeds. Date
fruits were gathered and the seeds obtained and processed through the stages of sorting,
soaking, washing, drying at 90°C for 6 hours, roasting at 220°C, cooling, blending and
sieving. Tightly sealed transparent cellophane bags and Plastic containers were used for
packaging. Storage conditions assessed were: Ambient (room) condition, free table and
dark cupboard. Microbial analyses were carried out on the powdered date seed samples
at 2, 7, 14, 28, 42 and 56 days of storage to determine the bacterial and fungi load count,
using nutrient agar, plate count agar and potato dextrose agar. There were no visible
microbial growths on the fresh sample and on samples at 2 days post-production for the
two storage conditions considered in this study. As storage duration increased from day
7, bacteria such as Pseudomonas spp, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated
and identified. Also, fungi such as Aspergillus flavus and yeast were isolated and identified.
There were no differences between microbial loads of samples stored in a dark
cupboard and on the table in open space as storage duration increased. The study
showed that a transparent cellophane bag was a more suitable packaging material.

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF EXTENDED SPECTRUM BETA LACTAMASES AND RESISTANCE TO GENTAMICIN AND QUINOLONES IN GRAM NEGATIVE BACTERIAL ISOLATES OF PERIPLANETA AMERICANA (COCKROACHES)

O. D. POPOOLA — 2024-04-02

The close association of cockroaches with man in his environment is a threat to public
health due to their potential in the transmission of multi-drug resistant infectious
agents. This study was therefore conducted to detect the presence of extendedspectrum
beta lactamases (ESBLs) in Gram negative bacterial isolates of cockroaches.
Two hundred cockroaches were randomly collected (200) and analyzed at the
microbiology laboratory, Olabisi Onabanjo University. Isolated bacteria were tested for
antibiotic susceptibility against eight clinically relevant antibiotics and Double Disc
Synergy Test (DDST) for the confirmation of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase
(ESBL) production. Existence of genes encoding ESBL production were identified
using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 363 bacteria (208 (57) from the
external surfaces and (155 (43) from the gut environment were recovered from the
analyzed cockroaches. Twenty-six (26) of the forty (40) phenotypically confirmed ESBL
organisms showed discrete amplification with the molecular technique. All isolates
showed elevated trend of multi-drug resistance to the tested antibiotics with 12=46.2%,
11=42.3% and 3=11.5% of the 26 Gram negative isolates harboring one, two and three
ESBL genes, respectively. The sulfhydryl variable (SHV) gene was the most significant
with a percentage distribution of 69.2% of the total ESBL alleles suggesting cockroach
as a vector for enteric bacterial infections. Findings also affirmed the reduced
susceptibility of all the isolates to both gentamicin and quinolone antibiotics.

GUIDE TO AUTHORS

E. A. MAKINDE — 2024-04-02

An abstract in English should include key words, arranged alphabetically using only the first letter of key words. Abstract should be limited to <200 words, and should contain salient features of the study, briefly indicating method of study, result, and the main conclusion. Single solid line should separate the by – line materials from the abstract, and the abstract from the main text. A short running title should be included. 6 keywords should be typed in.