IPS Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among schoolchildren dewormed within the past year in Agulu, Anambra State.

Chinelo Kene Ezejiegu — 2026-05-23

Background: Urinary schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium remains a significant public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among school-aged children who are highly exposed to infested water bodies. Although mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel is widely implemented, reinfection continues to limit its long-term effectiveness in endemic communities.

Objective: This study determined the prevalence of S. haematobium infection among schoolchildren dewormed within the past year in Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria, and examined associated demographic and clinical factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 187 schoolchildren. Midday urine samples were collected and examined microscopically for the presence of S. haematobium eggs. Data on age, sex, water contact, urine appearance, and haematuria were obtained using structured questionnaires and standard urinalysis procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results: The overall prevalence of infection was 9.6%. Infection was highest among children aged 11–13 years and more frequent in females than males. Haematuria was observed in 14.7% of participants and was strongly associated with infection, with a markedly higher proportion of infected cases among those presenting with haematuria than among those without. In contrast, urine turbidity was not consistently associated with infection. A substantial proportion of participants reported water contact, indicating continued exposure to transmission sources despite prior treatment.

Conclusion: The persistence of S. haematobium infection one year after MDA suggests ongoing transmission and rapid reinfection in the study area. These findings highlight the need for integrated control strategies, including improved water supply, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as sustained health education, to complement chemotherapy and achieve long-term reductions.

Bioprocess Optimization of Alkaline Protease Production by Bacillus tropicus: Effects of Culture Conditions and Nutritional Factors

P. O. Umennadi — 2026-05-08

This study investigated the isolation, characterization, and optimization of alkaline protease production by a bacterial isolate obtained from fish pond (FW) and poultry farm (PW) water samples. Serial dilutions 10⁻² and 10⁻³ were cultured on skim milk agar at 37 °C and pH 9 for 72 h. Among the isolates, PW10⁻²A2 exhibited the highest proteolytic activity with a zone of hydrolysis (ZOH) of 13 mm, compared to PW10⁻²A1 (4 mm) and PW10⁻²B2 (2 mm). Morphological and biochemical characterization identified the isolate as a Gram-positive, motile, endospore-forming rod with broad carbohydrate utilization and enzymatic capabilities, consistent with Bacillus tropicus. The Optimization studies revealed that maximum protease production occurred at 96 h (0.1420 Umol/mL; 5.6807 µmol tyrosine released; biomass 1.912 OD₆₀₀), while minimum production was observed at 48 h (0.1052 Umol/mL; 4.2075 µmol tyrosine; biomass 1.286 OD₆₀₀). Among carbon sources, rice bran yielded the highest activity (0.1567 Umol/mL), whereas maltose showed the lowest (0.1085 Umol/mL). Beef extract was the best organic nitrogen source (0.1671 Umol/mL), while ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) was the most effective overall nitrogen source (0.17435 Umol/mL). Optimal enzyme production occurred at pH 9 (0.1425 Umol/mL) and 35 °C (0.0703 Umol/mL). Maximum yield was achieved with 2.5 mL inoculum size (0.1314 Umol/mL), 96 h inoculum age (0.1305 Umol/mL), and agitation speed of 220 rpm (0.0605 Umol/mL). One-way ANOVA demonstrated that incubation time, carbon and nitrogen sources, pH, temperature, inoculum size, inoculum age, and agitation significantly influenced protease production (p < 0.05). Maximum enzyme yield was obtained under optimized conditions (96 h, pH 9, 35 °C, rice bran, NH₄NO₃, 2.5 mL inoculum, 220 rpm). Correlation analysis indicated that enzyme production was not strictly growth-associated (r = 0.42). The study demonstrates that Bacillus tropicus PW10⁻²A2 is a potent alkaline protease producer with significant industrial potential, particularly for applications in detergent and leather processing industries.

Spoilage Dynamics, Microbial Ecology, and Comparative Antimicrobial Efficacy of Selected Spice Extracts against Foodborne Isolates from Meat and Tomato

Chidinma A. Okafor — 2026-05-02

Food spoilage remains a major challenge affecting food safety, quality, and shelf-life, particularly in perishable products such as meat and fresh produce. This study comparatively evaluated spoilage dynamics, microbial ecology, and the antimicrobial efficacy of selected spice extracts (ginger, clove, and cinnamon) against foodborne pathogens isolated from spoiled beef and tomato samples. Physicochemical analysis revealed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in pH during spoilage, with beef showing a greater shift (6.6 ± 0.10 to 8.7 ± 0.15) than tomato (4.5 ± 0.08 to 6.0 ± 0.12). Microbial growth patterns indicated rapid proliferation in beef, reaching too numerous to count (TNTC) levels earlier than in tomato. Microbial identification showed the dominance of Listeria monocytogenes (48.0%) in beef, while Bacillus cereus (77.5%) predominated in tomato samples. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, glycosides, and triterpenoids, in all plant extracts. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated that ginger extract exhibited the highest inhibitory activity, with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (0.50 ± 0.02 mg/mL) against multiple isolates, while clove showed moderate activity and cinnamon showed no observable effect. These findings highlight the strong potential of ginger as a natural antimicrobial agent for food preservation. The study provides valuable insights into spoilage mechanisms and supports the application of plant-based preservatives as sustainable alternatives to synthetic additives to enhance food safety and shelf life.

An Ultraviolet Light-Assisted Method for the Retrieval of Fluorescent Implanted Monofilaments in Insect Larvae for Encapsulation Assays Using Zophobas morio as a Model

Bridget Ugochi Anyanwueze — 2026-05-01

Encapsulation assays are widely used in eco immunology to assess insect immune responses against foreign bodies and simulated parasitic challenges. However, locating implanted monofilaments during recovery can be difficult, time consuming, and highly dependent on the experience and mastery of the observer, particularly in conditions where surrounding tissues make the filament difficult to see for retrieval. This study presents a simple and cost-effective ultraviolet assisted method for improving the localization of implanted ultraviolet reactive monofilaments in insect larvae using fluorescent fishing lines. Using Zophobas morio as a model organism, detection time was compared under conventional lighting using the microscope and UV illumination across conditions with different surrounding tissues. Detection time served as a measure of retrieval efficiency. Ultraviolet illumination substantially reduced the time required to locate and retrieve implanted monofilaments, with the greatest improvements observed in cellulose-treated larvae, where surrounding tissues made filament detection more difficult and detection time decreased by approximately 57–86%. The differences between the two detection methods were smaller and less consistent under wheat bran conditions. Successful monofilament recovery was achieved across all treatments, demonstrating that the ultraviolet assisted approach improves efficiency, with the new method providing a quick, accessible, and reproducible approach. Because of its simplicity, this method can be used in host–pathogen studies and other research involving implanting objects to mimic foreign bodies.

Growth and Immune Benefits of Lactobacillus-Fermented Banana Peel in Broiler Chicks

M. N. Okeke — 2026-04-28

The rising prevalence of metabolic and immune disorders has intensified interest in accessible dietary interventions that simultaneously influence body weight and immunological parameters. Banana peel, an abundant agricultural waste product, has recently gained recognition as a valuable substrate for probiotic fermentation, yielding a functional ingredient rich in fermentable fiber and phenolic compounds. This study investigated the effect of a Lactobacillus-fermented banana peel supplement on the body weight and blood lymphocyte levels of broiler chicks, addressing the dual challenge of agro-waste valorization and sustainable poultry nutrition. Banana peel was fermented using an isolated strain, which was rigorously characterized through cultural, biochemical, and molecular analysis and definitively identified as Lactobacillus acidophilus strain DSM20079 (100% 16S rRNA gene identity, Accession CP020620.1). In a seven-week feeding trial, chicks receiving the fermented supplement exhibited a final mean body weight of 3.824 ± 0.004 kg, which was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than the control group's 2.954 ± 0.003 kg, demonstrating a potent growth-promoting effect. Concurrently, hematological analysis revealed a significant immunomodulatory outcome: the test group administered a 100 mg/g dose exhibited a mean total lymphocyte count of 276.46 ± 1.01, a value significantly elevated (p < 0.001) above the normal control (152.16 ± 1.02) and slightly exceeding the standard immunostimulant levamisole (273.19 ± 1.21). These results indicate that the synbiotic product not only enhances nutrient bioavailability and weight gain but also robustly stimulates systemic cellular immunity. The findings confirm that solid-state fermentation with a precisely identified probiotic strain can transform banana peel into a multifunctional feed additive that simultaneously improves zootechnical performance and immune status, offering a viable strategy for waste-to-resource conversion in sustainable animal production.

Evaluation of Chemical Profile of Organic Waste Compost Accelerated Via Microbial and Nanocomposite Amendments

J. O. Ofunwa — 2026-04-22

Microbial activities are capable of accelerating some biological processes such as biodegradation of materials in the environment. This study was carried out to evaluate the chemical profile of organic waste compost accelerated via microbial and nanocomposite amendments. The beneficial microbes ((Bacillus species, Candida species, and Enterobacter species) that were used to accelerate composting of the selected substrates were isolated from soil, roots of soy bean, and ripe pineapple using microbiological standard techniques. The ability of the beneficial microorganisms to degrade complex organic and inorganic matter in compost was evaluated using substrates from leftover food, fruit and vegetable, and papers. The required conditions for optimum conversion of the substrates such as moisture and aeration were provided throughout the duration of 56 days. Key physicochemical parameters, including pH, carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, phosphorus, potassium, ammonium-nitrate ratio, and trace metals (zinc and copper), were monitored throughout the composting period. Initial characterization revealed significant variation in substrate quality, with paper waste exhibiting a high C/N ratio (173:1) and food waste showing a lower ratio (24:1), indicating differing biodegradability potentials. During composting, pH increased across all treatments, approaching near-neutral conditions by week eight. A substantial reduction in C/N ratio was observed, with the consortium treatment achieving the lowest value (13:1), indicating advanced compost maturity. Nutrient enrichment was evident, particularly in phosphorus and potassium, with the consortium and magnesium nanocomposite treatments showing superior performance. The ammonium-nitrate ratio declined significantly across treatments, reflecting enhanced nitrogen stabilization. Trace metal dynamics indicated reduced zinc and copper concentrations in treated setups compared to control. Overall, microbial consortium and magnesium nanocomposite amendments significantly improved compost quality and maturity compared to control conditions. These findings highlight the potential of combined biological and nanotechnological approaches in optimizing composting processes for sustainable waste management.

Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteriuria among Asymptomatic Pregnant Women in Awka, Nigeria

Chinelo K. Ezejiegu — 2026-04-04

Multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria represent a significant public health threat, especially among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MDR Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Proteus mirabilis in asymptomatic pregnant women, as these organisms are known to cause urinary tract infections. A total of 100 participants were involved in the study, from whom midstream clean-catch urine samples were collected during their antenatal visit. Bacterial isolates were identified macroscopically and microscopically, and antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results indicated a 33% S. aureus positive sample and 2% S. epidermidis. Among Gram-negative isolates, E. coli was the most prevalent (36%), and none of the urine samples was infected with P. mirabilis. Alarmingly, all isolates exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotic classes, with high rates of resistance to commonly used antibiotics, including amoxicillin-clavulanate, imipenem-cilastatin, cefuroxime, and cefotaxime. This study underscores the urgent need for enhanced antimicrobial stewardship and routine screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in pregnant women to reduce the risk of antibiotic-resistant infections.