B. E. Asikong

Bio: B. E. Asikong is an academic researcher from University of Calabar. The author has contributed to research in topics: Biogas & Cow dung. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 18 publications receiving 166 citations.

A comparative assessment of the antimicrobial effects of garlic (Allium sativum) and antibiotics on diarrheagenic organisms.

Abstract: Antimicrobial sensitivity tests were carried out on Escherichia coli, Shigella sp, Sal- monella sp, and Proteus mirabilis using standard procedures. Significant differences (p<0.01) were seen in the effect of the antimicrobial agents (garlic, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin), and in the sensitivities of the microbial species (p<0.01) to the antimicrobial agents were observed. The gram-negative diarrheagenic pathogens from the stool samples were highly sensitive to garlic, while ciprofloxacin (CPX) was most effective against E. coli. The differences were in- ferred to result from genetic differences among the organisms and differences in the modes of action of the antibiotics. No isolates were resistant to garlic, making it a promising antimicro- bial agent. It appears that antibiotics that interfere with DNA and RNA syntheses, such as garlic does, could constitute an effective partner in the synergic effect of garlic currently being investigated worldwide.

Phytochemical properties and antimicrobial activities of combined effect of extracts of the leaves of Garcinia kola, Vernonia amygdalina and honey on some medically important microorganisms

Abstract: Warm water extracts of the leaves of Garcinia kola and Vernonia amygdalinasuspended in honey traditionally employed for the treatment of post circumcision wounds, fresh wounds and chronic skin ulcers was prepared and evaluated for its phytochemical properties and antimicrobial activities. The phytochemical analysis of the preparation revealed the presence of polyphenol, reducing sugars, tannins, glycoside, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and anthraquinones. Neat (100%) concentration of preparation inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniaeand Candida albicans. At 50% concentration, the growth of P. aeruginosa while S. aureus and K. pneumoniae were inhibited while at 25% concentration only P. aeruginosa was inhibited. The result suggests that the preparation exhibited significant in vitro antimicrobial activity against common wound isolates and may be employed for the routine treatment of wounds and sepsis as an alternative to antibiotics chemotherapy. Key words: Extracts, antimicrobial, honey, Garcinia kola and Vernonia amygdalina.

Environmental and Public Health Aspects of Solid Waste Management at the Lemna Dumpsite in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract: This study is aimed at investigating the level of environmental pollution and the potential impacts of municipal solid wastes on public health. The health risk assessment was determined through a survey of the present facilities used for solid waste management in the metropolis. Waste bins, types of depots, modes of transportation of wastes to disposal sites and methods of disposal were amongst the facilities investigated. The microbiological and physicochemical analysis of decomposing solid waste, leachate, soil, air at dumpsite, stream and Ikot Effanga Mkpa river waters were carried out using standard microbiological procedures. The prevalent bacteria besides fungi isolated from decomposing solid waste, soil, leachate, stream and river water samples were Escherichia coli 55 (13.31%) and 48 (14.33%) Chromobacterium spp 36 (18.18%), Staphylococcus spp 37 (17.70%), Salmonella spp 45(16.85%) and Klebsiella spp (17.06%) respectively. Statistical analysis of the bacterial and fungal counts showed significant difference (p<0.05) between the sources of sampling, months of sampling and seasons of sampling. Decomposing solid wastes followed by soil and leachate had the highest counts at 5% level of probability. The high bacterial counts coupled with these findings are indicative of the possible high risk of microbial infections and a potential destruction of biodiversity from the toxic chemicals of the wastes. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that virtually, most of the parameters determined are above the WHO permissible limits for drinking water. It is recommended that a fit for purpose strategy be developed for waste management with control measures that are health and eco-friendly.

Incidence of enteric bacterial pathogens in water found at the bottom of commercial freezers in calabar, southeastern Nigeria.

Abstract: Bacteriological analysis of water that accumulates at the bottom of freezers in restaurants when the power was cut in Calabar, southeastern Nigeria, was carried out using standard procedures. Mean heterotrophic bacterial counts and Escherichia coli counts ranged from 3.1 +/- 0.02 to 7.1 +/- 0.30 x 10(4) cfu/ml and 0.2 +/- 0.10 to 0.6 +/- 0.50 x 10(4) cfu/ml, respectively, indicating heavy bacterial contamination whose source was mostly fecal. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05, 0.01) in bacterial counts between freezers. Some biochemically identified enteric bacterial pathogens were Salmonella typhi, Shigella sp, enteropathogenic E. coli, Yersinia sp, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrio cholerae O1 and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This reveals that the hygienic quality of the food items stored in the freezers and the hygienic status of the restaurants are in doubt. Infection could be going on unnoticed and thus endemicity maintained in the area. The pathogens showed alarming antibiotic resistance. The water in the freezers was a "soup" in which different species of the enteric pathogens were close to each other and could transfer drug resistance among themselves. Public health education of restaurant operators in southeastern Nigeria is recommended.

Therapeutic Uses and Pharmacological Properties of Garlic, Shallot, and Their Biologically Active Compounds

Abstract: Objective(s): Garlic (Allium sativum L. family Liliaceae) is well known in Iran and its leaves, flowers, and cloves have been used in traditional medicine for a long time. Research in recent decades has shown widespread pharmacological effects of A. sativum and its organosulfur compounds especially Allicin. Studies carried out on the chemical composition of the plant show that the most important constituents of this plant are organosulfur compounds such as allicin, diallyl disulphide, S-allylcysteine, and diallyl trisulfide. Allicin represents one of the most studied among these naturally occurring compounds. In addition to A. sativum, these compounds are also present in A. hirtifolium (shallot) and have been used to treat various diseases. This article reviews the pharmacological effects and traditional uses of A. sativum, A. hirtifolium, and their active constituents to show whether or not they can be further used as potential natural sources for the development of novel drugs. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, the authors went through a vast number of sources and articles and all needed data was gathered. The findings were reviewed and classified on the basis of relevance to the topic and a summary of all effects were reported as tables. Conclusion: Garlic and shallots are safe and rich sources of biologically active compounds with low toxicity. Further studies are needed to confirm the safety and quality of the plants to be used by clinicians as therapeutic agents.

Antibacterial effect of Allium sativum cloves and Zingiber officinale rhizomes against multiple-drug resistant clinical pathogens

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the antibacterial properties of Allium sativum (garlic) cloves and Zingiber officinale (ginger) rhizomes against multi-drug resistant clinical pathogens causing nosocomial infection.

Short Communication - Studies on the antimicrobial effects of garlic (Allium sativum Linn), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia Linn)

Abstract: The antimicrobial effect in vitro of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of garlic (Allium sativum Linn.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia Linn.) juice were assayed against Staphylococcus aureus; Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. All the test organisms were susceptible to undiluted lime-juice. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of garlic and ginger singly did not inhibit any of the test organisms. The highest inhibition zone of 19 mm was observed with a combination of extracts on Staphylococcus aureus. Salmonella spp were resistant to almost all the extracts except lime.