Agricultural waste is a substantial and underutilized resource with the potential to contribute enormously to sustainable bioenergy production. The conversion technologies for these wastes is a significant step in the bioenergy process, therefore analyzing their impacts on the environment is considered valuable. A review of current literature, with an emphasis on studies that examines the relationship between agricultural wastes, different conversion technologies of wastes to bioenergy, and their environmental impacts was carried out. Databases like PubMed, Google scholar and Web of Science were searched using keywords like “Lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis”, “bioenergy”, “Agricultural food wastes”, and “environmental impacts”. This review demonstrates how different conversion methods may alleviate climate change, enhance energy security while fostering sustainable development. We examined biochemical conversion methods such as anaerobic digestion and fermentation to show their advantages over the thermochemical approaches. It was found that these conversion processes are not only circular but also environmentally friendly with respect to biofuel production. Anaerobic digestion was identified as one of the most promising options because of its high energy yields and decentralized character. However, there are still issues in optimizing bioenergy conversion processes and conducting a comprehensive life cycle assessment that explains some of these challenges is required. This review highlights the current and emerging technologies for transformation of agricultural wastes into bioenergy and its environmental impacts, as it is necessary to transition into a bioenergy-driven economy to foster a healthy and robust future.

Biofilms are a group of microorganisms that exist on living or non-living surfaces, embedded within extracellular matrices produced by microbial cells. They primarily cause antimicrobial resistance and treatment failure in clinical settings. Biofilms resist conventional antimicrobials because of their polymicrobial nature, ability to evade host immune detection, and increased tolerance to antimicrobial agents. Consequently, considerable attention is given to finding alternative anti-biofilm agents. Medicinal plants contain diverse biologically active compounds reported to possess antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities. This review elucidates the mechanisms of action of plant-derived bioactive compounds (alkaloids, tannins, indoles, terpenes, and flavonoids) on in vitro microbial biofilms, shedding light on their ability to disrupt and prevent biofilm formation. Additionally, the review emphasizes current and future research directions for these phytochemicals, including synergism with conventional antibiotics and advanced drug delivery systems for treating and eradicating biofilm-associated infections.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, where there are inadequate diagnostic and reporting facilities, limited data availability hinders the accurate estimation of key parameters in mathematical models of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis. Furthermore, gaps in knowledge about multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) dynamics add another layer of complexity to these modeling efforts. Methods: We analyzed databases such as google scholar, PubMed, scopus, Web of Science etc, using relevant keywords to identify relevant articles on challenges for mathematical modeling of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis in sub–Saharan Africa covering the period from 2010 to the present. Results: This review highlights the epidemiology of multidrug resistant tuberculosis in sub–Saharan Africa and the limitations in mathematical modeling of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the region. Conclusion: Accurate diagnosis and reliable data are crucial barriers to effective modeling. The review also underscores the potential of machine learning techniques to improve data quality and address issues related to incomplete data, suggesting that these methods could become essential components of future mathematical models.

Aim: To evaluate the nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic potentials of artesunate in humans. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria, between November and December 2019. Methodology: 70 blood samples were collected from 35 normal individuals (control group), and 35 malaria patients treated with parenteral artesunate (treatment group). These were analyzed for biochemical parameters, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The treatment group was further regrouped according to gender (19 males and 16 females), age (20 patients aged 20-29 and 15 patients aged 30-40 years) and duration of treatment (29 patients on 3^rd or 4^th day and 6 patients on 5^th or 6^th day of treatment). Biochemical tests were carried out using standard Randox test kits. One-way ANOVA was done on the parameters using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), and comparisons were made. Results: Compared to control group, the treatment group showed significant increases (p<0.05) in BUN (15.89+1.30 against 11.69+0.62), Creatinine (0.96+0.62 against 0.82+0.03) and AST (22.14+2.45 against 16.66+0.85), a non-significant increase (p 0.05) in ALT (26.57+3.18 against 21.66+2.56) and ALP (85.31+4.06 against 77.54+3.09) and a non-significant decrease (p 0.05) in total bilirubin (0.59+0.06 against 0.65+0.06). However, all parameters examined were within the normal ranges. There was no significant relationship found in any parameter in a comparison of gender, age and duration of treatment. Conclusion: Since all parameters examined were in the normal ranges, administration of artesunate in the recommended dosage and the right duration may not have any significant toxic effect on the kidney and liver. However, further studies may be necessary to ascertain if the observed elevations could be attributed wholly to artesunate or other medications taken by the malaria patients.

Background: The continuous evolution of drug-resistant Tuberculosis strains around the globe, particularly in West Africa, continues to be a major public health problem and poses serious threats to the actualization of the ”End Tuberculosis Strategy” projected by 2030. Hence, a comprehensive knowledge on genetic variations, lineage distributions and evolutionary adaptations implicated in M. tuberculosis drug-resistance could strengthen research efforts in TB control. Objectives: This review summarizes the genetic mechanisms of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the extent to which they pose threats to public health. It also gives recommendations on managing drug resistant TB in West Africa. Literature Search: This review assesses available literature relating to the genomic evolution and dynamics of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis across west Africa. Search for relevant articles in databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science was conducted using keywords such as “Genomics”, “Evolution”, “Drug Resistance”, “Mycobacterium tuberculosis” and “West Africa “. Sixty articles were found in this search and forty-six articles were selected and reviewed. Results: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), which are common in West Africa, have been linked to the MTBC Lineages 5 and 6 also known as M. africanum. The devastating challenges these resistant strains exert on public health justified the urgency for exploring novel therapeutic avenues, improved diagnostic protocol, and robust healthcare systems to curb the disease. Conclusion: This review maintained a strong advocacy for proper public health education, installation of adequate surveillance systems, and the adoption of alternative therapeutic modalities to tackle drug-resistant M. tuberculosis, effectively in West Africa and mitigate the public health burden it poses globally.

Emerging technologies present a transformative potential for pharmaceutical process design and optimization, particularly within Africa’s evolving pharmaceutical industries. The purpose of this review is to explore the impact of emerging digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Robotics, on pharmaceutical process design and optimization within the African context. Data was collected through a comprehensive literature review of scholarly articles, industry reports, and case studies. By analyzing recent advancements and case studies, this review identifies key areas where technology is reshaping the production processes for pharmaceutical product development. It highlights the benefits, including increased efficiency, improved accuracy, and minimized waste. However, the review also emphasizes significant challenges, including infrastructural limitations, regulatory barriers, and disparities in access to technology that can hinder the adoption of these emerging technologies in Africa. An assessment of their impact on manufacturing efficiency, drug production costs, drug quality, and safety reveals their potential to enhance pharmaceutical manufacturing operations significantly. The findings suggest that while emerging technologies offer substantial opportunities for improving pharmaceutical processes and operations, their successful integration requires a strategic approach that involves stakeholder cooperation, infrastructure improvements, and targeted capacity enhancement initiatives within the continent’s pharmaceutical industry. This review offers a broad overview of the current state of technological adoption in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Africa and the impact of leveraging these emerging technologies to drive sustainable improvements in the pharmaceutical product development process.