This present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of the essential oils (EO) of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf. (Lemon grass) and Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) against bacteria associated with otitis media (OM) in children. Ear swab samples were collected from 12 children diagnosed with OM between the ages of 0 – 5 years. Essential oils were extracted from the plants using the hydro-distillation method. The antibacterial activity of the essential oils was determined using the agar well diffusion method against isolated bacteria including Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Moraxella catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococccus epidermidis. The antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the bacteria isolated was determined using 10 standard antibiotics as control. Greater zones of inhibition were observed in essential oil of Lemon grass as compared to Ginger. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were carried out for each essential oil where higher values (12.5 -100%v/v) were recorded for ginger essential oil than lemon grass (0.78 – 1.56%v/v). Phytochemical analysis of the EOs of ginger and lemon grass carried out using GC-MS showed the presence of zingiberene (26.85%) and generaldehyde (21.13%) respectively as the most abundant phytocompounds. In silico study was carried out through the molecular docking method using the AutoDock version 2.1 by taking two proteins- osmoporin and mevalonate synthetase as targets and different phytocompounds from the essential oils as ligands. Molecular docking highlighted the potential of several phytocompounds in the essential oils to inhibit protein targets required by bacteria for survival.

BACKGROUND Over the years, therapeutic application of plants has been used in folkloric medicine to explore natural alternatives to usage of antibiotic growth promoters due to the development of resistant bacteria strains and presence of drug residues in poultry meat. This study investigated the effects of concentrations and frequencies of administration of Lagenaria breviflora fruit extract (LBFE) on the haematological indices and carcass yield of broiler chickens. 390 birds were randomly distributed into 8 treatments; T1: control, T2: 75 g of LBFE/litre as synthetic antibiotic replacer (SAR) when necessary, T3: 75 g of LBFE/litre for 3days/week, T4: 75 g of LBFE/litre for 5days/week, T5: control, T6: 125 g of LBFE/litre as SAR, T7: 125 g of LBFE/litre for 3days/week and T8: 125 g of LBFE/litre for 5days/week. The experiment was laid out in a 2×4 factorial and data were subjected to Completely Randomized Design. Packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC) and haemoglobin (HB) were determined using improved Neubaur Haemycytometer after dilution and Cyanomethamoglobin methods. Dressing percentage for the carcass yield were also obtained. RESULTS Eosinophil counts and Uric acid were significantly (p < 0.05) highest in birds administered 75 g of LBFE/ litre of water 5days/week. At the finisher phase, Packed cell volume was significantly (P < 0.05) highest (32.25) in birds administered 75 g of LBFE/ litre of water 5days/week, while birds administered 125 g of LBFE/ litre of water as antibiotic replacement had significantly (P < 0.05) highest (5.00) red blood cell count. The thigh and liver of birds administered LBFE 3 days/week had the highest values (P < 0.5) of 10.79% and 2.84% respectively. CONCLUSION The study infers that administration of LBFE to broilers enhances the haematological indices as well as carcass yield which ultimately promotes healthy living of the birds.

Covid-19 pandemic is a global health issue that adversely affected every sector of the world’s economy. Fruits are known to be a source of vitamins providing the body with necessary defense against infections (inclusive of Coronaviruses). Nigerians prefer to buy ready-to-eat (RTE) fruits than whole fruits due to their high prices. Consumer perception of RTE fruits sold in Ogun and Lagos, Nigeria during the Covid-19 pandemic months in 2020 and within January and March 2021 via an online survey were compared. Ogun and Lagos states were selected because they represent major entry routes for land and air travel into Nigeria respectively. 500 respondents were obtained with 49.7% each as male and female respectively in Ogun state while Lagos had 49.5% and 50.5% of the male and female gender. In addition, the predominant age group that responded to the questionnaire falls within 21 – 30 with 49.7% in Ogun state and 54.1% in Lagos state. 96.1% of the respondents in Ogun state had a tertiary education while 99% was recorded to possess tertiary education in Lagos state. 34% respondents took RTE fruits 2- 3 times a week, 31.2% less than once a week while only 2.8% took RTE fruits 4 – 5 times a week. From the survey, 84% of the respondents were aware that fruits possess needed vitamins to fight infections while only 87.4% of the respondent were aware of fruit borne poisoning and have knowledge of fruit borne pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Penicillium spp, Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonifer. This study shows that fruit consumers neglected health consciousness in the purchase of RTE fruits in Ogun and Lagos in the first 3 months of 2021 compared to 2020. This negligence may result in a spike of another Covid-19 wave in Ogun and Lagos if the necessary food and health regulatory authorities fail to act timely. Also, the application of an effective hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) application reduces the chance of contamination of ready- to- eat fruits.

Camel milk and urine consumption is an age-long tradition amongst the Arabs for 14 centuries. Camel urine and milk consumers had attested to its miraculous healing properties most especially against terminal illnesses. Although, camel urine and milk consumption is challenged by non-acceptance by World Health Organization and other related health authorities; some individuals still find healing in its consumption. This study takes a look at consumers’ perception of camel urine and milk consumption and its related medical significance. Four countries (Nigeria, Somalia, Turkey and Pakistan) were the research areas used in the survey. The research involved 1000 respondents. From the survey, participants from Nigeria were more than half (62%) of the total participants. More than 80% of the participants believed in the healing power of traditional medicine. Camel milk and camel urine were consumed for health-related issues by 48.4% and 40.1% of participants respectively. More than half (57.5% and 70.4%) of the participants claimed that consumption of camel milk and camel urine is not authorized in their respective countries. The study showed that camel urine and milk consumption is evident in our survey area. We, therefore, implore health regulatory authorities in these countries to fund camel research.