Kebbi State University of Science and Technology

Against the backdrop of escalating antibiotic resistance, medicinal plants continue to attract attention as potential sources of alternative antibacterial agents. This study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of crude ethanol stem bark extract of Khaya senegalensis against environmental isolates of Salmonella typhi recovered from slaughter slab surfaces and meat handlers’ aprons. The stem bark extract was subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening, while environmental swab samples were cultured for the isolation and biochemical identification of S. typhi. Antibacterial activity was assessed at concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 100 mg/mL using the agar well diffusion method, whereas the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined through standard broth dilution and subculturing procedures. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, with statistical significance set at p < .05. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, tannins, saponins, and steroids. The extract demonstrated concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against all tested isolates, with mean zones of inhibition ranging from 8.00 ± 1.15 mm to 16.00 ± 1.53 mm. The MIC values ranged from 25 to 50 mg/mL, while the MBC was 100 mg/mL for all isolates. Significant differences in antibacterial activity were observed across extract concentrations for most isolates. These findings indicate that K. senegalensis stem bark possesses appreciable antibacterial activity against environmental Salmonella typhi isolates, thereby supporting its traditional medicinal use. The study contributes to the growing evidence that Khaya senegalensis may serve as a promising natural source of antibacterial compounds for addressing antimicrobial resistance and controlling foodborne infections.

Rapid and accurate detection of foodborne pathogens is essential for ensuring food safety and preventing disease outbreaks. This work presents the design, integration, and validation of a compact fiber-optic Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensing system for rapid detection of Salmonella in raw poultry products. The system integrates a SERS sensor, laser excitation source, Raman spectrometer, GPS module, and BME280 environmental sensors within a single aluminum enclosure. A Django-based web interface provides secure system control, data visualization, and automated report generation, incorporating HTTPS encryption, CSRF protection, and session management. Raman spectra are acquired and processed to determine positive or negative detection outcomes, supported by environmental and geolocation metadata. Automated preprocessing including noise reduction, baseline correction, and spectral averaging—ensures consistent and high-quality Raman signatures, and extended stability testing confirms robust, long-term system performance. Experimental validation using turkey rinsate spiked with Salmonella enterica demonstrated successful detection down to 10 CFU/mL. The results underscore the system’s capability for rapid, portable, and operator-independent microbial analysis directly in field environments, addressing key limitations of conventional laboratory-dependent detection methods.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health threat, with environmental reservoirs playing a substantial yet often under recognized role in its emergence and dissemination. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) enter the environment through various pathways, including anthropogenic activities, agricultural practices, and industrial processes. These contaminants infiltrate natural ecosystems such as soil, water, and air, where they may persist, proliferate, and transfer resistance genes to native microbial communities. Resistant microorganisms endanger both human and animal health and contribute to ecological and public health disturbances. This review focuses on how AMR spreads through the environment, emphasizing sources such as wastewater, soil, industry, and air. It also discusses current methods for detecting AMR in environmental matrices, encompassing traditional culture-based approaches, molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid gene identification, metagenomics for comprehensive microbial community analysis, and biosensors for real-time, in situ detection. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the importance of environmental monitoring in identifying AMR hotspots, elucidating transmission pathways, assessing public health impacts, informing policy development, and guiding future research. The results indicate that environmental AMR noticeably drives the persistence and spread of resistance in both healthcare and community settings. Dealing with this issue requires strengthening monitoring systems through standardized protocols and advanced technologies. Governments and relevant stakeholders should prioritize the identification and control of AMR hotspots, such as wastewater treatment plants, agricultural runoff zones, and industrial discharge sites, to control the spread of resistance and safeguard public health.

This study evaluates the effect of trellising on cucumber growth, leaf expansion, and fruit yield under dry season conditions in the Sudan Savanna agro-ecological zone of Kebbi State, Nigeria. Trellised cucumber plants consistently showed improved vegetative growth, including taller vines, larger leaves, and greater leaf numbers compared to untrellised plants. Trellising also increased fruit number, size, and marketable yield while reducing non-marketable fruits. These findings highlight trellising as a critical agronomic practice to enhance cucumber productivity in this region.

In the global world today, knowledge management practices are recognised as a key function performed in libraries taking into consideration activities such knowledge creation, acquisition, identification, organisation, sharing/transfer, auditing, mapping, preservation repacking among others. These practices were equally applied in organisation where productivity is the key goal and the objectives of the organisation. This article reviews the concepts of knowledge management (KM) from business and library world perspectives. The paper equally explained competence of librarians while identifying the requirements for professional competences needed for KM activities in the organisation. Types of training and qualifications required by a librarian to become knowledge manager were discussed. The librarian played vital role in discharging duties as the manager of the library in any organisation. This paper identified some of the roles of a librarian in knowledge management. Some challenges in knowledge management practices were identified if address will facilitate knowledge management processes in the libraries. The paper concluded that librarians have numerous roles to play in knowledge\ management activities because knowledge gathered both from internal and external environment is the lifeblood of the organisation and it is essential for innovation, continuing learning, knowledge sharing, collaboration and for positive change. Possible solutions were provided which if apply will facilitates knowledge management practices in any organisation, improves librarians’ participation in service delivery, and address some of the challenges in knowledge management practices as identified.

Food safety is a critical public health concern, particularly in school feeding programs, where improper handling and contamination pose significant health risks. This study investigates the bacteriological quality and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Escherichia coli isolates from food samples obtained from two boarding schools in Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria. A total of 12 food samples were analyzed for microbial contamination, with Total Plate Count (TPC), Coliform Count, and Salmonella Count determined using standard bacteriological methods. The antibiotic susceptibility patterns of E. coli isolates were assessed using the disk diffusion method. The TPC ranged from 2.6 × 10³ to 5.6 × 104 cfu/g in FSTC Zuru and 2.5 × 10³ to 8.0 × 10³ cfu/g in GSTC Zuru. Coliform counts ranged from 2.0 × 10² to 9.3 × 10² cfu/g, while Salmonella counts varied between 1.0 × 10¹ and 4.0 × 10¹ cfu/g. Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were identified among the isolates, with E. coli and Salmonella each accounting for 33.3% of isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of E. coli isolates revealed high resistance to Amikacin (100%), Streptomycin (75%), and Tetracycline (62.5%), while full susceptibility was observed for Gentamicin and Cefotaxime (100%). These findings highlight the microbial risks associated with school feeding programs and the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, emphasizing stringent food safety measures, improved hygiene practices, and routine surveillance to mitigate foodborne infections and the spread of resistant pathogens.

Purpose:The purpose of this field survey is to examine the opportunities and challenges available for youth entrepreneurs in some selected rural areas in Suru local Government of Kebbi State Nigeria, in order to drive economic and showcase untapped opportunities Design/methodology/approach: Several successful young entrepreneurs were interviewed.The principles of case study design and method were followed.Data collection involved the use of structured questionnaire Findings: The analysis shows that although in the areas of youth participation, significant progress has been recorded in the number of youths now engaged in entrepreneurship in rural areas of Suru Local government especially among different genders.Limited access to finance, information, mentorship, training and poor infrastructural facilities remains the major challenges.Agricultural related entrepreneurial business, vehicle mechanic, phone repairs/accessories still remain untapped business opportunities in the area.The findings also revealed that availability of local resources in the area, growing local market, youth access to digital technology is a prospect for the future of entrepreneurial opportunity in the area.Conclusion: we therefore concluded that access to finance and improve infrastructure and access to information and training can bring youth entrepreneurship potentials in the area.Recommendation: Government improve access to infrastructure in rural area such as electricity.Government entrepreneurship program should well implement to reach to the real beneficiates.Community program to support youth entrepreneurs should be established.

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing interdisciplinary field of science. Its emergence is due to the potential for revolutionary breakthroughs in various fields of human endeavor, such as medicine, agriculture, the food industry, biosensors, electronic devices, biotechnology, water purification, environmental remediation, and robotic systems. The colloidal AgNP is synthesized and used for many applications, but agglomeration and instability are leading problems associated with their synthesis. Hence, the use of solid carriers seems to address such problems. The immobilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) on the carrier mainly occurs based on the charge differences between the carrier and the silver ion (Ag+), which form a strong bond. The reduction of Ag+ to AgNP during the formation of nanocomposites (NCs) occurs by chemical, physical, or biological processes. The NCs formed with solid supports can prevent agglomeration and exhibit high thermal, mechanical, and chemical stabilities. Due to these unique properties, many NCs can be synthesized using nanotechnological processes, developing innovative techniques that improve human life. This review focuses on various methods used in immobilizing AgNP on different solid substrates as supports and their applications, such as in biomedical, food industries, and water treatment, among other areas. Several methods for immobilizing AgNPs could be used to produce NCs for other important applications.

The aromatic grass Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemongrass, has traditionally been used for its medicinal properties and is now receiving heightened scientific and commercial attention for its applications in therapeutics, food flavoring, cosmetics, and agro-industrial products. This review synthesizes data from over 30 studies that focused on four critical aspects: (i) the pharmacological properties of C. citratus, (ii) the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of its active constituents, (iii) formulation strategies to address stability, delivery, and utility challenges, and (iv) commercialization obstacles such as production, regulation, and market acceptance. The report indicates that C. citratus exhibited potent antimicrobial activity with MIC values ranging from 12.5 µg/mL to 100 mg/mL, antioxidant activity with IC50 values from 15.13 µg/mL to 4.05 mg/mL, and anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 values ranging from 50 µg/ to 750 mg/Kg. These pharmacological properties are attributed to the major bioactive compounds, including citral, caryophyllene, and myrcene. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that citral and myrcene undergo rapid absorption, significant metabolism, and are eliminated through urine and other bodily fluids. Research in formulation has focused on enhancing the bioavailability of C. citratus essential oils (EOs) through the application of microencapsulation, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanoemulsions to improve stability. While the plant has shown promising efficacy, the path to commercialisation faces several challenges, including variable raw material quality, regulatory scrutiny, and competition from synthetic alternatives. This review concludes with an examination of the potential of C. citratus in both therapeutic and commercial sectors. Despite promising pre-clinical data, a significant lack of clinical trials and mechanistic studies remains the primary barrier to therapeutic application.

<title>Abstract</title> This paper seeks to elucidate the occurrence of gold and other subtle minerals along the Maru schist belts area, of Zamfara state, Northwestern Nigeria by carrying out geochemical analysis on rock samples excavated from artisanal mining sites and some parts of the schist belt area in Garin Maru gold field. Studies previously carried out in the area has reported that the area is favorable for mineralization particularly iron and gold (Usman et al., 2025a; Osumeje et al., 2019; Usman et al., 2025b) which estimate the causative anomalous bodies responsible for emplacement of mineral controlled deposits, a follow up studies like this is however important for confirmation by employing the agilent atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) method of geochemical investigation. 8 rock samples were collected from the area and subjected to geochemical screening. The result showed that all the collected samples are comprised mostly of minerals rich in Au, Cr, Fe, K, Li, Mn, Pb and Zn with mean values of (8.22, 3.226, 166.86, 26.27, 5.063, 15.098, 0.573, 0.867) ppm respectively. From the result obtained, iron Fe is found to be the most abundant element in all the samples I to VIII, this confirm the findings of Osumeje et al., (2021), and the aeromagnetic work of (Usman et al., 2025a; Usman et al., 2025b). This therefore prompt the need for government and mining industries in the solid mineral sector to explore the area mapped out in this study for economic growth and advancement.