Hydroponic system is method of growing plant in nutrient rich solution. The seaweed biomass that is usually disposed as waste once the carrageenan component is extracted from it can be used as a fertilizer. Since nutrients in hydroponic system provide an ideal environment for microorganisms to grow, water-based microorganisms can be easily introduced into the system. This study compared the growth of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) grown in hydroponic system. The effects on the growth of plants in the hydroponic system when seaweed waste is used as the fertilizer were also studied. Furthermore, the possible genera of the microbes present in the water samples obtained from the hydroponic system were identified. The plants were grown in treated hydroponic tank (with seaweed waste fertilizer) and untreated hydroponic tank (without seaweed waste fertilizer). The mean heights of the plants in each condition were obtained and compared. Water samples were collected from the treated and untreated and biochemical tests were also carried out using the water samples collected to identify the possible genera of the microbes present in the hydroponic system. The plants height of treated tank is significantly taller than untreated tank. The microbe present in the treated tank was either Chromobacterium spp./ Vibrio spp./ Plesiomonas spp./ Aeromonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., Bordetella bronchiseptica/ Alcaligenes spp./ Shewanella spp./ Pseudomonas spp.(alkali producers), Kurthia spp. and Cardiobacterium spp., and in the untreated tank were Acinetobacter, Bordetella bronchiseptica / Alcaligenes spp./ Shewanella spp./ Pseudomonas spp. (alkali producers) and Chromobacterium spp./ Vibrio spp./ Plesiomonas spp./ Aeromonas spp. Further research need to be carried out to identify the exact bacterial strain of each microbe. By identifying the microbial population of the hydroponic system, further studies can be carried out to identify the beneficial and harmful bacteria. The harmful bacteria can then be eliminated from the hydroponic system to promote healthy growth of plants through hydroponic cultivation.

Neurolathyrism is caused by excessive consumption of Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) and seen in India and parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The disease manifests as irreversible spastic paraparesis and quadriparesis leading to permanent disability. We report two unique cases of Lathyrism secondary to consumption of Lathyrus sativus and review the literature available. Two brothers from a remote village in India presented with slowly progressive spastic paraparesis of unknown aetiology. On neurological examination, they were found to have motor neuron pattern of weakness. Routine laboratory work-up, CSF studies and imaging of the brain and spine were all found to be unremarkable. Upon further review, it was found that the patients had a prolonged history of consumption of Lathyrus sativus legume. There is no known cure for neurolathyrism. As a result, the legume was banned from staple diet. However, the legume continues to be consumed despite the ban and public education.