Libyan Medical Journal

Investigation of the Effect of Two Different Solvents (Aqueous and Alcoholic) on Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activities for the Globularia Repens Plant

Shanzaq Mohammed, Asmaa Altarkawi, Hamad Hasan — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the antimicrobial potential of leaves and stems of the Globularia repens plant growing in the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar region, Libya. Plant parts were extracted using two solvents (aqueous and methanol). Phytochemical screening and paper chromatography were conducted to identify major classes of secondary metabolites. The antimicrobial activity was tested against six bacterial species (including Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two fungal species (Alternaria alternata and Penicillium sp.) using the agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, sterols, and saponins. The antimicrobial assays demonstrated that the methanol extracts exhibited significant inhibitory activity against some tested pathogens, while the aqueous extracts were less effective. The potency of the extracts also varied between the leaves and stems

Detection of Radioactive Element Contents and their Hazard indices in Composite Soil and Rock Samples from the Southern Al Jabal al Akhdar Region (Between Aslunta and Al Makhili), Libya

Hamad Hasan, Hanan Bader , Huda Ali , Hani Othman — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The current study aims to reveal the contents of radioactive elements in soil and rock samples collected from the southern area of the Green Mountain, extending between Al-Salanta and Al-Makhili. Soil samples were taken from 20 areas, and the experimental design was a completely randomized block design with three replications. The most important results obtained are as follows: The results of this study showed the presence of several natural radioactive elements with various uses, which can be considered important natural resources. The presence of radioactive potassium (40K), uranium (238U), thorium (232Th), and radium (226Ra) were recorded, and these are natural radioactive elements that can be found in many soils. The results of this study recorded radioactive potassium concentrations ranging between (63.65– 403.56 Bq/kg), with the highest concentration found at site number 11, known as the (Al-Qarrah Al-Hamra area near the Tanmalo region), while the lowest concentration was at site 13, known as the (Tanmalo area). Regarding the results related to radioactive uranium 238, this study recorded concentrations ranging between (38.34–82.66 Bq/kg), with the highest concentrations found at site number (2), in the area of Wadi A'teer near the Aslanta area, while the lowest concentrations were at site number (9), in the area of Qlay'at near the Crushers area. Generally, the study results recorded highly significant changes at the level of 0.0001. The results related to radioactive radium showed that its concentrations ranged between (32.005–96.48 Bq/kg), with the highest concentrations found at site number (2), in the area of Wadi A'teer near the Aslinta area, while the lowest concentrations were at site number (9), in the area of Qlay'at near the quarries. Generally, the study results recorded highly significant changes at the level of 0.0001. Regarding the results related to radioactive thorium-232, this study recorded concentrations ranging between (31.15-63.18 Bq/kg), with the highest concentrations found at site number (6), in the area of (Mas'ada near Jirdas), while the lowest concentrations were at site number (20), in the area of (North Gate 1 near Al-Mukhayli). In general, the study results showed highly significant changes at the level of 0.0001. The study results recorded a clear variation in the concentrations of natural radioactive elements in the study areas. The results showed the presence of natural radioactive elements in all soils of the study sites. The following figures illustrate the distribution of radioactive elements in the study areas. When comparing the recorded results of the current study with others in different parts of the world, we find that the potassium concentration rate recorded an increase compared to the other radioactive elements in the study area, but was lower than the global average value. Additionally, the activity concentration rates of radium and thorium were lower than the global average value.

Bacterial Etiology and Antimicrobial Resistance in Ear Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study from Tripoli, Libya

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This cross-sectional study included 100 patients aged 18 to 60 from a teaching hospital in Tripoli, Libya, with an ear infection. Following normal bacteriological procedures, sterile ear swabs were used to collect middle ear secretions from study participants for culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. A total of eight bacterial species and one fungal species were recovered. The microbiological analysis of the clinical isolates demonstrated a predominance of Gram-negative bacteria (48.0%), followed by Gram-positive bacteria (34.0%) and fungal isolates (14.0%), while 4.0% of samples showed no microbial growth. Among Gram-negative organisms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently recovered pathogen, accounting for 28.0% of all isolates. Gram-positive bacteria were primarily represented by Staphylococcus epidermidis (16.0%) and Staphylococcus aureus (11.0%). Candida albicans was the only fungal pathogen identified in this cohort. Cefotaxime showed 100% resistance in Pseudomonas and Klebsiella spp., while gentamicin (100% efficacy in Gram-positive cocci; 85.7% in Pseudomonas) and amikacin (100% in Klebsiella; 92.9% in Pseudomonas) were the most effective agents, underscoring the urgent need for targeted antibiotic selection. Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi in samples were the leading cause of ear infections, and they were generally susceptible to most of the antibiotics tested. Amikacin, cefepime, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and meropenem could be valuable in the empirical management of ear infections

Assessment of Natural Radioactive Elements and Health Risk Values in Imported Cocoa Samples at Some Libyan Markets

Hamad Hasan, Adel Abdulalah, Marwa Khalifa, Himeedah Abduinabi — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the presence of natural radioactive isotopes in imported cocoa samples collected from Derna, Libya, using gamma-ray spectrometry with a Sodium Iodide (NaI) detector. The analysis focused on the activity concentrations of radionuclides such as ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K. The average activity concentrations were 46.96 Bq/kg (²²⁶Ra), 49.77 Bq/kg (²³⁸U), 53.57 Bq/kg (²³²Th), and 123.75 Bq/kg (⁴⁰K). Values for ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁸U, and ²³²Th exceeded the global recommended limits, while ⁴⁰K remained below the permissible limit. The absorbed dose rate (DR) ranged from 42.42 to 80.50 nGy/h, with an average of 58.27 nGy/h, lower than the global reference of 84 nGy/h. Internal and External annual effective doses were 0.29 mSv/y and 0.07 mSv/y, respectively, both within safe limits. The Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) averaged 0.26 × 10⁻³, slightly higher than the global recommended threshold (0.29 × 10⁻³). The Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose (AGED) averaged 0.41 mSv/y, which is above the safety limit of 0.3 mSv/y. Hazard indices (Radium Equivalent, Gamma Index, Alpha Index, Hin, Hex) were all below international safety limits, indicating no immediate health risk