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Lime juice is proposed as a potential topical microbicide based on reports that women use it to prevent sexually transmitted infections. This study evaluated the genetic safety of lime juice and its effect on vaginal Lactobacillus species using a modified Ames mutagenicity spot test and agar dilution method respectively. Resultant mutant strains were verified by their phenotypic characteristics. Susceptibility of Lactobacillus jensenii was verified by zones of inhibition. Escherichia coli strain 0157-NMR1 lost the ability to ferment lactose, glucose and unable to produce indole while strain 0157-NMR2 gained the ability to utilize citrate respectively. The result suggests that lime juice is potentially mutagenic and inhibitory to L. jensenii. This book is an essential for those who have commitment and obligation in HIV prevention and women health and the need for a female controlled HIV prevention option.

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Nneka Onyejepu: PhD student of Cell Biology and Genetics at the University of Lagos and a Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research Nigeria.

Orikomaba Obunge MD:Senior Lecturer and Consultant Medical Microbiologist, University of Port Harcourt Nigeria.

Peter Odeigah PhD: Professor of Genetics at the University of Lagos Nigeria.

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