Enhancement of cyanobacterial control by fungi degraded palm oil trunk

The elliptic azimuthal anisotropy coefficient (v2) is measured for charm (D0) and strange (K0 S, Λ, Ξ−, and Ω−) hadrons, using a data sample of p þ Pb collisions collected by the CMS experiment, at a nucleonnucleon center-of-mass energy of ffiffiffiffiffiffiffi sNN p ¼ 8.16 TeV. A significant positive v2 signal from long-range azimuthal correlations is observed for all particle species in high-multiplicity p þ Pb collisions. The measurement represents the first observation of possible long-range collectivity for open heavy flavor hadrons in small systems. The results suggest that charm quarks have a smaller v2 than the lighter quarks, probably reflecting a weaker collective behavior. This effect is not seen in the larger PbPb collision system at ffiffiffiffiffiffiffi sNN p ¼ 5.02 TeV, also presented

Detection of mercuric reductase (MerA) gene from Micrococcus sp. isolated from Signy Island, Antarctica

Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal that can be released into the environmentthrough natural activity such as volcanic eruptions and release from vegetation during bushfires, and anthropogenic activities such as the gold mining process and fossil fuel burning. Most atmospheric mercury is elemental Hg (Hg0), which is less toxic than the Hg2+ ion. However, elemental Hg can be oxidised to amore toxic form through interaction with ozone in the presence of water. Certain microbes are capable of enzymic reduction of Hg2+ to Hg0 using mercuric reductase, coded for by the merAgene.In this study, we screened the gene from bacterial strains isolated from soil collected at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, maritime Antarctic, a gold mine in Sumbawa Island in Indonesia and a tin mine at Guar Perahu, Malaysia. A total of seven bacterial strains were isolated. One strain was isolated from the tin mine, and three each from the gold mine and Signy Island. The genewas absent from all the strains isolated from Sumbawa and Guar Perahu, but the gene was detected from an isolate from Signy Island. Based on analysis of the strain’s 16S rRNA gene, it was assigned to the genus Micrococcus (similarity 97.22%) compared with the global recorded database at the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) using the BLAST program. We thereby confirmed the presence of the genein this bacterial strain, providing the first identification of this mercury-reducing gene in Signy Island microbiota

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity by Chlorella sp. in immobilised matrix under carbon dioxide rich cultivation condition

The continuous release of global CO2 and greenhouse gases into the atmophere is considered one of the major contributors for global warming. Currently, microalgal biosequestration using enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA) has been reported to be one approach that could be applied to overcome the issue. Eventhough this enzyme has been proven to show its potential to convert atmospheric CO2 to bicarbonates, there are remaining issues related to its stability and production parameters that need to be addressed. In this study, the activity of CA produced by immobilized microalgae Chlorella sp. cultivated in a laboratory environment was investigated. For this study, the influence of cultivation conditions such as pH value ranging from 4.00 to 12.00, light intensity ranging from 330 lux to 1000 lux and CO2 concentration ranging from 0.04% to 25% on CA activity were investigated. This present study indicates that the highest CA activity of 1.908 U/min was observed for the cultivation was performed using 15% CO2 with a pH of 8.00 and a light intensity of 550 lux. This suggested that the entrapment of microalgal using a suitable matrix carrier could produce higher CA activity which could be further utilised for extended biomimetic CO2 capture systems

Biodegradation of palm oil mill effluent (POME) by bacterial

Abstract- Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is produced in large volumes by many of the palm oil mills in Malaysia and contributes a major source of pollution. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the biodegradation potential of bacterial isolated from POME and to find the most suitable strain(s) for a biological treatment technology of POME. The isolates were identified by sequences analysis of 16S rRNA genes. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA of the isolates suggests that they were identified as Micrococcus luteus101PB, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia102PB, Bacillus cereus103PB, Providencia vermicola104PB, Klebsiella pneumoniae105PB and Bacillus subtilis106PB.Results revealed that total suspended solids (TSS), oil and grease were reduced dynamically with treatments after 5 days. Bacillus cereus103PB produced the highest activity in reducing TSS (71.63%), oil and greas

Writing a Scientific Review Article: Comprehensive Insights for Beginners

Review articles present comprehensive overview of relevant literature on specific themes and synthesise the studies related to these themes, with the aim of strengthening the foundation of knowledge and facilitating theory development. The significance of review articles in science is immeasurable as both students and researchers rely on these articles as the starting point for their research. Interestingly, many postgraduate students are expected to write review articles for journal publications as a way of demonstrating their ability to contribute to new knowledge in their respective fields. However, there is no comprehensive instructional framework to guide them on how to analyse and synthesise the literature in their niches into publishable review articles. The dearth of ample guidance or explicit training results in students having to learn all by themselves, usually by trial and error, which often leads to high rejection rates from publishing houses. Therefore, this article seeks to identify these challenges from a beginner’s perspective and strives to plug the identified gaps and discrepancies. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to serve as a systematic guide for emerging scientists and to summarise the most important information on how to write and structure a publishable review article

Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of Cadmium Resistant Pseudomonas sp. M3 from Industrial Wastewater

The present study deals with the isolation, identification, and characterization of the cadmium resistant bacteria from wastewater collected from industrial area of Penang, Malaysia. The isolate was selected based on high level of the cadmium and antibiotic resistances. On the basis of morphological, biochemical characteristics, 16S rDNA gene sequencing and phylogeny analysis revealed that the strain RZCd1 was authentically identified as Pseudomonas sp. M3. The industrial isolate showed more than 70% of the cadmium removal in log phase. The cadmium removal capacity of strain RZCd1 was affected by temperature and pH. At pH 7.0 and 35°C, strain RZCd1 showed maximum cadmium removal capacity. The minimal inhibitory concentration of strain RZCd1 against the cadmium was 550 µg/mL. The resistance against the cadmium was associated with resistance to multiple antibiotics: amoxicillin, penicillin, cephalexin, erythromycin, and streptomycin. The strain RZCd1 also gave thick bands of proteins in front of 25 kDa in cadmium stress condition after 3 h of incubation. So the identified cadmium resistant bacteria may be useful for the bioremediation of cadmium contaminated industrial wastewater

Biological control of cyanobacterial bloom by leaf biomass

Cyanobacteria are able to grow rapidly when induced by suitable conditions and form blooms. These cyanobacterial blooms can lead to wide ranges of water quality problems which include depletion of dissolved oxygen and subsequent fish kills and unsafe drinking water. To a greater extent, cyanobacteria can severely degrade aquatic habitats, decrease the utilisation of water bod- ies as potable water supply, limit recreational activities and reduce in-lake fisheries. Previous researches conducted showed that plant leaves released anti-cyanobacterial compounds. Hence this study investigated the abilities of 15 terrestrial wild plant leaves leachates from Penang, Malaysia to inhibit the growth of 8 isolated cyanobacteria. The results showed that most leaves effectively controlled all cyanobacterial growth but at different rates, depending on the species of cyanobacteria and the plant leaves used. The outcomes suggest that the wild plant terrestrial leaves released effective anti-cyanobacterial substances, giving new insight to terrestrial leaves as natural biological controls of cyanobacterial bloom

Cyanobacteria characteristics and methods for isolation and accurate identification of cyanotoxins: A review article

Cyanobacteria are bacteria found in different ecosystems, such as lakes and rocks. These bacteria, capable of photosynthesis, are important sources of oxygen. However, some cyanobacterial strains can produce toxins, which are harmful to humans and ani- mals. Therefore, collection of epidemiological and surveillance data on cyanobacterial toxins in the environment is vital to ensure a low risk of exposure to toxins in other organisms. For presentation of accurate data on environmental cyanobacterial toxins, it is essential to understand their characteristics, including taxonomy, toxin proteins, and genomic structures, and determine their environmental effects on bacterial populations and toxin production. Taxonomy, which is the scientific classification of organisms, is important in identifying species producing toxins. The structure of toxin proteins and their stability in the environment allow re- searchers to detect toxins with analytical methods and discuss their limitations. On the other hand, identifying toxins via molecular typing enables researchers to investigate toxic cyanobacteria by detecting toxin-encoding genes and toxin gene expression. Mean- while, environmental factors, such as nutrient level, light intensity, and biotic factors, allow researchers to predict the suitable time and location for accurate sampling. In this review, these cyanobacterial features, which are important for accurate detection of cyanobacterial toxins, will be discussed

Autosomal STR Profiling and Databanking in Malaysia: Current Status and Future Prospects

Science and technology are extensively used in criminal investigation. From the mid- to late-1980s, one of the scientific discoveries that has had a particularly remarkable impact on this field has been the use of highly variable DNA sequence regions (minisatellites) in the human genome for individual identification. The technique was initially referred to as DNA fingerprinting, but is now more widely referred to as DNA profiling. Since then, many new developments have occurred within this area of science. These include the introduction of new genetic markers (microsatellites also known as short tandem repeats/STRs), the use of the polymerase chain reaction for target amplification, the development of DNA databases (databanking), and the advancement and/or improvement of genotyping protocols and technologies. In 2019, we described the progress of DNA profiling and DNA databanking in Malaysia for the first time. This report included information on DNA analysis regulations and legislation, STR genotyping protocols, database management, and accreditation status. Here, we provide an update on the performance of our DNA databank (numbers of DNA profiles and hits) plus the technical issues associated with correctly assigning the weight of evidence for DNA profiles in an ethnically diverse population, and the potential application of rapid DNA testing in the country. A total of 116,534 DNA profiles were obtained and stored in the Forensic DNA Databank of Malaysia (FDDM) by 2019, having increased from 70,570 in 2017. The number of hits increased by more than three-fold in just two years, where 17 and 69 hits between the DNA profiles stored in the FDDM and those from crime scenes, suspects, detainees, drug users, convicts, missing persons, or volunteers were recorded in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Forensic DNA analysis and databanking are thus progressing well in Malaysia and have already contributed to many criminal investigations. However, several other issues are discussed here, including the need for STR population data for uncharacterized population groups, and pilot trials for adopting rapid DNA profiling technology. These aspects should be considered by policy makers and law enforcement agencies in order to increase the reliability and efficiency of DNA profiling in criminal cases and in kinship analysis in Malaysia

Insights into Solar Disinfection Enhancements for Drinking Water Treatment Applications

Poor access to drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene has always been a major concern and a main challenge facing humanity even in the current century. A third of the global population lacks access to microbiologically safe drinking water, especially in rural and poor areas that lack proper treatment facilities. Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is widely proven by the World Health Organization as an accepted method for inactivating waterborne pathogens. A significant number of studies have recently been conducted regarding its effectiveness and how to overcome its limitations, by using water pretreatment steps either by physical, chemical, and biological factors or the integration of photocatalysis in SODIS processes. This review covers the role of solar disinfection in water treatment applications, going through different water treatment approaches including physical, chemical, and biological, and discusses the inactivation mechanisms of water pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and even protozoa and fungi. The review also addresses the latest advances in different pre-treatment modifications to enhance the treatment performance of the SODIS process in addition to the main limitations and challenges