Bioaugmentation Approach using Pseudomonas and Bacillus for Malodour Reduction in Poultry Feacal Waste Management

Introduction. A workable strategy is bioaugmentation, which involves introducing certain bacteria in sufficient quantities to promote biodegradation. This study focuses on isolating and utilizing malodor-reducing bacteria from fecal wastes obtained from a poultry farm in Ashi, Ibadan. Methods. Standard methods were employed to isolate and identify species of Pseudomonas and Bacillus. Quantitative detection of hydrogen sulfide gas and other relevant parameters was performed using MSA Orion and Multi Gas Detector. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) release was quantitatively monitored during fermentation, considering varying loads of inocula. Results. The bacterial isolates comprised Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. fluorescens, P. putida, Bacillus fastidiosus, B. licheniformis, B. megaterium, B. subtilis, B. sphaericus, and B. thuringiensis. Odor levels varied based on inocula load and fermentation duration. In batches with Pseudomonas, hydrogen sulfide was undetectable after two days, while Bacillus-inoculated batches required ten days. The formation of microbial mats and subsequent decrease in H2S content contributed to malodor reduction. Notably, fluorescent pseudomonas exhibited successful mineralization during the treatment of fecal waste. Conclusion. Pseudomonas isolates demonstrated superior effectiveness in odor reduction compared to Bacillus isolates

Microbiological And Physicochemical Assessments of Selected Fish Pond Water Sample in South-West, Nigeria

Pathogenic organisms have the ability to reduce or delay fish output. The physicochemical characteristics and microbial population of fish pond water, play great roles in affecting the growth and development of fish. This study aims to assess the microbiological quality and physicochemical quality of fish pond water in Ijebu-North local government of Ogun state, Nigeria. Fish pond water samples were collected from three different locations, which include Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu-igbo and Awa. Physicochemical analysis of fish pond water samples were achieved by standard procedures and all parameters were subjected to World Health Organization standards (WHO). The microbiological examination was determined by different selective agar media and biochemical identification was achieved by conventional analysis. The physicochemical characteristics of the samples such as temperature, pH and conductivity ranged from 33.9-44.20C, 6.70-7.87 and 163-196 respectively. The presence of trace and toxic heavy metals such as calcium, zinc, copper, iron, lead and so on were detected in this study. The sample from Ijebu-Igbo had the highest bacteria count of 4.28x102 cfu/ml. Esherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus species have the highest occurrence among the isolates identified. Therefore, there is need for adequate treatment of fish pond water to reduce the risk of fish exposure to pathogens and heavy metals. This is to ensure that environmental parameters of water are in the optimum range that will enhance healthy fish production

Time-Series Analysis of Malaria Cases Among Suspected Febrile Patients Attending a Peri-Rural Health Centre Between February 2020- January 2021

Sub-Saharan Africa has a high rate of malaria-related morbidity and death, with Nigeria accounting for a substantial proportion of these cases owing to its malarious nature. Most Nigerians live in environments that encourage the development of mosquito vectors that are responsible for malaria transmission. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria in the peri-urban areas. A time-series analysis was performed on 1,141 people with suspected febrile illness who visited a peri-urban health center over the course of a year (February 2020 – January 2021). Each person who presented to the hospital and was tested for malaria was included in the study. The 12-month study reported an overall prevalence of 24% (p0.05). A total of 273 individuals were found to be seropositive, with males (162) having a higher prevalence than females (111). Cases of seropositivity have been reported in all age groups. This study concluded that malaria remains a public health concern in the country, particularly in areas favorable for mosquito vector reproduction. Consequently, elimination approaches should be strengthened to safeguard people, particularly in vulnerable regions

Characterization of biosurfactant-producing bacterial strains isolated from agro-industrial wastes in southwestern, Nigeria

Introduction. The difficulty of managing trash and cleaning up the environment prompted interest in biosurfactants and surface-active proteins made by microbes. The study aims to augment bacterial isolates from agro-industrial wastes targeted for possible mass production of biosurfactants. Methods. Six agro-industrial wastes from Cassava, Palm kernel, and Sawdust from six agro-industrial sites within Ijebu area in Ogun State were collected for standard laboratory analyses in the Biotechnology Unit of the Federal Industrial Institute for Research, Oshodi (FIIRO). Five screening methods; blood hemolysis, lipase activity, blue agar hydrolysis, oil spreading, and emulsification index (EI24) were carried out to confirm biosurfactant production. Isolates with the highest hyper-production were subjected to 16rRNA molecular identification. Results. The study justified efficient biosurfactant production from 4 bacterial isolates out of 26 screened bacterial isolates from hydrocarbon degraders and 29 heterotrophic screened bacterial isolates, making a total of 55 screened bacterial isolates. Screening results reveal the emulsification capacities of identified Pseudomonas putida strain SG1, Acinetobacter baumanii strain MS14413, Bacillus zhangzhouensis strain cdsV18, and Burkholderia cepacia strain 717. Conclusion. Biosurfactant bacteria produced in all agricultural and industrial wastes considered in this study are capable of mass production.

In vitro ethno-toxicology of Hunteria umbellata methanol seed and stem extracts against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and its molecular implication on swarming and adhesion genes

Abstract Background Hunteria umbellatta (HU) is a predominant plant with a share of therapeutic properties against various human diseases with no scientific report of its in vitro ethno-toxicology coupled with molecular implication in the literature. This study, therefore, evaluated in vitro toxicological activity and quantification of expression of specific swarming gene, lateral flagellar (Laf A) and adhesion gene (ExsE) of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP) treated with methanol seed and stem extracts of HU at 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.625, 7.8125, 3.90625 µg/µL concentrations. Results The toxicological results of all the eight tested concentrations from as low as 3.90625 µg/µL to as high as 500 µg/µL of HU seed and stem extracts revealed significantly (p ˂ 0.05) uninhibited bacterial growth in a dose-dependent manner compared to controls (positive and negative). The quantity of Laf A and ExsE genes’ expressions in VP was significantly higher (p ˂ 0.05) at 500 µg/µL of HU seed and stem compared to control while at 125 µg/µL of the same extract (seed and stem) showed significantly lowered (p ˂ 0.05) expression of swarming and adhesion genes in VP relative to control. Comparative to control, adhesion gene (ExsE) expression in VP significantly increased (p ˂ 0.05) at 250 µg/µL of HU seed and stem extracts. Conclusions The results obtained suggest toxicity at varying concentrations and higher concentration dosing of HU seed and stem is harmful as it could lead to increased expression of the gene colonization factor of VP as a major contributory agent of gastroenteritis