Isolation and Screening of Laccase-producing Fungi from Sawdust-contaminated Sites in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

The environmental imbalance exerted by the continuous release of phenolic substances necessitates a return of polluted sites to natural and safe status. In this study, fungal isolates obtained from sawdust-contaminated soils were screened for laccase production capacities, using tannic acid, as an index to the bio-stimulatory potentials of the sawdust. Soil and sawdust samples collected from wood-processing plants in Morogbo-Agbara (M), Iju (I), and Oja (O) of Ado-Odo/Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria were subjected to physicochemical analysis. The phenolic content estimated using gallic acid calibration curve, showed 0.90%, 0.79% and 0.33% for the soil samples labeled MSL, ISL, OSL, respectively. Phenol content was observed to be 0.63%, 0.91%, and 0.53% for sawdust samples labeled MSD, ISD, OSD, respectively. In the same labeling order, the percentage nitrogen content was 0.77%, 0.38%, and 0.21% for soil; and 0.0025%, 0.0035% and 0.0028% for sawdust; while the percentage carbon was 0.25%, 0.62% and 0.49% for soil samples; and 88.11%, 85.56%, and 88.69% for the sawdust samples. Fungal species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Candida and Saccharomyces among the ten isolates presented a positive reaction for laccase production by showing a brownish-black coloration. The ability of the fungal isolates to produce laccase makes them useful laccase sources for industrial and environmental application

Chapter 31 - Application of nanochitosan in tagging and nano-barcoding of aquatic and animal meats

Nanochitosans obtained from crustacean shells are biodegradable and biocompatible offering valuable functional, nutritional, and binding properties. Their low toxicity favors diverse industrial applications in various research models and can enable their use in the tagging of commercially sold aquatic and animal meat, easily contaminated by microbial sources during packaging, storage, and transportation. In this capacity, nanochitosans have been applied in fingerprinting for tracking and identifying the manufacturing and expiry dates of commercially sold meats and fish, as well as delivery of antioxidants and antimicrobials in these food products without affecting product consistency, composition, and organoleptic property. This chapter reviews current research on chitosan-based nanoparticles as barcodes and biosensors in tagging and monitoring aquatic and animal meats; and highlights methods of fish tagging and coding, and the benefits as well as the properties of materials used as biosensors in nano-barcoding of fish and meat

Next Generation Nanochitosan Applications in Animal Husbandry, Aquaculture and Food Conservation

Studies have identified the properties of enzymes, functionalized molecules, and compounds in food industry applications as edible coatings and encapsulations, that assure prolonged food quality and standards. These molecules present benefits of longer shelf-life by delayed deterioration and inhibition of the proliferation of spoilage and mycotoxigenic microorganisms. However, challenges of reduced nutrient levels, miniaturized size, and low chemical stability remain concerning. Chitosan polymers naturally formed from the deacetylation of shellfish shells and exoskeletons of aquatic arthropods and crustaceans offer improved benefits when functionalized into nanoparticles as nanochitosans. These polysaccharides produced by the alkalescent deacetylation of chitin, comprise a series of 2-deoxy-2 (acetylamino) glucose linked by ß-(1- 4) glycosidic linkages. This chapter considers the health impacts and microbiological health hazards associated with animal feeds quality and the enzyme immobilization potentials of nanochitosans in animalbased food and feed packages. Thereafter, nanochitosan properties and benefits are compared against traditional preservatives from microbes and plants; with highlights on current challenges in the application of nanochitosan for enzyme immobilization

Utilization of nanochitosan in the sterilization of ponds and water treatment for aquaculture

Water pollution constitutes the leading cause of infant mortality, neonatal deformities, and shrinkage of man’s average life expectancy. Pollutants come from point and nonpoint sources; and water pollution arises from the discharge of wastewater containing undesirable impurities used for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. More so, high nutrient and wastewater runoffs from fish production systems contribute to the fouling and eutrophication of recipient water bodies. Hence, aquaculture which is inextricably linked to the natural environment is challenged by the dearth of appropriate water quantity and quality, militating against fish, and fishery production. Nanochitosans as polysaccharides produced by the alkalescent deacetylation of chitin, comprise a series of 2-deoxy-2 (acetylamino) glucose linked by ß-(1-4) glycosidic linkages. They are naturally formed from the deacetylation of shellfish shells and exoskeletons of aquatic arthropods and crustaceans. The unique attributes of chitin confer a wide range of biotechnological applications on the polymer, observed in flocculation as a wastewater treatment and purification route initiated by chitosan. This chapter highlights nanochitosan properties of aquaculture relevance; and elucidates the purification potentials of nanochitosan, compared to inorganic coagulants and organic polymeric flocculants. Effects of chitosan on contaminants and microorganisms, as well as applications in fish pathogens detection, fish disease diagnosis, and control are discussed

Chapter 21 - Utilization of nanochitosan in the sterilization of ponds and water treatment for aquaculture

Water pollution constitutes the leading cause of infant mortality, neonatal deformities, and shrinkage of man’s average life expectancy. Pollutants come from point and nonpoint sources; and water pollution arises from the discharge of wastewater containing undesirable impurities used for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. More so, high nutrient and wastewater runoffs from fish production systems contribute to the fouling and eutrophication of recipient water bodies. Hence, aquaculture which is inextricably linked to the natural environment is challenged by the dearth of appropriate water quantity and quality, militating against fish, and fishery production. Nanochitosans as polysaccharides produced by the alkalescent deacetylation of chitin, comprise a series of 2-deoxy-2 (acetylamino) glucose linked by ß-(1-4) glycosidic linkages. They are naturally formed from the deacetylation of shellfish shells and exoskeletons of aquatic arthropods and crustaceans. The unique attributes of chitin confer a wide range of biotechnological applications on the polymer, observed in flocculation as a wastewater treatment and purification route initiated by chitosan. This chapter highlights nanochitosan properties of aquaculture relevance; and elucidates the purification potentials of nanochitosan, compared to inorganic coagulants and organic polymeric flocculants. Effects of chitosan on contaminants and microorganisms, as well as applications in fish pathogens detection, fish disease diagnosis, and control are discussed

Utilization of nanochitosan for enzyme immobilization of aquatic and animal-based food packages

Studies have identified the properties of enzymes, functionalized molecules, and compounds in food industry applications as edible coatings and encapsulations, that assure prolonged food quality and standards. These molecules present benefits of longer shelf-life by delayed deterioration and inhibition of the proliferation of spoilage and mycotoxigenic microorganisms. However, challenges of reduced nutrient levels, miniaturized size, and low chemical stability remain concerning. Chitosan polymers naturally formed from the deacetylation of shellfish shells and exoskeletons of aquatic arthropods and crustaceans offer improved benefits when functionalized into nanoparticles as nanochitosans. These polysaccharides produced by the alkalescent deacetylation of chitin, comprise a series of 2-deoxy-2 (acetylamino) glucose linked by ß-(1-4) glycosidic linkages. This chapter considers the health impacts and

Microbial contaminants of retail beef in open market stalls and meat shops within Makurdi metropolis, Nigeria

No Abstract.Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 4 (1) 2008: pp. 47-5

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Salmonella Serovars Distributed in Benue State, Nigeria

Salmonella serovars distribution in Benue State was evaluated using standard microbiological techniques. Eighteen isolates of varying Salmonella species were obtained from four hundred and twenty stool samples collected from Patients in the three senatorial districts sampled. Four distinct serovars of S. enterica and one S. bongori, were identified. S. enterica Typhimurium was 6 (33.33%) and prevalence of 1.43%. S. enterica Typhi and S. enterica Heidelberg had 2 cases each, whereas S. enterica Agona, S. enterica Paratyphi B, S. enterica Huaian and S. bongori had a lone case each. Significant association was established between occurrence of Salmonella infection and causative serovars (χ2 = 57.93, P < 0.05). Molecular characterization results showed that the dendrogram formed 2 main clusters with two divergent Salmonella strains. The first sub cluster had four strains isolated from different locations: S. enterica Heidelberg-MG663473.1 from Gboko; S. enterica Typhimurium-JQ228518.1 from Katsina-Ala; S. enterica Typhimurium-CP014981 from Makurdi and S. enterica Typhimurium-CP023166.1 from Kwande. Seventy-five percent (75%) of strains in this group were Typhimurium serovars. S. enterica Typhimurium-CP023166.1 isolated from Kwande was a unique strain that showed wider genetic variability but related to the check strain (S. bongori - KU060291.1). The second sub cluster consisted of S. enterica Paratyphi B-JQ694526.1; S. enterica Heidelberg-CP019176.1; S. enterica Typhimurium-CP024619.1 and S. bongori-FR877557.1. The second main cluster had 8 strains consisting of 4 enteritidis, 2 Typhi, 1 Huaian and 1 Typhimurium from all locations except Gboko. S. enterica Typhimurium-MH196335.1 was divergent from the main clusters of the check strain. S. enterica serovar Agona strain 392869-2 was unique and is related with enteritidis strain. It is established that diverse salmonella serovars exist and cause infections in Benue State