Myco-Flora of a Kerosene-Polluted Soil in Nigeria

The myco-flora of a Kerosene-polluted soil was investigated. Soil samples collected from a fallow patch of land were polluted with 90 ml, 180 ml, and 270 ml concentrations of kerosene. The 0 ml (untreated soil) served as control. Cultivation of the organisms was done on potato dextrose agar (PDA) after 2 days, 7 days and 14 days of soil contamination. The study revealed that various fungal genera were associated with kerosene-polluted soil. The fungal genera isolated include Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Rhizopus, Saccharomyces and Mucor species. The growth of fungi observed showed delayed growth in polluted samples whereas growth was rapid in control samples for all the concentrations. The fungal counts were generally high in the control when compared to those of the polluted samples. This revealed that kerosene had depressing effect on the growth and activity of the soil fungi @ JASE

Seasonal effect on the bacterial and fungal population of an oilfield waste water-polluted soil in Nigeria

Seasonal effect on the bacterial and fungal populations of an oilfield wastewater – polluted soil was investigated for a period of 12 months. Many bacterial and fungal species were present in the soil and the wastewater of the area investigated. Some of the organisms occurred in both the soil and oilfield wastewater while others occurred only in the soil. Eighteen (18) organisms were isolated; 4 species (2 bacteria and 2 fungi) occurred in all the seasons whereas the other organisms occurred in at least one season. This showed that different seasons selectively favour the growth of certain microbial types. The chemical analysis of the oilfield wastewater revealed the presence of inorganic components and oil residues in the wastewater. The microbial counts of the polluted soil when compared to the control samples in all the locations did not reveal a clear seasonal-pollutant effect on the microbial densities. However, fungal counts showed somewhat seasonal-pollutant effect in two locations. The chemical constituents of the wastewater are relatively of low toxicity and hence had no toxic effects on the soil microbial population. Seasonal variations show that the drier seasons supported large active population and wetter season had smaller population of microbial densities. However, seasonal influence was more pronounced on the fungi than on the bacteria. (Journal of Applied Sciences & Environmental Management: 2002 6(2): 17-22

Myco-Flora of a Kerosene-Polluted Soil in Nigeria

The myco-flora of a Kerosene-polluted soil was investigated. Soil samples collected from a fallow patch of land were polluted with 90 ml, 180 ml, and 270 ml concentrations of kerosene. The 0 ml (untreated soil) served as control. Cultivation of the organisms was done on potato dextrose agar (PDA) after 2 days, 7 days and 14 days of soil contamination. The study revealed that various fungal genera were associated with kerosene-polluted soil. The fungal genera isolated include Penicillium , Aspergillus , Fusarium , Rhizopus , Saccharomyces and Mucor species. The growth of fungi observed showed delayed growth in polluted samples whereas growth was rapid in control samples for all the concentrations. The fungal counts were generally high in the control when compared to those of the polluted samples. This revealed that kerosene had depressing effect on the growth and activity of the soil fungi @ JASE

The Occurrence of Vibrio species in the Gut of Sardinella madrensis in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The occurrence of vibrio bacteria in the gut of “Songu”: Sardinella madrensis was investigated using enrichment procedures. Seventy percent (70%) of the total fish samples examined were positive for vibrios. The mean bacterial counts ranged between 2.68 x 102 to 1.30 x 104 cfu/g in all the fish samples. The weight of fish samples ranged between 25.0g and 30.9g and the bacterial counts increased with fish weight. Four major species were isolated, though in varying frequencies and they included Vibrio cholerae (2.7%), V. hollisae (5.4%), V. parahaemolyticus (10.8) and V. vulnificus (81.5%). The presence of these bacterial species in the fish samples might expose the consumers to a wide variety of disease conditions. Keywords: Vibrio flora, “Songu”: Sardinella madrensis, gut Journal of Medical Laboratory Science Vol. 13 (2) 2004: pp. 62-6

Myco-Flora of a Kerosene-Polluted Soil in Nigeria

The myco-flora of a Kerosene-polluted soil was investigated. Soil samples collected from a fallow patch of land were polluted with 90 ml, 180 ml, and 270 ml concentrations of kerosene. The 0 ml (untreated soil) served as control. Cultivation of the organisms was done on potato dextrose agar (PDA) after 2 days, 7 days and 14 days of soil contamination. The study revealed that various fungal genera were associated with kerosene-polluted soil. The fungal genera isolated include Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Rhizopus, Saccharomyces and Mucor species. The growth of fungi observed showed delayed growth in polluted samples whereas growth was rapid in control samples for all the concentrations. The fungal counts were generally high in the control when compared to those of the polluted samples. This revealed that kerosene had depressing effect on the growth and activity of the soil fungi @ JASE

Myco-Flora of a Kerosene-Polluted Soil in Nigeria

The myco-flora of a Kerosene-polluted soil was investigated. Soil samples collected from a fallow patch of land were polluted with 90 ml, 180 ml, and 270 ml concentrations of kerosene. The 0 ml (untreated soil) served as control. Cultivation of the organisms was done on potato dextrose agar (PDA) after 2 days, 7 days and 14 days of soil contamination. The study revealed that various fungal genera were associated with kerosene-polluted soil. The fungal genera isolated include Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Rhizopus, Saccharomyces and Mucor species. The growth of fungi observed showed delayed growth in polluted samples whereas growth was rapid in control samples for all the concentrations. The fungal counts were generally high in the control when compared to those of the polluted samples. This revealed that kerosene had depressing effect on the growth and activity of the soil fungi. (Journal of Applied Sciences & Environmental Management: 2002 6(1): 14-17

Molecular Characterisation of Bacteria Isolated from Various Part of Chicken (Gallus gallus domestica) Meat

Aims: To investigate the types of bacteria found in the different parts of Chicken meat using biochemical and molecular techniques. Study Design: Poultry birds were bought and processed in the respective markets by the butchers. Four parts of the poultry meat were minced and placed in sterile bottles which were taken to the lab for analysis. The control was bought and processed in the laboratory. Place and Duration of Study: The Mile three and Mile one markets which are amongst the major markets in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria were the area under study. The study duration was for three months. Methodology: Ten gram of four parts (intestine, gizzard, muscle and skin) each was weighed and transferred into test tubes containing 90ml sterile normal saline. Subsequent 10-fold serial dilution was carried out and aliquots of preferred dilutions were inoculated unto Nutrient and MacConkey agar (TM media, India) plates. Incubation for 24 hours at 37°C followed. Resulting colonies were enumerated and distinct colonies were subcultured to get pure isolates followed by biochemical tests to identify the isolates. The boiling method of extraction was used in extracting the DNA of the various isolates. rRNA genes of the isolates were amplified using the 27F and 1492R universal primers on a ABI 9700 Applied Biosystems thermal cycler at a final volume of 25 µl for 35 cycles. Results: The total heterotrophic load of the skin ranged from 0.2×108 to 5.5×108 Cfu/g. the bacterial load of the muscle, intestine and gizzard ranged from 0.0×108 to 1.0×108 Cfu/g; 1.2×108 to 2.9×108 Cfu/g and 1.7×108 to 2.0×108 Cfu/g. The coliform load of the skin ranged from 0.2×105 to 2.2×105 Cfu/g, while the total coliform of the muscle, intestine and gizzard ranged from 0.1×105 to 1.9×105 Cfu/g, 1.1×105 to 1.5×105 Cfu/g and 0.2×105 to 2.0×105 Cfu/g respectively. Nine bacteria genera which include Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Chryseobacterium, Aeromonas, Acinetobacter and Escherichia species were isolated and identified. Conclusion: The bacteria identified in this study could be pathogenic if foods are not properly prepared. Thus, chicken meats should be properly processed to avoid cross contamination

Physico-Chemical Quality of Elechi Creek in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

A total of six hundred and sixteen (616) water samples were collected at seven stations from three zones (A, B, and C) of Elechi creek during an eleven-month's investigation. The samples were analysed for physico-chemical parameters including heavy metals. Higher concentrations of phosphate and BOD in zone B ranging from 2.3 to 9.0 ppm and 3.92 to 8.80 mgL-1 respectively were observed and this reflects the eutrophic condition of the creek water in that zone. Concentrations of ammonia, total dissolved solids and salinity were higher in the dry season while those of sulphate, phosphate and electrical conductance were higher in the rainy season. Satistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that, there were significant differences in concentrations of phosphate, total alkalinity, BOD, total dissolved solids, salinity and electrical conductivity at 5% level between the three zones of Elechi creek. These zonal differences were due to limited water exchange between the zones of the creek. The concentrations of heavy metals were generally low and no trends were observed along the stations of the creek. Except for iron (0.019 to 1.166 ppm) nickel (0.039 to 0.945 ppm) and zinc (0.002 to 4.345 ppm), the concentrations of the other heavy metals were within the range of less than 0.001 ppm to 0.718 ppm. The low concentrations of heavy metals may be due to lack of industrial discharges into the Elechi creek. (Journal of Applied Sciences & Environmental Management: 2003 7(1): 43-50

Bioremediation of diesel contamination at an underground storage tank site: a spatial analysis of the microbial community

The present study reports on a real case of contamination due to the chronic leakage of diesel fuel from an underground tank at a dismissed service station. Speciation of the microbial community according to both lateral and vertical gradients from the origin of the contaminant release was analyzed by means of the PCR-DGGE technique. Moreover, the effects of a landfarming treatment on both the microbial community structure and the abatement of contamination were analyzed. The concentration of total petrol hydrocarbons (TPHs) decreased along the horizontal gradient (from 7042.2 ± 521.9 to 112.2 ± 24.3 mg kg(-1)), while increased downwards from the position of the tank (from 502.6 ± 43.7 to 4972.5 ± 275.3 mg kg(-1)). PCR-DGGE analyses and further statistical treatment of the data indicated a correlation between structure of the bacterial communities and amount of diesel fuel contamination. On the other hand, level of contamination, soil texture and depth were shown to affect the fungal community. Chloroflexi and Ascomycota were the most abundant microbes ascertained through culture-independent procedures. Landfarming promoted 91.6 % reduction of TPHs in 75 days. Furthermore, PCR-DGGE analyses evidenced that both bacterial and fungal communities of the treated soil were restored to the pristine conditions of uncontaminated topsoil. The present study demonstrated that bacterial and fungal communities were affected differently by soil factors such as level of hydrocarbon contamination as well as soil depth and texture. This report shows that a well-planned landfarming treatment can drive the restoration of the soil in terms of both abatement of the contaminants and resilience of the microbial community structure