Microbes Mediated Keratin Extraction from Poultry Waste and Assessment of Its Efficacy in Growth Promotion of Zea Mays and Triticum aestivum

Feathers are a waste product of the poultry industry and are considered a major pollutant of the environment. Soil associated with poultry farms is a rich source of indigenous bacteria that are involved in biodegradation of keratin of the feathers of Gallus gallus domesticus. The present study was designed to understand the role of microbes in the degradation of a feather’s keratin and its possible utilization as a bio-protein for plants. In our studies, Keratinolytic activity was high at 37-45 ℃ and at 7.5-9.5 pH. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as the most active keratinolytic strain. At 37 ℃ and pH 9.0 the protein content was 5.67mg/ml, while at 45 ℃ and pH 7 the protein content from bacterial isolate IM6 was 6.52 mg/ml. However, all other ten bacterial isolates (IM1, IM2, IM3, IM4, IM5, IM7, IM8, IM9, IM10, IM11) also showed degradation potential. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was performed to confirm the presence of strong Amide-A, Amide-III, and disulfide bonds. In the plant microbial interaction experiments on the seed of Triticum aestivum and Zea mays, the isolates IM2 and IM6 were observed to increase the root, shoot and plant lengths as compared to all other bacterial isolates. The future implication of this study shows the importance of keratin degrading bacteria for the degradation and recycling of poultry feather waste, and introducing it as a value-added product for use in fertilizers, while also removing poultry waste from the environment and making the environment healthy for other living beings

A Mini-Review for Causes, Effects and Preventive Measures of Choking Smog

Air pollution and its increasing hazards are growing issues in Pakistan. The main reason is over population and efforts to provide luxurious lifestyles to people. So, changes in economic growth result in ever-increasing fossil fuels consumption, deforestation, industrialization, construction and urbanization. The activities are responsible for the enhanced level of airborne particles and ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere that is resulting in low air quality especially in winter as compared to summer. Since the last few years, it was noticed in Lahore, Pakistan, that the ambient environment condition of the city is rapidly changing, particularly in winter. The sun rays are blocked out and result in smog. Smog is a combination of fog and smoke and an important secondary pollutant that reduces visibility and enhances various health issues. It particularly affects children and older people causing high risk diseases such as eye-watering, skin allergies and respiratory infections. Even though preventive measures are taken to control the effect of smog every winter, there is still a need to focus on the causes to control the prevailing problem of winter smog for betterment in the future. The present review will discuss smog’s history, sources, effects and preventive measures in Pakistan along with other countries

Bacterial exopolysaccharide and biofilm formation stimulate chickpea growth and soil aggregation under salt stress

To compensate for stress imposed by salinity, biofilm formation and exopolysaccharide production are significant strategies of salt tolerant bacteria to assist metabolism. We hypothesized that two previously isolated salt-tolerant strains Halomonas variabilis (HT1) and Planococcus rifietoensis (RT4) have an ability to improve plant growth, These strains can form biofilm and accumulate exopolysacharides at increasing salt stress. These results showed that bacteria might be involved in developing microbial communities under salt stress and helpful in colonizing of bacterial strains to plant roots and soil particles. Eventually, it can add to the plant growth and soil structure. We investigated the comparative effect of exopolysacharide and biofilm formation in two bacterial strains Halomonas variabilis (HT1) and Planococcus rifietoensis (RT4) in response to varying salt stress. We found that biofilm formation and exopolysaccharide accumulation increased at higher salinity. To check the effect of bacterial inoculation on the plant (Cicer arietinum Var. CM-98) growth and soil aggregation, pot experiment was conducted by growing seedlings under salt stress. Inoculation of both strains increased plant growth at elevated salt stress. Weight of soil aggregates attached with roots and present in soil were added at higher salt concentrations compared to untreated controls. Soil aggregation was higher at plant roots under salinity. These results suggest the feasibility of using above strains in improving plant growth and soil fertility under salinity

Isolation of Keratinolytic from Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Farms and Assessment of their Efficacy in Feathers Degradation

Keratinolytic microorganisms and their enzymes are associated with poultry feather degradation. In the present study feathers of Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken) and surrounding dry soil was collected from a private poultry sheds located in Jahman village near Lahore. Bacteria were isolated by using enrichment techniques and screened for their proteolytic activity on skim agar. Isolated Bacteria were colonially, morphologically and biochemically characterized and named as SNC1, SNC2, SNC3, SNC4, SCH1, SCH2, SCH3 and SCH4. Results showed closed similarity of bacterial isolates with bacillus species. Effect of various media (LB-broth and Nutrient broth), pHs (7 and 8) and temperatures (4, 37, and 50℃) were recorded on bacterial growth and feather degradation. Bacterial cell densities and amount of keratin produced per gram feather weight were high at temperature 50℃ and pH 8.0. The feather degradation by bacterial isolates was confirmed at different time intervals using stereomicroscopes. The protein analysis of G. gallus domesticus feathers showed protein contents of 3.125g/100 ml. It was concluded high temperature and alkaline pH favored keratin production by bacterial consortia. Moreover, the bacterial isolates used in the current study have the potential to degrade poultry feather waste and extracted keratin is found to be promising for further exploitation of poultry waste. Full Tex

Isolation of Keratinolytic from Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Farms and Assessment of their Efficacy in Feathers Degradation

Keratinolytic microorganisms and their enzymes are associated with poultry feather degradation. In the present study feathers of Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken) and surrounding dry soil was collected from a private poultry sheds located in Jahman village near Lahore. Bacteria were isolated by using enrichment techniques and screened for their proteolytic activity on skim agar. Isolated Bacteria were colonially, morphologically and biochemically characterized and named as SNC1, SNC2, SNC3, SNC4, SCH1, SCH2, SCH3 and SCH4. Results showed closed similarity of bacterial isolates with bacillus species. Effect of various media (LB-broth and Nutrient broth), pHs (7 and 8) and temperatures (4, 37, and 50℃) were recorded on bacterial growth and feather degradation. Bacterial cell densities and amount of keratin produced per gram feather weight were high at temperature 50℃ and pH 8.0. The feather degradation by bacterial isolates was confirmed at different time intervals using stereomicroscopes. The protein analysis of G. gallus domesticus feathers showed protein contents of 3.125g/100 ml. It was concluded high temperature and alkaline pH favored keratin production by bacterial consortia. Moreover, the bacterial isolates used in the current study have the potential to degrade poultry feather waste and extracted keratin is found to be promising for further exploitation of poultry waste. Full Tex

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population