Nigerian Journal of Biotechnology

Assessment of the enzymatic and biodegradation potentials of polyethylene degrading microbes isolated from two composite sites

2025-02-11T13:28:05+00:00

This study investigated the viability of composting for actively breaking down synthetic polymer nylon by fungal and bacteria species. A total of thirty (30) samples were taken over the course of three months from two composting sites that contained different coloured polyethylene bags. The identification and characterization of isolates was done using morphological and biochemical techniques while the Analytical Profile Index (Biomeuriex API kit) was used to confirm the identities of the isolates. The overall load of heterotrophic bacteria varied between 3.30 x 10⁴ cfu/g to 1.50 x 10⁶ cfu/g, while that of fungi ranged from 1.02×10⁴sfu/g to 1.26×10⁶sfu/g. Pseudomonas sp. showed the highest prevalence (30%), followed by Staphylococcus sp. (16%). The least frequently occurring bacteria were Micrococcus varians and Proteus mirabilis (4% each). The most common species of fungi were Aspergillus niger (25%) and Fusarium sp. (23.33%), while Aspergillus candidus exhibited the lowest prevalence (3.33%). There was an increase in the temperature of the compost from 24° C to 29 °C in the two sites and an increase in the pH from 6.7 to 7.7. The percentage reduction in weight of white nylon is 6.7% in site 1 and 6.4 % in site 2, the blue nylon reduced by 9% in site 1 and 8.5% in site 2. There was 8.1% loss in weight in yellow nylon in site 1 and 7.5% weight loss in site 2. The black nylon reduced in weight by 8.7% in site 1 and 8.1% in site 2. The enzyme activity showed Fusarium sp. (++) and Aspergillus niger (++) having the highest cutinase activity while the lowest activity was observed in the bacteria. It can be concluded that the combined activity of microorganisms and their enzymes play a major role in the biodegradation of polyethylene which is a major nuisance in the environment.

Serum metabolites and carcass characteristics of Noiler chicken as affected by age and sex

2025-02-11T13:34:20+00:00

This study investigated the effects of sex and age on serum metabolites and carcass characteristics of Noiler chickens. A total of sixty (60) Noiler chickens were used to study the effect of sex and age on serum metabolites and carcass quality characteristics. Each group was replicated thrice (10 birds per replicate) in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The serum metabolites that were observed include total protein, albumin cobalt binding, globulin, albumin-globulin ratio (AG), aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphate, alanine aminotransferase, chloride (CHLOR.) and creatinine while carcass characteristics observed include live weight, killed weight, defeathered weight, dressed weight, some internal organs, cut parts and dressed weight percentage. This study unveiled that sex had no noticeable effect on the entire carcass characteristics of noiler chicken at the three ages under consideration (p>0.05) except head (male: 33.05^a and female: 25.05^b) at the 6^th week and large intestine at week 8 (male:18.27^a and female:13.40^b) where there were significant differences (p<0.05). It was also observed that sex had no effect on all the parameters in serum metabolites at all the ages under consideration except in Albumin-globulin ratio and chloride ion at the 8^th week, which were significantly affected (p>0.05). In conclusion, age appeared to be a more prominent factor in influencing these parameters, with some parameters showing significant differences at some specific developmental stages, and as the birds advance in age, a progressive increase was observed in carcass characteristics of the noiler chicken for both sexes.

Performance evaluation of different electrode materials and substrate modifications on bioelectricity generation from bacteria fuel cells

2025-02-12T07:16:17+00:00

The global energy crisis is caused by high energy demand and insufficient resources. Non-renewable energy sources are diminishing, while renewable energy sources are underutilized. An urgent search for alternative energy generation routes is necessary. A microbial fuel cell is a process that makes use of microorganisms like bacteria or fungi as biocatalysts that oxidize waste organic matter to release electrons which in turn are used to produce electricity. An MFC reactor is made of a cathode, an anode, and a substrate onto which microorganisms are fed so that electrons are released for bioelectricity generation .A two-chamber cathode was fabricated in this study. The chamber has a total volume of 120ml and a working volume of 100ml. The chamber was used to investigate the influence of substrate enrichment and type of electrode on electricity production by some selected bacteria (Pseudomonas Tawanensis (PT), Myroides Odoratimimus (MO), Sphingobacterium Mizutaii (SM). The substrate used is locust beans wastewater. The substrate was enriched with either sucrose or acetate. The electrodes include copper, aluminum, aluminum-zinc alloy, soft zinc, and zinc. To determine the most suitable enrichment sources (sucrose and acetate) a mixed culture of the three bacteria was inoculated in the substrate (locust bean wastewater) with a standard graphite electrode. Cellulose acetate was used as the membrane for the chamber in place of the cation exchange membrane. The setup was operated for 20 days. The effect of substrate enrichment and electrode use on bioelectricity and stability was later analyzed. The results from the mixed culture showed that the substrate enriched with sucrose generated a higher voltage (2.15x10^-3 mA) when compared with an acetate-enriched substrate (this generated a voltage of 1.62x10^-3 mA) with graphite as the electrode. Following this result, we selected sucrose as the enrichment source in the remaining experiment. Each bacterium used in this study generated electricity in the chamber containing sucrose-enriched substrate with each of the electrodes used. This implies that all the adopted electrodes are sufficient site for the formation of biofilm through which bioelectricity can be generated. However, the highest voltage (1.72mA) was recorded in the chamber containing Pseudomonas taiwanensis with zinc as the electrode in the chamber. We noted that in all the bacteria used in this study, bioeletricity generation was more stable and consistent with copper as the electrode of choice.

Potential of anthill soils and their bacteria as a viable source of soil amendment, biofertilizer, and biocontrol

2025-02-12T06:05:01+00:00

The escalating costs of synthetic fertilizers and their harmful environmental impacts have sparked a growing interest in exploring sustainable alternatives for crop cultivation. This investigation explored the potential of soil from anthills as a nutrient-rich resource for use in soil amendment, biological fertilizers, and biocontrol applications. Anthill soils and nearby areas were examined for their nutrient content and bacterial diversity. The microbial isolates were also examined for plant growth-promoting (PGP) attributes by employing standard analytical procedures and cultural approaches. To test for the antagonistic properties of the screened microbial isolates against Fusarium oxysporum, the diffusible substance method was used. The results revealed that anthill soils possess higher total bacterial counts and superior physicochemical properties compared to adjacent soils, except for silt, sand, and pH levels. The study identified beneficial bacteria from genera such as Bacillus and Pseudomonas, which exhibited plant growth-promoting properties and antagonistic activity against soil Fusarium oxysporum. These findings suggest that anthill soils are nutrient-rich and harbour beneficial bacteria that can promote plant growth and suppress soil pathogens.

Evaluation of optimized DNA extraction methods from bacteria and whole blood for Polymerase Chain Reaction

2025-02-12T06:11:51+00:00

The quality of DNA extracted from clinical samples is crucial for the accuracy and reliability of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in molecular diagnostics. This study compares five optimized DNA extraction methods—Phenol Chloroform (PC), Phenol Chloroform with column (PCC), Boiling (BM), Boiling with Ethanol Precipitation (BME), and a Commercial Kit (CK)—for their efficacy in isolating DNA from bacterial suspension and whole blood from human. The evaluation focused on DNA yield, purity, PCR compatibility, and cost-effectiveness, with a particular emphasis on their use in resource-limited settings. DNA concentration was highest with BM for bacterial samples and with PC for blood samples, though the CK method offered better reproducibility. Significant differences in DNA purity were observed across methods, particularly in E. coli and blood samples. PCR amplification was successful for most methods; however, DNA extracted from CK method failed to amplify E. coli DNA. Time and cost analyses revealed that while the PC was the most cost-effective, it was also the most time-consuming. Conversely, the CK method was the fastest but most expensive. This study underscores the importance of selecting DNA extraction methods that align with the specific needs of molecular biology applications, balancing cost, time, and performance in resource-limited environments.

The assessment of screen house efficacy as a tissue culture growth chamber for Musa SPP

2025-02-12T06:16:12+00:00

The increase in food insecurity in developing countries is alarming but the tissue culture technique is expensive to practice. Therefore, this work assessed the efficiency of a screen house as a growth chamber. Suckers were prepared, and cultured into the MSbasal medium which was supplemented with commercial-grade sugar at a concentration of 30 g/l and a BAP concentration of 0.004 g/L. The cultures were kept in an ideal growth chamber with a regulated temperature of 28 °C and a screen house with varied temperatures that range from 37 °C to 48 °C. Explant responses were assessed with the number of shoots, shoot height, shoot health, and number of roots for three and five weeks after initiation. The result showed high significant difference at P ≤ 0.001, in the shoot proliferation at three and five weeks, with mean shoot numbers in the growth chamber of 1.01 at three weeks, and 1.96 at 5 weeks after initiation. The variation observed in plant height, plant health, and root number was not significant. The steady temperature variation observed in the screen house hastened phonological activities, hence, reducing the life cycle of the cultures. Screen house cultures are less viable and require attention during acclimatization and field transfer.

Antibacterial activity of bacteriocin extracted from Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from fermented rice-water milk extract against selected pathogenic bacteria

2025-02-12T06:19:47+00:00

Bacteriocin are produced by lactic acid bacteria during their primary growth phase as natural antimicrobial agents against closely or distantly related microorganisms in their natural environment. This study aimed at ascertaining the inhibitory effect of bacteriocin extracted from Lactobacillus strains, against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Lactobacillus sp. was isolated from rice water samples utilizing the de Mann, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) agar, and subsequently, the MRS broth. The isolates were morphologically and biochemically identified, then further confirmed to be Lactobacillus plantarum strains using the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Chloroform solvent precipitation was carried out to extract the bacteriocin from the MRS broth culture. The bacteriocin from Lactobacillus plantarum 1 (RW1) displayed high inhibitory activity against the Gram-negative bacteria at 5-13mm, as compared to 9mm for the Gram-positive bacteria. The Lactobacillus plantarum 2 (RW2) bacteriocin displayed the highest activity against both the Gram-negative bacteria and the Gram-positive bacteria at 14mm and 10mm respectively. Characterization of the bacterial isolates using the 16SrRNA gene sequence analysis revealed the isolates to be Lactobacillus plantarum strain LL441 and Lactobacillus plantarum strain C11. In conclusion, the chloroform extracted bacteriocin produced from Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from new sources, displayed antibacterial activity and could serve as bio-preservatives against pathogens in food and the food industries.

Bioinformatic analysis of some natural antihypertensive compounds from medicinal plants as promising inhibitory agents against Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme

2025-02-12T06:26:28+00:00

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibition has been a promising avenue for anti-hypertensive drug development. Our study investigated the inhibitory potential of bioactive compounds derived from six medicinal plants (Allium sativum L., Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Acalypha godseffiana Mast., Moringa oleifera Lam., Vernonia amygdalina Delile, and Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel.) against ACE using in silico methods. Thirty-one (31) bioactive compounds were screened while Ramipril, and Enalapril were employed as control drugs. 3D structures and canonical Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System (SMILES) of the bioactive compounds and control drugs were obtained from the PubChem online server. Drug-likeness assessment of the bioactive compounds and protein-ligand docking of successful compounds were conducted using SwissADME online server and AutoDock Vina software. ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity) analysis was also done to evaluate the suitability of the hit ligands for further drug development. Of the 31 compounds screened, 17 passed at least four of the five standard rules of drug-likeness determination, while the control drugs (Ramipril and Enalapril) failed one of the rules. Ajmaline, Apigenin, Quercetin, Cryptolepine, Luteolin, Hydroxyvernolide, Kaempferol and Vernodalol had higher binding energies of -9.6 kcal/mol, -8.7 kcal/mol, -8.5 kcal/mol, -8.4 kcal/mol, -8.4 kcal/mol, -8.3 kcal/mol, -8.3 kcal/mol and -7.8 kcal/mol, respectively than Ramipril and Enalapril (-7.6 kcal/mol, and -7.5 kcal/mol). The higher binding energies and the stability of their binding interactions denote these hit ligands as potential antihypertensive drugs targeting ACE. However, wet lab experimental investigation is necessary to validate the inhibitory activity of these compounds and elucidate their mechanisms of action.

Environmental risk and biosafety of genetically modified plants

2025-02-12T06:31:48+00:00

Genetic engineering and biotechnology research have produced novel plant and animal products that benefit humankind. This review assesses the environmental risk and biosafety of genetically modified crops. Debates on the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified crops have a significant impact on public discourse around them. Biotechnology advocates emphasize how it may treat illnesses, prevent malnutrition, lessen hunger, and enhance general health and quality of life. However, there are a lot of issues to biotechnology with some critics oppose it on moral and ethical grounds, others claim that it poses threats to human health and the environment. Agricultural goods that are herbicides resistant and can withstand abiotic challenges like salinity, high temperatures, frost, and drought as well as biological pressures can be produced via genetic modification. Products utilizing gene-editing technology have generated debate and raised questions about the possible dangers of applying these novel methods to genetic alteration for the environment and general public's health. Regarding the evaluation and risk management of genetically modified organisms, there is no definitive consensus. Numerous accords have been released that emphasize the need of biosafety in safeguarding biodiversity; the most significant of them is the United Nations Convention, known as the Cartagena-Columbia Protocol on Biosafety, which was issued in 2000. Despite the potential and enormous benefits of biotechnologies, the issue of the products of these technologies is receiving great international attention due to the potential risks they could pose to human health and the environment.

Evaluation of the antioxidant and protective effects of Dioscorea villosa extracts on gentamicin-induced kidney damage in albino wistar rats

2025-02-12T06:37:05+00:00

Antioxidants can be effective in the prevention of oxidative stress. The study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and protective effects of Dioscorea villosa extracts on gentamicin-induced kidney damage in albino wistar rats. A total of 114 albino rats were divided into 19 groups of 6 rats each, categorized into four subgroups (A-D, E-H, I-L, M-P) and control groups (Q, R, S). Kidney damage was induced in all groups except the normal control (Q) by administering 100 mg/kg of gentamicin intraperitoneally. Groups A-D received 200, 400, 600, and 800 mg/kg of deionized water leaf extract (DWL), while groups E-H received the same doses of deionized water root extract (DWR). Groups I-L were given diethyl ether leaf extract (DER) in similar doses, and groups M-P received diethyl ether root extract (DEL). Group Q received normal saline, group R (negative control) also received normal saline, and group S (positive control) was given 25 mg/kg of silymarin. All treatments were administered orally for 14 days. Administration of the extract significantly increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels at all doses compared to the untreated group. In terms of catalase activity, there was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the groups treated with 800 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of DWL and DWR extracts. Assessment of glutathione reductase (GR) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) activity after treatment showed a dose-dependent increase in the groups treated with DWL, DWR, DEL, and DER extracts. The extracts helped in mitigation of oxidative damage, and may function as alternative remedies to conventional therapeutic approaches.

The impact of Dioscorea villosa extracts on haematological parameters in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino wistar rats

2025-02-12T06:48:28+00:00

Nephrotoxicity, or kidney damage, is associated with the use of various therapeutic agents, including gentamicin. This study aimed to assess the impact of Dioscorea villosa leaf and root extracts on hematological parameters in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity of albino rats. A total of 114 albino rats were randomly assigned to 19 groups of 6 rats each, divided into four subgroups (A-D, E-H, I-L, M-P) and control groups (Q, R, S). Kidney damage was induced in all groups except the normal control (Q) by injecting 100 mg/kg of gentamicin intraperitoneally. Groups A-D received 200, 400, 600, and 800 mg/kg of deionized water leaf extract (DWL). Groups E-H received the same deionized water root extract (DWR) doses. Groups I-L received diethyl ether leaf extract (DER), and groups M-P received diethyl ether root extract (DEL). Group Q received normal saline, group R (negative control) received normal saline, and group S (positive control) received 25 mg/kg of silymarin. All treatments were administered orally for 14 days, and hematological assessments were carried out using standard methods. Results showed that Hb, PCV, and red blood cell (RBC) counts were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the untreated gentamicin-induced group compared to all other groups. However, administering different doses of D. villosa extracts significantly increased (p<0.05) the Hb, PCV, and RBC levels, similar to the effects of silymarin. The total WBC count was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the untreated group compared to all other groups. These findings suggest that D. villosa could be a valuable natural remedy for nephrotoxicity.

Laccase-producing fungal strains from pesticide-farmland soil: Evaluating their heavy metal tolerance

2025-02-12T06:52:17+00:00

Indiscriminate pesticide applications allow metals to accumulate in soils and crops, endangering human health, environment and food security. This study examines the metal removal potential by laccase-producing fungi. Five inorganic soil samples were collected from farmland. Soil aliquot was inoculated into sterile potato dextrose agar plates and fungi were identified based on their macroscopic, microscopic and molecular techniques. Laccase production was screened using a tannic acid indicator, and the guaiacol assay measured laccase activities. Metal tolerance was assessed for lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) at concentrations of 5 to 20 g/L. Fourteen isolates that belong to the genera of Candida (14%), Trichoderma (21%), Trichosporon (22%), Aspergillus (36%) and Rhodotorula (7%) were obtained. Only Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus japonicus demonstrated laccase production. A. niger exhibited highest enzyme activity (0.8026U/mL) while the least laccase activity (0.1453U/mL) was produced by A. japonicum. The optimal As and Pb tolerances of A. niger are 5 g/L and 10 g/L, respectively. A. japonicus showed stronger tolerance up to 15 g/L for Pb, whereas that of As remains 5 g/L. These results demonstrate that A. niger and A. japonicus hold promise as valuable bio-resources due to their effective laccase production and notable metal tolerance, underscoring their potential applications in bioremediation.

The synergistic effect of Ocimum gratissimum and Gongronema latifolium extracts on lipid profile of hyperlipidemic induced rats

2025-02-12T07:03:43+00:00

Accumulation of excess fat has great adverse health implications, including tissue damage and disorders affecting the liver, brain, bone marrow, and other vital organs. Cardiovascular diseases are known to be strongly associated with increased level of blood lipids. To mitigate this risk, there is a growing interest in exploring natural interventions, such as herbal extracts. This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effects of Ocimum gratissimum and Gongronema latifolium extracts on the lipid profile of hyperlipidemic rats, addressing the increasing concern of hyperlipidemia-related health issues. This research involved the collection of fresh leaves from Ocimum gratissimum and Gongronema latifolium, which were subsequently processed to obtain plant extracts. The experiment had five groups: Group A was the normal control, Group B represented the hyperlipidemic control, Group C received Ocimum gratissimum extract, Group D was given Gongronema latifolium extract, and Group E received a combination of both extracts. These extracts were administered orally to hyperlipidemic rats, and their effects on lipid parameters were closely monitored. The lipid profile parameters were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, analyzed using one-way ANOVA. A post Hoc test was employed to separate the comparison of mean. The study included key lipid indicators including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG). The findings revealed substantial improvements in the lipid profiles of rats treated with the combined extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Gongronema latifolium. Notably, there was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in LDL, TC, and TG levels, while HDL levels were elevated. The results suggest that these plant extracts possess the potential to ameliorate hyperlipidemia and consequently promote cardiovascular health. In conclusion, this research highlights the promise of Ocimum gratissimum and Gongronema latifolium extracts as natural interventions for managing hyperlipidemia. However, further studies with larger sample sizes, extended treatment durations, and dose-response investigations are warranted to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the effects and mechanisms of these extracts.