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Public Health Implications of Waste Dump to Inhabitants in the Environment
Mbachu Ifeoma Adaora Chima
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2018
Pages:
41-44
Received:
16 January 2018
Accepted:
11 February 2018
Published:
8 March 2018
Abstract: Dump sites are naturally associated with foul odour which obviously is product of microbial activities. The bacterial agents responsible for this decomposition may be injurious to humans. In order to determine the genera of bacteria responsible, Petri dishes containing three different types of media, nutrient, MacConkey and blood agars were exposed for fifteen minutes, and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Organisms that grew were analyzed to determine if they are pathogens. Five plates of each media were exposed, and the mean of the colony counts were expressed as colony forming units per millitre (cfu/ml). Three different dump sites were studied, namely school waste dump (SWD), Village waste dump (VWD) and Market waste dump (MWD). Results of Petri dish exposure for 15 mins showed mean cfu/ml of 300, 250 and 300 on nutrient agar for SWD, VWD and MWD respectively. 100, 120 and 150 on MacConkey agar for SWD, VWD and MWD respectively then 20, 15 and 25 on blood agar for SWD, VWD and MWD respectively. Cultural characteristics of the isolates revealed diverse shapes, margins, colours and sizes. Phenotypic characterization showed the Grain reaction, catalase, coagulase, motility, indole, oxidase tests, glucose fermentation, capsule and spore tests results of the isolates. Isolates were tentatively identified to be Listeria spp, Streptococcus spp, Escherischia spp, Staphylococcus spp, Bacillus spp, Shigella spp and Micrococcus spp, by Bergey’s manual of determinative bacteriology. Virulence test by haemolysis assay showed both Streptococcus spp and Listeria spp to be α- haemolysis negative and β-haemolysis positive. Their zones of inhibition were 2-2.5 mm and 3.0-3.5 mm for Streptococcus spp, while Listeria spp was 1.5 mm. Capsule stain was positive for Streptococcus spp and Escherischia spp. Spore stain was positive only for Bacilluis spp. These finds show that pathogenic bacteria are associated with waste dumps and therefore can be injurious to public health.
Abstract: Dump sites are naturally associated with foul odour which obviously is product of microbial activities. The bacterial agents responsible for this decomposition may be injurious to humans. In order to determine the genera of bacteria responsible, Petri dishes containing three different types of media, nutrient, MacConkey and blood agars were exposed...
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Diversity and Metabolic Potential of the Dominant Culturable N2-Fixing and P-Solubilising Bacteria from Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Rhizosphere
Atefeh Varmazyari,
Ramazan Çakmakçı
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2018
Pages:
45-54
Received:
30 December 2017
Accepted:
24 February 2018
Published:
21 March 2018
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the diversity of cultivable N2-fixing and P-solubilizing bacteria originated from 167 rhizospheric acidic soils samples of tea. Based on the fatty acid methyl ester profiles, 34 bacterial genera were identified with a similarity index of >0.3, but 69.2% of the identified isolates belonged to five genera: Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Paenibacillus, Stenotrophomonas and Arthrobacter. Among the 263 bacterial strains, 213 strains exhibited N2-fixing activity and 159 were efficient in phosphate solubilisation; 134 strains were efficient in N2-fixation and P-solubilisation. Most of the N2-fixing and P-solubilizing bacteria isolated were Gram-positive (59.3 and 52.8%), and Gram-negative constituted only 40.7 and 47.2%. A total of 102 dominant strains were characterized by carbon sources using BIOLOGM GN2 and GP2 plates. B. pumilus, B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. laevolacticus, P. fluorescens, P. putida, S. maltophilia and B. megaterium were the most frequent P-solubilizing and N2-fixing species in the tea rhizosphere soils. Utilization of high variety of C-sources by the N2-fixing and P-solubilizing acid tolerant strains may play an important role in adapting to a variety of crop plants, and thus potentially beneficial to the growth of tea plants in that specific acidic ecosystem.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the diversity of cultivable N2-fixing and P-solubilizing bacteria originated from 167 rhizospheric acidic soils samples of tea. Based on the fatty acid methyl ester profiles, 34 bacterial genera were identified with a similarity index of >0.3, but 69.2% of the identified isolates belonged to five genera:...
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Biological Soil Crusts and Extremophiles Adjacent to Native Plants at Sabkhas and Rawdahs, Qatar: The Possible Roles
Roda Fahad Al-Thani,
Bassam Taha Yasseen
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2018
Pages:
55-70
Received:
1 February 2018
Accepted:
25 February 2018
Published:
21 March 2018
Abstract: Several studies have investigated the biology of native plants (halophytes and xerophytes), biological soil crusts (BSC), as well as the associated and adjacent microorganisms. These studies concentrated on their eco-physiological aspects as well as the possible roles they might play in various life activities and industries. This article presents the mechanisms adopted by these living organisms to cope with the harsh environment, and the possible roles microorganisms might play to support native plants, some important examples from the flora of Qatar are presented to show these mechanisms. Special attention has been paid to the senescence and death of leaves or whole plants, since this strategy has been considered as an important option for escaping extreme environmental conditions. Discussion about solute accumulation (organic and inorganic) in all native living organisms in general and in microorganisms in particular, could result to further investigation to clarify their roles in such an ecosystem. Some case studies have been reported to discuss the ecological aspects at two main types of habitats in Qatar; Rawdahs and Sabkhas were chosen to show how native living organisms adapt in these habitats. This study discussed the general identification of BSC and microorganisms, as well as their possible roles in the soil biota. The possible methods and mechanisms exhibited by extremophiles to support native plants in coping with saline and arid lands have also been reported in this article. This study also discussed the recent outlook about the origin of metabolic activities in these living organisms to support the growth of native plants under stress conditions.
Abstract: Several studies have investigated the biology of native plants (halophytes and xerophytes), biological soil crusts (BSC), as well as the associated and adjacent microorganisms. These studies concentrated on their eco-physiological aspects as well as the possible roles they might play in various life activities and industries. This article presents ...
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Biology Education a Panacea for Sustainable National Development
Sallau Ibrahim Ahmad,
Bilkisu Bello Abubakar,
Sani Yau
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2018
Pages:
71-74
Received:
29 December 2017
Accepted:
11 February 2018
Published:
14 April 2018
Abstract: Biology is one of the pre-requisite subject for many field of learning including botany, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medicine, agriculture, pharmacy, biotechnology, and others. Biology and biology education contributes immensely to the technological growth and development of any nation. This paper discussed the meaning and concept of biology and biology education, factors militating against the development of biology education in Nigeria, and the role of biology for sustainable development. The paper recommended that, government at all levels should provide adequate instructional materials and laboratory equipments for effective teaching and learning, qualified teachers should be employed for teaching the subject both in secondary and tertiary schools.
Abstract: Biology is one of the pre-requisite subject for many field of learning including botany, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medicine, agriculture, pharmacy, biotechnology, and others. Biology and biology education contributes immensely to the technological growth and development of any nation. This paper discussed the meaning and concept of biol...
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Identification of Antibiotic Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in a Popular Street-Food Item (Chatpati) in Dhaka University Campus, Bangladesh
Moumita Dey,
Mansura Mokbul,
Ila Ismail,
Sharmin Rumi Alim
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2018
Pages:
75-80
Received:
7 March 2018
Accepted:
29 March 2018
Published:
7 May 2018
Abstract: Presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in street-foods has become a global health concern. In this study, we have thoroughly investigated the bacteriological quality of Chatpati (CHT) samples collected from 7 different locations of Dhaka University campus. Various selective and differential media, Gram staining and biochemical tests were carried out for isolation, enumeration and characterization of the isolates. The total bacterial count varied in samples from 7 locations ranging from 1.1x103 to 4.1x106 CFU/g. Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterobacter spp., Vibrio spp., Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas spp. were identified in the collected CHT samples. Isolates were then subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test. For antibiogram profiling, Ampicillin, Colistin, Chloramphenicol, Ceftriaxone, Ciprofloxacin and Nitrofurantoin were employed in this study. Multiple antibiotic resistance index (MRI%) of the isolates were found to be ranged from 16.67 to 66.67%. Majority of the isolates showed resistance against Ampicillin and Nitrofurantoin. Therefore, it may be concluded that the consumption of CHT from this area may be severely detrimental to health due to the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Abstract: Presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in street-foods has become a global health concern. In this study, we have thoroughly investigated the bacteriological quality of Chatpati (CHT) samples collected from 7 different locations of Dhaka University campus. Various selective and differential media, Gram staining and biochemical tests were carried...
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