Microbiology Research Journal International

Bioremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil by Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Del and its Rhizospheric Bacteria

2026-07-27T11:27:47+00:00

Phytoremediation is an emerging technology for cleaning crude-oil-contaminated soil. The aim of this study was to test the leguminous plant Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. for its efficiency in remediating soil polluted with 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% (w/w) crude oil and its ability to enhance the activity of soil microorganisms. Standard methods were used to measure plant parameters, degradation percentage, total petroleum hydrocarbons and bacterial count. The results showed that crude oil concentration did not adversely affect plant growth, indicating the potential success of the phytoremediation process. Shoot length was not negatively affected by oil, compared with the control plant, up to a concentration of 1.5% for six months. Crude oil degradation percentages ranged from 49% to 74%. The highest degradation percentage was recorded in soil collected from beneath Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. seedlings (74%). Viable microorganism counts in oil-contaminated soil at all tested concentrations were significantly (P <= 0.01) higher than those in oil-free soil at each sampling interval. The high biodegradation efficiency achieved using Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. indicates a possible plant-associated mechanism for remediating crude-oil-contaminated soil. Balanites aegyptiaca could be used to clean up oil-contaminated soil after further testing under field conditions.

Assessment of Cooked Ready-To-Eat Fermented Cassava Product Marketed in Enugu State, Nigeria: Microbial Quality, Aflatoxin Occurrence, and Cyanide Levels

2026-07-29T13:22:36+00:00

Cooked ready-to-eat fermented cassava products (akpu/fufu) are widely consumed in Nigeria because they are affordable and constitute an important source of dietary energy. However, contamination during processing, storage, transportation, and marketing may compromise their microbiological and chemical safety. This study assessed the microbial quality, aflatoxin occurrence, and cyanide levels of cooked ready-to-eat fermented cassava marketed in Enugu State, Nigeria. Samples were collected from Mayor Local Market, Enugu State, and analyzed using standard microbiological and chemical methods. The total aerobic mesophilic bacterial count was determined using standard culture techniques, while isolates were characterized by colony morphology, Gram staining, biochemical tests, and lactophenol cotton blue staining. The isolates were further identified by 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene sequencing. Cyanide concentration was determined using the alkaline picrate spectrophotometric method, while aflatoxins were analyzed by affinity chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Molecular characterization identified the isolates as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Candida tropicalis. Hydrogen cyanide was detected in all the assayed samples, with the highest concentration observed in Sample A (56.12 mg/kg), followed by Sample D (56.08 mg/kg), Sample B (52.43 mg/kg), and Sample E (52.38 mg/kg), while the lowest concentration was recorded in Sample C (52.32 mg/kg). Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 were detected at low concentrations, whereas aflatoxins M1 and M2 were not detected in any of the samples assessed. The total quantified aflatoxin concentrations were 4.35785 × 10⁻² µg/kg, 4.31180 × 10⁻² µg/kg, 4.40200 × 10⁻² µg/kg, 4.33810 × 10⁻² µg/kg, and 4.37010 × 10⁻² µg/kg for Samples A, B, C, D, and E, respectively. The total aerobic mesophilic bacterial count, aflatoxin concentrations, and cyanide levels did not differ significantly among the assessed cooked ready-to-eat fermented cassava samples (p > 0.05). The low level of aflatoxin contamination and the high cyanide levels present a potential public health concern. Therefore, improved processing practices, adequate fermentation, and proper heat treatment are recommended to reduce cyanide content and enhance the safety of ready-to-eat fermented cassava products.

Efficacy of Fungicides against Spot Blotch Disease of Wheat Caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker

2026-07-30T08:02:24+00:00

Spot blotch, caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, is one of the most destructive foliar diseases limiting wheat productivity, particularly under the warm and humid conditions of the Indo-Gangetic Plains. The present study was conducted during the 2024-25 Rabi season at the Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, to evaluate the efficacy of different fungicides against spot blotch under field conditions. The experiment comprised eight fungicidal treatments, including triazoles, strobilurins, their combinations, and a contact fungicide, together with an untreated control. Two foliar sprays were applied at 10-day intervals after disease initiation. Disease severity was assessed as percentage disease intensity (PDI), while grain yield and the percentage increase in yield over the untreated control were recorded. Among the treatments, tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% (0.10%) was the most effective in reducing disease severity and increasing yield. The findings indicate that triazole-strobilurin combination fungicides provided better management of spot blotch, which may be associated with their complementary preventive and curative modes of action and systemic activity.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Profiles of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Tchakpalo: A Traditional Beninese Beer

2026-08-03T07:53:22+00:00

Background and Aim: Tchakpalo is an emblematic traditional beer within Benin's brewing heritage, and its artisanal production processes may favour contamination by potentially pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. This study evaluated the antibiotic resistance profiles and selected virulence factors of S. aureus (n = 50) and E. coli (n = 40) strains isolated from Tchakpalo.

Study Design and Methodology: Antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to CA-SFM and CLSI recommendations. Virulence factors, including biofilm-forming capacity, haemolytic activity and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production, were determined using standardised phenotypic methods.

Results: Both bacterial species exhibited resistance to several antibiotics. S. aureus strains showed high resistance (≥70%) to ampicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin and kanamycin. In contrast, low resistance (≤30%) was observed for linezolid, quinupristin-dalfopristin, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin. All E. coli strains were resistant to ampicillin, ertapenem and fosfomycin. Resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and aztreonam was 90% and 75%, respectively, whereas resistance to gentamicin was 17.5%. Strong biofilm-forming capacity was observed in 74% of S. aureus and 47.5% of E. coli strains. The β-haemolytic phenotype predominated in both species, occurring in 62% of S. aureus and 55% of E. coli strains. Furthermore, 37.5% of E. coli strains produced ESBLs.

Conclusion: Tchakpalo may harbour antimicrobial-resistant bacteria with phenotypic characteristics associated with persistence and virulence. These findings support the need to strengthen hygiene practices throughout production and to implement appropriate surveillance to improve consumer food safety.