Journal of BioScience and Biotechnology

Assessment of mycological profile and heavy metal concentrations of Romi River, Kaduna - Nigeria

Nomsu Musa, Fatima Musa, Aishatu Aliyu — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Waste water discharged from petrochemical plants and petroleum refinery contains many pollutants including heavy metals. The objective of this study was to assess macro-morphological and microscopic characteristic of fungal isolates and levels of heavy metals from a petrochemical and petroleum refinery industry effluent and water from River Romi in Kaduna State Nigeria using standard methods. Isolation and identification of fungi was carried using standard method, the atomic absorption and spectroscopy method was used for the analysis of heavy metals. The results obtained from this study revealed that the fungal population isolated was predominantly native of the genera Aspergillus (30.69%). The mean and ± std. of the total heterotrophic fungal count of the river were found to be Upstream Mean (4.9x10^-4±3.8x10^-4CFU/mL) Downstream Mean: (4.9x10^-4±4.3x10^-4CFU/mL). The percentage occurrence of the fungal species in respect to their sampling sites shows that the upstream part of the river had lower count than the downstream part of the river. Majority of the heavy metals assessed also shows that their concentrations were above the recommended value set by World Health Organization as standard for their presence in environmental samples. There was a significant different (p < 0.05) between the 1^st and 6^th month, and also between the 3^rd and 6^th month respectively. From the values of the analysis of heavy metals, it can be deduced that Romi River is highly contaminated with the aforementioned metals, and as such, immediate respond on the high occurrence of these metals should be addressed.

Isolation and screening of phytase-producing fungi for phytase production by solid state fermentation using agro wastes

Folake Afolabi, Samuel Atunwa — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Phytases are phosphatase enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phytic acid and its salts. This study aimed to isolate and screen for phytase-producing fungi from cereals, fruits, palm kernel cake and soil samples by solid state fermentation. Isolation and identification was done using standard methods. The fungal isolates were screened for phytase production using phytase screening medium (PSM) agar. The isolates with the highest and consistent zone of hydrolysis were used. Eighty-seven (87) fungal isolates were obtained while eighteen showed consistent zone of hydrolysis. These were screened to five (5) isolates: Aspergillus niger PKruw7, Aspergillus awamori Pkruw5, Aspergillus flavus PBDJ7, Aspergillus niger MOJ5b and Penicillium chrysogenum OBDJ1.They were used for solid state fermentation using rice bran, soy bean and wheat bran for phytase production. The optimized conditions for phytase production were: 40ºC temperature, 5.5 pH, 1% w/w fructose and 0.5% w/w yeast extract by both Aspergillus niger PKruw7 and Aspergillus flavus PBDJ7, 40ºC, 4.5 pH, 1% w/w fructose and 0.5% w/w NH₄NO₃: Aspergillus awamori Pkruw5, 25ºC, 6.5 pH, 1% w/w fructose and 0.5% w/w NH₄NO₃: Aspergillus niger MOJ5b and 40ºC, 4.5 pH, 1% w/w sucrose and 0.5% w/w (NH₄)₂SO₄: Penicillium chrysogenum OBDJ1with incubation period of 120 hours optimal for all the isolates. Maximum phytase production from optimized culture conditions include; incubation period of 5 days, temperature of 40°C, pH of 4.5 to 6.5, fructose (1% w/w), yeast extract and ammonium nitrate (0.5% w/w). Phytase can be applied in animal feed to enhance digestibility and nutrient availability.

Effect of single and co-inoculation of rhizobia and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria isolates on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under greenhouse condition

Andargachew Abrham; Atsede Degefa, Zewdu Awlachew — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of single and co-inoculation of rhizobia and PGPR isolates on the symbiotic effectiveness of chickpea under greenhouse conditions. Three rhizobia isolates were chosen based on eco-physiological tolerance, antibiotic resistance, PGP, biocontrol properties and symbiotic effectiveness. The PGPR isolates were selected based on PGP, biocontrol properties, stress tolerance and antibiotic resistance abilities. In single inoculation, the three rhizobia isolates induced nodule numbers ranging from 37-46 /plant in Dembia soil and 35-42/plant in Adet soil. Co-inoculation treatments generally showed an average increase in nodule numbers by 21-125% compared to single inoculation treatments. The highest nodule dry weight, 301 and 237 mg/p was accumulated by plants inoculated with the consortium on Dembia and Adet soils, respectively. Regarding the shoot dry weight, in Dembia soil the highest shoot dry weight (4.323 g/p) was accumulated by plants inoculated with consortium, followed by 3.817 g/p and 3.536 g/p co-inoculated with GUCR-30 (Mesorhizobium sp. HKG230) + GUCRB21 (Enterobacter mori) and GUCR-19 (Mesorhizobium amorphae B19) + GUCRB76 (Serratia marcescens). Chickpea inoculated with consortium followed by GUCR-30 (Mesorhizobium sp. HKG230) + GUCRB21 (Enterobacter mori) in Dembia soil and GUCR-30 (Mesorhizobium sp. HKG230) + GUCRB76 (Serratia marcescens) in Adet soil displayed the highest shoot total nitrogen content. Co-inoculation of rhizobia and PGPR isolates led to a significant increase in nodule number, nodule dry weight, shoot dry weight and shoot total nitrogen compared to single inoculations and controls. A further field experiment is recommended for upgrading these isolates into chickpea inoculants.

The probiotics for the treatment of allergic rhinitis : A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Dipankar Sardar, Pallobe Banerjee, Ashraful Alam, Md Shahidul Islam — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The goal of this meta-analysis is to comprehensively assess the efficacy of probiotics in treating allergic rhinitis (AR). Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. Subsequently, they utilized RevMan 5.3 software to perform meta-analysis, aiming to observe the effects of probiotics on various parameters such as RQLQ scores, RTSS, blood eosinophil count, total and antigen specific IgE levels. The pooled risk was calculated using either the fixed- or random-effects model depending on the presence of significant heterogeneity. The meta-analysis encompassed 36 randomized controlled trials, involving a total of 7,400 patients. The results revealed that the RQLQ global scores (mean difference [MD] = -9.43; P < 0.00001), RQLQ nasal scores (MD = -1.52; P = 0.03), and RTSS nasal scores (MD = -1.96; P = 0.02) showed significant enhancements. However, there were no significant differences observed in blood eosinophil count (MD = -0.09; P = 0.82), RQLQ eye scores (MD = -1.45; P = 0.07), RTSS global scores (MD = -2.24; P = 0.26), RTSS eye scores (MD = -0.39; P = 0.31), total serum IgE levels (MD = -0.04; P = 0.7), or antigen-specific serum IgE levels (MD = -0.08; P = 0.81) between the probiotic and placebo groups. Patients with AR who received probiotics saw significant improvements in their quality of life and symptoms when compared to the placebo group. This suggests a new possible application strategy for probiotics in AR.

Studying the solid-liquid extraction of enzyme amylase: influence of type of solvent, temperature, contact time and their interrelationship

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Amylases are one of the most essential and widely used enzymes in a number of industries, including food, fermentation, paper, textile and pharmaceutical. The industrial production of enzyme amylase is carried out using two methods which are submerged fermentation and solid state fermentation. The important factors that affect the fermentation process are pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources, and metal ions. This study aims at investigating the solid-liquid extraction of amylase from Aspergillus niger, focusing on the influence of solvent type, temperature, contact time, and their interrelationship. The effects of different solvents, temperatures, and contact times on the extraction efficiency and activity of amylase were examined using solvents of different polarity (water, methanol, ethanol, glycerol and acetone), varying temperatures (15 °C, 30 °C and 45 °C) and varying contact times (15, 30 and 90 minutes). The results provided insights into optimizing the extraction process parameters for enhanced amylase yield and activity. Polar solvents like glycerol demonstrated the highest enzyme activity levels compared to less polar solvents. A temperature of 30 °C was identified as the optimum for amylase extraction. The results showed that the majority of the amylase was recovered within the first 90 minutes of the process, with diminishing returns for longer contact times. Thus, this research concluded that the interplay between solvent type, temperature, and extraction time is complex, and further optimization through a systematic experimental design would be necessary to identify the ideal combination of these factors for maximizing amylase extraction efficiency and yield.

Pseudocholinesterase levels and atherogenic indices as indicators of invasive and non-invasive bladder cancer

Hasan N. Smeasm, Raid J. M. Al-Timimi , Saif Hameed Mohammed — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background. Bladder cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer found in the bladder system and is the tenth most common carcinoma worldwide. Pseudocholinesterase (PChE) is one of the serum proteins. Serum PChE has been recognized as an indicator of outcome in several cancers; nevertheless, its correlation with oncological results in invasive (MIBC) and non-muscle-invasive (NMIBC) bladder cancers remains largely unexamined. In the present study, the ChE and lipid indices levels will be used as indicators of MIBC and NMIBC bladder cancers.

Methods: The present case-control research involved 160 patients (80 with NMIBC and 80 with MIBC) from the Central Hospital of Tumor, Najaf Governorate, Iraq. The serum PCHE level was determined by ELISA, while lipid profile parameters were measured by colourimetric assay techniques, respectively.

Results: PCHE levels are significantly lower in MIBC groups. While significantly increased in AIP ratio in MIBC groups. Furthermore, CRI-I, CRI-II and AC show no significant difference between groups. According to logistic regression analysis, the PCHE levels negatively predicted the presence of BC and protective agent BC disease (OR= 0.81, 95% CI: 0.74-0.88, p=0.003), whereas lipid indices included an atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), Castelli’s risk index I (CRI-I), Castelli’s risk index II(CRI-II), and atherogenic coefficient (AC) levels positively predicted the presence of BC and increased risk for developing of the disease.

Conclusion: The results have shown that AIP and PChE levels, together with their combination utilization, may assist clinicians in evaluating or confirming the existence of this prevalent malignancy.

Lichenized fungi (Ascomycota) from Dupkata Reserve (Rhodopi Mts, Bulgaria)

Dimitar Yordanov Stoykov — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Results from the study on lichens in the Dupkata protected area, Rhodopi Mts are presented. Fifty-one species of lichen-forming fungi were reported for the first time from the Reserve. Among them, Arthopyrenia analepta s.l. and Lecanora argentata were new records from the Rhodopi Mts. Data on some rarely recorded and less common species in Bulgaria were briefly discussed.

Callus induction and plant regeneration in five Bangladeshi rice landraces

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A successful callus induction and in vitro plant regeneration method has tremendous potential to regenerate rice landraces, which could be used for further genetic improvement. Research on rice landraces is scarce, and these landraces are becoming extinct in nature. Therefore, the study aimed to create an optimized plant regeneration protocol using plant growth regulators (PGRs) on N6 media for five Bangladeshi rice landraces: Hingairmanik, Moynashail, Haloi, Noyaraz, and Prabini. N6 media were enhanced with various concentrations and combinations of PGRs to find out the greatest PGR composition for callusing and regeneration. Hingairmanik, Moynashail, and Haloi showed maximum calli formation on N6 medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/l 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid), achieving 80%, 90%, and 76.67% callus induction, respectively. In contrast, the largest callus induction was found in Noyaraz (76.67%) and Prabini (66.67%) on N6 medium having 3.0 mg/l 2,4-D. For complete plant regeneration from embryogenic calli, N6 medium supplemented with three different combinations of NAA (1-naphthalene acetic acid) and BA (6-Benzylaminopurine) concentrations was employed. In the case of Moynashail, Prabini, and Haloi, the highest rates of regeneration were obtained on N6 medium amended with 1.5 mg/l NAA and 3.0 mg/l BA, resulting 70%, 55%, and 60% of regeneration, respectively. In addition, both Hingairmanik and Noyaraz showed maximum regeneration frequency (65%) at medium having 1.5 mg/l NAA and 3.5 mg/l BA. This study has the potential to contribute significantly to future genetic research on these Bangladeshi rice landraces.