Biodeterioration Potentials of Microorganisms Isolated from Pig Manure Obtained at Awka, Nigeria

Onuorah Samuel,Soludo Christian,Odibo Frederick

doi:10.13189/nrc.2017.050301

Abstract

The biodeterioration potentials of microorganisms isolated from pig manure was studied using standard methods. The heterotrophic microorganisms isolated from the manure were Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Shigella flexneri, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium resinae, Penicillium expansum, Trichoderma herbarum and Candida tropicalis while all the organisms except Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the hydrocarbon - utilizing isolates. The most active degraders were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus luteus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium resinae and the bacterial and fungal consortia that produced the highest turbidity and clarity indicating hydrocarbon utilization. The growth profile of Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium resinae as well as the fungal and bacterial consortia during 35 days of growth in mineral salts-oil medium showed that there was a decrease in the pH and an increase in the viable count of the medium. The highest percentage degradation of the crude oil was by the bacterial consortium (62.0%). This work showed that Pig manure which is generally regarded as a waste product harbours diverse bacteria and fungi which will be useful in remediating oil-polluted environments when applied singly and as a consortia.

Highlights

The widespread and massive use of petroleum hydrocarbons over the past two centuries has left a legacy of contaminated sites which require remediation due to the threat to human health and the environment [1]
The isolates were identified as Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium resinae, Penicillium expansum, Trichoderma herbarum and Candida tropicalis
This study showed that pig manure contains a teaming population of heterotrophic bacteria

Summary

Introduction

The widespread and massive use of petroleum hydrocarbons over the past two centuries has left a legacy of contaminated sites which require remediation due to the threat to human health and the environment [1]. Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination of the lithosphere has detrimental effects on both the terrestrial and aquatic environments, affecting commercial and subsistence farming and fishing. The contaminants exhibit toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties as they accumulate in food chains [4] and sometimes in aquatic organisms [5]. These adverse effects result in land degradation and water amendments, limiting land use and damaging the ecosystem [6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion