Isolation Of Microorganisms Research Articles

Emergence of Multidrug Resistant Microbial Species in the Bacterial Profile of Burn Wounds: A Cohort Study from Pak Italian Modern Burn Center, Multan

Objective: To document the prevalence of microflora causing burn wound infections in our setup, track any trends of change in the flora after a 7-day treatment period, and document any rise in the incidence of multidrug-resistant microbes. Methods: This cohort study was conducted at the Pak Italian Modern Burn Centre (PIBC), Multan, over a one-year period from January 2022 to December 2022. Surface wound swabs were collected from 150 patients admitted to the Burn unit on day 3, day 10, and day 17 after sustaining burns. Standard procedures for isolation and identification of microorganisms were followed, and the growth of microflora obtained was subjected to antibiotic sensitivity testing following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: Gram-negative isolates included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Citrobacter spp., Proteus vulgaris, and Providencia mirabilis. Gram-positive isolates included Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Pseudomonas aeruginosa caused 39.3% of wound infections within 72 hours of admission and 56.9% of wound infections by the first week post-burn. Proteus vulgaris (36%) was the most frequently isolated microorganism in the second week post-burn. All these isolates exhibited an alarming level of resistance to routinely used antibiotics, necessitating the use of older, less safe antibiotics like colistin for gram-negative infections. Conclusions: The rising incidence of antimicrobial resistance can be attributed to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial species found in burn patients. Overcrowding in burn treatment facilities further exacerbates the risk of cross-contamination.

Clinico-Bacteriological Evaluation of Surface and Core Tonsillar Tissue in Chronic Tonsillitis

Introduction: Chronic tonsillitis is the most common disease for Otolaryngologists. Effective treatment of tonsillitis depends on knowledge of the infecting organisms. Controversy regarding the treatment of tonsillitis based on throat culture report still persists. There is always a dilemma whether the antibiotics prescribed for tonsillitis are sufficient for the different organisms on the surface and core of the tonsils. If surface culture is a determinant of bacteriology of the core, then rational therapy could be aimed at organisms cultured by surface swabs.
 Aims: To study the correlation of bacteria isolated from the surface and core of the tonsil in chronic tonsillitis and antibiotic sensitivity of the bacterial isolates.
 Methods: This was a prospective study carried out on fifty patients, who underwent tonsillectomy for chronic tonsillitis. The swabs obtained from the surface of the tonsil before tonsillectomy and the core of the tonsil post tonsillectomy were sent for isolation of micro-organisms. Antibiotic sensitivity test was performed by Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion method on the bacterial isolates.
 Results: Bacterial growth was detected in 74% of the total sample, in cultures from the surface or the core tissue or both. 78% of surface samples versus 70% of tonsillar core samples revealed bacterial growth. No pathogens were isolated in 26% of samples. Staphylococcus Aureus and Group A β hemolytic streptococcus were the most commonly isolated organisms. Antibiotics sensitive against these pathogens include Amoxycillin-Clavulanic acid, Cefpodoxime, Amikacin, Levofloxacin, Doxycycline, and Nitrofurantoin.
 Conclusion: Our study shows that surface culture does not reliably predict core pathogens in cases of chronic infection. Staphylococcus Aureus and Group A β hemolytic streptococcus were the most commonly isolated organisms from the surface and core of the tonsil. So the antibiotics effective against these organisms should be chosen.

Isolation and characterization of some autochthonous microorganisms from dumpsite leachates in Ogun State, Nigeria

Municipal solid wastes are materials generated through man's daily needs and used for life sustainability that presumably regarded as unwanted to individuals. Soil microorganisms, fungi and bacteria are known to colonize the waste, the degradation and transformation of biodegradable materials in the waste contents. The physical and chemical assessment of the leachate samples parameters measured were the hydrogen ion concentration (pH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (EC) parameters, and metals such as K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, and PO43-. The Aliquots from each leachate-filled bottle were drawn with a sterile pipette and used for isolating the bacterial and fungal ecology aseptically. One-milliliter of leachate samples were poured into 9 ml of distilled water and mixed thoroughly. Serial dilutions were made at 10-1 to 10-5 for the bacteria. The same dilution levels for fungi, were cultured using the pour plate method on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) to determine heterotrophic fungi (HF) in the leachate. The physical and chemical parameters of the leachate are Temp (℃), 27.00; pH 8. 5; TDS (mg/L), 280; BOD (mg/L), 11; EC (μS/cm), 632; K+ (mg/L, 26; Ca2+ (mg/L), 170; Mg2+ (mg/L), 32; Na+ (mg/L), 12; Cl- (mg/L), 121; NO3–(mg/L), 27; SO42- (mg/L), 58; PO43- (mg/L), 132. And the autochthonous microbial contents from the soil and leachate from the dumpsite are similar; vis: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillin sp., Rhizopus sp., Saccharomyces sp., Fusarium sp., Bacillus sp., Micrococcus sp., Corynebacterium Sp. Pseudomonas sp. and Escherichia coli.

The effect of local anesthetics against planktonic forms and film formation of S. aureus strains and its dependence on antiseptics activity.

Today surgical site infections (SSIs) remain the second among hospital acquired infections in Europe and the USA. Staphylococcus aureus as a pathogen of nosocomial infections occur more frequently in surgical hospitals. The work was aimed to establish the effect of local anesthetics against planktonic forms and biofilm-formation of S. aureus clinical strains and the relationship between the sensitivity of S. aureus strains to local anesthetics and antiseptics in vitro. The antimicrobial activity of local anesthetics (0.5%, bupivacaine, 2.0% lidocaine, 0.375% ropivacaine) and antiseptics (decamethoxine 0.02%, chlorhexidine 0.05%) against clinical strains of S. aureus was observed and studied their ability to produce biofilms. The antimicrobial effect of local anesthetics was lower compared to antiseptics, but we observed inhibition of growth and reproduction of S. aureus in their presence. The ropivacaine solution and the lidocaine solution demonstrated almost the same activity against the studied microorganism isolates. Along with this, bupivacaine solution had the highest activity against the studied microorganisms. The minimal inhibitory concentration of bupivacaine for S. aureus was 2.2 times lower than the minimal inhibitory concentration of lidocaine and 2.1 times lower than the minimal inhibitory concentration of ropivacaine significantly (p < 0.05). Scientific research on various aspects of the formation of bacterial biofilms is a relevant area that will change approaches to the prophylaxis and treatment of a number of infections, including SSIs.

Whole genome analysis of Streptomyces sp. RerS4, a Rehmannia glutinosa rhizosphere microbe producing a new lipopeptide

Rehmannia glutinosa, a valuable medicinal plant, is threatened by ring rot, a condition that greatly affects its yield and quality. Interactions between plant and the rhizosphere soil microbiome in the context of pathogen invasion are generally more specific, with recruitment of specialized microbes potentially antagonistic to a certain pathogen. Isolation of microorganisms from rhizosphere soil of healthy and ring rot-infected R. glutinosa was carried out to screen antifungal microbes. A strain designated RerS4 isolated from ring rot-infected R. glutinosa rhizosphere soil with strong antifungal activities was selected for further study. RerS4 was taxonomically characterized as the genus Streptomyces according to its morphology and 16S rRNA sequences that were most closely related to Streptomyces racemochromogenes NRRL B-5430T (99.72%) and Streptomyces polychromogenes NBRC 13072T (99.72%). A new lipopeptide isolated from RerS4 showed restrained proliferation, but was devoid of significant antibacterial and antioxidant activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 20.3 ± 2.5 and 70.8 ± 3.7 μg/mL and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 23.3 ± 0.8 and 58.8 ± 2.9 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, we report the complete genome sequence of Streptomyces sp. RerS4, which consists of a 7,301,482 bp linear chromosome and a 242,139 bp plasmid. Genome analysis revealed that Streptomyces sp. RerS4 contained 25 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) for secondary metabolites, among which 68% had low similarities with known BGCs, leading us to believe that Streptomyces sp. RerS4 could produce valuable bioactive compounds.

Isolation of Bacteria from Spent Engine Oil Polluted Site in Bali and Its Environs Taraba State, Nigeria

Isolation and identification of microorganisms associated with engine oil contaminated soil was carried out. Five different mechanic workshops within Bali and its environs Taraba State were selected and soil samples were collected from each site. Twenty-five grams (25g) of contaminated soil was added to conical flask containing 250 mL of distilled water. The media was prepared by dissolving 3.5g of nutrient agar powder in 125ml of distilled water. The mixture was autoclave at 1210C for 15minute allow to and cool but not solidify. The sterile nutrient agar was aseptically pure plate, 25ml each of the five different petri dish and allowed to solidify. A wire loop was used to transfer amount of spent engine oil polluted soil (stock solution) and inoculated by striking the solidified upper surface layer of the agar plate. The plate was invertically incubated for 24hrs at 370C Singly colonies growing on nutrient agar plate was transferred using wire loop and sub-culture on to freshly prepared culture media (certified agar). The pure culture- plate was inoculated for 24hrs at 370C.The pure culture isolate was identified macroscopically, microscopically and biochemically using standard protocols .Result: The bacterial species isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Whereas Gazabu has the highest count of the species and Garba Chede has the least.

Isolation, identification, and community diversity of microorganisms during tank fermentation of Liupao tea.

Tank fermentation is a novel approach to fermenting teas; however, the species of microorganisms present remain unclear. The microbial community composition of Liupao tea at various stages of tank fermentation was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Sphingomonas, Aquabacterium, Pelomonas, Acinetobacter, Blastobotrys, Aspergillus, Debaryomyces, and Aureobasidium were the predominant genera, which is different from pile fermentation. Fifteen genera (including Lactobacillus, Debaryomyces, Candida, Allobaculum, Flavobacterium, Caulobacter, Blastobotrys, Aspergillus, and Rasamsonia) were identified as biomarkers. PICRUSt analysis predicted that the most abundant functional genes were related to metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, cofactors, vitamins, and other secondary metabolites. Using the pure culture method, 283 strains were isolated at various stages of fermentation, representing 20 genera and 29 species of bacteria, and 11 genera and 18 species of fungi. Most of the dominant Sphingomonas, Staphylococcus, Aspergillus, and Blastobotrys identified by sequencing were also isolated. Of these, Sphingomonas olei, Aspergillus luchuensis, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus amstelodami, Blastobotrys adeninivorans, Candida metapsilosis, and Candida blankii were beneficial strains that might be used to ferment Liupao tea. This study provides a basis for the development of processing technologies and utilization of microbial strains in the production of dark teas. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Microbial diversity in tank-fermented Liupao tea was reported for the first time. 8 microorganisms were the predominant genera. The species, functions and potential risks of microorganisms was revealed. We clarified the differences between tank and pile fermentation.

Cadmium Tolerance and Uptake Potential of Agricultural Sites Filamentous Fungi and A Brief Review of Its Application in Bioremediation Processes

Cadmium (Cd) is a metal widely known to cause toxic effects on the environment and human health. Soil represents a rich habitat for fungi, which have certain characteristics in their cell wall that made them a powerful tool for biosorption of toxic metals. Therefore, it was sought to identify potential filamentous fungi for different methods of remediation of contaminated areas. The identification of fungi from agricultural cultivation areas that can tolerate Cd and help in cadmium remediation processes occurred through the isolation and culture of several microorganisms submitted to screening experiments and tolerance evaluation. Four strains of the genera Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp., and Aspergillus sp. were isolated. Those strains showed abilities to tolerate the stress caused by Cd, presenting a tolerance index (Ti) of 13.79 − 107.30%. Analyses of FTIR demonstrated the existence of different functional groups in the cell wall that can be involved in the coordination of Cd2+ ions, as C = O stretches of carboxyl and amide-I. Results showed a Cd uptake range of 0.88 − 3.61 mg Cd g−1 of dry biomass. The results indicated that Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp. isolated from agricultural sites are highly tolerant to Cd and are promising fungi for implementation in remediation processes.

Synergistic Fermentation with Functional Microorganisms Improves Safety and Quality of Traditional Chinese Fermented Foods.

Traditional fermented foods are favored by people around the world for their positive health and taste advantages. Many of the fermented foods, including Chinese traditional fermented foods, are produced through mixed-culture fermentation. Apart from reducing the formation of harmful compounds such as ethyl carbamate (EC) and biogenic amines (BAs) during food fermentation, it is also difficult to precisely control and regulate the fermentation process based on the control of environmental conditions alone, due to the complex microbiota and an unclarified fermentation mechanism. In this review, key microorganisms involved in Chinese fermented foods such as baijiu, soy sauce, and vinegar production are elaborated, and relations between microbial composition and the aroma or quality of food are discussed. This review focuses on the interpretation of functions and roles of beneficial (functional) microorganisms that participate in food fermentation and the discussion of the possibilities of the synergistic use of functional microorganisms to improve the safety and quality of Chinese fermented foods. Conducting work toward the isolation of beneficial microorganisms is a challenge for modern food fermentation technology. Thus, methods for the isolation and mutagenesis of functional microbial strains for synergistic food fermentation are summarized. Finally, the limitations and future prospects of the use of functional microorganisms in traditional Chinese fermented foods are reviewed. This review provides an overview of the applications of synergistic fermentation with functional microorganisms in the improvement of the safety or sensory qualities of fermented foods.

Drought Tolerance of Legumes: Physiology and the Role of the Microbiome.

Water scarcity and global warming make drought-tolerant plant species more in-demand than ever. The most drastic damage exerted by drought occurs during the critical growth stages of seed development and reproduction. In the course of their evolution, plants form a variety of drought-tolerance mechanisms, including recruiting beneficial microorganisms. Legumes (one of the three largest groups of higher plants) have unique features and the potential to adapt to abiotic stress. The available literature discusses the genetic (breeding) and physiological aspects of drought tolerance in legumes, neglecting the role of the microbiome. Our review aims to fill this gap: starting with the physiological mechanisms of legume drought adaptation, we describe the symbiotic relationship of the plant host with the microbial community and its role in facing drought. We consider two types of studies related to microbiomes in low-water conditions: comparisons and microbiome engineering (modulation). The first type of research includes diversity shifts and the isolation of microorganisms from the various plant niches to which they belong. The second type focuses on manipulating the plant holobiont through microbiome engineering-a promising biotech strategy to improve the yield and stress-resistance of legumes.

Resistance to antimicrobials of the microflora extracted in acute postpartum endometritis in cows

In the article, the authors presented data on the species structure of the microflora isolated from cows with acute postpartum purulent-catarrhal endometritis. In acute postpartum endometritis, representatives of 8 genera of microorganisms were isolated in washings from the cervical canal. Identification of isolates to the species showed that Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were most often isolated from sick cows. These microorganisms were more common in associations: Escherichia coli + Streptococcus pyogene; Staphylococcus aureus + Streptococcus pyogenes. And Proteus vulgaris + Staphylococcus epidermidis. The disk diffusion method tested Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus for resistance to 9 pharmacological groups of antimicrobial agents. In total, 48 isolates of 15 antibacterial drugs were tested in the work. The studied isolates of microorganisms showed multiple drug resistance. The authors revealed resistance to drugs of three or more pharmacological groups. Microorganisms showed high resistance (80% or more of isolates that did not show growth zone retardation) to drugs: neomycin (aminoglycosides) and benzylpenicillin (penicillins) - Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli; vancomycin (glycopeptides), polymyxin (polymyxins) - Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli; ampicillin (penicillins), tetracycline (tetracyclines), cefazolin (cephalosporins), ciprofloxacin (fluoroquinolones) - only Staphylococcus aureus; lincomycin (lincosamides), tylosin (macrolides) - only Escherichia coli; streptomycin (aminoglycoside) - only Streptococcus pyogenes.

Rapid Detection of Microorganisms by Automated Blood Culture System: Experience of 3220 cases of Blood Culture

Background: Blood culture is important for diagnosis of various diseases and isolation of micro-organisms. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the rapid detection of microorganisms by automated blood culture system. Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology at Dhaka National Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh and IBN Sina D. Lab &amp; Consultation center, Doyagonj, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2020 to December 2020 for a period of one year. All the patients presented with suspected cases of blood stream infection were selected as study population. Blood samples were collected from suspected cases. Results: A total of 3220 blood samples were collected from patients. Among them, bacteria were isolated 372(11.55%) cases. The most common isolated organisms were Salmonella typhi 276(74.2%), Salmonella paratyphi A 52(14%), Escherichia coli 21(5.6%), Pseudomonas species 14(3.8%), and Staphylococcus aureus, 9(2.4%). Salmonella typhi is the most common organisms and showed sensitivity pattern to imipenem 97.82% colistin 88.41%, amikacin 76.81% and ciprofloxacin 49.28%. Conclusion: In conclusion Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi A and Escherichia coli are the most common isolated bacteria from the blood stream infection. Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases, June 2022;9(1):3-6

Systemic and functional effects of continuous azithromycin treatment in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and frequent exacerbations.

Continuous treatment with azithromycin may lead to fewer acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), but little is known of its impact on systemic and functional outcomes in real-life settings. This was a multicenter prospective observational study of patients with severe COPD who started treatment with azithromycin. Tests were compared at baseline and after 3 and 12 months of treatment. These included lung function tests, a 6-min walking test (6MWT), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of serum and sputum markers, such as interleukins (IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, IL-5), tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2), and inflammatory markers. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are reported. Of the 478 eligible patients, the 42 who started azithromycin experienced reductions in AECOPDs (IRR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.26-0.45) and hospitalizations (IRR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.28-0.49). Treatment was also associated with significant improvement in the partial arterial pressure of oxygen (9.2 mmHg, 95% CI 1.4-16.9) at 12 months. While TNFR2 was reduced significantly in both serum and sputum samples, IL-13 and IL-6 were only significantly reduced in serum samples. Moreover, an elevated serum and sputum IL-8 level significantly predicted good clinical response to treatment. Continuous azithromycin treatment in a cohort of patients with severe COPD and frequent exacerbations can significantly reduce the number and severity of exacerbations and improve gas exchange. Treatment changes the pattern of microorganism isolates and decreases the inflammatory response. Of note, IL-8 may have utility as a predictor of clinical response to azithromycin treatment.

Major Component for the Isolation and Identification of Microorganisms Found in Tomato Soil at Akwata Garriki

Major Component for the Isolation and Identification of Microorganisms Found in Tomato Soil at Akwata Garriki

Identification of a deep-branching thermophilic clade sheds light on early bacterial evolution

It has been proposed that early bacteria, or even the last universal common ancestor of all cells, were thermophilic. However, research on the origin and evolution of thermophily is hampered by the difficulties associated with the isolation of deep-branching thermophilic microorganisms in pure culture. Here, we isolate a deep-branching thermophilic bacterium from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent, using a two-step cultivation strategy (“Subtraction-Suboptimal”, StS) designed to isolate rare organisms. The bacterium, which we name Zhurongbacter thermophilus 3DAC, is a sulfur-reducing heterotroph that is phylogenetically related to Coprothermobacterota and other thermophilic bacterial groups, forming a clade that seems to represent a major, early-diverging bacterial lineage. The ancestor of this clade might be a thermophilic, strictly anaerobic, motile, hydrogen-dependent, and mixotrophic bacterium. Thus, our study provides insights into the early evolution of thermophilic bacteria.

SOIL SALINITY SHIFTS CULTIVABLE MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES OF WHEAT (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) RHIZOSPHERE IN THE YAQUI VALLEY, MEXICO

Saline soils are a common issue in commercial fields using intensive and irrigated agricultural practices under arid or semi-arid climates, such as the Yaqui Valley in Mexico, one of the most important wheat-producing regions worldwide. This study aimed to assess the cultivable microbial diversity (having plant growth-promoting attributes) associated with wheat rhizosphere in commercial fields, under a saline soil gradient in the Yaqui Valley. Thus, seven wheat commercial zones were studied according to their electrical conductivity (0.9 to 6.4 dS cm-1). The isolation of microorganisms was carried out by dependent culture techniques, sequencing of the 16S (bacteria) and 5.8S (fungi) rRNA genes , and plant growth-promoting attributes were evaluated: phosphate solubilization (Pikovskaya medium), siderophore production (Chrome Azurol S medium), indole production (Salkowsky reagent), and hemolytic activity (Petri dishes 5 % Sheep Blood). Wheat commercial zones with 1.6 dS m-1 showed the highest fungal (2.59 x 106 CFU g-1 dry soil) and bacterial (2.88 x 107 CFU g-1 dry soil) populations, being Rhizopus and Bacillus the most abundant and well-distributed microbial genera, respectively. The impact of saline soils on the microbial metabolic background was not species- or genus-specific; it was at a strain-specific level. In addition, 52 % of fungal and 83 % of bacterial strains showed the ability to produce γ-hemolysis, suggesting it is not harmful to humans and animals. This work provides a microbial culture collection where their members have shown several beneficial traits that potentially increase the yield and quality of wheat growing under saline soil conditions.

Frequency of isolation of nosocomial pneumonia pathogens from the respiratory tract of cardiac surgery hospital patients who are under extended artificial lung ventilation and efficiency of oral cavity sanitation with chlorhexidine solution

Objective. To assess the frequency and degree of bacterial contamination of the respiratory tract in patients of cardiac surgery hospital, who are on prolonged mechanical ventilation, and to evaluate the efficiency of sanitation of the oral cavity with a solution of chlorhexidine. Materials and methods. A comparative analysis of the oral and tracheobronchial tract microbiota in operated patients of cardiac surgery hospital undergoing prolonged (4872 hours) artificial lung ventilation (ALV) was carried out. Microbiological assessment of the effectiveness of the oral cavity sanation with 0.1 % aqueous chlorhexidine solution is given. Results. The oral and tracheobronchial microbiota of cardiac surgery patients undergoing prolonged ALV are represented by gram-positive (S. epidermidis) and gram-negative (K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii) microorganisms as well as Candida fungi. It was found out that the indices of the frequency and intensity of microbial isolation from the samples of the lower parts of the respiratory tract content were comparable with those of the oral cavity. The exception was S. epidermidis, the number of which in the lower airways compared to the upper ones was low. There was a statistically significant decrease in the intensity of microbial contamination of the oral cavity in patients on ALV after the sanation procedure with an aqueous chlorhexidine solution. Conclusions. Frequency and intensity indices of opportunistic microorganisms (K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. inaumannii, Candida fungi) isolation from the oral cavity and lower respiratory tract in patients of cardiac surgical hospital under prolonged ALV have no statistically significant differences. The exception is S. epidermidis, whose numbers in the lower airways are low compared to the upper ones. The microbiological effectiveness of 0.1 % aqueous chlorhexidine solution in the process of sanitation of the oral cavity in patients on prolonged ALV has been established.

Isolation of microorganisms and fungi present on mobile phone screens and wireless headphones in some areas of Dhi-Qar Governorate

Isolation of microorganisms and fungi present on mobile phone screens and wireless headphones in some areas of Dhi-Qar Governorate

Isolation and identification of microorganisms from bitumen, and soil around bitumen deposit site

Isolation of microorganisms from hydrocarbon and oil polluted environment has been reported over the years. This study focused on the isolation and identification of microorganisms from bitumen, and soil around bitumen deposit site. Microorganisms were isolated from soil sample collected around bitumen deposit and bitumen itself using pour plate method. The cultural and morphological characteristics of each bacteria isolates such as colony shape, elevation, pigmentation, colour, cell shape, gram reaction, motility, and endospore test were carried out. From the result, the following bacteria were identified; Acinetobacter sp (soil and bitumen), Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (soil), Bacillus subtilis (soil and bitumen), Staphylococcus aureus (soil). Mould isolation was carried out by cutting a small portion of mycelium, stained it with cotton blue in lactophenol and the examined carefully under light microscope with x40 0bjective. The result revealed the following mould isolates; Aspergillus niger and Arthrobotrys oligospora both isolated from the soil. The result showed the isolation of microorganisms from bitumen and soil around bitumen deposit, thus their potential usefulness in remediation of bitumen polluted environment if the exploitation of the resource commenced.

Isolation and Screening of Microorganisms from Waste Dumping Sites for Biosorption of Cadmium and Lead

Heavy metal poisoning of the environment poses a serious threat to ecosystems and human health. Landfills have been found to harbor diverse microbial communities capable of bioremediating such contaminants via biosorption. Unlike traditional methods of heavy metal remediation, which often involve costly and resource-intensive techniques, biosorption offers a promising alternative that harnesses the natural capabilities of microorganisms. The objective of this research was to identify and screen microorganisms from landfills for their ability to bio-sorb cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The present study deals with the isolation and screening of the microorganisms capable of removing heavy metals from the area near Dehradun Municipal Solid Waste Management Pvt. Ltd. Among the 17 bacterial isolates and 2 fungal isolates, only 7 bacteria and one fungal strain were able to absorb the heavy metal concentration. Among the 7 bacterial strains, the percentage of microbes with the ability to absorb Pb ranged from 35% to 70%, while the percentage of microbes with the ability to absorb Cd ranged from 20% to 50%. On the other hand, the fungal strain had an absorption capacity of about 80% for both Pb and Cd. This study emphasizes the potential of microorganisms isolated from landfills as attractive candidates for Cd and Pb biosorption. These isolates show significant tolerance and efficient biosorption capacities, making them good candidates for further exploration and prospective application in the bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated environments.