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An Assessment of the Effectiveness ofWeather Information Dissemination among Farmers and Policy Makers
(Sustainability, 2022-03-27) Sansa-Otim, Julianne; Nsabagwa, Mary; Osuolale, Olayinka O.; et, al
The changing environment, climate, and the increasing manifestation of disasters, has generated an increased demand for accurate and timely weather information. This information is provided by the National meteorological authorities (NMAs) through different dissemination channels e.g., using radios, Televisions, emails among others. The use of ICTs to provide weather information is recently gaining popularity. A study was conducted in three countries, namely Nigeria, Uganda, and South Sudan to assess the efficiency of an ICT tool, known as “Weather Information Dissemination System”. The study involved 254 participants (Uganda: 71; South Sudan: 133; and Nigeria: 50). The collected primary data were first quality controlled and organized thematically for detailed analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to provide quantitative analysis as well as content scrutinized for qualitative analysis. The results showed that there is a need for timely weather information to plan farming activities such as planting and application of fertilizers and pesticides as well as to manage flood and drought by the water sector and disaster management. Results further showed that the majority of the respondents have access to the technology needed to access weather and climate information. The respondents who received weather information from NMAs noted that the forecast was good. However, they further noted that there is more room for improvement especially with making the forecasts location-specific, ensuring mobile access is adequate in all regions, provision of weather information by SMS (in countries where this service is currently unavailable) and improved timing of the weather information. Finally, uncertainty about the accuracy of weather information and the weather information not meeting specific needs are key barriers to people’s willingness to pay for it (Uganda: 33.3%; South Sudan: 46.1%; and Nigeria: 33.3%). Improved collaborations between the NMAs, ICT service providers, policymakers and farmers will facilitate an effective approach to weather information access and dissemination. Innovative sensitization approaches through the media houses will enable better understanding of weather products and utilization, and access to enabling ICTs would increase access to weather forecasts
Cartography of opportunistic pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in a tertiary hospital environment
(Nature Medicine, 2020-06) Rei Chng, Kern; Li, Chenhao; Osuolale, Olayinka O.; et, al
Although disinfection is key to infection control, the colonization patterns and resistomes of hospital-environment microbes remain underexplored. We report the first extensive genomic characterization of microbiomes, pathogens and antibiotic resistance cassettes in a tertiary-care hospital, from repeated sampling (up to 1.5 years apart) of 179 sites associated with 45 beds. Deep shotgun metagenomics unveiled distinct ecological niches of microbes and antibiotic resistance genes characterized by biofilm-forming and human-microbiome-influenced environments with corresponding patterns of spatiotemporal divergence. Quasi-metagenomics with nanopore sequencing provided thousands of high-contiguity genomes, phage and plasmid sequences (>60% novel), enabling characterization of resistome and mobilome diversity and dynamic architectures in hospital environments. Phylogenetics identified multidrug-resistant strains as being widely distributed and stably colonizing across sites. Comparisons with clinical isolates indicated that such microbes can persist in hospitals for extended periods (>8 years), to opportunistically infect patients. These findings highlight the importance of characterizing antibiotic resistance reservoirs in hospitals and establish the feasibility of systematic surveys to target resources for preventing infections.
Preparedness and Resilience of Education Systems to Address Multiple Threats: Pandemics, Hurricanes, Drought, Food Insecurity
(Commonwealth Secretariat, 2021) Gaspard-Richards, Denise; Banunle, Albert; Osuolale, Olayinka O.
Chapter 1 on the preparedness and resilience of education systems, identifies ways Commonwealth members have facilitated and supported the continuation of teaching and learning at the early childhood, primary and secondary education levels during the pandemic. Ultimately, the study aims to suggest ways education systems can meet multiple threats in the future, including from hurricanes, experiences of drought and other natural disasters. Key issues and policy messages arising out of Chapter 1 include the need for education systems to: • plan and be prepared to face emergencies of different types; • acknowledge and support students’ socioemotional and psychological well-being; • leverage communities by providing low-cost and low-tech solutions;• engage stakeholder business entities, community groups and external donors for collaboration and partnerships to ensure access to scarce resources; • ensure the sustainability of flexible teacher training opportunities; • introduce intensive monitoring strategies; and • intensify the response to inequality of opportunities in the education system.
DENGUE VIRUS INFECTION AND LEISHMANIASIS IN PATIENTS ATTENDING A MEDICAL HEALTH CENTER IN THE RURAL COMMUNITY OF ILARA-MOKIN, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA
(AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE, 2019-01) Osuolale, Olayinka O.; Daramola, Tolulope; Alajo, Olanike
Dengue and leishmaniasis are serious diseases that the World Health Organization (WHO) characterizes as lacking effective control measures. Transmitted by insect vectors and can result in epidemic outbreaks. Sustained control of the vectors are difficult for dengue and leishmaniasis because their high reproductive potential allows the vector populations to recover quickly after intervention wherever adequate breeding conditions exist. Because of their misdiagnosis or underdiagnosed, it is endemic in the tropical countries. Prevalence and epidemiology of these diseases is poorly understood and misdiagnosed in Nigeria, in most cases with malaria. Our study aims to investigate dengue virus and leishmaniasis co-infections in patients visiting a rural community medical center in Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for two months. SD Dengue Duo and Bio-rad IT Leish serological test kits was used for the samples analysis. This study examined 101 samples which were simultaneously tested for the target infections. In about 23.76% of the samples (24 samples) were positive for dengue infections. Gender wise, more males (79.17%) than females (20.83%) tested positive to the virus infection. 37.5% of the positive samples were primary infections, 91.6% were past or secondary infections and 33.3% of the samples show late primary infections and early secondary infections. Only 1 sample was positive for Leishmaniasis. The majority of the study population had no pre-knowledge of dengue infection and leishmaniasis as they are carriers of the diseases, providing new insights on both incidence and prevalence. It was discovered that those from villages especially the South-South of Nigeria tested positive the most as carriers of the diseases. Therefore, these areas need special attention for surveillance and treatment for preventive measures. In addition, this study recommends a concerted effort by all stakeholders to enlighten the people about dengue infection and leishmaniasis, and its prevention and eradication from such regions.
Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Myriad Other Applications
(The Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities : Journal of biomolecular techniques: JBT, 2021-09) Moore, Keith J. M.; Cahill, Jeremy; Osuolale, Olayinka O.; et, al
As the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic begins, it remains clear that a massive increase in the ability to test for SARS-CoV-2 infections in a myriad of settings is critical to controlling the pandemic and to preparing for future outbreaks. The current gold standard for molecular diagnostics is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), but the extraordinary and unmet demand for testing in a variety of environments means that both complementary and supplementary testing solutions are still needed. This review highlights the role that loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has had in filling this global testing need, providing a faster and easier means of testing, and what it can do for future applications, pathogens, and the preparation for future outbreaks. This review describes the current state of the art for research of LAMP-based SARS-CoV-2 testing, as well as its implications for other pathogens and testing. The authors represent the global LAMP (gLAMP) Consortium, an international research collective, which has regularly met to share their experiences on LAMP deployment and best practices; sections are devoted to all aspects of LAMP testing, including preanalytic sample processing, target amplification, and amplicon detection, then the hardware and software required for deployment are discussed, and finally, a summary of the current regulatory landscape is provided. Included as well are a series of first-person accounts of LAMP method development and deployment. The final discussion section provides the reader with a distillation of the most validated testing methods and their paths to implementation. This review also aims to provide practical information and insight for a range of audiences: for a research audience, to help accelerate research through sharing of best practices; for an implementation audience, to help get testing up and running quickly; and for a public health, clinical, and policy audience, to help convey the breadth of the effect that LAMP methods have to offer.
Human adenoviruses and hepatitis A viruses in the final effluent of five wastewater treatment plants in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
(Environmental Health Perspectives : International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE)Conference Abstracts, 2020-10) Osuolale, Olayinka O.
Background: Large reservoirs of human enteric virus and bacteria have been attributed to municipal effluent. Contemporary monitoring practises rely on indicator bacteria but do not test for viruses. Different viruses including Norwalk-like viruses, hepatitis A virus, adenovirus and rotavirus are important agents of illnesses in human.Methods: The viral detection was done using the real-time PCR and conventional PCR was used for serotying in final effluents of five wastewater treatment plants in the Eastern Cape, South Africa over a period of 12 months (Sept 2012 – Aug 2013). Results: Adenovirus was detected in all five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluent samples, while HAV was not detected in any of the effluent samples. At the WWPT-A, samples were collected from the final effluent tank and the discharge point. The viral concentration at the final effluent ranged between 1.05 × 101 - 1.10 × 104 genome copies/L and at the discharge point it ranged between 1.2 × 101 - 2.8 × 104 genome copies/L. At WWPT-B, the viral concentration ranged between 7.92 × 101 - 2.37 × 105 genome copies/L. The HAdV detected at WWPT-C ranged between 5.32 × 101 - 2.20 × 105 genome copies/L. WWPT-D recorded viral concentration ranged between 1.23 × 103 - 1.05 × 104 genome copies/L, while at the last WWTP (WWPT-E) viral concentration ranged between 1.08 × 101 - 5.16 × 104 genome copies/L. The characterizations of adenovirus reveal the presence of HAdV 2 (1.4%) and HAdV 41(7.1%) which is of species C and F respectively.Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate the prevalence of HAdV in final effluents of WWTPs in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and the frequency of detection of the virus demonstrates a potential contamination of the environment with adverse public health impact.
Isolation and antibiotic profile of Vibrio spp. in final effluents of two wastewater treatment plants in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
(bioRxiv, 2018-05) Osuolale, Olayinka O.; Okoh, Anthony
Background: Poorly or partially treated wastewater disposed of can contaminate water and even properly treated sewage can have its problems. The highlight of this danger is wastewater treatment plants serving as reservoir for proliferation of antibiotic resistant organisms. We have reported the state of two wastewater treatment in the Eastern Cape of South Africa which discharge poorly and partially treated effluents. Our aims to identify Vibrio spp. and their antibiotic profiles in treated final effluent discharge from wastewater treatment plant. Methods: Culture based approach using the TCBS agar for isolation Vibrio spp., presumptive isolates were purified and confirmed using PCR. The confirmed isolated were also genotyped to identify the species present. The antibiotic profiling of the confirmed isolates was using the CLSI recommended first line antibiotics for Vibrio. Results: Out of the 786 presumptive isolates, 374 were confirmed as Vibrio spp. None of the Vibrio spp. pathotypes were present in the confirmed isolates. Randomized isolates of 100 Vibrio spp. were selected, > 90 % of the isolates were susceptible to Ciprofloxacin, and > 50 – 80 % for Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline, Cefotaxime, and Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole respectively. Conclusions: We are able to isolate Vibrio spp. from treated effluents but none of their pathotypes were present. The antibiotic agents considered for primary testing which are ciprofloxacin was the most effective of the antibiotic drugs, followed by cefotaxime, tetracycline with less susceptibility. Contamination from discharged effluents from wastewater treatment can lead to spread of spread of disease in this environment. The WWTPs studied are sources of pollution to surface water with environmental and public health.
Near infrared femtosecond laserinduced bacterial inactivation
(Proceedings SPIE 10876, Optical Interactions with Tissue and Cells XXX, 108760K (1 March 2019), 2019-03) Maphanga, Charles; Manoto, Sello; Ombinda-Lemboumba, Saturnin; Osualale, Olayinka; Mthunzi-Kufa, Patience
The use of light to inactivate microbes as an alternative method to the traditional methods of controlling microorganisms continues to draw the attention of researchers. Traditional methods of sterilization and/or pasteurization using chemicals or thermal treatments have certain limitations such as the creation of resistant bacterial strains. The application of pulsed laser irradiation compromises the physiological function of cells, and the degree of destruction is both dose and strain dependent, ranging from reduced cell growth to a complete loss of cell metabolic activity and finally to physical disintegration. This study aimed at using a range of power densities to investigate inactivation of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis. A Titanium sapphire pulsed laser at 800 nm wavelength, repetition rate of 76 MHz, pulse duration of 120 fs, output power of 560 mW was used in this study. A fluence range was applied on bacterial cultures in a 16 mm diameter petri with a beam spot area of 2.5 cm2 (after expansion). The laser killing effectiveness was evaluated by comparing colony forming units (CFUs) with and without irradiation on 10-7 dilutions of bacterial cultures. Cytotoxicity was analysed using the lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The laser killing rate varied with bacteria species or strains and the level of fluence.
Annotating unknown species of urban microorganisms on a global scale unveils novel functional diversity and local environment association
(Elsevier: Environmental Research, 2021-09) Wu, Jun; Danko, David; Osuolale, Olayinka O.; et, al
In urban ecosystems, microbes play a key role in maintaining major ecological functions that directly support human health and city life. However, the knowledge about the species composition and functions involved in urban environments is still limited, which is largely due to the lack of reference genomes in metagenomic studies comprises more than half of unclassified reads. Here we uncovered 732 novel bacterial species from 4728 samples collected from various common surface with the matching materials in the mass transit system across 60 cities by the MetaSUB Consortium. The number of novel species is significantly and positively correlated with the city population, and more novel species can be identified in the skin-associated samples. The in-depth analysis of the new gene catalog showed that the functional terms have a significant geographical distinguishability. Moreover, we revealed that more biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) can be found in novel species. The cooccurrence relationship between BGCs and genera and the geographical specificity of BGCs can also provide us more information for the synthesis pathways of natural products. Expanded the known urban microbiome diversity and suggested additional mechanisms for taxonomic and functional characterization of the urban microbiome. Considering the great impact of urban microbiomes on human life, our study can also facilitate the microbial interaction analysis between human and urban environment.
Bioprospecting marine actinomycetes for antileishmanial drugs: current perspectives and future prospects
(Heliyon by cepress, 2021-07-30) Davies-Bolorunduro, O.F; Osuolale, O; Saibu, S.; Adeleye, I.A.; Aminah, N.S
Revived analysis interests in natural products in the hope of discovering new and novel antileishmanial drug leads have been driven partially by the increasing incidence of drug resistance. However, the search for novel chemotherapeutics to combat drug resistance had previously concentrated on the terrestrial environment. As a result, the marine environment was often overlooked. For example, actinomycetes are an immensely important group of bacteria for antibiotic production, producing two-thirds of the known antibiotics. However, these bacteria have been isolated primarily from terrestrial sources. Consequently, there have been revived efforts to discover new compounds from uncharted or uncommon environments like the marine ecosystem. Isolation, purification and structure elucidation of target compounds from complex metabolic extract are major challenges in natural products chemistry. As a result, marine-derived natural products from actinomycetes that have antileishmanial bioactivity potentials have been understudied. This review highlights metagenomic and bioassay approaches which could help streamline the drug discovery process thereby greatly reducing time and cost of dereplication to identify suitable antileishmanial drug candidates.
Biochemical and Physiochemical Assessment of Air Pollution Tolerance Index of Selected Plant Species at Ikpoba Okha Gas Flaring Site, Edo State, Nigeria
(Pollution, 2021-09) Akande, Anthony; Dada, Esther; Olusola, Johnson; Adeyemi, Moyosoluwa
The Air Pollution Tolerance index (APTI) of six plants located within Ikpoba Okha gas flaring site in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria during wet and dry seasons were assessed. Plant samples for this research work were randomly collected from the vicinity of the flaring site. Six (6) sample of each plant was used for laboratory analysis. The plant parameters assessed include relative water content (RWC), the ascorbic acid content (AAC), total leaf chlorophyll (TLC) and pH extract of the leaves and were used to compute the Air pollution tolerance indices (APTI). Based on the analyzed result, the RWC in Drypetes leonensis, Ficus exasperata Vahl, Chromolaena odorata (Linn) and Gmelina arborea Roxb. ex Smith species in dry season were higher than those in wet season. Icacina tricantha showed a relatively high level of acidity when compared to others. A. boonei De Wild has the highest ascorbic acid content in the leaves in both seasons. The highest level of chlorophyll contents was recorded in the dry season with Drypetes leonensis having the highest, followed by Icacina trichantha. There was no statistically significant difference in pH and total chlorophyll contents between samples collected in wet and dry season; however, there were significant difference observed in ascorbic acid and RWC in both seasons. APTI in wet and dry season showed a statistically significant difference. This study recommends planting of tolerant species that can acts as bioindicators especially in gas flaring stations in Nigeria
Draft Genome Sequence and Annotation of the Synthetic Textile Dye-Decolorizing Strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens AD20, Isolated from a Dye Waste Pond
(American Society for Microbiology, 2021-08) Nsa, Imade Y.; Odunsi, Ayodeji A.; Amund, Olukayode O.
A limited number of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens genome sequences have been generated and are available in the public domain from soil, fermented foods, and plants. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of B. amyloliquefaciens AD20, isolated from a dye pond with azo dye decolorization capabilities.
PHENOTYPIC VARIABILITY AMONG AFRICAN YAM BEAN LANDRACE ACCESSIONS FROM DIFFERENT AGRO-ECOLOGIES OF NIGERIA
(Nigerian Agricultural Journal, 2021-04) Agbowuro, G. O.; Salami, A. E; Aluko, M.; Olajide, O. O.
The aim of this research work was to estimate the genetic variability and magnitude of the genetic components of some phenotypic traits among twenty African yam bean landraces collected from three agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. The accessions constituted the treatment which was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Accession seven performed best across the three locations in terms of grain yield, while accession ten had the least performance in term of grain yield. Levels of accessions and locations were significantly different (P<0.05) from one another for the studied traits except hypocotyl length, while accession x location interaction differed significantly (though at different levels) in all the traits except hypocotyl length, number of leaves per plant and pod length. The results revealed that phenotypic coefficient of variation were higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for the traits studied. Broad sense heritability estimates were high in all the studied traits. Genetic advance as percentage values were moderate to high for all the traits. High heritability estimate values coupled with high genetic advance in the research work depicts that improvement can be made on the crop through simple selection. This study provides baseline information for improving African yam bean landrace.
The Use of Microbial Inoculants in Crop Production for Food Security Sustainability
(Advanced Journal of Graduate Research, 2021-07) Agbowuro, Gbenga Oluwayomi; Ayeyo, Morolake Elizabeth; Emecho, Tejiri Sophia
ncreasing human population, war, climate change, herdsmen-farmers clashes, banditry, terrorism, political unrest affected crop production negatively. These factors widen the gap between food production supply and its demand. In an attempt to fill this gap, agrochemicals were used to increase crop yield to meet the food demand of the ever-increasing population. Agrochemical’s introduction was accepted initially due to their quick and nonspecific actions. Decades later, these agrochemicals begin to pose threats to human and livestock health, causing land degradation, ecosystem imbalance, reduction in soil fertility and productivity. To avert the negative effects of agrochemicals on food and feed products, soil, water quality, and the environment. The use of a safe and eco-friendly alternative was developed. Microbial inoculants serve to be the best substitute for agrochemicals with substantial benefits in sustainable crop production and environmental sustainability. This review aims at updating available information on the benefits of using microbial inoculants in boosting crop production and the strategies to adopt for its effectiveness.
Screening of upland-rice landraces for resistance to rice blast disease (Magnaporthe oryzae)
(Journal of Pure and Applied Agriculture, 2021) Agbowuro, Gbenga Oluwayomi; Ayeyo, Morolake Elizabeth; Awoyemi, Sola Olawale; Aigbokhan, Omoyeme Felicia
Rice blast disease (Magnaporthe oryzae) is one of the major biotic factors limiting rice production. An experiment was conducted in four locations to screen and identify upland rice accessions that are resistant to Magnaporthe oryzae. 25 upland rice landraces were collected and screened against Magnaporthe oryzae by artificial inoculum under the field condition in four locations for two cropping seasons. The experiments were laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications across the locations. Data were collected on grain yield, the weight of 1000 seeds, numbers of tiller per plant, panicle weight, grains per panicle, and plant height. Disease scoring was done using the Standard Evaluation System of the International Rice Research Institute and analyzed with IRRI STAR software. The screening result revealed that none of the 25 prominent upland rice landrace accessions is highly resistant or resistant. Five accessions; Acc. 1, Acc. 2, Acc. 7, Acc. 10, and Acc. 22 were moderately resistant, 11 accessions were moderately susceptible while eight accessions were susceptible. None of the accessions screened is highly susceptible to the pathogen. All moderately resistant accessions that gave high grain yield could be used as a gene pool for Magnaporthe oryzae resistance breeding for cultivar improvement except accession 22 that recorded a low grain yield. The use of the identified moderately resistant accessions with high yield by farmers is encouraged pending the time commercial Magnaporthe oryzae resistant cultivars will be readily available and accessible in rainforest and derived guinea savanna agro-ecological zones of Nigeria
Genetic and heritability studies of grain yield and other agronomic traits in low-N maize
(Thai Journal of Agricultural Science, 2021) Agbowuro, G.O.; Salami, A.E.
A research was conducted at the Biological Garden of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Nigeria to investigate gene actions and heritability estimates for grain yield and other agronomic traits in low-N maize using North Carolina Mating Design III. Two maize inbred lines were crossed to get F1 and proceed to F2. Four randomly selected F2 segregants that serve as male were backcrossed with each of the two parents inbred lines (P1 and P2) that serve as female. The crosses generated were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications in the late cropping seasons in 2019 and early cropping season in 2020 under two environments (low and high nitrogen conditions). General combining ability of females was significant for all study traits at P < 0.05 while general combining ability of males was significant for all study traits at different probability levels. Specific combining ability was significant for the traits studied (P < 0.05) except leaf blight. The environment was also significant for all traits at P < 0.05 excepted ear rot that was significant at P < 0.01. There was a preponderance of dominance genetic variance for ear height, days to 50% silking, and grain yield while additive genetic variance prevailed over other traits. However, the average dominance ratio was lesser than unity in most of the traits studied. The narrow-sense heritability estimates for study traits ranged from 1.25–79.08%. The results revealed that the additive and dominant gene actions were both important for agronomic traits in low-N maize. Hence, the adoption of reciprocal recurrent selection becomes necessary in incorporating low-N traits into selected elite maize cultivars
Fungal α-amylase entrapped in agar-agar organic matrix “beads” enhances fabric starch-desizing potentials and α-amylase-detergent compatibility
(Research Square, 2021-08-05) Ademakinwa, Adedeji Nelson; Ayinla, Zainab Adenike; Agboola, Femi Kayode
Aureobasidium pullulans α-amylase (ApAmy) mixed with melted agar-agar solution and drop-wisely added to a mixture of organic solvent solution allowed for the entrapment of the α-amylase in the agaragar organic matrix as beads. The immobilized ApAmy’s characteristics and wash performance were elucidated in comparison with the soluble ApAmy. Agar-agar at 2.0 % (w/v) and toluene: chloroform at 3:1 resulted in the highest immobilization yield retaining about 98% residual activity after ten catalytic cycles. The optimum temperature and pH for the immobilized enzyme were 60ºC and 6.5 respectively. The immobilized ApAmy hydrolysed branched and linear substrates thus establishing its broad substrate specificity. Relatively, the immobilized ApAmy (iApAmy) was more tolerant to organic solvents than the free enzyme. The iApAmy was mildly inhibited by cobalt but metals such as zinc, manganese, calcium and sodium enhanced the free and immobilized ApAmy activity. The iApAmy had a higher washing efficiency (77%) in the presence of detergents than the free enzyme (68%) and control (36%). The iApAmy showed good potentials as a detergent additive and from its characteristics, it could be useful in other industrial applications.
Remarkable shift in structural and functional properties of an animal charcoalpolluted soil accentuated by inorganic nutrient amendment
(Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 2020) Salam, Lateef B.; Obayori, Oluwafemi Sunday
Background: Soils polluted with animal charcoal from skin and hide cottage industries harbour extremely toxic and carcinogenic hydrocarbon pollutants and thus require a bio-based eco-friendly strategy for their depuration. The effects of carbon-free mineral medium (CFMM) amendment on hydrocarbon degradation and microbial community structure and function in an animal charcoal-polluted soil was monitored for 6 weeks in field moist microcosms consisting of CFMM-treated soil (FN4) and an untreated control (FN1). Hydrocarbon degradation was monitored using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), and changes in microbial community structure were monitored using Kraken, while functional annotation of putative open reading frames (ORFs) was done using KEGG KofamKOALA and NCBI’s conserved domain database (CDD). Results: Gas chromatographic analysis of hydrocarbon fractions revealed the removal of 84.02% and 82.38% aliphatic and 70.09% and 70.14% aromatic fractions in FN4 and FN1 microcosms in 42 days. Shotgun metagenomic analysis of the two metagenomes revealed a remarkable shift in the microbial community structure. In the FN4 metagenome, 92.97% of the population belong to the phylum Firmicutes and its dominant representative genera Anoxybacillus (64.58%), Bacillus (21.47%) and Solibacillus (2.39%). In untreated FN1 metagenome, the phyla Proteobacteria (56.12%), Actinobacteria (23.79%) and Firmicutes (11.20%), and the genera Xanthobacter (9.73%), Rhizobium (7.49%) and Corynebacterium (7.35%), were preponderant. Functional annotation of putative ORFs from the two metagenomes revealed the detection of degradation genes for aromatic hydrocarbons, benzoate, xylene, chlorocyclohexane/chlorobenzene, toluene and several others in FN1 metagenome. In the FN4 metagenome, only seven hydrocarbon degradation genes were detected. Conclusion: This study revealed that though CFMM amendment slightly increases the rate of hydrocarbon degradation, it negatively impacts the structural and functional properties of the animal charcoal-polluted soil. It also revealed that intrinsic bioremediation of the polluted soil could be enhanced via addition of water and aeration
Biodegradation of Used Engine Oil by a Methylotrophic Bacterium, Methylobacterium Mesophilicum Isolated from Tropical Hydrocarbon-contaminated Soil
(Petroleum Science and Technology, 2014-12) Salam, Lateef B.; Obayori, Oluwafemi Sunday; Raji, S. A.
A Gram-negative facultatively methylotrophic bacterium putatively identified as Methylobacterium mesophilicum strain RD1 displayed extensive degradative ability on used engine oil (SAE 40W) in liquid cultures. The rate of degradation of used engine oil (1274.85 mg L−1) by the isolate, for the first 12 days and the last 9 days were 65 and 40 mg L−1 d−1, respectively. Gas chromatographic (GC) analyses of residual used engine oil revealed that 61.2% and 89.5% of the initial concentration of the used engine oil were degraded within 12 and 21 days. GC fingerprints of the used engine oil after 12 days of incubation showed total disappearance of C15, C23, C24, C25, and C26 hydrocarbon fractions as well as drastic reductions of C13, C14, C16, and PAHs fractions such as C19-Anthracene and C22-Pyrene. At the end of 21 days’ incubation, total disappearance of C17-pristane, C22-pyrene, one of the C19-anthracene, and significant reduction of C18-phytane (96.8%) fractions were observed. In addition, less than 10% of Day 0 values of medium fraction ranges C13, C14, and C16 were discernible after 21 days. This study has established the potential of Methylobacterium mesophilicum strain RD1 in degradation of aliphatic, aromatic, and branched alkane components of used engine oils.
Impact of spent engine oil contamination on the antibiotic resistome of a tropical agricultural soil
(Ecotoxicology, 2021-05) Salam, Lateef B.; Obayori, Oluwafemi Sunday; Ilori, Mathew Olusoji; Amund, Olukayode Oladipo
Profiling of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is becoming increasingly important due to emerging realities of their preponderance in hydrocarbon-inundated matrices. In this study, the antibiotic resistome of an agricultural soil (1S) and agricultural soil contaminated with spent engine oil (AB1) were evaluated via functional annotation of the open reading frames (ORFs) of their metagenomes using the comprehensive antibiotic database (CARD) and KEGG KofamKOALA. CARD analysis of AB1 metagenome revealed the detection of 24 AMR (antimicrobial resistance) gene families, 66 ARGs, and the preponderance (69.7%) of ARGs responsible for antibiotic efflux in AB1 metagenome. CARD analysis of 1S metagenome revealed four AMR gene families and five ARGs. Functional annotation of the two metagenomes using KofamKOALA showed 171 ARGs in AB1 and 29 ARGs in 1S, respectively. Majority of the detected ARGs in AB1 (121; 70.8%) and 1S (16; 55.2%) using KofamKOALA are responsible for antibiotic efflux while ARGs for other resistance mechanisms were also detected. All the five major antibiotic efflux pump systems were detected in AB1 metagenome, though majority of the ARGs for antibiotic efflux belong to the RND (resistance-nodulation-cell division) and MFS (major facilitator superfamily) efflux systems. Significant differences observed in the ARGs recovered from 1S and AB1 metagenomes were statistically validated (P < 0.05). SEO contamination is believed to be responsible for ARGs increase in AB1 metagenome via mechanisms of cross-resistance especially with efflux pumps. The detection of these ARGs is of great public health concern in this era of multidrug resistant isolates resurgence

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