Physico-chemical properties of municipal refuse in Lagos metropolis and cellulolytic activities of resident microorganisms associated with organic matter degradation
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Date
2010
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ivyspring International Publisher
Abstract
This study investigated the activities of micro organisms involved in the degradation of organic matter
in solid wastes and their potential to produce cellulolytic enzymes. Soil samples of decomposing waste piles
were collected from four designated landfill sites in Lagos metropolis and analyzed for physicochemical
properties, toxic heavy metal content and microbial populations. Findings revealed that the moisture content of
the soils ranged from 7.6 - 10.0% in all the locations sampled. Ojota-Olusosun site had the highest organic
matter content of 10.65%. The highest viable bacterial counts were 28.2 ± 3.0 x 106
cfu/g while fungi were
47.0 ± 4.0 x 104
cfu/g respectively. A similar pattern was observed for phosphate and chloride levels while
some heavy metals were also detected in varying and high amounts. There was a significant positive
correlation at 5% level between fungal viable counts and phosphate ion while a significant negative correlation
was observed for total hydrocarbon. The bacteria associated with the soil samples were identified as
Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp, Klebisella spp, Micrococcus spp. and Acinetobacter spp while the resident
fungal species were mostly the Aspergillus spp and an isolate identified as Mucor spp. The moulds were found
to be capable of utilising lignin and cellulosic substrates for growth and for production of cellulolytic enzymes.
Results from this study suggest that such micro organisms could be useful in bioconversion of cellulosic
substrates and solid wastes to cellulolytic enzymes for industrial processes.
Description
Keywords
Solid wastes, Landfills, Heavy metals, Bacteria, Cellulolytic, enzymes, Fungi
Citation
Ogunyemi, A., Amund, O., Okpuzor, J., Adeiga, A., Nneoma, I., & Omwunmi, A. (2010). Physico-chemical properties of municipal refuse in Lagos metropolis and cellulolytic activities of resident microorganisms associated with organic matter degradation. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 4(1).