bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening of aquatic plants for potential phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated water
Authors: Wan Mohd Musdek Wan Noraina Atikah , Sabullah Mohd Khalizan , Juri Nor Mustaiqazah , Bakar Norliza Abu , Shaharuddin Noor Azmi
Published: April 2022

Bioremediation is a new green economic approach in providing solutions for cleaning up contaminated sites. Phytoremediation uses plants as a tool for remediation purposes. The usage of plant species offers higher potential solution to remediate heavy metal contaminated sites. This study aimed on screening potential plant species for phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated water. The potential of three aquatic macrophytes species (Eichorrnia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes and Ipomoea aquatica) for chromium and nickel phytoremediations was tested. The plants were exposed for 10 days under hydroponic conditions in heavy metal contaminated water. E. crassipes showed the highest chromium and nickel concentrations in its biomass, 1.60 and 2.40 Î¼g/L respectively. Meanwhile, P. stratiotes had chromium and nickel concentrations detected at 0.89 and 0.081 Î¼g/L, respectively; chromium and nickel concentrations of I. aquatica detected were, 0.49 and 0.08 Î¼g/L, respectively. The ability of these plants to accumulate heavy metals and survived throughout the experiment demonstrates the potential of these plants to remediate metal-enriched water. Among the three tested aquatic plants, E. crassipes was proven to be the most suitable plant species that can phytoremediate heavy metal contaminated water followed by P. stratiotes and I. aquatica.
River Pollution Relationship to the National Health Indicated by Under- Five Child Mortality Rate: A Case Study in Malaysia
Authors: Wahab Mohd Aqmin Abdul , Jamadon Nur Khaliesah , Mohmood Adzleen , Syahir Amir
Published: April 2022

The trend of global under-five child mortality rate showed a steady decrease at -3.14% per yearÂ approaching the United Nations millennium development goals target (-4.0% reduction per yearÂ from 1990-2015). This rate is usually inversely proportional to the nations GDP. However, theÂ progress in the recent years (2006-2012) in Malaysia has raised a disturbing concern with anÂ annual average increment of +0.81% per year. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify theÂ reasons of such risky ecosystem. By analyzing recorded data on river pollution from 2007-Â 2012, we found that river pollution has high correlation with the gross domestic products, not atÂ the same year, but for two years prior that indicates a lag time. We also found that under-fiveÂ child mortality has strong correlation with the river pollutions. The development-pollution healthÂ triangular cycle needs to be put in a balanced to ensure the nation prosperity andsustainability of the nation.
Mathematical modelling of molybdenum reduction to mo-blue by a cyanide-degrading bacterium
Authors: Yakasai Mohd Hafeez , Ibrahim Kabiru Karamba , Yasid Nur Adeela , Halmi Mohd Izuan Effendi , Rahman Mohd Fadhil Abd , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

Molybdenum, an emerging pollutant, has being demonstrated recently to be toxic to spermatogenesis in several animal model systems. Metal mines especially gold mine often use cyanide and hence isolation of metal-reducing and cyanide-degrading bacteria can be useful for the bioremediation of these pollutants. Preliminary screening shows that three cyanide-degrading bacteria were able to reduce molybdenum to molybdenum blue (Mo-blue) when grown on a molybdate low phosphate minimal salts media. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene of the best reducer indicates that it belongs to the Serratia genus. A variety of mathematical models such as logistic, Gompertz, Richards, Schnute, Baranyi-Roberts, von Bertalanffy, Buchanan three-phase and Huang were used to model molybdenum reduction, and the best model based on statistical analysis was modified Gompertz with lowest values for RMSE and AICc, highest adjusted R2 values, with Bias Factor and Accuracy Factor nearest to unity (1.0). The reduction constants obtained from the model will be used to carry out secondary modelling to study the effect of various parameters such as substrate, pH and temperature to molybdenum reduction.
Acrylamide toxicity and its biodegradation
Authors: Gafar Aa'ishah Abd , Khayat Mohd Ezuan , Rahim Mohd Badrin Hanizam Abdul , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

Acrylamide is a synthetic monomer that has been classified as toxic and carcinogenic apart from its diverse application in the industry. Its application is in the formation of polyacrylamide. Polyacrylamide usage is diverse and is found as herbicide formulation, as soil treatment agent and in water treatment plants. Deaths and sickness due to the accidental exposure to acrylamide has been reported while chronic toxicity is also a source of problem. This review highlight on the toxic effect of acrylamide to various organism like human, animal and plant. This review also discusses on the potential use of biological technologies to remediate acrylamide pollution in the environment and the degradation pathways these microorganisms utilize to assimilate acrylamide as a nitrogen, carbon or both as carbon and nitrogen sources.
Isolation and characterisation of a Mo-reducing bacterium from Malaysian soil
Authors: Chee Hui-Sin , Manogaran Motharasan , Suhaili Zarizal , Yakasai Mohd Hafeez , Rahman Mohd Fadhil Abd , Shamaan Nor Aripin , Yasid Nur Adeela , Othman Ahmad Razi
Published: April 2022

The issue of heavy metal contamination and toxic xenobiotics has become a rapid global concern. This has ensured that the bioremediation of these toxicants, which are being carried out using novel microbes. A bacterium with the ability to reduce molybdenum has been isolated from contaminated soils and identified as Serratia marcescens strain DR.Y10. The bacterium reduced molybdenum (sodium molybdate) to molybdenum blue (Mo-blue) optimally at pHs of between 6.0 and 6.5 and temperatures between 30Â°C and 37Â°C. Glucose was the best electron donor for supporting molybdate reduction followed by sucrose, adonitol, mannose, maltose, mannitol glycerol, salicin, myo-inositol, sorbitol and trehalose in descending order. Other requirements include a phosphate concentration of 5 mM and a molybdate concentration of between 10 and 30 mM. The absorption spectrum of the Mo-blue produced was similar to the previously isolated Mo-reducing bacterium and closely resembles a reduced phosphomolybdate. Molybdenum reduction was inhibited by Hg (ii), Ag (i), Cu (ii), and Cr (vi) at 78.9, 69.2, 59.5 and 40.1%, respectively. We also screen for the ability of the bacterium to use various organic xenobiotics such as phenol, acrylamide, nicotinamide, acetamide, iodoacetamide, propionamide, acetamide, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and diesel as electron donor sources for aiding reduction. The bacterium was also able to grow using amides such as acrylamide, propionamide and acetamide without molybdenum reduction. The unique ability of the bacterium to detoxify many toxicants is much in demand, making this bacterium a vital means of bioremediation.
Isolation and Characterization of a Molybdenum-reducing and Methylene Blue-decolorizing Serratia marcescens strain KIK-1 in Soils from Nigeria
Authors: Karamba Ibrahim Kabiru , Yakasai Hafeez
Published: April 2022

Bioremediation of toxic compound in polluted environment is currently considered as the most economical and ecofriendly approach, particularly at a lower concentration of the toxicant, where other physicochemical techniques are ineffective. In this work, molybdenum-reducing bacterium with the capacity to decolorize various azo and triphenyl methane dyes independent of molybdenum reduction was isolated from contaminated soil. The bacterium reduces molybdate to Mo-blue optimally at pH between 5.8 and 6.5, temperature, between 34 and 37 oC, molybdate concentration between 10 and 25 mM and phosphate concentration, 5.0 mM. Glucose was the best electron donor supporting molybdate reduction followed by sucrose, maltose, trehalose, d-mannose, glycerol, d-mannitol, d-sorbitol, myo-inositol, d-adonitol and salicin in descending order. The absorption spectrum of Mo-blue produced was similar to other previous Mo-reducing bacteria, and closely resembles a reduced phosphomolybdate. About 78.1, 63.4, 45.5 and 17.8% of the molybdenum reduction in this bacterium was inhibited by 2 ppm mercury (ii), silver (i), copper (ii) and chromium (vi), respectively. The biochemical analysis resulted in a tentative identification of the bacterium as Serratia marcescens strain KIK-1. The ability of this bacterium to detoxify molybdenum and decolorize azo dye makes this bacterium an important tool for bioremediation.
Isolation and Characterization of a Heavy Metal-reducing Pseudomonas sp. strain Dr.Y Kertih with the Ability to Assimilate Phenol and Diesel
Authors: Kesavan Veeraswamy , Mansur Abdulrasheed , Suhaili Zarizal , Salihan Mohd Syahmi Ramzi , Rahman Mohd Fadhil Abd , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

The indiscriminate released of heavy metals and xenobiotics into soils and aquatic bodies severely alter soil organisms and the ecosystem. The isolation of xenobiotics degrading microorganisms is cost-effective and naturally pleasant approach. Lately, the toxicological effect of molybdenum to the spermatogenesis of several organisms has been record. This present study is aimed at the isolation and characterization of a bacterium capable of converting molybdenum to the colloidal molybdenum blue. Bacteria characterization was performed in a microplate format using resting cells. Thus, the reduction process can be employed as a device for molybdenum bioremediation.  The results of the study revealed an optimum reduction at pH between 6.0 and 6.3 and temperatures of between 25 and 40 oC. Similarly, it was also observed that a phosphate concentration not greater than 5.0 mM and a sodium molybdate concentration at 20 mM was required for reduction. Glucose was observed as the best carbon source to support reduction. Following the scanning of molybdenum blue, it revealed an absorption spectrum indicating the characteristics of molybdenum blue as a reduced phosphomolybdate. Molybdenum reduction is inhibited by heavy metals like silver, lead, arsenic and mercury. Furthermore, the ability of the bacterium (Pseudomonas sp. strain Dr.Y Kertih) to utilize several organic xenobiotics such as phenol, acrylamide, nicotinamide, acetamide, iodoacetamide, propionamide, acetamide, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and diesel as electron donor sources for aiding reduction or as carbon sources for growth was also examined. Finding showed that none was capable of aiding molybdenum reduction, however the bacterium was capable of growing on both diesel and phenol as carbon sources. GC analysis was used to confirmed diesel degradation.
Temperature Coefficient and Q10 Value Estimation for the Growth of Molybdenum-reducing Serratia sp. strain HMY1
Authors: Yakasai H.M. , Yasid Nur Adeela , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

A relative 10 ËšC increase in the surrounding temperature, usually results in doubling the reaction rate, with corresponding Q10 value of 2, which is true for a number of biological reactions. Molybdenum reduction to molybdenum blue by bacteria is one of the methods to combat the toxicity of soluble molybdenum to the bacteria. The Q10 values for molybdenum bioreduction, which can be determined from the Arrhenius plots has not previously been reported. A logarithmic plot of growth rate or reduction rates for Serratia sp. strain HMY1 against 1000/temperature (Kelvin) and the slope of the Arrhenius curve was used to obtain the Q10 value in this study. The Q10 value of 2.038 and a theta value of 1.08 obtained in this work, are within the normal range for many biological values.
Soluble Molybdenum Reduction by Morganella sp. Locally-isolated from Agricultural Land in Kano
Authors: Mohammed S. , Gafasa M.A. , Kabara H.T. , Babandi A. , Shehu D. , Ya'u M. , Abubakar S.M. , Babagana K. , Mashi J.A. , Yakasai H.M.
Published: April 2022

Intensive agriculture and industrial activities have significantly increased the global burden of pollutants; thus, bioremediation of these pollutants is intensely sought. A bacterium with potential of reducing toxic soluble molybdenum to precipitable molybdenum blue (Mo-blue) was isolated from agricultural soil in Darmanawa, Kano state. The bacterium grown on low phosphate media (LPM) reduces molybadate to Mo-blue optimally at pH between 6.0 and 7.5, temperature of 35 Â°C, glucose was the best electron donor source at 5 g/L and ammonium sulphate was the best nitrogen source. The optimum molybdate concentration supporting the reduction process was 40 mM at 3.5 mM phosphate. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA partial sequence identified the bacterium as Morganella sp. The ability of this isolate to reduce toxic soluble molybdenum to colloidal less toxic form is novel and makes the bacterium an important instrument for bioremediation of this pollutant.
Allochthonous Diesel Biodegradation by Bacillus sp. MO1 Isolated from Diesel-contaminated Soil
Authors: Salihan Mohd Syahmi Ramzi , Habib Syahir , Dahalan Farrah Aini , Ali Hassan Nor Ayshah Alia , Syed Mohd Arif , Gani Shafinaz Abd. , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

Ten bacterial isolates were successfully isolated from pristine and contaminated areas in Malaysia. There was no lag phase observed signifying each of these isolates was able to quickly induce cellular machinery for diesel assimilation. The best isolate was tentatively identified as Bacillus sp. strain MO1 based on carbon utilisation profiles using Biolog GP plates and partial 16S rDNA matching. Strain MO1 grew optimally at 37 oC on 4% (v/v) diesel, pH 7.5 and 0.9% (w/v) KNO3. Diesel components were proven to be completely eliminated from the reduction in the hydrocarbon peaks monitored by gas chromatographic analysis after 6 days of incubation. The bacterium was found to be a better remediation agent than a commercial bioremediation product. All of these characteristics suggest that this bacterium is the suitable bacterium for bioremediation of diesel spills and pollution in the tropics.
Characterizing the Molybdenum-reducing Properties of Pseudomonas sp. locally isolated from Agricultural soil in Kano Metropolis Nigeria
Authors: Gafasa M.A. , Ibrahim S.S. , Babandi A. , Abdullahi N. , Shehu D. , Ya'u M. , Babagana K. , Mashi J.A. , Yakasai H.M.
Published: April 2022

Pollution of the environment by heavy metals and other toxic xenobiotics has increasingly become global public health concern. Bacterial reduction of molybdenum to insoluble molybdenum blue (Mo-blue) forms the basis for its bioremediation. A bacterium with the ability to reduce toxic soluble molybdenum has been isolated from Agricultural soil and identified as Pseudomonas sp. based on the 16S rRNA partial sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Spectroscopic analysis reveals that the bacterium reduced sodium molybdate to Mo-blue optimally at pH between 6.5 and 7.0, temperatures between 35 Â°C and 40 Â°C. Glucose was the best electron donor source supporting molybdate reduction, followed by sucrose, fructose, glycerol and starch in descending order. Other requirements include a phosphate concentration of 3.5 mM and a molybdate concentration of between 40 and 60 mM. The absorption spectrum of the Mo-blue produced was similar to the previously isolated Mo-reducing bacteria and closely resembles a reduced phosphomolybdate.
Bacillus sp. UPM-AAG1 for The Bioremediation of Ammonia in Aquaculture Wastewater
Authors: Ramli Nur Syafiqah , Gafar Aaâ€™isyah Abdul , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

The widespread activity of the aquaculture industry has led to environmental pollution resulting from the uncontrollable production of ammonia from aquaculture activities. The presence of ammonia in the environment is a major threat due to its toxicity that can bring harm to organism especially aquatic organisms. Bioremediation is an efficient technique for the remedy of ammonia pollution as it provides complete assimilation of the ammonia.  In this work, a bacterial isolate identified as Bacillus strain UPM-AAG1 shows the best performance out of the four isolates screened for remediating ammonia.  The characterization of Bacillus strain UPM-AAG1 was conducted to identify the optimum conditions for ammonia utilization by Bacillus strain UPM-AAG1. The optimum pH for ammonia remediation by Bacillus strain UPM-AAG1 was determined to be acidic at pH 6.0. While the optimum condition for ammonia concentration was determined to be at 10 mg/mL. For the optimum temperature for ammonia remediation by Bacillus strain UPM-AAG1 was determined to be at 30 oC.
Optimisation of Acetylcholinesterase Extraction from the Brain of Clarias batrachus using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Nazri M.A.F.S. , Basirun A.A. , Manogaran M. , Khalidi S.A.M. , Sabullah M.K. , Shukor M.Y.
Published: April 2022

Acetylcholinesterase is an important enzyme in biosensing works. It is utilized to detect insecticides and cheaper sources of the enzyme is constantly being sought. Optimisation of the acetylcholinesterase extraction from the brain of Clarias batrachus using Response Surface Methodology is reported for the first time in this study. AChE from the brain of this fish was extracted and partially purified using ammonium sulphate. The optimum range of ammonium sulphate cut was between 40 and 50%. RSM was conducted using Box-Behnken design and the optimisation value for the extraction was determined for each variable at the end of the study. The optimum concentrations of Triton X-100, PMSF, phosphate buffer and the pH for AChE extraction based on RSM were 0.75%, 1.00 mM, 0.075 M and 7.5, respectively.
Inhibition of Streptococcus pneumoniae hyaluronidase by honeys of Malaysian origins
Authors: Ahmad Yusof Hanani , Mohd Nayian Nurul Azahana
Published: April 2022

Streptococcus pneumoniae, a major human pathogen causing meningitis, pneumonia and bacteraemia produce hyaluronidase as its virulence factor. This enzyme increase bacterial permeability to the host tissue by degrading hyaluronic acids that maintain the viscosity of connective tissues. Limited hyaluronidase inhibitor are available at the moment, thus lead us to identify potential hyaluronidase inhibitor from local products which is honeys. Three local honeys (Tualang, Kelulut and Gelam) have been selected and undergo hyaluronidase inhibition test through hyaluronic acids turbidity reduction assay. Honeys that show highest and lowest anti-hyaluronidase were analysed for flavonoid and phenolic content, to identify association between the contents and hyaluronidase inhibition rate. All honeys showed various degrees of inhibition against hyaluronidase of S. pneumoniae where honey with the highest anti-hyaluronidase activity is Kelulut with 18% inhibition  while honey with the lowest anti-hyaluronidase activity is Gelam with 2% inhibition. Kelulut also demonstrated highest phenolic content, where significant association was found between the inhibition and the content. Therefore, this study supported the claim that higher phenolic contents indicate greater inhibitory activity on hyaluronidase enzyme. The findings suggest that local Malaysian honey have potential as hyaluronidase inhibitor which could be beneficial for future treatment against S. pneumoniae infections.
Kinetic Studies on the Biosorption of the Brominated Flame Retardant 4-Dibromodiphenyl ether (BDE-3) using Coconut Palm Leaf Powders
Authors: Yasid Nur Adeela , Halmi Mohd Izuan Effendi , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

Methods such as membrane isolation, ion replacements, precipitation, transformation and biosorption are proven approaches to contaminant control. Biosorption has all of these technological features including low operating costs, very efficient detoxifying of toxicities at low volumes, minimal amounts of removal components and nutrient requirement, as well as bacterial remediation, which are limited to the presence of heavy metals and other toxicants. The biosorption of BDE-3 on coconut leaves powder on the biosorption of BDE-3 from coconut leaves powder were analyzed using three modelsâ€”pseudo-1st, pseudo-2nd and Elovich, and fitted using non-linear regression. Statistical analysis based on root-mean-square error (RMSE), adjusted coefficient of determination (adjR2), bias factor (BF), accuracy factor (AF), corrected AICc (Akaike Information Criterion), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) and Hannanâ€“Quinn information criterion (HQC) showed that the Pseudo-2nd order model is the best model. Kinetic analysis using the Pseudo-2nd order model gave a value of equilibrium sorption capacity qe for 0.01 g per L adsorbent of 488.16 mg g-1 (95% confidence interval from 463.68 to 512.64) and a value of the Pseudo-2nd-order rate constant, k2 of 0.00019 (95% confidence interval from 0.00010 to 0.00027) while the equilibrium sorption capacity qe for 0.002 g per L adsorbent of 2403.61 mg g-1 (95% confidence interval from 2313.99 to 2493.22) and a value of the Pseudo-2nd-order rate constant, k2 of 0.000043 (95% confidence interval from 0.000027 to 0.000059). These calculated values will be very useful in designing effective sorption experiment and understanding the limitations of the system developed.
Solvent Extraction and its Effects on the Phytochemical Yield and Antioxidant Capacity of Commiphora africana (Burseraceae)
Authors: Uba Garba , Dauda Hambali , Aujara Kabiru Musa , Ali Umar
Published: April 2022

The use of medicinal plants as a core component of the traditional African health care system is perhaps the oldest and most diverse of all therapeutic approaches. Traditional herbal healers are, in many parts of rural Africa, the most readily accessible and affordable health resource available to the local population and, at times, the only surviving treatment. Finding a suitable solvent is important to obtain a high yield of antioxidants in the phytochemicals present in C. africana. Among the solvents, methanol displayed the highest capacity in extracting glycosides (223.12Â±1.20 mg LE/g dry weight) phenolics (89.09Â±0.24 (mg GAE/g dry weight) and flavonoids (80.88Â±0.24 mg QE/g dry weight) from C. africana stem bark extract. Closely related trend was observed in glycosides, phenolics and flavonoids extracted with n-hexane. These findings suggest a high number of polar glycosides and phenolics in the stem extract of C. africana. These findings validate the pharmacological activities of the plant in Africa.
Remodelling the Growth Inhibition Kinetics of Pseudomonas sp. Strain DrY Kertih on Acrylamide
Authors: Abubakar Aisami , Gusmanizar Neni , Rusnam M , Syed Mohd Arif , Shamaan Nor Aripin , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

The bacterium Pseudomonas sp. strain Dr Y Kertih is an efficient acrylamide-degrader isolated from hydrocarbon sludge and is able to tolerate high concentrations of acrylamide. Modelling was carried out using several other kinetic models such as Haldane, Andrews Noack, the Web and Yano, Luong, Teissier and Hans-Levenspiel. The statistical analysis and accuracy of the all seven kinetic models used indicated that Aiba was the best model with small values for RMSE and AICc, closest to unity for adjusted R2 values, and Bias Factor and Accuracy Factor nearest to unity. The Aibaâ€™s constants; maximal growth rate, half-saturation constant for maximal growth and inhibition constant represented by ï­max, Ks and Ki, were 0.221 per h (95% C.I., 0.140 to 0.301), 128.9 mg/L (95% C.I., 40.4 to 217.4) and 633.8 mg/L (95% C.I., 458.6 to 808.9), respectively. The true maximal reduction rate, which occurred when the slope of the curve is zero occurs at 229 mg/L acrylamide concentration and a corresponding value of 0.099 hr-1 (95% C.I., 0.063 to 0.135). The modelling of toxicant bacterial growth kinetics is an integral part of improving effective bioremediation strategies as the consistencies obtained can be used to plan and strategize bioremediation constraints. To date, based on the specific maximal growth rate on acrylamide for this bacterium, it indicates it is the most efficient acrylamide-degrading strain
Biodiesel Production using Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil by Trans-Esterification Method
Authors: Abubakar Hayatuddeen , Hammari Abubakar M. , Adamu Usman , Abubakar Aisami
Published: April 2022

Biodiesel produced from sunflower seed oil is environmentally friendly, sustainable and feasible as an alternative to conventional diesel fuel. Sunflower seed oil biodiesel was produced through trans-esterification reaction using 200 g sunflower seed oil (SSO), 40g methanol and 0.8g sodium hydroxide (NaOH) catalyst at 55 â„ƒ reaction temperature and 120-minute reaction time. The experiment was carried out three times and average results evaluated. High yield of the biodiesel (88.31%) was obtained. The fuel property of the biodiesel product was determined by the American standard for testing and materials (ASTM) fuel tests. Some of the properties includes density (0.79 g/cm3), kinematic viscosity (3.59 mm2/s), dynamic viscosity (6.58x10-3 kgm-1s-1), water content (0.04% mass), acid value (0.36 mg KOH/g), flash point (159 Â°C) and pour point was found to be -19 Â°C. The results found to be within the range of American standard for testing and materials (ASTM), the fuel tests show that the biodiesel product from Sunflower seed oil can serve as an alternative source for diesel production.
Mathematical Modeling of Molybdenum-Blue Production from Bacillus sp. strain Neni-
Authors: Rusnam . , Yakasai Hafeez Muhammad , Rahman Mohd Fadhil , Gusmanizar Neni , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

Heavy metals can be remediated using microorganism by altering the redox function i.e. reduction from more toxic oxidation state to non-toxic one. Molybdenum reduction to molybdenum blue by bacteria is an emerging tool for remediation of the metal. Mathematical modelling via nonlinear regression of the heavy metalâ€™s reduction can yield important reduction parameters such as theoretical maximum reduction, specific reduction rate, and the lag period of reduction. Nonlinear regression can be utilized using various models such as logistic, Richards, Gompertz, Baranyi-Roberts, Schnute, Buchanan 3-phase, Von Bertalanffy and Huang with the best model yielding an underlying mechanistic property for the reduction. We demonstrate that the Baranyi-Roberts model was the best model in modelling the Mo-blue production curve of the bacterium Bacillus sp. strain Neni-10 based on statistical tests such as root-mean-square error (RMSE), corrected AICc (Akaike Information Criterion), adjusted coefficient of determination (R2), accuracy factor (AF) and bias factor (BF). The model parameters or constants obtained were maximum lag time (Î»), Mo-blue production rate (Î¼m), and maximal Mo-blue production (Ymax). The construction of secondary models will benefit greatly from the use of bacterial growth models to acquire realistic Mo-blue production rates. According to a literature search, this technique is wholly unique for molybdenum reduction to Mo-blue in particular, and in the heavy metalsâ€™ detoxification process in general. The results of this study have demonstrated the usefulness of these models in simulating Mo-blue synthesis in bacteria.
Arrhenius Plot Analysis, Temperature Coefficient and Q10 Value Estimation for the Effect of Temperature on the Rate of Molybdenum Reduction by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain Dr.Y12
Authors: Abubakar Abdussamad , Ibrahim Salihu
Published: April 2022

Molybdenum is a micronutrient that is required as a co-factor for a variety of hydroxylation and redox transfer activities in both animal and plant physiological processes. The potential of over exposure to interfere with the sperm production and egg formation processes in a number of species, including fish, is the biggest danger of excessive exposure. Only recently has it been discovered that it can be utilised as a remediation method for molybdenum-reducing bacteria. The effect of temperature on molybdenum reduction is one of the variables to consider. It is possible to use many different models to estimate the growth rate of microbes on various media based on the temperature being utilised. The Arrhenius model is popular due to the fact that it contains a limited number of parameters. In general, temperature has an effect on the development and metabolic activity of microorganisms on their substrates. Because microorganisms are so tiny, they are very sensitive to changes in their environment's temperature. Growth on molybdenum by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain Dr.Y12 is described, with a discontinuous chevron-like graph of apparent activation energy with a breakpoint at 32.66 oC. Regression analysis results suggest that in the lower temperature range of 20-30 oC, growth on molybdenum had an activation energy of 66.48 kJ/mol, whereas at the higher temperature range of 37â€“45 oC, it had an activation energy of 99.5 kJ/mol. For the examined temperature range (20-30 oC) and (37-45 oC), Q10 values of 2.46 and 3.37 and theta values of 1.09 and 1.13 were obtained, respectively. This is study is very useful in predicting the breakdown of molybdenum and the movement of molybdenum during bioremediation.
The Development Of A Specific Inhibitive Enzyme Assay For The Heavy Metal, Lead
Authors: Ahmad Aqlima
Published: April 2022

The development of an inhibitive assay for lead using a molybdenum-reducing enzyme assay system is presented for the first time. The assay is based on the ability of lead to inhibit the molybdenum-reducing enzyme of a bacterium. The Â molybdenum-reducing enzyme was assayed using 12-molybdophosphoric acid at pH 5.0 as an electron acceptor substrate and NADH as the electron donor substrate. The enzyme in the crude extract converted the yellowish solution into a deep blue solution with a maximum peak at 865 nm and a shoulder at 710 nm. Lead exhibited a sigmoidal inhibition curve. The calculated IC50 using the four-parameter logistic model for lead was 2.186 mg l-1 and the regression coefficient was 0.998. The limit of detection (LOD) for lead was 0.021 mg l-1 while the limit of quantitation (LOQ) for leady was 0.237 mg l-1, respectively. The comparative LC50, EC50 and IC50 data for lead in different toxicity tests show that the IC50 value for lead was higher than Ulva pertussae, lower than the value for immobilised urease, Daphnia magna, and rainbow trout and within the range of the papain assay.
Mathematical modelling of the degradation kinetics of Bacillus cereus grown on phenol
Authors: Halmi M.I.E , Ku Ahamad K.E. , Shukor M.Y. , Wasoh M.H. , Abdul Rachman A.R. , Sabullah M.K. , Ahmad S.A. , Syed M.A.
Published: April 2022

The mathematical modelling of the effect of substrate concentration on growth rate of bacteria is crucial in the understanding of the many phenomena in xenobiotics biodegradation. The rate constants obtained from this modeling allow the mathematical prediction of growth parameters. We remodelled a previously published work on phenol degradation by Bacillus cereus MTCC9817 strain AKG1 using several more growth kinetic models such as Monod, Teissier, Andrews and Noack, Hinshelwood, Moser, Aiba, Webb (Edward), Yano and Koga, Han and Levenspiel and Luong and evaluated the accuracy of the fitted model using statistical analysis such as Root Mean Square (RMSE), adjusted Coefficient of Determination (R2), corrected Akaike InformationCriterion (AICc), Bias Factor, Accuracy Factor and F-test. The calculated values for the best model- Luongâ€™s such as maximal degradation rate, half saturation constant for maximal degradation, maximal concentration of substrate tolerated and curve parameter that defines the steepness of the growth rate decline from the maximum rate, symbolized by qmax, Ks, Sm, and n were 0.755 hr-1, 925.8 mg/L, 1859.3 mg/L and 0.329, respectively. The true value of qmaxdetermined as the value where the gradient for the slope is zero was 0.093 h-1 at 500 mg/L phenol. The results indicate that the exhaustive use of mathematical models on available published results could gleam new optimal models that can provide new knowledge on the way toxic substanceinhibit growth rate in microbes.
Modeling the growth curves of Acinetobacter sp. strain DRY12 grown on diesel
Authors: Halmi M.I.E. , Shukor M.S. , Johari W.L.W , Shukor Mohd Yunus Abd
Published: April 2022

Diesel is a toxic xenobiotic. However, some bacteria are capable of using diesel as a carbon source for energy and growth. At high diesel concentration, an inhibition to the growth curves is seen. The study of the growth inhibitory properties of diesel on bacterium has often been carried out through the modelling of the specific growth rates obtained from the linearization of thegrowth curves of bacterium. Since there exists a variety of models for obtaining a more accurate specific growth rates from bacterial growth curves such as logistic, Gompertz, Richards, Schnute, Baranyi-Roberts, Von Bertalanffy, Buchanan three-phase and more recently Huang models, theuse of these models over the simplification through linearization is needed. The modified Gompertz model gave the best fitting based on statistical test with the lowest values for RMSE and corrected Akaike Information Criteria, the highest value for adjusted R2 and the closest values to unity for both Accuracy and Bias factors. The modified Gompertz model is thus the best model to obtain specific growth rates from the growth curves of Acinetobacter sp. strain DRY12grown on diesel.
Comparison of the sensitivity and cross-reactivity between heat-killed and formalin-killed cells during the development of indirect competitive ELISA for the detection of Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Masdor Noor Azlina , Noor Aseha Y. , Noorzila K. , Shukor Mohd Yunus Abd , Mohammad R.I. , Zamri I.
Published: April 2022

Newer discovery of Salmonella strains warranted the development of newer ELISA system. Theaim of this works is to develop a sensitive and simple indirect ELISA for the detection ofSalmonella Typhimurium using formalin- and heat-killed cells as immunogens. The parameters ofthe resultant calibration curve for the formalin-killed cells (FKC) were minimum absorbance of0.101Â± 0.011, maximum absorbance of 2.804Â± 0.020, slope parameter of 1.197, while c, theconcentration that results in 50% response was 4.22 x 106 CFU/ml. The LOD and LOQ were19,300 and 52,700 CFU/mL, respectively. The parameters of the typical calibration curve forheat-killed cells (HKC) were minimum absorbance of 0.115Â± 0.013, maximum absorbance of2.810Â± 0.021, slope parameter was 1.441, while c, the concentration that results in 50% responsewas 2.15 x 106 CFU/ml. The LOD and LOQ were 47,100 and 123,000 CFU/mL, respectively.Antibody raised to FKC was twice the sensitivity and approximately ten times the linear rangecompared to antibody raised to HKC. Antibody produced from formalin-killed cells exhibitedlower cross reactivity than heat-killed cells. The results of this work could open new avenues onoptimization of antigen preparation for maximal sensitivity of the developed polyclonal antibody.
Study the Antitumor Activity of Copper (II) Complex of 4-Azomalononitrile Antipyrine on Mice Induced With Earlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells
Authors: El-fiky Bahgat A. , Aly Samar A. , El-Sayed Ibrahim H. , El-Abd Sabah F. , Abo-Ella Sara S.
Published: April 2022

Copper (II) complex of 4-azomalononitril antipyrine has been isolated and characterized basedÂ on IR spectra, 1H NMR, elemental analyses, molar conductance, electronic spectra and magneticÂ moment. A diminished amount of antioxidant enzyme coupled with superoxide production inappears to be general characteristic of the tumor cells. This character can be used in cancerÂ treatment. The present study attempted to investigate the effect of copper (II) complex of 4-Â azomalononitril antipyrine which has SOD like activity on tumor development using EhrlichÂ ascites carcinoma (EAC) implemented in Swiss albino female mice. The results showed thatÂ copper complex with ligand has anti cancer activity in all studied parameters with variable ratios.
Evaluation of Several Mathematical Models for Fitting the Growth and Kinetics of the Catechol-degrading Candida parapsilopsis: Part 1
Authors: MIE Halmi . , Shukor M.S. , Shukor Mohd Yunus Abd
Published: April 2022

Predictive microbiology is a field often associated with food microbiology as it allows prediction of food spoilage. One of the key features of bacterial growth on solid and complex food under low water and oxygen is a long lag time. This long lag time is often observed in bacteria growing on toxic xenobiotics. In this work we modelled the growth of the yeast strain of Candida parapsilopsis based on available published work in the literature using several growth modelssuch as modified logistic, modified Gompertz, modified Richards, modified Schnute, Baranyi- Roberts, Von Bertalanffy, Huang and the Buchanan three-phase linear model. Statistical analysis results indicated that the Buchanan model was the best with highest adjusted R2, lowest RMSE and AICc values and Bias and Accuracy Factor values closest to unity. The fitted value of maximal growth rate showed a decline when the concentration of catechol was higher than 114 mg/L indicating substrate inhibition. The other fitted parameters such as lag period and maximal growth asymptote showed a general increase and a general decrease for the former and latter parameters, respectively. The results from this work can be used in the further optimization works of this alga in the future.
Predictive Mathematical Modeling Biofilm Potential of Phytochemicals from Adantum philippensis Extract and Adhesion with P. aeruginosa Activities
Authors: Uba Garba , Yakubu Abdulhadi , Abdulsalam Zainab Jamilu , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

A predictive mathematical modeling of the biofilm potentials of phytochemicals from A. philippense extract and adhesion with P. aeruginosa was studied for the very first time. Eight different kinetic models Von Bertalanffy, Baranyi-Roberts, modified Schnute, modified Richards, modified Gompertz, Modified Logistics and latest Huang were used to get values for the kinetic constants. Von Bertalanffy of the entire model was found to be the best model with the highest adjusted R2 value with the lowest RMSE value.  The accuracy and bias factors values were close to one (1.0). The parameters obtained from von Bertalanffy  model  for P. aeruginosa and chloramphenicol were K 1.551 ( 95% C.I 1.385 to 1.718) and 1.617 (95% C.I 1.204 to 2.031), A -1.055( 95% C.I -1.492 to -0.61) and -1.142 (95% C.I -1.612 to -0.67), Um  1.041 (95% C.I 0.740 to 1.342) and 0.744 (95% C.I 0.399 to 1.089) respectively. This finding shows the influence of von Bertalanffy model in the roles of phytochemicals from Adantum philippense in the biofilm potentials and adhesion with P. aeruginosa against foodborne pathogens.
Distribution of Hydrocarbon Utilizing Bacterial Population Receiving Hydrocarbon Micro-seepage in Hydrocarbon Exploration Sites of Kukawa North-East Nigeria
Authors: Allamin Ibrahim Alkali , Ismail Gambo , Ismail Haruna Yahaya , Bukar Usman , Shettima Hussaini , Faruk Amina Umar
Published: April 2022

The search for hydrocarbon has been of great priority for alternative source of energy and economy to many countries. Different types of studies are being conducted to trace specific reservoirs of hydrocarbons. The used of geologic and seismic surveys which are environmental unfriendly and costly requires alternate such as that of microbial survey. The use of culture based method to isolate bacteria with ability to utilize hydrocarbon in survey areas was conducted. Soil sample were collected randomly from all the 13 sample sites from different depths for microbiological analysis. Mineral salt agar supplemented with diesel was used to isolate hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB). Nutrient agar was used to isolate total heterotrophic bacteria (THB). Soil samples were collected randomly from sample sites at various depths (10, 20 and 30 cm) the bacterial populations at 10 cm depth for HUB was 129Ã—105 to 269Ã—105 CFU/g at Kukawa (KW) and Baga (BG), THB was 122Ã—105 to 266Ã—105 CFU/g at Bundur (BD) and Baga (BG), HUB was 128Ã—105 to 282Ã—105 CFU/g at Kukawa (KW) and Baga (BG), THB was 110Ã—105 to 220Ã—105 CFU/g at Alagarno (AL) and Bawarti (BW) in 20 cm depth. The HUB count at 30 cm depth was 128Ã—105 to 285Ã—105 CFU/g at Kukawa (KW) and Baga (BG), THB counts was 72Ã—105 to 147Ã—105 CFU/g at Alagarno (AL) and Kauwa (KU). Bacillus, Enterobacter, Actinomycetes and Pseudomonas are the dominant bacterial genera in the sample sites. Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus azotofomans and Bacillus alvei are among the dominant species of Bacillus in the sample sites. The isolation of these bacterial species in high population projects directly a guaranteed discovery of hydrocarbon reservoir and could be a relatively inexpensive and environment friendly method for hydrocarbon prospecting.
A Review on Abattoir Wastewater Treatment for Environmental Health Improvement
Authors: Adamu MT , Dahiru M
Published: April 2022

Impact of indiscriminate discharge of abattoir wastewater has been a major cause of concern globally due to its negative effect on public and environmental health. Lack of wastewater treatment plants and guidelines for proper disposal in many developing countries generates other numerous ecological problems to the affected countries. Its role as a nutrient-provider for pathogenic microorganisms was highlighted by many researchers. Treatment of abattoir wastewater remains the main reliable and efficient means of reducing environmental pollution it may consequently cause. Environmental pollutants released through wastewater by abattoirs may be complicated due changes brought about by additional substance used during animal processing. Several methods adopted by abattoirs were reported to be effective. However, the need for improvement in line with environmentally friendly guidelines is recommended
Characterization of Acetylcholinesterase from Various Sources: A Mini Re
Authors: Abubakar M. Umar , Abubakar Dahiru
Published: April 2022

In this review, various aspects of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are reviewed. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC3.1.1.7) is an important neurotransmitter because it hydrolyses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), it is also the target site of organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides. The discovery of the first neurotransmitter ACh was soon followed by the discovery of its hydrolysing enzyme, AChE. The role of AChE in terminating AChE-mediated neurotransmission made it the focus of intense research for much of the past century. The role of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is not known but it is assumed to participate in the growth and development and to scavenge the cholinergic toxins, it is also reported to have an auxiliary role in synaptic transmission. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) are the major groups of cholinesterase differentiated by their substrate preferences. Substrate binding specificity and catalytic efficiency are tangled in enzyme catalysis. The fact that an enzyme may exist in more than one molecular form has been accepted for a number of years.
Antibacterial activities of Agave angustifolia and Pittosporum ferrugineum
Authors: Farhan Ainil M.U. , Lee P.C. , How S.E. , Jualang A.G.
Published: April 2022

Methanolic extracts and liquid â€“ liquid partition extracts of Agave angustifolia and Pittosporum ferrugineum were tested against Escherichia coli(E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), Enterobacteraerogenes (E. aerogenes), Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) for their antibacterial activity. Ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of Agave angustifolia exhibited strongest activities against S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, B. cereus, P. aeruginosa and S. typhi, while aqueous extract (AQE) of Pittosporum ferrugineum exhibited strongest antibacterial activities against S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, B. cereus, and P. aeruginosa.
Amplification of new isolated luciferase gene from marine Photobacterium strain MIE by using specific PCR
Authors: Abdul Rachman A R , Halmi M.I.E. , Shukor M.Y.
Published: April 2022

The aim of this study is to isolate a new luciferase gene from Photobacterium strain MIE by using specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to identify whether this new Photobacterium sp. same strain as P.kishitanii or P.phosphoreum. The Photobacterium strain MIE was successfully isolated, characterized and identified in 2012. After analyzing by using blastn of 16S rRNA, this strain was closely related with several Photobacterium kishitanii and Photobacterium phosphoreum strain. Primers were designed based on the nucleotide multiple sequence alignment of luciferase gene from several Photobacterium from both species deposited in Genebank. Luciferase genes from P.kishitanii and P.phosphoreum have the expected size of ~1.8 kbp and ~2.1 kbp, respectively. Result shown that, both size were amplified by using specific primers
Toxicity Assessment of Bioluminescent Rapid Bioassays (Vibrio fischeri) on Selected DBPs
Authors: Halmi Mohd Izuan Effendi , Phang R.K.I. , Johari W.L.W. , Shukor M.Y.
Published: April 2022

For the past 30 years more than 600 different disinfection by-products (DBPs) have been reported with many unknown ones yet to be discovered. Bioluminescence rapid toxicity tests are suitable toxicity screening for DBPs that caused adverse health effects. Previously, IC50 study on specific DBPs have not been conducted. This study aims to characteristically identify the sensitivity of bioluminescent rapid bioassays on selected DBPs (chloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, bromoacetic acid and iodoacetic acid) by measuring IC50 of Vibrio fischeri on these compounds. IC50 are determined through luminescence that was measured using a Beckman Counter DTX 800 multimode detector.  The 30-minute IC50 of selected DBPs are as followed: CAA (865.4 mg/L), TCAA (1119 mg/L), BAA (59.67 mg/L) and IAA (15.6 mg/L). It was found that Bioluminescent Rapid Bioassays based on Vibrio fischeri showed promising sensitivity on the selected DBPs and are suitable as a screening tools for DBPs.
Remodelling of the calibration curve for the potentiometric sensing of lamotrigine based on molecularly imprinted polymers using the four-parameter logistic model
Authors: Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

A standard or a calibration curve allows the determination of an analyte concentration from an experiment. The calibration curve is constructed using a known concentration of analyte. The unidentified concentration of an analyte will then be determined utilizing this standard curve. Similar to immunoassay, ligand-binding interaction in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) also mimics immunoassay in that the calibration curve is sigmoidal in many cases. In a previous study an ion selective electrode based on molecularly imprinted polymers calibration curve for the detection of lamotrigine (LTG) showed a sigmoidal calibration curve but was not modelled according to a sigmoidal dose response model. Using the four-parameter logistic (4PL) equation, the calibration curve was remodelled according to this equation resulting in the calculated values of 19.87, -87.43, -4.614 and 0.6354 for the parameters a and d (maximum and minimum responses), Log EC50 (value that produces a 50% signal response) and Hillslope (slope-like parameter or Hill coefficient). The use of the 4PL model gave a correlation coefficient value of 0.9985 indicating the model excellently fit the experimental data