Articles

Vibrio alginolyticus Occurrence in Various Fish and Shellfish Samples: A Comparative Analysis

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Vibrio alginolyticus is a marine bacterium that can cause severe foodborne illnesses. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of V. alginolyticus in various fish and shellfish species collected from Karwar Fishing Port, Baithkol, Uttara Kannada . A total of n=120 fish and shell fish samples belong to different families and tidal zones in ocean and estuarine environment were analyzed to isolate V. alginolyticus  using standard microbiological techniques.The results revealed a significant presence of V. alginolyticus in the seafood samples. Meretrix meretrix exhibited the highest contamination rate at 66.6%, followed by Mugil cephalus with 58.33%. Whereas, Lactarius lactarius showed the least contamination rate at 16.6%. Other species also showed varying levels of contamination. The contamination of the pathogens were common in the benthic organisms when compared to pelagic.  The findings underscore the potential health risks associated with consuming raw or undercooked seafood.To mitigate these risks, stringent food safety measures, including proper handling, storage, and cooking practices, are crucial. Further research is necessary to identify factors contributing to V. alginolyticus contamination in seafood and develop effective prevention strategies.

An Assessment of Water Quality and Identification of Problems: A Case Study of Maritimepattu Divisional Secretariat, Northern Province

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The Maritimepattu Divisional Secretariat (DS), located in Sri Lanka’s dry zone, is underlain by Miocene limestone, which is considered to have aquifer properties favourable for groundwater storage and discharge. Given that groundwater serves as the primary water resource for domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes, maintaining its quality is a significant concern. This paper aims to assess the water quality in the region, identify associated problems, and investigate potential causes and preventive measures. A purposive sampling method was employed to select six sample Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions. In addition, 100 questionnaires were administered, and 36 water samples were collected for the study. These water samples were tested based on eight major water quality parameters: Electrical Conductivity (EC), Salinity, pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Fluoride (F-), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Turbidity (Tn). Furthermore, secondary data were gathered from previous literature. Both primary and secondary data were analysed using Minitab and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The measurements were then compared to the desirable limits set by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI). This study revealed that the highest recorded values for EC, Salinity, pH, TDS, F-, N, P, and Tn were 2480 µS/cm, 1254 ppm, 8.6, 632 ppm, 1.1 ppm, 7,9 ppm, 3.8 ppm, and 36.7 NTU, respectively. These values exceed the standard limits set by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI). The pollution in the area can be attributed to various factors, including topographical conditions, improper agricultural practices, inadequate sanitation methods, dumping sites, war activities, and industrial waste. As a result, these issues have led to serious health problems, reduced crop yields, insufficient drinking water, and the degradation of groundwater resources. Therefore, this study recommends the adoption of green agriculture practices, the installation of water treatment plants, the promotion of rainwater harvesting systems, and the enforcement of land and irrigation-related laws. Moreover, hazardous waste material must be disposed of at designated sites to protect water resources.

Antibiotics Sensitivity Reaction of salmonella Species Isolated from Ready-to-Eat Porridge Beans Sold in Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas Bonny of Rivers State

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Salmonella specie is one of the four key global causes of diarrhoeal diseases. In this research we investigated the frequency occurrence of salmonella species isolated from ready-to-eat porridge beans sold from vendors in the proximity of federal polytechnic of oil and gas bonny island. A total of 40 samples were purchased from four different food vendors in four different spots [vendor 1(The first spot), vendor 11(second spot), vendor 111(third spot) and vendor 1V  (fourth spot)] between February and May 2024.All samples were processed and analysed using standard culturebased, biochemical methods and antibiotic susceptibility test assays to confirm salmonella isolates. The highest total occurrence of heterotrophic bacteria population densities were: vendor1 4.0.0×105CFU/g; vendor11 4.4×107CFU/g, vendor111 4.5×102CFU/g and vendor 1V 4.2×109CFU/g. The highest total occurrence of salmonella population density were, for vendor1 3.9×102, Vendor11 2.7×104 , Vendor111 4.1×105,Vendor1V 4.4×103 respectively. Antibiotics susceptibility test was performed for the isolates which exhibited that all of them were susceptible to Ciprofloxacin (CPR)-5 g, Nitrofurantoin (NIT)-30 g, Oflotaxin (OFL)-5 g, were susceptible to Salmonella species. While Gentamicin (GEN)-10 g, and Cefuroxime (CXM)-5 g, were intermediate and Finally, Augmentin (AUG)-30 g, Cefuroxime (CAZ)-30 g, and Cefuroxime (CRX)-30 g were resistant to Salmonella species. Therefore, it can be stated that ready-to-eat porridge beans sold in the proximity of FPOG environment are possible route of transmission for Salmonella species. However, due to lack of intense antibiotic resistance among these bacteria, most of them can be treated with the antibiotics available in the market. Nonetheless, strict monitoring and regular surveillance is necessary.

A Study of the Suitability of Microbial Cells for the Biosorption and Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metal Removal

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Heavy metal contamination in the natural environment can occur as long-term site pollution or as surges of pollutants from wastewater discharge. It is well recognized that heavy metal discharge from the metal processing industries has a negative impact on the environment. Conventional methods of heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions are not cost-effective and produce large amounts of harmful chemical sludge. A novel and alternative approach to removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions involve the biosorption of these contaminants by non-living, metabolically inert biomass that is either derived from microorganisms or plants. One of the key elements of environmental and bioresource technologies today is biosorption. Due to their high surface-to-volume ratio, wide availability, quick kinetics of adsorption and desorption, and low cost, microorganisms—more specifically, bacteria, algae, yeasts, and fungi—have attracted increasing attention as biosorbents for the removal of heavy metals. Analyzing the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions utilizing diverse biological components, such as fungi, algae, yeast, and bacterial biomass, is the goal of the current study. This article discusses the advantages of heavy metal removal from waste streams, gives a brief overview of the technology’s potential for biosorption and bioaccumulation, and emphasizes the undelaying features of biosorption as well as operational factors like pH, the dose required to be given, the initial concentration, temperature, the efficiency of the treatment, and its economic significance.