Aims: The current work determined the cytotoxicity of the symbiont bioluminescent bacteria isolated from fresh ink of the squid, Photololigo duvaucelii for human colon cancer cell lines HT-29 and HCT116 and normal human dermal fibroblasts. Methodology and results: The crude sterile culture supernatants of the bacterial isolates grown in marine broth containing 2.8% of NaCl were tested for their cytotoxic activities for HT-29 and HCT-116 human colon cancer cells and the normal human dermal fibroblasts HDFn using Presto Blue™ Resazurin Assay. Zeocin served as the positive control. The cytotoxicity index profiles of all culture supernatants and negative control (marine broth with 2.8% NaCl) for HDFn suggest non-toxicity to the cells, whereas most culture supernatants were observed to be cytotoxic to the two colon cancer cell lines. The culture supernatants of the isolates were found to be more cytotoxic for the HT-29 colon cancer cells than to the HCT-116 colon cancer cells. At the same time, the IC50 values showed that 85% (17/20) and 40% (8/20) of the culture supernatants tested were significantly lower, hence more potent than zeocin for HT-29 and HCT-116, respectively (p < 0.05). The rest were equally potent (p > 0.05). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of the bioluminescent isolates studied revealed that they have a 97-99% similarity identity with Photobacterium leiognathi. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: This may be the first report on the cytotoxic activities on cancer cells of P. leiognathi from the Philippine squid and suggests the potential use of the secondary metabolites of these bioluminescent bacteria as anti-cancer agents.

Aims: Sponges harbour diverse prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes. However, diversity of sponge-derived Actinomycetes is of high interest because of its bioactive compounds. In the present study, diversity of Streptomycetes associated with marine sponges collected from Pongibalu (south Andaman) was investigated. Methodology and results: Sponges samples were collected by underwater SCUBA diver and Kuster’s agar media was used for isolation of actinobacteria. Colony morphology and 16s rRNA were studied for identification of isolates and phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA.6. A total of ten Streptomyces species were identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing from three sponge species (Hemiasterella spp. Tentorium spp. and Tethyopsis spp.). The organic extracts of these ten isolates revealed bioactivity against tow Gram positive and eight Gram negative pathogenic bacteria. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: This study suggests prospects and potentials of the diverse population of Streptomyces with bioactivity in marine sponges. It would be a potential source in the pharmaceutical industries. As well as actinobacteria associated with sponge may prevent the sponge from pathogenic bacteria, fungi, virus and other microflora by secretion of secondary metabolites on surface and inside. To understand the sponge and actinobacteria association and its bioactivity, a profound study need to be conducted.

The liberation of halogenated compounds by both natural processes and man-made activities has led to extensive contamination of the biosphere. Bioremediation via the dehalogenation process offers a sustainable way to eliminate such hazardous contaminants. Whereas, a large number of natural soil microorganisms (i.e., bacteria and fungi) that have been isolated are capable of degrading and detoxifying such contaminants, information on the preferred types of halogenated compounds that they catalyze is lacking. In this review, we discuss those microorganisms that have the potential to perform bioremediation of such environmental contaminants. We also present a method for isolating novel dehalogenase-producing microorganisms from cow dung.

Aims: Purification of methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) from methylotrophic bacteria was conducted to obtain pure enzyme for further research and industrial applications due to the enzyme’s unique activity that catalyzes oxidation of methanol as an important carbon source in methylotrophic bacteria. Methodology and Results: The enzyme was screened from methylotrophic bacteria isolated from human mouth. Purification of this enzyme was conducted using ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by cation exchange chromatography. Two types of media were used to produce the enzymes: luria broth and standard mineral salts media (MSM). MSM produced MDH with higher specific activity than LB. Specific activity was also increased along with the purification steps. Application of ammonium sulphate increased the purity of enzyme and was more effective for the enzyme produced in LB. Using sepharose increased the enzyme activity 10 -57 folds. Conclusion, significant and impact of this study: With this, ammonium sulphate precipitation coupled with single cation exchange chromatographic system has been proved to provide sufficient purified of methanol dehydrogenase from methylotrophic bacteria origin of human mouth with high specific activity for further application.

Aim: Sexually transmissible diseases such as Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes or induces incurable often fatal infections have been transmitted through Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART). This study is to determine the seroprevalence of HBV among infertile women recruited for intrauterine insemination (I.U.I). Methodology and Results: A 5mL of blood was collected and serum aspirated. The detection of HBV was carried out using global one-step rapid test kit relative sensitivity of 99% and specific of 97%. Age range of infertile women was 20 – 49 years. Approximately 30 (5.9%) out of the 512 recruited women were seropositive for HBV with increase in prevalence rate among age group of (25 – 29 years) and (30 – 34 years). The rate of infection of HBV was found to be insignificant in this study using chi-square statistical analysis (p > 0.0001). Conclusion, Significance and Impact of Study: Though the rate of the virus infection were statistically insignificant but the screening should be a continuous exercise and be carried out by all fertility center.

Earlier studies have reported on the ability of Cryptococcus neoformans to synthesize melanin from tobacco extracts / nicotine incorporated in to the medium. However a study on the utilization of components in tobacco smoke by C. neoformans for melanin production was unreported. The present study reports on ability of C. neoformans for melanization using tobacco smoke and therefore substantiate the possible link between smoking and pathogenecity in clinical cryptococcal infections as reported by several researchers.

Aims: Daddawa is a traditional fermented condiment produced from legumes in Nigeria. Lima bean is an underutilized legume in Nigeria. Natural fermentation has been the conventional method of producing daddawa but the product has been found to be of low quality and consistency. The present study aimed at comparing the microbial and biochemical changes during natural and controlled fermentation of lima bean for production of daddawa. Methodology and results: Lima bean was fermented into Daddawa naturally. It was also fermented into daddawa using pure starter culture of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus as single starter. The microbial and biochemical changes during both fermentation conditions were evaluated. Lima bean fermented naturally (NF) recorded the highest total viable count at 48 h and 72 h of fermentation respectively. Alpha amylase and protease activities increased with fermentation, and reached their peak at 48 h in both naturally fermented lima bean and pure culture fermented lima bean samples. Lima bean fermented with B. subtilis (FBS) recorded the highest total free amino acids at 72 h (54.45 Glycine/g dry wt.). Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The use of lima bean for daddawa production enhanced its utilization. Controlled fermentation of lima bean by Bacillus species improved the biochemical properties such as α-amylase and protease activities and free amino acids content of fermenting lima beans into daddawa. Keywords: Daddawa; fermentation; lima bean; microbial; biochemical changes
Fermentation ; Bioreactors

Aims: Biofouling is a common biology phenomenon occuring on ship surface. This phenomenon has become serious threat in marine industries because of great economic loss. Tributyltin has been used to prevent biofouling, but it turned to cause the environmental problem. Therefore, the discovery of alternative environment-friendly compound is necessarily needed. Methodology and results: Five Actinobacteria isolates and fourteen marine bacteria isolates were tested against the biofilm formation of eight biofouling bacteria isolates that isolated from boat surface and the attachment of three biofouling diatoms (Amphora, Navicula, Nitzschia). Actinobacteria CW17 supernatant showed the broad spectrum activity against all fouling bacteria, whereas BC 11-5 supernatant was the only marine bacteria that capable to inhibit biofilm formation of V. neocaledonicus. Moreover, three representative diatoms attachment could be inhibited by the bioactive compounds produced by Actinobacteria and marine bacteria. CW01 supernatant showed broad spectrum and high activity against all three representative diatoms which is very promising. Molecular identification based on 16S rDNA gene sequence showed eight fouling bacteria isolates were biofilm-forming bacteria. Conclusions, significance and impact of study: This research showed aquatic Actinobacteria and coral-associated marine bacteria have the potential to prevent biofouling formation. Further studies are needed to purify and characterize these antibiofouling compounds for environmental application.
Biofouling ; Biofilms

Aims: Some of methanotrophic bacteria and nitrous oxide (N2O) reducing bacteria have been proven able to support the plant growth and increase productivity of paddy. However, the effect of application of the methanotrophics and N2O reducing bacteria as a biofertilizer to indigenous nitrogen-fixing bacteria and total bacterial community are still not well known yet. The aim of the study was to analyze the diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and total bacterial communty in lowland paddy soils. Methodology and results: Soil samples were taken from lowland paddy fields in Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia. There were two treatments applied to the paddy field i.e biofertilizer-treated field (biofertilizer with 50 kg/ha NPK) and control (250 kg/ha NPK fertilizer). There were nine different nifH bands which were successfully sequenced and most of them were identified as unculturable bacteria and three of them were closely related to Sphingomonas sp., Magnetospirillum sp. and Ideonella dechloratans respectively. In addition, there were 20 different 16S rDNA bands which were successfully sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence showed that there were 5 phyla of bacteria, i.e. Proteobacteria (Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria), Chlorofexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Clostridia, and Bacteroidetes respectively. Alphaproteobacteria was the most dominant group in lowland paddy field. Microbial diversities in the biofertilizer-treated field were lower than that of 100% fertilizer-treated field either based on nifH and 16S rDNA genes. Conclusion, significance and impact study: Biofertilizer treatment has lower microbial diversity than control, either based on nifH and 16S rDNA genes.