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Utilization of Humic Substances by Bacteria Isolated From Humic Freshwater Sediment Ecosystem

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  • Egbomuche, R. C. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Science, Obong University, ObongNtak, EtimEkpo LGA, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria

    chillipeepee@yahoo.com

  • Ekwenye, U. N. Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
  • Udofia, G. E. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Uyo, Uyo – Nigeria
  • Ikeh, C. E. Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
  • Angus Onwudiwe Ikeh Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the utilization of humic substances by bacteria isolated from the sediment of humic freshwater, Eniong River ecosystem, a tributary of middle course of Cross River in Southern Nigeria was conducted using different microbiological and analytical techniques. Benthic sediments were collected from three sample stations known as upstream, midstream and downstream using an Eck sediment grab. The humic sediment of Eniong River contains diverse bacteria assemblages. The results showed that the heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 5.92 log10cfu/g downstream to 5.98 log10cfu/g upstream with mean count of 5.95±0.41 log10cfu/g while nitrogen-fixing bacteria ranged from 5.23 log10cfu/g midstream to 5.52 log10cfu/g downstream with a mean count of 5.36±0.67 log10cfu/g. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria counts on the other hand ranged from 4.30 log10cfu/g downstream to 4.54 log10cfu/g upstream with a mean count of 4.41±0.62 log10cfu/g. The characterization analysis studies of the isolates from the humic freshwater sediment ecosystem revealed 30 genera and 37 species of bacteria and 2 genera and 2 species of Actinomycetes. Growth profiles of the humic substance-utilizing bacteria on humic substance supplemented mineral salts medium revealed remarkable variations in species capabilities to utilize humic substances. The actual capability to utilize HS as a sole source of carbon and energy was indicated by increase in cell density overtime. Pseudomonas (log107.93cfu/g and log107.83cfu/g) exhibited the highest increase in cell density in HS of concentration 0.05%. However, the least cell density was observed by Bacillus subtilis (log102.48cfu/g) in HS of concentration 0.25%. The pH and the optical density of culture of isolates exposed to different concentrations of HS indicating growth of isolates showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa (pH 4.99 OD 2.00) of HS concentration 0.05% showed the best growth. HS utilization by the test isolates was characterized by increase in viable cell numbers as well as concomitant increase in substrate acidity (low pH) and increase in attenuance levels of the optical density (OD) as concentration of HS decreases. 

Keywords:

Humic Substances Fulvic Acids Humic Acids Assemblage Freshwater

Article information

Journal

Journal of Environment, Climate, and Ecology

Volume (Issue)

1(1), (2024)

Pages

1-16

Published

25-05-2024

How to Cite

Egbomuche, R. C., Ekwenye, U. N., Udofia, G. E., Ikeh, C. E., & Ikeh, A. O. (2024). Utilization of Humic Substances by Bacteria Isolated From Humic Freshwater Sediment Ecosystem. Journal of Environment, Climate, and Ecology, 1(1), 1-16. https://journals.stecab.com/index.php/jece/article/view/22

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