Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria from Municipal Solid for Production of Enzymes for Waste Degradation

Microorganisms involved in the biodegradation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Uyo dumps were isolated and characterized using standard microbiology technique. Three municipal solid waste (Uyo Village Road, Calabar Itu Road and Eka Street) dumpsites along with control soil from University farm land, all located within Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were used for this study. The Research was carried out between July 2023 – August, 2024. The soil samples were collected in triplicate at a depth of 2cm-20cm with the aid of a soil auger. Physicochemical analysis of the dumpsite soils revealed elevated levels of nutrients as compared to the control soil sample. The pH of the dumpsite soils was all alkaline amylase, lipase, pectinase, xylanase, and phytase, highlighting the significant biodegradation potential of the microbial isolates. Cellulase activity peaked at Uyo Village dumpsite (66.56 U/mL), while protease activity was highest at Eka Street dumpsite (62.35 U/mL). Amylase activity was most prominent at Calabar Itu dumpsite (45.38 U/mL). Lipase and pectinase activities were highest at Eka Street (42.19 U/mL and 43.17 U/mL, respectively), whereas Uyo Village demonstrated with a pH value ranging from 7.04-7.42. Heavy metal analysis revealed permissible levels of lead (7.99±0.00mg/kg–8.72 ±0.04 mg/kg), cadmium (11.99±0.01–12.41±0.05 mg/kg), Cr (4.01±0.03–4.08±0.03 mg/kg) in the dumpsites, although these values were higher than the control. Enzymatic activities were assessed for cellulase, protease, the highest activities for xylanase (28.38 U/mL) and phytase (30.07 U/mL). The dumpsites exhibited higher microbial count as compared to the control sample. Highest total heterotrophic bacterial count was recorded at Uyo village dumpsite soil with a value of 1.97x107 ± 0.47 CFU/g.The microbial isolates predominantly included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus sp, Chromatium sp and Bacillus megaterium which are known for their enzymatic capabilities with Bacillus spp exhibiting highest degradation ability as compared to the other isolates in the study area. However, in this study, 14 bacterial were identified and 4 bacterial strains were subjected qualitative analysis for production of seven different enzymes. In this study 4 of the isolates showed greater production of cellulase, protase, amylase, lipase, pectinase, oxylanase and phytase enzymes which has high market values. The study demonstrates that MSW dumpsites are reservoirs of microbial communities capable of producing industrially significant enzymes, essential for organic waste degradation.

Bacterial isolates, Dumpsites, Enzyme activity

1. Adebayo, A. O., and Ojo, A. O. (2022). Microbial dynamics and environmental implications of municipal solid waste dumpsites in southwestern Nigeria. Environmental Challenges, 8, 100556. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Adeleke, R. A., & Ogunseitan, O. A. (2021). Microbial ecology of waste-impacted soils in urban environments. Applied Soil Ecology, 168, 104115. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Adeleke, R. A., & Ogunseitan, O. A. (2021). Microbial ecology of waste-impacted soils in urban environments. Applied Soil Ecology, 168, 104115. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Adeleke, R. A., and Ogunseitan, O. A. (2021). Microbial ecology of waste-impacted soils in urban environments. Applied Soil Ecology, 168, 104115. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Adhikari, P., Maharjan, R., & Rai, S. (2022). Microbial diversity and enzyme activity in solid waste composting: A review of advances and applications. Environmental Microbiology Reports, 14(3), 278–292. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Akinmoladun, A. C., & Ojo, A. O. (2021). Functional roles of Bacillus species in organic waste degradation. Journal of Environmental Biology, 42(4), 789–798. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Akinmoladun, A. C., and Ojo, A. O. (2021). Functional roles of Bacillus species in organic waste degradation. Journal of Environmental Biology, 42(4), 789–798. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Akinola, M. O., & Eze, P. N. (2020). Anaerobic bacterial processes in solid waste-impacted soils. Waste Management and Research, 38(10), 1103–1112. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Akinola, M. O., and Eze, P. N. (2020). Anaerobic bacterial processes in solid waste-impacted soils. Waste Management and Research, 38(10), 1103–1112. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. APHA. (2017). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (23rd ed.). American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Bailey, M. J., Biely, P., & Poutanen, K. (1992). Interlaboratory testing of methods for assay of xylanase activity. Journal of Biotechnology, 23(3), 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1656(92)90074-J [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Bernfeld, P. (1955). Amylases, alpha and beta. Methods in Enzymology, 1, 149–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/0076-6879(55)01021-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Bremner, J. M. (2019). Nitrogen-Total. In D. L. Sparks (Ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 3: Chemical Methods (pp. 1085–1121). Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Buchanan, R. E., & Gibbons, N. E. (1974). Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology (8th ed.). The Williams and Wilkins Company, Baltimore. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Chukwu, E. C., & Nwankwo, I. N. (2022). Influence of waste composition on microbial populations in urban dumpsites of southeastern Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 16(3), 123–134. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Chukwu, E. C., and Nwankwo, I. N. (2022). Influence of waste composition on microbial populations in urban dumpsites of southeastern Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 16(3), 123–134. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Cowan, S. T. (1974). Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press, London. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Ejidike, I. P., & Okonkwo, J. O. (2020). Public health implications of pathogenic bacteria in municipal dumpsites. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192, 412. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Ejidike, I. P., and Okonkwo, J. O. (2020). Public health implications of pathogenic bacteria in municipal dumpsites. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192, 412. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. FAO. (2020). Soil Pollution: A Hidden Reality. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. FAO/WHO. (2020). Soil Pollution: A Hidden Reality. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Gao, J., & Zhang, L. (2019). Metabolic versatility of Pseudomonas species in waste-contaminated soils. Journal of Environmental Management, 243, 375–384. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Gao, J., & Zhang, L. (2019). Metabolic versatility of Pseudomonas species in waste-contaminated soils. Journal of Environmental Management, 243, 375–384. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Gao, J., and Zhang, L. (2019). Metabolic versatility of Pseudomonas species in waste-contaminated soils. Journal of Environmental Management, 243, 375–384. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Grenier, D., Antier, P., & Wicker-Planquart, C. (2001). Pectinolytic enzyme production by Bacillus subtilis strains and their role in soil organic matter degradation. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 56(4), 564–570. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530100661 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Hagerman, A. E., & Austin, P. J. (1986). Continuous spectrophotometric assay for plant proteinases. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 34(3), 440–444. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00069a015 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Komolafe, O. O., and Adegunloye, D. V. (2021). Effects of municipal waste disposal on soil microbial properties in southwestern Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 78(6), 1021–1034. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Kong, W., & Singh, B. K. (2022). Soil microbial resilience and functional diversity under organic waste inputs. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 165, 108512. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Kong, W., and Singh, B. K. (2022). Soil microbial resilience and functional diversity under organic waste inputs. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 165, 108512. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Ladd, J. N., & Butler, J. H. A. (2016). Short-term assays of soil proteolytic enzyme activities using proteins and dipeptide derivatives as substrates. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 101, 91–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2016.07.013 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Margesin, R., Fonteyne, P. A., & Schinner, F. (2012). Characterization of cold-active lipases from psychrotrophic bacteria. Extremophiles, 16(5), 771–782. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-012-0476-9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. NESREA. (2020). National Environmental (Soil Quality Control) Regulations. National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Nigeria. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Nnadi, P. O., and Udeh, C. C. (2019). Baseline microbial characteristics of undisturbed soils in southeastern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 29(2), 45–55. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Obiri, S., & Yeboah, P. O. (2019). Environmental and health risks associated with open dumpsites in developing countries. Environmental Systems Research, 8, 12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Obiri, S., and Yeboah, P. O. (2019). Environmental and health risks associated with open dumpsites in developing countries. Environmental Systems Research, 8, 12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Ogugbue, C. J., & Sawidis, T. (2020). Biodegradation potential of bacteria isolated from solid waste dumpsites. Environmental Technology and Innovation, 18, 100746. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Ogugbue, C. J., & Sawidis, T. (2020). Biodegradation potential of bacteria isolated from solid waste dumpsites. Environmental Technology and Innovation, 18, 100746. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Ogugbue, C. J., and Sawidis, T. (2020). Biodegradation potential of bacteria isolated from solid waste dumpsites. Environmental Technology and Innovation, 18, 100746. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Okoro, B. C., and Nwachukwu, M. A. (2020). Soil microbial responses to municipal waste disposal in urban Nigeria. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 20(9), 3421–3433. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Salinas, J. D., Campos, P. M., & Andrade, C. L. (2025). Construction of microbial consortia for enhanced organic waste degradation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 32(4), 4217–4230. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Salinas, J. D., Campos, P. M., & Andrade, C. L. (2025). Construction of microbial consortia for enhanced organic waste degradation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 32(4), 4217–4230. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. WHO. (2021). Permissible Limits for Heavy Metals in Soils and Food Crops. World Health Organization Technical Report Series, Geneva. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Quantitative Assessment of Serum C - Reactive Protein Levels among Smokers and Non Smokers
• Extraction and Characterization of Eco-Friendly Hair Dye from Agricultural Waste: A Study on Coconut Husk
• Intermittent Preventive Treatment among Pregnant Women Attending a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Jos, North Central Nigeria: Adherence Patterns and Preliminary Assessment of Associated Factors
• Assessment Of Degradative Potentials Of Bacteria Isolated From Palm Oil-Polluted Site Using Spectrophotometric Method
• An Analysis of Machine and Deep Learning Insights on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology