Optimization and Molecular Characterization of Exoelectrogenic Isolates for Enhanced Microbial Fuel Cell Performance

Kingsley Ekene Nwagu1,Imo A. Ekpo,Benjamin Utip Ekaluo,Godwin Michael Ubi,Munachimso Odinakachi Elemba,Uzoh Chukwuma Victor 한국미생물·생명공학회 2019 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.47 No.4

In this study we attempted to screen bacteria and fungi that generate electricity while treating wastewater using optimized double-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) system parameters. Optimization was carried out for five best exoelectrogenic isolates (two bacteria and three fungi) at pH values of 6.0, 7.5, 8.5, and 9.5, and temperatures of 30, 35, 40, and 45℃; the generated power densities were measured using a digital multimeter (DT9205A). The isolates were identified using molecular characterization, followed by the phylogenetic analysis of isolates with known exoelectrogenic microorganisms. The bacterium, Proteus species, N6 (KX548358.1) and fungus, Candida parapsilosis, S10 (KX548360) produced the highest power densities of 1.59 and 1.55 W/m2 (at a pH of 8.5 and temperatures of 35 and 40℃) within 24 h, respectively. Other fungi— Clavispora lusitaniae, S9 (KX548359.1) at 40℃, Clavispora lusitaniae, S14 (KX548361.1) at 35℃—and bacterium— Providencia species, N4 (KX548357.1) at 40℃—produced power densities of 1.51, 1.46, and 1.44 W/m2, respectively within 24 h. The MFCs achieved higher power densities at a pH of 8.5, temperature of 40℃ within 24 h. The bacterial isolates have a close evolutionary relationship with other known exoelectrogenic microorganisms. These findings helped us determine the optimal pH, temperature, evolutionary relationship, and exoelectrogenic fungal species other than bacteria that enhance MFC performance.

Stabilization of a Raw-Starch-Digesting Amylase by Multipoint Covalent Attachment on Glutaraldehyde-Activated Amberlite Beads

( Nwagu Tochukwu N. ),( Bartho N. Okolo ),( Hideki Aoyagi ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2012 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.22 No.5

Raw-starch-digesting enzyme (RSDA) was immobilized on Amberlite beads by conjugation of glutaraldehyde/ polyglutaraldehyde (PG)-activated beads or by crosslinking. The effect of immobilization on enzyme stability and catalytic efficiency was evaluated. Immobilization conditions greatly influenced the immobilization efficiency. Optimum pH values shifted from pH 5 to 6 for spontaneous crosslinking and sequential crosslinking, to pH 6-8 for RSDA covalently attached on polyglutaraldehyde-activated Amberlite beads, and to pH 7 for RSDA on glutaraldehyde-activated Amberlite. RSDA on glutaraldehyde-activated Amberlite beads had no loss of activity after 2 h storage at pH 9; enzyme on PG-activated beads lost 9%, whereas soluble enzyme lost 65% of its initial activity. Soluble enzyme lost 50% initial activity after 3 h incubation at 60oC, whereas glutaraldehyde-activated derivative lost only 7.7% initial activity. RSDA derivatives retained over 90% activity after 10 batch reuse at 40oC. The apparent Km of the enzyme reduced from 0.35 mg/ml to 0.32 mg/ml for RSDA on glutaraldehyde-activated RSDA but increased to 0.42 mg/ml for the PG-activated RSDA derivative. Covalent immobilization on glutaraldehyde Amberlite beads was most stable and promises to address the instability and contamination issues that impede the industrial use of RSDAs. Moreover, the cheap, porous, and non-toxic nature of Amberlite, ease of immobilization, and high yield make it more interesting for the immobilization of this enzyme.

Optimization and Molecular Characterization of Exoelectrogenic Isolates for Enhanced Microbial Fuel Cell Performance

Nwagu, Kingsley Ekene,Ekpo, Imo A.,Ekaluo, Benjamin Utip,Ubi, Godwin Michael,Elemba, Munachimso Odinakachi,Victor, Uzoh Chukwuma The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnol 2019 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.47 No.4

In this study we attempted to screen bacteria and fungi that generate electricity while treating wastewater using optimized double-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) system parameters. Optimization was carried out for five best exoelectrogenic isolates (two bacteria and three fungi) at pH values of 6.0, 7.5, 8.5, and 9.5, and temperatures of 30, 35, 40, and 45℃; the generated power densities were measured using a digital multimeter (DT9205A). The isolates were identified using molecular characterization, followed by the phylogenetic analysis of isolates with known exoelectrogenic microorganisms. The bacterium, Proteus species, N6 (KX548358.1) and fungus, Candida parapsilosis, S10 (KX548360) produced the highest power densities of 1.59 and 1.55 W/m² (at a pH of 8.5 and temperatures of 35 and 40℃) within 24 h, respectively. Other fungi-Clavispora lusitaniae, S9 (KX548359.1) at 40℃, Clavispora lusitaniae, S14 (KX548361.1) at 35℃-and bacterium-Providencia species, N4 (KX548357.1) at 40℃-produced power densities of 1.51, 1.46, and 1.44 W/m², respectively within 24 h. The MFCs achieved higher power densities at a pH of 8.5, temperature of 40℃ within 24 h. The bacterial isolates have a close evolutionary relationship with other known exoelectrogenic microorganisms. These findings helped us determine the optimal pH, temperature, evolutionary relationship, and exoelectrogenic fungal species other than bacteria that enhance MFC performance.

Optimization and Molecular Characterization of Exoelectrogenic Isolates for Enhanced Microbial Fuel Cell Performance

( Kingsley Ekene Nwagu ),( Imo A. Ekpo ),( Benjamin Utip Ekaluo ),( Godwin Michael Ubi ),( Munachimso Odinakachi Elemba ),( Uzoh Chukwuma Victor ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2019 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.47 No.4

In this study we attempted to screen bacteria and fungi that generate electricity while treating wastewater using optimized double-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) system parameters. Optimization was carried out for five best exoelectrogenic isolates (two bacteria and three fungi) at pH values of 6.0, 7.5, 8.5, and 9.5, and temperatures of 30, 35, 40, and 45℃; the generated power densities were measured using a digital multimeter (DT9205A). The isolates were identified using molecular characterization, followed by the phylogenetic analysis of isolates with known exoelectrogenic microorganisms. The bacterium, Proteus species, N6 (KX548358.1) and fungus, Candida parapsilosis, S10 (KX548360) produced the highest power densities of 1.59 and 1.55 W/m² (at a pH of 8.5 and temperatures of 35 and 40℃) within 24 h, respectively. Other fungi― Clavispora lusitaniae, S9 (KX548359.1) at 40℃, Clavispora lusitaniae, S14 (KX548361.1) at 35℃―and bacterium― Providencia species, N4 (KX548357.1) at 40℃―produced power densities of 1.51, 1.46, and 1.44 W/m², respectively within 24 h. The MFCs achieved higher power densities at a pH of 8.5, temperature of 40℃ within 24 h. The bacterial isolates have a close evolutionary relationship with other known exoelectrogenic microorganisms. These findings helped us determine the optimal pH, temperature, evolutionary relationship, and exoelectrogenic fungal species other than bacteria that enhance MFC performance.

Relationships between Milk Yield, Post-Partum Body Weight and Reproductive Performance in Friesian × Bunaji Cattle

Oni, O.O.,Adeyinka, I.A.,Afolayan, R.A.,Nwagu, B.I.,Malau-Aduli, A.E.O.,Alawa, C.B.I.,Lamidi, O.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.11

The data consisted of 369 lactation records for calvings over a sixteen-year period (1972-1987) and included only cows that had normal milk records. The data were analysed using a linear model containing the fixed effects of parity, year of calving and season of calving. The least squares means${\pm}$S.E. were $1,273{\pm}58.4kg$ for milk yield, and for post-partum body weight (kg) at 2, 3 and 4 months after calving were $343.40{\pm}3.96$, $346.10{\pm}4.10$ and $352.54{\pm}4.26$, respectively. With the exception of season of calving, the effects of parity and year of calving were significant (p<0.01) on the performance of the animals. Thus, the mean-milk yields 1162, 1351 and 1350, were similar for pre-, peak- and post rainy seasons, respectively. On the other hand, as parity increased from 1 to 3, milk yield also increased, but thereafter, there was a gradual decline in milk yield. Similarly, post-partum body weight also increased with parity. However, no consistent pattern for year effect was observed which probably was a reflection of the variation in climatic conditions, or forage quality and/or availability. The phenotypic correlations between milk yield and post-partum body weights were negative and small (ranging from -0.01 to -0.08). However, high milk production in cows was associated with longer calving interval. The implications from the phenotypic correlations are suggestive of one or two possibilities. Firstly, selection for increased body weight may actually result in decreased milk yield. Also, a substantial genetic antagonism may exist between milk yield and fertility in the crossbred cows. Therefore, it is important that selection to improve milk production should take into consideration the reproductive performance of the cows.