article · FUDMA Journal of Sciences
Palm oil processing generates effluent that can pollute nearby waterways with high levels of lipids. Research examined water and effluent samples from the Agbogbo stream in Nigeria to identify bacteria capable of breaking down these fats. A total of fifteen bacterial species were isolated and evaluated for lipase production using tributyrin agar screening. From these, ten isolates demonstrated lipolytic activity and underwent molecular identification using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and polymerase chain reaction amplification. The identified organisms included Geobacillus sp, Bacillus altitudinis, Staphylococcus equorum, Morganella morganii, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Acinetobacter johnsonii, Bacillus cabrialesii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus. The presence of these diverse lipolytic bacteria within the impacted stream indicates they contribute to natural lipid breakdown, highlighting their potential utility for environmental bioremediation programmes addressing palm oil waste.
Palm oil mill effluent introduces heavy lipid loads into aquatic environments, disrupting ecosystems. Identifying naturally occurring bacteria that produce lipase enzymes and degrade these fats provides a foundation for biological clean-up methods. Understanding the microbial species active in polluted streams helps guide environmentally friendly approaches to treating industrial palm oil discharge.
The findings could inform bioremediation systems or industrial bio-treatment agents developed for palm oil processors seeking to degrade fatty effluent before discharge. However, this work represents early-stage research focused on isolation, screening, and molecular identification. Developing commercial microbial consortia or enzyme products would require extensive further testing, formulation, and field validation.
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This study focused on the molecular characterization of lipolytic bacteria isolated from Agbogbo stream impacted by Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) in Nigeria, utilizing 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Lipolytic bacteria play a crucial role in the degradation of lipids present in POME, offering potential for bioremediation. The study identifies and characterizes bacterial isolates with lipolytic activity, providing insights into their potential for bioremediation in POME-impacted environments. Raw POME samples and water samples were collected from the palm oil mill processing unit and designated sampling location respectively for bacteriological analysis. The pure bacterial isolates were further identified by microscopic and biochemical examination. Bacterial isolates were screened for lipolytic activity using tributyrin Agar by spot inoculation on modified agar medium and Molecular characterization was subsequently performed. A total of fifteen (15) bacterial species were isolated from palm oil processing effluent and screened for lipase production while ten (10) bacterial isolates were selected as the lipase-producing organisms and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing.PCR amplification. The results showed that Geobacillus sp, Bacillus altitudinis, Staphylococcus equoroum, Morganella morganii, Staphylococcus Saprophyticus, Acinetobacter johnsonii, Bacillus cabrialesii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus were isolated across the stations of Agbogbo stream. The presence of diverse lipolytic bacteria in the POME-impacted stream suggests their potential role in the natural degradation of lipids, may possess significant bioremediation significances.
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DOI: 10.33003/fjs-2026-1016-5717
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