Ibrahim Umar Mohammed - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ibrahim Umar Mohammed

Biosurfactants which reduce the surface or interfacial tension of liquids and act as emulsifiers,... more Biosurfactants which reduce the surface or interfacial tension of liquids and act as emulsifiers, foaming and dispersing agents with low toxicity, are finding increasing applications in biotechnology and driving the search for novel compounds for further exploitation. Potential biosurfactants sourced from bacteria are often selected first by qualitative assessment of surface tension using simple assays such as the drop collapse technique or by quantitative tensiometry measuring air-liquid interfacial tension of cell-free culture supernatants or purified samples, and subsequently tested for appropriate physicalchemical behaviours using a range of application-specific assays. Highly active or strong biosurfactants have been reported to reduce the surface tension of water to approximately 22-25 mN.m-1 , and show a range of behaviours determined by the choice of conditions (temperature, pH, salt concentration, etc.) used to test particular aqueous-hydrophobic (oil) mixtures. However, recent analyses of biosurfactant strengths using a predictive statistical approach (Individual distribution identification) have shown that it is unlikely that new compounds will be identified able to significantly reduce aqueous surface tensions below 24 mN.m-1. The mechanistic basis of this limit requires an explanation of why stronger compounds are not produced by bacteria, with a limitation of self-harm to producing cells probably the most likely biophysical explanation. However, behavioural analyses using a combination of emulsion, foam stability and oil-dispersion assays indicates high chemical diversity exists amongst biosurfactants exhibiting the strongest levels of activity (24-28 mN.m-1), suggesting that bacteria are still likely to provide a rich source of potentially novel compounds for use in biotechnology.

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 2015

Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) with Schlumberger configuration were conducted at river Matan ... more Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) with Schlumberger configuration were conducted at river Matan Fada, Argungu area of Kebbi State, North-western Nigeria. The Area is overlain by Gwandu Formation which consists of massive clays, clay grits, sandstones, mudstones and siltstones. A total of fourty (40) VES was carried out in the study area with maximum electrode spacing of 200m. The primary parameters ‘r’ and ‘h’ and Dar-Zarrock parameters T, S, and λ were determined by curve matching and computer iteration modeling, using (Winrest) software in the sedimentary formation of the study area to demarcate ground water potential recharge zones. Maximum of five geoelectrical layers of different lithology were delineated from the VES data. The groundwater potential zones were then classified with respect to the prospect of finding groundwater in the study area as poor, moderate and good zones. Low resistivity, coupled with good aquifer thickness are found at the middle part of the area that c...

European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience, 2015

Microorganisms have potential ability to decolorize synthetic commercial dyes used for textile dy... more Microorganisms have potential ability to decolorize synthetic commercial dyes used for textile dyeing. Effluents from textile and dyeing industries cause serious pollution to air, soil and water environment. Therefore, this study was aimed at isolating potential dye degrading microorganisms from textile effluents and to evaluate their capability to decolorize commercially used textile dyes. Effluent sample were collected from the confluent of the textile wastewater discharge of African Textile Company in Kano, Nigeria. Two candidates’ microorganisms (Pseudomonas putida and Klebsiella ozaenae) were used to decolorize and degrade dyes into non-toxic form. This same isolates were mutated using UVirradiation inducement and resulted into the wild and mutant types of bacterial isolates. Cultures were made in thirteen (13) reaction flasks, each containing the same concentration of two different textile dyes; Congo red (Direct red 28) and Direct blue ‘80’. Degradation ability of dyestuffs b...

European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience, 2015

Synthetic dyes released by various textile industries are a source of concern to environmental sa... more Synthetic dyes released by various textile industries are a source of concern to environmental safety. Existing physicochemical methods of dye removal from effluents suffer setbacks like high operational cost, low efficiency and large amount of sludge generation. Over the last two decades considerable work has been done with the goal of using microorganisms as remediation agents in the treatment of dyes containing wastewaters. Microorganisms are capable of removing dyes due to their high metabolic potentials and one of the best organisms that is known to display these wonderful features are the white-rot fungi. In this present study we demonstrate successfully using white-rot fungi (Phanerochaete chrysosporium) for this purpose and the role of each culture in the decolorization process was elucidated. The effect of temperature, pH, concentration, mean weight (g) and optical density were studied after every 48hrs in 12 days period. The enhancement of the degradation was effected by U...

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 2015

Water is essential for sustenance of life and determines the overall socioeconomic development of... more Water is essential for sustenance of life and determines the overall socioeconomic development of any nation. However, with rapid increase in the population of the country, the pollution of water courses from human activities and the demand for potable water to satisfy the growing demography cannot be over emphasized. In this perspective, an attempt has been made to assess the drinking water quality in Ele and Ero reservoirs. The two reservoirs were constructed for drinking purposes. The results obtained from chemical and microbiological analyses were compared with two water quality standards namely National Standards for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and WHO. The parameters analyzed were the physio-chemical and microbiological parameters. These include; Temperature, Electrical conductivity, Total dissolved solid, pH, Total hardness, turbidity, chloride, iron, nitrate, fluoride and magnesium. The entire physio-chemical parameters were found to be within the permissible limits of NSDWQ and WHO, while microbiological quality parameters such as total coliform and feacal coliform were found to be beyond the limits. The high values observed with microbiological parameters in these water bodies suggest that they are not suitable for drinking purpose, unless some possible remedial methods are to be adopted to treat these water bodies.

In this study, four (4) resident bacterial strains were selected from 127 different microbial str... more In this study, four (4) resident bacterial strains were selected from 127 different microbial strains isolated from textile effluent treatment plant of African Textiles Industry Kano and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis revealed closely related organisms to species of Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus and Alcaligenes. The bacterial strains inoculum was cultured in mineral salt medium and mutated using UVirradiation inducement method. Both the wild and mutant types of the bacterial strains were separately cultured and their decolorization activities on organic dyes effluent were monitored and compared. It was observed that, these organisms are compatible with each other and capable of utilizing and degrading organic components of the textile waste effluent. Decolorization efficiency of the bacterial strains was evaluated as a function of the operational parameters (i.e. aeration, temperature, pH, dye concentration, incubation condition, salt and nutrient supplement) at optimal o...

Anthropogenic activities, mostly related to farming are some of the causes of increased dispersio... more Anthropogenic activities, mostly related to farming are some of the causes of increased dispersion of polluting substances into soil and to the subsurface water mass. Though, the interaction of water with geologic materials during movement also serves as major determinant of its chemical characteristics. Agriculture is viewed as a significant non-point source of groundwater contamination, which poses a serious challenge to the government and other stakeholders involved in environmental pollution abatement and control, on design methodologies or approach to be adopted, to prevent pollution by fertilizers and pesticides. Groundwater sources (e.g. hand dug wells, concrete wells and deep wells), in Basawa area were monitored by monthly sampling and analyses from February to September. Static water level of monitored sites varies between 0.03 and 9.0 m, with the exception of boreholes and a pH range of 5.7 to 8.1. The electrical conductivity, nitrate and phosphate concentration values ar...

Water is life, only when it's safe and wholesome, and therefore an essential ingredient for t... more Water is life, only when it's safe and wholesome, and therefore an essential ingredient for the maintenance of life as well as safe and healthy environment. The significance of access to safe water and effective sanitation is fundamental for any developmental transformation and linked to the overall achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Water quality is usually not given the required attention it deserved in Nigeria. Government and private sectors involved in water supply projects are yet to meet the targets of providing sufficient and safe access to good water supply to the populace, despite being requisite and vital to the social, health and economic wellbeing of the people, which undoubtedly are the overriding factors that determines food security. Though there are a number of bottlenecks to achieving this social responsibility, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. In situations where these services are provided, consistent maintenance and sust...

The study evaluated female farmers in resource utilization, efficiency and profitability of irrig... more The study evaluated female farmers in resource utilization, efficiency and profitability of irrigated vegetable farming in Plateau State. The broad objective was to determine the challenges faced by female irrigated vegetable farmers in Plateau State. Primary data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire, administered to 195 female vegetable farmers during 2013-2014 production seasons using two stage sampling technique in selecting the respondents. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study identified inaccessibility to land; lack of access to water lifting equipment; inadequate technical know-how; poor access to fund and high cost of inputs were the major challenges faced by female vegetable farmers in the State. The study concludes that the yield level in vegetable production among female farmers can be raised if the female farmers were given title to land ownership, have access funds to owned water lifting equipment and given periodic ...

Research in microbiology, Jan 26, 2017

Although bacterial cellulose synthase (bcs) operons are widespread within the Proteobacteria phyl... more Although bacterial cellulose synthase (bcs) operons are widespread within the Proteobacteria phylum, subunits required for the partial-acetylation of the polymer appear to be restricted to a few γ-group soil, plant-associated and phytopathogenic pseudomonads, including Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 and several Pseudomonas syringae pathovars. However, a bcs operon with acetylation subunits has also been annotated in the unrelated β-group respiratory pathogen, Bordetella avium 197N. Our comparison of subunit protein sequences and GC content analyses confirms the close similarity between the B. avium 197N and pseudomonad operons and suggests that, in both cases, the cellulose synthase and acetylation subunits were acquired as a single unit. Using static liquid microcosms, we can confirm that B. avium 197N expresses low levels of cellulose in air-liquid interface biofilms and that biofilm strength and attachment levels could be increased by elevating c-di-GMP levels like the pseudomonad...

Letters in Applied Microbiology, 2014

Significance and Impact of the Study: Numerous surveys of biosurfactant-producing bacteria have b... more Significance and Impact of the Study: Numerous surveys of biosurfactant-producing bacteria have been conducted, but only recently has an attempt been made to predict the minimum liquid surface tension these surface-active agents can achieve. Here, we determine a theoretical minimum of 24 mN m À1 by statistical analysis of tensiometry data, suggesting a fundamental limit for biosurfactant activity in bacterial cultures incubated under standard growth conditions. This raises a challenge to our understanding of biosurfactant expression, secretion and function, as well as being of interest to biotechnology where they are used in an increasingly wide range of applications.

The main thrust of the study was an appraisal of gender differences in resource utilization and e... more The main thrust of the study was an appraisal of gender differences in resource utilization and efficiency of irrigated vegetable farming in Plateau State. Accordingly, two stage sampling technique was employed in selecting the respondents. Primary data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire administered to 156 male and 195 female randomly selected vegetable farmers during 2013 – 2014 production season. Data were analyzed using stochastic frontier production function and results of maximum likelihood estimates for the parameters of the stochastic production function showed that estimated coefficients of farm size, labour and fertilizer were significant at 1% for both male and female vegetable farmers. Seed and agrochemical were negative and significant at 1% for female farmers. The estimated input elasticities of production for farm size, labour, fertilizer and agrochemical are less than 1 for male and female farmers while agrochemical and volume of water were negative for female farmers. The returns-to-scale estimates for male farmers was 1.314 indicating increasing returns to scale while for the female farmers, was 0.97, which implies decreasing return to scale. The mean technical efficiency was 0.71 and 0.81 for the male and female farmers respectively. The study concludes that, the yield level in vegetable production among male and female farmers can be raised if the use of major variable inputs such as farm size, labour, seed and fertilizer influencing the output could be increased, vegetable production will remain a profitable enterprise. This study recommends that since positive and significant relationship exist between farm size, labour, seed and fertilizer, the Plateau State Agricultural Development Project should train the farmers on use of more resources utilization and farm management skills which will enable the farmers to maximally utilize their variable inputs focusing on efficiency as their goal.

Water is life, only when it's safe and wholesome, and therefore an essential ingredient for the m... more Water is life, only when it's safe and wholesome, and therefore an essential ingredient for the maintenance of life as well as safe and healthy environment. The significance of access to safe water and effective sanitation is fundamental for any developmental transformation and linked to the overall achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Water quality is usually not given the required attention it deserved in Nigeria. Government and private sectors involved in water supply projects are yet to meet the targets of providing sufficient and safe access to good water supply to the populace, despite being requisite and vital to the social, health and economic wellbeing of the people, which undoubtedly are the overriding factors that determines food security. Though there are a number of bottlenecks to achieving this social responsibility, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. In situations where these services are provided, consistent maintenance and sustainability cultures are lacking. Therefore, the assessment of drinking water quality in Taraba State was conducted with a view to having a far-reaching understanding of the linkage between drinking water quality, health (i.e. wellbeing) and food security in the State.

Every day, we depend on the health, social, economic and environmental benefits that clean and sa... more Every day, we depend on the health, social, economic and environmental benefits that clean and safe water provides. In order to continue to enjoy these benefits, we must construct a sustainable water infrastructure. Water supply with considerations for quality requirements is important irrespective of the source type, so that the intended benefits of improved water supplies can be achieved. Both boreholes and pipe borne water supply facilities used for drinking water supplies can deliver contaminated water, if adequate quality provisions are not effectively considered. Damage of water supply and/or sewage disposal infrastructures poses the immediate threat of severe epidemics of waterborne diseases, some of which can be life-threatening. There are fourteen (14) Water Supply Schemes spread across the State, but only Jalingo and Ibi-Wukari were operational. The remaining 12 water schemes are either grounded due to broken down machines and equipment or in some cases, not operational due to lack of operation inputs. The State Government since 2007 has embarked on spring water development for community water supply under the small town water supply in collaboration with the MDGs/CGS programme of the Federal Government and also established Taraba State Rural Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation Agency. This agency service delivery coverage for potable water and sanitary facilities stand at 53.5% and 41.3% respectively, achieved through the support of the State, FGN, LGAs, External Donors and NGOs.

Microorganisms have potential ability to decolorize synthetic commercial dyes used for textile dy... more Microorganisms have potential ability to decolorize synthetic commercial dyes used for textile dyeing. Effluents from textile and dyeing industries cause serious pollution to air, soil and water environment. Therefore, this study was aimed at isolating potential dye degrading microorganisms from textile effluents and to evaluate their capability to decolorize commercially used textile dyes. Effluent sample were collected from the confluent of the textile wastewater discharge of African Textile Company in Kano, Nigeria. Two candidates' microorganisms (Pseudomonas putida and Klebsiella ozaenae) were used to decolorize and degrade dyes into non-toxic form. This same isolates were mutated using UV-irradiation inducement and resulted into the wild and mutant types of bacterial isolates. Cultures were made in thirteen (13) reaction flasks, each containing the same concentration of two different textile dyes; Congo red (Direct red 28) and Direct blue '80'. Degradation ability of dyestuffs by the isolates was observed by dye decolorization assay. The reactive capacity of dye Congo red and direct dye 80 were determined spectrophotometrically by monitoring the absorbance of different dyes at constant wavelength (λmax). Virtually all the isolates were able to decolorize the dyes considerably after specified periods of incubation.

The remediation of dye contaminated environment was evaluated using indigenous bacterial strains ... more The remediation of dye contaminated environment was evaluated using indigenous bacterial strains isolated from wastewaters from an effluent treatment plant of a Textile Industry in Kano, Nigeria. The isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as Alcaligenes sp. APO4 and some of the isolates were mutated using UV-irradiation inducement. Both the wild and mutant types of the bacterial strains were separately cultured in thirteen (13) different reaction flasks containing the same concentration of organic effluent. Decolorization efficiencies of the bacteria was measured as a function of the operational parameters (aeration, dye concentration, pH, temperature, total viable count) and the optimal operational conditions obtained for decolorization of the dyes were: pH 6.5-8.0 at 37 o C. The mutant strains exhibited higher potential to decolorize and detoxify the dyes effluent up to 92.6% and 83.9% respectively after 24 days of incubation under aerobic condition. This study offers valuable inferences to the practical application of Alcaligenes sp. for the treatment of other sources of organic pollutants.

In this study, four (4) resident bacterial strains were selected from 127 different microbial str... more In this study, four (4) resident bacterial strains were selected from 127 different microbial strains isolated from textile effluent treatment plant of African Textiles Industry Kano and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis revealed closely related organisms to species of Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus and Alcaligenes. The bacterial strains inoculum was cultured in mineral salt medium and mutated using UV-irradiation inducement method. Both the wild and mutant types of the bacterial strains were separately cultured and their decolorization activities on organic dyes effluent were monitored and compared. It was observed that, these organisms are compatible with each other and capable of utilizing and degrading organic components of the textile waste effluent. Decolorization efficiency of the bacterial strains was evaluated as a function of the operational parameters (i.e. aeration, temperature, pH, dye concentration, incubation condition, salt and nutrient supplement) at optimal operational conditions of pH 7 and 37 o C temperature. The bacterial isolates showed increase in cell number as the concentration, absorbance and pH decreases. The adsorption capacity for organic dyes effluent was determined spectrophotometrically by monitoring absorbance of the different organic dyes effluent at a constant wavelength (λmax). The mixed cultures were observed to be better textile effluent degraders than the single cultures.

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 2015

European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience, 2015

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 2015

Research in microbiology, Jan 26, 2017

Letters in Applied Microbiology, 2014

Microorganisms have potential ability to decolorize synthetic commercial dyes used for textile dy... more Microorganisms have potential ability to decolorize synthetic commercial dyes used for textile dyeing. Effluents from textile and dyeing industries cause serious pollution to air, soil and water environment. Therefore, this study was aimed at isolating potential dye degrading microorganisms from textile effluents and to evaluate their capability to decolorize commercially used textile dyes. Effluent sample were collected from the confluent of the textile wastewater discharge of African Textile Company in Kano, Nigeria. Two candidates' microorganisms (Pseudomonas putida and Klebsiella ozaenae) were used to decolorize and degrade dyes into non-toxic form. This same isolates were mutated using UV-irradiation inducement and resulted into the wild and mutant types of bacterial isolates. Cultures were made in thirteen (13) reaction flasks, each containing the same concentration of two different textile dyes; Congo red (Direct red 28) and Direct blue '80'. Degradation ability of dyestuffs by the isolates was observed by dye decolorization assay. The reactive capacity of dye Congo red and direct dye 80 were determined spectrophotometrically by monitoring the absorbance of different dyes at constant wavelength (λmax). Virtually all the isolates were able to decolorize the dyes considerably after specified periods of incubation.

In this study, four (4) resident bacterial strains were selected from 127 different microbial str... more In this study, four (4) resident bacterial strains were selected from 127 different microbial strains isolated from textile effluent treatment plant of African Textiles Industry Kano and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis revealed closely related organisms to species of Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus and Alcaligenes. The bacterial strains inoculum was cultured in mineral salt medium and mutated using UV-irradiation inducement method. Both the wild and mutant types of the bacterial strains were separately cultured and their decolorization activities on organic dyes effluent were monitored and compared. It was observed that, these organisms are compatible with each other and capable of utilizing and degrading organic components of the textile waste effluent. Decolorization efficiency of the bacterial strains was evaluated as a function of the operational parameters (i.e. aeration, temperature, pH, dye concentration, incubation condition, salt and nutrient supplement) at optimal operational conditions of pH 7 and 37 o C temperature. The bacterial isolates showed increase in cell number as the concentration, absorbance and pH decreases. The adsorption capacity for organic dyes effluent was determined spectrophotometrically by monitoring absorbance of the different organic dyes effluent at a constant wavelength (λmax). The mixed cultures were observed to be better textile effluent degraders than the single cultures.