Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate Biosynthesis by Municipal Sewage Sludge Isolated <em>Bacillus megaterium</em> Utilizing a Pleustophytic Ecological Plague in the Legendry Source of River Nile as the Sole Carbon Source

Abstract

Environmental isolates, genetically manipulated organisms, plants, animals and their products and economical methods are being expertly explored to biosynthesize poly-3-hydroxybutyrate plastics of comparable properties to petroplastics. This study assessed a hypothesized feasibility of utilizing a proliferative pleustophytic greenery, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.)&amp;nbsp;Solms-Laubach) in Lake Victoria, Uganda as a potential carbon source for poly-3-hydroxybutyrate biosynthesis. The &amp;nbsp;poly-3-hydroxybutyrate biosynthesizing bacteria (Bacillus megaterium) was isolated from municipal sewage sludge and harnessed for batch fermentation of acid-catalysed water hyacinth biomass. Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate &amp;nbsp;formed in the cytoplasm of the bacterial cells was extracted by chloroform extraction method, and thereof confirmed and quantified by UV spectroscopy. Batch fermentation was carried out in 100ml of the culture media in a 250ml fermenter for different times (48, 96, 144 and 192 hours) to determine the best incubation time for maximum yield. An all-out net yield of 61.3% was realized after 96 hours of fermentation. Utilization of this ecological plague for poly-3-hydroxybutyrate biosynthesis is a promising strategy for regulating the weed population along the length of Nile River and the Victorian basin.

Physicochemical quality of water and health risks associated with consumption of African lung fish (Protopterus annectens) from Nyabarongo and Nyabugogo rivers, Rwanda

“…Nyabugogo river pour its water into Lake Victoria and the pollution of this lake is now rated among the top ten worldwide [2]. The increasing load of contaminants has greatly deteriorated the quality of water and fish caught in Lake Victoria [3]. The presence of toxic heavy metals in water and fish poses health risks such as development of cancer, renal failure, liver damage, cardiovascular diseases and eventually death [4].…”