Evaluation and Decomposing Capability of Isolated Microbial Cultures through Enzymatic Activities

Author: Mohammad Y. Zargar and Misbah Ajaz

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Abstract

Solid waste management is one of the global issue creating environmental, social and health problems because of its mismanaged disposal. Cold tolerant microbes have been found to enhance the decomposing process of the solid waste. Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh being one of the colder places in India have the highest possibility of having cold tolerant microbes that can enhance the decomposition process of the waste. In order to find the most efficient cold tolerant microorganism, the present investigation was undertaken during 2020-21 to isolate and characterize such microbes from Gurez and Ladakh regions for prompt decomposition of the waste so as to enhance the nutrient status of the manure. From the last two years (2020-21), a total of twenty seven (27) Lactic acid bacterial isolates, eighteen Actinomycetes isolates, twenty Pseudomonas sp. and twenty one Bacillus sp. were isolated from Gurez valley. Among these only nine (09), eleven (11), seven (07), and eleven (11) were cold tolerant microorganisms of Lactic acid bacteria, Actinomycetes, Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. respectively which were characterized by morphological and biochemical approach based. Qualitative and quantitative screening for different enzymatic activities was also carried out. Different selected isolates of lactic acid bacteria, actinomycetes, Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp were selected for compatibility among one another based on their high enzyme activity. Five (05) different cold tolerant microbial consortia were developed based on their compatibility test and were utilized for in-vitro experiments at Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura and from in-vitro experiments, on the basis of improved nutrient status and enzyme activities, only 3 consortia were selected for Gurez (Izmarg).

Keywords

Waste, cold tolerant, enzymatic activity, decomposition

Conclusion

Because of the tremendous importance of biodegradable solid waste decomposition through composting especially in temperate regions, the ability of psychrophilic enzymes to catalyze reactions at low or moderate temperatures offers great industrial and biotechnological potential. Various groups of bacteria from differentsites were isolated, identified and characterized on the basis of some important morphological and biochemical properties. The most potential isolates that were isolated and identified were lactic acid bacteria isolates, Actinomycetes isolates, Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp from Gurez. Different enzyme tests (quantitative and qualitative) which include Amylase, Cellulase, protease and xylanase were assessed and overall,LG18, AG6, PG9, BG3 from Gurez showed high enzymatic activity which were further analysed for compatibility tests and on that basis five different cold tolerant consortia were developed and utilized for in vitro and invivo experiments respectively for degradation of solid waste under cold tolerant conditions at Gurez valley.

References

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How to cite this article

Mohammad Y. Zargar and Misbah Ajaz (2023). Evaluation and Decomposing Capability of Isolated Microbial Cultures through Enzymatic Activities. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(2): 467-475.