Exploration of Plastic-Degrading Bacteria From Marina Beach, Semarang, Central Java

Plastic waste has threatens the environment and affect to the economic and tourism sectors, marine life, coastal ecosystems and human health. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) states that 85% of waste in the oceans is plastic. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry also noted that Indonesia experienced an increase in plastic waste from 14% in 2013 to 16% in 2016. By 2020 the volume of plastic waste in Indonesia predicted to reach 67.8 million tons. Plastic waste takes 100-500 years to completely decompose. An alternative solution is to involve microorganisms to decompose plastic polymers. However, plastic waste reducing bacteria isolated from coastal ecosystem has not been much explored. In this study, an exploration of natural bacteria that degrades plastic waste from coastal ecosystems is carried out. Plastic samples were collected from the Marina Beach Semarang, Central Java. Plastic samples were taken from a depth of 0-10 cm in three coastal ecosystems: coastal sand sediments, rocks and mangroves. Samples then isolated and screened to obtain bacteria that have the potential to degrade polyethylene. Selected bacteria were identified by biochemical physiology according to the method of Cappuccino and Sherman and classified to genus level according to Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology and Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. The results showed that three genera of bacteria had high polyethylene degradation potential with the speed of degradation: Enterobacteriaceae 0.0091%; Moraxella spp. 0.0066%; and Pseudomonas spp. 0.0076% per week.

Isolation and Characterization of Cellulolytic Bacteria Diversity in Peatland Ecosystem and Their Cellulolytic Activities

Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems formed from piles of organic matter that decompose into organic deposits. Peat soil has a high potential to produce cellulose which, can be reused by cellulolytic bacteria. This study aims to find out the potential strain of cellulolytic bacteria isolated from peatland ecosystems. The method used was experimental, sequentially, the stages are isolation and screening for cellulolytic bacteria, quantitative testing of cellulolytic activity, characterizing the morphology and physiology of bacteria, and the identification of bacteria based on Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. The screening results obtained seven isolates of cellulolytic bacteria capable of hydrolysed cellulose on 1% Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) Agar Medium, namely SPS1, SPS2, SPS 3, SDG1, SDG 2, SPW1, and SPW4. Three of seven isolates obtained the highest cellulolytic index sequentially, namely SPS2 of 2.82, SPS3 of 2.65, and SDG1 of 2.47. The cellulolytic activity was indicated by the value of a halo zone around the colonies on 1 % CMC medium after being dripped with Congo red. The halo zone is an early indication to determine the ability of bacteria to decompose cellulose. Based on Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology showed that the three isolates had the same characteristics as the genus Bacillus, Lactobacillus and Corynebacterium.

Isolation and Identification Cellulolytic Bacteria from Termite Gut Obtained from Indralaya Peatland area

The production of second-generation bioethanol as renewable energy has developed very rapidly and has become a promising alternative energy source. Bioethanol production using biomass can be obtained alternatively from cellulose in wood, sawdust, organic waste, and agricultural waste. This research used termites obtained from Indralaya peatland area as organisms that can decompose cellulose into glucose with the cellulase enzymes produced by bacteria in their digestive tract. Cellulases are enzymes capable of hydrolyzing lignocellulose into glucose. The study aimed to isolate and identify of cellulolytic bacteria from termite gut obtained from Indralaya peatland area. The bacterial isolates were classified by using morphological and biochemical standard methods, and identification based on Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. Cellulolytic bacteria of termite gut were isolated and cultured on CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) agar medium. The activity of cellulolytic bacterial was conducted based on halo area and cellulolytic index on CMC agar medium. Among 64 isolates of bacteria, 24 isolates were identified as cellulolytic bacteria. Futhermore, our isolates with higher cellulolytic index were identified as the Staphylococcus, Microbacterium, Bacillus, and Brevibacterium genus.

Identification of Vibrio spp. causing vibriosis in spiny lobsters (Panulirus homarus L.) in Bengkulu marine temporary shelter ponds

Spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus) is one of the export commodities of the Indonesian fisheries subsector and an important component for shrimp fisheries in Indonesia. In the development of lobster cultivation, there are several obstacles, the presence of vibriosis infection caused by the pathogenic Vibrio bacteria. This study aimed to identify Vibrio spp. bacteria in spiny lobsters (P. homarus) reared in the marine cultivation ponds, Bengkulu, Indonesia. Clinical symptoms of lobsters infected with vibriosis are red spots on the uropod, pleopod, and abdominal parts. Bacterial isolation was conducted by isolated some internal organs in spiny lobsters, that are, gills, stomachs, haemolymph, and hepatopancreas. The result showed there are 5 isolates of Vibrio bacteria that coded by IN3, ST2, HA1, HP2, and HP3. These bacteria isolates were identified through their colony morphology and biochemical tests. Characterization on the Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salt Sucrose (TCBS) medium showed that lobsters were infected with Vibrio species. Based on Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, Austin and Austin, the identification results showed that HA1 isolate was identified as Vibrio algynolyticus, IN3 isolate was identified as V. anguillarum, ST2 was identified as V. ordalii, HP2 in first lobster was identified as with V. algynolyticus that mostly in the hepatopancreas, and HP3 was identified as V. splendidus

Evaluation of Antibiotic Sensitivity Test against Ophthalmic Pathogens

Ophthalmic infections can cause damage to the structure of the eye which can lead to vision loss and blindness if left untreated. Ophthalmic infection or eye infections are caused by exposure to bacterial, fungal viral and protozoan are common with frequently reported in Asian countries. In the present study, the external ocular infected samples collected from Thanjavur Medical College Hospital, Thanjavur. Seven strains were isolated from the external ocular infected samples and identified a standard manual of Determinative Bacteriology by Bergy’s manual 12th edition. The commercial antibiotics and eye drops tested against Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp. Pseudomonas sp. Streptococcus sp. and Staphylococcus aureus. The majority of the isolates were sensitive to tobramycin followed by moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin and ofloxacin. The resistant antibiotics are ciprofloxin and sensitive antibiotic was ampicillin was recorded with respective bacteria.

Identifikasi Bakteri Patogen (Vibrio spp. dan Salmonella spp.) yang Mengontaminasi Ikan Layang dan Bandeng di Pasar Tradisional

Sumber konsumsi ikan masyarakat Kota Tarakan adalah ikan layang dan bandeng yang berasal dari pasar tradisional. Pengelolaan pasar tradisional yang ada di Kota Tarakan cukup memadai namun, tingkat kesehatan dan higienis lingkungan masih kurang baik, penanganan yang belum memadai memungkinkan banyak bakteri yang berkembang dan mengontaminasi ikan. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui kontaminasi bakteri patogen (Vibrio spp. dan Salmonella spp.) pada ikan yang dijual di pasar tradisional kota Tarakan. Penelitian dilakukan dengan metode deskriptif dengan beberapa tahapan mulai dari observasi pasar, pengambilan sampel, isolasi bakteri dan identifikasi. Isolasi bakteri Vibrio menggunakan media selektif TCBS (Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salt Sucrose) dan bakteri Salmonella menggunakan media SSA (Salmonella Shigella Agar) identifikasi bakteri Vibrio dan Salmonella yang berpedoman pada buku Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology berdasarkan sifat morfologi dan kimiawi. Hasil identifikasi terdapat kontaminasi bakteri Vibrio spp. dan Salmonella spp. pada hasil perikanan yang dijual di pasar tradisional kota Tarakan khususnya ikan bandeng dan ikan layang.

Screening and Characterization of Anoxigenic Photosynthetic Bacteria as Producer of Caroteniod Pigments From Palm Liquid Sewages

Palm liquid sewage is organic waste that contains complex compounds such as water, oil, and organic solids. The organic content of palm liquid sewages is an indication of the abundance of microorganisms. This study aims to obtain anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria (BFA) that produce carotenoid pigments from palm liquid sewages. Therefore, We isolated and screened of BFA from three palm liquid sewage disposal sites in Jambi Province. This research was conducted by an experimental method using a modified mineral medium. BFA isolates that growth and produced carotenoid pigments are visible because of the distribution of reddish-yellow pigments on the culture media. Screening results obtained 11 isolates of BFA sequentially Bg1K201, Bg1K202, Bg2k201, Bg3k201, Mr1k201, Mr1k202, Sl1k201, Sl1k202, Sl2k201, Sl2k202 and Sl3k202. The results of morphological and physiological characterization based on the Bergeys Manual of Determinative Bacteriology show that there are two types of BFA genera that have carotenoid pigments, respectively, the genus Rhodobacter (Bg1k201, Bg1k202, Bg3k201, Sl1k201, Sl1k202, and Sl1k202, and Sl2k202, and Sl1k202, and Sl2k202, and Sl1k202 and Sl2k202, and Sl2k202, and Sl2k202. Sl2k202, and) the genus Rhodopseudomonas (Bg2k201, Mr1k201 and Mr1k202)

Isolation, Characterization and Activity Test of Soil Origin Bacteria Amilage

This study aimed to obtain amylase-producing potent bacteria from soil and test the amylase activity produced. Soil samples were taken from the Biological Education and Research Forest, Andalas University. The isolation was done by using the stratified dilution technique on agar media. The screening of amylase activity employed the qualitative and quantitative tests on agar starch. From 8 isolated amylolytic bacteria, there were three isolates with amylolytic potential. The results of characterization and identification based on Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology show that isolates A4, A1, and A6 belonged to the genus Bacillus, Corynebacterium, and Klebsiella. The bacteria obtained can then be produced and optimized for the needs of industrial enzymes.

Bacteriological and Phytochemical Assessment of Ficus asperifolia Linn. Infusion

Ficus asperifolia Linn. known as “Eepin” in Yoruba language, or sand paper tree, is a monoecious fig tree whose leaves, bark, seeds, and roots have been used locally in treating many infectious and noninfectious diseases. The study is aimed at investigating the bacteriological and phytochemical potential of Ficus asperifolia Linn. The roots of the plant were harvested and washed, and phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard analytical techniques. Infusion was aseptically prepared, and incubation for 24 hours and microbiological analysis were carried out using the pour plate method on Plate Count Agar (PCA) and Nutrient Agar (NA). Microorganisms were subcultured and identified using morphological and biochemical tests according to “Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology.” Phytochemical analysis of the fresh and dry roots revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardenolides, and saponins, while anthraquinones and tannins were absent. Total heterotrophic bacteria count on PCA was 5.6×105 CFU/ml, while on NA, it was 2.3×105 CFU/ml, and four classes of bacteria were isolated including Klebsiella sp., Escherichia coli, Proteus sp., and Bacillus sp. Although the presence of medicinal phytochemicals in F. asperifolia Linn. indicates strong potentials for its use in infusions, the presence of potential pathogens found in the infusions makes it unsafe for consumption.

Assessing Gram-stain error rates within the pharmaceutical microbiology laboratory

Gram-staining remains the fundamental method for determinative bacteriology, dividing bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. This test provides information as to the origin of any contamination and is a pre-requisite for many microbial identification methods. Despite the longevity of the test, the test is highly reliant upon analyst technique and therefore errors occur. While there are a few studies looking at errors in the clinical context, research has not been extended to the pharmaceutical microbiology laboratory context. In this study, we present a review of over 6,000 Gram-stains and establish an error rate of around 3%, with the most common reason for error being an over-decolourisation step resulting in organisms that should be Gram-positive appearing as Gram-negative. The analysis enables others to benchmark their facilities against.