Diversity and Enzymatic Activity Profile of Bacteria Isolated from Selected Organic Wastes in Owerri Imo State, Nigeria

Enzymes secreted by bacteria are bio-catalysts that play an important role in all stages of metabolism and biochemical reactions. This study was designed to unravel the activity profile of the enzymes produced by bacteria isolated from selected organic wastes. Using sterile sample vials, samples of Cow dung, Municipal Solid, Poultry, and Pig waste were taken from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri's Agricultural Research Farm, and delivered to the laboratory for examination. The Microbial isolates were identified and characterized following their cultural, microscopic, and biochemical characteristics on Nutrient agar, Salmonella Shigella agar, McConkey Agar, and Eosin Methylene Blue agar. There were 832 bacteria isolates identified in the organic waste samples, with Enterococcus faecalis having the highest reoccurrence rate, 167(20.1%). Staphylococcus spp was the second highest occurring organism across the sites with 124(14.9%), closely followed by Bacillus subtilis 107(12.9%), while Shigella spp had the least reoccurrence at 23(2.8%) among others. The Primary screening for enzyme production of the isolates revealed that Protease, Amylase, cellulase, pectinase, lipase, Lectinase, and oxidase enzymes were generated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but Shigella species produced none. Other bacterial isolates produced at least one enzyme. This study has demonstrated that a wide variety of bacterial species isolated from different organic wastes showed a high capacity to produce lipase, amylase, and protease enzymes. It underscored the ability of these isolates to produce these essential enzymes, which have found application in biodegradation of organic wastes which can help in biocontrol and environmental conservation and recycling.