Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria from Municipal Solid for Production of Enzymes for Waste Degradation

Microorganisms involved in the biodegradation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Uyo dumps were isolated and characterized using standard microbiology technique. Three municipal solid waste (Uyo Village Road, Calabar Itu Road and Eka Street) dumpsites along with control soil from University farm land, all located within Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were used for this study. The Research was carried out between July 2023 – August, 2024. The soil samples were collected in triplicate at a depth of 2cm-20cm with the aid of a soil auger. Physicochemical analysis of the dumpsite soils revealed elevated levels of nutrients as compared to the control soil sample. The pH of the dumpsite soils was all alkaline amylase, lipase, pectinase, xylanase, and phytase, highlighting the significant biodegradation potential of the microbial isolates. Cellulase activity peaked at Uyo Village dumpsite (66.56 U/mL), while protease activity was highest at Eka Street dumpsite (62.35 U/mL). Amylase activity was most prominent at Calabar Itu dumpsite (45.38 U/mL). Lipase and pectinase activities were highest at Eka Street (42.19 U/mL and 43.17 U/mL, respectively), whereas Uyo Village demonstrated with a pH value ranging from 7.04-7.42. Heavy metal analysis revealed permissible levels of lead (7.99±0.00mg/kg–8.72 ±0.04 mg/kg), cadmium (11.99±0.01–12.41±0.05 mg/kg), Cr (4.01±0.03–4.08±0.03 mg/kg) in the dumpsites, although these values were higher than the control. Enzymatic activities were assessed for cellulase, protease, the highest activities for xylanase (28.38 U/mL) and phytase (30.07 U/mL). The dumpsites exhibited higher microbial count as compared to the control sample. Highest total heterotrophic bacterial count was recorded at Uyo village dumpsite soil with a value of 1.97x107 ± 0.47 CFU/g.The microbial isolates predominantly included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus sp, Chromatium sp and Bacillus megaterium which are known for their enzymatic capabilities with Bacillus spp exhibiting highest degradation ability as compared to the other isolates in the study area. However, in this study, 14 bacterial were identified and 4 bacterial strains were subjected qualitative analysis for production of seven different enzymes. In this study 4 of the isolates showed greater production of cellulase, protase, amylase, lipase, pectinase, oxylanase and phytase enzymes which has high market values. The study demonstrates that MSW dumpsites are reservoirs of microbial communities capable of producing industrially significant enzymes, essential for organic waste degradation.