South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology最新文献

{"title":"Bacteria Associated with Cockraches Collected From Some Selected Food Centres within Jalingo Metropolis","authors":"Luka Larubi, A. Francis, Jellason Jessica","doi":"10.9734/sajrm/2022/v14i1262","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2022/v14i1262","url":null,"abstract":"The Bacteria Associated with cockroaches collected from food centre’s and students cafeteria of Taraba State Polytechnic Jalingo main Campus were investigated in this study between April to May 2016. A total of thirty-seven (37) adult cockroaches were collected using a sticky trap (1.40 cm x 1.50 cm). The samples collected were immediately transported to the laboratory in a conical flask. A ten (10) Told serial dilution was done. The media used were Eosine methylene blue, Salmonella Shigella agar, Nutrient agar, and MacConkey agar. Pour plate techniques was used to culture and incubation was done for 24 hours at 370c. Observable discrete colonies were identified, gram stained and subcultured using the streak plate technique of inoculation. The isolates were identified using standard techniques. The microorganisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Klebsietla species and Bacillus species. This study revealed that cockroaches can pose a public health effect. Therefore, routine sanitation and personal hygiene is strongly advocated as some of these isolates are pathogenic.","PeriodicalId":21776,"journal":{"name":"South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology","volume":"64 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88897556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbiological Assessment of Smoked Clarias gariepinus Sold in Yenagoa","authors":"E. Teke, O. Immanuel, I. Oku, H. C. Okafor","doi":"10.9734/sajrm/2022/v14i1261","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2022/v14i1261","url":null,"abstract":"This study aimed to assess the microbial quality of smoked Clarias gariepinus sold in markets in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Fish samples processed using open drums, were purchased from retailers from Agudama, Akenfa, Kpansia Opolo and Tombia markets and analyzed for their microbial quality using viable plate count. Fish samples from Agudama market had total viable count (TVC) of 6.0×105 CFU/g and total fungi count (TFC) of  2.0×105 CFU/g; Akenfa market samples had TVC of 9×105 CFU/g and TFC of 7.0×105 CFU/g; Kpansia market samples had TVC of 3.5×106 CFU/g and TFC of 2.0×105; Opolo market samples had TVC of 3.0×106 CFU/g  and TFC of 2.0×105 CFU/g while Tombia market samples had TVC of 2.0×105 CFU/g and TFC of 1.0×105 CFU/g. The bacterial isolates were identified as Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptobacillus species. while the fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, Candida species and Mucor species. The fish samples, except those from Tombia market, had high microbial load and presence of pathogen, which is indicative of the poor conditions of processing, packaging, storage and display in the market. Improvement of processing practice and packaging method are recommended.","PeriodicalId":21776,"journal":{"name":"South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology","volume":"67 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87183454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antinutrient Contents of Fermented and Extruded Unripe Plantain and Pigeon Pea Blends","authors":"Orekoya, Elias Similoluwa, O. Okhonlaye, Arogunjo Ayodele Openla, Akinwunmi Iseoluwa Moses, Ajayi-Moses Oluwatayo Benjamin, Gabriel Paul Oladimeji, A. Olaseni","doi":"10.9734/sajrm/2022/v14i1260","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2022/v14i1260","url":null,"abstract":"The study investigated effects of fermentation and extrusion on the antinutrient composition of unripe plantain and pigeon pea blends. The blended samples were prepared in three combinations (A=100g unripe plantain; B= 70g unripe plantain: 30g pigeon pea; C= 50g unripe plantain: 50g pigeon pea) and separated into four batches (i.e. first batch = preconditioned and fermented; second batch = extruded; third batch = fermented and extruded; and fourth batch = unfermented/unextruded). The blended samples were fermented semi-solid state fermentation. The anti-nutrient content of fermented and extruded blends decreased significantly (P<0.05) when compared to the raw blends. Hence, it can be concluded based from the available information from this study that fermentation and extrusion decreased the antinutrient composition of unripe plantain and pigeon pea blends.","PeriodicalId":21776,"journal":{"name":"South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84411166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Degradation of Polyethylene Using Bacteria from Waste Dump Sites in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, Nigeria","authors":"Ezekwu Chizike, W. Olufunmilayo, C. Ugboma","doi":"10.9734/sajrm/2022/v14i1259","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2022/v14i1259","url":null,"abstract":"All around the world today, different types of plastics are used for packaging materials, especially in form of low density polyethylene (LDPE). The aim of the study was to degrade polyethylene using bacteria from waste dump sites in Alakahia and Ogbogoro of Obio/ Apkor Local Government Area, Rivers State. Soil samples were randomly collected from Alakahia and Ogbogoro dump sites in Obio/Apkor Local Government Area, in Rivers state. Polyethylene degraders were determined using microscopy and weight loss methods. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts recorded were 3.03 x 106 CFU/g and 1.12 x 106 CFU/g for Ogbogoro and Alakahia samples. The total count of Pseudomonas recorded were 5.0 x 104 CFU/g and 4.9 x 104 CFU/g for Ogbogoro and Alakahia sample. There was no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) within the counts of the samples. The bacteria isolated from the soil collected from the dumpsites were Bacillus sp, Klebsiella sp, Pseudomonas sp, Staphylococcus sp, Serratia sp, Escherichia coli, Shigella sp, Salmonella sp. The identified bacteria were Pseudomonas proteolytica NR025588.1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa CP0296051 and Bacillus circulans CP026031.1. From the result of the degradative ability by the individual microorganism using weight loss measurement, Pseudomonas aeruginosa CP0296051 showed a greater percentage of degradation of polyethylene of 5% to 27.03% (after 150 days) followed by Pseudomonas proteolytica NR025588.1 which recorded percentage degradation of 6.0% to 23.28% (after 150 days) while Bacillus circulans CP02603.1 recorded the least percentage of 5% to 19.9% (after 150 days). The result of degradative potential of the microbes in consortium set ups showed that the consortium of Pseudomonas aeruginosa CP0296051 and Bacillus circulans CP02603.1 (B8+B6) showed the highest degradation potential producing degradation percentage range of 8.7 to 46.80% after 150 days of the study and the least degradation potential of polyethylene was observed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa CP0296051 and Pseudomonas proteolytica NRO255SS.1 (B6+B3) with the percentage range of 5% to 27.03% after 150 days. From the study, Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp and their consortium showed higher potential to degrade low density polyethylene (LDPE) hence the prospect in remediation of polyethylene.","PeriodicalId":21776,"journal":{"name":"South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology","volume":"166 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77558388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of Extended-spectrum Beta-lactamase Mediated Urinary Tract Infections in a Tertiary Hospital in Enugu, South East, Nigeria","authors":"Luke Jideofor Ugwu, Alphonsus Ogbonna Ogbuabor, Chris Okwudilichukwu Anyamene","doi":"10.9734/sajrm/2022/v14i1258","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2022/v14i1258","url":null,"abstract":"Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) are a class of plasmid-mediated diverse, complex and rapidly evolving enzymes which hydrolyzes penicillins, monobactams and broad-spectrum cephalosporins. There is increasing prevalence of ESBL-producing bacteria globally with higher prevalence reported in developing countries. The present study was designed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of ESBL producing bacteria isolates in patients with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Enugu. Urine samples were collected from a total of 284 subjects with self-reported UTI In the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Enugu State, Nigeria between the periods of April to May,2019.Samples were analyzed for the presence of UTI and antimicrobial resistance pattern of ESBL-producing bacteria using standard methods.  Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS version 23 (IBM Corp Armok, NY). A total of 145 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (n= 19). Escherichia coli (n=52), Klebsiella pneumonia (n=45), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n =12), Enterococcus faecalis (n=9) and Proteus mirabilis (n=8), were isolated from 132 subjects giving a UTI prevalence rate of 34.6%.  Forty-nine (49) ESBL-producing strains comprising Staphylococcus aureus (n=5), Escherichia coli (n=15), Klebsiella pneumonia (n=16), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=13), Enterococcus faecalis (n=8) and Proteus mirabilis (n=7) were implicated in UTI accounting for 46.8%ESBL-producing bacteria mediated UTI.  There is a high prevalence of ESBL-producing bacteria induced UTI. This portends a great danger to the management of bacterial infections.","PeriodicalId":21776,"journal":{"name":"South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology","volume":"59 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80173609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibacterial Screening of Leaves Extracts of Annona muricata (Annonaceae) and Jatropha tanjorensis (Euphorbiaceae) against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa","authors":"N. E. Ewa-Udu, F. C. Nwanebu, H. Stanley, I. Okereke","doi":"10.9734/sajrm/2022/v13i4256","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2022/v13i4256","url":null,"abstract":"The crude extracts of Annona muricata and Jatropha tanjorensis leaves were investigated with the aim of determining the antibacterial activity, qualitative and quantitative properties, the best solvent used for extraction, the most active ingredients and the organism that is most susceptible to them. Ethanol, petroleum ether and water (warm) were used as solvents. Agar well diffusion method was used for the susceptibility testing of extracts against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with ciprofloxacine as positive control and sterile water as negative control. Ethanol and petroleum ether extracts of the plant, either alone or in combination, showed activities against test organisms. P. aeruginosa was more susceptible to ethanolic extract of A. muricata extract with 11.33±0.33 mm zone of inhibition while E. coli was the least susceptible with 9.83 mm.  E. coli was more susceptible to ethanolic extract of J. tanjorensis with 10.0±0.00 mm zone of inhibition while P. aeruginosa was the least susceptible with 9.0±0.0 mm diameter. Using petroleum ether, E. coli was the most susceptible to A. muricata extract with 7.33±0.33 while S. aureus was the least susceptible with 7.00±0.58 mm diameter. For J. tanjorensis petroleum ether extract, E. coli was the least susceptible with 7.33.0±0.33 mm zone of inhibition while S. aureus was the most susceptible with 8.0±0.0.58 mm diameter. The combination of petroleum ether extracts of both plants gave zones of inhibition of 7.67±0.67 mm and 8.33±0.67 mm for E. coli and S. aureus respectively. The combination of ethanolic extracts of both plants gave zones of inhibition of 14.33±0.67 mm, 12.60±0.6 mm and 7.67±0.33 mm E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa respectively, which suggest a synergistic effect. The minimal inhibitory concentration of the extracts against test organisms ranged between 25 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL while the minimal bactericidal concentration ranged between 50 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL. This study reveals that the ethanol and petroleum ether extracts of A. muricata and J. tanjorensis have antibacterial effect on E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.","PeriodicalId":21776,"journal":{"name":"South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81933643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Uropathogenic Escherichia coli from Mouau Female Hostel Students","authors":"Emmanuel K. Amanze, Ogechukwu B. Ochomma, C. Udensi, C. P. Christian, Chioma S. Dike, Joseph C. Okakpu, C. V. Nwokafor","doi":"10.9734/sajrm/2022/v13i4255","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2022/v13i4255","url":null,"abstract":"Aim: The study is aimed at determining the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and production of Extended-spectrum Βeta-Lactamase (ESBLs) among Escherichia coli isolates from urine samples. \u0000Methods: A total of 35 samples of early morning mid-stream urine samples of about 10-15 ml were collected from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) female hostel students; using sterile plastic containers. Each urine sample was inoculated on MacConkey Agar (MCA). Isolates were identified based on morphological features, Gram staining, and biochemical characterization. The antibiotic susceptibility test was done by the Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar. ESBL detection was done as per Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines, using the double disc synergy test method. \u0000Results: The study reviewed a total of 12 isolates of Escherichia coli of which is (34.29%) of which were obtained from urine samples. The susceptibility test results showed that most isolates were susceptible to Ofloxacin with 83.3% susceptibility, followed by Levofloxacin (66.7%), whereas gentamicin, nalidixic acid, cefuroxime, and cefotaxime exhibited a susceptibility rate of 33.3%. On the other hand, the highest resistance rate was to imipenem (96.7%), followed by Amoxicillin and ampiclox with 83.3%, while the least percentage resistance was observed in Ofloxacin with (8.3%) and Levofloxacin with (16.7%). Extended-spectrum Βeta-Lactamase (ESBLs) production among E. coli isolates was detected in 25.0% of the potential ESBL producers. The result of the multiple antibiotic resistance index showed that the isolate (E20) was significantly higher than other isolates with p<0.05, whereas E3, E7, E10 and E12 had same resistance pattern. \u0000Conclusion: So drug resistance due to ESBL production is a severe threat in UTIs, narrowing down the choice of antibiotics for treatment. So, there is a need to introduce routine screening for ESBL production for all uropathogenic Escherichia coli, causing urinary tract infections.","PeriodicalId":21776,"journal":{"name":"South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84768288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Vibrio Pathotypes with the Incidence of V. Cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus in Fish and Fish Storage Water in Okitipupa and Igbokoda Areas, Nigeria","authors":"T. Agboola, E. Nmema, Busayo Tolulope Samuel, B. Odetoyin","doi":"10.9734/sajrm/2022/v13i4254","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2022/v13i4254","url":null,"abstract":"Vibrio is a genus of bacteria belonging to the family Vibrionaceae and is of epidemiological importance. This organism is commonly found in aquatic environments and is associated with water and food-related infectious disease outbreaks of public health concern globally. About 85% of presumptive isolates recovered from fish and fish storage water collected from major markets in Okitipupa and Igbokoda areas of Ondo State, Nigeria were confirmed as Vibrio species via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques with the Vibrio-specific 16S rRNA gene as a target. Primers for 0mpW and toxR genes were used to identify V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus respectively. The isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing against 12 antibiotics belonging to 8 classes. The prevalence of Vibrio cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus was 3.9% and 12.5% respectively. Vibrio spp. obtained in this study showed resistance to Meropenem (88.3%), Cefotaxime (81.3%), Ceftazidime (79.7%), Cefuroxime (78.1%), Tetracycline (54.7), Vancomycin (38.3%), Ceftriaxone (26.6%), Cotrimoxazole (21.9), Chloramphenicol (18%), Ciprofloxacin (12.5%), Amikacin (10.9%) and Gentamicin (6.2%). Vibrio species obtained from both sampled sites showed the highest susceptibility to Gentamicin (93.8%). Multiple antibiotic resistant Index (MARI) observed among the Vibrio species ranged from 0.25 and 0.83. This study revealed high incidence of multi-drug resistant Vibrio spp in the fish sold in these major markets, which suggests antimicrobial abuse in the study area. We concluded that the consumption of this aquaculture produce without proper processing and the discharge of the storage water into the environment without treatment pose a public and environmental health threat respectively.","PeriodicalId":21776,"journal":{"name":"South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79763237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antimicrobial Activity of Ten Local Actinobacterial Strains against ESKAPE, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas baetica Pathogens","authors":"Maryam Hazim Abduljaba, T. Salih","doi":"10.9734/sajrm/2022/v13i4253","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2022/v13i4253","url":null,"abstract":"Aims: The study included the isolation, purification, cultural characteristics, antimicrobial activities and molecular identification of local actinobacterial strains isolated from different locations north of Iraq. \u0000Methodology: Oligotrophic medium supplemented with the antifungals cycloheximide (50 mg/l) and nystatin (30 mg/l) was used for preliminary isolation. ISP-3 medium was chosen as a potential medium for subsequent purification of actinobacterial strains. The cultural characteristics of all isolated actinobacterial strains were elucidated on International Streptomyces Project media (ISP2-ISP-7). 16S rRNA marker gene was used for molecular identification using 27F and 1492R universal primers. \u0000Results: Ten isolates were biologically active against tested ESKAPE, Bacillus subtilis and pseudomonas paetica pathogens when cultured on different ISPs media under the OSMAC approach. Six representative isolates that exhibited antimicrobial activity against all or almost tested bacteria were sequenced using 16S rRNA gene. The sequences were compared with those of other actinobacterial strains that are found in Genebank database to find the best similarity and the close reference strains to our isolates. Five of the sequenced strains have been identified as Streptomyces species; MT5, MT8, MT12, MT23 and MT26 and one was identified as a rare actinobacterial strain Lentzea sp.; MT4. Nucleotide sequences have been provided and deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information NCBI under the accession numbers ON514131, ON514133, ON514134, ON514135, ON514136 and ON514130 respectively.","PeriodicalId":21776,"journal":{"name":"South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82033052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution on the Biotic and Abiotic Components of the Environment","authors":"C. B. Ehis-Eriakha, S. E. Akemu","doi":"10.9734/sajrm/2022/v13i330302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2022/v13i330302","url":null,"abstract":"The environment comprises of biotic and abiotic components interacting as a system. The environment also contains organic and inorganic minerals in optimal concentration required by living organisms for growth, development, and metabolic activities. Due to anthropogenic activities and some natural occurrences, the availability of these elements has drastically increased in the ecosystem beyond the required threshold and permissible limits causing pollution. Heavy metal (HM) is one of the naturally occurring elements that threaten plant, animal, and human health. These HMs have been defined as elements with more than 5gcm-3 relative density that are not readily biodegradable but can be transformed from one state to another and are usually associated with toxicity or ecotoxicity. However, some heavy metals are biologically essential elements required in the body/plant or as constituents of important enzymes although in trace amounts while others are non-essential and are ranked as priority metals due to their high level of toxicity with no biological importance even at low concentrations.  The non-degradability property of heavy metals contributes to its persistence and subsequent accumulation in the biota and the food chain which is of public health significance to humans and animals. The soil environment is highly prone to HM contamination due to physiological, biochemical, metabolic, and biogeochemical processes that occur within the environment mostly mediated by microbes. These microbes are inarguably the drivers of ecosystem functioning, although they are significantly the most affected by HM pollution. This review, therefore, describes the ecotoxicological effect of heavy metals with special reference to the soil environment. Other sections discussed are the toxicity and general properties of some selected heavy metal, their role as environmental pollutants and essential elements. In addition, the effect of HM on soil microbes has also been analyzed in two folds: i) reduction in microbial population and diversity and ii) increased diversity and abundance of HM-resistant microbial strains which are significant in bioremediation studies ","PeriodicalId":21776,"journal":{"name":"South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74732797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}