http://hdl.handle.net/11189/5228 2026-08-13T01:58:43Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/7158 Title: Performance of fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 isolate in cyanide biodegradation system Authors: Akinpelu, Enoch Akinbiyi; Adetunji, Adewole Tomiwa; Ntwampe, Seteno Karabo Obed; Nchu, Felix; Mekuto, Lukhanyo Abstract: This study reports a cyanide resistant and/or tolerant fungus, isolated from the rhizosphere of Zea mays contaminated with cyanide-based pesticides. The isolate was characterised using molecular biology. The effect of free cyanide and heavy metals on the growth of isolate in a synthetic gold mine wastewater was examined. The molecular analyses identified the isolate as Fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 (KU985430/KU985431). The isolate had a free cyanide degradation efficiency of 77.6%. The results indicated greater growth impairment in culture containing Arsenic (optical density 1.28 and 1.458) and cyanide (optical density 1.315 and 1.385). Higher growth was observed in all cultures supplemented with extracellular polymeric substance. This study showed that the isolate possesses wide substrate utilisation mechanism that could be deployed in environmental engineering applications. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/7086 Title: Process performance determination data in thiocyanate biodegradation systems : use of sulphate production Authors: Mekuto, Lukhanyo; Razanamahandry, Lovasoa C.; Ntwampe, Seteno Karabo Obed; Mudumbi, John Baptist Nzukizi; Muchatibaya, Gift Abstract: This data article presents the utilization of sulphates as an indirect technique for the assessment of microbial growth, activity and SCN- biodegradation efficiency since the TDO were observed to be unable to utilise the produced sulphates as a source of sulphur (Mekuto e al., 2017) [1] The TDO demonstrated complete SCN- biodegradation while also utilizing the produced ammonium. The production of SO42- from SCN- biodegradation had a good correlation in comparison to the traditional methods of assessing microbial growth and activity i.e. direct cell counts (DCC), heterotrophic counts (CFU) and fluorescein production from fluorescein diacetate (FDA). The concentration of the produced SO42- demonstrated a similar logarithmic trend with the FDA, DCC and CFU techniques, thus confirming that the production of SO42- from SCN- biodegradation systems can be utilised as an indirect technique for the assessment of microbial growth, activity and SCN- biodegradation performance. 2018-01-17T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/7080 Title: Performance of fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 isolate in cyanide biodegradation system Authors: Akinpelu, Enoch Akinbiyi; Adetunji, Adewole Tomiwa; Ntwampe, Seteno Karabo Obed; Nchu, Felix; Mekuto, Lukhanyo Abstract: This study reports a cyanide resistant and/or tolerant fungus, isolated from the rhizosphere of Zea mays contaminated with cyanide-based pesticides. The isolate was characterised using molecular biology. The effect of free cyanide and heavy metals on the growth of isolate in a synthetic gold mine wastewater was examined. The molecular analyses identified the isolate as Fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 (KU985430/KU985431). The isolate had a free cyanide degradation efficiency of 77.6%. The results indicated greater growth impairment in culture containing Arsenic (optical density 1.28 and 1.458) and cyanide (optical density 1.315 and 1.385). Higher growth was observed in all cultures supplemented with extracellular polymeric substance. This study showed that the isolate possesses wide substrate utilisation mechanism that could be deployed in environmental engineering applications. 2018-02-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/5601 Title: Co-metabolism of thiocyanate and free cyanide by Exiguobacterium acetylicum and Bacillus marisflavi under alkaline conditions Authors: Mekuto, Lukhanyo; Alegbeleye, Oluwadara Oluwaseun; Ntwampe, Seteno Karabo Obed; Ngongang, Maxwell Mewa; Mudumbi, John Baptist Nzukizi; Akinpelu, Enoch Akinbiyi Abstract: The continuous discharge of cyanide-containing effluents to the environment has necessitated for the development of environmentally benign treatment processes that would result in complete detoxification of the cyanide-containing wastewaters, without producing additional environmental toxicants. Since biological detoxification of hazardous chemical compounds has been renowned for its robustness and environmental-friendliness, the ability of the Exiguobacterium acetylicum (GenBank accession number KT282229) and Bacillus marisflavi (GenBank accession number KR016603) to co-metabolise thiocyanate (SCN−) and free cyanide (CN−) under alkaline conditions was evaluated. E. acetylicum had an SCN− degradation efficiency of 99.9 % from an initial SCN− concentration of 150 mg SCN−/L, but the organism was unable to degrade CN−. Consequently, B. marisflavi had a CN− degradation efficiency of 99 % from an initial concentration of 200 mg CN−/L. Similarly, the organism was unable to degrade SCN−; hence, this resulted in the evaluation of co-metabolism of SCN− and CN− by the two microbial species. Optimisation of operational conditions was evaluated using response surface methodology (RSM). A numeric optimisation technique was used to evaluate the optimisation of the input variables i.e. pH, temperature, SCN− and CN− concentrations. The optimum conditions were found to be as follows: pH 9.0, temperature 34 °C, 140 mg SCN−/L and 205 mg CN−/L under which complete SCN− and CN− degradation would be achieved over a 168-h period. Using the optimised data, co-metabolism of SCN− and CN− by both E. acetylicum and B. marisflavi was evaluated, achieving a combined degradation efficiency of ≥99.9 %. The high degradative capacity of these organisms has resulted in their supplementation on an active continuous biological degradation system that is treating both SCN− and CN−. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z