comparative characterization of indigenous keratinase enzymes from district Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan

To isolate and characterize keratinolytic fungi and bacteria from indigenous soils, a total of 80 samples were collected from Ghari Mori District. Khairpur, and these organisms were isolated using standard microbiological technique. The isolated keratinolytic microorganisms comprised: Absidia sp., Chrysosporium asperatum, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Entomophthora coronata, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus and their keratinolytic properties were distinguished from the production of keratinase by measurement of zone of hydrolysis on skimmed milk agar [P<0.05]. C. keratinophylum and B. subtilis produced largest zone among all the isolated species. The crude keratinase revealed that the optimum time for production of the enzyme was seven days, optimum temperature 30°C and optimum pH 9 for C.keratinophylum but for B. subtilis, the optimum time was three days, optimum temperature 37°C and optimum pH 7. The enzyme activity of C. keratinophylum and B. subtilis were determined to be 220 U/ml and 260 U/ml respectively [P< 0.05]

Microbial diversity in the sandy soil of Nara Thar desert Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan

The microbial diversity was studied by Standard Plate Count and Direct Root Inoculation in the Nara Desert eco-region soil Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. It was found that the bacterial count was 200000 to 280000 per gram of soil whereas fungal count was 84000 to 110000. Among the bacterial diversity it was observed that there was existence of Bacillus sp., and halophilic Gram negative rods and cocci and five species of fungi belonging to three genera viz, Aspergillus, Alternaria and Cunninghamii were present. Hence more exploration is needed to recover many other micro-organisms and their relation with various plants and people of this eco-region

Multi-drug resistance of thermo-tolerant Escherichia coli isolated from drinking water of Khairpur city, Sindh, Pakistan

Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disc diffusion method. It was observed that the indole negative thermo-tolerant Escherichia coli isolated from drinking water of Khairpur was susceptible to twenty antibiotics and resistant to sixteen out of thirty six antibiotics. Occurrence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli in drinking water indicates the need for continued surveillance and monitoring of these bacteria

Fungal biota of the domestic animals in a city in Pakistan

To determine the prevalence of Keratinophillic fungi from domestic animals in Sukkur City Sindh Pakistan. A total of seven hundred and fifty hair samples from three groups [buffalo, goat and cow] of animals were collected in sterilized polythene bags in Sukkur city. Hair pieces measuring 2cm were placed on the agar plates supplemented with 0.05 g/l chloramphenicol for obtaining the fungal growth on hair. Hairs showing the whitish mycelial growth were transferred to freshly prepared Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar [SDA] for cultural growth and pure culture were maintained at 5oC in refrigerator. Out of 750 hair samples collected from three domestic animals which were studied in Sukkur city, Sindh, Pakistan, five hundred ninety four [594] isolates belonged to 8 genera and 9 species were isolated. A. candidus and Alterneria alternate were almost equally prevalent species represented by 14.81% and 14.48% respectively of the total number of isolates. A. niger and Chrysosporium asparatum were equal in their prevalence and represented 12.63% and 12.46%. Exophiala sp comes next constituting 12.29% followed by Stemphyllium sp. 10.94%. Other species isolated less frequently included Cladosporium 8.08%, Acrimonium sp.7.41% and Penicillium sp. 6.90%. The isolation frequency of fungal biota was significantly greater in buffalo from cow and goat [respectively 40.06%, 33.33% and 26.60% p = 0.02]. Keratinophillic fungi were isolated from domestic animals and the prevalence of these fungi in domestic animals may have a role in transmission of skin and other infections in human population

Bacteriological quality of drinking water of Sukkur City

To determine the bacteriological quality of drinking water of Sukkur city. A descriptive study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Diagnostic and Research Centre, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Sindh from January to December 2007. A total of 120 samples were analyzed by membrane filter method. Drinking water samples from main storage, distribution line and consumer taps were analyzed. All 120 samples [100%] were found contaminated with total coliform bacteria and 98 [82%] samples were found to be contaminated with thermotolerant Escherichia coli. Chlorine [residual] was not found in any of the samples. Drinking water samples were heavily contaminated with coliform and faecal coliform organisms making it unsuitable for drinking. Pakistan population should be encouraged to use boiled water for drinking, till the time that safe drining water is made available to all

Enumeration of total and fecal coliform bacteria in drinking water of Khairpur Sindh

The number and range of total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria were analyzed in the drinking water of Khairpur city to determine the quality of the water supplied to the residents of the city. The bacteriological study was carried out for indicator organisms i.e total coliform and fecal coliform [E. coli] by membrane filtration methods. A total of 90 samples were collected from three sites, thirty samples each from main reservoir [water works], distribution line and consumer taps [households, hotels and schools]. All samples were found contaminated [100%] with total coliform [TC] as well as fecal colifom [FC] bacteria. The counts were higher than the maximum microbial contaminant level established by World Health Organization [WHO]. The higher densities of bacteria were found in consumer taps [4-4.30 log cfu/100 ml] per 100 ml, followed by distribution line [3.79-4.20] and main reservoir [3-3.94 log cfu] per 100 ml total and fecal coliform. The pH and residual chlorine of water samples were also determined. It was observed that pH was within the limits of WHO standard [6.5-8.5], the residual chlorine was not detected in any sample of drinking water

Hair bait technique a method for isolation of the keratinases producing micro-organisms from soil

This paper states the methods of keratin baiting for isolation of keratinases producing microbes. Hair Bait Technique [HBT] is a specific method for isolation of the keratinases producing microbes [fungi and bacteria] from soil. There are several industrial and domestic applications of these enzymes

Occurrence of acute bacterial meningitis in Khairpur Mir's, Sindh, Pakistan

The cases of acute bacterial meningitis in age group 1 to 5 years were studied by standard diagnostic methods at Civil Hospital Khairpur Mir's, Sindh, Pakistan, during 2001 [one year study]. It was found that gram positive diplococci caused infections in 42.20% and gram negative rods and diplococci in 26.17%, whereas 31.54% cases have shown no bacteria

Human cutaneous alternariosis: a case study

A case of human cutaneous alternariosis of elbow caused by Alternaria alternata was reported in a 50 years-old man. The diagnosis was made by direct microscopic examination and repeated isolation of fungus in culture