Browsing by Author "Afolabi, Femi Johnson"
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Item Applications of Microbial Enzymes in Industries(Journal of Multidisciplinary Sciences: MIKAILALSYS, 2026-01-28) Fasiku, Samuel Adedayo; Afolabi, Femi Johnson; Egbeleke, Tawakalit Adeola; Fashogbon, Racheal OluwayemisiMicrobial enzymes, produced by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, have emerged as indispensable biocatalysts across multiple industrial sectors due to their efficiency, versatility, and activity under diverse environmental conditions. This review aims to highlight the major industrial applications of microbial enzymes and synthesize evidence on their functional roles in contemporary bioprocesses. More than 80 published articles, textbooks, and newsletters were retrieved from reputable platforms, of which approximately 50 were selected for detailed analysis based on relevance and quality. The reviewed literature shows that enzymes now play critical roles in everyday life, with broad applications in medicine, pharmacy, environmental remediation, food processing, detergent manufacture, and energy production. In the detergent industry, amylases, lipases, and proteases are used to break down starch, fats, oils, and proteins, thereby enhancing washing efficiency. In the food sector, microbial enzymes support milk hydrolysis in cheese production, contributing to characteristic flavour development, and are widely employed in fruit juice clarification. In the energy sector, cellulases, xylanases, and lignin-degrading enzymes enable the breakdown of lignocellulosic substrates to release reducing sugars for biofuel production. Medically, L-asparaginase has been used in the treatment of leukaemia, while laccases are applied in the degradation of dyes and the reduction of chemical waste in environmental applications. The diversity of microbial sources allows these enzymes to function under extreme conditions, expanding their usability across varied industrial environments. Overall, the review concludes that microbial enzymes have extensive and growing industrial relevance, underscoring the need for continued research and development to optimize their production, stability, and application in sustainable biotechnological processes.Item Applications of Microbial Proteases: A Review(Journal of Multidisciplinary Sciences: MIKAILALSYS, 2026-03-08) Fasiku, Samuel Adedayo; Afolabi, Femi Johnson; Odeyale, Christiana IfyMicrobial proteases have attracted increasing attention as eco-friendly biocatalysts because of their broad functional versatility and advantages over proteases derived from plants and animals. This review examines the major sources, classification, production methods, and sectoral applications of microbial proteases. Produced by bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi, microbial proteases are classified according to optimum pH range, catalytic mechanism, and site of action, and are commonly generated through submerged and solid-state fermentation. The review shows that these enzymes have diverse industrial applications in detergent, leather and tanning, food and dairy, brewing and beverage processing, and textile production. In medical and pharmaceutical contexts, microbial proteases are applied in wound debridement and healing, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, drug development, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions. In agriculture, they support animal feed supplementation by improving protein digestion and function as biological control agents by disrupting pathogen attachment, penetration, and colonization of plant tissues. In the environmental sector, their applications include waste management, bioremediation, and the recycling of keratinous and other protein-rich wastes. Overall, this review underscores the wide-ranging utility of microbial proteases across industrial, medical, agricultural, and environmental sectors, highlighting their potential as sustainable biological agents for diverse biotechnological applications.Item Ethnomycology of Pleurotus tuber-regium and its use in food, medicine and bioremediation(Botanica, 2026-12-05) Afolabi, Femi Johnson; Babaniyi, Raphael Babafemi; Obagunwa, Monday; Onile, Faith Olu; Ajagun, Ebele Joan; Oyedele, Olusegun Julius; Fasiku, Samuel AdedayoPleurotus tuber-regium is a mushroom of the Pleurotaceae family, native to tropical Africa and the Australasia-Pacific region. It grows on the dead or decaying wood of certain trees such as Daniellia oliviera, Terminalia superba and Blighia sapida. Pleurotus tuber-regium is the only species of oyster mushroom that produces sclerotium. In traditional African medicine, the sclerotium is used to treat various ailments such as headaches, skin diseases and diabetes. The fruiting body and sclerotium are edible and contain essential amino acids such as methionine, lysine and tryptophan. Polysaccharides from Pleurotus tuber-regium show promise in delaying the progression and complications of diabetes in insulin-resistant rats due to pleuturegin, a ribosome-inactivating protein. It has anti-tumour, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolaemic, antihypertensive, antihyperglycaemic, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Pleurotus tuber-regium has been used in the bioremediation of soil contaminated with hydrocarbons. The fungus releases microdroplets toxic to nematodes, indicating potential for soil pest control. Pseudomonas tolaasii and Lycoriella solani are among the organisms that infect Pleurotus tuber-regium during cultivation. This review discusses the ethnomycology of Pleurotus tuber-regium and its uses in food, medicine and bioremediation.Item FORTIFICATION OF BREAD WITH THE SCLEROTIA OF PLEUROTUS TUBERREGIUM(Food and Environment Safety Journal, 2026-03-31) Afolabi, Femi Johnson; Jegede, Oluwafemi Victor; Babaniyi, Babafemi Raphael; Fashogbon, Racheal Oluwayemisi; Fasiku, Samuel AdedayoBread is a staple food in most parts of the world. In Nigeria, it is the second most consumed food after rice. However, grains used in the production of bread, such as wheat, millet, maize, and others, are known to be poor in protein; therefore, bread is also low in protein content. This study aimed to supplement wheat flour with flour made from the sclerotium of Pleurotus tuber-regium to enhance the nutritional value of bread. Wheat flour was supplemented with different concentrations of Pleurotus tuber-regium sclerotium flour (5-25%), while 100% wheat and 100% flour served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Evaluations such as dough rising, product weight, sensory parameters, and proximate composition were carried out. Data were analysed using analysis of variance and the Spearman correlation coefficient. The supplementation negatively affected the rising of the dough from 1.2 (5% supplementation) to 0.4 (25% supplementation) after 25 minutes of incubation, but positively influenced the weight of the products from 348 g (non-supplemented sample) to 495 g (100% sclerotium flour). The bread with the lowest level of supplementation (5%) had the highest acceptability (5.31); however, further increases in supplementation reduced acceptability. The supplementation improved the protein, fat, and ash contents, and decreased the moisture, crude fibre, and carbohydrate contents of the bread. Overall, the supplementation appeared to improve the nutritional composition of the bread while also enhancing its shelf stability, as moisture content decreased with higher supplementation. Additionally, it suggests a viable use of the sclerotium in producing composite flour for bread making.Item Microbial Insecticides in Sustainable Agriculture: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Prospects(Ajayi Crowther Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 2026-05-04) Fasiku, Samuel Adedayo; Akagbosu, Adesuwa Oluwatofunmi; Afolabi, Femi Johnson; Afariogun, Moses SundayThe current research work examines microbial insecticides as potential and sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides for agricultural pest management. The development, mechanisms, and use of bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoan pesticides are studied with particular attention to mode of action and specificity. The review explains that toxins produced by important bacteria, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), damage cells, and toxins from fungi, such as Beauveria bassiana, penetrate and colonise insects, rendering them ineffective. Microbial pesticides have many advantages, including negligible pollution, safety to non-target organisms, and a low likelihood of pest resistance development. Microbial insecticides are complex in nature but degrade rapidly. The review also covers production methods, application techniques, and quality control measures needed for effective use in integrated pest management. Although microbial pesticides can be an environmentally sound solution for sustainable agriculture, their use must be designed taking into consideration the formulation, application, and environmental conditions.Item Optimisation of laccase production by Curvularia verruculosa UDY through solid-state fermentation using response surface methodology(Discovery, 2026-04-07) Fasiku, Samuel Adedayo; Oladunni, Atilade Amos; Fasiku, Taiwo Bukola; Ernest, Godswill Uduak; Adeogun, Opeyemi Janet; Afolabi, Femi JohnsonLaccases are multicopper oxidase enzymes with significant industrial and environmental applications, including bioremediation, textile dye degradation, and biosensor development. This study aimed to optimise laccase production under solid-state fermentation using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and to utilise the produced laccase for dye decolourisation. The laccase-producing fungus was molecularly identified. Parameters, including incubation period, pH, substrate concentration, inoculum size, and carbon sources, were optimised using RSM. The model equation was generated using Design Expert, and the model's statistical significance was evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Laccase was quantified using 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) as a substrate. The effect of environmental conditions on laccase activity was determined, and the enzyme was used to decolourise dyes. The laccase-producing fungus was identified as Curvularia verruculosa UDY (accession number PV669996). The optimum laccase yield (735 µU/L) was observed with sugarcane bagasse as the substrate on a basal medium containing a glucose carbon source, at an initial pH of 3, with an inoculum size of 2 fungal plugs, over a fermentation period of 10.5 days. All cations tested enhanced laccase activity, with Mn²⁺ producing the greatest stimulation (1056 µU/mL). At various pH levels, the highest laccase activity (898 µU/mL) of C. verruculosa UDY was observed at pH 9.5, while activity at different temperatures peaked (943 µU/mL) at 60°C after 40 min. Laccase decolourised Congo red by 22% within 2 hours. The production of laccase by C. verruculosa UDY through solid-state fermentation was optimised. Cations, pH, temperature, and time affected laccase activity, and the produced laccase decolourised dyes, which could promote the utilisation of agrowastes for industrial enzyme production as well as laccase decolourisation application in the textile industry.Item Production of laccase by Pleurotus ostreatus through submerged fermentation and its decolourisation potential(Bulletins of Natural and Applied Sciences, 2026-02-20) Fasiku, Samuel Adedayo; Abimbola, Muinat Titilope; Afolabi, Femi JohnsonLaccases are multicopper oxidase enzymes with significant industrial and environmental applications, including bioremediation and the degradation of textile dyes. This study investigated laccase production by Pleurotus ostreatus using submerged fermentation and assessed its decolourisation potential. Lignocellulosic wastes, including sugarcane bagasse, rice straw, maize cob, conifer litters, and maize straw, were evaluated as substrates for laccase production. Parameters such as carbon and nitrogen sources, pH, inoculum size, and incubation period were optimised. Enzyme activity was quantified using 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) as a substrate, characterised with respect to metal ions, pH, temperature, and time, and decolourisation ability was determined using various dyes. The highest laccase yield (435.04 µU/L) was recorded in a medium containing 1% of maize straw, supplemented with 1% glucose as the carbon source and 0.1% peptone as the nitrogen source, at an initial pH of 7.0, inoculated with four circular 7 mm Pleurotus ostreatus plugs, and incubated for 6 days. Metal ions affected laccase activity. Activity was stable across a wide pH range (3.6–9.5), with the highest activity recorded at pH 8.0. Laccase activity was also stable across temperatures (25–60℃) and time periods (10–60 minutes). Pleurotus ostreatus laccase decolourised malachite green and Leishman blue by 21.8% and 21.4%, respectively. Laccase production by Pleurotus ostreatus was optimised through submerged fermentation, promoting the utilisation of agro-wastes and offering a scalable method for industrial enzyme production. Dyes were decolourised by laccase, demonstrating the enzyme’s potential and its application in the textile industry.Item The decolourising potential of some laccase-producing Curvularia and Paradictyoarthrinium species(Discovery, 2026-03-07) Fasiku, Samuel Adedayo; Akinrinsade, Godwin Adeoluwa; Aregbesola, Seun Angel; Olajide, Benedicta Oyindamola; Afolabi, Femi Johnson; Adebami, Gboyega EbenezerLaccases are enzymes that break down lignin and are also useful in dye decolourisation. This study investigated laccase production by some laccase-producing fungi and evaluated their ability to decolourise dyes. Some fungi with laccase-producing potential were collected and identified using molecular techniques. They were cultivated on various substrates at pH 5 and 6. Laccase production was determined using 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) [ABTS] and guaiacol as indicators. The fungi were grown in fermentation media containing 1 g/L of dyes, and their decolourising capacity was determined. The fungi were identified as Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum AP3, Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum AP2, Curvularia lunata DP1, Curvularia lunata FESAMB, Curvularia petersonii K2, and Curvularia verruculosa K6. There was higher laccase activity in substrates containing lignin than in those without. The highest laccase production (39.62 U/mL) was recorded by Curvularia lunata DPI in maize straw-containing medium at pH 6 with ABTS as an indicator. In comparison, Curvularia petersonii K2 was the best producer of laccase (17.67 U/mL) when guaiacol was used. Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum AP2 decolourised methyl red, Congo red and safranine, whereas Curvularia lunata FESAMB achieved the highest decolourisation rate (63%) of Leishmann blue. Curvularia and Paradictyoarthrinium species used in this work produced laccase enzymes, and successfully decolourised dyes.