Department of Biological Sciences
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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 Characterization of silver nanoparticles synthesized from Helianthus annuus leaf extracts and antibacterial potential against foodborne pathogens(Discover Chemistry, 2026-03-11) Fashogbon, Racheal Oluwayemisi; Adejoh, Olubunmi P.; Fasiku, Samuel Adedayo; James, Stephanie N.; Ajayi, Olutosin O; Adeyemi, Abiodun A.The synthesis of nanoparticles using biological substances, such as plants, has proven to be more beneficial, eco-friendly, and cost-effective. This study emphasised the green biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Helianthus annuus L. leaf extracts in ethyl acetate (AgNPEa) and methanol (AgNPM), along with antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the resulting nanoparticles. The phytochemical analysis of the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts was done. Characterization (UV-visible (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction techniques (XRD) and FTIR), antioxidant and antibacterial potential of the synthesised AgNPs were done. The two extracts showed no cardiac glycosides. A change in colour of the silver salt solution, showing a maximum UV-vis absorbance at 450 nm for AgNPMHa and 500 nm for AgNPEaHa. The SEM and TEM revealed a spherical shape having about 26.8 ± 9.4 nm and 22.3 ± 6.8 nm size. The EDX showed a high silver content of 69.35% in AgNPMHa and 72.40% in AgNPEaHa while XRD showed planes of pure silver ions. FTIR analysis the capping and stabilization of nanoparticle. Hydrogen peroxide, reducing power and total antioxidant activity increased dose-dependently (55 ± 23%, 63%, and 57% for AgNPEaHa and 57.03 ± 17%, 69.62 ± 21%, and 56% for AgNPMHa at 400ul) and both susceptible to Escherichia coli. The results confirmed that Helianthus annuus is a potential biomaterial for synthesizing AgNPs which can be exploited for its antioxidant and antibacterial activityItem 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 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 PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF L-ASPARAGINASE FROM Priestia megaterium GAFA(2026-02-20) Fasiku Samuel Adedayo; Oladunni Atilade Amos; Okpala Gift Chimamaka; Fasiku Taiwo Bukola; Afolabi Femi JohnsonL-asparaginase is an enzyme used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia due to its ability to break downexternal L-asparagine necessary for the growth of cancer cells. This work investigated the optimisation of Lasparaginase production and the effect of various factors on the activities of the produced enzyme. An Lasparaginase-producing bacterium collected from the Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory was identified using 16S rRNA. The production of L-asparaginase was optimised using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), and the experimental design was validated. The effect of environmental factors on L-asparaginase was determined. The L-asparagine-producing bacterium was identified as Priestia megaterium GAFA with an accession number PP390497. Optimal production (10594.1 U/mL) was validated using glucose as a carbon source, L-asparaginase only as a nitrogen source, fermented at pH 7.76 for 73 hours with an inoculum load of 7.7%. The Ca²⁺ ion significantly increased L-asparaginase activity by 76% compared with the control at p<0.05. The enzyme was active over a wide pH range (4–8), with maximum activity at pH 6.0. The highest activity was observed at 60 °C after 1 hour of incubation. The production of L-asparaginase by Priestia megaterium GAFA was optimised, and environmental factors influenced its activity.Item Isolation and identification of thermophilic cellulolytic yeast from cassava waste dump(Journal of Science Research,, 2015-01-01) Onilude, Adekoya, A.O A.A.; Wakil, Fasiku, S. A S. M; Ja’afaru, I. MCellulase is an enzyme complex which breaks down cellulose to glucose. The need for economical, complete and fast industrial processes necessitates the use of very active starters able to operate at high temperature of production to degrade cheap nutrients most of which are cellulolytic; hence the search for thermophilic cellulolytic yeasts from the environment. Isolation and identification of thermophilic yeasts were made from the soil samples using standard procedures and obtained isolates were screened for cellulolytic enzymes production. The enzymes were characterised using different parameters such as temperature, pH, substrate concentrations, enzyme concentrations and metal ion concentrations. A total of seven thermophilic yeasts were isolated from cassava waste dump sites and identified as Torulopis sphaerica, Kloeckera apiculata, Pichia canadensis, Pichia species, Candida krusei, Candida utilis and Rodotorula rubra. They all had optimum growth at temperature and pH of 55ºC and 6.0 respectively. The optimum temperature and pH for cellulolytic activities ranged from 45-55ºC and 5-6 respectively. Cellulolytic activities increased with increase in the concentration of substrate, enzymes and metal ions.Item Production of bacterial amylases and cellulases using sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas. (L.) Lam.) peels(African Journal of Biochemistry Research, 2015-01-01) Olanbiwoninu, Fasiku, Samuel Afolake AtinukePeels of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) were buried in the soil for 14 days and the isolates associated with the degradation of the peels were obtained using standard microbiological procedures. The bacterial isolates obtained were screened for amylolytic and cellulolytic activities under different pH and temperatures as parameters and optimized for enzyme production. Sixteen (16) bacterial isolates were obtained and characterized and screened for amylase and cellulase production. Bacillus pumilus has the highest frequency of occurrence (18.75%) followed by B. subtilis (12.50%). After 24 to 48 h of incubation, B. pumilus produced highest concentration of amylase at 55°C, pH 6 (5.4 U/mL) while B.subtilis had the best cellulase production of 0.75 U/mL at 55°C, pH 7. B. pumilus and Bacillus subtilis produced the highest amylase and cellulase concentrations and seem to be the potential sources of these enzymes for industrial application.Item Isolation and identification of antimicrobial-producing lactic acid bacteria from fermented cucumber(African Journal of Biotechnology, 2014-01-01) Wakil, Laba, S. A. S. M.; and Fasiku, S. ALactic acid bacteria (LAB) responsible for spontaneous fermentation of cucumber were isolated and their antimicrobial producing potentials were screened against 10 indicator strains. 65% of the isolated LAB produced antimicrobial activities against at least two indicator strains. The indicator strains used were: Escherichia coli, Bacillus licheniformis, B. cereus, Proteus species, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella species, Pseudomonas flourescence, P. aeruginosa, Serratia species and Pediococcus acidilactici. Of the 42 antimicrobial producing isolates characterized, 16, 12, 6 and 8 were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, L. fermentum, L. acidophilus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides, respectively. Highest lactic acid producers DW7, DT6, DH13 and DF12 were selected for further investigations and were identified as L. plantarum. None of the selected L. plantarum isolates had antagonistic activity against S. aureus, Salmolnella species and P. acidilactici. The effect of pH and temperature on the antimicrobial activity of selected isolates showed that pH 5.5 and temperature 30°C were the optimum pH and temperature respectively. Thus, the selected L. plantarum isolates are good producers of antimicrobial compounds and could be suitable for application in food industry in preservation of vegetables so as to increase their shelf life.Item Production of Bioethanol from Palm Oil Mill Effluent using Starter Cultures(New York Science Journal, 2013-01-01) Wakil, Fasiku, Samuel Adedayo Sherifah Monilola; Adelabu, Onilude, Anthony Abiodun Adebola BlessingPalm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) has great potential as a substrate for acetone, butanol and ethanol fermentation because it contains a mixture of carbohydrates including starch, hemicellulose, sucrose and other carbohydrates that can be utilized by microorganisms. Hence microorganisms were isolated from spontaneously fermenting POME, the predominant strains were selected as starters and the effect of starters singly and in combination for bioethanol production was evaluated/determined. POME was spontaneously fermented for 21 days from which samples were taken every 3 days for analyses of pH, microbial quality, ethanol content, free fatty acid and lipase activity. Microorganisms isolated were characterized and identified. Moulds isolated were strains of Aspergillus and Penicillum genera, yeast were Yarrowia lipolytica, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida spp., while bacteria were strains of Bacillus spp. and Micrococus sp. Sterile palm oil mill effluent was fermented with the starter cultures for 12 days and analyzed every 3 days for bioethanol production. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, while used singly, produced the highest bioethanol (3.70%) concentration. Statistical analysis shows that bioethanol and percentage free fatty acid production by single and combined starter fermented POME is significantly different (P ≤0.05) while lipase production was not significantly different (P≥0.05). The study reveals that fermentation of POME for 12days at room temperature (30+20C) using Saccharomyces cerevisiae singly gives the highest bioethanol concentration. Therefore, the use of starter cultures for fermentation of POME for the production of bioethanol is a potential solution for the control of pollution generated from the annual disposal of POME.Item Production of Bioethanol from Spontaneous Fermentation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME).(Science Publications, 2013-01-01) Wakil, Fasiku, Samuel Adedayo Sherifah Monilola; Adelabu, Onilude, Anthony Abiodun Adebola BlessingThe feasibility of bioethanol production from spontaneous fermentation of palm oil mill effluent was carried out. Cooled POME (1.5L) was allowed to ferment spontaneously for 21 days for analysis of microbial quality, free fatty acid, lipase activity and ethanol contents. Effect of pH and supplementation on ethanol and other parameters were also determined every 3 days for 21 days. Ethanol content increased as the concentration of glucose increased and highest ethanol content (0.9%) was recorded at 25g/L and 30g/L of glucose in POME. Sugar cane bagasse supplementation had highest ethanol content (0.9%) at 20g/L and 30g/L thereafter decreased as its supplementation increased. Corn steep liquor supplementation did not have any effect on ethanol production from POME. Fermented POME supplemented with corn steep liquor had the highest lipase activity (0.00756μg/ml/day) and free fatty acid (2.561%) at 150ml/L. POME supplemented with 30g/L glucose and 30g/L sugar cane bagasse had the highest record of ethanol content (2.3%) at pH of 8.5 with highest free fatty acid (5.029%) at pH 6.5 on the 12th day of fermentation and highest lipase activity (0.03200μg/ml/day) was recorded at pH 6.5 on the 3rd day of fermentation. A relative high bioethanol can be produced by spontaneously fermenting POME with addition of 30g/L of glucose and 30g/L of sugar cane bagasse for 12 days at pH of 8.5.