African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5238

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria from Lakes Olbolosat and Oloiden, Kenya

Catherine Wachera Kiama
  • Catherine Wachera Kiama
  • Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000-00200 Nairobi, Kenya.
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Moses Mucugi Njire
  • Moses Mucugi Njire
  • Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000-00200 Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Google Scholar
Anne Kelly Kambura
  • Anne Kelly Kambura
  • School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Taita Taveta University, P. O. Box 635-80300 Voi, Kenya.
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Julius Ndirangu Mugweru
  • Julius Ndirangu Mugweru
  • School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Embu, P. O. Box 6 -60100, Embu, Kenya.
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Viviene Njeri Matiru
  • Viviene Njeri Matiru
  • Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000-00200 Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Google Scholar
Eliud Nalianya Wafula
  • Eliud Nalianya Wafula
  • Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000-00200 Nairobi, Kenya.
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  •  Received: 09 November 2020
  •  Accepted: 18 December 2020
  •  Published: 31 January 2021

Abstract

There is still unexplored reservoir of microorganisms from sediments and water within Lakes Olbolosat and Oloiden using culture dependent technique. The current study compares bacterial diversity within Lake Olbolosat a freshwater lake and Lake Oloiden a saline alkaline lake. Out of 60 isolates obtained from sediments and water samples, 35 were from Lake Olbolosat and 25 from Lake Oloiden. Microbial count ranged between 0-1.75× 105 cfu/ml from both lakes. There was a significant difference between bacterial density and sampling points (p<0.001, F=6.667), 58 were Gram-positive and 2 Gram-negative. Fifty-five isolates that were rod-shaped, 3 were cocci and 2 filamentous. There was excellent growth of isolates at an optimum growth pH range of 6-10, a temperature range of 25-30°C and a salinity range of 0-5%. There was significant difference at p<0.001 for bacterial growth within physiological parameters. The isolates utilized skimmed milk, starch, olive oil, cellulose powder and xylan, hence the production of extracellular enzymes. There was antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans by bacterial isolates. BLAST analysis of partial sequences showed there were 4 different phyla.  Firmicutes scored 77% closely affiliated with 20 strains, Actinobacteria scored 15% closely affiliated with 4 strains, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes scored 4% affiliated with 1 strain each. Novel bacteria from this study could provide insights into their diversity and biotechnological applications.

 

Keywords: Lakes, bacteria, sediment, water, culture-dependent.