Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria
Arotupin, D.J., Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria
Microorganisms associated with cassava waste water-byproduct of cassava processing obtained from five different factories within Akure, Nigeria were investigated. The associated microorganisms were counted and isolated by standard microbiological methods. The highest microbial counts were recorded in factory 5 with 8.02×105 cfu mL-1 and 5.00×102 sfu mL-1 for bacteria and fungi, respectively, while factory 2 had the least counts of 2.33×105 cfu mL-1 and 3.20×102 sfu mL-1 for bacteria and fungi. The bacteria isolated were Aercoccus viridens, Bacillus substilis, Bacillus sp. Corynebacterium manihot and Lactobacillus acidophilus, while fungal isolates included Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, A. repens, Articulospora inflata and Geotrichum candidum. The yeasts were Candida utilis and Saccharomyces exguus. The pH values and titratable acidity (TTA) ranged from 3.55 to 4.02 and 9.50 to 13.01%, respectively. All the microbial isolates were screened for production of amylase and cellulase, Aerococcus viridens, Bacillus sp. Corynebacterium manihot, A. niger, Articulospora inflata, Geotrichum candidum and Candida utilis were positive for amylase and cellulase. Bacillus substilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Saccharomyces exguus were positive for amylase only, while A. fumigatus and A. repens were positive for cellulase only. Cassava processing water regarded as waste water, hence discharged into the environment constituting nuisance to tenestrial and aquatic life could be explored as a source of microorganisms capable of producing amylase and cellulase for industrial applications. © 2007 Academic Journals.
