Isolation, Characterizationand Screening of Zinc Tolerating Bacteria in the Soil of Maiduguri, Borno State

Student: Halima Umar (Project, 2025)
Department of Biotechnology
Kashim Ibrahim University

Abstract

Abstract:
Zinc contamination in agricultural soils poses a significant threat to crop productivity and soil health.This study aimed to isolate and characterize zinc-tolerant bacteria from contaminated irrigation farms for their potential in bioremediation. Soil samples were collected, and bacteria were isolated using selective media supplemented with zinc. Isolates were characterized morphologically, biochemically, and their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for zinc was determined. Results revealed a high abundance of zinc-tolerant bacteria, with Bacillus and Pseudomonas species being predominant. These isolates exhibited significant tolerance to zinc, with MIC values up to 0.002 μg/mL. The findings confirm the presence of resilient microbial communities in contaminated soils and highlight the potential of these indigenous zinc-tolerant bacteria for use in bioremediation strategies to detoxify zinc-polluted agricultural land.

Keywords
Zinc Tolerance Bioremediation Heavy Metal Contamination Bacillus spp. Pseudomonas spp. Soil Health Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)
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