Pages: (77-90 )
Abstract
The continual use of non-biodegradable plastics has necessitated the need to source for alternative cheap, and readily available material to develop environmental friendly plastics. Ogi is an indigenous fermented cereal waste consumed in many African countries but the resulting liquor is wasted. This study evaluated the polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) producing ability of Bacillus spp. isolated from ogi steep liquor and lemon ogi steep liquor during fermentation of ogi. Isolates positive to Sudan Black B staining were characterized and tested for PHB-producing ability and degradation of extracted PHB by soil-borne microorganisms. Identified PHB-producing Bacillus spp. were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Bacillus subtilis. Bacillus subtilis had the highest percentage of PHB accumulation. This reports showed that Bacillus spp in ogi steep liquor has industrial applications in plastic production.
Keywords: ogi steep liquor, Bacillus, lemon ogi steep liquor, polyhydroxybutyrate.,