MICROBIAL SUCCESSION PATTERN, ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION IN Brassica olerecea var. capitata AT DIFFERENT DECOMPOSITION STAGES (Thesis Sample)

MICROBIAL SUCCESSION PATTERN, ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION IN
Brassica olerecea var. capitata AT DIFFERENT DECOMPOSITION STAGES
Stephanie Ajwan’g Okeyo Reg. No. I81S/15088/2011
Department of Microbiology
The project research report submitted in partial fulfillment for the academic requirement of the award of Bachelor of Science (Microbiology) in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University.
DECLARATION
The work presented is to the best of my knowledge, original except as acknowledged in the text. This material has not been submitted, either in whole or in part for any other study programme in any University or any other award.
Signature………………………….. Date…………………………………. Stephanie Ajwan’g Okeyo
Supervisor
The project report has been presented for examination purposes with my approval as the university supervisor.
Signature……………………………. Date…………………………………
Dr. Ezekiel Mugendi Njeru Department of Microbiology, Kenyatta University.
DEDICATION
Dedicated to my family including my parents for the constant inspiration and friend John Samuel Kituku for his hands on support and to my sister for the constant encouragement, guidance and drive.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Special thanks to Dr. Ezekiel Mugendi Njeru, my supervisor for his professional guidance, valuable support and useful critiques of this research work. I would also like to express my great appreciation to technical staff including Mr. Ng’ang’a , Miss L. Achieng’, Mr. A. Lawrence, Miss Catherine, Dr. Alaro, Mr. Roy from the Microbiology department and Mr Simon Mburu for their technical guidance.
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Major natural compounds which are the substrates for decomposition. These materials are found in plants animals and microorganisms (Insam and de Bertoldi, 2003)9
Table 2: Major natural compounds which are the substrates for decomposition. These materials are found in plants animals and microorganisms (Insam and de Bertoldi, 2003)10
Table 3: Bacterial cultural Characteristics on NA29
Table 4: Actinomycetes Cultural characteristics (Grown on M1 Agar)30
Table 5: Gram Staining31
Table 6: Biochemical Tests32
Table 7: Fungal characteristics33
Table 8: Mean cfus of microbial load at various stages of decomposition35
Table 9: Mean cfus of microbial load of sample 5 at various stages of decomposition36
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: The basic nutrient cycle. Source: USDA NRCS & NSTA (2010)14
Figure 2: Nutrient Cycles - Carbon & Nitrogen cycle)16
Figure 3: Biochemical test in the laboratory33
Figure 4: Gram staining34
Figure 5: Fungi Microcopy: On day 56 a dark crumbly earth like smelly dirt was recovered from sample 5.34
Figure 6: Effect of temperatures on microbial population36
Figure 7: Temperature change during decomposition within different samples37
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ADH

- Antidiuretic Hormone

ATP

-Adenosine triphosphate

BNF

-Biological Nitrogen Fixation

C

-Carbon

0C

-Degree Celsius

C: N

-Carbon: Nitrogen

CH4

-Methane

CO2

-Carbon (IV) dioxide

DGGE

-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis

DNA

-Deoxyribonucleic acid

GSL

-Glucosinolates

H2O2

-Hydrogen Peroxide

HPO42

-Hydrogen phosphate

ITC

-Isothiocyanates

LPCB

-LactoPhenol Cotton Blue

N2

-Nitrogen

NA

-Nutrient Agar