DEPARTMENTOFMICROBIOLOGY

The discharge of untreated abattoir effluents into the environment poses significant public health risks, particularly due to the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. This study aimed to isolate and characterize MDR bacteria from soil samples contaminated with abattoir effluents in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected fromfive abattoirsEkehuan, Santana Market, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Oluku, and Ikpoba—at a depthof5–10 cm and analyzed microbiologically. The highest bacterial load was recorded at UNIBEN abattoir (5.56 log₁₀ CFU/mL), while Ekehuan had the lowest (3.96 log₁₀ CFU/mL). Morphological and biochemical identification revealed Escherichia coli, Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Proteus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Salmonella sp., and Klebsiella sp. as the predominant isolates. Escherichia coli was the most prevalent (23.33%), followed by Bacillus sp. (21.05%) and Staphylococcus sp. (16.34%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed high resistance levels, with Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus Aureus having a multiple-resistant index of 0.4 while Pseudomonas sp and E coli exhibit the highest resistant indexof0.6 respectively. The presence of MDR bacteria in abattoir effluents highlights the need for improved wastewater management and antimicrobial resistance monitoring to mitigate environmental and public health risks

Agricultural soil harbors a diverse array of microorganisms that play crucial roles in plant growth and soil fertility. In this study, we investigated the physicochemical properties and plant growth-promoting potential of bacteria isolated from selected farmlands in Benin City, EdoState, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from various agricultural locations, and the total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 1.34 ± 0.37 to 2.48 ± 0.85 (x10^4 cfu/ml), withthehighest counts found in the Capitol Area. Nine bacterial isolates were identified, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Bacillus subtilis. Bacillus subtilis was present in all locations, while P. aeruginosa and E. coli were more localized. B. subtilis and E. coli were the most prevalent isolates, each accounting for 26.32% of the total isolates. The physicochemical properties of the soils showed variability across locations, withthepH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral. The highest electrical conductivity (EC) was observed in VC Quarters, suggesting a higher concentration of dissolved salts. Organic matter (OM), organic carbon (OC), and nitrogen content were notably higher in VC Quarters, indicating better soil fertility. Phosphorus (P) levels were also highest in VC Quarters, supporting nutrient availability for plant growth. Other essential nutrients such as calcium (Ca), potassium(K), and magnesium (Mg) varied across the locations, with Capitol Area exhibiting the highest calcium content, while potassium and magnesium were abundant in VC Quarters and Capitol Area, respectively. These findings underscore the role of soil microbiota in promoting plant growth, aswell as the importance of soil nutrient composition for agriculture. The presence of diverse bacterial isolates with potential plant growth-promoting characteristics, alongside varying soil properties, offers valuable insights into improving agricultural practices and soil management inBenin City.