Exploitation of arsenic resistant bacteria for the production of commercially important

amylase enzyme
(First National Conference on Biological Sciences-NIBGE, Faisalabad)
Best Poster Presenter Award
Syeda Umaimah Hashmi, Amna Shoaib and Azra Yasmin
Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi

Arsenic pollution among various pollution contributors is of up taking concern and debate.
Bioremediation by microbes appears to be the most effective and environmentally sustainable
approach for combating arsenic pollution. Such extremophilic microbes have other industrially
important potentials like amylase production which needs to be taken into deliberation. Present
study aimed to isolate and screen arsenic-resistant bacteria from Valor Pharmaceutical industrys
effluent affected soil and to reconnoiter their amylase production and activity potential.
Optimization studies for amylase were performed in the presence of different set of nutritional
and physiological conditions. Four out of twenty six arsenic-resistant bacterial isolates were
selected for characterization studies. Various morphological adaptations like Filamentation,
Elongation, Cell size reduction and Cell arrangement variation were observed in arsenic stress
state on comparison with no stress state. Selected bacterial isolates were facultative anaerobes,
motile and possessed multiple metal resistances considerably against lead, chromium, copper and
cadmium. They were able to grow at wide pH (5-11) and 30C temperature. Maximum amylase
production was observed at slightly alkaline medium, 37C temperature, 0.4-0.8% substrate and
1% NaCl concentration. Whereas, observed optimal conditions for crude amylase activity were
pH 8, 40-80C of temperature and 0.5-3% of substrate concentration. Metals (chromium, copper
and iron) and inhibitors (SDS and EDTA) variably reduced enzymes activity. This research
reflected environmental and industrial capabilities of arsenic-resistant bacteria.
Keywords: Arsenic pollution, Bioremediation, Amylase

Molecular genetic study of p-solubilizing bacteria, and identifying their role as Biofertilizer
(2nd International Conference on Biotechnology for Sustainable development-GCU
Lahore)-Oral Presenter
Syeda Umaimah Hashmi, Fozia Aslam, Azra Yasmin
Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi

Phosphorus-an essential plant macronutrient is receiving attention as a non-renewable resource,

due to its high fixation and low diffusion potential and with the increasing agricultural demands.
Heavy metal and radioactive pollution, together with eutrophication are associated perils of
phosphatic fertilizers manufacture and application. With these emerging risks, switching to ecofriendly agriculture by utilization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria as a bio-fertilizer (with
greater competitiveness and response to external stress factors) seems appropriate approach.
Present study aimed to examine p-solubilization and biofertilizer potential in heavy metal
resistant bacterial isolates. Among total of 49 bacterial isolates, two were selected for further
studies. Morphological, biochemical, resistance profiling (heavy metals and organic pollutants)
and genetic studies were performed. Optimization studies at a range of pH 5-10 and temperatures
(10, 25, 30, 37 and 42C) were done to develop association of growth, p-solubilization and pH
drop; a range of plant growth promoting characters was also evaluated. Bacterial isolates were
gram negative, non spore formers, and were able to grow and solubilize phosphate at broad range
of pH and temperature with few exceptions. Bacterial isolates had the ability to produce urease,
arginine dihydrolase and utilize citrate, nitrite and different types of sugar etc. It was observed
that production and activity of extracellular phosphatases was high as compared to cell-bound
phosphatases. Bacterial isolates exhibited resistance against poly-aromatic hydrocarbons,
petroleum hydrocarbons, azo dyes and heavy metals (Ni, Pb, Cd) significantly. Both of the
isolates were IAA and ACC deaminase producers, and synthesized EPS, ammonia and cell wall
degrading enzymes (cellulase, pectinase, amylase and protease). Whereas, none showed
siderophore and HCN production potential, but possess antimicrobial activity against B.
megaterium, B. subtilis, B. anthracis and E. faecalis. HPLC analysis for organic acid detection
indicated synthesis of oxalic acid, citric acid and gluconic acid in varying concentrations.
Bacterial isolates enhanced seedling lengths and weights, thus confirming their bio-fertilizer
potential. Molecular studies identified strains as Klebsiella variicola and Klebsiella sp.
Keywords: Phosphate-solubilization, plant growth promotion, organic acids