Microbiota of Palm Oil Mill Wastewater in Malaysia

Abstract

This study was aimed at identifying indigenous microorganisms from palm oil mill effluent and to ascertain the microbial load. Isolation and identification of indigenous microorganisms was subjected to standard microbiological methods and sequencing of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes for the microbial strains signifies that they were known as Micrococcus luteus101PB, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia102PB, Bacillus cereus103PB, Providencia vermicola104PB, Klebsiella pneumoniae105PB, Bacillus subtilis106PB, Aspergillus fumigatus107PF, Aspergillus nomius108PF, Aspergillus niger109PF and Meyerozyma guilliermondii110PF. Results revealed that the population of total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) ranged from 9.5 x 105 – 7.9 x 106 cfu/mL. The total heterotrophic fungi (THF) ranged from 2.1 x 104– 6.4 x 104 cfu/mL. Total viable heterotrophic indigenous microbial population on CMC agar ranged from 8.2 x 105- 9.1 x 106 cfu/mL and 1.4 x 103- 3.4 x 103 cfu/mL for bacteria and fungi respectively. The microbial population of oil degrading bacteria (ODB) ranged from 6.4 x 105 – 4.8 x 106 cfu/mL and the oil degrading fungi (ODF) ranged from 2.8 x 103 – 4.7 x 104 cfu/mL. The findings revealed that microorganisms flourish well in palm oil mill effluent (POME). Therefore, this denotes that isolating native microorganisms from palm oil mill effluent (POME) is imperative for effectual bioremediation, biotreatment and biodegradation of industrial wastewaters.