1.1 Introduction
Microorganisms represent the major source of genetic diversity on earth. The prestige of microorganisms is due to their high metabolic versatility, which allows the inference about its potential for biotechnological applications, including enzyme production for industrial and environmental uses. Unscientific disposal causes an adverse impact on all components of the environment and human health. Microorganism performs their metabolic processes that rapidly catalyzed complex substrates like cellulose by their diverse enzyme-mediated reactions.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Cellulose is the most abundant structural polysaccharide of plant cell walls with β-1, 4 - glucosidic linkages and represents almost 50% of the biomass synthesized by photosynthetic fixation of CO2 (Eriksson et al., 1990). The majority of cellulose molecules consist of 8000-12000 glucose molecules. Enzymes Production are proteins that act as biological catalysts (biocatalysts). Catalysts accelerate chemical reactions. Microbes cause infectious diseases such as flu and measles. There is also strong evidence that microbes may contribute to many non–infectious chronic diseases such as some forms of cancer and coronary heart disease. Different diseases are caused by different types of micro-organisms (Microbiologysociety, 2021). The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products. Almost all metabolic processes in the cell need enzyme catalysis in order to occur at rates fast enough to sustain life (Stryer et al., 2002).
An enzyme alternative to harsh chemical technologies has led to intensive exploration of natural microbial biodiversity for waste management. The cellulolytic enzyme consists of at least three enzymes (Joachim and Patrick, 2008). Cellulolytic is detailed as several enzymes produced chiefly by fungi, bacteria, and protozoans that catalyze cellulolysis, the decomposition of cellulose and of some related polysaccharides. The name is also used for any naturally occurring mixture or complex of various such enzymes, that act serially or synergistically to decompose cellulosic material. Cellulases break down the cellulose molecule into monosaccharides ("simple sugars") such as beta-glucose, or shorter polysaccharides and oligosaccharides. Cellulose breakdown is of considerable economic importance, because it makes a major constituent of plants available for consumption and use in chemical reactions. The specific reaction involved is the hydrolysis of the 1,4-beta-D-glycosidic linkages in cellulose, hemicellulose, lichenin, and cereal beta-D-glucans. Because cellulose molecules bind strongly to each other, cellulolysis is relatively difficult compared to the breakdown of other polysaccharides such as starch (Wikipedia, 2021).
Microorganisms are useful in producing foods, treating waste water, creating biofuels and a wide range of chemicals and enzymes. They are invaluable in research as model organisms. They have been weaponised and sometimes used in warfare and bioterrorism. They are vital to agriculture through their roles in maintaining soil fertility and in decomposing organic matter. Microorganisms are essential tools in biotechnology, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. The yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe are important model organisms in science, since they are simple eukaryotes that can be grown rapidly in large numbers and are easily manipulated. They are particularly valuable in genetics, genomics and proteomics. Microorganisms can be harnessed for uses such as creating steroids and treating skin diseases. Scientists are also considering using microorganisms for living fuel cells, and as a solution for pollution (Wikipedia, 2021b).
Therefore, in Imo State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to Isolate and Characterize the Soil from Microorganisms Collected from Dumping Site.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals the problems that municipal dumping sites generate for the environment are: Landfill are one of the causes of climate change, it can cause fires or explosions and contaminate soil and water and landfills reduce the value of the surrounding areas. Microbes cause infectious diseases such as flu and measles. There is also strong evidence that microbes may contribute to many non–infectious chronic diseases such as some forms of cancer and coronary heart disease. Different diseases are caused by different types of micro-organisms (Microbiologysociety, 2021).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to Isolate and Characterize the Soil from Microorganisms Collected from Dumping Site using Imo State dumping site as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify the Microorganism Isolated from Dumping Sites
- To isolate the Cellulolytic bacteria from Waste Dumping Sites
- To screen and characterize Bacterial isolates
1.5 Significance of Study
The relevance of the study entails that microorganisms are useful in producing foods, treating waste water, creating biofuels and a wide range of chemicals and enzymes. They are invaluable in research as model organisms. They have been weaponised and sometimes used in warfare and bioterrorism. They are vital to agriculture through their roles in maintaining soil fertility and in decomposing organic matter. Microorganisms are essential tools in biotechnology, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.
This study will be of immense benefit to microbiologist and other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Isolation and Characterization of Soil from Microorganisms Collected from Dumping Site using Owerri, Imo State Dumping Sites as a case study.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
- Hazardous Wastes: These are wastes that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or environments
- Aquifers: These are underground layers of porous rocks or sand that allows the movement of water between layers of non-porous rocks (sand stone, gravel or fractured lime stone or granite).
- Waste Prevention: It is the method of eliminating waste at source and reducing the demand on natural or origin resources.
- Waste Re-Use: It is the method of using a waste product from one process as a raw material to form another.
- Waste Recycles: This is the method of breaking down the waste items into raw material.
