Microbiology Research Journal International

Current Status and Case Studies on the Role of Endophytes in Insect Pest Management: A Review

Dwarka — 2026-06-01

Endophytes, comprising diverse groups of bacteria and fungi that reside asymptomatically within plant tissues, have emerged as promising biological agents in sustainable insect pest management. These microorganisms establish mutualistic associations with host plants and confer protection against insect pests through multiple direct and indirect mechanisms. Recent advances in microbial ecology, molecular biology and biotechnology have significantly improved our understanding of endophyte-mediated resistance. Endophytic fungi, particularly entomopathogenic species, play a dual role by colonizing plant tissues and simultaneously acting against herbivorous insects. Their ability to produce bioactive secondary metabolites, induce systemic resistance and enhance plant fitness makes them a viable alternative to synthetic pesticides. Numerous laboratory and field-based case studies have demonstrated their efficacy against a wide range of insect pests including aphids, borers, caterpillars and beetles. However, challenges such as inconsistent colonization, environmental variability, and limited commercialization still hinder their large-scale application. This review highlights the current status, mechanisms, and case studies of endophytes in insect pest management, emphasizing their potential integration into modern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.

Effects of Atrazine and Dichlorvos on Soil Microbial Biomass and Snail Toxicity: A Microcosm Study

Tega Lee-Ann ATAIKIRU — 2026-05-29

Agricultural pesticides like Atrazine and Dichlorvos persist in soil; disrupt microbial communities and soil-dwelling organisms such as snails, affecting key ecosystem processes. These chemicals reduce microbial biomass indicators (MB-C, MB-N, MB-P) and biodiversity, highlighting the need for integrated studies on their combined ecological impacts in soil systems. This study investigated the effects of Atrazine and Dichlorvos on microbial biomass carbon (MB-C), nitrogen (MB-N), phosphorus (MB-P), soil microbial populations, and snail toxicity in a controlled microcosm. Surface soils (0–15 cm) from pesticide-free plots at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria, were characterized and treated with manufacturer-recommended doses of both pesticides for 8 weeks. Contaminated and uncontaminated soils were assessed weekly for MB-C, MB-N, MB-P, and microbial population changes using aerobic plate counts. Also, the acute effect of both pesticides on snails was assessed using a 14 day soil bioassay following standard protocol. The pristine soil was moderately acidic (pH 6.70), with a total organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphate and nitrate contents of 3.316%, 0.3029%, 26.32 mg/kg and 36.28 mg/kg, respectively. Baseline microbial counts were 6.30 × 10⁷ CFU/g for bacteria and 1.41 × 10⁵ CFU/g for fungi. Both pesticides caused initial reductions in MB-C, MB-N, and MB-P, followed by recovery by day 28, when MB-C (293 µg/g), MB-N (18.5 µg/g), and MB-P (11.4 µg/g) exceeded control values. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and actinomycetes declined notably. Acute toxicity tests using Helix aspersa showed Dichlorvos to be far more toxic (LC₅₀: 1.13 mg/kg) than Atrazine (LC₅₀: 10.04 mg/kg). This study demonstrated distinct pesticide impacts on soil microbial functioning and non-target invertebrates.

Assessing the Differential Effects of Bovine Lactoferrin on the Growth of Various Bacterial Species

Jacinth C. Tran — 2026-05-29

Background: Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein found in secretions like milk, saliva, and tears that plays a key role in innate immunity. It inhibits bacterial growth by sequestering iron and also helps modulate immune responses, making the environment less favorable for microbes.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bovine lactoferrin on bacterial growth and determine whether the effect varies among species.

Study Design: A factorial experimental laboratory study was conducted using a comparative growth assay, employing agar media plates treated with three varying concentrations of lactoferrin alongside a control group

Place and Duration of Study: The study was performed at the Department of Biology at Eastern University over a single academic semester.

Methodology: Four bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. epidermidis) were cultured on nutrient agar media. Plates were supplemented with increasing concentrations of bovine lactoferrin, and colony diameter was used as a proxy for bacterial growth. Measurements were compared across treatments and control to evaluate differential responses.

Results: Bovine lactoferrin significantly affected bacterial colony diameter (P < .001), with colony growth generally reduced in lactoferrin-treated media compared to controls. Colony size also differed significantly among bacterial species, with the largest colonies observed in P. aeruginosa and E. coli, followed by S. aureus and S. epidermidis, and a significant treatment × species interaction (P < .001) indicated species-specific responses to lactoferrin exposure.

Conclusion: It is concluded that bovine lactoferrin treatment inhibited bacterial growth in a concentration-dependent manner, though effectiveness is species-specific. These findings suggest that antimicrobial properties of lactoferrin may be context-dependent, with variation in susceptibility likely influenced by intrinsic bacterial characteristics, necessitating further research into the underlying mechanisms.

Sentinel surveillance of the WHO-Validated Pfkelch13 C580Y Artemisinin Resistance Marker in Plasmodium falciparum Isolates from Bangui, Central African Republic

Moynam Ekte Heredeibona — 2026-05-29

Background: Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the cornerstone of malaria treatment. However, partial artemisinin resistance associated with mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum Pfkelch13 propeller domain threatens malaria control efforts. The C580Y substitution is the principal World Health Organization (WHO) validated molecular marker for resistance surveillance. While validated Pfkelch13 mutations have recently emerged in East Africa, data from Central Africa remain scarce. This study assessed the prevalence of the C580Y mutation in P. falciparum isolates collected in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR), in 2025.

Methods: A cross-sectional molecular surveillance study was conducted in November 2025 in Bangui. Blood samples from 399 microscopy-confirmed malaria patients were collected as dried blood spots. Parasite DNA was extracted using the Chelex-100 method. Species identification was performed by nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene. P. falciparum-positive samples underwent nested PCR amplification of the pfk13 propeller domain, followed by PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to detect the C580Y mutation. Exact 95% binomial confidence intervals were calculated.

Results: Among 399 patients (mean age 27.8 ± 11.9 years; 52.6% male), 99.75% harbored P. falciparum. Successful Pfkelch13 amplification was achieved in 368 of 398 isolates (92.5%). No C580Y mutation was detected (0/368; 0%; 95% CI: 0.00–0.81%), indicating that its prevalence in Bangui is likely below 1%.

Conclusion: The absence of the WHO-validated C580Y marker in 2025 suggests preserved molecular susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to artemisinin in CAR. Continued genomic surveillance remains essential to detect potential emergence or importation of resistant lineages.

Lipolytic Activities of Bacteria Isolated from Oil Palm Fruit Heaps Obtained in Towns of Five Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Nigeria

A. A. Okwelle — 2026-06-04

Oil palm fruit heap wastes contain various microorganisms with high lipolytic potential and opportunities for biotechnological uses. Although there has been a growing interest in bacterial lipase, very little is known about the types and lipolytic capacities of the bacteria that are associated with oil palm fruit heaps. This research evaluated the lipase activity of bacterial isolates in heaps of oil palm waste in different locations in Rivers State, such as Owerewere, Abua/Odual Local Government Area (S1), Alimi community in Elele, Emohua Local Government Area (S2), Asarama, Andoni Local Government Area (S3), Ekata, Ahoada East Local Government Area (S4) and Yege, Khana Local Government Area (S5) in Rivers State, Nigeria. Samples were aseptically collected, and the total heterotrophic bacterial count was enumerated by standard plate count techniques. Bacterial colonies were molecularly characterised by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Synthesis of lipase was screened on tributyrin agar, and quantitative lipase activity was determined by p-nitrophenyl palmitate assay. The results of the study reveal that the piles of oil palm fruits contain a high diversity of metabolically active bacteria able to degrade the lipids. The total number of bacteria in the different collations ranged from (4.0 × 105cfu/g) to (5.7 × 10⁶cfu/g), and the highest was recorded in sample S4, which indicated the growth of microorganisms caused by the local physicochemical circumstances (p < 0.05). Microorganisms identified were: Bacillus cereus (29.5%), Staphylococcus aureus (23.9%), Bacillus subtilis (15.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.9%) and Bacillus licheniformis (14.8%). All the isolates were lipolytic with hydrolysis zones of 2.6 cm in B. cereus, 3.5 cm in P. aeruginosa, 2.2 cm in S. aureus, 3.1 cm in B. subtilis and 3.7 cm in B. licheniformis. The highest lipase producer was B. licheniformis (55 µmol/min/ml), followed by P. aeruginosa (48 µmol/min/ml), B. subtilis (40 µmol/min/ml) and B. cereus and S. aureus showed lower activity (24 and 20 µmol/min/ml, respectively). The data support the function of these bacterial communities in lipid degradation and their capacity to adapt to oil-rich environments. The strong potential of B. licheniformis and P. aeruginosa to synthesise lipase suggests that they may be suitable enzymes for commercial enzyme production and for bioremediation of sites contaminated with lipids. Further studies of isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus licheniformis exhibiting high lipase activity may have a role to play in the large-scale production of lipase enzymes, and in optimising fermentation conditions.

Smart Sprayable Bandage: Plant Derived Agents for Wound Care

Aqsa Shaikh — 2026-06-04

Chronic wounds remain a significant clinical challenge due to persistent microbial infection, biofilm formation, oxidative stress, and delayed healing. Conventional wound dressings often lack multifunctional properties required for effective management of such wounds. In the present study, a plant-based smart sprayable wound dressing was developed by integrating bioactive extracts of Thymus vulgaris and Glycyrrhiza glabra with anthocyanin derived from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis to create a theranostic formulation possessing antimicrobial, antioxidant, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory, and pH-responsive properties.

Acetone extracts of Thymus vulgaris and Glycyrrhiza glabra were characterized by phytochemical screening and evaluated for antimicrobial, MIC, antioxidant, antibiofilm, and synergistic activity. The optimized spray formulation was assessed for physicochemical parameters and in vitro biological performance. Extraction yields were 40% (thyme) and 32% (liquorice). MIC values ranged from 500–2000 µg/mL. Synergistic antifungal activity against Candida albicans was observed (FICI = 0.5). The spray exhibited strong antimicrobial activity (zone of inhibition up to 40 mm), antioxidant capacity (~800–850 µg/mL AAE), moderate biofilm inhibition (15–25%), and significant anti-inflammatory activity (73.5% protein denaturation inhibition). All experiments were performed in triplicate and expressed as mean ± SD (p < 0.05).

The developed formulation integrates therapeutic and diagnostic functions within a single platform, demonstrating promising in vitro efficacy against wound-associated pathogens.

This study highlights the potential of plant-derived bioactives in advanced wound care and provides a foundation for further in vivo and translational development.