Browsing by Author "Boga, H. I."

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    Chemical Properties Associated with Guts, Soil and Nest Materials of Odontotermes and Macrotermes Species from Kenya
    (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, 2010) Budambula, Nancy; Makonde, H. M.; Muwawa, E. M.; Osiemo, Z. L.; Boga, H. I.
    Changes in carbon and nitrogen cycles in tropical soils affect soil functioning and ecosystem activity. Termites play important roles in carbon and nitrogen cycles, thus determination of levels of such compounds is essential. This study was aimed at determining the levels of various forms of nitrogen, carbon and pH in the guts, soil and nest materials associated with Odontotermes and Macrotermes termite species. Macro- and micro-elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, iron and copper were also evaluated. The standard soil analyses and concentrations of various forms of nitrogen, carbon and pH in the samples were performed using calometric and Bremmer’s methods. Results showed the texture grade of the soils ranged between sandy clay loamy to loamy sand across the samples. The clay content for most mounds was comparably higher than in the surrounding soil. Most of the concentrations of ammonia, nitrate and total organic carbon between the termites and within the gut sections were significantly different (p < 0.05). This was observed between and within the termite mounds. Levels of ammonia (3.00 – 6.00 ppm) and nitrate (6.00 - 11.50 ppm) were highest in the hindguts of all termites analyzed than the respective foreguts and midguts sections. Notably, levels of ammonia (6.00 – 14.50 ppm), nitrate (16.00 – 83.00 ppm) and organic carbon (31.00 – 37.00 %) were highest in the fungus comb samples. Likewise, levels of all macro- and micro-elements investigated were highest in the fungus combs. anganese had the highest concentration (20.28 ppms) while copper had the least concentration (0.11ppms).
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    Isolation, characterization and identification of Diazinon degrading bacteria from the soil and gut of macrotermes
    (2013) Budambula, N. L. M.; Ogot, H. A.; Boga, H. I.; Tsanuo, M; Andika, D.O.
    Diazinon degrading bacteria were isolated from the soil and gut of fungus cultivating termites Macrotermes michaelseni using MM7 media supplemented with pesticide as the sole source of carbon and energy. The isolates were gram negative rods the isolates from the soil were designated DS2, DS3 and DS5 while from termite gut was designated DT2. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that diazinon degrading isolate DS2 (from the soil) is closely related to Achromobacter xylosoxidan AF508101 (100%), isolate DT2 from termite gut is closely related to Klebsiella oxytoca AB004754 (99.7%). Whereas isolates DS3 and DS5 , both from the soil are closely related to p., AY082447 (99%). The ability of the isolates to degrade diazinon highlights their potential to be used in bioremediation.
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    Isolation, characterization and identification of roundup degrading bacteria from the soil and gut of Macrotermes michaelseni
    (2013-09-10) Budambula, N. L. M.; Ogot, H. A.; Boga, H. I.; Tsanuo, M.; Andika, D.O.; Ogola, H. J,
    Roundup degrading bacteria were isolated from the soil and gut of fungus cultivating termites Macrotermes michaelseni using MM7 media supplemented with the pesticide as the sole source of carbon and energy. The isolates were gram negative rods the isolate from the soil was designated GS1 while that from termite gut was designated GT2. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolates revealed that isolates Both isolates GS1 and GT2 are closely related to Enterobacter sp AY 0822447 with 99% sequence similarity. The results of this study highlight the potential of these bacterial isolates to be used in bioremediation.