MRE
MRE
● Background: Bacteria, among the earliest life forms on Earth, are integral to both
human health and environmental ecosystems.
● Objective: This paper explores the indispensable role of bacteria in human life and
environmental health, emphasizing their contributions to digestion, nutrient absorption,
immune protection, and ecosystem functioning.
● Methods: The study reviews existing literature on the human microbiome, probiotics,
and the role of bacteria in environmental nutrient cycling. It analyzes experimental
evidence and case studies, particularly focusing on the impact of fecal microbiota
transplantation (FMT) as a therapeutic tool.
● Results:
○ Bacteria are essential for breaking down food, providing vital nutrients, and
protecting against pathogens.
○ They play a critical role in maintaining a healthy immune system and are involved
in biogeochemical cycles.
○ Metagenomic analysis reveals significant variations in bacterial populations
associated with health and disease, emphasizing the importance of a balanced
microbiota.
○ FMT shows promise as an effective treatment for gastrointestinal, metabolic, and
neurological disorders.
● Conclusions:
○ Bacteria are crucial for human health and environmental stability.
○ Maintaining a balanced microbiota is vital for overall well-being.
○ Interventions such as probiotics and FMT can offer significant health benefits.
○ Future research should focus on further understanding bacteria-host interactions
for targeted therapies.
Methodology
● Literature Review:
○ Sources: PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus.
○ Keywords: "gut microbiota," "pathogen inhibition," "antimicrobial compounds,"
"probiotics," "prebiotics," etc.
○ Inclusion Criteria: Studies from the past 10 years in English or Polish, focusing
on the role of bacteria in health and pathogen protection.
○ Exclusion Criteria: Irrelevant studies and those with low methodological quality.
● Search Procedure: Articles were selected based on title and abstract, followed by full-
text analysis.
● Data Analysis:
○ Qualitative and quantitative methods were used.
○ Reference management tools (EndNote, Zotero) and qualitative data analysis
software (NVivo) were employed.
● Research Quality Evaluation:
○ Tools used: Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and ROBINS-I.
○ Two independent reviewers assessed study quality, resolving discrepancies with
a third-party reviewer.
● Data Synthesis:
○ Results were presented using tables and charts.
○ If data were sufficiently homogeneous, a meta-analysis was performed.
● Ethics:
○ No human or animal studies were included.
○ No ethical approval required.
○ No conflicts of interest declared.
● Limitations:
○ Literature selection may be incomplete due to database limitations and language
restrictions.
○ Methodological variability in source studies may affect overall interpretation.
Results
● Bacteria help digest food, absorb nutrients, and protect against infections.
● The gut microbiome is essential for maintaining a balanced immune response.
● Metagenomic analysis identifies significant bacterial population variations linked to
health and disease.
● Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is effective in treating gastrointestinal, metabolic,
and neurological conditions.
● Environmental bacteria play key roles in nutrient cycling, including nitrogen fixation and
organic matter decomposition.
● Probiotics and prebiotics support gut health by enhancing beneficial bacterial
populations.
● Antibiotic resistance remains a major challenge in managing bacterial infections.
Key Points
● Bacteria are crucial for digestion, immunity, and maintaining ecological balance.
● Gut microbiota imbalances (dysbiosis) are linked to diseases like inflammatory bowel
disease, obesity, and metabolic disorders.
● Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by bacteria play a key role in metabolism and
gut health.
● Probiotics and FMT offer potential therapeutic benefits for various health conditions.
● Bacteria contribute to nitrogen and carbon cycles, supporting plant growth and
environmental health.
● Advances in metagenomics and microbiome research provide insights into bacterial
diversity and function.
● Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern, necessitating new treatment strategies.
Beneficial Bacteria
● Bifidobacteria & Lactobacillus – Support gut health and are used in probiotics.
Immune system
● Bacteroides & Firmicutes – Aid in digestion and SCFA production.
● Rhizobium – Enhances soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
● Alcanivorax borkumensis & Pseudomonas aeruginosa – Degrade hydrocarbons in
oil spill cleanup.
● Geobacter sulfureducens – Removes heavy metals from contaminated water.
● Ideonella sakaiensis – Breaks down PET plastic, contributing to bioremediation.
Pathogenic Bacteria
Bacteria have both beneficial and harmful effects, highlighting the need for microbiome balance
and responsible antibiotic use.
● Title: Microbial Levels on Street Foods and Food Preparation Surfaces in Mangaung
Metropolitan Municipality
● Background:
○ Street food is essential for many urban populations but poses potential
microbiological risks.
○ Foodborne illness is a major public health issue, caused by bacteria, parasites,
toxins, and viruses.
○ Pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli are leading causes of
foodborne illness.
● Objective:
○ Determine microbial levels in street food and food preparation surfaces in
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.
● Methods:
○ Surface swabs and beef samples were collected from vending sites in Thaba
Nchu, Botshabelo, and Bloemfontein.
○ Microbial load was quantified and pathogens were identified using a RapID kit.
● Results:
○ Botshabelo had the highest microbial counts, followed by Bloemfontein and
Thaba Nchu.
○ Meat samples contained Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida
guilliermondii, Corynebacterium jeikeium, Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus,
and Peptostreptococcus tetradius.
● Conclusion:
○ Contaminated food and surfaces pose public health risks.
○ Proper food handling practices are needed to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Methodology
● Study Area:
○ Sampling was done at vending sites in Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo, and
Bloemfontein (Mangaung Metro).
● Sample Collection:
○ Convenience sampling method used.
○ Beef samples (8 total) were randomly collected in sterile bags.
○ Surface swabs were taken from food preparation areas.
● Microbial Quantification:
○ Beef samples were blended and diluted with sterile peptone water.
○ Serial dilutions (up to 10⁶) were plated using plate count agar (PCA) and
selective media:
■ Baird Parker Agar – for Staphylococcus species.
■ Mannitol Egg Yolk Polymyxin Agar (MYP) – for Bacillus species.
■ Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD) Agar – for Salmonella species.
● Microbial Identification:
○ RapID kit used for biochemical identification.
○ Identification confirmed using ERIC software.
● Data Analysis:
○ Bacterial counts were analyzed using Paleontological Statistics (PAST) v.2.17.
○ ANOVA and Tukey’s posthoc test assessed significance in microbial levels.
Results
● Surface swabs:
○ Botshabelo had the highest microbial counts (1.1 × 10⁶ cfu/m²).
○ Bloemfontein and Thaba Nchu had lower microbial counts (1.1 × 10⁵ cfu/m²).
● Meat samples:
○ Thaba Nchu: 50 × 10⁵ cfu/g.
○ Bloemfontein: 48 × 10⁴ cfu/g.
○ Botshabelo: 33 × 10⁵ cfu/g.
● Pathogens Identified:
○ Staphylococcus aureus – Present in all meat samples.
○ Escherichia coli – Found in Thaba Nchu samples.
○ Candida guilliermondii – Present in Bloemfontein samples.
○ Corynebacterium jeikeium – Identified in Thaba Nchu.
○ Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus – Found in Thaba Nchu samples.
○ Peptostreptococcus tetradius – Present in Botshabelo.
● Food Safety Issues:
○ Microbial levels in meat exceeded South African microbiological standards.
○ Lack of handwashing, food storage, and sanitary practices contributes to
contamination.
Key Points
● Street food contamination is a public health concern due to poor hygiene and
handling practices.
● Botshabelo had the highest contamination levels, likely due to poor infrastructure
and lack of sanitation.
● Meat samples exceeded microbiological safety standards, posing a risk of
foodborne illnesses.
● Pathogens found in food are associated with severe infections (gastroenteritis,
bloodstream infections, skin infections).
● Improved hygiene training and regulations are needed to ensure food safety.
1. Staphylococcus aureus
○ Source: Human skin, nose, contaminated food.
○ Impact: Causes food poisoning, skin infections, and toxic shock syndrome.
2. Escherichia coli
○ Source: Raw/undercooked food, contaminated water.
○ Impact: Causes diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and kidney failure (E. coli
O157:H7).
3. Candida guilliermondii
○ Source: Human skin, mucosal surfaces.
○ Impact: Causes fungal infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.
4. Corynebacterium jeikeium
○ Source: Human skin.
○ Impact: Causes post-surgical infections, bloodstream infections.
5. Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus
○ Source: Human skin.
○ Impact: Linked to wound infections and respiratory infections.
6. Peptostreptococcus tetradius
○ Source: Human skin, oral flora.
○ Impact: Causes soft tissue infections, abscesses, and bloodstream
infections.
The study highlights significant food safety risks in street food due to high bacterial
contamination, emphasizing the need for improved hygiene practices and regulations.
● Title: Antifungal activity of selected sea cucumber species from Tukuran, Zamboanga
del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines using modified SPOTi assay
● Marine organisms are essential for discovering novel compounds with medical and
commercial significance.
● Objective: Evaluate the antifungal activity of selected sea cucumber species found in
Brgy. Sugod, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines using the modified
SPOTi assay.
● Methods:
○ Crude extracts from Holothuria scabra, Stichopus sp., and Holothuria atra
were tested.
○ Fungi tested: Aspergillus niger and Candida tropicalis
○ 96-well plate assay used to assess fungal growth visually for 72 hours.
○ Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values were determined.
● Results:
○ Sea cucumber extracts showed MIC values of 0.0333-0.1 mg/mL.
○ Tukey’s posthoc test confirmed antifungal activity was comparable to the
positive control Fluconazole (p>0.05).
● Conclusion:
○ Sea cucumbers have the potential as natural antifungal agents.
Methodology
Results
● Sea cucumber extracts exhibited significant antifungal activity against both A. niger
and C. tropicalis.
● MIC values:
○ A. niger: 0.1 mg/mL (H. scabra), 0.0333 mg/mL (Stichopus sp.), 0.0667
mg/mL (H. atra 1 & 2)
○ C. tropicalis: 0.05 mg/mL (H. scabra), 0.0667 mg/mL (Stichopus sp.), 0.0833
mg/mL (H. atra 1), 0.0417 mg/mL (H. atra 2)
● ANOVA results:
○ No significant difference between sea cucumber extracts and Fluconazole (p >
0.05).
● Tukey’s test:
○ H. scabra and H. atra (1) showed comparable activity.
○ H. scabra more potent against C. tropicalis.
○ H. atra (1) more potent against A. niger.
Key Points
Fungi Tested
1. Aspergillus niger
○ Causes aspergillosis, an opportunistic fungal infection in immunocompromised
patients.
○ Responsible for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and otomycoses (ear
infections).
○ Drug resistance is a growing concern in treatment.
2. Candida tropicalis
○ A leading cause of candidemia (bloodstream infections).
○ Multidrug-resistant strains are increasing, limiting treatment options.
Sea cucumbers could serve as a novel natural antifungal source, reducing dependence on
synthetic antifungals and addressing drug-resistant infections.
Methodology
Results
Key Points
Microorganism Impact
Decomposing Bacteria (e.g., Bacillus, Break down organic matter, releasing CO₂
Pseudomonas) and CH₄.
Methodology
Results
Key Points
Mycorrhizal Fungi (e.g., Glomus, Improves plant nutrient uptake and drought
Rhizophagus) resistance.
Final Summary
Methodology
● Reviewed scientific studies on the human microbiome’s role in health and disease.
● Focused on gut microbiota, immune interactions, and dysbiosis-related diseases.
● Data sourced from peer-reviewed journals, microbiome databases, and health
reports.
Results
Key Points
Microorganism Impact
Methodology
Key Points
Microorganism Impact
Methodology
Results
● 77% of recurrent UTIs were due to relapse with the original E. coli strain.
● Biofilm-forming bacteria were more likely to cause persistent infections.
● Antibiotic-resistant strains had distinct virulence factor profiles.
Key Points
Microorganism Impact
Methodology
Results
Key Points
Microorganism Impact