Research Article
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Fungi Isolated from Organophosphate Contaminated Dairy Farm Soils in Kilifi County, Kenya
Atego Norbert Adum*
,
Carren Okeri,
Gibson Gicharu,
Makan Peter
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
96-105
Received:
15 June 2026
Accepted:
25 June 2026
Published:
17 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijmb.20261103.11
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Abstract: Organophosphorus (OP) compounds are widely used in livestock farming to control external parasites. However, their extensive application has led to significant environmental contamination, including soil, water, and air pollution, as well as adverse effects on non-target organisms and disruption of ecosystem processes. These challenges necessitate the development of sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approaches for OP detoxification. Compared to conventional remediation methods such as chemical treatment, incineration, and landfill disposal, which are often costly and environmentally harmful, microbial-based bioremediation offers a promising alternative. This study aimed to isolate and characterize fungi from OP-contaminated soils collected in Kilifi County and assess their potential for molecular identification and future bioremediation applications. Fungal isolates were obtained using an enrichment culture technique and purified through repeated sub-culturing. Morphological characterization was performed to confirm isolate purity. Genomic DNA was extracted from pure cultures, and its quality and concentration were evaluated using a Nano Drop spectrophotometer, while agarose gel electrophoresis was used to assess DNA integrity. Molecular identification was conducted by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region using ITS1-F and ITS4 primers. The amplified PCR products were purified and sequenced using the Sanger dideoxy sequencing method. Sequence analysis using BLASTn against the NCBI database revealed that most isolates showed 100% similarity with known fungal species. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using the Maximum Likelihood method in MEGA X software. The findings confirm the successful isolation and molecular identification of OP-tolerant fungi from contaminated soils, highlighting their potential application in the bioremediation of organophosphate-polluted environments. These results provide a foundation for further studies on the development of efficient fungal-based systems for chlorpyrifos and related OP degradation.
Abstract: Organophosphorus (OP) compounds are widely used in livestock farming to control external parasites. However, their extensive application has led to significant environmental contamination, including soil, water, and air pollution, as well as adverse effects on non-target organisms and disruption of ecosystem processes. These challenges necessitate ...
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