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Recent Submissions
Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals and microbiological diversity of soil samples from some automobile workshops in Benin City, Nigeria
(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2026-01-07) Enerijiofi, Kingsley; Osariyekemwen, Nathaniel
The indiscriminate discharge of waste engine oil arising from auto-mechanic workshops is known to cause environmental challenges. This study investigated the pollution status of heavy metals and microbiological diversity of waste engine oil contaminated soils in Benin City. Standard laboratory methods were used in the study. The physicochemical parameters recorded were sandy loam, pH (6.8 - 7.9), EC (1.9 - 5.4 uS/cm), sulphate (42.51 - 68.45 mg/kg), Nitrate (1.08-2.10mg/kg), Phosphate (2.60- 4.92 mg/kg), Calcium (0.32 -0.64mg/kg), Magnesium (0.17- 0.28mg/kg), Sodium (0.11- 0.14 mg/kg) Potassium (0.10-0.18mg/kg), Zinc (31.92- 68.40mg/kg), Copper (9.21-13.65mg/kg), Chromium (0.23 -0.40mg/kg), Lead (2.40 - 6.20mg/kg), Manganese (32.92-51.70mg/kg), Iron (826.24 — 1012.4mg/kg), Nickel (2.11 — 3.10mg/kg) and Cadmium (1.98-3.10mg/kg). The total heterotrophic bacterial counts of soils samples from location A had the highest, 8.61x10^4cfu/g while location E had the least, 1.12x10^4cfu/g. location B had the highest fungal count, 8.04x10^3cfu/g while location C had the least, 1.11x10^3cfu/g. The bacterial and fungi isolated were Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Clostridium, Corynebacterium, Penicillium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma and Geotrichum species. The pollution indices indicated iron had the highest contamination factor of 8.88 while Chromium had the least of 0.87. The geo-accumulation index showed that cadmium had the highest of 0.76 while iron had the least. The Quantification of concentration revealed that chromium had the highest of 90.32 while nickel had the least of 57.25. The waste engine oil polluted soil revealed unpolluted to moderately polluted status. This study recommends proper disposal of waste engine oil thereby safeguarding the environment and public health of citizens.
Evaluation of sweet pepper cultivars and breeding lines for chemical and sensory quality
(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2026-01-07) Boteva, Velika
Pepper is well known for the high content of bioactive compounds and strong antioxidant capacity formed by vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids and polyphenols. Twenty nine pepper genotypes of different colours and shapes were studied during 2018-2020 period at the Maritsa VCRI. They were analyzed by basic chemical components (dry matter, total sugars, ascorbic acid, total pigments) and sensory traits. A genotype assessment toward above mentioned characters was established. The genotype factor had the greatest influence on the dry matter of the conical and kapia types; on the ascorbic acid and ASTA units of the cultivars and breeding lines with red-colored fruits (kapia and ratund); on the total sugars of all studied types. A strong negative correlation was found between the total sensory evaluation and the dry matter content of green pepper fruits from the conical type (r = -0.908**). The correlation between the total sensory assessment and the total sugar content of the green pepper fruits of the conical type was significant (r = 0.857*) and strongly positive for the blocky and bell ones (r = 0.958**). Based on the experiment, appropriate genotypes were selected as perspective lines or parental components in the breeding of high quality pepper varieties.
Harnessing the Microbiome: Biotechnological Approaches to Health and Sustainability
(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2026-01-07) Eskandar, Kirolos
The microbiome—complex communities of microorganisms inhabiting humans, plants, animals, and ecosystems—plays a pivotal role in health and sustainability. Advances in biotechnology have unlocked the potential to harness these microbial ecosystems for transformative applications across diverse fields. This review explores cutting-edge microbiome research, highlighting its contributions to human health through microbiome-based therapeutics, precision medicine, and the gut-brain axis. In agriculture, we examine microbial innovations for sustainable farming, soil health, and livestock productivity. Additionally, we delve into environmental applications, such as bioremediation, carbon sequestration, and marine microbiomes. Emerging tools, including omics technologies, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence, are accelerating progress while presenting challenges and ethical considerations. By integrating these innovations, microbiome biotechnology holds immense promise for enhancing human health, improving food systems, and addressing global environmental challenges.
Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome among temporary residents in mountains
(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2026-01-07) Krasniqi, Shqipe Kola; Fejza, Hajrullah; Alidema, Fitim
Background: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is a group of acute infectious diseases caused by Hantaviruses. In Kosovo the natural foci of the disease are some of the mountains. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of the temporary residents who own small houses in the mountains and are exposed to contact with rodents, the route of transmission, and the assessment of attitudes and practices.
Methods: The quantitative method with a cross-sectional model was used for the study. 204 participants from the municipalities of Deçan, Istog, and Junik who have small houses in the mountains were interviewed face to face with a standardized questionnaire. Descriptive and analytical statistics with 95% significance and a p-value of 0.05 were used to explain the responses of the participants.
Results: 192 respondents have heard about hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, and 164 have knowledge that the disease is very serious, but only 49 consider it very serious in the place where they live. The most known symptoms are fever and flu-like symptoms (40.0%). The main known route of transmission of the disease is contact with rodents (49 %), and the rodent control is the main preventive measure (43.6%). 115 have learned about the disease from relatives and friends, and 54.9 % have had contact with the rodents during the previous season.
Conclusion: This study highlights the lack of knowledge and attitudes of residents, which consequently has an impact on the lack of practices related to the prevention of the disease.
Scale up studies on select bacterial strains for improvement of PUFA production
(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2026-01-07) Masurkar, Azmina Abdul Karim; Pandey, Kavita Rajesh; Vakil, Babu Vamanrao
The sustainable production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from microorganisms has been a focus for several decades. A rising demand for healthy superfoods like PUFA and a decline in their natural sources have prompted the development of faster, more reliable, and more economical microbial production strategies. Unlike algae and fungi, bacteria pose a clear advantage w.r.t. ease of culturing, manipulation, and production speeds. In the present study, two bacterial cultures isolated from the Arabian Sea and one river water Bacillus species were studied for their PUFA-producing capability at the lab-scale bioreactor level. These isolates, previously studied for their maximum PUFA output at the shake flask level, were put under lab-scale bioreactor conditions in an attempt to increase productivity. This investigation was carried out using fed-batch and single-batch culture techniques, with regulated environmental parameters, improved aeration, mixing, and a set C: N ratio. With careful monitoring, up to 20% PUFA and 7.9 g/L dry biomass could be obtained from saltwater Halomonas spp. While the freshwater Bacillus thuringiensis spp. reached a maximum of 11.79% PUFA and 5.6 g/L of dry biomass. The fed-batch mode proved to be more effective, increasing biomass and PUFA production by three to fivefold. Compared to earlier research using the same bacterial isolates in shake flask cultures, the results achieved were significantly higher. Elementary fermentation process data obtained through this investigation will be valuable in promoting further scale-up studies for bacterial PUFA production.