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In the scenario of COVID-19, the online learning capacity has increased much more than the face to face or traditional learning. Due to the increased capacity of online learning in higher education, the quality of online learning has serious concerns. To achieve the minimum requirements of quality in online learning for sustainable development, it is important to review the quality assurance principles and strategies. A brief review of the literature was conducted to define the quality of online learning, presented some quality assurance indicators for online learning, and discussed some online learning models by selecting 27 published articles through inclusion and exclusion criteria for performing a systematic review of the literature. The review showed that learner-teacher interaction, learner's prompt feedback, learner's support service, applying appropriate media, tools for online learning, and planned documented technology application for the assurance of quality in online learning are important quality indicators. Some quality assurance models for online learning are also presented in this study for the implication of these models according to the learning requirement to ensure the online learning quality.

Digital game-based learning strategy is now widely used in various fields such as education, marketing and advertising. This learning strategy has attracted great attention from scholars and practitioners in recent years due to its effectiveness in various educational fields. As more research studies favored the constructive impact of games on the learning process, more and more investigators are dedicated to developing digital educational games to enhance learning skills for 21st century requirements. The objectives of the current investigation were: to present a comprehensive and systematic review of the literature of previous studies on the effectiveness of digital game-based learning strategy in a higher educational context; to report the role of various adult learning theories in digital game-based learning strategy; to highlight some barriers and their solutions in digital game-based learning strategy. A total of 20 previous studies on digital game-based learning strategy in higher educational perspectives published from 2008-2021 were selected by inclusion and exclusion criteria for conducting this investigation. The results of the current investigation revealed that digital game-based learning strategy has deep effects on the learning skills of the learners in higher educational perspectives. The digital game-based learning strategy is a better option for the improvement of engagement of learners towards learning and critical thinking skills.

During the current emergency of Pandemic disease of COVID-19, the importance of online learning strategy has much increased due to closure of schools, colleges and universities in most part of the globe. To evaluate the effectiveness of online learning, a statistical study has been conducted on the academic achievements of postgraduate students learned by online versus face-to-face learning modes. The statistical analysis of academic achievements of postgraduate students has been done by SPSS-20 statistical tool. The t-test analysis showed that the t-value was 0.549 and p-value was 0.583. The significance level for t-test analysis was 0.05. As, the p-value was more that 0.05 (p>0.05) so, no significant relation has been found in the academic achievements of the students learned by online and face to face modes of learning. The null hypothesis (Ho) was proved true and the alternative hypothesis (H1) rejected. The reasons for no significant relation were abruptly shifting of learning modes from face to face to online, slow working of LMS accounts due to over burden, login and voice problems during the online classes. Overall, the students performed better in the online modes of learning. Some students performed good in face-to-face learning and performed poor in online modes of learning. So, to generalize, it is necessary to do more research on online modes of learning under regional context.

Environmental pollution by heavy metals and other toxic substances has increasingly become a global health concern. Lead is a hazardous environmental contaminant that is been released to the surface causing deleterious health effects to man. Various strategies have been employed such as excavation, precipitation, and vitrification to remove lead from polluted sites. However, bioremediation of heavy metal contaminated sites has served as a cost-effective and ecofriendly tool for detoxifying and restoration of ecological entities. In this study, we reported the isolation and optimization of two novel lead-resistant isolates from active goldmine contaminated site of Anka, Zamfara state Nigeria. Results of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) showed higher lead concentration from the sampled sites (p

Environmental contamination, primarily driven by human activities such as industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural practices, has led to the accumulation of heavy metals, particularly molybdenum, in urban soils. This contamination adversely affects plant growth, food security, and poses health risks. This study explores the bioreduction potential of Bacillus cereus strain BUK_BCH_BTE1 in transforming toxic hexavalent molybdate to molybdenum blue which is a less toxic state. The bacterium was isolated from agricultural soil in Nigeria and identified through 16S rRNA sequencing. Factors influencing molybdate reduction were optimized, including carbon and nitrogen sources, molybdate, and phosphate concentrations. Glucose was found to be the most effective carbon source, while ammonium sulfate was the preferred nitrogen source. Molybdate reduction was most efficient at a concentration of 20 mM, and a phosphate concentration of approximately 3.5 mM was optimal. These findings contribute to understanding molybdate bioreduction and its potential application in addressing heavy metal pollution in the environment. Bacillus cereus strain BUK_BCH_BTE1 shows promise as an effective agent for molybdate bioreduction, with implications for mitigating environmental and health hazards associated with molybdenum contamination.

Fungal processes for the treatment of dye contaminated wastewater have the advantage of being cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and producing less sludge. This research was therefore aimed at isolating and characterizing fungus capable of decolourizing and utilizing azo dye (dimethyl yellow) as a sole carbon source using one-factor-at-a-time. Pour plating method was used to isolate the fungus on mineral salt media (MSM) following serial dilution. The isolate was then morphologically and molecularly identified as Aspergillus quadrilineatus strain BUK_BCH_BTE1 with the accession number OK178927 based on ITS1 and ITS2 rRNA gene sequence and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Characterization was conducted by studying the effect of temperature, incubation time, substrate concentration, pH, inoculum size and effect of heavy metals. The decolourization and growth of dimethyl yellow by the isolated Aspergillus quadrilineatus was optimal at substrate concentration of 200 μɡ/mL, temperature of 30 °C, 100–200 μL inoculum size, pH 5.0, and 72-h incubation time. The isolate was found to tolerate up to 4 ppm of Hg, Cu and Zn, with maximum inhibition shown by Cr and Ar. LC/MS analyses of the intermediate compounds produced during decolourization of dimethyl yellow suggested that in the fungal biodegradation of dimethyl yellow detected the formation of dimethyl yellow, 2,6-dichloro-p-benzoquinone, 1,2,3,5-tetrafluoro-4-nitrobenzene, and 3,4-dinitrobenzoic acid as metabolites. The finding from this study suggested that the isolate is a suitable candidate in bioremediation of coloured effluents particularly containing these compounds.

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) has a high concentration of organic matter and total suspended solids. However, improper disposal of oil refining wastes containing oils, fats, and sludge can cause environmental damage and harm human health due to their toxic, carcinogenic, and polluting effects. This research was carried out to solve the harmful effects caused by the release of POME to the environment. The goal of this study was to isolate a naturally occurring bacterium that could degrade POME and use it as a single carbon source. Bacteria were isolated from POME-contaminated medium using an enrichment technique. Judging by 16S rRNA partial gene sequencing, morphological, biochemical, and molecular identification methods, the isolated bacteria was identified as a novel Bacillus sp. The effects of substrate concentration, inoculum size, pH, temperature, and incubation time on the bacterial growth were investigated using a ''one factor at a time'' (OFAT) approach. The optimal conditions for the bacterium's growth were found to be pH 7.5, 35 °C, 20 % v/v substrate concentration, 6 % v/v inoculum size, and 96 hours of incubation. The isolate is capable of reducing 84 % of COD and 91 % of BOD from a POME sample. The high degradation potential of POME by the isolate suggests it can be used as a good option for bioremediation of POME-polluted areas.

Chlorpyrifos, being a frequently used organophosphate pesticide poses a significant threat to human health due to its prolonged presence in soil, plants, and water, this has raised concern. Consequently, researchers have shifted their attention towards finding methods to mitigate its toxicity or eliminate it from the environment. This has highlighted the importance of bioremediation. This study was aimed at analyzing and characterizing the metabolites of chlorpyrifos degradation by Bacillus sp. strain UPMB10 isolated from polluted environment using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The bacteria were successfully isolated utilizing the enrichment technique in mineral salt media, followed by screening to obtain the best isolate. Identification of the isolate was done at morphological, biochemical, and molecular levels, with a focus on the 16S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the close relationship between the bacterium and Bacillus sp. strain UPMB10. Optimization (One Factor at A Time) was done to determine best growth conditions of the isolate. The optimal growth conditions obtained include, incubation time of 48 hours, a substrate concentration of 4 g/L, a pH of 7.0, a temperature of 37 °C, and an inoculum size of 2 % (v/v), these quantitative data revealed valuable insights into the factors affecting efficient degradation of pesticide. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis demonstrated that the bacterium achieved a remarkable degradation efficiency of 99 % after 48 hours of incubation. Notably, Mesitylene and Dimethylmalonic acid were obtained as some of the metabolites of chlorpyrifos degradation. This result provides insight into the transformation of products generated during degradation process. The study finding revealed that Bacillus sp. strain UPMB10 exhibits a remarkable capacity for chlorpyrifos degradation, making it a promising candidate for bioremediation of insecticides and acaricides.

λ-cyhalothrin (LC), a frequently used synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, poses a substantial risk to human health and the environment due to its prolonged presence in plants, soil, and water. This study aimed to identify and characterize bacteria with the ability to degrade and utilize λ-cyhalothrin as their sole carbon and energy source. The bacteria were isolated by employing an enrichment technique on mineral salt media through a series of dilution steps. Strain isolated underwent identification through morphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses, specifically employing 16S rRNA and phylogenetic analysis, which disclosed its classification as Bacillus sp. With the accession number OR133746. Physio-cultural conditions, including temperature, initial substrate concentration, pH, incubation time and inoculum size affecting the strain's activity were investigated in MSM using a one-variable-at-a-time approach. The optimal conditions for bacterial growth and λ-cyhalothrin degradation was found to be a substrate concentration of 6 g/L, a temperature of 30 °C, a pH of 6.5, and an incubation time of 96 hours. The results of Gravimetric analysis revealed that the selected isolate exhibited notable degradation rates of 75.4 % and 100 % after 72 hours and 96 hours of incubation, respectively. These findings highlight the exceptional efficiency of the strain in degrading λ-cyhalothrin. Consequently, this strain emerges as a promising candidate for tackling pollution attributed to λ-cyhalothrin through bioremediation processes.

In the agricultural sector, a class of chemical compounds known as chlorinated phenol and phenoxyacetic acid are employed as herbicides, wood preservatives, and pesticides. Certain groups of chlorinated phenoxyacetic acid are used as herbicides for agricultural and domestic application. They are listed as priority pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Thus, this study focuses on bacterial isolation for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide degradation been a toxic contaminant that hinders the quality of the soil over time, availability of certain soil microbes, non-targeted plants and poses health risk even to humans such as Hodking's lymphoma, respiratory infections e.t.c. These therefore, make it necessary to search for scientific way of dealing with this chemical from our environments. Incubation time, substrate concentration, pH, temperature, and inoculum size in mineral salt medium were all the parameters tested during the study, while 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide was used as the alternative source of carbon. Following systemic dilution of sample on mineral salt medium, three bacterial isolates (D1, D2, and D3), were isolated and subjected to lots of screening. D2 was proven to be the best. During molecular identification that involves polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, sequence alignment and phylogentic analysis, the isolated bacteria was found to be Achromobacter xylosoxidans. The bacterial isolate grew and degraded 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide at optimum conditions of 96 h incubation time, 0.72g L−1 substrate concentration, 7.5 pH, 40 °C temperature, and 400 μg/L inoculum size. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the residual 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide and the standard solution probe of the isolate was able to degrade up to 95.38 % of the substrate indicating great potentiality in bioremediation of herbicide polluted environments thereby, reducing if not all eliminating these toxic contaminants from our surroundings.

Herbal remedies are alternative option for the treatment, management, and prevention of different disease conditions such as malaria in most African communities due to their easy access and economic advantages. Heavy metals contaminations from the plant ingredients, processing or anthropogenic activities may render the herbal harmful for human consumption. Therefore, risk assessment of contaminating metals and antioxidant activities were determined in Agbo, a popular anti-malarial herbs mixture sold in Kano. The samples were collected from different locations across Kano State and labelled as A, B, C. The concentrations of some human cancer-causing (Cadmium Cd; Lead Pb and Chromium Cr) and some non-cancer-causing metals such as Copper Cu; Nickel, Ni in the sample were evaluated. The antioxidant properties were also evaluated using various assays, which include 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging actions, Metal Chelating, phosphomolybdate test and Reducing power properties of Agbo. Some phytochemicals (Phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and alkaloids) were found to be present. The values predicting the probability of human developing risk of cancer ailment after the ceaseless consumption of the herbal mixtures was found higher than a standard threshold limit (>10−4) established by USEPA. While the non-cancer predicted risk index projected the Cr, Pb and Cd (from sample B) as the leading metal pollutants of the herbal mixtures posing a risk index of more than one (>1), while Ni and Pb (from sample A and C) showed a relative safe quotient. The determined IC50 value for reducing power showed the herbal mixtures exhibiting almost same antioxidant activities with sample C having the highest (IC50 6.32 μg/mL), followed by sample B (IC50 6.36 μg/mL) and sample A (IC50 6.39 μg/mL). This suggests that excess consumption of this mixtures may be generally beneficial health-wise but unsafe due to the heavy metals which could expose the consumers to probable cancer risks and other biological process distraction.

A structured and specified project management competency framework plays a significant role in accomplishing the goal of non-governmental organization in line with its mission and strategic plan. However, constrained resources and extended requirements from the donors and stakeholders in non-governmental organization (NGO) in Pakistan emphasize the necessity of a tailored, adaptable project management competencies framework to meet project requirements. Considerations have been given to project managers’ competencies in prior literature. Still, limited study exists on identifying the project management competency dimensions, especially in the NGO sector of Pakistan. In this research, we have studied the project management competencies, dimensions “Strategic and Business Management”, “Leadership” and “Technical Project Management”. Keeping in view the expertise and diversity, the opinions of subject matter experts from NGO sectors across Pakistan was taken. The data was collected through the questionnaire using pairwise comparison and analyzed by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which falls under the umbrella of MDCM. The results of the study of the NGO sector concluded that the competency dimension “Strategic and Business Management” has the most significance, followed by “Leadership and “Technical Project Management”. In the hierarchy of the competencies by their global weights is as follows, Strategic Planning Alignment has the most significance, followed by Problem Solving, Customer Relationship and Satisfaction, Cost Estimation/Budget, Project Management Tools and Technique, Team Building, Benefits Management Realization, Market Awareness, and Condition, Coaching and Mentoring, Schedule Management, Verbal, and Written Communication and Listening.

The aim of this research was to check the effects of teacher's training and teaching methods on academic achievements and interests of students at secondary schools in computer course. The population was divided into four groups; lecture teaching method (control group), discussion teaching method (experimental method), inquiry teaching method (experimental group) and demonstration teaching method (experimental group). Each group has a sample size of 20 students. A pre-test before training of teachers and post-test after training of teachers for academic achievement and interests of students taught by four teaching methods were conducted. The results of pre and post-tests were then analysed by statistical tools of descriptive statistics and ANOVA test. The results of the study indicated that students' academic achievements and interests were increased before and after the training of the teachers taught by lecture, discussion, inquiry and demonstration teaching methods. The demonstration teaching method was ranked 1st and lecture teaching method was ranked last. So, it can be concluded that training of the teacher's plays an important role for choosing the best method for teaching and improves the academic achievements and interests of students.

Flipped classroom model is now a well-established learning approach which has brought a paradigm shift by blending technology with the traditional method of teaching. The real meaning of Flipped classroom model is that the traditional lecture method is flipped so that learners get the initial learning material at home and class time is used for cooperative learning. The tools used for the flipped classroom model include Learning management system, social media and like. A lot of research studies exist on Flipped classroom model but these studies lack a unified approach over its significance. If one set of studies ranks Flipped classroom model better than the traditional lecture method; the other instruction models consider its success due to its integration with technology. There are also studies that associate Flipped classroom model with student-centered approach especially in university education. This article reviews a few of these studies with the objective to understand this debate about the right method of learning; and to identify which studies acknowledge the significance of Flipped classroom model. A set of 33 articles published from 2012 to 2020 were selected for this study. The statistical results show a mixed reaction about the acceptability and adaptability of the Flipped classroom model in the modern learning environment.

Introduction/aimsIt is unknown if patients with neuromuscular diseases prefer in-person or virtual telemedicine visits. We studied patient opinions and preference on virtual versus in-person visits, and the factors influencing such preferences.MethodsTelephone surveys, consisting of 11 questions, of patients from 10 neuromuscular centers were completed.ResultsFive hundred and twenty surveys were completed. Twenty-six percent of respondents preferred virtual visits, while 50% preferred in-person visits. Sixty-four percent reported physical interaction as "very important." For receiving a new diagnosis, 55% preferred in-person vs 35% reporting no preference. Forty percent were concerned about a lack of physical examination vs 20% who were concerned about evaluating vital signs. Eighty four percent reported virtual visits were sufficiently private. Sixty eight percent did not consider expenses a factor in their preference. Although 92% were comfortable with virtual communication technology, 55% preferred video communications, and 19% preferred phone calls. Visit preference was not significantly associated with gender, diagnosis, disease severity, or symptom management. Patients who were concerned about a lack of physical exam or assessment of vitals had significantly higher odds of selecting in-person visits than no preference.DiscussionAlthough neither technology, privacy, nor finance burdened patients in our study, more patients preferred in-person visits than virtual visits and 40% were concerned about a lack of physical examination. Interactions that occur with in-person encounters had high importance for patients, reflecting differences in the perception of the patient-physician relationship between virtual and in-person visits.

Atrazine herbicide is known to disrupt the endocrine system and is potentially carcinogenic. Its continual application leads to high residue levels in soil, causing water pollution, which when consumed is associated with devastating health effects. This research reported the isolation and characterization of a new bacterial strains from active agricultural soil with the potential to biodegrade atrazine as a sole carbon source. An enrichment method was utilized to isolate the bacteria (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2) on mineral salt media (MSM) following serial dilution. Six isolates were screened for their tolerance to various concentrations of atrazine (500 to 1500 mg∙L‐1), and only isolate B1 tolerated up to 1500 mg∙L‐1 atrazine. The isolate was identified molecularly as Bacillus safensis strain BUK_BCH_BTE6 based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Characterization of the isolate based on the effects of temperature, pH, substrate concentration, incubation time, inoculum size, and heavy metals revealed optimum growth and atrazine degradation at 35 °C, a pH of 7.5, 400 mg∙L‐1, at 48 h, and inoculum size of 600 µL, respectively. The growth of the isolate was inhibited by 2 ppm Hg, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ar, and Ni, while Fe, Cu, and Zn stimulated it. GC‐MS analysis revealed a degradation efficiency of 88.85% within 120 h, while metabolites such as desethyldeisopropylatrazine, deisopropylatrazine, N‐ethylammelide, and cyanuric acid were also detected. This isolate is a highly atrazine‐tolerant and efficient atrazine degrader that could be employed for bioremediation of atrazine‐polluted sites.

Lead is one of the most toxic heavy metals ever known by man today, which has zero biological role. It is known to cause anemia and affect the nervous and reproductive systems with irreversible effects. Its continual usage leads to its high accumulation polluting the soil and water bodies with devastating health effects. This research, aimed at isolation and characterization of indigenous lead tolerant bacteria from contaminated soil of Anka. Results of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) showed high concentration of lead (738 mg/kg) of the affected sites above the EPA standard (400 mg/kg). Similarly, a mineral salt media was used to isolate the bacteria following serial dilution. An indigenous bacterial isolate (Ac) with potential to tolerate up to 3000 mg/L Pb(NO3)2 was isolated and molecularly identified based on 16s rRNA sequencing as Bacillus cereus strain BUK_BCH_BTE2 with the accession number MT160412. The isolate was further characterized for its optimum growth and tolerance conditions using one factor at a time (OFAT). Sucrose with an optimum concentration of 5 g/L was the best carbon source for the isolate. The isolate was found to utilize ammonium sulphate as the best nitrogen source at a concentration of 2.5 g/L, with an optimum pH and tempertaure of 7.0 and 37 °C respectively. A concentration of 1000 mg/L Pb(NO3)2 was found to be the optimum concentration for the isolate. The optimum incubation time and inoculum size were found to be 48 hrs and 100 μL respectively. The fact that the isolate could tolerate high Pb(NO3)2 concentration makes it suitable for future bioremediation work involving lead.

Bioremediation process is one of the most effective methods which facilitates the cleaning of contaminated sites and restores contaminated sites through the broad biodegradative capabilities evolved by microorganisms towards undesirable organic compounds. In this study, Alcaligenes sp. with potential to degrade and utilize used engine oil as its source of carbon and energy was isolated, identified and its growth parameters optimized for efficient and better breakdown of the pollutant. Alcaligenes sp. was isolated from a used engine oil contaminated soil in an old mechanic shop, after enrichment using a carbon free (Bush-Nell Haas) media which was supplemented with used engine oil. The bacterium was identified (morphologically, biochemically, and molecularly) and studied for its ability to extract carbon from used engine oil hence degrading used engine oil. Thereafter, the various growth parameters of the bacterium isolate were optimized. Data obtained showed optimum growth parameter of 2% (v/v) used engine oil (carbon source), pH 7, temperature 37 °C, inoculum size 2 ml and incubation time 240 hours. Also, measured ribosomal RNA (16S RNA) sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate is a very close relative of Alcaligenes species. The degradation potential of the isolate was assessed using gravimetric analysis, and a percentage degradation of 92.5% was discovered. Overall, the results of this study suggest that Alcaligenes sp. can effectively degrade used engine oil, hence, a potential remediation organism against engine oil contamination and spills on soils or water surface.

Chromium, a transition metal element widely distributed in the earth's crust, with the valence from −2 to +6, but exists mainly in the form of trivalent and hexavalent states. Hexavalent chromium Chromium (VI) is often found in soil and ground water due to its widespread industrial use such as tannery, electroplating, and steel industries. Chromium (VI) is toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic and much more toxic to many plants, animals, and bacteria inhabiting aquatic environments because it is motile, highly toxic, soluble in water and it is a strong oxidizing agent that causes severe damage to cell membranes while the trivalent chromium Cr (III) is the most stable form of chromium and relatively immobile in the aquatic system due to its lower solubility. This study therefore, aims at identifying a bacterium that can reduce Chromium (IV) to (III) using a pour plate technique on Luria Bertani medium amended with K2Cr2O7. Graphs and tables were used for the data analysis. The effects of incubation time, pH, temperature, inoculum size, and potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) concentration were then examined to characterize the bacterium based on one factor at a time. To assess Chromium (VI) reduction, a spectrophotometric study of the 1, 5-diphenyl carbazide test (DPC) at 370 nm was utilized. By using molecular phylogenetic analysis and partial 16s ribosomal RNA analysis, the isolate was found to be Acinetobacter sp. strain BUK_BCH_BTE 5. The findings demonstrated that tryptic soy broth (TSB), with an optimal K2Cr2O7 level of 200 mg/L, pH of 6.5, 35 °C temperature, inoculum size of 2%, as well as incubation time of 48 h, was the most successful approach for decreasing chromium (VI). Following Nickel (Ni), the isolate was found to withstand the highest doses of Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Zink (Zn), Iron (Fe), Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), and Cupper, in that order. A reduced culture's (supernatant) larvacidal bioassay showed a 30% decrease in toxicity in just 48 hours, indicating that the isolate is a promising candidate, and that the reduction method is less dangerous for decontaminating chromium-contaminated environments.

Textile industry wastewater contains azo dye leftovers, which have a deleterious impact on most environmental systems. Because of safety and cost considerations, biological waste treatment is the best alternative. The goal of the study was to isolate and characterized fungus that could decolorize and use azo dye (Congo red) as a single carbon source. After serial dilution on mineral salt media, the fungus was isolated using the pour plating procedure. Based on gene sequencing of ITS1 and ITS2 ribosomal RNA region and molecular phylogenetic analysis the strain was identified as Aspergillus quadrilineatus with the accession number OK178927. Temperature, pH, substrate concentration, incubation period, inoculum size, and the influence of interacting heavy metals in Mineral Salt Medium were all investigated during the characterization process Congo red is used as the sole carbon source. This fungal isolate grew and decolorized Congo red best at 400 μɡ/ml substrate concentration, 30 °C temperature, 5.0 pH, an inoculum size of 200 μL, and a 72-h incubation time. The isolate was shown to withstand up to 6 ppm of Zink (Zn), Chromium (Cr), and Cupper (Cu), with Iron (Fe) and Arsenic (Ar) showing the most inhibition. Comparing Congo red's metabolites to a standard database of organic substances. LC/MS analyses of the intermediate compounds produced during Congo red decolorization revealed the formation of Isamine blue, p-bromo-N-(2-naphthyl)-benzenesulfonamide, 4-acetomido-N,N-dicyclohexyl-3-nitrobenzene, and azobenzene-2-sulfenyl bromide as metabolites in the fungal biodegradation of Congo red. The isolate might be a good candidate for bioremediation.

In recent years, the degradation of pollutants by microorganisms has emerged as a feasible and cost-effective strategy for restoring the quality of the environment. Anthracene is an integral part of many carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and causes skin irritation. The aimed of the study is to investigate the anthracene-degrading ability bacteria and from environmental samples and characterized them using an enrichment technique. The bacterial strain was identified as Achromobacter xylosoxidans based on molecular identification achieved via 16SrRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The strain, designated as BUK_BTEG6 (accession number OM52853), was found to efficiently degrade anthracene as the sole carbon and energy source. A one factor at a time (OFAT) approach was utilized to determine the optimal growth factors that include substrate concentration, temperature, pH, and inoculum size. Results indicated that 400-600 mg/L was found as the optimal growth conditions as substrate concentration with temperature to be 35 °C, pH of 7.5 after 72 hours of incubation. Moreover, the GC-MS analysis of the culture medium confirmed the presence of degradation metabolites such as 9-10 anthraquinone, anthracene cis 1,2 dihydro diol, catechol, and cis-cis muconic acid. This isolate represents a potential candidate for use in environmental bioremediation strategies aimed at eliminating anthracene contamination from the environment.