The Impact of Effluents Derived from Palm Oil Extraction Plants on Soil Microbial Community

Abstract

In order to know the consequences of the effluent on the microflora of the soil and its respective fertility, the size of the experimental sample was defined, which was represented by five locations, from which ten portions of soil were collected for microbiological analysis. Unimpacted soil samples served as controls. Total counts of heterotrophic bacteria, coliforms, and fungi were assessed using the pour plate and spread plate method. The result showed that the counts of total heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms and total fungi (3.8x103CFU/mL, 3.5x103CFU/mL and 3.4x102CFU/mL respectively) of the impacted soils were lower compared to the values (3.6x106 CFU/mL, 3.6x106CFU/mL and 2.6x104UFC/mL respectively) of the non-impacted soils that served as control. Bacterial genera involved in margarine production processes include Bacillus spp, Micrococcus spp, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp, Staphylococcus spp, Salmonella spp. The genera of fungi isolated from soils with effluents from palm oil extracting plants include Aspergillus spp, Rhizopus spp and Mucor spp. The results obtained indicate that effluents from palm oil extracting plants have an immediate negative impact on the microbiota of the soil, since its application could cause changes that affect the microbial communities. Therefore, it is recommended that adequate guidelines be established for the possible pre-treatment and safe discharge of effluents from palm oil mills, in addition to avoiding their effect on the microbiota and soil fertility.