Isolation of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter and Klebsiella from Fruit Juices and Assessment of their Developmental Toxicity on Artemia salina

Authors

  • Md. Nazmul Haque Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh.
  • Afrin Priya Talukder Department of Applied Biosciences, Macquarie University, NSW-2109, Sydney, Australia.
  • Shaila Shaimun Diba epartment of Oceanography, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, University of Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh.
  • Md. Rashed Zaman Joarder DNA and Chromosome Research Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh.
  • Md. Salah Uddin Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh.
  • Md. Abu Saleh Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh.
  • Shahriar Zaman Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh.
  • Md. Akhtar-E-Ekram Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54987/jemat.v14i1.211

Keywords:

Fruit juice, Multidrug-resistant (MDR), Artemia salina, Deformities, Pearson correlation

Abstract

Microbial spoilage of fruit juice poses a significant risk for human infections in Bangladesh. To address this concern, both local and packaged fruit juices were microbiologically assessed for their lactose-fermenting ability. The isolates were evaluated for acute toxicity against the developmental stages of Artemia salina, examining the correlation between bacterial dose duration and the abnormalities observed in the brine shrimp. Morphological, physiological, biochemical analyses, and 16S rRNA sequencing identified isolate A as Acinetobacter sp. (lactose-non-fermenting, sample-6) and isolate B as Klebsiella sp. (lactose-fermenting, sample-9). Both bacteria exhibited developmental toxicity, leading to delayed germination of Artemia cysts. After 48 hours, notable abnormalities such as missing antennules, abnormal eyes, contused mandibles, absent swimming legs, and damaged ovaries were recorded. The Duncan Multiple Range Test indicated that Acinetobacter sp. was significantly more toxic than Klebsiella sp. The median lethal time (tD50) was 5 hours for Acinetobacter sp. and 6 hours for Klebsiella sp., with lethal concentration (LC50) values of 6.107±0.19 µL/mL and 6.999±0.21 µL/mL (per 10 mL volume reaction mixture), respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between exposure duration to the isolated bacterial strains and the occurrence of defective traits in Artemia salina. Furthermore, multidimensional tests confirmed a complete separation between control and treated Artemia. Both bacterial isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant. This study emphasizes the need for increased awareness to eliminate microbial health hazards.

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Published

31.07.2026

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Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Md. Nazmul Haque, Afrin Priya Talukder, Shaila Shaimun Diba, Md. Rashed Zaman, Md. Salah Uddin, Md. Abu Saleh, Shahriar Zaman, Md. Akhtar-E-Ekram

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How to Cite

Isolation of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter and Klebsiella from Fruit Juices and Assessment of their Developmental Toxicity on Artemia salina. (2026). Journal of Environmental Microbiology and Toxicology, 14(1), 2-11. https://doi.org/10.54987/jemat.v14i1.211