First Degree : BSc (Microbiology) UKM (2009)
Education level : Msc
Register date : Dec 2009
Research title : The use of local rhizobacteria isolates to enhance phytoremediation of soil contaminated by heavy metals
Supervisor : Prof. Datin Dr. Ainon Hamzah

Research synopsis :
The environment is constantly contaminated by heavy metal as a result of human activities such as mining, agriculture and industrial activity. Elevated levels of heavy metals caused deleterious effect on soil microbial activity and decrease crop production. Furthermore, heavy metals can enter the food chain by bioacccumulating in plants and threaten human health when consumed. Currently, phytoremediation technique using plants and the associated rhizobacteria to remove heavy metal in soil is favourably received. However, the inability of plants to survive at elevated heavy metal concentrations imposed a limitation on the technology efficiency. On the other hand, plant-associated rhizobacteria have been reported to excrete metal chelating agent such as siderophore than can reduce the toxicity of high metal concentration on plants. This symbiotic relationship was suggested to enhance phytoremediation process. Therefore, the aim of this study is to screen and identify locally isolated rhizobacteria with toleration towards lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg). The second aim is to detect plant growth-promoting activities of rhizobacteria using biochemical assay. Rhizobacteria with high plant growth-promoting activities and tolerance towards Pb and Hg can be potentially useful to enhance phytoremediation with the advantages of being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Publications: –
Yatim, N.I., Chai, S.T., Ibrahim, M.A. & Hamzah, A. 2013. Identification and characterization of Hg-resistant rhizobacteria isolated from petroleum sludge farm. Proceedings of the 3rd Annual International Conference on Advances in Biotechnology (BioTech 2013), pg. 61 – 65.

Nor Idaya Yatim & Ainon Hamzah. 2012. Pengenalpastian dan Pencirian Rizobakteria Toleran Plumbum dan Merkuri bagi digunakan dalam Fitoremediasi Tanah Tercemar. Prosiding Kolokium Siswazah ke-12 Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi, UKM, Bangi, pp. 196 – 198.

Nor Idaya Yatim, Alia Najiah Lokman & Ainon Hamzah. 2011. Growth of Rhizobacteria Tolerant Towards Lead and Mercury and the Plant-Growth Promoting Activities. Proceedings of the International Congress of the Malaysian Society for Microbiology 2011, pp. 363 – 367.

Douglas Law Sie Nguong, Lim Yao Jun, Nor Idaya Yatim, Sheila Nathan, Abdul Munir Abdul Murad, Nor Muhammad Mahadi & Farah Diba Abu Bakar. 2011. Characterising Yeast Isolates from Malaysia towards the Development of Alternative Heterologous Protein Expression Systems. Sains Malaysiana 40(4): 323–329.

Nor Idaya Yatim & Ainon Hamzah. 2010. Phytoremediation of Lead and Mercury Assisted by Rhizobacteria. Abstract book of My1Bio Conference 2010. Berjaya Times Square Hotel and Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 30-31st October, 2010.