HSADr. HELEN SHNADA AUTA
Rank: Associate Professor
Department: Microbiology
School: School of Life Sciences
Biography
Dr. Helen Shnada Auta is an Associate Professor of Microbiology at the Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria, with over 20 years of academic experience. She holds a PhD in Environmental Management and Technology from the University of Malaya, Malaysia. Her research covers food, industrial, and environmental microbiology, focusing on food safety, fermentation, microbial biotechnology, biodegradation, bioremediation, and microplastics pollution. Her work addresses microbial quality of foods, wastewater treatment, waste management, and sustainable environmental solutions. She has received national and international research grants and is a member of COST Action ICPLASTIC Working Group. She also serves as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, contributing to research, training, and innovation.
Research Interests
Academic Qualifications
Ph.D. Environmental Management and Technology
Universiti Malaya, Malaysia · 2018
M.Sc. Environmental Microbiology
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria · 2012
B.Sc. Microbiology
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria · 2026
Professional Affiliations
Teaching
Undergraduate Courses
Postgraduate Courses
Supervision
Master's Degree
Eze, Chizoba Nnedimma
“Screening for potential of microbial assemblages in plastics from shorelines of rivers in Niger State to utilize plastics ”
Aboyeji, Oyeyemi David
“Effects of plant extract and green synthesized silvernano particles on the microbiological, nutritional qualities and safety of beef ”
Aboh, Patrick Ogbu
“Production and optimization of pectinase from microbial isolates using agro-industrial wastes ”
Muhammed, Rukayya Abdulmalik
“Laboratory guided production of bioflocculant by microorganisms isolated from clay pot ”
Ummulkhair Salamah Ilyasu
“Microbiological quality and proximate evaluation of locally fermented milk (nono) produced from selected locations in Minna, Niger State (Major supervisor)”
Lawal Nafisat
“Detection of resistant genes in gram negative bacteria isolated from stool samples of enteric fever patients attending general hospital Minna, Nigeria ”
Ismaila, Rahanat Idris
“Protein enrichment of cassava with yeast for cassava flour production ”
Angulu, Isaac Madugu
“Effects of plant-mediated zinc oxide on the food pathogens, microbiological and safety qualities of suya meat sold in Minna metropolis ”
Murtadha, Maryam Asake
“Microorganisms associated with microplastics isolated from beaches ”
Ismail, Hafsat
“Effects of plant-mediated zinc oxide nano particles on the microbiological, nutritional quality and safety of cheese ”
Adeleke, Adekunle Temitope
“Assessment of uptake and fungal remediation of radionuclide in sorghum plantation in Kwali Area Council, Federal Capital Territory”
Paul, Esther Aishatu
“Microbial assessment of irrigation water, its soil and crop in selected areas in Suleja, Niger State, Nigeria. ”
Adamu, Aisha Kutigi
“Production of probiotic yogurt with anti-Helicobacter pylori activity: in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation ”
Doctor of Philosophy
Mbagwu Oyinyechi Faith
“Biodegradation of azo dye contaminated waste water by microbially synthesized silver nanoparticles ”
Adamu Binta Buba
“mprovement of gelation quality and optimization of exopolysaccharide producing lactic acid bacteria from tamarind for production of fermented soy milk ”
Shehu Adisa Muslimat
“Studies on mycotoxins, antibiotic residues and whole-genome sequencing of food-borne pathogens from meat products in North Central States, Nigeria.”
Calvin Ilunga Ciuma Kakasu
“Mycotoxins in peanuts sold in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Minna, Nigeria Markets ”
Idakwo, Queen Pheobe
“Evaluation of nutraceutical properties and processing of oster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) for the production of some nutritionally rich staple foods”
Aruwa Gabriel
“Investigation of microplastics in wild catsfish (Clarias gariepinus) of selected water bodies in Niger State, Nigeria ”
Bahago Esther Jacob
“Characterization of nutritional, techno-functional and microbiological properties of bioprocessed lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) flour”
Raji Rahmat Onyeneoyiza
“Biodegradation of palm oil mill effluent (POME) using microbial derived nanochitosan”
Mustapha, Adamu
“Assessment of bioremediation potential of bacteria associated with microplastics in fish ponds in parts of Niger State, Nigeria. ”
Adamu, Shaba
“Selection of deodorant and effective microorganisms for the production of upgraded organic fertilizer”
Aboyeji, David Oyeyemi
“Development of optimized microbial consortium immobilized biochar-cellulosic matrix for heavy metals and biocides remediation from wastewater used for irrigation.”
Publications
Optimizing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum JCM 1149 growth conditions for improvement of the gelation and nutritional qualities of fermented soy milk.
Adamu, B.B., Bala, J.D., Auta, H.S., Ocheme, O.B., Oyewole, A.O., Babayi, H., Aboh, M.I., Maddela, N.R., Prasad, R.
Microplastics distribution in the soil: A review.
Auta, H.S., Innocent Ojeba Musa, Sesan Abiodun Aransiola, Hussaini Anthony Makun, Auwalu Hassan, Udeme Josiah Joshua Ijah, David Oyeyemi Aboyeji, Shahul Hamid Fauziah, Naga Raju Maddela, Ram Prasad
Nanochitosan-based adsorbents for sustainable treatment of palm oil mill effluent
Raji, R.O., Izuafa, A., Auta, H.S., Oyewole, O.A., Abioye, O.P.
Characterization and detection techniques of marine microbial products. Chapter 2-
Musa, I.O., Abdulhakeem, I. A., Abioye, O.P., Auta, H.S., Abdulsalam, M., Livinus, M.U., Abdulazeez, M., Yahaya, F.A., Shehu-Alimi, E., Salami, S.O., Auwal Sagir Muhammad, A.S.
Marine bioresources: An overview
48. Musa O. I., Abdulhakeem, I.A., Yasir, A.M., Auta, H.S., Abdulsalam, M., Livinus, M.U., Abdurrazak, M., Abdulazeez, M., Shehu-Alimi, E., Olaitan L., Muhammad, A.S.
Assessment of Tolerance, Biosorption, Adsorption Isotherm, and Kinetics of Heavy Metals from Liquid Media using Live Mycelia of Perenniporia subtephropora
Auwalu Hassan, Azman Azid, Fauziah Shahul Hamid, Agamuthu Pariatamby, Helen Shnada Auta, Saiful Iskandar Khalit, Innocent Chukwunonso Ossai, Suzanne Christine Aboudi-Mana.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Food Quality Control and Safety Assessment
Aboyeji, D.O., Auta, H.S., Adelere, I.A., Ossamulu, I.F., Hammed, T.O., Makun, H.A., and Muhammad, H.L.
Assessment of Tolerance, Biosorption, Adsorption Isotherm, and Kinetics of Heavy Metals from Liquid Media using Live Mycelia of Perenniporia subtephropora
Auwalu Hassan, Azman Azid, Fauziah Shahul Hamid, Agamuthu Pariatamby, Helen Shnada Auta, Saiful Iskandar Khalit, Innocent Chukwunonso Ossai, Suzanne Christine Aboudi-Mana
Introduction to Nanotechnology for Water Purification.
Aboyeji, D. O., Adelere, I. A., Auta, H. S., Ossamulu, I. F., & Hammed, T. O.
Microplastic pollution and risk assessment in selected beaches in Lagos State, Nigeria and degradation using associated microbial assemblages
Auta, H.S., Murtadha, M.A., Aruwa, G., Wuna, M.M., Aboyeji, D.O., Awono, A.T. Edzili, Balogun, E.O.
Profiling and Molecular Identification of Fungi Isolated from Maize Cultivated in Different Agroecological Zones in Nigeria.
Thierry, Edzili Awono Antoine, Ossamulu, I.F., Muhammad, H. K, Bala, Isa Abdullahi, Auta H.S., Salubuyi, S. B., Eustace, Dogo, Polly, Shingu Jesse, Muhammad, Hadiza Lami, Justin, Essia Ngang Jean, Anthony, Makun Hussaini
Prevalence of Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella enterica Isolates from Ready-to-Eat Meat (Suya) and its Contact Surfaces in Minna Metropolis, Nigeria.
Ekli, R., Bala, J. D., Machunga-Mambula, S., Adzitey, F., Auta H. S., Muhammad, H. L., and Makun, H. A.
Mycotoxins and global food safety.
Adelere, I.A., D.O Aboyeji, Auta H. S., J. Barasarathi, A. Ahmed (2025).
Yield, Chemical properties and bioactive constituents of mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivated on mixed sawdust and rice bran compost for staple food production
Idakwo, Q.P., Abalaka, M.E., Auta H.S., & Anuonye, J.C.
Development of a machine learning model for predicting Escherichia coli growth under different environmental conditions
Auta, H. S., Yusuf, A. A., M. Abubakar, I.O Musa, G. Aruwa
Food safety of peanuts marketed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): State of research on mycotoxins.
Calvin Ilunga Ciuma K., Van Emery Tshiombe Mulamba, Auta, H. S., Freddy Bulubulu Otono, Samuel Duodu, Hussaini Anthony Makun, Chantal Mbuyi Musadi, Beaudouin Nyembo Kibanga
Mycotoxins contamination of maize (Zea mays L) from different agroecological zones in Nigeria: A systematic review.
Edzili A. A. Thierry, Ossamulu, I. F., Bala, I. A., Dogo E., Muhammad, H. K., Auta H. S., Salubuyi, S. B., Shingu, J. P., Muhammad, H. L., E. N. J., Makun, H.A.
Mycotoxin levels and biocontrol strategies of groundnut marketed in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Minna, Nigeria
Ilunga, C.C.K., Auta H. S., H. L. Muhammad, V.E.T. Malumba, F.B. Otono, and C.M.Mbuyi
Pattern and Impact of Pesticide Poisoning: A Review of Published Case Reports.
Oche Joseph Otorkpa, Chinenye Oche Otorkpa, Stephen Emmanuel, Abiodun Paul Olaiya, Auta, H.S., Ebenezer Obi Daniel, Onifade Adefunmilola Adebola, Paul Isaac Ojodale
Micro-and nanoplastics in Environment: degradation, detection, and ecological impact.
Innocent Ojeba Musa, Auta H. S., Ummulkhair Salamah Ilyasu, Sesan Abiodun Aransiola, Hussaini Anthony Makun, Nasiru Usman Adabara, Olabisi Peter Abioye, Ahmed Aziz, Barasarathi Jayanthi, Naga Raju Maddela, Ram Prasad
Review of global burden of disease studies: trends, challenges, and future directions.
Oche Joseph Otorkpa, Chinenye Oche Otorkpa, Stephen Emmanuel, Abiodun Paul Olaiya, Auta, H.S., Ebenezer Obi Daniel, Onifade Adefunmilola Adebola, Paul Isaac Ojodale
Biotechnology for bioenergy production: Current status, challenges, and prospects
Auta, H. S., Aboyeji, D. O., Adelere, I. A., Babayi, H., Bala, J. D., Fauziah, S. H., & Aransiola, S. A.
Effect of refrigeration storage on the gelation quality of fermented soymilk using exopolysaccharide producing Lactobacillus plantarum jcm 1149 isolated from tamarind fruit
37. Adamu, B.B., Bala, J.D., Auta, H. S. and Ocheme, O.B.
Microplastic Pollution in Riverine ecosystems: threats posed on macroinvertebrates.
Nantege, D., R. Odong, Auta H. S., Unique Ndubuisi Keke, Gilbert Ndatimana, Attobla Fulbert Assie, Francis Ofurum Arimoro
Microbial Enzymes: Role in Soil Fertility
Auwalu Hassan, Fauziah Shahul Hamid, Auta, H.S., Agamuthu Pariatamby, Innocent C. Ossai, Jayanthi Barasarathi, Aziz Ahmed
Good Manufacturing Practices in the Food Industry
Ilyasu, U. S., Bala, J. D., Tauheed, F. L., Adabara, N. U., Auta, H. S., & Adedeji, A. S.
Enhanced bioremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil using filamentous fungi consortia: a demonstration of bioaugmentation potential.
Hassan, A., Agamuthu, P., Ahmed, A., Auta, H. S., Fauziah, S.H.
Marine Microbial Enzymes - An Overview. In N.R. Maddela, S.A. Aransiola and R. Prasad (Eds.)
Auta H.S., Aboyeji D.O., Bala J.D., Abioye O.P., Adabara N.U., Aransiola S.A., Hassana A., Aziz A. (2022)
Impact and Control of Microbial Biofilms in the Oil and Gas Industry. In N.R. Maddela and S.A. Aransiola (Eds.)
Abioye O.P., Aransiola S.A., Auta H.S., Ijah U.J.J.,
Biosynthesis and characterization of silver nano particles using Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and leaf extracts of Jatropha and Ocimum species.
Mbagwu, F.O., Auta H. S., M. T. Bankole, A. S. Kovo, O. P. Abioye (
Enhanced microbial degradation of PET and PS microplastics under natural conditions in mangrove environment.
Auta, H. S., O. P. Abioye, S. A. Aransiola., J. D. Bala., V. I. Chukwuemeka., A. Hassan., A. Aziz, S. H. Fauziah
Isolation and molecular identification of lactic acid bacteria from bambara nuts and tamarind fruit
Adamu, B.B., Bala, J. D., Auta, H.S. and Ocheme, O.B. (2022)
Green coagulant from Dillenia indica for removal of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and phenol. 4,4’-(1-methylethylidene) bis- from landfill leachate.
Aziz, A., P. Agamuthu, A. Hassan, Auta H. S., Fauziah, S. H
Bioremediation of Toxic Pesticides in Soil Using Microbial Products. In: Prasad R., Nayak S.C., Kharwar R.N., Dubey N.K. (eds)
Abioye O.P., Ijah U.J.J., Aransiola S.A., Auta S.H., Ojeba M.I
Optimization of Lipase from Bacteria isolated from soil
B. J. David, Auta H. S., M. Abdullahi, G. J. Birma, A. S. Adedeji, S. O. Enejiyon, J. Jiya
Bacteriological and heavy metal status of water and fish samples from Jebba lake- Nigeria
Atiribom, R.Y., Abioye, O.P., Daniyan, S.Y., Ojutiku, R.O., Auta, H. S., and Muazu, M.M
Spatio-temporal variation level of heavy metals in surface water and sediment in Tagwai lake, Minna, Nigeria
Chukwuemeka, V. I., Jimoh, E. A., Olajide, K. O., Auta, Y. I., Auta, H. S. and Erhabor, O. F.
Physicochemical and bacteriological analyses of Tagwai lake Minna, Nigeria. Freshwater Biological Association of Nigeria
Chukwuemeka, V. I., Olajide, K. O., Auta, Y. I., Samuel P. O., Auta, H. S., Erhabor, O. F.
Growth kinetics and biodeterioration of polypropylene microplastics by Bacillus sp. and Rhodococcus sp. isolated from mangrove sediment.
Auta, H. S., Emenike, C. U., Jayanthi, B., & Fauziah, S. H.
Screening for polypropylene degradation potential of bacteria isolated from mangrove ecosystems in Peninsular Malaysia. International Journal of Bioscience, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics
Auta, H. S., Emenike, C. U., Fauziah, S. H
Characterization of induced metal responses of bacteria isolates from active non-sanitary landfill in Malaysia
Jayanthi, B., Emenike, C.U., Auta, H. S., Agamuthu, P., and Fauziah, S. H.
Distribution and importance of microplastics in the marine environment: A review of the sources, fate, effects, and potential solutions.
Auta, H. S., Emenike, C. U., Fauziah, S. H.
Screening of Bacillus strains isolated from mangrove ecosystems in Peninsular Malaysia for microplastic degradation
Auta, H. S., Emenike, C. U., & Fauziah, S. H.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Schiff Bases Derived from 5-Chlorosalicylaldehyde with Substituted Aniline
Abidemi Iyewumi Oloyede-Akinsulere, Simon Olonkwoh Salihu, Jelili Olalekan Babajide and Helen Shnada Auta
Generation of electricity using microorganisms isolated from dump site soil. (Poster Presentation)
Egwims, E. C., Auta, H. S., Tauheed, Farida Laraba, Ocheja, Sunday and Jacob, Peter Oche
Biodecolorization of basic fuchsin dye by Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from salt water and palm wine
Auta H. S., Adedamola Joshua Olatunde, Aransiola Abiodun Sesan, Abioye Olabisi Peter and Damisa Duro
Bioaugmentation of crude oil contaminated soil using bacterial consortium
Auta H. S., U. J. J. Ijah, M. A. Mojuetan
Citric acid production by Aspergillus niger cultivated on Parkia biglobosa fruit pulp. Hindawi International Scholarly Research Notices
Auta H. S., Khadijat Toyin Abidoye, Hauwa Tahir, Aliyu Dabai Ibrahim, and Sesan Abiodun Aransiola
Biodegradation of crude oil by Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from fermented zobo (locally fermented beverage in Nigeria)
O.P. Abioye, R.O. Akinsola, S.A. Aransiola, D. Damisa and Auta H. S
Production of pectinase by Bacillus species cultured on Parkia biglobosa Fruit Pulp. Advanced Science Focus
Auta H. S., S/Gobir, Nusaiba, A. D. Ibrahim, A. A. Usman, and S. S. Manga
Biostimulation of crude oil contaminated soil using soybean waste.
U. J. J. Ijah, Auta H. S., and R. K. Olanrewaju
Upgrading the protein level of ‘ogi’ using Candida Utilis NN4 isolated from ‘nono’
M. L. Ibrahim, U. J. J. Ijah, Auta H. S., and A. A. Aliero
Microbiological and physicochemical evaluation of starch produced from cassava and maize
Bala, U. J. J. Ijah, O. P. Abioye, Auta H. S., N. U. Adabara, J. A. Momoh, A. O. Ujo
Artificial neural networks, optimization and kinetic modeling of amoxicillin degradation in photo-fenton process using aluminum pillared montmorillonite-supported ferrioxalate catalyst
O. B. Ayodele, Auta H. S., and N. M. Nor
Characterization of extracellular amylase produced by Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from rice husk waste dumpsite. Research and Reviews in BioSciences
Auta H. S., Oyeleke S.B., Bala J.D., Ayodele O.B., Abioye O.P. and Ijah U.J.J.
Amylase production by Aspergillus niger cultured on Adansonia digitata seed powder
Ibrahim A.D., Oyeleke S.B., Rabah A.B., U-K Muh’d, Auta H. S., and Okafor I.
Screening of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus for extracellular protease enzyme production
Oyeleke, S. B., Egwim, E. C. and Auta, H. S
Production of bacterial amylase by Bacillus species isolated from rice husk dumpsites in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria
Oyeleke, S.B., Ibrahim A.D., Manga, S.B., Rabah, A.B., Auta, H. S., and Ladan, F.
Production and characterization of amylase produced by Bacillus megaterium isolated from a local yam peel dumpsite in Minna, Niger State
Oyeleke, S.B., Auta, H. S. and Egwim, E.C.
Social Media