Senior Lecturer
Senior Lecturer & Researcher in Applied Microbiology
I am a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, with a PhD in Biochemistry from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). My academic journey began with a BSc in Botany from the University of Ghana, followed by an MPhil in Biochemistry from KNUST.
My research career is rooted in applied microbiology, where I focus on characterizing microbial strains from African fermented foods and exploring their beneficial interactions with human and animal hosts. This passion has evolved into a broader interest in probiotics and their role in gut microbiome modulation and health.
As Lead Researcher at the APR Lab, I work with a team dedicated to identifying and characterizing Bacillus, yeast, and lactic acid bacteria as probiotic candidates. Together, we aim to harness their potential to support digestive and immune health.
Beyond probiotics, our lab also investigates the use of indigenous microbes from polluted environments for bioremediation, tackling challenges like soil and water pollution with sustainable solutions.
I am proud to be a DANIDA Fellow (2010–2012, University of Copenhagen) and an ARUA Fellow (2022, University of Pretoria Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems), committed to advancing microbiological research that bridges local insights with global relevance.
Summary of Research Interests
Applied and Industrial Microbiology, Food Microbial Ecology, Biochemistry, Probiotics, Bioremediation
Academic Qualifications
- BSc. Botany, University of Ghana
- MPhil Biochemistry, KNUST
- PhD Biochemistry, KNUST
Research Interests
Probiotic Research
- ✅ Characterization of probiotic strains associated with fermented foods and their interactions with human and animal hosts.
- ✅ Probiotics and Gut Microbiome Research: Impact of probiotics on the human gut microbiome and implications for disease outcomes.
- ✅ Industrial production of probiotics.
Bioremediation
- ✅ Exploring the potential of indigenous microbes from polluted water and soils for the remediation of pesticide-, heavy metal-, and crude oil–polluted sites.
Selected Publications
- Wiedenbein, E. S., Canoy, T. S., Hui, Y., Parkouda, C., Compaoré, C. S., Ametefe, E., Jakobsen, M., Jespersen, L., & Nielsen, D. S. (2023). Complete and Draft Genome Sequences of 52 Bacillus and Priestia Strains Isolated from West African Fermentations and 26 Reference Strains from a Public Culture Collection. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 12(7), e0039423. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00394-23
- Bamgbose, T., Sinha, S., Abdullahi, I. O., Inabo, H. I., Bello, M., Kori, L. D., Ametefe, E. N., & Anvikar, A. R. (2022). Identification of predominant lactic acid bacteria associated with Kunun-Zaki and Kindirmo, traditional fermented foods of Nigeria. Current Topics in Lactic Acid Bacteria and Probiotics, 8(1):17–31. https://doi.org/10.35732/ctlabp
- Captain-Esoah, M., Owusu-Kwarteng, J., Ametefe, E. N., Akabanda, F., Hussein, A. M., & Veriegh, F. B. D. (2021). Larvicidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis, B. subtilis and B. cereus against Aedes, Anopheles and Culex mosquito larvae. Journal of Ghana Science Association, 20(2). ISSN: 2737-713X
- Glover, R. L. K., Madilo, F. K., Terlabie, J. L., Ametefe, E. N., & Jespersen, L. (2018). Some technological properties of selected strains of Bacillus spp. associated with kantong production in Ghana. International Food Research Journal, 25(2): 602–611.
- Otu, S. A., Dzogbefia, V. P., Kpikpi, E. N., Essuman, E. K. (2015). Comparative Effect of Crude and Commercial Enzyme in Shea Fat Extraction. IOSR Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, 1(3).
- Kpikpi, E. N., Thorsen, L., Glover, R., Dzogbefia, V. P., Jespersen, L. (2014). Identification of Bacillus species occurring in kantong, an acid fermented seed condiment produced in Ghana. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 180: 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2014.03.028
- Larsen, N., Thorsen, L., Kpikpi, E. N., Stuer-Lauridsen, B., Cantor, M. D., Nielsen, B., Brockmann, E. D., Patrick, M. F., Jespersen, L. (2014). Characterization of Bacillus spp. strains for use as probiotic additives in pig feed. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 98: 1105–1118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-013-5343-6
- Thorsen, L., Kpikpi, E. N., Jespersen, L. (2014). Yeasts. In: Handbook of Indigenous Foods Involving Alkaline Fermentations. Eds. Prabir K., Sarkar, M. J., Robert Nout. CRC Press LLC. pp. 279–294. (Fermented Foods and Beverages Series) https://doi.org/10.1201/b17195