DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY

The presence of microorganisms on barber‟s tools has garnered significant attention due to its potential impact on hygiene and public health. This project was aimed to investigate and analyze the diversity, abundance, and pathogenic potential of microorganisms found on barbering tools, focusing on shaving sticks, clippers, and combs, within a range of barbershops. The proliferation of microorganisms on these tools can potentially lead to the transmission of various bacterial, fungal, and viral agents and also hair and skin infections including; impetigo, head lice, barbers‟ itch, and tinea capitis, raising concerns about skin and respiratory infections among clients. This study aimed at isolation and identification of pathogenic microorganisms associated with barber‟s equipment, three (3) clippers sample were collected from each of the three (3) barbing salons, three (3) comb samples were collected from the three (3) salon each and three (3) used personal shaving sticks were collected from three (3) individuals each making a total of nine samples (9) on the Combs, Clippers and Shaving sticks. Identification of the microorganisms after culturing was done using Gram staining techniques and biochemical test. Antibiotic sensitivity test was also carried out using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. The results showed that bacteria and fungi were present on the barber‟s tools. The probable identified bacterial isolates were Clostridium sp., Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp., Staphylococcus sp. Klebsiella sp. was the most prevalent bacterial isolate while Clostridium sp. was the least prevalent bacterial isolate. Saccharomyces sp. was the most prevalent fungal isolate while Fusarium sp. was the least prevalent fungal isolate. This study reveals that barber‟s tools without treatment would pose a possible hazardous health effect. Therefore, barbers should ensure compliance with relevant prevention and control options to avoid risks to human health

Microbiological quality assessment of indoor air study is one of the most vital investigationstodetermine the microbial indoor air contaminant. The information on the indoor microbial
concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi is necessary both to estimate the health hazardandto create standards for indoor air quality control. Standard bacteriological methods were usedtodetermine the total bacterial count of the air samples. The bacterial isolates were characterizedand identified using morphological and biochemical methods. The percentage distributionandfrequency of the isolates were evaluated using statistical method. The results obtained fromthisstudy showed that laboratory one had the microbial load of 8.04x10
4 ± 6.0 Cfu/m3 whilelaboratory two had the microbial load of 6.85x10
4± 0.5 Cfu/m3
. Using standard morphological
and cultural characterization, the isolates obtained in this study were Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus sp, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus and Escherichia coli. The Grampositivebacteria were all susceptible to gentamycin and augmentin while the Gramnegative showedresistance to these antibiotics. However the isolates were all susceptible to ofloxacin. Theselected sampling laboratories of Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Beninwerecontaminated with bacteria. Thus, attention must be given to control those environmental factorswhich favor the growth and multiplication of microorganisms in indoor environment of theschool to safeguard health of users and workers, and it is vital to control visitors and studentsinand out the laboratories.

Hospital wastewater is a significant reservoir of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic-resistant strains, posing serious public health and environmental risks. This study investigates the bacteriological analysis of wastewater samples collected from different wards at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A total of four wastewater amples were obtained from different drainage outlets using sterile 500 mL glass bottles and transported under cold conditions to the Microbiology Laboratory of the University of Benin for analysis. The Total Heterotrophic Bacterial Count (THBC) varied across the sampled wards, with the highest bacterial load recorded in the laundry department (8.00 ± 0.05 × 10⁴ log₁₀ cfu/mL) and the lowest in the eye clinic (3.12 ± 0.23 × 10⁴ log₁₀ cfu/mL). Morphological, biochemical, and cultural analyses identified multiple bacterial species, including Salmonella sp., Bacillus sp., Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Klebsiella sp. Among these, Staphylococcus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were the most widely distributed, occurring in all sampled wards, while the eye clinic exhibited the lowest bacterial diversity. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high resistance patterns among bacterial isolates, with Pseudomonas sp. displaying the highest resistance to multiple antibiotics such as Levofloxacin, Cefotaxime, Amoxicillin, and Azithromycin. Among Gram￾ix positive bacteria, Staphylococcus sp. exhibited the highest resistance, particularly to Rocephin and Erythromycin. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ranged from 0.20 (Klebsiella sp. and Bacillus sp.) to 0.70 (Pseudomonas sp.), indicating substantial resistance to antibiotics. The findings highlight the potential health risks associated with hospital wastewater discharge and underscore the need for improved wastewater treatment practices to mitigate the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study provides valuable data for hospital infection control and public health policies in Nigeria.

Fruits are consumed by humans as a source of nutrients which also harbour microorganisms. If not checked can lead to food spoilage. This study was aimed at investigating fungal load in
mixed fruit salads sold in Benin City metropolis. Samples of mixed fruit salads were
purchased from New Benin, Ring road, Uselu and Ugbowo areas all in Benin metropolis Edo
State and transported to the laboratory for investigation. The fruits were store at room
temperature (28+2
oC) and refrigeration temperature (4+2
oC) as control. Samples were stored
for 10 d and Fungal analysis was conducted periodically after every 2h. Samples were
cultured on potato dextrose agar medium. Changes in pH during storage was determined. Results revealed total heterotrophic fungal counts of samples stored at room temperature, (RT)
ranging from 3.50 ± 1.50 x 10
1 cfu/g (CONTROL) - 17.00 ± 1.00 x 10
1 cfu/g (UGBOWO). Samples kept under refrigeration/cool temperature, CT, (4
oC), revealed the total heterotrophic
fungal count to range from 0.50 ± 0.50 x 10
1 cfu/g (CONTROL) - 8.50 ± 0.50 x 10
1 cfu/g
(RINGROAD). The identified fungi isolates were Rhizopus spp, Penicillium spp, Aspergillus
niger and Fusanum spp. The isolate with highest frequency of occurrence was Rhizopus spp
(40%) while the lowest was Fusarium spp (10%). The presence of these fungi in the
investigated fruit salads suggests the need for stricter hygiene and quality measures and
practices to be adopted by fruit salad vendors, and enforced by relevant authority to prevent
transmission of diseases and illnesses by potentially pathogenic fungi.

The main objective of food preservation has been on controlling microbial populations, with a specific emphasis on pathogenic microorganisms. Food preservation implies inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Hostile environments for microorganisms are an adequate food preservation strategy The application of heat treatments, reduction of storage temperatures, application of good manufacturing practices and the addition of additives define the food shelf-life and safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in frozen food such as chicken turkey and fish and to enumerate Staphylococcus aureus in the frozen foods’ samples. The samples were gotten from various locations in Benin City. The eight (8) samples were carried to the laboratory and analyzed following standard operations and procedures. The results of the microbial assessment of the frozen foods to isolate, identify and enumerate Staphylococcus aureus. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts revealed that the population density of the microorganisms varied from one sample to another. The mean total heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 7.0×10 3 to 4.2×10 4 cfu/g for the samples. The results revealed the isolates as Serratia marcescens, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus. which indicated a diversity of the microbial species found in the frozen food samples. The results obtained in this study revealed that the bacterial isolates present in the frozen food samples were found to harbor certain enzymes and factors, which contributes to their virulence factors. The microbial assessment of the frozen foods revealed that Staphylococcus aureus had the highest prevalence amongst the isolates found in the frozen food samples with a percentage occurrence of 57.14%. From the study it was ascertained that freezing as a means of preservation can reduce bacteria contamination. Due to contamination of frozen food with the bacteria isolates found in this study to be of public health significance thus the usefulness of proper freezing and preservation cannot be overemphasized.

Seafood is any form of sea life regarded as food by humans, prominently including fish and shellfish. Seafood is an important source of protein in many diets around the world, especially in coastal areas. Microbiological surveillance of sea food such as crayfish, periwinkle, fish and shrimp’s products provides empirical data to enlighten scientific guidance for improving the safety and quality of food. A total of 52 seafood samples which include 6 shrimps, 15 crayfish, 7 smoked fish, 9 frozen fish, and 15 periwinkles from five local markets in Benin City, Nigeria were assessed. The fish samples were microbiologically assessed using cultural, biochemical and antibiotic susceptibility techniques. The occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus were shrimps [0/6 (0%)], crayfish [4/15 (26.7%)], smoked fish [4/7 (57.1%)], frozen fish [3/9 (33.3%)] and periwinkles [4/15 (26.7%)]. The highest prevalence occurred in smoked fish samples while there was no occurrence observed in shrimp samples. The distribution of Staphylococcus species based on market location were Ekiosa market [2/8 (25%)], Uselu market [1/9 (11.1%)], New Benin market [1/13 (7.7%)], New Market [(4/9) (44.4%)] and Oba market [7/13 (53.9%)]. The highest prevalence was observed at Oba market (53.9%) while the least prevalence was observed at New Benin market (7.7%). The highest antibiotic resistance was demonstrated to penicillin with a resistance rate of 100% while there was no resistance observed towards nitrofurantoin and gentamicin. The multiple antibiotics resistance (MAR) index of Staphylococcus aureus in this study ranged from 0.7 – 0.3. All the isolates were resistant to at least two antibiotics and demonstrated an MAR index ≥ 0.3.

LIMITEED

This study was carried out to evaluate the microbiological and proximate analysis of diseased and healthy tomato fruits (Lycopersicum esculentum). Standard microbiological and analytical methods were used to determine the total heterotrophic bacterial and fungal count of healthy and diseased tomato samples obtained from two locations in Benin City. The isolated bacteria were characterized and identified using cultural and biochemical means from the samples. The proximate parameters such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fibres and ash contents were evaluated using standard methods. The results revealed that the
bacterial count ranged from 7.13 ±0.11 x 10 4cfu/g in Uselu market to 4.25 ±0.96 x 10 4cfu/g in Osa market.

Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science that includes synthesis and development of various nano-materials. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of incubation period on the antimicrobial activities of magnesium chloride nanoparticles on bacteria isolated from a diseased Manihot esculenta leaf. Three bacteria were isolated from the diseased Manihot esculenta leaf obtained from three different farms. The antibacterial activities of Moringa oleifera and aqueous extract were performed using agar well diffusion method. From the results, no activity was recorded against the test isolates (0.00+0.00 cm) but this was significantly different from the control which showed zone of inhibition ranging from 2.60+ 0.10 cm for Enterobacter Ludwigii GM7 to 3.20+0.10cm for Erwinia spp after incubation periods of 24hrs and 48hrs respectively. The result of this study reveals that magnesium chloride nanoparticles (at all concentrations) had no effect on the pathogens. Further studies should be however conducted to unravel the reasons behind this resistance by the test isolates against synthesized MgONp.

Modern agriculture and industries are dependent on a variety of synthetic chemical compounds, including pesticides. Their extensive exploitation has resulted in the contamination of natural environment. This study investigates the effects of the combination these two chemicals, Haloxyfop-R-methyl ester + Dichlorvos, on nitrifying bacteria populations, specifically Nitrosomonas sp and Nitrobacter sp, within soil samples. Random collection of soil samples was collected from the University of Benin farmland sprayed with the appropriate dosage of the combined chemicals. The soil samples were obtained from four points. This research spanned a 28-day period, with sampling conducted at day 0, day 14, and day 28. Isolation of Nitrosomonas sp and Nitrobacter sp using Winogradsky medium 1 and 2 involved culturing diluted soil samples in Winogradsky 1 and 2 media. The study results showed a Nitrosomonas count of 3×103 ± 424.26 and Nitrobacter count of 8.6×103 ±
2262.74.