c.u. ajuzie

This project focused on checking the microbiological quality of different snacks sold within the University of Benin campus. The study was carried out to find out if the snacks commonly eaten by students are safe and free from harmful microorganisms. Snacks such as meat pie, chicken pie, egg roll, fish roll, doughnut, and puff-puff were selected because these foods are among the most popular foods sold by vendors around the school. Samples were collected from various vending points across the university and analyzed using standard laboratory methods. The total number of bacteria and fungi present in each snack was determined, and the organisms were identified using gram staining and biochemical tests. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were also performed to know how the bacterial isolates responded to common antibiotics. The results showed that all the snacks contained microorganisms, but at different levels. Egg roll and meat pie had the highest bacterial counts, while puff-puff showed the lowest. Common bacteria found included Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis, while fungi such as Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans were also isolated. Some bacteria were resistant to certain antibiotics but remained sensitive to others. This study concludes that while most snacks sold within the University of Benin are within acceptable limits of microbial safety, the presence of some harmful microorganisms shows that hygiene during preparation and handling needs to be improved. Regular health checks for food handlers and proper hygiene education are strongly recommended to prevent foodborne infections among students.

This study investigated the microbial contamination of personal effects belonging to undergraduate students in lecture theaters at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The aim was to isolate, identify, and characterize bacteria and fungi present on frequently handled items such as mobile phones, bags, laptops, wristwatches, earbuds, and power banks, as well as to assess their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. Samples were collected using sterile swabs moistened with saline and cultured on Nutrient Agar, MacConkey Agar, Salmonella-ShigellaAgar, and Potato Dextrose Agar following standard microbiological procedures. Bacterial
isolates were characterized using Gram staining and biochemical tests, while fungal isolateswere identified based on macroscopic and microscopic features. The total heterotrophicbacterial count ranged from 0.85 × 10⁴ to 4.75 × 10⁴ CFU/m², and the total fungal count
ranged from 4.0 × 10³ to 9.0 × 10³ CFU/m², with higher microbial loads observed onitemsfrom female students. Five bacterial species were identified: Enterobacter cloacae, Salmonella spp., Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus alongside fungal
isolates including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., and Yeast. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin but resistance to tetracycline, metronidazole, and colistin, indicating the presence of multidrug-resistant strains. The findings demonstrate that students’ personal items serve as potential fomites capable of harboring and transmitting pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms within academic environments. This highlights the need for improved hygiene practices, regular disinfection of personal effects, and health education to minimize fomite-mediated infections and safeguard public health.

This study evaluated the bacteriological quality of sachet water sold on the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus. Five brands: Uniben Table Water, Faith Mark, Olivia, Uzama, and Notre Dame were sampled in the afternoon (2:00 pm) on campus. The samples were transported to the laboratory for bacterial isolation and identification using standard bacteriological techniques. Phenotypic virulence properties of the isolates were assessed, and antimicrobial sensitivity was determined using the biodisc diffusion method. Uniben Table Water had a bacterial count of 3.2±0.72 x10 4 cfu/mL, Faith Mark 2.0±0.91 x10 4 cfu/mL, Olivia 1.9±0.67 x10 4 cfu/mL, Uzama 3.3±1.51 x10^4 cfu/mL, and Notre Dame 1.1±0.96 x10 4 cfu/mL. The identified bacterial isolates
included Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus letus, and Escherichia coli. Pathogenicity tests indicated that all isolates were pathogenic, testing positive for gelatin liquefaction, DNase, spirit blue, and haemolysin assays. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus letus, and Escherichia coli were sensitive to gentamycin and ciprofloxacin but resistant to pefloxacin, ampiciox, zinnacef, amoxicillin, rocephin, and septrin. The bacterial counts exceeded the limits recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) (1.0 × 10 2 cfu/mL). These findings indicate that periodic bacteriological assessment of sachet water quality is necessary, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) should ensure quality assurance and adherence to internationally defined drinking water standards.