MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Bacterial and fungal contaminations of borehole water in school hostels is a prevalent issue, particularly in regions where boreholes serve as primary water sources and hygiene practices may be challenging to maintain. This study was aimed at assessing the microbial contamination of water in student’s residential halls in University of Benin, Benin City. The bacterial isolates were characterized and identified using morphological and biochemical methods. The percentage distribution and frequency of the isolates were evaluated using statistical method. From the result obtained in this study, the total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 4.46 log10 cfu/ml to 4.86 log10 cfu/ml, Coliform count ranged from 2.84 to 3.13 log10 cfu/ml and fungal counts ranged from 4.40 to 4.85 log10 cfu/ml. Using the cultural, morphological and biochemical test, the isolates obtained in this study include, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp, Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Citrobacter, Enterobacter sp, Bjerkandera sp, Aureobasidium sp, Scedosporium sp, and Mucor
sp. The contamination of borehole water in school hostels by various bacterial and fungal pathogens, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Bjerkandera sp, Aureobasidium sp, Scedosporium sp, and Mucor sp, presents serious public health risks. These microorganisms, arising from fecal contamination, soil infiltration, and environmental factors, can cause a range of infections, from gastrointestinal illnesses to skin, respiratory, and systemic diseases.

Public health and illness prevention depend on having access to clean drinking water and practicing good hygiene. To determine their effects on community health, the Upper Mission community in Benin City's water quality and cleanliness practices were examined. One hundred households chosen by multistage sampling were included in the community-based cross-sectional design. To investigate water sources, storage procedures, treatment techniques, and hygiene practices, structured questionnaires were given out. Additionally, physicochemical and microbiological analyses were performed on 30 drinking water samples obtained from river sources, sachet water, and boreholes. 89% of households have access to water within 100 meters of their homes, with sachet water (52%) and borehole water (41%) serving as the main sources of drinking water. There is a significant gap between accessibility and safety practices, as 80% of individuals did not purify the water before drinking it. With pH values ranging from 4.6 to 8.0, total dissolved solids between 24 and 136 milligrams per liter, and electrical conductivity between 44 and 219 microsiemens per centimeter, the physicochemical parameters mostly satisfied WHO requirements. River water had the highest
contamination (mean: 202.4×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter), followed by borehole water (79.7×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter) and sachet water (43.2×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter), according to microbiological analysis, which found
heterotrophic bacterial counts ranging from 26×10⁰ to 235×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter). River water (mean: 42.6×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter) and some borehole samples (mean: 24.9×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter) had total coliforms, but sachet water did not. Only one sample of river water had Escherichia coli. Although the infrastructure is good, there are notable shortcomings in environmental hygiene, handwashing with soap (34%), and water treatment, with 38% of residences located close to waste disposal sites. There is an immediate need for improved waste management systems, borehole maintenance, targeted health education initiatives, and increased water quality monitoring

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

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is an acidic, viscous, and voluminous colloidal suspension formed during palm oil processing from the mixed stream of sterilizer condensate, separator sludge, and hydrocyclone wastewater. The aim of this study was to investigate the microbiological analysis of localized and mechanized palm oil mill effluents. Palm oil mill effluent (POME) were collected aseptically with sterile microbiological bottles from mechanized (NIFOR) and Local palm oil mill in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The samples were immediately transported to the laboratory for analysis. The standard method of isolating microorganisms was adopted. Microorganisms were cultured on Nutrient Agar and …. Antimicrobial analysis was done using the agar well diffusion method. Local palm oil mill effluent had the highest bacteria count (13.00 x 10 3cfu/ml) while mechanized palm oil mill effluent had the least bacteria count (3.0 x 10 3cfu/ml). Bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Shigella dysentariae, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus. P. aeruginosa (18.%) and E. coli (18.8%) were the most occurring bacterial isolates while S. dysentariae (7.8%) and P. mirabilis (7.8%) were the least occurring bacterial isolates. B. subtilis, S. aureus and S. dysentariae were susceptible to rocephin, septrin and resistant to gentamycin, zinnacef and ciprofloxacin. E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. enterica were resistant to augmetin and chloramphenicol and susceptible to pefloxacin and ofloxazin. P. aeruginosa was the most resistant bacteria with multiple antibiotic resistance index of 0.7. E. coli was the least antibiotic resistant bacteria with multiple antibiotic resistance index of 0.2%. Proper hygiene practice by palm oil workers and sanitation of the palm oil facilities should be constantly carried out to avoid transmission of potentially infectious agents to patients. Also, use of fertilizers to grow palm trees should be reduced to minimize the incidence of drug resistance.