Bacteriological Quality Assessment of Well and Stream Water Sources from Ikwerre, Emohua and Etche Local Government Areas of Rivers State

Background: Majority of the human population in semi-urban and urban areas in Nigeria are heavily reliant on well and stream water as the main source of water supply for drinking and domestic use due to the inadequate provision of potable pipe borne water. These groundwater sources can easily be fecally contaminated and thus, increase the incidence and outbreaks of preventable waterborne diseases. This study was carried out to determine the bacteriological quality of some well and stream waters sources in Ikwerre, Emohua and Etche Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Methodology: Twenty-four sampling sites with 8 from each Local Government Area were randomly selected for this study. A total of 48 samples, 2 from each of the sites were collected aseptically for 12 months. Samples were analysed using membrane filtration technique for total heterotrophic bacterial count and total coliform count. The well and stream water samples were also cultured for E. coli, Salmonella, and Vibrio sp. Results: The results show that Emohua Local Government Area had the highest total heterotrophic bacterial count of 5.2 x 103 cfu/ml. This was followed by Ikwerre LGA with total bacterial count of 4.3 x 102 cfu/ml, while Etche LGA had 3.1 x 102 cfu/ml. The total coliform count ranged from 25 cfu/100ml to 50 cfu/100ml for the three LGA’s, whereas the faecal coliform count was between 12 cfu/100ml and 20 cfu/100ml. The total coliform, E. coli, Salmonella and Vibrio counts from the three local government areas occurred above the WHO stipulated zero count in 100ml of water. Conclusion: The results from this study showed contamination of all the wells studied with faecal coliforms thus, indicating the presence of other enteric pathogens and a potential source for waterborne disease outbreaks. Well water in Ikwerre, Emohua and Etche Local Government Areas of Rivers State are not safe for drinking without additional treatment like disinfection or boiling. Periodic testing and constant monitoring of these water sources should also be done to meet up with the World Health Organization Standards in the provision of safe, clean drinking water.

Assessment of Microbiological Quality Associated with Ready- to- Eat Bush Meat Sold at Rumuokoro Market in Rivers State

The study was carried out to investigate the Microbiological quality of microorganisms associated with ready-to-eat bush meat sold at Rumuokoro market in Rivers state. Totally 24 samples were collected and analyzed using different media such as Nutrient agar for Total aerobic plate count (TAPC), MacConkey agar for the coliform count, Eosin methylene blue for Escherichia coli (EC), and Potato Dextrose Agar for Fungal count (FC) and ten (10) fold serial dilution was used. Staphylococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, Bacillus spp, and Escherichia coli were isolated. The total aerobic plate count (TAPC), E. coli count (EC)-Coliform count (CC), and Fungal count (FC) isolated from antelope were higher when compared to grass-cutter so there was a significant difference (P <0.005). The occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from antelope (26.9%) was higher when compared to grass- cutter (25.0%). However the occurrence of Pseudomonas spp and Bacillus spp isolated from Antelope (23.1% and 30.8%) were higher when compared to grass- cutter (12.5% and 18.5%) while the occurrence of the above organisms isolated on both Antelope is significantly difference (P<0.005) from grass cutter. But the occurrence of Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp were higher in grass cutter sample (57.1%) and (42.9%) compared to antelope (55.6%) and (44.4%) respectively, although the mean difference was statistically significant (P<0.005) so there was significant difference. It is hereby recommended that most handlers should always wash hands before and after handling the meat as improper hand washing is the number one cause of food borne illness. Consumers of such meat should learn food hygiene practices such as, soaking the meat in warm salt solution, proper washing and well cooked before consumption.

Assessment of Drinking Waters Quality Collected from Boreholes in Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)

The quality of drinking water is dependent of its source(s) and means of collection. The water available for drinking in the study area is accessible through groundwater exploration. This research was carried out to determine the quality of water from the selected boreholes within the university and checked by the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards for the various parameters considered. Samples were gotten from seven (7) of the sited boreholes and various physico-chemical parameter tests such as turbidity test, conductivity test, pH test, copper test, manganese test, chloride test, sulphate test, chromium test, nitrate test and cadmium test and bacteriological tests as total plate count, total coliform count and faecal coliform count were carried out following due procedure, precautions and the results analyzed. The results show that most samples were satisfactory for the tests carried out while only two (samples from Behind Admin and Engineering) were unsatisfactory in turbidity while one sample (sample from Back of College 2) was unsatisfactory in the cadmium test. WQI showed that the water samples had excellent qualities except for that from Back of College 2 which had poor quality and is unsuitable consumption.

Estimation of Microbial Contamination in Fresh and Commercial Fruit Juices: A Comparative Study

Aim and Objective: The objective of the present study is to determine microbial contamination in fresh and packaged commercial fruit juices (including a combination of Aloe vera with fruit juices) available in the Ahmedabad city of Gujarat, India. Materials and Methods: Seventeen samples were collected from various parts of the city which includes 9 commercial fruit juice samples and 8 street vended fresh fruit juice samples. Samples were examined for Total plate count, Yeast and mould count, coliform count, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella, Enterobacteriaceae, Listeria monocytogens and Vibrio Cholerae. Results: Commercial fruit juices do not exceed the FSSAI standards for fruit juices and are free of harmful pathogens making themsafe for human consumption. Street vended fresh fruit juice samples exceedthe FSSAI limit for Total Plate count, Yeast and mould count and Coliform count. Street vended Fresh fruit juices demonstratethepresence of Ecoli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus in 75% (6/8) samples. Enterobacteriaceae were identified in street vended fruit juices which exceeds the FSSAI standard limit. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that commercial fruit juices were safe for human consumption but fresh juices showed significant microbial growth and harmful pathogens which must be controlled to ensure consumer’s safety and health. However regular monitoring of commercial and fresh fruit juices is recommended to avoid food borne illness resulting from pathogens encountered in the study.

Analysis of the Microbial Quality of Locally Consumed Palm Wine Sold in Elele Community of Rivers State Nigeria

Palm wine is generally consumed due to its nutritive composition to the human body system particularly when fresh and unfermented state. A total of 20 Palm wine samples obtained from two different locations in Elele community of Rivers state, were analyzed for their microbiological qualities. A ten-fold serial dilution method was used. For Total Aerobic Plate Count (TAPC) nutrient agar was used, MacConkey for coliform count (CC), Eosin methylene blue for Escherichia coli count (EC), and Potato dextrose agar for the fungal count. Microbial counts in the palm wine sold in the drinking bar were higher than that of the palm wine tapper. TAPC, the sample from the drinking bar has a mean value (6.73+ 0.22 log10cfu/ml) which was higher than the value obtained from the palm wine tapper (6.70+0.15log10cfu/ml). The coliform count of palm wine from the drinking bar was (6.57+ 0.10log10cfu/ml) but not significantly different from those with minimum counts (6.56+ 0.9log10cfu/ml) obtained from the tapper. Escherichia coli of palm wine from drinking bar were (5.73+ 0.23 log10cfu/ml) which were higher than (5.71+ 0.18 log10cfu/ml). The Fungal counts of palm wine sampled from the drinking bar were higher but not significantly different from those obtained from the tapper. Bacteria isolated from the two respective palm wines sampled included Staphylococcus spp 50% and 30% respectively, Klebsiella spp 20% and 30% respectively, Proteus spp 40% and 10% and 30% respectively, Aspergillus spp 30% , 10% and Saccharomyce cerevisae 20% and 30% respectively. For the analysis of variance, bacteria and fungi count was not significant. Consumers of palm wine are advised to purchase the product from the tapper to reduce the chances of contamination.

Bacteriological Quality Analysis of Water in Storage Tanks in A University Community, South Southern - Nigeria

The use of unsafe water supplies and microbial contaminated water may pose serious health challenge to users. The aim of the study was to determine the level of bacterial contamination of the various water sources and the suitability for human use and consumption in University of Calabar Community, Nigeria. A total of 30 water samples were obtained from the University storage tanks and analysed for the presence of bacteria. The level of feacal coliform count, total coliform count and heterotrophic bacterial count was analysed using membrane filtration method and standard culture method on a differential and selective media. The samples were cultured on MacConkey and Nutrient agar. The isolates obtained from the above media were subcultured into slants of nutrient agar. Isolates were subjected to Gram staining and biochemical tests. The feacal coliform, Escherichia coli was isolated from all the water samples. Total coliform counts ranged from 1cfu/ml - 92cfu/ml while total heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 1cfu/ml to 161cfu/ml. The bacteria species isolated were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus species, Enterobacter aerogenes, Coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Proteus species, Lactobacillus species and Listeria species. The results obtained from this study have shown high level of bacterial load which makes the water unsuitable for human consumption. Further treatment may be needed as the bacteria isolates from the water samples point to feacal contamination which may be due to inadequate treatment of water, contamination while in the storage tanks or passage through contaminated pipes supplying the community. The consumers may be at high risks of enteric bacterial infections.

Bacteriological Analysis of Household Water at the Source and Point of Consumption at Karwar, India

Access to safe drinking water is the key to promoting good health. At Karwar, the primary source of drinking water is well, but heavy rain, and deficiencies in underground drainage systems result in well water contamination. However, water handling practices followed at the point of consumption act as a better predictor of water contamination. To assess and compare the bacteriological quality of household water at the source and point of consumption. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Karwar. Households owning private wells were selected by Simple Random Sampling. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to interview the households regarding socioeconomic status (SES), chlorination of well, purification method, and water handling practices. Presumptive coliform count and the differential coliform count were determined. Data thus obtained were analyzed using a Microsoft Excel. c2-test was used to see the association between variables. The present study included 30 households. All the samples taken from the well revealed contamination with E. coli. 80% of samples from the point of consumption revealed coliforms, among which 47% were confirmed with E. coli. RO/RO+UV were found to be relatively better performing than the filtration and boiling methods. Contamination of water at the point of consumption had a significant association with both purification and water retrieval methods. The samples taken from the point of consumption reflect better quality of water sampling than source water. The present study revealed post-collection contamination as major reason for compromising water quality despite improved water cleaning and purification techniques.

PSIX-8 Drinking water acidification and chlorination improves microbiological water quality without detrimental effects on performance or hazard side-effects in bulls fed high-concentrate diets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of drinking water disinfection (chlorination) and conditioning (acidification) on microbiological water quality, water and feed consumption, total tract apparent digestibility and its potential hazard effects on animal health in Holstein bulls fed high-concentrate diets. Twenty-four Holstein bulls (221 ± 20.9 kg of initial BW, and 184 ± 9.9 d of age) were housed individually and fed ad libitum. Animals were assigned to 4 treatments with a 2 x 2 factorial design: drinking water conditioning (with or without acidification) and disinfection (absence or chlorination). Every 28 d, water samples from the tank and drinker were collected to analyze pH, residual chlorine and microbial load. Water consumption was recorded daily, and every 2 wks feed consumption and BW were recorded. At d 0, 14, 98 and 196 blood samples were collected to hematology and clinical chemistry analysis. At d 42 and 147 total tract apparent digestibility was estimated. Data were analyzed with a mixed effects model. In the tank, acidification increased residual free chlorine (0.58 vs. 0.33 ± 0.081 ppm, interaction, P = 0.10) and chlorination reduced (P &lt; 0.01) total coliform count (0.8 vs. 392.7 ± 0.30 CFU / 100 ml) and Clostridium perfringens count (0.0 vs. 9.0 ± 0.13 CFU / 100 ml). In the drinkers, chlorination only tended (P = 0.10) to decrease total coliform count (967.5 vs. 994.7 ± 0.01 CFU / 100 ml). Treatments did not affect daily water consumption, total DMI nor blood parameters. At the end of the study, chlorination tended (P = 0.07) to improve starch total apparent digestibility (98.2 vs 97.7 ± 0.28 %). In fattening bulls’, the conditioning (acidification) and disinfection (chlorination) of drinking water improved its microbiological quality without detrimental effects on water and feed consumption, ruminal digestibility or hazard side-effects.

Microbiological Assessment of Elechi Creek Receiving Wastewater Effluents from Industrial Operations in Port Harcourt City

Disposal of wastewater and other effluents into water bodies from activities around water bodies have for long been of major concern and challenge to the environment leading to several infectious diseases. The amount of industrial untreated solid wastes from companies, wastewater from car washing activities, open drainages and agricultural runoffs located close to Elechi creek constitutes the wastewater effluents received by the creek thus resulting in the imbalance of the ecosystem. The study was therefore aimed at determining the microbiology of water quality at different stations of the Elechi creek. Surface water, wastewater and sediment samples were collected during a seven month period and analysed using standard microbiological procedures. Results obtained revealed that the average microbial counts ranged as follows: Total Heterotrophic bacteria 1.12±0.13x108 to 1.28±0.09x108 cfu/ml, Total coliform count; 6.4±0.21 to 7.8±0.13 cfu/ml, Total Staphylococcus Count; 6.9±0.06 to 7.9±0.08 cfu/ml, Total Shigella count; 7.9±0.11 to 8.5±0.14 cfu/ml, Total Salmonella Count; 5.4±0.13 to 7.9±0.08 cfu/ml, Total Vibrio Count; 5.9±0.13 to 7.4±0.09 cfu/ml, and Total Pseudomonad Count; 2.5±0.08 to 4.8 ±0.10 cfu/ml, in surface water, Total Heterotrophic bacteria 1.02±0.08 x108 cfu/ml to 2.68±0.08 x108 cfu/ml, Total coliform count; 4.4±0.10a to 4.9±0.11a cfu/ml, Total Staphylococcus Count;4.7±0.10 to 5.9±0.12 cfu/ml, Total Shigella count; 4.0±0.08 to 4.8±0.11 cfu/ml, Total Salmonella Count; 3.2±0.16 to 4.6±0.08 cfu/ml, Total Vibrio Count; 2.0±0.15 to 4.8±0.11 cfu/ml, and Total Pseudomonad Count2.7±0.13 to 3.9±0.09cfu/ml, in wastewater and Total Heterotrophic bacteria 2.16±0.07 x109 cfu/g to 2.24±0.09 x109 cfu/g, Total coliform count; 1.01±0.13 to 1.36±0.06b cfu/g, Total Staphylococcus Count; 6.8±0.11 to 9.1±0.08 cfu/g, Total Shigella count; 4.0±0.09 to 6.5±0.06 cfu/ml, Total Salmonella Count; 4.1±0.11 to 9.7±0.12 cfu/g, Total Vibrio Count; 6.8±0.10 to 9.5±0.09 cfu/g, and Total Pseudomonad Count; 4.0±0.16 to 5.9±0.07 cfu/g, in sediment samples. Bacterial isolates belonging to the genera Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Klebsiella, Providencia, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio and Enterobacter were isolated and identified. The occurrences of these bacterial isolates as potential pathogens could cause poor water quality through fouling and render the water for various uses and may pose a public health threat to our water resources. Adherence to good hygienic practices and proper treatment of wastewater before discharge into the environment should be encouraged to minimize the spread of infectious diseases and fouling of water bodies. This may also affect the aquatic life in such ecosystems.

Physicochemical, bacteriological, and correlational evaluation of water obtained from boreholes and springs in a sub-urban community

Inadequate safe and portable water supply particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries has been associated with posing serious public health implications, especially as water related diseases continue to be a major health challenge in resource limited settings worldwide. Physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of borehole and spring water sources in a sub-urban community were assessed to determine their potability and correlation index. Twenty (20) water samples, 10 from boreholes and 10 from springs were randomly collected from different locations and analysed using standard microbiological and physicochemical methods. The results were compared with NIS and WHO standards for drinking water. Physicochemical parameters including; temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total hardness, total dissolved solid, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Chloride, Sodium, Nitrate, Ammonium and Potassium were determined following the procedures prescribed by American Public Health Association Standard Method. Results obtained revealed that 99.3% of the analysed physicochemical parameters were within the maximum acceptable limits of NIS and WHO guidelines for drinking water except borehole iron concentration (0.52mg/L) and Manganese concentration (0.14mg/L). The total heterotrophic bacterial count (THB), total coliform count and faecal coliform count ranged from 1.6x103cfu/100ml to 4.7x103cfu/100 ml, 8.0cfu/100ml to 25cfu/ml, 0cfu/100ml to 14cfu/100ml respectively for boreholes, and 1.7x103cfu/100ml to 4.6x103cfu/100ml, 10cfu/100ml to 21cfu/100ml, 9cfu/100ml to 17cfu/100ml respectively for samples from spring water supply. Phenotypic characterization of the samples revealed the presence of certain organisms with pathogenic potentials such as Staphylococcus aureus 27.5%, followed by E. coli 19.6%, P. aeruginosa 11.8%, Klebsiella spp. 9.8%, Enterobacter spp. 7.8%, Enterococcus spp. 7.8%, Lactobacillus spp. 5.9%, Proteus spp. 3.9%, Shigella spp. 3.9% and Vibrio cholerae 2.0%. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed significantly strong positive correlation between total heterotrophic bacteria count and total coliforms (r = 0.643) and strong negative correlation between pH and total dissolved solids (r = -0.640). Other parameters such as faecal coliform, temperature, pH, turbidity, Zinc, Ammonium and Sodium shows significant correlation among variables.