Antibiogram of faecal Streptococci isolates for pollution source determination in the Ikpoba river, Benin City

Water samples from various sites of the Ikpoba River, Benin City, were bacteriologically analysed to determine bacterial indicators of faecal pollution and heterotrophic bacterial concentration. Sampling points 1 was the point of drainage discharge from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, 2 was at the Bridge at Upper Mission Road, 3 was the point of effluent discharge from Oredo Local Government Area Abbatoir, 4 was at the Bridge along Benin-Agbor Road and 5 was the point of effluent discharge from Guinness Nigeria PLC. Faecal coliform count was generally high in all sample sites with the point of discharge of effluent from the Abbatoir showing the highest mean count of 1.51 × 107 cfu/ml; and the Bridge at Upper Mission Road had the lowest mean count of 1.20 × 107 cfu/ml. Faecal streptococci count was highest at the point of discharge of effluent from Guinness Nigeria PLC at 8.21 × 107 cfu/ml. while the Bridge at Upper Mission Road had the lowest faecal streptococcus count of 5.83 × 106 cfu/ml. Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of faecal streptococci isolates on day 1 were observed to be more susceptible to the battery of antibiotics than faecal streptococci isolates on days 2 and 3. The results of the ratio of faecal coliform to faecal streptococci and the antibiotic resistance pattern on faecal streptococci showed that faecal pollution of the Ikpoba River has both human and animal origin. There are undoubted risks to human health from surface water polluted with animal faeces, nevertheless, it is human faeces that represent a much greater risk and thus constant investigations should be carried out by environment monitoring agencies to evaluate the pollution status of the river and residents around the river should administer filtration techniques before domestic use. Keywords: faecal pollution, faecal streptococci, antibiotic resistance patterns

Hygiene quality of traditional and industrial table olives from markets in Rabat-Salé and Temara cities in Morocco

Background: Table olives are one of the most important vegetable canning products in Morocco, which is considered one of the world's largest producing countries. Currently, many outlets prepare table olives by different methods that do not comply with standard hygiene practices. Hence, this research was conducted to assess the quality standard of these olives by evaluating their physico-chemical and microbiological properties.Methodology: A total of 108 samples of table olives (pitted green olives and blacks) obtained from Rabat-Salé and Rabat-Temara markets in Morocco were evaluated. Physico-chemical properties of the olives including pH, oxido-reduction potential (ORP) and titrable acidity were determined using the analytical methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Microbiological analyses including standard plate count (SPC) for total aerobic mesophilic flora (TAMB), total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC), yeasts, clostridia, Staphylococcus aureus, faecal streptococci and salmonella counts, were performed using standard microbiological methods. The identification of yeast isolates was carried out with the commercial API 20C biochemical identification kit.Results: The average microbial loads for traditional olive samples were 3.2x106 CFU/ml for SPC, 1.7x104 CFU/ml for TC, 8.7x103 CFU/ml for FC, and 2.5x106 CFU/ml for yeast, which were higher compared to the average microbial loads of industrial olives with values of 5.9x105 CFU/ml, 5x101 CFU/ml, 0 CFU/ml and 0 CFU/ml respectively. One hundred percent (56 of 56) of the traditional olives (pitted green and black) from Temara-Rabatmarkets were contaminated with coliforms while 50% of green and 65% of black olives in Salé-Rabat were contaminated with coliforms. Five percent (5%) each of the traditional green and black olives in Salé-Rabat markets were contaminated with clostridia (spore forming bacteria). No FC or other bacteria and yeasts were present in the industrial olives, and none of the olives was contaminated with S. aureus, faecal streptococci and salmonella. Of the total of 8 yeast strains isolated from the traditional olives, 4 (50%) were Candida guilliermondii, 2 (25%) Candida lusitaniae and 2 (25%) Candida famata.Conclusion: The contamination of olive oil products may be due to different sources such as water, processing materials, storage condition, cleaning, labour and others. There is need for increase awareness and control of these at the points of sale of these traditional olives. Keywords: hygiene; physico-chemical properties; microbiology; traditional olives; quality French Title: Qualité Hygiène des olives de table traditionnelles et industrielles des marchés des villes de Rabat-Salé et Témara au Maroc Contexte: Les olives de table sont l'un des produits de mise en conserve de légumes les plus importants au Maroc, qui est considéré comme l'un des plus grands pays producteurs du monde. Actuellement, de nombreux points de vente préparent les olives de table par différentes méthodes non conformes aux pratiques d'hygiène standard. Ainsi, cette recherche a été menée pour évaluer le standard de qualité de ces olives en évaluant leurs propriétés physico-chimiques et microbiologiques.Méthodologie: Un total de 108 échantillons d'olives de table (olives vertes dénoyautées et noires) obtenus sur les marchés de Rabat-Salé et Rabat-Témara au Maroc ont été évalués. Les propriétés physico-chimiques des olives, y compris le pH, le potentiel d'oxydoréduction (ORP) et l'acidité titrable ont été déterminées en utilisant les méthodes analytiques de l'Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Les analyses microbiologiques, y compris la numération sur plaque standard (SPC) pour la flore mésophile aérobie totale (FMAT), les coliformes totaux (CT), les coliformes fécaux (CF), les levures, les clostridies, Staphylococcus aureus, les streptocoques fécaux et les numérations de salmonelles, ont été effectuées à l'aide de méthodes microbiologiques standard. L'identification des isolats de levure a été réalisée avec le kit d'identification biochimique API 20E du commerce.Résultats: Les charges microbiennes moyennes pour les échantillons d'olives traditionnelles étaient de 3,2x106 UFC/ml pour le SPC, 1,7x104 UFC/ml pour le TC, 8,7x103 UFC/ml pour le FC et 2,5x106 UFC/ml pour la levure, qui étaient plus élevées par rapport aux charges microbiennes moyennes des olives industrielles avec des valeurs respectives de 5,9x105 UFC/ml, 5x101 UFC/ml, 0 UFC/ml et 0 UFC/ml. Cent pour cent (56 sur 56) des olivestraditionnelles (dénoyautées vertes et noires) des marchés de Témara-Rabat étaient contaminées par des coliformes tandis que 50% des olives vertes et 65% des olives noires de Salé-Rabat étaient contaminées par des coliformes. Cinq pour cent (5%) de chacune des olives vertes et noires traditionnelles des marchés de Salé-Rabat étaient contaminées par des clostridia (bactéries sporulantes). Aucune FC ni aucune autre bactérie et levure n'étaient présentes dans les olives industrielles, et aucune des olives n'était contaminée par S. aureus, des streptocoques fécaux et des salmonelles. Sur un total de 8 souches de levure isolées des olives traditionnelles, 4 (50%) étaient Candida guilliermondii, 2 (25%) Candida lusitaniae et 2 (25%) Candida famata.Conclusion: La contamination des produits à base d'huile d'olive peut être due à différentes sources telles que l'eau, les matériaux de traitement, les conditions de stockage, le nettoyage, la main-d'œuvre et autres. Il est nécessaire d'accroître la sensibilisation et le contrôle de ceux-ci dans les points de vente de ces olives traditionnelles. Mots-clés: hygiène; propriétés physico-chimiques; microbiologie; olives traditionnelles; qualité

Comprehensive water testing analyses for improved water management: coliforms, coliphage and cholesterol

The use of feacal coliforms as indicators is the traditional approach of testing water quality. Unfortunately, for a comprehensive water quality analysis, there is an increasing body of evidence that demonstrates coliforms as insufficient indicators for water quality assessment. Therefore, during the last two decades, alternative water testing approaches such as the use of coliphage as well as cholesterol detection have gained popularity. In the present study, we evaluated and compared the reliability of data from three different indicators that included coliforms (streptococcus), coliphage and cholesterol. Four sites were chosen for sample collection and these included one site from Haart river (HR1) and three sites from Barberspan (BP1, 2 and 3) in the North-West province of South Africa. Samples were collected during winter and summer seasons. Collected samples were subjected to different analyses for detection of coliphage, coliforms and cholesterol. Faecal indicator bacteria were detected at all sites and in some cases were relatively high (HR1: 287 cfu/100 mL faecal coliform and 228.6 cfu/100 mL faecal streptococci; BP1: 1,730 cfu/100 mL E. coli). The HR1 site consistently had the highest levels of bacterial faecal indicators of the four sampling sites. Most notably, faecal streptococci were detected in higher numbers than any other bacterial indicator. A significant finding was the general higher levels of faecal indicator markers at the BP3. Based on the outcome of this study, a combination of these indicators offers a comprehensive and promising approach for monitoring water quality.

Physico-chemical and Microbiological Characterizations of the Leaf and Flower Powder of Lippia multiflora Moldenk, a Leaf Vegetable Consumed in Benin

Background: Lippia multiflora Moldenk is a shrub that is present in Benin. It is used as nutritious food and its leaves and flowers are rich in mineral salts and especially vitamin A and C. Also, these leaves and flowers transformed into powders, are sold and used to flavor sauces and for other purposes. Aim/Objectives: Our work aims to provide consumers with information on the sanitary and hygienic quality of the powders from the leaves and flowers of Lippia multiflora in order to determine their shelf life. Methods: The study was carried out on three different powders, namely leaf-based powder; those from the flowers and those purchased from the sellers. Physico-chemical analyses and microbiological evaluation were made on these different powders at different dates for 18 months to see the growth of the microorganisms in these powders. Results: These analyses revealed that the means of the physico-chemical parameters in the leaf-based powders, the flowers and those sampled are respectively: water content (7.42%; 9.89% and 11.67%); ash content (15.83%; 10.77% and 6.52%); pH (7.25; 6.22 and 5.95) and titrable acidity (0.55%; 2.46% and 1.84%). Microbial loads in total flora are below the standard for 18 months in leaf and flower powders but are above the standard in powders sampled after 12 months of storage. The growth of yeasts and molds was observed during the first 6 months and their load is well below the standards from the 7th month until the end of storage. Coliform, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, faecal Streptococci and Clostridium sulfito-reducers loads are below the detection threshold throughout the shelf life. Conclusion: Therefore the powders based on the leaves and flowers can be kept for a period of eighteen months without risk to the consumer. But those sampled can be kept for up to 12 months.

Microbial Contamination of Leafy Vegetables in Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin

Background: The vegetables provide important nutrients to human beings. Nevertheless, contaminated vegetables can cause health problems because of their microbial load. The aim of this study was to assess the microbial quality of three main leafy vegetables cultivated and consumed at Porto-Novo in Republic of Benin. Methods: Totally, 36 samples of amaranth, nightshade, and lettuce were taken from three districts of Porto-Novo at urban gardening level. The samples were tested microbiologically according to international standards for determination of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total coliforms, faecal coliforms, Clostridium perfringens, faecal streptococci, and Salmonella spp. The results were analyzed using SPSS software v. 16.0. Results: In total, aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts in leafy vegetables ranged from 4.42×105 to 1.08×106 Colony Forming Unit (CFU)/g. The highest and lowest total coliform loads were found in lettuces (3.21×103 CFU/g) and the nightshades (1.78×102 CFU/g), showing significant (p<0.05) difference. Faecal streptococci load ranged from 1.01×103 to 3.18×103 CFU/g and was significantly (p˂0.05) higher in amaranths than in lettuces and nightshades. C. perfringens ranged from 0.633×101 to 1.18×101 CFU/g. Salmonella spp. was absent in all vegetables. Conclusion: High microbial contaminations were found in the three leafy vegetables in urban gardening at Porto-Novo, Benin. So, it is necessary to improve the microbial quality of leafy vegetables farmed at Porto-Novo for reduction of health risk in consumers.

Microbial wash water quality on dairy farms from Galicia (NW Spain)

This study evaluated the microbiological quality of wash water used in dairy farms from Galicia (NW Spain) based on the total coliform, faecal coliform and faecal streptococci counts. The paper aimed to identify geographical areas that are at a high risk for bacterial contamination of wash water and to study the temporal distribution of positive samples. Water samples from 120 farms, whose water supply came from a private well, were tested for the presence of the three mentioned bacterial groups by the membrane filtration method. To investigate whether the presence of positive herds for a particular bacterial group in water samples was higher in some areas or during a specific time period, data were tested using the Bernoulli model. In farms without a purification system, the prevalence of positive samples for total coliform, faecal coliform and faecal streptococci was 36.7%, 13.3% and 24.5%, respectively. In farms using hydrogen peroxide, these figures were 15.4%, 7.7% and 7.7%, respectively. In farms using chlorine or ultraviolet radiation all the samples were negative for the three bacterial groups. The spatial analysis identified one statistically significant spatial cluster of herds with positive samples of faecal streptococci in an area characterized by a high cattle density. Moreover, one most likely temporal cluster was identified for each of the three groups between July and August 2017, which were the driest months in the studied area.

Pollution Bactérienne Et Toxique Dans Les Eaux Des Rejets Industriels Et Domestiques Du Littoral Atlantique (Casablanca Est- Maroc)

In this work, we will focus on the assessment of the quality of the Casablanca EST coastline, including bacterial and toxic water pollution, before the realization of the SIDI BERNOUSSI pre-treatment station. For this purpose, a set of analyzes were carried out on the littoral waters to evaluate the quality of sea water. This companion of analyzes includes: Analyzes on the surface of the sea water: Physico-chemical parameters: pH, temperature, biological oxygen demand BOD 5. Undesirables substances: Nitrates (NO3-), Ammonium (NH4+), Phosphates (PO4-), Hydrocarbons. Bacteriological parameters: Faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci. Sediment Analysis: Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), Cadmium (Cd), Total Chromium (CrT), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Selenium (Se), Zinc (Zn). Biodiversity analyzes: For algae: Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb). For mussels: Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb). The results showed that the waters of the east coast of Casablanca are contaminated with pollutants in this case pathogenic bacteria, toxic substances including heavy metals and other toxic substances; on the other hand, coastal biodiversity is also affected. This contamination is due to industrial activity in the area. but remains below, for most pollutants, normative limits. For bacteriological pollution, beaches AIN SEBAA and NAHLA recorded a coliform contamination and faecal streptococci exceeding the values of the Moroccan norm of bathing water.

ESTUDIO DE ALGUNOS ASPECTOS ECOLOGICOS Y DE LA CONTAMINACION BACTERIANA EN LA BAHIA DE SANTA MARTA, CARIBE COLOMBIANO

The fecal contamination of the Bay of Santa Marta was investigated between July 1979 and March 1980. The organisms used were total coliforms, faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci. Abiotic factors such as temperature, salinity and water transparency were also measured. The presence of Sdmonella in recreational waters was investigated sporadically. The results of this study have indicated severe contamination in the port zone (station 5), the mouth of Manzanares river (station 11), and around the Boquerón sector (station 22), where the raw sewage is discharged . Significant values of total coliforms above the international standard lower limits were detected at themunicipal beach (station 10) during the rainy season months. The levels of total coliforms fluctuated betwwn 0 and 1.4x10t colonies/ml. The biochemical identification of bacteria of the genus Salmonella gives evidence for the potencial danger that exists,at the bathing sectors near the sewage discharge sites.

Survival of Bifidobacteria and their usefulness in Faecal Source Tracking

Bifidobacteria have long since been recommended as indicators of human and animal pollution. Concentration ratio (tracking ratio) of the sorbitol-utilising bifidobacteria (SUB) and the total bifidobacteria (TB) can be used to distinguish between animal and human sources of faecal water contamination. The cut-off value needs to be calibrated in a given geographical area. Seven sites with permanent faecal contamination were selected in South Africa. Concentrations of SUB ranged from 10-50000 cells/100 mL, while TB ranged from 0-8000 cells/100 mL. The tracking ratio ranged from 0.10 to 6.25, but no clear cut-off value could be established. The YN-17 agar was replaced for TB with the modified Beerens medium with pH = 5.70, to suppress the growth of faecal streptococci. Tracking ratios observed are most likely the results of different survival rates of SUB and TB. Bifidobacteria die-off due to nutrients was not found to be significant using design of experiment. Thus a lack of continuous input or oxygen levels in water may be major factors. This would limit the ratios used as a faecal source tracking method.