BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF AIR WITHIN UNDERGRADUATE MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY, COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES, MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, UMUDIKE

ABSTRACT

Bacteriological analysis of Air within Undergraduate Microbiology Laboratory, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike was studied. This research was carried out in the undergraduate microbiology laboratory of College of Natural Sciences, MOUAU. A grand total of 54 samples were collected using settle plate method. All materials used for this analysis was sterilized using an autoclave. Glass wares were washed with detergent before autoclaving. The work bench was sterilized with cotton wool dipped in 70% alcohol. Concentration of airborne bacteria was done to quantify the bacterial isolates, using Omeliansky’s formula, (N=5a X 104÷bt) The study isolated 74 bacterial organisms comprising four (4) different genera, namely; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp, Escherichia coli and Micrococcus spp. These isolates are commonly found bio aerosols and pathogens in the air. Bacillus spp (48.6%) was the most isolated followed by Staphylococcus aureus (24.32%), Micrococcus spp (16.21%) and Escherichia coli (10.81%). Higher bacterial loads were observed in the afternoon at the prime of daily laboratory activities. The aim of this research is to isolate, identify and characterize microorganisms contaminating undergraduate microbiology laboratory in College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE                ﾿ PAGE

Cover page ﾿ i

Title Page ﾿ ii

Certification ﾿ iii

Dedication ﾿ iv

Acknowledgment ﾿ v

Table of contents ﾿ vi

List of tables ﾿ viii

List of Figures

Abstract ﾿ ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 ﾿ Introduction ﾿ 1

1.2 ﾿ General objective/ aim ﾿ 2 ﾿

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Indoor air quality ﾿ 5

2.2 Effects of bacterial and fungal contaminations ﾿ 6

2.3 Management of bacterial and fungal contaminants ﾿ 7

2.4 Types of contaminants ﾿ 8

2.4.1 Particles of specific interest ﾿ 9

2.4.2 Vapor and gases of particular interest ﾿ 9

2.5 Indoor biological contamination ﾿ 9

2.5.1 Temperature ﾿ 10

2.5.2 Humidity ﾿ 10

2.5.3 Ventilation ﾿ 10

2.6 Nature of bio-aerosols ﾿ 10

2.7 Sick building syndrome (SBS) ﾿ 11

2.8 Building related illnesses (BRI) ﾿ 11

2.9 Bacteria ﾿ 12

CHAPTER THREE

Materials And Methods

3.1 Study area ﾿ 15

3.2 Collection of sample ﾿ 15

3.3 Sterilization of materials and media ﾿ 15

3.3.1 Nutrient Agar ﾿ 15

3.3.2 MacConkey Agar ﾿ 16

3.3.3 Mannitol salt agar ﾿ 16

3.4 Isolation of bacteria ﾿ 17

3.5 characterization and identification of bacteria ﾿ 17

3.5.1 Gram Stain ﾿ 17

3.5.2 Biochemical Tests ﾿ 18

3.5.2.1 Catalase Test ﾿ 18

3.5.2.2 Oxidase Test ﾿ 18

3.5.2.3 Indole Test ﾿ 19

3.5.2.4 Coagulase Test ﾿                         19

3.5.2.5 Triple Sugar Iron ﾿ 19

3.5.2.6 Citrate Test ﾿ 20

3.5.2.7 Methyl Red ﾿ 20

3.6 concentration of airborne bacteria ﾿             20

CHAPTER 4

RESULT ﾿ 21 ﾿

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Discussion ﾿ 28

5.2 Conclusion ﾿ 29

5.3 Recommendations ﾿ 29

REFRENCES

APPENDIX

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE ﾿ TITLE ﾿ PAGE

Table 4.1: No of times sampled ﾿ 22

Table 4.2: Cultural characteristics of isolates ﾿ 23

Table 4.3: Identification of isolates ﾿ 24

Table 4.4: Bacteria isolated from areas in the lab ﾿ 25

Table 4.5: Frequency of occurrence of isolates ﾿ 26

Table 4.6: Concentration of airborne bacteria within undergraduate microbiology laboratory ﾿ 27

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE ﾿ TITLE ﾿ PAGE

1 ﾿ ROLE OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS IN INDOR ENVIRONMENT ﾿    14