ABSTRACT

The antibiogram of organisms of public health importance from tiger nut wash water sold in Umuahia was evaluated by standard microbial methods. The bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, E. coli, Pseudomonas spp, Enterobacter spp. The Gram positive isolate (Staphylococcus aureu) was highly susceptible to Levofloxacin (66.6%) followed by Chloramphenico(58.33%) and Erythromycin (58.33%) while it showed highest resistance is Oxacilin (83.33%) followed by Norflaxacin (66.66%)The Multiple Antibiotics Resistance Index (MARI) ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 for Gram positive isolate, while it ranged from 0.12 to 0.6 for Gram negative. The phenotypic characteristics of the organisms showed varied resistance patterns to the antibiotic used. The presence of these organisms of public health importance shows the hazard level of consuming tiger nut without adequate washing.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification page ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv

Table of contents v

List of Tables viii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE-INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 aim and objectives 2

CHAPTER TWO-LITERATURE REVIEW 3

2.0 Tiger Nuts 3

2.1 Organisms of Public Health Importance 6

2.1.1 Pseudomonas 6

2.1.2 Escherichia coli 6

2.1.3 Salmonella 7

2.1.4 Shigella 8

2.2 Wash Water 9

2.2.1 Water is a scarce resource 9

2.2.2 Food Security 10

2.2.3 Demographics 10

2.2.4 Overuse 10

2.2.5 Environmental change 11

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHOD 12

3.1 Collection of Sample 12

3.2 Materials/Media Used 12

3.2.1 Sterilization of Material 12

3.3 Microbiological Analysis 12

3.3.1 Preparation of Sample 12

3.3.2 Identification and Characterization of Bacteria Isolates 13

3.4 Identification of Bacteria Isolates 13

3.4.1 Motility Test 13

3.4.2 Gram Staining 14

3.5 Biochemical Test 14

3.5.1 Indole Test 14

3.5.2 Methyl Red Test 15

3.5.3 Voges Proskaeur (VP) test 15

3.5.4 Citrate Utilization Test 15

3.5.5 Urea Hydrolysis Test 15

3.5.6 H2S Production 16

3.5.7 Catalase Test 16

3.5.8 Coagulase Test 16

3.5.9 Oxidase Test 16

3.6 Determination Of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern 17

3.6.1 Disk sensitivity tests 17

CHAPTER FOUR 18

RESULTS 18

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 28

5.1 Discussion 28

5.2 Conclusion 30

5.3 Recommendations 30

REFERENCES 31