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