ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the microbiological quality of air in three evening markets around Umudike. From this study a total of four (6) bacteria strains and 3 (three) fungal strains were obtained and identified using morphological characteristics, pigmentation on media, microscopy, biochemical and sugar fermentation methods. This reveals the major bacterial isolates to belong to Bacillus species Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus spp and a Coagulase negative Staphylococcus respectively, whereas the fungal isolates includes Yeasts, Fusarium spp, Penicillin spp and Aspergillus spp. The total viable microbial counts evaluated in this study varied from one sample to the other. In Ahiaeke market, the bacteria load was in the range of 17.67cfu/plate to 23.33cfu/plate while the fungi load ranged between 4.33cfu/plate and 7.33cfu/plate. The corresponding values for the evening market at Umudike were in the range of 15.00cfu/plate to 28.67cfu/plate. The bacteria load of Amawom evening market varied between 24.67cfu/plate and 23.00cfii/plate while the fungi load was in the range of 2.67cfu/plate and 7.00cfu/plate. The bacterial contamination rate showed that Baillus spp, were the most prevalent while the least was Coagulase negative Staphylococcus. Among the fungi contamination rate, Yeast were the most prevalent, while the least was recorded for Fusarium spp. The levels to which these airborne germs are found in the air in market places pose threat to healthy daily visitors, traders and buyers, but may cause serious infections to those who have more severe impairment of immunity. Improving ventilation performance and proper disposal of wastes may be a viable solution to overcome this risk.