Enumeration
and identification of gram negative bacteria present in
soil underlying urban
waste-sites in southwestern Nigeria
A.C.
Achudume* and J.T. Olawale
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife - 220 001, Nigeria
(Received:
January 07, 2009;
Revised received: June
26, 2009; Accepted: August 07, 2009)
Abstract: Samples of
soils underlying wastes were collected from four sites representing four
demographic regions of a medium sized town in southwestern Nigeria. Standard methods and
reference strains of isolated bacteria were employed for identification.
Evaluation of the enzymatic and biochemical reactions showed that all isolated
and identified microbes were non-fermenting heterotrophic? (HTB). For example, Klebsiella pnemuniae may be
involved in wound infections, particularly following bowel surgery. Similarly,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa can produce serious nosocomial infections if it gains access to the body
through wounds or intravenous lines. From? the 15 culure
plates, 88 colonies with various characteristics were enumerated. They differed
in aspect of viscosity and color. The bacterial species were identified by
percent positive reactions while oxidative and sugar fermentation tests
revealed various characteristics among the isolated strains. All of the
isolates were negative for citrate utilization, gelatin liquefaction, nitrate
reduction, methyl red and Voges Proskaur, motility and hydrogen
sulphate production. The quantity of HTB present in
an area serves as an index of the general sanitary conditions of that area. The
presence of a large number of HTB, in an ecological area may be considered a
liability, as it can enhance the spread of diseases and on a larger scale may
enable epidemics to arise. Therefore, there is need for control of waste sites
by recovery and regular germicidal sanitation.
Key words: Enumeration,
Urban wastes, Non-fermenting, Heterotrophic bacteria
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