ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the isolation and identification of biofilm forming microorganism from storage water cans in MOUAU female hostel. From this study a total of 5 bacterial strains and 3 fungal stains 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 Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas spp, Klebsiella spp and Bacillus species respectively, while the details of the fungal isolates include; Aspergillus spp, Rhizopus  spp and Penicillium spp. The total heterotrophic plate count (THPC) of the storage water can samples ranged from 2.8 × 105cfu/ml to 4.8 × 105cfu/ml The same sequence, the total coliform plate count (TCPC) of the storage water can samples ranged from 3.0 × 105cfu/ml to 4.2 × 105cfu/ml. The total fungal plate count (TFPC) of the storage water can samples ranged from 2.4 × 105cfu/ml to 3.9 × 105cfu/ml. It was observed that Escherichia coli is the most frequently occurring bacteria isolate from the storage water can samples with a percentage occurrence of (33.3%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus with a percentage occurrence of (28.2%), then, Bacillus spp with a percentage occurrence of (17.9%), Pseudomonas spp with a percentage occurrence of (12.8%), whereas Klebsiella spp had the least percentage occurrence of (7.7%). In the same sequence, Aspergillus spp is the most frequently occurring fungal isolate from the storage water can samples with a percentage occurrence of (42.9%), followed by Rhizopus  spp with a percentage occurrence of (33.3%) whereas Penicillium spp has the least percentage occurrence of (23.8%). The rate of Biofilm production by the isolates from the storage water can samples from MOUAU female hostels was found to be 9 representing (23.1%), with 2 representing (22.2%) from the Bacillus spp isolates, 4 representing (44.4%) from the Staphylococcus aureus isolates whereas Escherichia coli with 3 representing (33.3%). The general insanitary conditions at the various hostels, poor hygienic practices by the female students and poor quality of drinking water were the major contributors to the microbial contamination of storage water cans. The presence of these biofilm forming organisms in the storage water can samples poses potential health hazards to the general public because their low numbers do not prevent them from causing diseases.