ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to isolate some of the possible species of microorganisms on different constructional and decoration materials of buildings. A total of 42 microbial isolates was isolated from constructional and decoration materials of building materials samples. 31 were bacterial strains and 11 fungal species. The details of these isolates comprising Bacillus species (3), Staphylococcus aureus (8), Escherichia coli (9), Proteus species (5), Pseudomonas species (6), Aspergillus Niger (3), Aspergillus flavus (4) and Mucor Alternaria (4). From the findings in this study, it was observed that Escherichia coli is the most frequently occurring isolate from decoration materials of buildings with the highest percentage occurrence of (21.1%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus sp (15.8%), then Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp, Aspergillus flavus, Mucor Altenaria (10.5%) and Aspergillus niger (5.3%), whereas it was observed that Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequently occurring isolate from constructional materials of buildings with the highest percentage occurrence of (21.7%), followed by Pseudomonas sp (17.4%), then Proteus sp, Aspergillus flavus, Mucor Altenaria, Aspergillus niger (8.7%) and Bacillus sp (4.3%). The high occurrence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus is a major component of the normal flora of the constructional and decoration materials of buildings, which probably explains its high ability to deteriorate constructional and decoration materials. The total viable microbial counts of constructional and decoration materials of building samples ranges from 1.2x106 cfu/g to 3.7 x106 cfu/g. All the deteriorations were associated with one or more different species of fungi. Also most of the deteriorations caused by bacteria were found to be by more than one type of bacteria. Statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences in mean count of the locally made cream samples at P< 0.05.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page   i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables vii

Abstract viii

1.0 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Causes of Microbial Contamination 5

1.2.1 Disasters 5

1.2.2 Poor Environmental Control 6

1.2.3 Normal Conditions 8

1.3 Aims and Objectives 8

1.3.1 Objectives 9

2.0 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Literature Review 10

2.1 Microorganisms Associated With Deteriorated De-Surface Painted

Concrete Buildings 11

2.2 Microbial Deterioration of Constructional Materials 12

2.3 Moulds In Buildings 13

2.4 Biodeterioration of Historic Buildings 14

2.5 Moisture and Limiting Factor Water Activity 17

2.6 Damage Due To Microorganisms 17

2.7 Characterization of New Bacterial Species 18

3.0 CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Materials and Method 20

3.2 Study Area 20

3.3 Collection of Samples 20

3.4 Sterilization of Materials 21

3.5 Preparation of Culture Media 21

3.6 Preparation of Dilution Factor/Swab method 21

3.7 Inoculation and Isolation 21

3.8 Purification of Isolates 22

3.9 Identification of Bacterial Isolates 22

3.9.1 Gram Staining 22

3.9.2 Biochemical Test 23

3.9.2.1 Indole Test 23

3.9.2.2 Methyl Red (MR) 23

3.9.2.3 Voges Proskauer (VP) 23

3.9.2.4 Hydrogen Sulphide Test (H2S) 23

3.9.2.5 Citrate Test 24

3.9.2.6 Urease Test 24

3.9.2.7 Catalase Test 24

3.9.2.8 Coagulase Test 24

3.9.2.9 Sugar Fermentation Test 25

3.9.2.10Starch Test 25

3.10 Identification of Fungal Isolates 25

3.11 Statistical Analysis 26

4.0 CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Results 27

5.0 CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation 35

5.1.2 Conclusion 37

5.1.3 Recommendation 37

References 38