ABSTRACT

Sensitivity of microorganisms isolated from Jewelries and wristwatches worn by students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike to some detergents Omo, Aeriel and Klin was done.A total of 40 jewelries worn by students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike were examined for the presence of bacteria and fungi. They were examined microscopically, culturally, morphologically and biochemically using standard microbiological methods. The microorganisms isolated were Staphylococus aureus, Proteus sp,  Pseudomonas sp, Streptococcus sp, Escherichia coli and Bacillus sp, for bacterial isolates and Aspergillus sp, Trichophyton sp., Pencillium sp., Microsporum sp. and Yeast for fungal isolates. Staphylococcus aureus  had the highest  percentage occurrence in wristwatches, bracelets and jewelries. This was attributed to it being a normal flora of the human skin, while Proteus sp. had the least percentage occurrence. The percentage occurrence of the fungal isolates were generally low, with Yeast having the highest percentage occurrence and Penicillium sp. having the least percentage occurrence. The effect of test detergents (Omo, Ariel and Klin) on these microorganisms was investigated using agar well diffusion method. Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest sensitivity to Omo while Bacillus sp. showed the least sensitivity to Omo. Escherichia coli showed the highest sensitivity to Aeriel while Streptococcus sp. gave the least sensitivity. Proteus sp. showed the highest sensitivity to Klin while Staphylococcus aureus gave the least sensitivity. All the test organisms were resistant to Aeriel and Klin at 25mg/ml. The detergents showed varying Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations ranging from 25mg/ml to 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml. Yeast showed the highest sensitivity to Omo while Penicillium sp. gave the least sensitivity. Microsporum sp. gave the highest sensitivity to Aeriel while Penicillium sp. gave the least sensitivity. Yeast showed the highest sensitivity to Klin while Penicillium sp. gave the least sensitivity. Inhibitory activity demonstrated by these detergents indicates that they can be employed as sanitizing agents for jewelries.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of contents v

List of tables viii

List of figures ix

Abstract x

Chapter One

  1.0     Introduction                                     1

1.1    Aims and objectives 3

Chapter Two

2. 0     Literature review 4

2.1    History of jewelry                                     4

2. 2   Early jewelry function & design             4

2.3   Jewelry and hand contamination 5

2.4    Detergents 6

2.4.1 Chemical classification of detergents 7

2.4. 2 Major applications of detergents 8

2.4.3  Chemistry of detergents             9

2.4.4  Components of detergents                 9

2.4.5 Other ingredients             10

2.5    Biological membranes 11

2.6    How do detergents solubilize membrane proteins? 12

Chapter Three

3 .0 Materials and methods 13

3.1 Study area 13

3.2       Sample collection 13

3.3 Media preparation             13

3.4 Detergents used             14

3.5 Microbiological analysis 14

3.5.1 Inoculation of samples 14

3.6 Characterization and identification of microbial isolates 14

3.6.1     Colony features 14

3.6. 2 Characterization of fungi. 14

3.7       Gram staining 15

3.8       Biochemical tests 15

3.8.1 Catalase test 15

3.8.2 Coagulase test 16

3.8.3 Oxidase test 16

3.8.4 Citrate test 16

3.8.5   Urease test 17

3.8.6    Motility test                                    17

3.8.7    Indole test 17

3.8.8   Methyl Red test             18

3.8.9   Voges Proskauer 18

 3.8.10   Sugar test             18

3.9       Preparation of antimicrobial agents (detergents)            19

3.10 Determination of antimicrobial activity of detergents 19

3.11  Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration 20

Chapter Four

4.0       Results 21

Chapter Five

5.0      Discussion conclusion and recommendation 31

5.1      Discussion 31

5.2      Conclusion 34

5.3      Recommendation 34

Reference 35

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE                                    TITLE                                                                           PAGE

 1                     Biochemical characteristics of bacterial isolates 21  

2                     Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of bacterial isolates 22                                             

3                     Antimicrobial activity of Omo on bacterial isolates 23

4                     Antimicrobial activity of Aeriel on bacterial isolates 24

5                     Antimicrobial activity of Klin on bacterial isolates 25

6                     Antimicrobial activity of Omo on fungal isolates 26

 7                    Antimicrobial activity of Aeriel on fungal isolates 27

 8                    Antimicrobial activity of Klin on fungal isolates 28

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE                                     TITLE                                                                              PAGE

1               Occurrence of bacterial isolates in jewelries and wristwatches 29

2               Occurrence of fungal isolates in jewelries and wristwatches   30