Isolation And Characterization Of Biofilm Forming Bacteria In Drinking Water At Male And Female Hostels In Micheal Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of bacterial organisms isolated from biofilms of water system. Our results clearly demonstrated the overall prevalence raie of the microorganism was 100%. The frequency of occurrence of the bacterial isolates were; Staphylococcus 100%, Streptococcus 73.33%, Enterobacter 66.66%, E. coli 60% and Klebsiella 53.33%. The physiochemical analysis result obtained were all within the WHO standards for drinking water quality, the physiochemical parameters were within acceptable limits. The results were compared with WHO. The investigation shows that the boreholes water at male and female hostels met with WHO Standards for drinking water. Biofilms in drinking water distribution system could provide nutrients for microbial growth, bio systems and proliferation. It is necessary to treat water distribution plants and provide adequate public health education in order to safe guard human health and animal health especially in developing countries

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title ﾿ i

Certification ﾿ ii

Dedication ﾿ iii

Acknowledgement ﾿ iv

Table of contents ﾿ v

List of tables ﾿ ix

List of figure ﾿ x

Abstract ﾿ xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 ﾿ Background Studies ﾿ 2

1.2 ﾿ Aim                                  ﾿ 3 ﾿

1.3 ﾿ Objectives ﾿

1.4 ﾿ Problem Statement ﾿ 3 ﾿

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 ﾿ Biofilm ﾿ 4 ﾿

2.2 ﾿ Development of Biofilms ﾿ 7 ﾿

2.3 ﾿ Environmental Factors Influencing Biofilm Development ﾿ 8

2.3.1 ﾿ Effect of pH ﾿ 8

2.3.2 ﾿ Rheological and Adhesive Properties of Biofilms ﾿ 9 ﾿

2.3.3 ﾿ Effect of Temperature ﾿ 9

2.4 ﾿ Biofilms Formation ﾿ 10

2.4.1 ﾿ Factors Affecting Biofilms Formation ﾿ 11 ﾿

2.4.2 ﾿ Substratum Effect ﾿ 11 ﾿

2.4.3 ﾿ Conditioning Film ﾿ 11

2.4.4 ﾿ Hydrodynamics ﾿ 12 ﾿

2.4.5 ﾿ Characteristics of Aqueous Medium ﾿ 12

2.4.6 ﾿ Horizontal Gene Transfer ﾿ 12

2.4.7 ﾿ Quorum Sensing ﾿ 13

2.5 ﾿ Biofilm Structure and Function ﾿ 14

2.5.1 ﾿ Extracellular Polymeric Substances ﾿ 14

2.5.2 ﾿ Protein ﾿ 15 ﾿

2.5.3 ﾿ Interaction of Particles ﾿ 16

2.6 ﾿ Water ﾿ 16

2.6.1 ﾿ Sources of Water ﾿ 17

2.6.1.1 ﾿ Surface Water ﾿ 17 ﾿

2.6.1.2 ﾿ Ground Water ﾿ 17 ﾿  

2.6.1.3 ﾿ Sources of Water Contamination ﾿ 17 ﾿

2.7 ﾿ Bacteria That Can Be Found In Water ﾿ 18 ﾿

2.7.1 ﾿ Escherichia Coli ﾿ 18

2.7.2 ﾿ Staphylococcus aureus ﾿ 19

2.7.3 ﾿ Klebsiella Species ﾿ 19 ﾿

2.7.4 ﾿ Streptococcus Species ﾿ 20

2.7.5 ﾿ Enterobacter Species ﾿ 20

2.8 ﾿ Physiochemical Quality of Water ﾿ 21

2.8.1 ﾿ Temperature ﾿ 21

2.8.2 ﾿ Total Dissolved Solids (TDS mg/c) ﾿ 21

2.8.3 ﾿ Hydrogen Ion Concentration ﾿ 21

2.8.4 ﾿ Alkalinity (Mg/V) ﾿ 22

2.8.5 ﾿ Total Hardness ﾿ 22

2.8.6 ﾿ Turbidity ﾿ 22 ﾿

2.8.7 ﾿ Conductivity ﾿ 22

2.8.8 ﾿ Colour ﾿ 23

2.8.9 ﾿ Odour ﾿ 23 ﾿

2.9 ﾿ Biofilms in Drinking Water Distribution Systems ﾿ 23 

2.10 ﾿ Effect of Long Storage of Water on Biofilm Formation ﾿ 24

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS 

3.1 ﾿ Study Area ﾿ 25

3.2 ﾿ Collection of Samples ﾿ 25 ﾿

3.3 ﾿ Preparation of Culture Media ﾿ 25

3.4 ﾿ Bacteria Inoculation and Isolation ﾿ 26

3.5 ﾿ Isolation of Biofilm Producing Bacteria ﾿ 26

3.6 ﾿ Determination of Biofilm Formation of Isolates ﾿ 27

3.7 ﾿ Characterization and Identification of Organisms ﾿ 27 ﾿

3.8 ﾿ Gram Stain ﾿ 27

3.9 ﾿ Biochemical Tests ﾿ 28

3.9.1 ﾿ Catalase Test ﾿ 28

3.9.2 ﾿ Coagulase Test ﾿ 28 ﾿

3.9.3 ﾿ Citrate Utilization Test ﾿ 29

3.9.4 ﾿ Urease Test ﾿ 29 ﾿

3.9.5 ﾿ Indole Test ﾿ 29

3.9.6 ﾿ Oxidase Test ﾿ 30 ﾿

3.9.7 ﾿ Methyl Red Test ﾿ 30 ﾿

3.9.8 ﾿ Motility Test ﾿ 30

3.9.9 ﾿ Sugar Fermentation Test ﾿ 31

3.10 ﾿ Methods for the Physico-Chemical Analysis of the Water ﾿ 31

3.10.1 ﾿ pH ﾿ 31 ﾿

3.10.2 ﾿ Determination of Conductivity ﾿ 31 ﾿

3.10.3 ﾿ Determination of Temperature ﾿ 32

3.10.4 ﾿ Determination of Turbidity ﾿ 32

3.10.5 ﾿ Determination of Dissolved Solids ﾿ 32

3.10.6 ﾿ Determination of Total Suspended Solids (TSS). ﾿ 32

3.10.7 ﾿ Determination of Chloride ﾿ 33

3.10.8 ﾿ Determination Dissolved Oxygen ﾿ 33

3.10.9 ﾿ Determination of Chemical Oxygen Demand ﾿ 33

3.10.10 Determination of Nitrate ﾿ 33 ﾿

3.10.11 Determination of Phosphate ﾿ 34

3.10.12 Determination of Sulphate ﾿ 34

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS ﾿

4.0 ﾿ Results ﾿ 35

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 

5.1 ﾿ Discussion ﾿ 42

5.2 ﾿ Conclusion ﾿ 43

5.3 ﾿ Recommendation ﾿ 44

REFERENCES ﾿ 45