Isolation And Identification Of Bacteria Of Used Toothbrushes

Used toothbrushes serve as reservoirs for microorganisms and may play a major role in disease transmission in humans. Forty used toothbrushes obtained from some students of Niger Delta University were analyzed bacteriologically using standard microbiological techniques. The toothbrushes were used twice per day for one month by the students. The result showed that all the toothbrushes were contaminated with bacteria while the unused ones which served as controls were not contaminated. The bacterial isolates from the toothbrushes were Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter aurogenes. Staphylococcus aureus was predominantly isolated (30%) from the toothbrushes, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (18%), Streptococcus mutans (16%), Escherichia coli (8%) and finally Enterobacter aerogenes (6%). Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, Escharichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes were detected in 60%, 45%, 50%, 25%, 20% and 10% of the samples respectively. In view of the fact that these organisms are pathogenic and could be a potential health hazard, adequate rinsing and air-drying of the toothbrushes before storage will minimize the incidence of these bacteria and the health risk associated with them.

This study evaluated the rate of microbial contamination of used toothbrushes used by students. The objectives of the study is to:

1. To identify the microbes regularly associated with used toothbrushes
2. To determine the microbial load of used toothbrushes.
3. To make a recommendation on remedial measures.

COVER PAGE
TITLE PAGE
APPROVAL PAGE
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1.6 HYPOTHESIS
1.7 APPLICATION OF THE STUDY
1.8 METHODOLOGY
1.9 PROJECT ORGANISATION

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 REVIEW OF THE STUDY
2.2 HISTORICAL AND DISCOVERY BACKGROUND OF MICROBES
2.3 CLASSIFICATION AND STRUCTURE OF MICROORGANISMS
2.4 ECOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS
2.5 APPLICATIONS OF MICROORGANISMS
2.6 THE IMPACT OF MICROBES ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 STUDY OF AREA
3.3 RESEARCH DESIGN
3.4 SAMPLE COLLECTION
3.5 ISOLATION OF BACTERIA
3.6 IDENTIFICATION OF THE BACTERIAL ISOLATES

CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 RESULT
4.2 DISCUSSION

CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 CONCLUSION
5.2 RECOMMENDATION
REFERENCES

• Isolation And Identification Of Microbes Associated With Spoilage Bread
• Identification And Isolation Of Fungi From Bread Sold In Keffi
• Isolation And Identification Of Nematode Affecting Tomatoes
• Isolation And Identification Of Air Microflora In Classroom
• Isolation, Identification And Antibiogram Of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated From Cow Meat
• Isolation And Identification Of Microbes Associated With Spoilage Canned Food Solanum Lycopersicum
• Isolation And Identification Of Microorganism In Stream Water (Atolagbe) Iree Town

• Microbiology Project Topics and Materials