ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF AIRBORNE BACTERIAL ISOLATES FROM EXAMS AND RECORD DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

Air is the invisible mixture of gases (such as nitrogen and oxygen) that surrounds the earth and it is needed by people and animals for aerobic respiration. Indoor air quality refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it’s relates to the health and comforts of building occupants. Bioaerosols are comprised of airborne bacteria, fungi, viruses and their by-products, endotoxin and mycotoxin and non-viable particles, generated from feaces, litter, feed, feather formation. The aim of this study was to assess the bacteriological air quality of offices in Exams and records Department of University of Benin. The microbial assessment of indoor air quality in offices in Exams and records Department of University of Benin was assessed by determining the concentrations and composition of bacteria present in the indoor air.Air samples were collected from two different locations by settle plate methods which involved exposing media-filled petri dishes to the air for 15 min. Nutrient agar were exposed for the enumeration of total bacterial concentrations. The results obtained showed that concentrations of bacteria in locations sampled ranges from 0.66-7.55 x 10³ cfu/m³.Four bacteria genera was isolated; Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus spp. Enterococcus faecalis, and Acinetobacter spp. The predominant bacteria isolated from investigated air samples was: Staphylococcus aureus. The qualitative analyses of the microbial flora of the indoor air of offices in Exams and records Department have provided information on the airborne bacteria. These findings therefore concludes that the bacteria flora of the study area is made up of organisms that have public health concern.