ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND DEGRADATION POTENTIAL OF OUTDOOR EMULSION PAINT USING BACILLUS SPECIES.

ABSTRACT

Bacillus species are are gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known for their ability to form endospores, which are resistant to harsh conditions like heat and desiccation. They are commonly found in soil and water environments. Bacillus species are also present in paint, particularly if the paint has been exposed to conditions conducive to bacterial growth, like moisture, temperature and pH. The total heterotrophic paint utilizing bacteria and fungi count of the paint scrapping ranged from 40.67±12.13 cfu/g to 107.67±23.69 cfu/g for bacteria and 11.33±4.48 cfu/g to 31.00±6.08 cfu/g for fungi. The total viable counts for Bacillus used for microbial challenge test ranged from 11.33±4.48 cfu/ml to 107.67±23.69 cfu/ml. The optical density (OD) ranged from 0.600nm to 1.036 nm, the pH ranged from 6.0 to 7.8 while the Temperature ranged from 310C to 360C during degradation activity. The presence of Bacillus in deteriorated paint scrapping and its ability to degrade paints as pathogens is of public health importance as they are known to contribute to the spread of diseases when individuals come into contact with contaminated surfaces or inhale airborne particles. This study shows Bacillus species ability to degrade emulsion paint and thus it is necessary to pay attention to the microorganism as they are known to be detrimental to human health. Also as some of the compounds present in paint can serves as nutrient for the bacterial growth, there is need for paint producers to introduce bactericides into the paint during production.