ISOLATION OF Escherichia coli FROM ABATTOIR EFFLUENT IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Escherichia coli is one of the most prevalent pollutants in an abattoir environment and is found in both the carcass and abattoir environment.The current study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of E.coli in abattoir effluent from private abattoir located  in Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria. Samples were taken from abattoir effluent under sterile conditions, and taken to the Laboratory for immediate analysis. While the presence and/or absence of Escherichia coli was investigated by pour plate method.using Eosin methylene blue agar (EMB). The mean heterotrophic bacteria and 

10.67±18.63 to 79.66±32.12 cfu/mlEscherichia coli counts ranged from0.00±0.00 to 65.67±13.90 cfu/ml respectively. A total of 3 E.coli isolates were found in all abattoir effluent, indicating the potential of the abattoir effluent to be of public health concern. Effort must therefore to taken to improve the sanitary conditions of the abattoir.