Antibiotic Susceptibility of Microorganisms Isolated From Wastewater at Al-Hikmah University Female Hostels, Ilorin, Nigeeria

Abstract

Physicochemical properties and antibiotic susceptibility of microorganisms isolated from wastewater samples collected from Al-Hikmah University female hostels were assessed. Samples obtained from different female hostels were examined physiochemically and microbiologically using standard procedures. Phytochemical result revealed the low temperature value of 28°C from Oladimeji and Commaissie hostels, while Deremi and Owaish had a value of 29.5°C. Dissolved oxygen of 0.1 ml/L was recorded from all the samples collected. Electrical conductivity ranged from 658 to 997µs, while chocking odour was recorded in all the four samples collected. In terms of pH, Oladimeji hostel had a pH of 10.5, Deremi had a pH of 10.6, while Owaish and Commaissie had a pH of 10.4. The wastewater samples from the four hostels were highly contaminated. Oladimeji hostel showed a mean bacterial 5count of 25.4×10cfu/ml, Deremi hostel, Owaish hostel and Coomassie hostels, showed a mean 4 4 4bacterial count of 5.7×10cfu/ml,16.8×10cfu/ml and 3.5×10cfu/ml respectively. Percentage occurrence of bacteria isolates were Salmonella sp. (12.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.5%), Escherichia coli (25%), Staphylococcus aureus (12.5%), Actinomyces (12.5%), Shigella sp. (6.25%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.5%) and Proteus vulgaris (6.25%). Antimicrobial sensitivity tests revealed that all the organisms were susceptible to gentamycin except Actinomyces. High microbial load in wastewater samples could have negative effects on human health. This study, further confirms the need to treat wastewater rather than directly discharging it to the environment.