ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MICROBES ASSOCIATED WITH FRESHWATER SNAIL

ABSTRACT

The freshwater snail (Pila ovata) is a reliable source of protein and the demand for the meat continues to increase despite the corresponding increase in price. The aim of this study is to isolate and identify the microbes associated with freshwater snails at Useh Flood Reservoir in Egor Local Government, Edo State. The specific objectives are to  identify bacteria and fungi associated with the freshwater snail;  determine the microbial load; and if snail size affects the microbial load. Data was analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). This was used to test for difference between the mean values of the sample at 5% probability level. Result shows the fungi microorganisms from Pila ovate.The result shows that the load count for bacteria was between 1.03 x 10⁵cfu/g to 5.8 x 10⁵cfu/g. The mean heterotrophic fungi count varied between 8.09 x 10⁴cfu/g to 9.9 x 10⁵cfu/g. The microbiological analysis reveals that these values are greater than the specified standard limit (1 x 10⁵cfu/g) for bacteria and fungi. The result revels that the Freshwater snailharbours a spectrum of bacteria organisms; Staphylococcus aureaus, Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus spp, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus and fungi: Sacchromyces cerevisae, Aspergillus spp,  Mucor mucido Cryptomonas sp Aspergillus flavus Aspergillus terreus Apergillus niger Trichodama viridi Helminthosporim sp. Rhodotorula sp. Mucor sp. and  Penicillum oxalicum. All these organisms isolated in this study are of public health implication and hence hazardous and injurious to human health if consumed. In conclusion higher concentration of these microorganisms on the snail  suggest high levels of human activities carried out around the reservoir, which include disposal of faecal matters, untreated sewage and effluents making them unfit for human consumption. The study therefore recommended that relevant regulatory agencies should embark on programmes and sensitization to prohibit human activities such bathing, washing, defecating and dumping of wastes into the water bodies.