Physicochemical characteristic, molecular characterization of bacteria and fungi isolates found in the Nile Stream, Abuja Nigeria.

Abstract

Increasing human population coupled with urbanization, industrialization and agricultural activities have led to significant pressure on freshwater resources globally. This study was carried out to characterize the bacteria and fungi from water samples collected from Nile stream, Abuja Nigeria. The water samples were collected from two sampling stations and were analysed using standard methods and procedures. The results of the physicochemical parameters showed temperature, resistance, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, salinity and nitrate record highest in station A, while pH and sulphate record highest in sampling station B. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between all the measured physicochemical parameters except resistance and nitrate which showed significant difference (p<0.05) between the sampling stations. Lowest mean colony count was recorded (1.54 × 10^-3 CFU/mL) in station B and highest mean colony was recorded (1.60 × 10^-3 CFU/mL) in sampling station A. A total of four bacteria (Enterobacter hormaechei, Enterobacter sp., Salmonella sp. and Bacillus safensis) and three fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium citrinum) were identified from the sampled stations of Nile Stream. Most of the observed physicochemical parameters in this study shows an impaired ecological system due to anthropogenic factors and, the presence of these microorganisms in the stream water can pose a health risk to humans.