Bacteriological analysis of flooded soil in Benin areas, Edo State

ABSTRACT 

Microorganisms are important components in the structure and function of 

organic matter in soil, hence this work was done to identify bacterial communities 

present in flooded soil. Soil samples were collected from eight different areas 

within Benin metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria. The samples were cultured on using 

pour plate method, identification of the main bacterial groups was carried out 

based on cultural, morphology and biochemical test. The results obtained showed 

the total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranging from 2.8×103

to 2.0×104 cfu/g. A 

total of six (6) organisms were isolated and they include Escherichia coli, 

Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas 

fluorescens and Acinetobacter species. Bacillus megaterium was observed as the 

most prevalent with (87.5%), while Staphylococcus aureus had the least 

occurrence (37%). The prevalence of these microbes in the soil is of public health 

concern because they create an avenue for transmission of opportunistic infections. 

TABLE OF CONTENT

CERTIFICATION……………………………………………………………………………………………..i

APPROVAL…………………………………………………………………………………………………… ii

DEDICATION………………………………………………………………………………………………… iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT………………………………………………………………………………….. vi

TABLE OF CONTENT……………………………………………………………………………………… v

LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………………………………………………….. vi

ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………………………………………. vii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………………………. 1

1.1 AIM AND OBJECTIVES……………………………………………………………………………… 5

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………………………………………………… 6

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS…………………………………………..………………………… 23

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS………………………………………………………………………………………………... 28

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DISCUSSION…………………………………………………………………………………………… 35

5.1 CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………………………. 39

REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 40

APPENDIX A……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 44

APPENDIX B……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 47