The Effects of Epsom Salt on Microorganisms Isolated From Sewage

Chinwe Christy Isitua, Isaiah Nnanna Ibeh, Christopher Uche Ajuzie

Abstract


The occurrence and distribution of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms in sewage maybe a public health concern with regards to disposal. Various sewage treatment methods exist but this study investigates the effectiveness of Epsom salt on sewage microorganisms. Serially diluted samples of sewage were surface plated on nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar for isolation of bacteria and fungi present. Four genera of bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiellapneumoniae, Psuedomonasaeruginosa and four genera of fungi; Aspergillusniger, Aspergillusflavus, Penicillium spp., and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated. The susceptibility of these isolates to Epsom salt was determined using the agar diffusion method. Klebsiellapneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were highly sensitive to Epsom salt while the fungal isolates were unaffected suggesting that the salt has no antifungal effects.


Keywords


Epsom salt; Sewage; Sewage treatment; Susceptibility.

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