ISSN 2329-9835
International Journal of Diseases and Disorders ISSN 2329-9835 Vol. 11 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Understanding the Factors Contributing to Microbial Contamination in Tissue Culture Laboratories in Southwestern Nigeria
Odutayo, O. I.1, Amusa, N. A.2, Okutade, O. O. 1 and Ogunsanwo Y.R.1
1Department of Biological Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago- Iwoye, Nigeria.
Accepted 16 February, 20023
Abstract
Microbial contamination is a constant problem, which often compromise development of all in vitro techniques. This study aimed at investigating the source of microbial contamination in tissue culture laboratories in southwestern Nigeria. Nineteen microbial contaminants (consisting of eleven bacteria and eight fungi) were found associated with the tissue culture plants and the laboratory environments. The bacterial contaminants include Pseudomonas flourescens, Escherichia coli, Proteus sp, Micro-coccus spp, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium sp and Erwinia sp. While Fungi isolates were Alterneria tenius, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium sp, Saccharomyces sp, Fusarium oxysporum, Rizopus nigricans and Fusarium culmorum. The rate of occurrence of S. aureus, B. cereus, B. subtilis and E. coli were found to be higher (ranging from 36-46%) in human skin than in all other sampled materials. The laboratory walls and tables also harbored most of the contaminating microbes. The laboratory indoor air was found associated with all the contaminating microbes.
Key words: Micro-propagation, plant tissue culture, bacterial and fungal isolates contamination.