Abstract
The microbial profile of some concrete and earthen fish ponds within the Niger delta region was evaluated. The results of physico-chemical properties of the water samples showed that alkalinity values were significantly higher in concrete ponds (99.7±47.1 to 150±69.7) than (18±6.9 to 24±14.5 mg/L) in earthen ponds. Electrical conductivity values varied significantly between the ponds with (200±84.1 to 290±74.9 µs/m) in concrete ponds and (18±6.9 to 24±14.5 µs/m) in earthen ponds. Sulphate concentrations were higher in concrete ponds (0.25±0.36 to 1.53±14.9 mg/L) than (0.25±0.36 to 0.4±0.77 mg/L) in earthen ponds. The mean total heterotrophic bacteria count was higher in concrete ponds (6.5×105 to 7.4×105 cfu/ml) than in earthen (6.3×105 to 6.5x105 cfu/ml) ponds. The mean fungal count ranged from 2.11×105 to 2.25×105 cfu/ml in concrete pond and (1.8×105 to 2.4×105 cfu/ml) in earthen ponds. The bacterial genera isolated from the ponds were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus sp., Aeromonas sp., Streptococcus sp., Salmonella sp., Vibrio sp., Shigella sp., Proteus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp. Enterobacter species occurred only in concrete pond, while Serratia species occurred in earthen ponds. The fungal genera isolated from both the concrete and earthen ponds were Aspergillus sp., Penicillum sp. and Cladosporium sp. The genera, Fusarium sp. and Mucor sp were isolated only from earthen ponds. The study revealed that the ponds were grossly contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms which poses a risk to human health, thus of significant public health concern. Key words: Heterotrophic bacteria, fish ponds, fungal isolates, pathogens, physico-chemical properties.
Highlights
Fish and its products are very important to human population all over the world
Total heterotrophic bacteria count was highest in concrete pond 1 (9.5x10 cfu/ml) and lowest in earthen pond 2 (3.6 x10 cfu/ml)
The result of the microbiological characteristic showed that Gram negative bacteria were dominant in the bacteria isolated from the ponds
Summary
According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (2002), most of the world’s population (56%) derives at least 20% of its animal protein intake from fish. This is because fish is the preferred source of much desired animal protein as compared to poultry, beef, mutton or pork. In Niger Delta Region, fish pepper soup is one of their best delicacies leading to higher demand for fish in the region. This gave rise to the increasing number of fish farms in the region in order to meet the demand for fish
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