The Impact of Egbu Abattoir Wastes on Fungal Concentrates of the Soil Environment
M. I. Nwachukwu *
Department of Microbiology, Imo State University, Nigeria.
C. C. Ike
Department of Biological Sciences (Microbiology Unit), Rhema University, Nigeria.
I. O. Nwachukwu
Department of Microbiology, Imo State University, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The impact of Egbu abattoir wastes on fungal concentrates of the soil environment was undertaken. Samples of contaminated soil from the abattoir environment were taken against control and evaluated for fungal concentrates using standard methods. Results obtained showed that total fungal count (TFC) ranged from 3.5×105 cfu/g to 4.50×105 cfu/g and total hydrocarbon utilizing fungi (THUF) ranged from 1.8×105 cfu/g to 3.80×105 cfu/g. The percentage occurrence for mould isolates indicated the presence of Absidia sp., Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., and Rhizopus sp. while yeast isolates were Candida sp., Rhodotorula sp., Saccharomyces sp., and Torulopsis sp., for both seasons. Though most of these organisms were indigenous to the soil some invading species were also isolated and were higher in contaminated soil than control soil. Egbu abattoir waste could be behind these observations. The study has revealed the impact of Egbu abattoir wastes on fungal concentrates of the soil environment.
Keywords: Abattoir, fungal concentrate, Egbu, soil environment.