MICROBIAL ASSESSMENT OF SANITARY PADS SOLD AT EKEONUWA MARKET, OWERRI, IMO STATE

Abstract

Microbial assessment of sanitary pads sold at Ekeonuwa market was carried out, samples of sealed sanitary pads bought from the market were used. Samples were cultured on Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Mannitol salt agar, and SDA agar using the streaking method and incubated at appropriate temperature and time interval. The total heterotrophic bacteria count ranged from 3.0×10¹ to 2.4×10², there was no isolated coliform and there was no fungal growth as well and the Total Staphylococcal Count for the samples ranged from 3.0×10¹ to 3.1×10². Table 2 and 3 shows the morphological and biochemical characteristics and the identification reveals that the bacterial isolates belong to the Bacillus spp and Staphylococcus auerus, The analysis showed that some of the sanitary pads which were used as sample sources were devoid of contaminations and contaminating organisms while some of them had minimal level and it is a plus to the manufacturers because it simply means that aseptic techniques were maintained during their manufacturing and the contaminations are spore formers that can persevere in the environment for a long period of time so it is necessary that those with contamination should step up  their aseptic techniques so that their products are protected from contamination from harmful microorganisms.