Water pollution bacteria in Kenya
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Date
1971-06Author
Muhammed, Saleh I
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
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WATER POLLUTION BACTERIA IN KENYA
An investigation into the growth and sporulation requirements
of two laboratory strains of Clostridium perfringens was undertaken
in order to elucidate the type of nutrients the natural environment
must provide to support the se activities. Variation in nutritional
requirements between C. perfringens strain 6DO and Colo was
observed. Isoleucine, lysine, methionine, serine, alanine, aspartic
acid, riboflavin and uracil reported by previous workers as required
nutrients were not absolutely essential for these strains. Alanine,
was required as a stimulant for growth. Interaction among amino
acids occurred, and these are discussed. Growth was not detected
in a nitrogenous medium free of carbohydrate, nor could lactic acid,
pyruvic acid, succinic acid or oxaloacetic acid be utilized for growth.
Methionine was required by both strains for sporulation; one
strain required in addition riboflavin, isoleucine, serine and lysine.
It was demonstrated that some nutrients, though not essential, are
required either for thermoresistance or better spore crop production.
The inhibition of sporulation in glucose medium was shown to be due
to the development of high hydrogen ion concentration and not to the
presence of antagonistic intermediate or organic end products of
fermentation.
Studies on germination and growth of C. perfringens in filtersterilized
river water at room temperature (18 to 22 C) showed that
multiplication of the organism did not occur. Germination was, however,
detected and microcycle sporogenesis was indicated.
A selective and differential solid medium containing glucose,
sodium sulfite, basic fuchsin and antibiotics for the recovery of
C. perfringens from suspensions, using membrane filter techniques,
was developed. The importance of the use of blood in the medium,
or an agar overlay, is discussed.
Employing membrane filter technique, a comparative study of
C. perfringens, total bacteria, total coliform and fecal coliform
organisms as indices of water pollution was undertaken while investigating
the water quality of wells, boreholes, springs and rivers in
Kiambu District, Kenya. The presence of fecal coliforms in water
was the most reliable index of fecal contamination. C. perfringens
was not consistently detected in water known to be polluted with fecal
matter. The possible factors influencing the apparent absence of
the organism are discussed.
Examination of water from the various sources In Kiambu
District showed that only water from boreholes was potable. There
was no variation in the quality of water from wells between the dry and
rainy seasons, but a dilution effect was noticed in some parts of the
Nairobi River. The pH of river water was also affected by surface
runoff during the rainy season.
Citation
Doctor of Philosophy thesis, University of Nairobi(1971)Publisher
University of Nairobi Microbiology Department, Colorado State University
Description
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado