Effect of Distance of Sanitary Pits on the Microbial and Heavy Metal Levels in Hand Dug Well Water Samples Consumed by People Living in Akwuke, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State

Abstract

Studies were carried out to assess the effect of distance of sanitary pits on the microbial and heavy metal levels in hand dug well water samples consumed by people living in Akwuke, Enugu South Local government area of Enugu State, using standard biochemical and spectrophotometric analysis. The well water samples were digested with aqua-regia and four heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn) were assayed in the well water samples at sampling distances of 3, 6 and 10 m respectively from the sanitary pits. The range of mean bacterial counts (cfu/g) for the four detected pathogenic bacteria; S. aureus, Klebsiella pnemeoniae, Echerichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis were 83 -3730, 510 -870, 50 -2535 and 240 -3420 Cfu/g at sampling distances of 3, 6 and 10 m respectively from the sanitary pits. The mean bacteria counts of the four detected pathogenic organisms in the well water sample at sampling distances of 3 and 6 m respectively from the sanitary pits were above the WHO recommended threshold limits for a safe drinking water. The mean bacterial counts of Salmonella enteritidis in the well water samples of sampling distance of 10 m from the sanitary pits was above the WHO recommended permissible limits. At sampling distances of 3, 6 and 10 m from the sanitary pits, the mean range of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in the well water samples were, 0.03 -0.3, 0.02 -0.05, 0.46 -1.71 and 1.63 -7.03 µg/g respectively. The mean levels of Pb and Cd in the well water samples at sampling distances of 3 and 6 m respectively How to cite this paper: Okeke, O.

Microbial and Heavy Metal Assessment of Meat Samples from Ranched and Non-ranched Domestic Animals Sold at Gariki Market, Enugu State, Nigeria

“…The toxic effects of Pb to humans and animals even at low concentrations are well documented (Okeke et al, 2016;Aniobi et al, 2021;Gupta et al, 2021).…”

“…Bhat et al, (2010) observed that many farmers' non-profiling and less consciousness on the food and feedstock consumed especially by non -ranched domestic animals could be the main reason for the increased level of toxic metals as well as decreased level of trace elements that these animals are exposed to. Although copper is a trace element required by animals and humans for optimum enzyme and biochemical function, at excess levels can exert toxicities to vital organs such as the liver and kidney (Okeke et al, 2016;Aniobi et al, 2019;Okeke et al, 2021).…”

“…From result of Table 3 it was observed that the meat samples from the non-ranched (out-door reared) domestic animals were more contaminated with S.aureus than it was obtained for the bacteria in the meat samples from the ranched (in-door reared) domestic animals. S.aureus is an ubiquitous pathogenic bacteria that thrives very well in dirty environment, unclean water and fermented food materials Okeke et al, 2020;Okeke et al, 2021). The mean S.aureus counts in the meat samples from the domestic animals were significant.…”

“…Consumption of unsafe water constitutes one of the major sources of pathogenic organisms that trigger acute and severe tropical food and water-borne diseases that plague domestic animals and human beings (Okeke et al, 2021). Because most farmers pay less attention to the safety and quality of foods and water consumed by domestic animals under their care, exposure to the biological contaminants by these animals is usually widespread and high.…”

“…The meat samples had mean counts of the bacteria in the following decreasing order; non-ranched cow meat > in-door reared pork meat > non-ranched goat meat > out-door reared chicken meat > ranched goat meat > in-door reared chicken meat samples. Streptococcus spp., just as S.aureus is a pathogenic bacteria that is predominantly found in dirty environment, water and contaminated food and have been implicated in food poisoning, food intoxication and epidemic diarrhea of its host(WHO, 2011;Okeke et al, 2021). Cfu/g in the ranched goat meat, non-ranched goat meat, non-ranched cow meat, ranched cow meat, in-door reared pork meat, in-door reared chicken meat and out-door reared chicken meat samples respectively.…”