Profile of Fungi Isolated from Domestic Water Used by Street Vendors: The Public Health Implication

Abstract

This study aimed at establishing the profile of fungi isolated from domestic water used by street vendors in Owerri metropolis, Imo State from August 2020 to January 2021. Fiftynine water samples collected from 25 street vendors with reference to usage. Data obtained was statistically analyzed with p-value set at 0.05 significance level. The following fungi species were identified in the study; Coccidiodes spp. (5.08%), Penicillium spp. (23.73%), Drechsler spp. (8.47%), Candida spp (5.08%), and Paecilomyces spp. (5.08%). Three Aspergillus species were identified, namely A. flavus (16.95%), A. niger (15.25%) and A. fumigatus (11.84). The prevalence relative to fungi species was statistically significant. The result showed that 28(93.33%) of samples from water used for food preparation was contaminated with fungi, while 26 (89.66%) from drinking water were contaminated, however, the difference was not statistically significant. The result recorded (2.01±1.11 TCFU/100 ml) colony-forming units. The overall number of colonies formed by fungi species was significantly different (p˂0.05). Drechsler spp had the highest count of 4.63±4.41TCFU/100 ml, while the least was observed in Aspergillus niger, 1.07±0.10TCFU/100 ml. The fungi total colony-forming units count was not dependent on the type of water usage, however, samples from water used for food preparation (2.56±2.19TCFU/100 ml) had higher counts than drinking water samples (1.43±0.20 TCFU/100 ml). The result has revealed the presence of some fungi of hazardous inclinations in water used by food vendors in Owerri. There is a need for concerted public enlightenment on the risk of fungi contaminated water and observance of sound safety and hygienic practices.