MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATED FROM BOREHOLE WATER

Water is the most important potable material with the highest consumption rate. Therefore, because of the growing population, providing healthy water always has been one of the major concerns for most countries. Water contamination tests are carried out based on indicator microorganisms. Waterborne diseases remain a significant public health challenge, particularly in developing regions where access to safe drinking water is limited. This study focus on the molecular characterization i.e. polymerase chain reaction to know the particular strain of Escherichia coli isolated from ringed well water, unringed well water, bore hole, stream water and soil within the Iree community, Nigeria. E. coli is the most important indicator for the detection of water contamination. E. coli are almost commensals and rarely can cause diseases in immune deficiency people. This study aimed at assessing the presence of Escherichia coli from ringed well water, unringed well water, bore hole, stream water and soil use in Iree community. The samples were collected from the above identified water sources and were all subjected to bacteriological quality test. Media selective to coliform were used which are MacConkey and Eosin Methylene Blue Agar. These were inoculated with water samples and incubated for coliform growth, the study underscores the need for improved water treatment practices and continuous monitoring of microbial water quality to safeguard the public health. After the cultivation and isolation, Escherichia coli was detectedwith its characteristics feature of appearing as a greenish metallic sheen on Eosine Methylene Blue (EMB) agar plates. Further identification test was carried out such as oxidase test which result was negative because it does not produce Cytochrome C Oxidase enzyme, catalase test was positive because it produces catalase enzyme which breakdown hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water, coagulase test was negative because of the absence of clotting after mixing with plasma. Gram staining and capsule staining was also carried out respectively to confirm the characteristics features of the bacterium.