Microbiological Examination of Animal Fertilizer and effects of associated pathogens on the health of Farmers and Farm Animals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the microbial load and examine the individual types of microorganisms found in animal fertilizer. A microbiological analysis of animal fertilizer was carried out. The samples were collected from commercially prepared animal and poultry fertilizer. The presence of bacteria and fungi were detected. The bacteria spp isolated were Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus sp., Proteus sp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp. while the fungal isolates were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium spp. and Mucor spp. The microbial burden of animal fertilizer analysed was high with an average of 7.2 x 10 6 cfu/g. some of these organisms such as Salmonella sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. have been associated with pathogenic conditions and are likely to cause salmonellosis, listeriosis, gastroinstinal trac infection, and diseases of the lungs if not properly handled. Survival of these microorganisms in animal fertilizer is affected by the source, pH, dry matter content, age, and chemical composition of the manure as well as microbial characteristics. The results of this study show that animal fertilizer contains very dangerous and harmful microorganisms which can cause ill-health to humans and other living organisms.