Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology

Abstract

Culture- Dependent Characterization of Microbes associated with Oil Palm Kernel Borer, Pachymerus cardo in the Niger Delta

Ogbalu OK and Douglas SI

The microbes associated with the oil palm kernel were investigated. The total culturable heterotrophic bacterial, fungal and coliform counts of kernel with holes, the larvae in the kernel with holes and also the internal of the kernel were analysed using standard microbiological methods. The results of the analysis showed the following genera; Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Micrococcus, Aerobacter, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus, Mucor, Rhizopus, Penicillium, Candida, Saccharomyces and Fusarium. When the bacterial and fungal counts from three locations were compared at p ≥ 0.05, there was no significant difference in the counts. However, when the bacterial and fungal counts for each location were compared, there was significant difference at p ≥ 0.05. Bacillus sp had the highest bacterial population; this might be due to the fact that these bacteria are known soil inhabitants, endospore formers and therefore, are resistant to hash environmental conditions. This keeps them in the environment for a longer time. Aspergillus genera was the most commonly isolated fungi. Some of the organisms isolated in this study are of public health importance. Hence, there is need for proper cooking of the larvae before consumption. Since it may become a possible route of transmission of these microorganisms to man and may pose a potential health hazard especially the bacteria, while the fungi mainly to immunocompromised patients.