Isolation, Characterization, Antibacterial Resistance and Plasmid Profile of Microorganism in Palm-oil Factory and Hospital Soils

Abstract

This research work targeted the isolation of soil bacteria with a view of establishing the antibiotic resistance status and plasmid profile. To investigate the effect of soil contamination as a factor in the horizontal transfer of resistant genes in the soil microbiome.  Microorganisms were isolated from soils sampled from palm oil factory, hospital and uncontaminated soil from Achievers University using   Nutrient agar and blood agar. Plate count was performed on the plates using the colony counter.  Anaerobic organisms were isolated using the anaerobic incubator. The isolates were characterized and identified using structural, biochemical and morphological features. The isolates were identified to specie level with the aid of Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology (BMSB, 1994).  Pure cultures were tested for susceptibility tests to standard antibiotics using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method.  The multiple antibiotic resistance index was determine using the method of Krumperman, (1983). Bacteria with MARi above 0. 2 were considered to be highly resistant and such organisms were subjected to Plasmid profiling. Results showed that five organisms were isolated from both soil samples which are: Bacillus subtilis, Acetinobacter, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas Spp, Flavobaterium. Only two organisms; Flavibacterium and Klebsiella isolated from Palm oil and Hospital soil respectively had plasmid borne resistance.  The result of this research shows that the soil isolates from palm oil factory had a visible plasmid presupposing the fact that antibacterial resistance factor can be transmitted to other bacteria while the other isolates have chromosomal borne resistance factor.