Physicochemical and Microbiological Qualities of the Abattoir Wastewater in Part of Minna Niger State

Abstract

The study was aimed at Physicochemical and Microbiological composition of the abattoir wastewater in parts of Minna, Niger State. Based on morphological and biochemical tests using API kits, the yeast isolates were identified as species of Candida, Cryptococcus and Trichosporon. The most frequently isolated species was Candida lusitaniae (29.42%), followed by Cryptococcus neoformans (17.76%) while Candida tropicalis, Candida zeylanoides, Candida gulliernondii and Candida fermata had 11.72% frequency of occurrence each. Trichosporon mucoides had the least frequency of occurrence of 5.8%. Analysis of the abattoir wastewater revealed the mean value of 5257.50 mg/l, 2630.00 mg/l and 5830.00 mg/l for total suspended solids (TSS), Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and Chemical oxygen demand (COD) respectively. These values are above WHO standard limits of 20 mg/l, 20mg/l and 1000mg/l respectively. The pH of 7.90 and temperature 26.75 0C obtained for wastewater are within the limit allowed by the WHO. Besides, the concentrations of the heavy metals, copper, lead, magnesium, nickel and zinc in the samples were higher than permissible limit by the WHO except chromium. The study also revealed that the wastewater had mean total viable bacteria, yeast and coliform counts of 2.16× 107, 5.82 x 105 and 1.62 ×105 cfu/ml respectively. The results observed suggest therefore, the organisms particularly; C. neoformans and C. lusitaniae can be suitable candidates for bioremediation of abattoir waste water in the tropics.
Keywords: Abattoir; Heavy metal; Wastewater and Yeasts