Abstract:
This is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at Sudan
University of Science and Technology (SUST), during the period April
– July 2013. The
aim of the study was to assess waterborne
pathogens in the cafeterias in SUST.
A total of 30 water samples were collected from 18 cafeterias in
SUST campuses. The samples were cultured in MacConkey's broth to
calculate most probable number (MPN) and to detect total coliform
bacteria. The positive tubes were subcultured on Brilliant green
broth and Eosin Methylene blue agar media to detect fecal coliform
bacteria. The later was identified by conventional bacteriological
methods.
The results revealed that the MPN ranges from 0 to 21. Of the 30
water samples investigated only 3 (10%) samples were positive for
fecal coliform bacteria, while the rest 27 (90%) were negative for
fecal coliform bacteria.
This study concluded that there is a strong evidence of fecal
contamination in water of three cafeterias. Hand washing, regular
wearing uniform and
improve health awareness of workers are
highly recommended as well as further studies to investigate other
source of contamination with large sample size.
