Authors :
Oleghe O. Peace; Agholor Kin; Lucy F. Olusola; Kolo O. Oyeronke
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 4 - April
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3NgiGrg
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6558696
Abstract :
:-A face mask is a protective device that covers
the user’s nose and mouth. It may be used once or
multiple times. If for multiple use, it may be laundered
or cleaned depending on its texture. The bacterial profile
of Covid-19 compliant N-95 face masks were examined
during this study. A pack of the N95 Face Mask was
bought and given to twenty nine (29) informed and
consenting young adult volunteers to use for different
number of days. When retrieved, it was immersed in
warm water for five (5) minutes. A 10-fold serial dilution
was carried out using the Miles and Misra’s method on
Nutrient agar Petri dishes and incubated for 24 hours at
350C using the pour plate method. Bacteria colonies were
counted and subsequently identified using standard
procedures. The result obtained showed that the average
colony forming unit per mask (cfu/mask) ranged from
2.5x107
- 1.2x1010. Bacteria isolated from this study were
Bacillus polymyxa, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis,
Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus,
Citrobacter freundii, Bacillus megaterium, Moraxella
catarrhalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis. Although some
of these organisms may not be out rightly pathogenic,
their presence indicates the need for proper handling
and hygienic use of all face mask. Single and multiple
users of face mask are advised to maintain adequate
hygienic condition that will guarantee good keeping
quality and healthy use in-order to reduce the
microorganisms load as well as improve the quality of
air taken in.
Keywords :
Bacteria-profile, Facemask, bacteria, respiratory infection, personal hygiene.
:-A face mask is a protective device that covers
the user’s nose and mouth. It may be used once or
multiple times. If for multiple use, it may be laundered
or cleaned depending on its texture. The bacterial profile
of Covid-19 compliant N-95 face masks were examined
during this study. A pack of the N95 Face Mask was
bought and given to twenty nine (29) informed and
consenting young adult volunteers to use for different
number of days. When retrieved, it was immersed in
warm water for five (5) minutes. A 10-fold serial dilution
was carried out using the Miles and Misra’s method on
Nutrient agar Petri dishes and incubated for 24 hours at
350C using the pour plate method. Bacteria colonies were
counted and subsequently identified using standard
procedures. The result obtained showed that the average
colony forming unit per mask (cfu/mask) ranged from
2.5x107
- 1.2x1010. Bacteria isolated from this study were
Bacillus polymyxa, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis,
Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus,
Citrobacter freundii, Bacillus megaterium, Moraxella
catarrhalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis. Although some
of these organisms may not be out rightly pathogenic,
their presence indicates the need for proper handling
and hygienic use of all face mask. Single and multiple
users of face mask are advised to maintain adequate
hygienic condition that will guarantee good keeping
quality and healthy use in-order to reduce the
microorganisms load as well as improve the quality of
air taken in.
Keywords :
Bacteria-profile, Facemask, bacteria, respiratory infection, personal hygiene.