1. Department of Environmental Biology | Heritage Polytechnic | Ikot Udoata, Eket, | Nigeria | 2. Department of Medical Microbiology | University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, | Nigeria | 3. Department of Microbiology | Harbin Medical University | Harbin, | China | 4. Department of Microbiology | Heritage Polytechnic | Ikot Udoata, Eket, | Nigeria |
This article is made freely available as part of this journal's Open Access: ID| Mbong-Ref1-ajira180720|
ABSTRACT
Background: Waterborne fungi are associated with variety of health related conditions and this situation draws more concern a because of increasing numbers of immunosuppressed patients. Nonetheless, aside from the pathogenic Fungi, some of them are critically important as mutualistic symbionts with plants and animals, nutrient recyclers and bioconverters and food sources for the growing human population. Hence, knowledge of fungal communities associated with different water bodies is vital. In spite of these, literature on fungal diversity in this area (Onna L.G.A.) is scanty. Objective: Hence, the present study seeks to investigate the fungal distribution and diversity in Ikwe Pond, located in the study Area using standard scientific methodology. Methods: A total of thirty different water points were sampled using 30 thoroughly washed 0.50L sterile plastic containers and cultured on SDA plates with 1ml of dilution factors 10-3 and 10-6 used as inoculums. Results: Six fungal species namely Candida tropicalis, Aspergillus niger. Cryptococcus sp, Absidia sp, Geotricium sp, was isolated from the 30 sampling points. Upstream recorded a total of 27 spores, midstream had 14 spores while downstream recorded 8 spores. Also the colony count revealed that upstream had the highest number of fungal spores count. Clearly, the upstream (59.3%) and the midstream (78.6%) sampling points were dominated by Aspergillus niger while the downstream water column was dominated by Candida tropicalis (50%). Conclusion: This result concludes the water body contains numerous pathogenic fungi which can lead to severe health related issues. To this end, periodic monitoring of the abundance and distribution of fungi in this and other water bodies is needful. Keywords: Fungi, Ikwe, pond, Upstream, Aquatic, Ecosystem, Health
