FUNGI ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY BOOKS IN A SELECTED FACULTY OF BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY, MAKURDI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Library is a collection of books, and possible other materials and media that is utilized by its members and members of allied institutions. This study was carried out to analyse library books of Benue State University, Makurdi for fungi contamination. Fifty (50) swab samples each were collected from library books from different sections of the library within Benue State University, Makurdi. The samples were labeled and transported to the laboratory for immediate Mycological analysis. Potato dextrose agar was prepared from dehydrated commercial products and was made strictly according to manufacturer’s instructions. Amoxicillin was added to the medium after preparation; it was thoroughly mixed and dispensed into Petri dishes. The samples were aseptically inoculated onto Potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium and incubated at 280C for 7 days. The Colonies obtained were sub-cultured repeatedly to obtain pure isolates. The pure isolates obtained were identified macroscopically and microscopically. A total of 50 books were examined. It was observed that 44 of the 50 books examined had at least one different type of fungus which translated to an overall prevalence of 88%. Four fungi species were observed in the study, and they include: Aspergillus niger, which had the highest occurrence of 243 representing 45.25%. Rhizopus spp. was observed 153 times (28.49%), Penicillium spp. 74(13.78%) and Aspergillus flavus which had the least occurrence of 67 representing 12.48%. Th-*ere was a highly significant fungal occurrence in relation to the species observed in the study area (P = 0.000). out of the 44 books having fungi, 13 (26.00%) each had 3 and 4 fungi species respectively. Eleven (11) of them had 2 different fungi species, while 7 (14.00%) had only 1 fungus observed on them. There was however no significant relationship between the number of books containing fungi and the number of fungi type in the study area (P = 0.424). Researchers and students who use these library materials are at greater risk of exposure to infections caused by these pathogens. Students should be educated on the health risk associated with contaminated library books.
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