Isolation Of Fungi And Bacteria From Housefly (Musca Domestica L.) Larvae

摘要

Housefly larvae were cultured on meat and collected for the isolation and identification of microorganisms associated with them. The microbes were cultured from both the gut and body surface of the maggot on nutrient agar (for bacteria) and potato dextrose agar (for fungi) and incubated at about 37°C for 48 hrs before observations. A variety of microorganisms, which includes the pathogenic Staphylococus aureus, pseudomonas sp. and Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus were isolated. Introducton The housefly, Musca domestica Linnaeus, is a well-known cosmopolitan pest of both farm and home. This species is always found in association with humans and human activities, it is also found on hog and poultry farms, horse stables and ranches. Not only are houseflies a nuisance, but they can also transport disease-causing organisms. Excessive fly populations are not only an irritant to farm workers but, when there are nearby human habitations, a public health problem could occur [1]. The housefly is one of the most common and persistent insects found within human homes. In fact, the housefly has a strong, interdependent relationship with man and will travel with human populations to even the coldest region.They are scavengers, consuming large quantities of decaying animal matter. However, some are injurious to humans by virtue of the fact that they feed on and breed in trash, decaying flesh, and bodily waste. This behaviour facilitates the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid fever, cholera, diarrhoea, Staphylococcal food poisoning and Shigellosis [2], [3]. Housefly larvae, or maggots, will eat most decaying animal or vegetable matter [4]. The housefly (Musca domestica L.) is known to be a vector of diseases. These flies are prevalent in exposed items. Contamination of drinking water, food and other dairy products with faecal remains are common features in these areas. Hence the likelihood of human excrement being transmitted by flies is great [5]. Housefly are the most important insect pest associated with poultry, where the accumulated organic waste and favourable environmental conditions often promote rapid development of large populations [6]. The aim of this study is to isolate the microorganisms associated with housefly larva. Materials and Methods Fresh meat was exposed in shade for the infestation of houseflies. The developed maggots were collected with sterile forceps. Aseptic procedures were carried out so as to minimize contamination from bacteria not associated with the collected maggots.Culture MediaThe following media were used in culturing the microorganisms; nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar.Isolation of Internal and External MicrobesTwo maggots were allowed to move freely on the solidified agar media for 5 min so that they can deposit the microbes on them on the agar media. Two maggots were placed in a beaker containing 10 ml sterile water and thoroughly mixed together by shaking the beaker in order to ensure even distribution of the particles on the maggots. 0.5 ml of the suspension was pipette into molten agar media. The preparation was gently mixed together. For the external microbes, maggots were first surface sterilized by placing them in 70% ethanol and then rinsing in sterile water. A sterile blade was then used to dissect the maggots thereby revealing the gut. A maculating loop was flamed and allowed to cool and then it was used to obtain exudates of the gut. The obtained exudates were streaked on the solidified agar media [7].Culture ProceduresThe nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar were used to culture both external and internal microbes. Then 0.5 ml of the body surface suspension was pipetted and transferred into prepared nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar in a Petri dish. To culture the microbes from the gut, 0.5 ml solution of already dissected 2 maggots in 10 ml in distilled water was pipetted and poured into the already prepared potato dextrose agar and nutrient agar. The test