Kentucky Community & Technical College System
Pilot Studies on Pathogenic and Non-Pathogenic Microbes in Public Places
Institution
Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Felix Akojie
Abstract
Swab samples were taken at various locations in Paducah, Kentucky, including vending machines, computer labs, and the library of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, desks and lockers in a local school, and the pharmacy and produce sections of a retail chain store. The samples were cultured on Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) plates, and each type of microbe was isolated on its own TSA plate. The pure cultures were allowed to incubate, and then a variety of staining techniques and biochemical tests were performed to determine the types of microbes present. Samples analyzed from the produce section of the chain store provide some insight into whether the recent Escherichia coli outbreaks in the United States are still of concern in Paducah, Kentucky.
Pilot Studies on Pathogenic and Non-Pathogenic Microbes in Public Places
Swab samples were taken at various locations in Paducah, Kentucky, including vending machines, computer labs, and the library of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, desks and lockers in a local school, and the pharmacy and produce sections of a retail chain store. The samples were cultured on Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) plates, and each type of microbe was isolated on its own TSA plate. The pure cultures were allowed to incubate, and then a variety of staining techniques and biochemical tests were performed to determine the types of microbes present. Samples analyzed from the produce section of the chain store provide some insight into whether the recent Escherichia coli outbreaks in the United States are still of concern in Paducah, Kentucky.