Significance of Fungal Species Isolated from Blue Nile River and Tuti Island on Drinking Water Quality

Aims: This study has been carried out with the following objectives: Assessment of contamination of water in Blue Nile through fungi of different water samples collected and Identify, as far as possible, the species responsible for contamination and, to a diver these problems.

Study Design: The study was designated as cross sectional experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum – Sudan “1st March to 30th June 2012”.

Methodology: Ten samples were collected from each untreated water source (Blue Nile River) and treated water source (Tap water from Tuti Island). All samples were divided into two groups; group one, the samples were inoculated in (Potato dextrose agar containing Chloramphenicol and Rose Bengal) while group two the samples were inoculated in (Potato dextrose agar containing Chloramphenicol).

Results: Four genera of aquatic fungi were isolated from Blue Nile water that has been inoculated in PDA, Chloramphenicol and Rose Bengal; these were Fusarium spp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger in frequency percentage of 41.47%, 25%, 25%, and 8.33% respectively. While the isolated genera from Blue Nile water that inoculated in PDA + Chloramphenicol were three as Fusarium spp., Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans with percentage of 70%, 20%, and 10% respectively. Also three genera were isolated from tap water that inoculated in PDA + Chloramphenicol and Rose Bengal as Mucor spp., Aspergillus fumigatus, and Rhizopus spp. and the frequencies are (72.73%, 18.2%, and 9.1%) respectively. The isolated genera from tap water which inoculated in PDA + Chloramphenicol show Mucor spp. (57.14%), Rhizopus spp., Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus terrus with frequency of 14.29% for all three lateral genera. Most genera were shown sensitive when subjected to the different concentrations of chlorine (0.2, 0.5, and 0.7 g/ 50 ml) except Candida albicans, Fusarium species, and Aspergillus niger were shown resist to chlorine concentration 0.5 g/ 50 ml.

Conclusion: The recovers of fungi from drinking water indicates low levels of quality and need intensive treatment.