Distribution of Keratinophilic Fungi in the Soil Surrounding the Slaughter Houses of Betul City, MP India

INTRODUCTION

The soils represent the main reservoir of fungi. Soil that are rich in keratinous material are the most conductive for the growth of occurrence of keratinophilic fungi. The majority of the fungi producing disease in human beings and animals exist freely in nature as soil saprophytes. (Kumari et.al. 2005) The presence of keratinophilic fungi and their distribution patterns in environment depends, in part, on human and animal presence in the environment itself. Such a relationship is therefore important in determining the epidemiology of diseases caused by these fungi. In recent past many investigations have been carried out to find the distribution pattern of the keratinophilic fungi in, many parts of India (Jain & Sharma, 2011, Singh et.al. 2009, Sharma et.al. 2008, Anbu et.al. 2004, Deshmukh 2002, 2004, Ghosh and Bhatt 2000, Sarkar Ashis et.al. 2014). The study was undertaken to explore the occurrence of keratinophilic mycoflora from soils of garbage areas around / near the slaughter houses located in different areas of Betul city.

Soil samples was collected from superficial layer at the depth of 3-6 cm. from six garbage sites around / near the slaughter houses located in different areas of Betul city. The soil samples were placed in sterile polythene bags, brought to the laboratory and stored in refrigerator at 4oC until processed. Approximately 20 to 25 gms of soil from each samples were placed in sterile petri-plates in five replicates. Short (1-2 cm length) pieces of sterilized hair, nails, horn hoof and feathers were scattered on the surface of soil for baiting in each soil sample. The petri-plates were moistened with sterilized distilled water and incubated at room temperature (26 + 2o C) for a period of 4-6 weeks. The plates were examined daily, if cottony growth was observed then baits were selected at random from each petri-plate and transferred aseptically to plates containing Sabourauds Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium supplemented with cycloheximide (0.5 mg/ml) and chloromphenical (0.05 mg/ml). The SDA plates were incubated at room temperature (26 + 2o C) for further examination. Fungal colonies were examined under the microscope and identified by preparing the slide in cotton blue on the basis of morphological characteristics.

A total of 28 keratinophilic fungi represented by 3 genera, were isolated from the six soil samples collected from different slaughter houses located in different areas of Betul city (Table-1). Table-1 also showed the bait specificity for isolated keratinophilic fungi. Chrysosporium sps. were reported from all the baits (Nail, Hair, Horn, Feather, Hoof) used in present investigation, while Scopulariopsis spp. were reported on hair and feather. Trichophyton sp. were growth on hair only. Table-2 showed that out of 28 colonies isolated, 22 were Chrysosporium sps (78.57%) followed by Scopulariopsis Spp. (17.85%) and Trichophyton sp. (3.57%). Table-3 revealed that all the sites examined for keratinophilic fungi were positive for

Keratinophilic fungi are an ecologically important group of fungi that play a significant role in the natural degradation of keratinized residues (Shrama & Rajak 2003; Fillipello, 2000). Although, the distribution of keratinophilic fungi and related dermatophytes in Indian soils were reported by many workers. These studies clearly indicates the variable distribution pattern of keratinophilic fungi in soils. However, there was no evidence of any study on mycoflora from slaughter houses surrounding areas. Therefore the present investigation was carried out for the first time to explore the soils of surrounding areas from near the slaughter houses for the It is obvious from our results that soils near around the slaughter house are ideal environment for the growth of keratinophilic fungi and dermatophytes. These fungi which are human pathogens could be considered as bioindicators of environmental pollution and can pose risk of human and animal mycoses. (Madisen et.al. 2007).

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Department of Botany, J. H. Government P.G. College, Betul (MP)