Abstract

This study investigated the microbial loads and diversity of bacteria and fungi associated with unused sanitary pads sold in selected markets and pharmacies in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 216 sanitary pads were obtained from six retail outlets over three sampling periods. Samples were analysed using standard cultural methods to enumerate total heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms, total staphylococci, and fungi. Representative isolates were characterized using morphological and biochemical methods for presumptive identification. Microbial counts varied among the sampled products and retail locations. Total heterotrophic bacterial counts (THB) ranged from (3.0 x 10⁴ CFU/g in Lady Care and Lily Pad samples from Obio/Akpor Market to (125.6 x 10⁴ CFU/g in Molped samples from Ikwerre Pharmacy. Total coliform counts (TCC) ranged from undetectable levels to (8.3 x 10⁴ CFU/g in Dry Love samples from Ikwerre Market. Total staphylococcal counts (TSC) ranged from undetectable levels to (149.6 x 10³ CFU/g in Molped samples from Port Harcourt Pharmacy, while total fungal counts (TF) ranged from undetectable levels to (26.7 x 10³) CFU/g in Lily Pad samples from Obio/Akpor Pharmacy. Bacterial isolated included Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Serratia sp., Lactobacillus sp., Micrococcus sp., Citrobacter sp., and Pseudomonas sp. Fungal isolates comprised Aspergillus sp., Candida sp., and Penicillium sp. Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., E. coli, and Enterobacter sp. were recovered across all six sampling locations. The findings indicate that the sampled sanitary pads were not microbiologically sterile and contained varying populations of culturable bacteria and fungi. However, the recovery of these microorganisms does not establish that the products cause infections or are unsafe for use. Confirmatory microbial identification and further investigations into the clinical relevance of the recovered isolates are needed to clarify their potential implications for the health of users.