A capstone project report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Biosystems Engineering

Capstone Project (B.Sc.)-Asian Institute of Technology, 2018

This research was conducted to study the prevalence and evaluation of antimicrobial resistance(AMR) of indicator bacteria isolated from water dispensing machines at Asian Institute of Technology. These water samples were collected as swab samples from nozzles of the water dispensing machines. Swab samples were collected from 10 different water sources inside AIT. These water samples were first tested for prevalence of indicator bacteria and then, tested for antibiotic resistance. As indicator bacteria Escherichia coli, Entarobacter aerogenes and Staphylococcus epidermidis were isolated from water samples using microbiology testing. Then the colonies were isolated by streaking method, the colony morphology and characteristics were determined. The cultures were further subjected to gram staining, Methyl red test and citrate utilization tests were carried out for a further clearer identification of which organism has grown. The final part of this project analyses the antibiotic resistivity of the isolated bacteria. From the 10 water samples, 3 different bacteria were isolated and chosen to conduct the disk diffusion test with 8 antibiotic agents Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Streptomycin, Gentamycin, Trimethoprim, Tetracycline, Entrofloxacin and Kanamycin. This study confirmed the isolated Escherichia coli was multi drug resistant (MDR). Also isolated Entarobacter aerogenes and Staphylococcus epidermidis were extensively drug resistant (XDR). The prevalence and antibiotic resistance of indicator bacteria isolated from water dispensing machines highlighted the need to improve and adopt hygiene practices in order to ensure the safety of consumers.