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EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CLEANING TECHNIQUES IN HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS USING BIOCHEMICAL TESTS

Abstract

This experiment investigates the effectiveness of cleaning protocols in high-traffic areas by swabbing surfaces in the weight room and analyzing the bacteria found on them, with an emphasis on identifying the kinds of bacteria that were found. It is hypothesized that despite regular cleaning, high-contact surfaces would still harbor diverse bacteria that survive under standard cleaning practices. To better understand the bacteria collected, a series of biochemical tests were performed. Capsule and Endospore stains were used to see whether the bacteria had protective coatings or survival structures that could help them resist cleaning. Growth on Hektoen Enteric (HEK), Columbia Colistin and Nalidixic acid (CNA), and MacConkey agar helped show whether the bacteria were Gram-positive or Gram-negative and whether they could ferment certain sugars, since each medium allows only specific types of bacteria to grow. Sugar-fermentation tests like Phenol Red (PR) Sucrose and PR Dextrose were used to determine whether the bacteria could break down different sugars for energy, while the Methyl Red Voges-Proskauer (MR-VP) test helped identify what kinds of by-products they produced during metabolism. Additional biochemical tests, including Catalase, Oxidase, and Citrate utilization, provided information about how the bacteria use oxygen, what enzymes they produce, and whether they can use citrate as their main carbon source. Together, these tests created a clearer picture of the bacteria that persist on public surfaces and provides insights into optimizing cleaning practices to maintain hygiene in public spaces and minimize the spread of infectious diseases. This study is important because shared spaces in high-traffic areas, increase the potential for spreading of bacteria, and understanding which bacteria survive routine cleaning can help inform improved cleaning protocols, reduce health risks, and support the maintenance of safer public environments.

Acknowledgements

Dr. Julia Schmitz and Piedmont University’s Department of Natural Sciences

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