The Identification of Face Mask Microbial Contaminants

Presenter

Jason Tovar

Campus

Fitchburg State University

Sponsor

Sean M. Rollins, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Fitchburg State University

Schedule

Session 4, 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A39, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 2 (A21-A40) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, facial mask use became commonplace in the United States, especially in public places, but it did not come without backlash. People questioned what harmful pathogens our facial masks could potentially be harboring. The contamination of masks during the COVID era were analyzed to gain perspective into these microbial contaminants. Fitchburg State University students in Microbiology courses from Fall 2020 to Spring 2022 swabbed the inside and outside of their masks, to obtain isolated microbial colonies. Selected microbes were gram stained and inoculated on selective and differential media to assist in identifying the organisms found. Students also filled out surveys on the type of mask worn and the length of wear. Two known pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) were identified through classic biochemical testing. To continue with this project, the 16s rRNA genes of these two known pathogens will be amplified using PCR.  These 16S rRNA genes will be sequenced to confirm their species identity. Furthermore, this process will then be employed to make species IDs on the remaining isolates from our face mask microbe collection.

Keywords

Microbial Contaminants, Face Masks, Covid-19 Pandemic

Research Area

Biological Organisms

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