Date of Completion

2025

Document Type

Research Project

Degree Name

Grade 12

Keywords

keyboard, microorganism, bacterial contamination, poor hygiene practices, Gram-staining

Abstract

Keyboards, as some of the most commonly used public devices, are nutritious substrates for bacteria, particularly in places of business with poor hygiene practices. This study aimed to identify the most commonly found microorganisms on computer keyboards in a selected computer shop in Dasmariñas, Cavite, and their potential health risks. The study included the investigation of the Gram-staining characters of the most predominant bacteria isolated from these keyboards, using a descriptive research design, with purposive sampling of computer shops near schools and random sampling of keyboards. Bacterial samples were collected using a sterile cotton swab from the most frequently used areas of the keyboards. The microorganisms were then isolated and identified using nutrient Mueller-Hinton Agar (MHA) plates through colony counts, serial dilution, and VITEK analysis. The results of this study indicated the presence of microorganisms on keyboards, specifically Salmonella spp., which was detected on the sample collected from the selected computer shop. The identified isolate may adapt and persist in different conditions, making them a major issue in public health and food safety, recommending that computer shop owners have frequent sanitation on keyboards to decrease the risks of harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, from growing.

First Advisor

Pauline L. Cueno, LPT, MSc

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