MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF NEW AND OLD INDIAN CURRENCIESSANTHANA BHARATHI S., SYED NYAMATH AND D. REETHAAbstract The aim of this study was to find out if there was any bacterial contamination on Indian currency notes in circulation in the Chidambaram area of Tamil Nadu, India. Two forms of currency notes were included in the investigation. viz, new and old currency were collected, in the new type of currency notes totally 70 notes were collected. Among them 35 notes were fresh (unused) and 35 were used ones. Both the groups contains of Rs. 2000, Rs. 500, Rs. 200, Rs.100, Rs.50, Rs.20 and Rs.10, Each in 5 numbers likewise, the second type of old currency notes totally 40 notes, (used 20) and (fresh 20) were collected. Both the group consists of Rs.100, Rs.50, Rs.20 and Rs.10, each in 5 numbers. Totally 110 notes were collected randomly at different places viz, medical, hospital, chicken center, vegetable market, conductor and students. Totally 1050 isolates were isolated from the all currency samples, mainly seven different species of bacteria were found. All the notes were collected are contaminated by seven bacterial species majorly Staphylococcus. Sp (65.22%), followed by Micrococcus sp (27.18%), Klebsiella species (16.60%), Bacillus species (14.37%), E.coli (23.26%), Pseudomonas species (13.20%) and Actinobacter species (10.06%). Compared to fresh and used currencies the used old currency was highly contaminated by several bacterial species. Paper currency may be one of the potential matrix for disease-causing microorganisms to spread. Peopleâs poor handling and personal hygiene may have contributed to the microbial counts found. Currency plays a significant role in the spread of diseases, so be cautious when handling it. |