DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS ON CURRENCY NOTES COLLECTED FROM STREET FOOD VENDORS IN CENTRAL INDIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Currency notes are frequently exchanged during daily transactions and can act as potential vehicles for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. In developing countries, especially in street food settings, poor hygiene practices further increase the risk of microbial contamination and disease transmission. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess microbial contamination of Indian currency notes collected from street food vendors in Central India. A total of 130 currency notes of different denominations (₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, and ₹500) were aseptically collected and processed using standard microbiological techniques. Isolation and identification of microorganisms were performed through culture, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. Results: The study out of 130 currency notes examined, 112 (86.4%) showed microbial contamination, yielding 121 bacterial isolates. The highest contamination was observed in lower denomination notes, particularly ₹10 (93.5%) and ₹20 (89.5%), while the least contamination was observed in ₹500 notes (71.4%). The predominant bacterial isolates were Klebsiella spp. (28.9%), followed by Bacillus spp. (18.2%), Escherichia coli (17.4%), Pseudomonas spp. (14.9%), Micrococcus spp. (12.4%), and Staphylococcus aureus (8.2%). The presence of enteric and opportunistic pathogens indicates poor hygiene and possible fecal contamination. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a high level of microbial contamination of currency notes used by street food vendors, highlighting their role as potential fomites in the transmission of infectious agents. The findings emphasize the need for improved personal hygiene practices, public awareness, and the promotion of cashless transactions to reduce the risk of disease transmission.