Bacteria contaminants on surfaces of some edible fruits sold in Makurdi metropolis, Benue state, Nigeria.
Aguoru C. U., Maaji S., Olasan J. O.
Author Affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Botany Unit, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria.
International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 4 : 334-340
Abstract : This study aimed at investigating bacteria contaminants on surfaces of some edible fruits sold in Makurdi metropolis in Benue state, Nigeria. Twenty (20) samples each of fresh fruit type namely: orange, garden egg, avocado pear, carrot, and mango were collected from each of the four market sampled (Wadata, High Level, Wurukum and North Bank markets). Fruits samples were serially diluted following standard bacteriological practices. Pure cultures of bacteria isolates were carried out for total viable counts followed by gram staining technique and biochemical characterization for identification purposes. Results showed that orange samples collected from Wurukum, Wadata and North-Bank markets recorded the highest volume of bacteria (9.0×107, 8.6×107 and 8.6×107 cfu/g respectively). Mango, orange and garden egg fruits sold in High Level market also showed high level of contaminants (8.4×107, 7.6×107 and 6.4×107 respectively). Generally, avocado pears and carrots collected from different markets showed lower level of contaminants. Cultural and biochemical characterization of bacteria isolated from all the fruits revealed the presence of eight (8) species of bacteria, namely: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus spp., Salmonella spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Proteus spp. In their percentage of occurrence, S. aureus was the highest (45%). Klebsiella, P. aeruginosa, Streptococcus, Salmonella and Proteus had 40% each. The detection of these opportunistic pathogens poses serious public health risks. This calls for urgent public sensitization and sanitary measures by appropriate regulatory bodies to oversee the activities of fruit vendors in the study area and other public places where fruits are sold in Nigeria.