ABSTRACT
Twenty four
samples of each of eight fresh fruits and vegetables (tomatoes, carrot, pepper,
apple, garden egg, guava, green bean and cucumber) were randomly selected from
three different markets (Isigate, Orie ugba and Ndoro) in Umuahia, Abia state
and were analyzed for bacteriological quality. The entire samples were
contaminated with bacteria on their surfaces. Apples from Ndoro had the lowest
microbial load of 4.1 0.07° cfu/ml of all the fruits and vegetables samples
while tomato, garden egg and pepper from Ndoro, and Isigate had the highest
microbial load, some of which were too numerous to count on the MacConkey and
Nutrient agar use respectively. Pseudomonas species were detected in 8.33% of
the samples (in green beans and tomatos). Bacillus species were detected 12.5%
(in garden egg, apple and pepper ), Ecoli were confirmed in 12.5% (in cucumber,
carrot and tomatoes ), Staphylococcus species were detected 33.33% in all the
samples while Klebsiella species were also detected in 8.33% (in cucumber and
tomato). This study suggested that most of the fresh fruits and vegetables sold
in the selected markets in Umuahia harbor large and diverse populations of
bacteria, which might be a source of food poisoning. Therefore there is a need
for improved and maintenance of good hygienic practices by fruits and
vegetables handlers and vendors in Abia state.
NDUEJUAFO, N (2022). Bacterial Communities Associated With The Surfaces Of Fresh Fruits And Vegetables Sold In Selected Markets In Umuahia Metropolis Abia State. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Nov 14, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/bacterial-communities-associated-with-the-surfaces-of-fresh-fruits-and-vegetables-sold-in-selected-markets-in-umuahia-metropolis-abia-state-7-2
NDUEJUAFO, NDUEJUAFO. "Bacterial Communities Associated With The Surfaces Of Fresh Fruits And Vegetables Sold In Selected Markets In Umuahia Metropolis Abia State" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 28 Nov. 2022, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/bacterial-communities-associated-with-the-surfaces-of-fresh-fruits-and-vegetables-sold-in-selected-markets-in-umuahia-metropolis-abia-state-7-2. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
NDUEJUAFO, NDUEJUAFO. "Bacterial Communities Associated With The Surfaces Of Fresh Fruits And Vegetables Sold In Selected Markets In Umuahia Metropolis Abia State". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 28 Nov. 2022. Web. 14 Nov. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/bacterial-communities-associated-with-the-surfaces-of-fresh-fruits-and-vegetables-sold-in-selected-markets-in-umuahia-metropolis-abia-state-7-2 >.
NDUEJUAFO, NDUEJUAFO. "Bacterial Communities Associated With The Surfaces Of Fresh Fruits And Vegetables Sold In Selected Markets In Umuahia Metropolis Abia State" Mouau.afribary.org (2022). Accessed 14 Nov. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/bacterial-communities-associated-with-the-surfaces-of-fresh-fruits-and-vegetables-sold-in-selected-markets-in-umuahia-metropolis-abia-state-7-2