ABSTRACT

Twenty (20) garden egg vegetables (Solanum macrocarpon) samples were purchased from various markets in Umuahia metropolis and studied to determine their level of bacterial contamination and to identify possible pathogen associated with the samples. One gram of each sample was sliced and vigorously rinsed with 5ml of normal saline, cultured on nutrient agar, MacConkey agar and blood agar using the streak plate method. 42 bacteria isolates were obtained from 20 garden egg vegetables samples. Escherichia coli 11(26.19%), Proteus spp. 10(23.81%), Staphylococcus aureus 7(16.67%), Klebsiella spp. 5(11.90%), Bacillus spp. 1(2.38%) were the bacteria species isolated. Proteus spp. was isolated from all the sample location. Garden egg vegetable contamination with bacteria was observed in all the four markets, highest in Ubani market and least in Orieugba market. Raw garden egg vegetables from markets were considered unfit for human consumption and adequate cooking with proper handling before consumption is suggested.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of content v

List of Tables viii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.2 Background of the study  2

1.3 Aim of the study  3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review  4

2.1 Description  4

2.2 Ecology  5

2.3 Nutritional Importance of Solanum macrocarpon 5

2.4 Bacteria pathogens of concern 7  

2.4.1. Staphylococcus aureus 7

2.4.2 Escherichia coli 7

2.4.3 Klebsiella spp. 8

2.4.4 Bacillus spp. 8

2.4.5   Proteus spp. 9

2.5     Sources of contamination 9

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Study area 10

3.2 Materials 10

3.3   Sample collection 10

3.4 Preparation of culture media  11

3.5 Isolation and identification  11

3.5.1 Determination of bacteria load 11

3.5.1 Gram staining  12

3.5.2 Catalase test  12

3.5.3 Coagulase test  12

3.5.4 Oxidase test  13

3.5.5 Tripple sugar Iron (TSI) test 13

3.5.6 Motility test 14

3.5.7 Indole test 14

CHAPTER FOUR

Results 15-20

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Discussion 21

5.2 Conclusion 22

5.3 Recommendations 22

REFERENCES

LIST OF TABLES

Table Title           Page

1 Outlets of procurement of samples  16

2 Types of bacterial isolates and frequency 17

3 Morphology characteristics of the isolates 18

 4 Gram and biochemical characteristics of the bacteria isolates 19

5 Standard and mean bacterial load of isolates Cfu/g. 20