ABSTRACT

The bacteriological assessment of various packaged fruit juices sold in Aba markets (AhiaOhuru, Ehere, Ariaria) was carried out to determine their wholesomeness. Samples were cultured on nutrient and MacConkey agar using the pour plate method. The results of these study revealed that the total viable counts ranged from 3.22x10cfu/ml - 6.03x 10cfu/ml with the highest bacteria load seen in orange juice sold in Ehere market. Pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus sp, Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp were isolated from the packaged fruit juice and identified using their morphological and biochemical characteristics and their pattern of growth in juices sample. Bacillus was isolated from all the citrus fruit juice samples (100%) Staphylococcus had 88.9% occurrence from Apple juice, the least percentage (22.3%) was recorded against micrococcus isolated from pineapple juice and coconut juice respectively. These results indicated that the microbial assessment of juices sold in Aba market is below acceptable standard and immediate action to ensure acceptable level of microbial assessment of fruit juice required.