ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to evaluate bacteriological contamination of poultry feed sold in Umuahia, Abia State. A total of Ten (10) poultry feed samples were collected from different commercial outlets and was taken immediately to the microbiology laboratory for bacteriological analysis. One gram of each sample was dissolved thoroughly in 9ml of distilled water and used to preparing 10 folds serial dilution. Using the streak plate method inoculated and incubated at 37°C for 24hrs. Those that gave significant growth were identified by gram stain, motility and biochemical tests. The total viable count of isolates from different poultry feeds purchased from different commercial outlets which ranged from 15.0 x 104 to 3.0 x 101. The percentage occurrence of isolates. Pseudomonas aeruginosa 50% shows the highest frequency of occurrence followed by Bacillus sp 25% while Non haemolytic Streptococci 8%, Proteus 8% and Staphylococcus aureus 8% showed the least percentage of occurrence. On the susceptibility to the selected antibiotics, encouraging results were obtained with the isolates showing highest level sensitivity to Gentamicin, Nalidixic acid, Ceporex and Ciprofloxacin. Generally, there was demonstrable level of resistance to Amoxicillin and Ampiclox. The present study revealed that possible pathogenic bacterial organisms may contaminate poultry products and constitute a real hazard for public health