ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at evaluating the microbiological quality of ready to eat okpa sold in Umuahia metropolis. A total of ten (10) sampled of okpa were collected from two different sales point comprising of five nylon wrapped okpa and five leaf wrapped okpa. The samples were processed aseptically in sterile peptone water and diluted serially in the 10-fold serial dilution. Appropriate diluents were inoculated into nutrient agar for total bacteria count. The samples were also inoculated into MacConkey agar for total coliforn count and potato dextrose agar for fungal counts. The bacterial isolates identified based on their morphological and biochemical characteristics were Bacillus species, E. coli, S. aureus, Mucor species and penicillium species. From the present study the microbial count of okpa revealed that the samples had the total Heterotrophic bacteria counts which ranged from1.0 x 106cfu/g to 7.0 x 106cfu/g, total fungal count range from 1.1 x 104 to 2.9 x 104 and the total coliform count is 1.3 x103. It was observed in this study that S. aureus is the most frequently occurring isolates with a high percentage occurrence of 70% and the least bacteria specie E. coli with a percentage occurrence of 40%. Among the fungal species, Mucor specie is the most predominant and occurring at 40% and penicillium species at 30%. Conclusively, this study revealed facts about okpa showing it's poor shelf life associated with uncontrolled fermentation and packaging on the products and also underscores the need to maintain improved hygiene.