ABSTRACT

The study assessed the microbiological quality of tobacco powder used as snuff sold in Umuahia metropolis. A total of ten (10) powdered tobacco samples were purchased randomly from five different markets (designated as Gate 6 Market, Ahieke Market, Umuariga, Nndoru and Orieugba Market). The major bacteria species isolated include; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus species, Klebsiella species and Bacillus cereus, while the fungal species are; Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus. The total bacterial mean count recorded in this study was found to be higher in samples obtained from Ndioru 1.32 x 105 (cfu/g), while the least bacterial count was recorded for Orieuga at 1.03 x 105 (cfu/g). Gate six recorded the highest fungal counts at 1.11 x 105 (cfu/g), while least fungal count was recorded for Gate six at 0.31 x 105 (cfu/g). From the findings in this study, it was observed that Bacillus cereus was the most frequently occurred isolate with a percentage occurrence of 5(38.5%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3(23.1%), Klebsiella species 3(23.1%), and Proteus species 2(15.4%). However, there were wide variations of fungi population in the tobacco powder samples, with Aspergillus flavus 4(57.1%), being the most predominant and frequently occurring isolates on the powdered tobacco samples, followed by Aspergillus niger 3(42.9%). Conclusively, powdered tobacco (snuff) must therefore be processed and handled hygienically to minimize the incidence of these organisms thereby reducing the health risk they pose to its users. The powdered tobacco (snuff) samples studied contained some bacteria and fungi which are known to be pathogenic to man. It is therefore important that powdered tobacco sample (snuff) should be processed, packaged and handled hygienically.