ABSTRACT

The microbial quality of pizza sold in fast food outlets in Umuahia and Owerri was investigated A total of six samples purchased from Six fast food outlets in two locations namely (Crunches, Iloeffers and Snack Station) from Umuahia, Chicken Republic, Genesis and Kilimanjaro) from Owerri. Were analyzed. The total viable count of the Pizza samples were in the range of 0.9x106to 4.5xlO6cfulml . The total coliform count ranged from 1.8 x105to 6.7 x i05to respectively. The total coliforrn count ranged from 1.8 xlO5to 6.7 x i05cfulml. Five genera of bacteria were obtained from Pizza samples and identified as Staphylococcus aureus., Escherichia coil, Proteus spp., Bacillus spp., and Kiebsiella spp based on standard microbiological methods. Their frequency of occurrences showed that Proteus spp. 5 (83%) was most predominant bacterial isolates associated with Pizza. This was followed by Escherichia coil 3 (50%), Bacillus spp. 3 (50%) and Slaphylococcus aureus 3 (50%) Klebsieiia spp. 2 (33%), was the least predominant. Two (2) fungal genera were isolated from the Pizza samples include identified as Aspergiilus specie and Rhizopus species. Their frequency of occurrence showed that Aspergiiius species 2(50%) was predominant while Rhizopus species 1 (25%) was the least predominant. The result of this study shows that consumers of pizza might be at risk if food borne infection and intoxication which is of a great public health importance