ABSTRACT

This study evaluated microbiologically the quality of fufu sold in Umuahia metropolis of which a total of ten (10) fufu samples were collected from five different markets namely; Gate 6 Market, Ahieke Market, Nndoru Market, Orpet market and Orieugba Market for the purpose of the work. A total of nineteen (19) bacterial strains and 9 fungal isolates were obtained and identified using morphological characteristics, pigmentation on media, microscopy, biochemical and sugar fermentation methods. This reveals the major bacterial isolates to belong to Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aurues, Bacillus species and Lactobacillus species respectively whereas the fungal isolates belongs to Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. The total viable microbial counts evaluated in this study showed that amongst the five (5) different locations investigated on the quality of fufu samples however, within Umuahia metropolis, Orieugba had the highest bacterial plate count at 2.9x10⁵, followed by Gate six (2.2x10⁵), then Orpet (1.9 x10⁵) while the least bacterial plate count was recorded at Ahieke (1.8x10⁵) in that order. The total coliform plate count investigated revealed that Ahiaeke had the highest coliform plate count at (3.5 x10⁵) while Orieugba had the least total coliform plate count of (2.3 x10⁵). The total fungal plate count investigated, reveals Ahiaeke Market as having the highest fungi count at (2.7 x10⁵), while Orpet has the least total fungi count at 1.5x10⁵. The percentage occurrence of bacterial and fungal isolates accessed on the fufu samples revealed that Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently occurring isolates with a high percentage occurrence of (28.6%) followed by Bacillus sp with a percentage occurrence of (21.4%), then Aspergillus niger (17.9%), Penicillium sp (14.3%), Lactobacillus sp (10.7%) whereas Escherichia coli has the least percentage occurrence of (7.1%). The presence of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus species and Lactobacillus species, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp in the fufu sold within Umuahia indicates a serious public health implications. It is recommended that regular microbiological quality control programs and education of the food handlers/ food vendors on food safety practices should be encouraged. Strict supervision of ready-to-eat fufu sold to the general public should be properly investigated by the relevant authorities to prevent epidermics of food borne illness within the study area.