ABSTRACT
Bacteriological quality of weaning foods given to
children 2 years in Umuahia, Abia State was evaluated for bacterial
contamination. All food samples examined (akamu, rice, moi moi, agidi, beans,
yam and stew, cereals and beverages) were contaminated with some bacterial
species. Moi moi and beans had the highest counts of 6.14 x 105 cfu/ml or g„
and 6.0 x 105 cfu/ml or g respectively. The least contaminated foods were
cereals and beverages with counts of 3.92 x 104 cfu/ml and g and 4.49 x 104 respectively.
. I ' Contamination of foods increased with storage time and type of food.
Reheated food had higher bacterial count than freshly cooked food. Foods
prepared by maids were found to be more contaminated than that prepared by
mothers, nannies or siblings. ANOVA showed no significant difference between
food given to children at home and those served in day-care centers.
Contaminated 'foods had’ high levels of Escherichia coli, * • Staphylococcus
aureus while Streptococcus sp and Bacillus sp were also identified as common
food borne pathogens. Growth profile of isolated organisms in food showed
organisms to be at logarithmic phase of growth despite the low pH during the
first 6 hours. Counts’ of E. coli and S aureus increased from 104 to above 108
after 24 hours at 37°C. As a result of their importance in combating acute
bacterial food borne diseases, the control of time factor during cooking and
storage of food should receive special attention in education on health and
food safety as well as improving general hygiene.
AFOMA, C (2024). Microbiological Evaluation Of Weaning Food Preparations Consumed In Umuahia, Nigeria:- Ifediora, Afoma C.. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Dec 13, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/microbiological-evaluation-of-weaning-food-preparations-consumed-in-umuahia-nigeria-ifediora-afoma-c-7-2
CHINWE, AFOMA. "Microbiological Evaluation Of Weaning Food Preparations Consumed In Umuahia, Nigeria:- Ifediora, Afoma C." Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 13 May. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/microbiological-evaluation-of-weaning-food-preparations-consumed-in-umuahia-nigeria-ifediora-afoma-c-7-2. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.
CHINWE, AFOMA. "Microbiological Evaluation Of Weaning Food Preparations Consumed In Umuahia, Nigeria:- Ifediora, Afoma C.". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 13 May. 2024. Web. 13 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/microbiological-evaluation-of-weaning-food-preparations-consumed-in-umuahia-nigeria-ifediora-afoma-c-7-2 >.
CHINWE, AFOMA. "Microbiological Evaluation Of Weaning Food Preparations Consumed In Umuahia, Nigeria:- Ifediora, Afoma C." Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 13 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/microbiological-evaluation-of-weaning-food-preparations-consumed-in-umuahia-nigeria-ifediora-afoma-c-7-2