ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the microbiological quality of sliced fruits sold at different markets within Umuahia metropolis. A total of fifteen (15) apparently sliced fruit samples were purchased from each of the five locations namely; Gate Six Market, Ahieke Market, Umuariga, Ndioru and Amoaba Market. The samples were cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar, MacConkey Agar, Sabouraud Dextrose agar using pour plate techniques. From this study a total of six (6) bacterial and two (2) fungal species were isolated. The bacterial isolate includes; Bacillus species, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aurues, Pseudomonas species, Salmonella species and Shigella species while the fungal isolates were Rhizopus stolon?/er and Mucor alternaria. Sample from Gate six had the highest viable bacteria count at 8.3x105(cfu!ml) recorded for pineapples, while the least viable bacteria count was found in Gate six (2.2x1OcfuIm1), recorded for watermelon. The total viable fungal plate count investigated, revealed samples from Gate six market as having the highest viable fungi count at (8.7 x105) recorded for pawpaw, while Gate six markets had the least viable fungi count at 2.9x105recorded for pineapples. The percentage occurrence and distribution of bacterial isolates accessed on the selected sliced fruit samples revealed that Escherichia coli was the most frequently occurring isolates with a high percentage occurrence, while Pseudomonas spp had the least percentage occurrence. Among the fungal species, Rhizopus stolonifer was reported as being the most predominant and occurring isolates while the least was recorded for Mucor alternaria. The presence of these microorganisms in the sliced fruit samples is of public health significance. Therefore, regular monitoring of the quality of commercially available fruit juices for human consumption is recommended to avoid outbreak of food borne illness resulting from the organisms encountered in this study.