ABSTRACT
Fresh cucumbers promote good health but can
harbour a wide range of microbial contaminants. To assess the microbial
contamination of cucumber sold in Umuahia metropolis. samples of different
cucumbers were purchased from three vendors in ten different locations. Samples
were analyzed to determine microbial load and to identify bacteria present on
cucumber sold in Umuahia metropolis. Microbial load ranged from 1.26 x Io"
4. 73 x 1o cfu/g across all locations. At lsigate, microbial load ranged from
1.4 x I 0'1 4.30 x 1O" cfu/g. Microbial load ranged from 2.53 x I 0 1 -
1.83 x Io". Cucumber from Orieugba Market had the highest microbial load
(4.73 x 10 1 cfu/g), while cucumber from Amaba had the lowest microbial load
(1.26 x I 0ยท 1 cfu/g). l'!ine bacteria belonging to eight genera were
identified, which' are a-hemolytic streptococcus spp, Proteus spp, E. coli,
Shigello spp. S. aure11s, Bacillus :,,pp. Pseudomonas spp. Klebsiel/a spp and
Non-Hemolytic streptococcus. The statistical analysis showed that microbial
load differ significantly (P~0.05) in locations (Orieugba, Lowcost housing,
Amaba, Ahia-eke), while in some other 101.:ations (lsigate, Gate 6, Olokoro,
Orpet. Uzuakoli and Amawom), did not differ significantly (P<0.05).
Consumers' awareness on the dangers of consuming pathogen contaminated foods
and the need to insist on properly processed/stored sliced produce needs to be
re-awakened.
FAVOUR, C (2025). Species of Bacteria Associated with Contamination of Cucumber Fruits Sold fruits in Some Markets in Umuahia:- Onwublko, Favour C. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Oct 30, 2025, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/species-of-bacteria-associated-with-contamination-of-cucumber-fruits-sold-fruits-in-some-markets-in-umuahia-onwublko-favour-c-7-2
CHIAMAKA, FAVOUR. "Species of Bacteria Associated with Contamination of Cucumber Fruits Sold fruits in Some Markets in Umuahia:- Onwublko, Favour C" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 30 Oct. 2025, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/species-of-bacteria-associated-with-contamination-of-cucumber-fruits-sold-fruits-in-some-markets-in-umuahia-onwublko-favour-c-7-2. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
CHIAMAKA, FAVOUR. "Species of Bacteria Associated with Contamination of Cucumber Fruits Sold fruits in Some Markets in Umuahia:- Onwublko, Favour C". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 30 Oct. 2025. Web. 30 Oct. 2025. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/species-of-bacteria-associated-with-contamination-of-cucumber-fruits-sold-fruits-in-some-markets-in-umuahia-onwublko-favour-c-7-2 >.
CHIAMAKA, FAVOUR. "Species of Bacteria Associated with Contamination of Cucumber Fruits Sold fruits in Some Markets in Umuahia:- Onwublko, Favour C" Mouau.afribary.org (2025). Accessed 30 Oct. 2025. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/species-of-bacteria-associated-with-contamination-of-cucumber-fruits-sold-fruits-in-some-markets-in-umuahia-onwublko-favour-c-7-2