ABSTRACT

his study evaluated the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance pattern of Salmonella in retail cucumbers (cucumis sativum) in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. A total of twelve (12) samples were analyzed for Salmonella contamination comprising of two (2) samples each were collected from Umuahia gate (A and B), Ndi Oru market (I and J), Orie Ugba market (K and L) respectively. Samples were collected two times between the month of June and July. The samples were analyzed and cultured on Nutrient Agar (NA), MacConkey Agar (MCA) and Salmonella-shigella Agar (SSA) using spread plate techniques. The following biochemical tests were carried out; indole test, citrate test, H2S production and sensitivity test. Out of the 12 samples cultured, a total of 8 Salmonella was isolated. 60 different colonies were subjected to 10 different antibiotics to know whether they are resistant or sensitive. 32 out of the 60 were resistant while 28 were sensitive. In the month of June, the highest total bacteria count isolates was gotten from Orie Ugba market (14.oXlo6Cfulg), in the month of July the highest total bacteria count isolate was from Umuahia Gate (12.4X108). The highest coliform count was gotten from Umuahia Gate (7.1 5Cfu/g). The highest coliform count was gotten from Umuahia gate (9.09Cfu/g). Some were pinkish during culture while some were creamy with black dot. They all have shinning surfaces and were found to be flat. Out of the 12 samples, 4 samples produce gas, 4 samples were found to be indole positive, all the 12 samples were citrate positive (i.e all produce citrate), 5 samples produces hydrogen sulphide, all the samples showed red colour on slant test and yellow on butt test. The isolates were subjected into stress tolerance test at different concentration of acetic acid concentration and salt concentration (0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) in the month of June. some had heavy growth while some had moderate growth. In the month of July the isolates were subjected to 1%, 3% and 5% of acetic acid concentration and salt concentration, sortie grew heavily while some grew moderately.