Microorganisms Associated With Street-Vended Ready-To-Eat Ekpainkpoto (Plantain Pudding)

ABSTRACT

The microbiological quality of plantain pudding "Ekpankpoto" was evaluated. Nine bacteria isolates were obtained among which are Bacillus sp (20.3%), Staphylococcus sp (17.5. %), Lactobacilus sp (17.5%) Proteus sp (15.3%) Streptococcus sp (13.6%), Micrococcus sp (10.2%), Escherichia coli (7.8%). A total of seven fungi were detected and isolated as follows Candida sp (21.0%) Penicillium sp (25.0%) Aspergillus sp (29.0%) Fusarium sp (29.0%) and Rhizopus sp (17.0%) plate count of the isolates shows Bacillus 2.2x i09, Streptococcus sp 1.6x 10⁹, Staphylococcus sp 2.0x Escherichia coli 8. ox10⁸, Micrococcus sp 1.2x 10⁸, Lactobacillus sp 2.0x10, Proteus sp 1.8x10⁹ Candida sp 1.0x10⁹ Penicillium sp 1.2x10⁹' Aspergillus sp 1.4x10⁹ Fusarium sp 4.0x10⁸ and Rhizopus sp 8.0 x 10⁸.The study revealed the presence of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, which may cause food born disease. Therefore the processing environment, utensils should be kept clean so as to reduce the microbial contaminant and prevent possible food born illness.