Relative Bacteriological Assessment of Spoilt Fruits and Vegetables sold in Minna, Niger State

Abstract

Abstract An investigation was carried to study the different bacterial species present in some spoiled fruits (orange and watermelon) and vegetables (spinach and tomato) sold in a Kasuwangwari market. Samples were aseptically collected from the Kasuwangwari market into a sterile universal container and a plastic bag, and were transported to the Microbiology Laboratory of Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State. Samples were serially diluted and inoculation of these samples on various media was done via the pour plate method. The isolated bacteria were identified via Gram reactions and other biochemical tests. The antibiogram of the bacterial isolates was carried using various antibiotic discs. The highest bacteria count was observed in oranges (1.56x104), followed by tomatoes (1.12x104), spinanch (1.08x104) and then watermelon (1.04x104). The isolated bacteria were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae (25%), Streptococcus pyogenes (16.67%), Salmonella typhi (33.33%) and Staphylococcus aureus (25%) respectively. The study revealed that the susceptibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae to Gentamycin, Septrin and Reflacine was 100% while its resistance to Augmentin, Streptomycin, Tarivid and Penicillin was 100%. Streptococcus pyogenes on the other hand, also exhibited 100% susceptibility to Ofloxacin, Erythromycin and Augmentin, and 100% resistance to Cloxicillin, Ceftazidine and Ceftriaxone. Similarly Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus also exhibited 100% susceptibility to Ofloxacin, Erythromycin, Augmentin, Nalidixic acid, Streptomycin, Tarivid and Septrin while 100% resistance to Gentamycin, Augmentin, Penicillin, Reflacine, Rifamipicin, Norfloxacin and Levofloxacin in Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus was also observed. However due to the high resistant bacteria isolates, associated with the spoiled fruits and vegetables, it is therefore imperative to ensure that the Government enlightens the farmers who harvest, package and transport various fruits and vegetables for public consumption, on the menace associated with microbial contamination of various fruits and vegetables to ensure that the microbial spoilage especially with resistant bacteria is controlled and curtailed adequately. In addition, the Government should also create adequate awareness on the misuse of antibiotics to ensure that the spread of resistant bacteria isolates in the environment (such as soil or water) is curtailed and controlled adequately.