ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MICROORGANISM ASSOCIATED WITH BATTERY CHICKEN EGG AND FREE RANGE CHICKEN EGG

ABSTRACT This study was to isolate and identify microorganisms associated with battery chicken egg and free range chicken egg in our locality. Enumeration and detection of micro-organisms in chicken eggs from three (3) different breeds (free-range chicken eggs (FE), eggs from battery cage system (BC) and eggs from Local chicken (LE)) was analyzed using microbiological standard. The results obtained revealed total bacterial count that Battery chicken egg had the highest bacteria count of 1.05 x 105 cfu/ml each, followed by Free range chicken egg with 9.4 x 104cfu/ml and Local chicken egg having the least of 2.1 x 104 cfu/ml respectively likewise the fungal count were recorded in the highest of Battery chicken egg with 0.3 x 104cfu/ml followed by the least Samples which were Free range and local chicken eggs each with 0.2 x 104cfu/ml respectively. Bacteria isolates of five (5) were recorded as the highest percentage frequency was recorded for Pseudomonas spwith 22.2%, Staphyococussp with 21.4%, Escherichia spwith 20.9%, Salmonella spwith 20.0%, and followed by the least being Micrococussp with 15.5% in descending order while fungal isolates of three (3) were highest percentage frequency to be, Yaestsp and Penicilliumsphad the highest percentages frequency of occurrence with 42.9% and the least being recorded for Aspergillus sp. with 14.2%. The presence of these pathogenic microorganisms is an indication of microbial contamination of the chicken eggs which calls for immediate action by appropriate agencies to monitor and regulate the production and quality of chicken eggs in order to avoid future outbreak of food-borne diseases.