EVALUATION THE INHERENT MICROBIAL LOAD OF STREET VENDED FRUITS (SLICED WATERMELON AND PINEAPPLE) AND ITS APPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SAFETY
Abstract
This project work was carried out to examine the bacteria associated with spoilt watermelon fruit (Citrullus lanatus). Microorganisms associated with spoilage of watermelon fruit (Citrus sinensis) and pineapple were studied which gave 9.8 x 108 and 3.0 x 105 using standards microbiological method. The serial dilution method was employed using nutrient agar, MacCtonkey agar and sabouraud dextrose agar. A total number of 5 samples of spoilt watermelon fruit (Citrus sinensis) were examined by culturing them on nutrient agar and MacConkey agar. The presence of the isolates may be due to improper hygienic practices from the point of harvesting, transportation and storage by handlers. Above all, the high moisture content of watermelon fruit (Citrullus lanatus) makes it highly perishable as its supports the growth of microorganisms. for bacteria and sabouraud agar for fungi. The bacterial isolates were which had the highest occurrence, Escherichia coli ,while Bacillus cereus has the lowest count which had the least occurrence.
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