BACTERIAL PROFILE ISOLATED FROM ROASTED CASHEW NUTS SOLD IN NORTH BANK MARKET, MAKURDI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This research project was carried out to identify bacterial profile isolated from roasted cashew nuts sold at North Bank Market Makurdi, Benue State. Ten samples were collected from random vendors in North Bank Market and were analyzed using Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Mannitol salt agar and Samonella-Shigella agar. Biochemical test such as Citrate, Urease, Catalase, Indole and Coagulase were carried out according to the techniques described by Cheesbrough to identify and characterize microorganisms of bacterial species. The results obtained from the 10 samples across various vendors showed different colony count ranging from 1.56 x 105 to 9.0 x 104cfu/g. The study revealed the profile of 4 distinct bacterial isolates- Bacillus spp, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. The analysis of the percentage prevalence across the sample from different vendors showed that vendor A had a total of 4(25.02%), vendor B had 3(18.77%), vendor C had 4(25.02%), vendor D had 3(18.76%), vendor E had 2(12.51%) totaling a percentage of 16(100%). Among these, Bacillus spp had the highest prevalence percentage of (37%) and 6 number of occurrence followed by Staphylococcus spp with percentage prevalence of (31.3%) and 5 number of occurrence, followed by Escherichia coli with percentage prevalence of (18.8%) and 3 numbers of occurrence, and lastly Streptococcus spp with a percentage prevalence of (12.5%) and 2 number of prevalence. The implications stemming from these results extend far beyond the confines of North Bank Market, raising critical public health concerns that demand proactive and concerted measures to minimize the risk of disease transmission through consumption of contaminated roasted cashew nuts as a result of improper roasting conditions and handling. The study underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to address public health concerns associated with the consumption of contaminated roasted cashew nuts.
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