MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITIES OF HAWKED FRUITS SOLD IN RETAIL OUTLETS, DUTSIN-MA METROPOLIS, KATSINA STATE

ABSTRACT Fruits promote good health but harbor a wide range of microbial contaminants. This study is aimed to investigate the microbiology qualities of hawked fruits sold in retail outlets in Dustin-Ma metropolis, Kastina State. A total of 30 samples comprising five types of fresh fruits (Orange, banana, garden egg, cucumber and date) were collected from different vendors and market in Dustin-ma metropolis. Twenty-five grams (25g) of each sample was weighed and mashed washed. Ten -fold serial dilutions of each sample were made and 1 ml of 10-3 and 10-5 dilutions were pipette into sterile Petri-dishes. Sterile molten Potato Dextrose Agar (Incubated at room temperature for 5-7days) Eosine Methylene Blue and Mannitol Salt Agar (450C) was added to each dish and swirled thoroughly to allow even distribution, the sample was incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. After incubation, The microorganisms isolated from the selected fruits include six bacteria genera belong to different group Bacillus sp., Escherichia Coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp. Shigella sp., Psedomonas sp., and three fungi Candida sp., Fulsarium sp.,and R. Stolonifer. The prevalence of the isolated organisms in which S. aureus had the highest occurrence 35.70% while Salmonella and E. coli had the least occurrence of 7.14%. The prevalence of fungi contaminating fruits in which Candida had the highest occurrence 62.5% and R. Stolonifer having the least occurrence 12.5%. The microbial load of fruits ranges from 1.3×10-3cfu/g to 4.5x10-3cfu/g on Mannitol Salt Agar, with date having the highest bacteria counts and orange having the least bacteria count of 1.3x10-3cfu/g. The microbial load on Eosine Methylene Blue range from 1.1x10-3cfu/g to 3.3x10-3 cfu/g with garden egg having the highest bacteria count of 3.3x10-3cfu/g and cucumber having the least bacteria count of 1.1x10-3cfu/g. On Potato Dextrose Agar, the microbial load of fruits ranges from 3.1x10-3cfu/g to 4.7x10-3cfu/g with dates having the highest counts of 4.7x10-3cfu/g and garden egg with the least count of 3.1x10-3cfu/g. This study revealed the microbial contaminants associated with fruits sold in retail outlet in Dustin-ma metropolis. The level of total microbial load and the presence of indicators pathogens suggest the risking taking the hawked fruits and there is need for monitoring the distribution and sales of fruits in this area to prevent public health problem.