A SURVEY OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF SOME ARTISAN FOODS SOLD IN IKOT EKPENE METROPOLIS
Abstract
Abstract
The results of a survey of microbial contamination of some artisan foods sold in Ikot Ekpene metropolis was carried out using standard microbiological techniques. The results of the analysis recorded the bacterial load associated with various artisan foods which ranged from (1.6 x 104cfu/g to 6.4 x 104cfu/g), while fungal record from (0.8 x 104cfu/g to 3.3 x 104cfu/g). The study revealed the presence of five (6) bacterial genera to include Leuconostoc sp., Micrococcus sp, Streptococcus sp, Lactobacillus sp, Staphylococcus sp and Bacillus sp. Four (4) fungi genera to include Aspergillus sp, Fusarium sp, Mucor sp, and Cladosporium sp. The percentage and frequency occurrence reveal Micrococcus sp with 7(28.0%), Staphylococcus sp 6(24.0%), Lactobacillus sp 5(20.0%), Streptococcus sp and Leuconostoc sp 3(12.0%) each, while Bacillus sp recorded frequency and percentage of occurrence as 1(4.0%) as the least. Aspergillus sp recorded the highest occurrence and percentage of occurrence as 7(35.0%), Fusarium sp 6(30.0%), Mucor sp 4(20.0%), while Cladosporium sp recorded frequency and percentage of occurrence as 3(15.0%). The results revealed that the isolated bacteria are highly resistance to the tested antibiotic with exception of rifampicin, levofloxacin, erythromycin and ceftazidime. Artisan foods sold within Ikot Ekpene metropolis could serve as a vehicle for pathogens transfer.
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