Bio-burdens of some selected Fruits and Vegetables consumed within Katsina metropolis in KatsinaState, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Ready-to-eat vegetables and fruits have intrinsic properties predisposing them to microbial contamination especially in the absenceof proper quality control procedures. Recently, the increased in consumables bio-burden manifested as the accumulation of potentialpathogenic microbes therein which triggered the food related ailments associated with morbidity and mortality cases. Evaluating themicrobial quality of such foods is therefore important. This study was aimed at evaluating the presence of pathogens (bacteria andfungi)  associated  with some  select  fruits  and vegetables  consumed  within Katsina  metropolis.  Six different fruits and  vegetablesinvolving  cabbage   (Brassica   oleracea),   carrot   (Daucus   carota),   orange   (Citrus   sinensis),   pineapple   (Ananas   comosus),   spinach(Spinacia   oleracea)   and   watermelon   (Citrullus   lanatus)   were   sampled   from   vendors   at   different   selling   points.   Analyses   of   thesamples were conducted at the Microbiology Laboratory, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Nigeria. Total Bacteria, Yeastand   Mould   counts   were   evaluated   accordingly.   The   microorganisms   were   characterized   using   the   colony   morphology   andbiochemical  analyses.  The results of the study showed that all  the fruits and vegetables invariably  contain  concentrations of thebacteria exceeding safety thresholds set by the Committee on the Review of the Use of Scientific Criteria and Performance Standardsfor Safe Food,  USFood, US Academy of Sciences (p = 0.382). Nonetheless, from the total yeast and mold counts results, watermelonand   carrot   have   no   fungal   contaminants,   while   the   rest   have   concentrations   exceeding   safety   thresholds,   with   no   significantdifferences (p = 0.459). Some of the characterized organisms for bacteria include Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Proteusspspp.,  Shigella  spspp.,  Staphylococcus  aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.  Characterized fungal isolates  include  Aspergillusflavus, Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is therefore concluded that potentially pathogenic microorganisms exist athigh   concentrations  in   the   ready-to-eat   fruits   and  vegetables  sold   in   Katsina  metropolis   which   is   a  reflection  of   poor  hygienicpractices. These pathogens may ultimately  cause serious illness.  Hence, we recommend the enshrinement  of hygienic processing,educating the vendors and enforcing guidelines by statutory national bodies like standard organization of Nigeria (SON), NationalAgency for food and Drugs Administration(Administration (NAFDAC)among others