Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF SLICED FRESH FRUITS SOLD IN BIDA, NIGERIA

DANIEL AA, DANFULANI S,BARNABAS BB, PETER, G, AJEWOLE AE

Sliced fresh fruits (pineapple, pawpaw and water-melon) packaged in polyethylene bags were bought from different locations in Bida, for microbiological analyses. The bacterial count (cfu/g) ranged from 2.6x103 -3.6x103 for pineapple, 3.2-103 -3.7x103 for pawpaw and 4.1x103 -6.3x103 for watermelon. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in bacterial count among the fresh cut fruits obtained from Poly gate, small market and modern market in all the fresh cut fruits. The fungal count of the pineapple fruit obtained from the fruit vendors at Poly small gate and Bida modern market were not significantly different (p>0.05); however, these differed from the pineapple purchased at Bida small market. The bacterial isolates identified were: Staphylococcus species, Bacillus species, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus sp. and Enterobacter aerogenes. The fungal isolates identified were: Mucor sp., Penicillium spp. And Aspergillus spp. The results obtained in this study showed that fresh cut fruits sold in Bida are of poor microbiological quality.

Published Date: 2014-10-06;