scholarly journals Bacterial contamination of Nigerian currency notes: A comparative analysis of different denominations recovered from local food vendors

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10795
Author(s):  
Chigozie E. Ofoedu ◽  
Jude O. Iwouno ◽  
Ijeoma M. Agunwah ◽  
Perpetual Z. Obodoechi ◽  
Charles Odilichukwu R. Okpala ◽  
...  

Microbial transmission, on the surface of any currency note, can either be through direct (hand-to-hand contact) or indirect (food or other inanimate objects) means. To ascertain the degree of bacterial load enumerated during the handling of money and food items, particularly on currency note by denominations, should be of public health importance. Despite the available literature regarding microbial contamination of Nigerian currency notes, there is still paucity of information about how microbial contamination/load differ across the denominations specific to different food vendors. In this context, therefore, the current study investigated bacterial contamination of Nigerian currency notes via a comparative study of different denominations (₦1,000, ₦500, ₦200, ₦100, ₦50, ₦20, and 10, and ₦5) recovered from local food vendors. Specifically, the different food handlers/vendors included fruit, meat, vegetable, fish, and grain/cereal sellers. All emergent data from 8 × 5 factorial design of experiment were of duplicate measurements. To consider the currency denominations and food vendor type, a one-factor-at-a-time analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted. Results showed that about 81.7% of currency notes were contaminated with either Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. or Staphylococcus spp. in varying degrees. The higher denominations of ₦500, ₦200, and ₦100 note, with the exception of ₦1,000 note, recorded increased degree of contamination over the lower denominations of ₦50, ₦20, ₦10, and ₦5 note. Based on the total viable count (TVC), the ₦100 currency note appeared the most contaminated (1.32 × 105 cfu/ml) whereas ₦5 note appeared the least contaminated (1.46 × 104 cfu/ml). The frequency of isolated bacteria on currency notes from vegetable, meat, and fish sellers were significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to other food vendors. The degree of bacterial contamination of the current work appears chiefly dependent on the food vendor type and currency denomination(s). This work calls for increased awareness and education among food vendors and ready-to-eat food sellers. Doing this would help mitigate the possible cross-contamination between currency notes and foodstuff. Through this, consumers would know more about the potential health risks such simultaneous activities (of handling currency notes and foodstuff) do pose on food safety.

Author(s):  
A. Das ◽  
F. I. Rume ◽  
W. K. Ansari ◽  
M. N. Alam ◽  
M. R. Islam ◽  
...  

Background: Meat industries in developing countries including Bangladesh are found to be challenged by severe hygienic and sanitation problems which are associated with heavy bacterial load on the different sites of carcasses and meat. Objectives: The major objectives of this study were to determine the bacterial load at the different risk sites of bovine carcasses and identification of pathogenic bacteria as well as to assess the associated hygienic and sanitation practices with public health significance of the isolated bacteria. Materials and Methods: The study on bacterial load of bovine carcasses was conducted on 200 swab samples of different risk sites of 20 bovine carcasses in the different slaughterhouses of Barishal City Corporation during the period from April to October 2017. The aseptically collected swab samples from different sites of bovine carcasses were processed and analyzed individually by standard bacteriological procedures for Total viable count (TVC), Total coliform count (TCC), Total Staphylococcus count (TSC) and Total Salmonella count (TSAC) and the bacterial species were identified by the conventional aerobic cultural, morphological and biochemical tests. The hygienic status and practices of slaughterhouses and workers were evaluated through a structured questionnaire survey and also a visual inspection. Results: Staphylococcus aureus (78.5%), Salmonella spp. (64.5%) and Escherichia coli (64.0%) were found widely prevalent bacteria on the surface of freshly slaughtered bovine carcasses. The mean TVC of bacteria at pre-and post-washing of the different risk sites of carcasses including neck, shoulder, rump and their used knife and workers’ hand was calculated and highest one was recorded for neck at both pre (8.17 ± 1.22) and post (8.41 ± 0.92) washings. These TVC were found higher compared to standards set by WHO. The TSC was found highest at shoulder site at both pre (7.26 ± 0.94) and post (7.43 ± 1.02) washing, whereas the neck site was found highest contaminated with E. coli (6.69 ± 1.06 and 6.87 ± 1.04) and Salmonella spp.(5.73 ± 1.05 and 6.07 ± 0.92), respectively. The questionnaire survey and visual inspection of slaughter houses revealed that none of the slaughterhouse workers received any training on slaughterhouses management and hygiene, not used any head and hair covering, protective clothes and hand gloves whereas only 25.33% workers washed their hands and 34.67% used clean water at slaughterhouses during processing of carcasses and meat. Conclusions: The slaughtering of the animals on the ground and then skinning and evisceration in the same place under poor hygienic conditions are the major risk factors for heavy bacterial contamination of carcasses which has been recognized as a threat to food safety and consumers health to foodborne illness. Therefore, it requires a serious attention from all relevant authorities to apply and maintain the basic hygienic slaughterhouse practices to prevent the bacterial contamination of carcasses to prevent food borne illness. However, these data should serve as a baseline for future comparisons in measuring the bacteriological status of beef carcasses in other districts and further research works.


Author(s):  
Mohammed Khalid Al-atrash

The present study was carried out to knowing effect different storage periods of the microbial quality for the Powdered Infant Formula (PIF) after opening the tin, and ensuring from the safety note (after opening, use within 3 weeks). Thirty (30) samples of (PIF) from category (1 – 6 months) in five different types are collected from pharmacies and local markets in Baquba city / Iraq, which are used as substitutes for breast milk during the first day of opening the tin powders such as Total viable count, Total coliform count, Salmonella count and Yeast and Molds count. These experiments repeated at each week of same samples within (5) weeks. Results were obtained at opening the tin, Total viable count (less than 0.05 1.0 x 103 ±1.5x10 CFU/g) were significantly higher than Total Coliform count (less than 0.05 ± 0.3 x 10 CFU/g) and Total Salmonella count (less than 0.05 0 x 10 CFU/g) and Yeasts and Molds (less than 0.05 ± 0.3 x 10 CFU/g). while results obtained at fifth week were (less than 0.05 8.8 x 103 ±5.5x102 CFU/g), (less than 0.05 0.9 x 102 ± 0.4x101 CFU/g), (less than 0.05 0 x 10 CFU/g), (less than 0.05 9.5 x 10 ± 1.2x101 CFU /g) respectively. All samples of (PIF) having non-significant difference. These results compared to Iraqi Quality Standards (IQS), all the results from the opening samples to fifth week were within the range of IQS and USA Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and as indicates the hygienic condition of (PIF) without risk level for human health. also observed increase in microbial contamination in each week because increase the moisture content for powdered milk. Can be used more than 3 weeks after opening if stored in good conditions with good hygienic practices during milk preparation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-51
Author(s):  
Suha S Hassan ◽  
Nidhal H. Ghaib ◽  
Batool H Al-Ghurabi

Background: The microorganisms can impend the life of health care professional and particularly the dental practitioners. They can be transmitted by different ways like airborne and droplet transmission. The current study was carried out to identify whether the arch wires that received from the manufactures are free from microbial contamination and to determine the bacterial species attached to the arch wires. Materials and Methods: This study involved eighty samples, consisted of two types of arch wires (nitinol and stainless-steel) from four companies (3M, G&H, Jiscop, OrthoTechnology). These wires inserted in a plane tube that contains 10 -ml of (Tris [tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane] and EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) tris-EDTA and brain heart infusion (BHI) broth. A 0.1 ml was withdrawn from the tube and spread on agar plates. The control groups consist of 16 plane tube (8 tubes with tris-EDTA and other 8 tubes with (BHI). Results: Microbial sampling yielded growth from 5 of the 80 arch wires. The predominant bacteria that isolated were Bacillus spp. No growth was recovered from 75 of the samples and from controls. The bacteria were isolated by BHI reagent and no growth was observed by tris-EDTA reagent with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The Bacillus spp. found only in the G&H and Jiscop companies, however, no statistically significant difference was found among them (P>0.05). With regard to the presence and distribution of bacteria according to the types of wires, the present results clarified that cases of contamination with Bacillus spp. were found in the nitinol arch wires with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions: The results of the current study revealed low count of bacterial contamination in the two types of companies (G&H and Jiscop). Not all materials that received from the manufactures are free from contamination and an effective sterilization regimen is needed to avoid cross-contamination.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 602-606
Author(s):  
Roohollah Farhadloo ◽  
Jalil Goodarzi Far ◽  
Mohammad Reza Azadeh ◽  
Saeed Shams ◽  
Mohammad Parvaresh-Masoud

AbstractBackgroundThe contamination of the environment, ambulance equipment, and staff hands consequently are major factors which create nosocomial infections in emergency patients. The contamination of equipment and devices plays an important role in nosocomial infections.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a disinfectant on the rate of microbial contamination of ambulances in Qom Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Qom, Iran.MethodsThis is a quasi-experimental study with a before-after design in order to determine microbial contaminations at the rear and front cabin of ambulances, as well as medical equipment being utilized in Qom EMS. Saya sept-HP-2% solution was used for disinfection. Bacteriological standard methods were used to identify the contaminations.ResultsThe contamination rates before and after use of disinfection solution were 52% and eight percent, respectively. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most commonly isolated bacterial agent from the equipment (53%). In all equipment, the contamination level has shown a significant reduction after applying disinfectant.Conclusions:In spite of the fact that the rate of infection from ambulance equipment is high, the results showed that the use of the suitable disinfectant had an effective role in the reduction of bacteria.FarhadlooR, Goodarzi FarJ, AzadehMR, ShamsS, Parvaresh-MasoudM.Evaluation of bacterial contamination on prehospital ambulances before and after disinfection. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(6):602–606.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 62-65
Author(s):  
Obhioze Augustine Akpoka

It is well established that storing hatching eggs over a longer period of time affects its quality. The current study evaluated the impact of egg storage duration in-relation to two different temperature conditions (room and refrigerator) to determine the bacterial load and shelf life of viable eggs. One hundred and twenty eggs were used for this study, 60 were boiled and 60 were raw. Thirty of the boiled eggs were stored at room temperature and the other 30 eggs were kept in the refrigerator. Similarly, 30 raw eggs were each stored at room and optimal refrigeration temperatures for eggs (< 7 oC) respectively, while the egg weight, viability and sensory tests were performed daily on the eggs. However, the eggs kept in the refrigerator were viable for longer and relatively maintained higher physical appearance and sensory quality compared to eggs kept at room temperature. In the investigation of bacterial load, the total viable count ranged from 6.0× 103 to 11.9 × 103 coliform forming unit per millilitre (cfu/ml) and 1.0 × 103 to 6.5 × 103 cfu/ml for the boiled eggs kept at room and refrigeration temperatures (BRT and BFT) respectively. More so, the bacterial counts in raw eggs obtained at room and refrigerator storage ranged from 4.8 × 103 to 6.5 × 103 cfu/ml. Subsequently, the characterization and identification of bacterial isolates indicated the presence of Salmonella pullorum, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas sp. The Salmonella pullorum was isolated from all the egg samples (BRT, BFT, RRT and RFT). The Proteus mirabilis was isolated from boiled eggs kept in both room and refrigerator temperatures (BRT and BFT) while Pseudomonas sp. was obtained only from raw eggs stored in the refrigerator (RFT). In addition, the boiled eggs at room temperature started deterioration on Day 9, while its counterpart in the refrigerator began spoilage or decrease in quality from Day 16. The weight of the viable eggs in relation to the non-viable ones was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The refrigeration of eggs increases its longevity while proper hygiene and adequate boiling of eggs reduces the risk of acquiring infections through bacterial contamination.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-26
Author(s):  
Isa Shu’aibu ◽  
Habiba Abdullahi ◽  
S. Hanna Kadum ◽  
A. Jabir Hamza ◽  
Y. Kabiru Mustapha ◽  
...  

In Africa, the use of poor and unhygienic methods for animal milking and milk processing that leads to spoilage of milk by microbes affects the production of milk and dairy products, especially in the small scale and local processing plants. This study was conducted to analyze the quality and safety of raw milk collected from six different towns in Kwami local government area of Gombe State, Nigeria. The samples were serially diluted using ten-fold dilution and used aliquot 1 ml to inoculate the appropriate media using pour plate technique. The total viable count for bacteria in CFU/ml on plate count agar (PCA) was highest in sample E from U/Anchau with an average of total viable count of 3.8x104 CFU/ml, followed by 3.0x104 CFU/ml in sample B (Dirri), then 2.8x104 CFU/ml in sample D from Burakosuma, 2.5x104 CFU/ml in sample F from Dun urji, 2.3x104 CFU/ml in sample C from Zanbe with least count from sample A at Bele as 1.8x104 CFU/ml. Five (5) bacterial species of public health importance were isolated and identified using biochemical tests namely; Enterobacter sp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp.. Out of the organisms isolated, Enterobacter sp. had the highest occurrence of 93% (n=280), then Yersinia enterocolitica 90% (n=270), E. coli 70% (n=210), S. aureus 57% (n=170), and finally Salmonella sp. 23% (n=70). Based on the microbiological outcomes, preventive measures for milking and processing that focus on training of farmers and dairy employees for the improvement of the hygiene of local milk and dairy production chain should be defined.


1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
MHO Rashid ◽  
MP Siddique ◽  
MA Zinnah ◽  
MA Huq ◽  
MA Samad ◽  
...  

The study was conducted to determine microbial spoilage of skins of Black Bengal goats at various stages and to assess the efficacy of modified curing processes of that skins, during the period of July to November 2006. A total number of six intact skins from Black Bengal goat of two years of age were obtained from markets located at Bangladesh Agricultural University Campus and Mymensingh town. After the usual traditional method of flaying these skins were properly washed prior to curing process. Raw or green skin samples without subjected to treatment process were used as control. Two categories of samples were prepared, one immediately after the completion of flaying, i.e. considered as zero hour of sampling and the other after twenty-four hours of storage at the ambient temperature. The rest of the samples were treated with different preparations of Neem oil, Tolcide (30L), and Busan (40L) and common salt and kept for various periods. From each of the differently treated skins, bacteriological samples were taken aseptically from the regions of shoulder, belly and butt each sampling weighing about 10 grams. The bacteriological analysis of the samples was performed by determining total viable count in order to find out the extent of contamination and varying bacterial load of the three different regions. Moreover, the isolation and identification of various bacteria contaminating the skin samples was done and the efficacy of curing agents to minimize bacterial load and the survivability of microbes were studied. The results showed that Staphylococci, E. coli, Bacillus, Pseudomonas etc bacteria were isolated from raw and cured skin samples and Tolcide (30L) 0.04% and Busan (40L) 0.04% and Neem oil 10% and common salt 20% were the best curing agents from microbial quality point of view. Key words: Goats skin, curing agent, bacterial load, TVC, TCC, TSC   doi: 10.3329/bjvm.v6i2.2335 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2008). 6 (2): 191-196


1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 195-197
Author(s):  
Teresa J. Hudson ◽  
Ellen M. Ambroziak ◽  
Rebecca M.R. Coley

Objective: To test for potential bacterial contamination of the ADD-Vantage system when the components are assembled in various hospital environments. Study Design: One hundred fifty ADD-Vantage units were assembled by three different people in three separate locations within a hospital. Each person assembled ten units per day; the study spanned five days. After 72 hours of incubation, units were inspected for evidence of contamination. Setting: ADD-Vantage units were assembled by a pharmacist in a laminar-flow hood, a pharmacy student using the pharmacy counter, and a nurse at a patient's bedside table. Personnel at each site wore their regular work attire. Each person observed handwashing techniques normally used during routine working hours. Data Extraction: Positive results were sent to the hospital microbiology laboratory for determination of growth type. Results: After 72 hours, none of the systems exhibited microbial growth on visual inspection. No differences in microbial contamination of the ADD-Vantage systems relative to assembly site, day of assembly, or person performing the assembly were observed. The incidence of contamination was calculated at less than seven percent. Conclusions: There is minimal risk of bacterial contamination when ADD-Vantage systems are compounded either on a pharmacy counter or at a patient's bedside. Larger samples must be studied in order to detect differences in the incidence of contamination among assembly sites.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Abadi Amare Reda ◽  
Gizat Almaw ◽  
Solomon Abreha ◽  
Wedajo Tadeg ◽  
Belege Tadesse

The objectives of this trial were to estimate prevalence of bacteriospermia, to determine the bacterial load, and to isolate the types of bacteria as well as to assess the association between bacterial load and sperm quality traits in cryopreserved bull semen in field conditions in the South Wollo Zone. A total of 309 cryopreserved straws of semen from the Holstein Friesian (HF)-cross bull (n = 180 straws) and pure Jersey bull (n = 129 straws) were investigated. Bacteriological assessments of the presence of aerobic bacteria, estimation of bacterial count and bacterial isolation, as well as semen quality were performed. Aerobic bacterial contamination was prevalent in 38.8% of the semen straws. No significant difference in the prevalence of bacteriospermia was observed among bulls although the HF-cross bull had a higher prevalence (40.0%). But, significant difference in prevalence of bacteriospermia was found among semen ejaculates of the same bull. The risk of bacteriospermia in the HF-cross bull was higher (Odds ratio = 1.86, 95% CI = 0.168–20.26) compared to Jersey although not significant. Overall average bacterial load of 50.38 ± 16.29 colony-forming units (CFU)/ml (from nil to 1318.20 CFU/ml) was found. No significant difference in bacterial count among bulls and their ejaculates was observed. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed that the proportions of motility, live, and normal morphology were negatively influenced by an increase in the bacterial contamination of semen. In this study, three isolates of coagualse-negative Staphylococcus species and one isolate of Corynebacterium species were found. Average percentages of sperm motility (48.35 ± 1.23), live (66.08 ± 1.0), and normal morphology (80.62 ± 1.24) were observed. It was concluded that cryopreservation does not guarantee the quality of semen from bacterial contamination. Hence, meticulous care should be adopted to prevent contamination of semen by bacteria during collection, transportation, processing, and storage times.


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