scholarly journals Microbiological Assessment on Stalk, Endocarp, Epicarp, Tip and Vascular Tissue of Different Varieties of Banana Fruit (Musa spp.)

Author(s):  
R. R. Nrior ◽  
C. J. Ugboma ◽  
C. A. Nzurumike

Aim: The aim of this study was to carry out microbiological assessment on Stalk, Endocarp, Epicarp, Tip and Vascular Tissue of Different Varieties of Banana fruit (Musa spp.) (Cavendish, Dwarf Cavendish, Red, Lady Finger and Grand Nain Banana). Study Design: The study employs statistical analysis of the data and interpretation. Place and Duration of Study: Three major markets - Oil Mill (OM), Fruit Garden (FG), Mile Three (MT), all located in the city of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. Sample collection lasted for a week and the analysis was carried out every day and it lasted for six months. Methodology: A total of forty-five (45) banana (Cavendish, Dwarf Cavendish, Red, Lady Finger and Grand Nain Banana) fruit samples were collected for a period of three months from three different markets (Oil Mill, Fruit Garden and Mile Three Markets) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The collected samples were grouped into three (Unripe, Healthy-Looking and Spoiled) and were subjected to standard microbiological procedures which includes standard plate counts, biochemical and molecular identification of the isolates. Results: A total of 124 isolates were isolated from the different sampled parts (Cut stalk, Tip, Endocarp, Vascular Tissue and Epicarp) of the banana fruit. Staphylococcus aureus count in the unripe sampled Banana fruits from Oil Mill market showed high prevalent rate in the Cut Stalk of the Cavendish Banana at 4.17±0.31x102 CFU/g followed by the Tips of the Grand Nain and Cavendish Banana at 4.03±0.21x102 CFU/gand 4.00±0.20x102 CFU/g, respectively. While the TCC in the Healthy-Looking sampled fruits from Fruit Garden showed more microbial load in the Epicarp of the Dwarf Cavendish Banana at 2.93±1.15x103 CFU/g followed by the Tip and Epicarp of the Grand Nain Banana at 2.70±0.82x103 CFU/g and 2.60±0.46x103 CFU/g. The total fungal count (TFC) in Healthy-Looking sampled Banana fruits showed high prevalent rate in Oil Mill market at 2.79x103 CFU/g > Mile Three market, 2.31x103 CFU/g > 1.35x103 CFU/g at Fruit Garden market. While the result of the total Staphylococcal count in the unripe sampled Banana fruits showed that Staphylococcus aureus was more prevalent in Creek Road market at 1.65x102 CFU/g > Mile One at 1.64x102 CFU/g and the least seen in Mile Three market at 1.50x102 CFU/g. The result of the Coliform count in the spoiled sampled Banana fruits showed that coliform was more prevalent in Mile One market at 2.14x103 CFU/g > 1.98x103 CFU/g in Fruit Garden market and less prevalent in Creek Road market at 1.75x103 CFU/g. The Grand Nain Banana had the most microbial load at 33.9% > Dwarf Cavendish Banana, 25% > Cavendish Banana, 16.9% > Lady Finger Banana, 14.5% > Red Banana at 9.7%. The study location with the most microbial load is the Oil Mill market at 21.23% > Mile One, 20.64% > Creek Road, 20.01% > Mile Three, 19.23% > Fruit Garden, 18.88%.  Conclusion: Grand Nain banana variety has the highest microbial load thus consumption of it should be washed or cleansed thoroughly. Secondly, of the different parts sampled, Cut stalk of banana is associated with highest microbial load, therefore it should checked properly or cut off when peeling/during consumption, The high load of Staphylococcusaureus, Escherichiacoli and Bacillus is of great concern. These organisms associated with different parts and varieties of banana fruits (Musa spp.) in Port Harcourt Nigeria, poses serious threat to consumers. Prohibition of anthropogenic activities within the markets and farms should be encouraged in order to reduce the level of contamination of these fruits. Also, public awareness on safe and hygienic practices in the handling and distribution of Banana fruits from the farms to the markets should be encouraged.

Author(s):  
C. J. Ugboma ◽  
C. A. Nzurumike ◽  
R. R. Nrior

Aim: The aim of this study was to isolate, enumerate, identify and ascertain the antibiotic profile of the bacterial isolates associated with key body parts (Cut stalk, Tip, Endocarp, Vascular Tissue and Epicarp) of Banana fruits (Cavendish, Dwarf Cavendish, Red, Lady Finger and Grand Nain Banana) collected from Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. Study Design: The study employs statistical analysis of the data and interpretation. Place and Duration of Study: Five local markets which includes Oil Mill, Fruit Garden, Creek Road, Mile One and Mile Three Markets, all located in the city of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State were used for this study. Sample collection lasted for a week and the analysis was carried out every day and it lasted for six months. Methodology: A total of seventy-five (75) banana (Cavendish, Dwarf Cavendish, Red, Lady Finger and Grand Nain Banana) fruit samples were collected randomly, for a period of three months from five different markets (Oil Mill, Fruit Garden, Creek Road, Mile One and Mile Three Markets) in Rivers State. The collected samples were grouped into three groups (Unripe, Healthy-Looking and Spoiled) and were subjected to standard microbiological procedures which includes standard plate counts, identification, sensitivity testing using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and molecular identification of the isolates. Results: A total of 83 bacteria were isolated from the different sampled parts (Cut stalk, Tip, Endocarp, Vascular Tissue and Epicarp) of the banana fruit samples. 18.88%. Escherichia coli showed high level of resistance to Cefotaxime (100%) > Augmentin (94.7%) > Gentamycin (78.9%) > Levofloxacin (10.5%). There was complete resistance to Cefotaxime, Levofloxacin, Imipenem/Cilastatin, Ofloxacin and Azithromycin in all isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and susceptibility at 70.8%, 79.2% and 20.8% to Augmentin, Ceftriaxone sulbactarm and Erythromycin, respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa were susceptible to Augmentin (25.0%), Imipenem/Cilastatin (66.7%), Gentamycin (83.3%) and Ceftriaxone Sulbactarm at 8.3%. While complete resistance was seen in Cefotaxime, Nalidixic Acid, Nitrofurantoin and Cefexime. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of all isolates of Bacillus flexus which shows complete resistance to Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone Sulbactarm, Cefexime, Imipenem/Cilastatin and Azithromycin. While susceptibility was seen in Levofloxacin at 100% and 22.2%, 33.3% and 11.1% seen in Ciprofloxacin, Gentamycin and Augmentin, respectively. The isolates of Proteus mirabilis showed complete susceptibility in Imipenem/Cilastatin and CefrtiaxoneSulbactarm and complete resistance in Augmentin, Cefotaxime, Gentamycin, Nalidixic Acid, Nitrofurantoin, Cefuroxime, Ampiclox, Cefexime and Levofloxacin. Klebsiella pneumoniae to Levofloxacin and 45.5% susceptibility to Augmentin, Ofloxacin, Ceftriaxone and Ampiclox at 54.5%, 27.3% and 18.2%, respectively. While complete resistance was seen in Cefotaxime, Nalidixic Acid, Nitrofurantoin, Cefuroxime and Cefexime. Conclusion: Conclusively, this study revealed the Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolated bacteria. Treatment guidelines for use of antibiotics should be formulated based on the hospital formulary and the sensitivity patterns. This should be reviewed occasionally to ensure rational use of antibiotics


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Khalid B Alghamdi

The study aims to evaluate the awareness level regarding the importance of medical survey among a sample of school teachers in public and the private sectors. The study has investigated the presence of Otolaryngologic diseases including Dysphonia among teachers. A cross-sectional sample was selected from different parts of Jeddah city to enroll the elementary, intermediate, and the high school teachers. There were more than 800 schools; however, the study has selected 26 schools only. The study was conducted during the academic year of 2014. The awareness about medical survey among public awareness is of paramount importance in the detection, management, and planning of health related problems. The study has depicted less than acceptable participation from the school teachers regarding the awareness and management of health problems, and more efforts have to be made to educate the public sectors about the importance of the medical survey.


Author(s):  
Umar A.I. ◽  

The decreased vancomycin susceptibility and subsequent emergence of vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) strains is a major public health problem. This study was aimed at detecting the prevalence of vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus among clinical isolates obtained from patients attending Specialist Hospital Sokoto and Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital Sokoto. A total of 80 S. aureus clinical isolates were obtained from the medical microbiology laboratories of the selected hospitals. Antibiotic sensitivity testing of the isolates was carried out using the agar dilution method and isolates were screened for vancomycin resistance using vancomycin agar screen method. Of the 80 S. aureus isolates studied, 69 (86.0%) were identified as vancomycin susceptible S. aureus (VSSA) with MIC value of ≤2 µg/ml, 11 (13.8%) were identified as vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (VISA) and had MIC value of 4-8 µg/mL (VISA) and none of the isolates was identified as vancomycin resistant S. aureus (VRSA). The study detects high prevalence rate of VISA in the study area and identifies the need for increased public awareness on the danger associated with the presence of drug resistant bacteria. Emphasis should be directed at discouraging practices such as the use of over the counter medications which increase the rate of development of drug resistant organisms. Keywords: Vancomycin, Resistance, Staphylococcus aureus, MIC, VRSA


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beyene Dobo

For good health, including fresh fruits and vegetables in our daily diet is very important. Fresh fruits and vegetables are highly perishable and affected by different microbial contaminants from production up to consumption. The objective of this study was to evaluate the important microbial spectrum of selected fruits and vegetables and their management from Hawassa town markets. A total of 27 fruit and 9 vegetable samples were analyzed for pathogens from their surface wash. The mean aerobic mesophillic count (AMC) ranged from 2.04x10-7cfu/ml to 4.2x10-6cfu/ml from the surface wash and the total coliform count (TC) ranged from 2.50LTBccfu/ml x10-7 to 1.5x10-6cfu/ml. Fecal coliform ranged from 3.2x10-6 to 0 cfu/ml and the range for Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus were 1.8x10-6 to 0 cfu/ml and 2.50LTBcx10-7 to 0 cfu/ml respectively. Mold and yeast count ranged from 7.6x10-6 to 0.2x10-4 from the fruit surface wash. There was statistically significant difference regarding to AMC and TC between markets in between banana and orange samples and they were detected in all fruit samples. From the 36 samples E. coli and molds and yeast were found in all fruit samples, and Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus were detected in 89% fruit samples in each. Activities during harvesting, transportation, storage and marketing conditions favored contamination of most commonly used fruits banana and orange. Besides, poor hygiene of the venders, using microbial unsafe containers, poor handling practice and poor environmental conditions such as sanitarily unsafe marketing environment were identified to be another sources of contamination. Hence, for safe and clean supply of fruits, community members working with the fruits must be trained on the ways by which fruits can be contaminated and the safe methods of harvesting, transportation, storage and vending the fruits.


Author(s):  
C. A. Orisa ◽  
C. I. Usoroh

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of two ripening agents (calcium carbide and kerosene fumes) on the physiochemical properties and sulphide/sulphur distribution of banana fruit. Freshly unripe banana fruit were treated with calcium carbide powder and kerosene fumes and ripened within 48 hrs. Fruit samples were also ripened naturally and served as control. The samples were analyzed for physicochemical properties and sulphur/suphate distribution (outer and inner). The result of physicochemical analysis revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in pH (5.43-4.75), total titratable acidity (TTA) (5.03-0.47%), moisture (75.87-67.13%), carbohydrate (11.14-5.09%) and vitamin C (0.27-0.002mg/100g) with an increase in total soluble solids (2.00-19.30oBrix) following ripening process. Amongst the ripened fruits, fruits ripened with calcium carbide had highest TTA (1.63%) and moisture (74.75%). Accelerated ripened banana fruits had low pH>5 and higher TSS than naturally ripened sample. The concentrations of sulphur/sulphide (0.29-1.85mg/kg) were below the limit of 50 mg/kg indicating that the fruits were still safe for consumption against health threats posed by high concentrations of sulphate/sulphide. This study therefore quantified the changes in physicochemical properties of artificially ripened banana fruits and their possible health hazards. The study is very useful particularly in relation to the health hazards associated with chemical treatment for banana ripening. This will be useful to banana fruit sellers as it may help to           optimise the ripening practices which may lead to reduce the safety and health concerns of the consumer.


Food Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (S1) ◽  
pp. 160-167
Author(s):  
J. Lim ◽  
F.S. Taip ◽  
N. Ab Aziz ◽  
M.N. Ibrahim ◽  
M.S. How

Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) is a widely consumed fruit as it has high carotenoid content and medicinal value, but has a relatively short shelf life and prone to microbial spoilage. Various drying techniques have been introduced to the industry to preserve pumpkinbased products. During the drying process, products are prone to serious decay caused by changes in temperature, thus affecting the physical or chemical properties of the product. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different drying methods on the physical properties and proximate composition of pumpkin powder produced from different parts of the fruit. Samples were made using unpeeled pumpkin and parts of the fruit, i.e. skin, flesh and seed and were dried using different drying methods, i.e. oven (80° C), rapid hot air oven (80°C) and freeze dryer (-110°C). The dried samples were then milled and sieved at approximately 250 µm and 710 µm in diameter. Different drying methods had a significant influence on the physical and chemical properties of the samples (p<0.05). Rapid hot air drying showed a promising impact on the production of pumpkin powder resulting in powder with a moisture content of 5.61-6.89%, particle size of 122.98-256.46 µm, and density of 304.80-724.69 kg/m3 . These results were better than freeze-dried powders. Proximate composition values of samples dried using rapid hot air were also found to be better than oven-dried powder with a protein content of 9.86- 31.54% and fat content of 3.88-34.93%. In conclusion, rapid hot air-dried powder showed the best quality in terms of physical properties and proximate composition.


Author(s):  
Bambang Dwi Argo ◽  
Cici Damayanti ◽  
Anik Wulandari ◽  
Umi Mianadhiroh

This research aims to determine the effect of temperature and duration of thermal pasteurization process in Cavendish banana juice. Cavendish banana is an abundant cultivated banana that has not been used properly, which is a climacteric fruit that has increased ethylene production after harvesting. Cavendish bananas have great potential as fruit juice. Pasteurization was carried out at temperatures of 55, 60, 65, 70 and 75 ℃ for 5, 10, and 15 minutes. Pasteurization with higher temperature and time can increase the total dissolved sugar and viscosity as well as decrease the pH value and PPO enzyme activity. The reducing sugar content of Cavendish banana juice was determined using the DNSA method with the greatest value at 55 ℃ for 5 minutes, which is 9.53%. Meanwhile, the content of phenol and flavonoid was determined using the Krishnan and Sinija method. The highest value of phenol and flavonoid content at 60 ℃ for 5 minutes, was 0.1728 mg GAE/g and 0.1583 mg QE/g sample. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH method and the greatest percentage of inhibition at 60 ℃ for 5 minutes, which is 61.60%. Vitamin C levels were identified by the UV-Vis spectrophotometry method with the greatest value at 55 ℃ for 5 minutes, which is 1.1409 mg /100 g. The Total Plate Count (TPC) of Cavendish banana juice decreased after pasteurization with the smallest total number of bacteria at 75 ℃ for 15 minutes, with a value of 3.2×101 CFU/ml. Pasteurization process at 75 ℃ for 15 minutes can reduce the activity of PPO enzyme as much as 97%. In the organoleptic test, preferred level of Cavendish banana juice to all attributes of the average hedonic scale with the category of the likes.


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