scholarly journals Culture-Dependent Evaluation of Microbial and Proximate Composition of Ready-to-Eat (RTE) African Salad Sold at Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Ultra-Modern Market (Mile 3, Diobu), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Author(s):  
Lawrence O. Amadi ◽  
Christian C. Nwankwo

This study attempts to evaluate culture-dependent microbial and proximate composition of African salad (Abacha) sold at Nkpolu Oroworukwo (mile 3) market, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Samples were bought from stationary vendors at market within the months of March, 2019 to March, 2021. Garnished African salad (GAS) and ungarnished African salad (UAS) samples were determined by standard microbiological techniques whereas proximate composition (PC) was analysed by the methods of Association of Official of Analytical Chemists (AOAC) Total aerobic plate counts (TAPCs), total coliform counts (TCCs) and fungal counts (FCs) of GAS were higher 4.5x104CFU/g, 5.3x104CFU/g and 1.1x104CFU/g respectively as against 3.4x104CFU/g, 3.8x104 CFU/g and 0.8x104CFU/g for UAG. Microfloral diversity were more in GAS with species such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella sp., Micrococcus sp.. Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., and Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., Fusarium sp., Mucor sp., Saccharomyces and Candida species than in UAS. Nutrient composition, energy (116.00Kcal/100g) and pH (6.4) values were higher in GAS. In contrast, only the moisture (62.52±0.53%) and carbohydrate (23.21±0.21%) contents were slightly higher in UAS than those in GAS. The study revealed that African salad’ bioburden was slightly above the microbiological standard limits of International Commission on Microbiological Specification for Foods (ICMSF) and (Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) for RTE foods for mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB)/TAPC but exceeded that for total coliforms. However, the microbes detected are likely aetiologic agents of several food borne diseases (FBDs) in human and animal pathologies. Therefore, adequate surveillance, monitoring and compliance with hygienic practices and environmental sanitary measures during processing, fortification and distribution should be enforced by regulatory agencies and stakeholders for wholesome and palatable RTE foods.

Author(s):  
Eze Chinwe Nwadiuto ◽  
Ihua Nnenna ◽  
Ijewere Blessing Ofureb

In the abattoir, large amount of water is being used in processing operations; and this produces huge amount of wastewater which empty into the surrounding water bodies. The cross-sectional study followed the conventional microbiological techniques of macroscopy, microscopy, isolation, and identification to assess the bacteriological and parasitological examination of water sources in selected abattoirs in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. The result of microbial population showed Total Coliform ranging from 5 x 101cfu/ml – 2.80 x 102cfu/ml and Faecal Coliform bacteria of 2.80 x 101 cfu/ml -1.85 x 102 cfu/ml. Total Heterotrophic bacteria ranged from 7.8 x101cfu/ml to 4.2 x102cfu/ml. The mean microbial counts; 4.86 x101 cfu/ml Fecal Coliform, 9.65 x 101cfu/ml Total Coliform and 1.82 x 102cfu/ml Heterotrophic Count. The isolates identified were Klebsiella spp, Shigella spp., Salmonella typhymurium, E. coli, Proteus spp., Salmonella paratyphi, Vibrio cholera. Nkpor village abattoir recorded highest occurrence of bacteria isolate with a total of 50(22.03%) followed by Iwofe 48(21.15%). Water sample from ponds had a higher parasitic contamination while samples from the borehole were free from parasitic infestation. Water samples for parasitological assessment were filtered and examined for parasitic organism using standard methods. Four different parasites were identified in the study, they include Ascaris lumbricoides (32.5%), Entamoeba histolytica (22.5%), Giardia lamblia (17.5%) and the least Taenia spp (7.5%). Nkpor-village abattoir had the highest level of contamination with (30.0%) parasite occurrence, followed by Mgboshimini abattoir (15.0%). The use of unsafe water for meat processing by butchers, portends a serious public health risk to consumers who purchase the meat, from these abattoirs. Therefore, government should endeavour to make borehole water available to all the abattoirs in Port Harcourt.


Author(s):  
H. O. Stanley ◽  
M. E. Amesi

This study was conducted to assess the outdoor air quality of some urban slums in Port Harcourt. Six sampling sites were selected, from the Port Harcourt urban slums; two sites from each slum represented with a suffix 1 or 2.  The slums are designated Marine base (#1 and #2), RSU BG, Obudu 2, Bundu (#1 and #2). The air quality was analyzed using portable handheld air quality analyzer and the microbiological parameters were determined by standard cultural method. The study revealed that the sampled sites were laden with bacterial and fungal species. namely; Klebsiella sp., Micrococcus sp., Escherichia sp., Pseudomonas sp., Baccilus sp., Aeromonas sp., Streptococus sp., Serratia sp., Aerococcus sp., Proteus sp. Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Candida sp., Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Rhizopus sp. and Tricorderma sp. Highest obtained noise level was at Marine base 1 which was  66 db, highest relative humidity of 54.8% at RSU BG, CO2  (ppm) values of 4.8, 80, 796, 850, 638, 698 for Marine base 2, Marine base 1, Obudu 2, RSU BG, Bundu 1 and Bundu 2 respectively. The values for NO2 (ppm) was (0.05, 0.053, 0.071, 0.022, 0.035, 0.023), suspended particulate matter (ppm) was (7.1, 8.7, 9.5, 9.5, 6.2, 6.2), SO2 (ppm) was (0.42, 0.15, 0.50, 0.34, 1.26, 0.41) CO (ppm) was (4.8, 1.7, 2.2, 3.0, 3.9, 3.6) and volatile organic compound (ppm) was (1.0, 1.1, 0.9, 75 and 1.2). This study has shown that Port Harcourt urban slums are experiencing some degree of contamination not acceptable for healthy living that requires attention to curb. These areas require all-round improvement in sanitation.   M Give one sentence on methodology.


2020 ◽  
pp. 45-58
Author(s):  
Francis Sopuruchukwu Ire ◽  
Goziem Kim Benneth ◽  
Ndukwe Maduka

Aims: Tigernut drink are made from tigernut tubers (Cyperus esculentus L.) and rich in nutrients. This drink is locally produced and widely consumed in Nigeria irrespective of social status. This study is aimed at evaluating the microbial quality and physicochemical property of tigernut drinks sold within Port Harcourt metropolis. Methodology: Thirty (30) samples of freshly prepared and packaged tigernut drinks were randomly purchased from different vendors in five locations of Port Harcourt metropolis (Agip Estate, Abuja Campus (Uniport), Choba, Mile 1 and Mile 2 Markets). The samples were analyzed using standard microbiological and physicochemical methods. SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) was used to analyze the data. Results: Results obtained showed that the pH of the samples ranged from 4.2 to 4.6 while the total heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 6. 54-6.74 log10 CFU/mL. Total fungal count of tigernut drinks ranged from 6.0-6.2 log10 CFU/mL. A total of nine (9) bacterial genera namely Staphylococcus sp. (37.3%), Escherichia sp. (21.3%), Salmonella sp. (12%), Pseudomonas sp. (12%), Klebsiella sp. (4%), Bacillus sp. (4%), Micrococcus sp. (4%), Enterobacter sp. (2.7%) and Corynebacterium sp. (2.7%) were isolated from the samples. Six (6) fungal genera were also encountered in the drink sampled which include Rhizopus sp. (1.4%), Saccharomyces sp. (4.4%), Aspergillus sp. (30.9%), Fusarium sp. (26.5%), Penicillium sp. (30.9%) and Candida sp. (5.9%). The result revealed that Staphylococcus sp. had the highest percentage of occurrence (37.3%) followed by E. coli (21.3%), while Enterobacter sp. (2.7%) and Corynebacterium sp. (2.7%) recorded the least. Among the fungal isolates, Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. had the highest percentage of occurrence (30.9%) whereas Rhizopus sp. had the least (1.4%). The results of this study revealed that all the samples from the five (5) locations were heavily contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms and found not suitable for human consumption based on the standard recommended by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). NAFDAC stipulated that mesophilic aerobic count of locally prepared beverages should be < 5.0 log10 CFU/mL. Conclusion: The huge contamination recorded in all the samples irrespective of the location could be linked to poor hygienic levels during processing. Therefore, good manufacturing practices, public health enlightenment campaign and strict regulations from relevant agencies are recommended to avoid foodborne infections, diseases and possible deaths which could result from consumption of such contaminated tigernut drinks.


Author(s):  
D. C. Belonwu ◽  
M. K. C. Duru ◽  
A. T. O. Adenikinju ◽  
C. O. Alisa ◽  
O. T. Dawodu ◽  
...  

Studies on physicochemical and microbial profiles of selected hotel swimming pools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria was carried out using standard methods. Six swimming pools of selected hotels within the Port Harcourt city that people use for recreational activity were selected for this study. The selection was done in such a way that all the zones within the city were considered. The hotels names were coded with alphabets for confidentiality. Each swimming pool was divided into up and down ends for this study. Average result obtained for both ends in each pool was taken as a sample value for each pool and was compared to World Health Organisation (WHO) standard for recreational water. Physicochemical results such as pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, chlorine and residual chlorine of most of the studied pools were not within WHO standard. The microbial loads of the studied pools in terms of total coliform, faecal coliform and Escherichia coli were higher than WHO standard. There is no doubt that most of the studied hotel swimming pools fall short of WHO standard for recreational activity. This becomes important when the consequences of swimming in such pools to humans are considered. There is urgent need for the hotels hosting the studied swimming pools to adopt the important five keys to maintaining water quality in swimming pool, which include proper filtration, proper chlorination as well as adjustment of pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness levels as stipulated by WHO standards. This study has shown the physicochemical and microbial profiles of selected hotel swimming pools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.


Author(s):  
Williams, Janet Olufunmilayo ◽  
Sokari, T. G. ◽  
Buekor, Grace

Aim: To carry out a Comparative mould analysis using groundnut shell infusion agar (GSA) and potato dextrose agar (PDA), as the control. Study Design: Laboratory-experimental design was used in this study. Place and Duration of Study: Soil samples were obtained from three different locations (Garden soil beside Biology Main Laboratory, opposite Faculty of Law and Faculty of Agriculture) in Rivers State University, Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria. The study was carried out for three (3) months at the Microbiology Laboratory, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. Methodology: Groundnut Shell Infusion Agar (GSA) was prepared by weighing 28 g of blended gari and 15 g of agar powder into 1L of groundnut shells filtrate. Potato dextrose Agar (PDA), a conventional medium was prepared according to the manufacturer’s specifications. GSA was prepared by weighing 28 g of blended gari and 15 g of agar powder into 1L of groundnut shells filtrate. Potato dextrose agar, a conventional medium was prepared according to the Manufacturer’s specifications. Results: The mean mould counts from the different locations ranged from 3.7×107 cfu/ml to 7.8×107 cfu/ml on GSA and 3.7×107 cfu/ml to 1.5×109 cfu/ml on PDA following incubation at room temperature (27°c ± 2) for 3-5 days. The moulds identified were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma viride, Rhizopus sp. Mucor sp. Botrytis sp. Helminthosporium caryopsidum, and Penicillum sp. Conclusion: From the results obtained, it showed that GSA could be used successfully for quantitative mould counts and other mycological studies. This would proffer solution to the high cost of conventional media used for moulds as well as agro waste pollution in the environment.


Author(s):  
Akinfolarin OM ◽  

Water quality has become a serious issue to economic and social sustainable development, not only because of the imbalance between available scant water resource and dense population, but also the inefficiency of water resources regulation and management. This study is aimed at assessing the quality of borehole water at the study areas and to compare with standards, Water samples were collected from three stations (Mile 1 to 3) at nine points in oroworukwu area of Port Harcourt. Physicochemical parameters were analysed which includes pH, alkalinity, turbidity, temperature, salinity, total dissolved solid, conductivity, chloride, nitrate, and heavy metals. Bacterial analysis done included total coliform count, total fecal count and total heterotrophic bacteria. The results obtained showed a pH ranged of 4.8-5.9 which was below the permissible limit (6.8-7.8) of World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS). All other physicochemical parameter results were within permissible limits. There were no bacteria detected in the water which indicated that the water was not contaminated. In any case there is a need to treat the water to raise the pH to the acceptable value of WHO and NIS.


Author(s):  
Douglas, Salome Ibietela ◽  
Chika C. Amadi

Aim:  To determine and compare the bacterial flora and proximate composition of edible frogs from some selected Local Government Areas (LGA) of Rivers State. Place and Duration of Study: Live adult edible frogs were collected from six locations in six Local Government Areas in Rivers State which includes; Biara (E 7º29’ 2.097’’, N 4º78’ 70.608’’) in Gokana, Rumuodumaya (E 7º0’ 57.16.908’’, N 4º52’ 40.398’’) in Obio/Akpo, Umuikere Oyigbo (E 6º55’ 50.606’’, N 9º1’ 13.831’’) in Oyigbo, Diobu (E 6º59’ 6.882’’, N 4º48’ 29.514’’) in Port Harcourt, Igwuruta (E 4º55’ 57.006’’, N 7º1’13.692’’) in Ikwerre and Akpajo (E 5º50’ 67.306’’, N 9º1’ 43.112’’) in Eleme Local Government Areas of Rivers State. This study was conducted from July 2017 to February 2018, covering both the wet and dry seasons. Methodology: The microbiological analyses were carried out using standard microbiological methods. Conventional and molecular identification methods were used to identify the bacteria isolated. Proximate compositions of the two species of edible frogs were also determined using standard methods. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for significant difference between the data obtained from the various locations using a computer based program SPSS version 22. Results: Results revealed that Ptychadena pumilios had high bacteria counts across the six Local Government areas. Counts of total heterotrophic bacteria  for Ptychadena pumilios ranged from 1.0 x108cfu/g to 9.0 x108cfu/g, Total Staphylococcus count ranged from 1.0 x105cfu/g to 9.4 x105cfu/g, Total coliform counts ranged 1.0 x105cfu/g to 8.9 x105 cfu/g, Total Feacal Coliform counts ranged from 1.4 x104cfu/g to 9.0 x104cfu/g. while for Ptychadena mascareniensis Total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 2.2 x108 to 4.5 x107cfu/g, Staphylococcal counts ranged from 1.8 x105cfu/g  to 9.5  x105cfu/g, Total coliform counts ranged 1.0 x105cfu/g to 9.8 x105cfu/g, Total Feacal Coliform ranged  from 1.2 x104cfu/g 9.8 x104cfu/g. Statistically there were significant differences in bacterial counts in the six studied LGAs. Statistically there were significant differences in the bacterial counts from the six studied locations. A total of 259 bacterial isolate belonging to the following genera: Escherichia, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas were isolated during this study. The proportion of nutritional composition obtained in this study ranged as follow: carbohydrate from 1.82 to 2.24, crude fibre 2.28 to 3.00, ash 3.99 to 4.89%, lipid 11.90 to 12.32%, protein13.74 to14.00%, moisture 64.45 to 65.74%, for the species of the edible frogs tested. Conclusion: The presence of Escherichia coli identified indicates faecal contamination and indicates the possible presence of potential pathogens. Proper processing and cooking of the frog meat will destroy these organisms, thereby preventing food borne infections. Improper handling and cooking may lead to food borne infections with greater effect observed in immunocompromised patents, the elderly and children. Ptychadena mascareniensis and Ptychadena pumilio have high protein contents therefore, they could be considered as an alternative source of protein despite the bacterial load.


Author(s):  
Francis Sopuruchukwu Ire ◽  
Precious Afoke Edio ◽  
Ndukwe Maduka

Burukutu is an indigenous, brown coloured, cloudy, alcoholic beverage traditionally brewed using mainly sorghum grains. This study was aimed at the comparison of microbial quality, physicochemical properties, proximate composition and minerals content of laboratory brewed burukutu (LBB) and commercial products sold in some markets in Port Harcourt. Sixteen (16) samples of the commercialized product were evaluated from Elele (EM), Rumuokoro (RM) and Choba (CM) markets, Port Harcourt, Rivers State using Standard Methods while LBB was produced in our laboratory using Standard Procedures. Our result indicated an increase in aerobic mesophiles, total coliforms, faecal coliforms, fungi and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts during the early stages of the brewing process of laboratory produced burukutu but only LAB was detected in the final product. The overall microbial count of burukutu from the three markets revealed that CM>EM>RM although all the samples had higher microbial count compared with the LBB. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus sp., Lactobacillus sp., Aspergillus sp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were present during the brewing stages of burukutu. Enterobacter aerogenes and Mucor sp. were detected in the commercial samples purchased from the three markets. Lactobacillus fermentum and L. brevis had the highest and least frequency of occurrence in all the samples, respectively. The pH, titratable acidity, alcohol content and soluble solids of the fermenting LBB were within the range of 3.0-3.4, 0.6-0.97%, 3.0-4.7% and 0.98-0.99%, whereas in the commercialized samples, the equivalent values were 3.0-3.1, 0.00-0.10%, 2.1-4.0% and 0.65-0.82%, respectively. Moisture, crude fat, ash, crude protein and carbohydrate content of the commercialized samples were within the range of 29.1-31.2%, 10.8-14.2%, 3.8-4.85%, 2.9-5.7%, and 44.7-51.7% compared to the range of values obtained in the LBB (52.1%, 15.7%, 9.8%, 7.6% and 15.4%), respectively. The following minerals elements K, Ca, Na, Zn and Mg present in the LBB were higher than the values obtained in the commercialized alcoholic beverage. The results from this study, suggest that the quality of LBB is better than the commercialized products. Therefore, it is recommended that in order to improve the overall quality of commercially brewed burukutu for the benefit of everyone irrespective of social status, good manufacturing practices (GMP) and good hygienic practices (GHP) should be strictly adhered to by local producers and vendors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
O. A. F Wokoma ◽  
◽  
O. S Edori ◽  

Wastewater samples were collected from an oil industry at the point of discharge for a period of two years, from January 2018 – December 2019. The wastewater samples were analyzed for different physicochemical parameters such as temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), conductivity, pH, alkalinity, salinity, total hydrocarbon content (THC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) to examine their conformity to fulfill requirements as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) and Drinking Water Association (DWA). The results indicated that all the parameters in the discharged wastewater were within acceptable limits of the regulatory bodies. The field data showed that the investigated firm conformed to the law by carrying out proper procedures before discharging the effluents into the public drain and river. Therefore, the release of wastewater from the industry doesn't constitute a danger to the environment as well as aquatic organisms. Keywords: Physicochemical parameter, wastewater discharge, oil industry, environment, contaminants


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (01-02 & Sp1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Utibe I. Daniel ◽  
◽  
Christiana C. Duru ◽  
Obemeata Oriakpono ◽  
M.O.E. Iwuala

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