Evaluation of the Bacteriological Quality of Milk Sold in Nnewi, Nigeria

Introduction: Contamination of milk products can result to severe intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases in man. This study was aimed at evaluating the bacteriological quality of various milk products sold in Nnewi. Materials and Methods: Using the Cluster sampling technique, 30 milk samples (5 pasteurized skimmed milk, 5 powdered infant milk formulas, 5 powdered milk, 5 unsweetened evaporated milk, 5 branded soya milk and 5 unbranded soya milk) were purchased randomly from different shops and hawkers around Nnewi. Sample processing was done by serially diluting samples in sterile 1% peptone water before plating onto Mannitol Salt Agar, Violet Red Bile Glucose Agar, Blood Agar, MacConkey and Cysteine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient (CLED) agar using the Pour-plate technique. Bacterial count and identification were done using standard bacteriological as well as molecular techniques. The molecular techniques used were Polymerase Chain Reaction, Sanger Sequencing and BLAST analysis on the NCBI BLAST online. Results: This showed that 15 (50%) out of 30 milk samples were contaminated to varying degrees with bacteria. Nine (9) samples showed the presence of Escherichia coli with 32.14% of all the milk samples tested. E. coli was present in skimmed milk (20%), evaporated milk (20%), branded soyamilk (40%) and unbranded soyamilk (100%) but was not isolated from Infant formula and Powder milk. Klebsiella spp. showed the second highest prevalence (28.57%) and was present in evaporated milk (20%), branded soyamilk (40%), unbranded soyamilk (100%). Salmonella spp. (3.57%) was isolated from unbranded soyamilk,Enterobacter spp. (14.29%) was isolated from powder milk and in unbranded soyamilk samples, Staphylococcus aureus(3.57%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (3.57%) were isolated only in unbranded soyamilk, Macrococcus caseolyticus (3.57%) was isolated from unbranded soyamilk. Novel species such as Aquitalea magnusonii (3.57%), Alishewanella fetalis (3.57%) and Lysinibacillus macroides (3.57%) were identified by molecular analysis to be present in infant formula, evaporated milk and unbranded soyamilk respectively. Conclusion: This research revealed that the bacteriological quality of some milk and milk products sold in Nnewi is not acceptable especially the unbranded soyamilk samples that showed gross contamination.

Bacteriological quality of stick meat (Tsire) sold in Garko Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria

No Abstract.

Bacteriological Quality Assessment of Well and Stream Water Sources from Ikwerre, Emohua and Etche Local Government Areas of Rivers State

Background: Majority of the human population in semi-urban and urban areas in Nigeria are heavily reliant on well and stream water as the main source of water supply for drinking and domestic use due to the inadequate provision of potable pipe borne water. These groundwater sources can easily be fecally contaminated and thus, increase the incidence and outbreaks of preventable waterborne diseases. This study was carried out to determine the bacteriological quality of some well and stream waters sources in Ikwerre, Emohua and Etche Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Methodology: Twenty-four sampling sites with 8 from each Local Government Area were randomly selected for this study. A total of 48 samples, 2 from each of the sites were collected aseptically for 12 months. Samples were analysed using membrane filtration technique for total heterotrophic bacterial count and total coliform count. The well and stream water samples were also cultured for E. coli, Salmonella, and Vibrio sp. Results: The results show that Emohua Local Government Area had the highest total heterotrophic bacterial count of 5.2 x 103 cfu/ml. This was followed by Ikwerre LGA with total bacterial count of 4.3 x 102 cfu/ml, while Etche LGA had 3.1 x 102 cfu/ml. The total coliform count ranged from 25 cfu/100ml to 50 cfu/100ml for the three LGA’s, whereas the faecal coliform count was between 12 cfu/100ml and 20 cfu/100ml. The total coliform, E. coli, Salmonella and Vibrio counts from the three local government areas occurred above the WHO stipulated zero count in 100ml of water. Conclusion: The results from this study showed contamination of all the wells studied with faecal coliforms thus, indicating the presence of other enteric pathogens and a potential source for waterborne disease outbreaks. Well water in Ikwerre, Emohua and Etche Local Government Areas of Rivers State are not safe for drinking without additional treatment like disinfection or boiling. Periodic testing and constant monitoring of these water sources should also be done to meet up with the World Health Organization Standards in the provision of safe, clean drinking water.

Personal Hygiene Practices of Food Handlers and the Bacteriological Quality (Escherichia coli) of the Vegetable Salad in Private Hospitals’ in Mombasa County

Consumption of fresh vegetable salad has increased all around the world. Many consumers strive to eat healthy diets to protect themselves from illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Besides the health benefits, vegetable salad has been associated with outbreaks of food borne disease in many countries. Various health problems can arise from the consumption of contaminated prepared salad if hygiene practices are not adhered to. The study assessed the relationship between the personal hygiene of the food handlers and the bacteriological quality of the vegetable salad in registered private hospitals’ in Mombasa County. Laboratory tests were carried out to isolate and identify Escherichia coli strains from 180 prepared homogenate samples from carrots, tomatoes, and lettuce using standard media, biochemical tests and serology where applicable. Cultures were only considered positive when unsatisfactory limits were met, that is, E. coli ?10 2 cfu /g. An observation method was used to assess the personal hygiene practices of 135 food handlers in private hospitals. Escherichia coli organism was predominantly present in the vegetable salad cultures. Escherichia coli in tomato samples; before washing 11.7 (%); preparation stage 8.3 (%) and service stage 13.3 (%). In lettuce samples, Escherichia coli isolated: before washing 31.7 (%); preparation stage 8.3 (%) and service stage 13.3(%). While in carrot samples: before washing 25 (%); preparation stage 10 (%) and service stage 18.3(%). Results of the Multiple linear regression analysis indicated an overall significant causal relationship between the personal hygiene of the food handlers {Personal Protective Equipment use (scale 5-1), Good grooming (scale 5-1), good practice (scale 5-1), Hand Hygiene (scale 5-1), physical examination (scale 5-1)} and the bacteriological quality of the vegetable salad in private hospitals in Mombasa County. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health, in particular the public health department should identify a monitoring and surveillance team to carry out spot checks on food production areas and assess their capacity in terms of personnel, facilities and equipment. There is need to carry out regular analysis of hand swabs from the food handlers. Keywords: Personal Hygiene, Food Handlers, Bacteriological Quality, Escherichia coli & Vegetable Salad.

Food Handlers' Knowledge of Food Hygiene Practices and the Bacteriological Quality (Staphylococcus aureus) of Vegetable Salad in Private Hospitals in Mombasa County

Consumption of fresh vegetable salad has increased all around the world. Many consumers strive to eat healthy diets to protect themselves from illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Besides the health benefits, vegetable salad has been associated with outbreaks of food borne disease in many countries. Various health problems can arise from the consumption of contaminated prepared salad if hygiene practices are not adhered to. The study assessed the relationship between the personal hygiene of the food handlers and the bacteriological quality of the vegetable salad in registered private hospitals’ in Mombasa County. Laboratory tests were carried out to isolate and identify Escherichia coli strains from 180 prepared homogenate samples from carrots, tomatoes, and lettuce using standard media, biochemical tests and serology where applicable. Cultures were only considered positive when unsatisfactory limits were met, that is, E. coli ≥10 2 cfu /g. An observation method was used to assess the personal hygiene practices of 135 food handlers in private hospitals. Escherichia coli organism was predominantly present in the vegetable salad cultures. Escherichia coli in tomato samples; before washing 11.7 (%); preparation stage 8.3 (%) and service stage 13.3 (%). In lettuce samples, Escherichia coli isolated: before washing 31.7 (%); preparation stage 8.3 (%) and service stage 13.3(%). While in carrot samples: before washing 25 (%); preparation stage 10 (%) and service stage 18.3(%). Results of the Multiple linear regression analysis indicated an overall significant causal relationship between the personal hygiene of the food handlers {Personal Protective Equipment use (scale 5-1), Good grooming (scale 5-1), good practice (scale 5-1), Hand Hygiene (scale 5-1), physical examination (scale 5-1)} and the bacteriological quality of the vegetable salad in private hospitals in Mombasa County. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health, in particular the public health department should identify a monitoring and surveillance team to carry out spot checks on food production areas and assess their capacity in terms of personnel, facilities and equipment. There is need to carry out regular analysis of hand swabs from the food handlers. Keywords: Personal Hygiene, Food Handlers, Bacteriological Quality, Escherichia coli & Vegetable Salad.

BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF DRILLING WATER INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN FOUR PREFECTURES IN THE SAVANNAH REGION OF TOGO

According to the latest SDG recommendations, guidelines on access to safe drinking water have enabled the construction of boreholes in remote areas of developing countries. In Togo, particularly in the savannah region where access to drinking water remains a major problem for the population, many boreholes have been built for this purpose. The objective of this study is to evaluate the bacteriological quality of the waters of some boreholes built in four (04) prefectures of the savannah region in Togo. A total of 68 samples of drilling water intended for human consumption were collected between January and February 2019 for bacteriological analysis. These analyses were carried out according to the standardized routine methods of the French Association for Standardization (AFNOR). The parameters sought or counted in these samples are those retained by the 2007 European Union criteria for water intended for human consumption. The analysis reveal that the samples of borehole water are at 50% and 90% of unsatisfactory hygienic quality respectively compared to the Total Coliforms (CT) and the Total Aerobic Mesophilic Flora (FAMT) which are indicative germs of hygiene failure. The correlation of the germs sought made it possible to distinguish two groups of indicators of contamination: those responsible for hygiene failures and old fecal contamination (ASR) Conclusion: Since the majority of the borehole water analyzed is contaminated by germs indicating hygiene deficiencies, adequate treatment of these waters and monitoring of their quality are necessary in order to protect the population of the savannah region against probable diseases linked to faecal contamination germs.