Evaluation Of Microbial Load On Ready-To-Eat Foods Sold In Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike Campus:- Nwalozie, Jocelyne C.

ABSTRACT

The evaluation of microbial load on ready-to-eat foods sold in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike campus was investigated. Total coliform count ranged from 3.6x 10 5 cfu/ml to 12.4x10° cfu/ml, the total heterotrophic count ranged from 3.6x10° to10.4«10° cfu/ml and the total fungal count ranged from 2.8x10° to 4.8x10cfu/ml. Five bacteria were isolated: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. E.coli, which is mainly associated with food poisoning because it is a fcacal contaminant and a normal tlora of the intestinal tract, was present in (23.53%) of the food samples alongside B. cereus (21.57%). Two fungi were isolated: Aspergillus niger, occurring in (52.63%) of the food samples, and /Rhizopus sp. (47.37%). The results of this study indicated that most of the ready-to-eat foods sold in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike campus examined did not meet bacteriological quality standards. Hence, it is recommended that an intensive supervision of ready-to-cat foods sold in MOU AU campus should be carried out by relevant authorities to avoid outbreak of epidemic due to food borne infection and food poisoning.