ABSTRACT
Ice cream stands out as a prominent dairy product and is a beloved treat for a considerable portion of the population, particularly children, especially in warmer seasons. Contamination of ice cream presents a significant public health concern due to the potential transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. evaluate the bacteriological quality of ice creams vended on the streets of Benin City, Nigeria.Standard bacteriological methods were used to determine the mean bacterial count of the samples. The bacterial isolates were characterized and identified using morphological and biochemical methods. The percentage distribution and frequency of the isolates were evaluated using statistical method. From the results obtained, the total heterotrophic bacterial count obtained ranged from 0.90 x 104 ± 1.00 to 1.95 x 104 ± 1.50. The highest heterotrophic bacteria count was obtained from apple flavor of the ice cream with a count of 1.95 x 104 ± 1.50, while the least count was obtained from vanilla flavor with value of 0.90 x 104 ± 1.00. while the coliform count ranged from 0.5 x 103 ± 0.50 to 3.5 x 103 ± 0.50 cfu/ml Using the standard cultural, morphological and biochemical tests, the isolates obtained in this study were Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sp. and Lactobacillus sp.,The isolates obtained in this study were subjected to antibiotic test, the results showed that all isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamycin, amoxil, levofloxacin and augmentin but resistant to cefuroxime and erythromycin. This study on the microbiological assessment and quality of some commercial ice cream samples, showed extremely unacceptable levels of bacterial contaminants; Escherichia coli, Enterococcus sp, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sp. and Lactobacillus sp. Evaluating the bacteriological quality of ice cream is a critical aspect of ensuring the safety and quality of ice cream, it is imperative for manufacturers to practice good quality control measures. This will not only help them meet regulatory requirements but also enhance their reputation and trust among consumers.
