ISOLATION, ENUMERATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MICROBIAL ISOLATES

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effect of microbial isolates on hawked garden egg in Benin City.  Garden egg sample from four different markets (Uwasota, Uselu, Ekosodin and Ringroad) were randomly purchased. The samples were prepared and analyzed using standard procedures. Mean viable counts of heterotrophic, bacteria, coliform bacteria were determined on the samples.  Uwasota 10.5 x 105 cfu/g, 3.35 x 103 cfu/g; Uselu 6.95  x 105 cfu/g, 0.0 x 103 cfu/g; Ekosodin 5.3  x 105 cfu/g, 0.1 x 103 cfu/g; Ringroad 7.05  x 105 cfu/g, 1.1 x 103 cfu/g respectively.  Geotrichum sp. were the fungal isolates from the sample while E. coli, Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp., Enterobacter aerogenes and Citrobacter koseri were the isolated from the garden egg sample. The presence of coliform bacteria in the on hawked garden egg could be handling/preparation practices and faecal contamination from the food samples. Poor food preparation handling, water, exposure to environment, inadequate washing of hands and utensils may have contributed to the presence of the various species of bacteria and fungi on hawked garden egg.