ABSTRACT

This study investigated bacterial contamination of Jollof rice sold in selected food eating points within the University of Benin. Ten samples Jollof rice was obtained from shops labeled A1 to J1. The bacteriological assessment was carried out using cultural techniques, identification of the isolates was done using biochemical methods, phenotypic virulence properties were evaluated for the isolates and antimicrobial sensitivity was carried out using biodisc diffusion method. The result shows that a wide range of microorganisms were associated with the different varieties of Jollof rice samples.  The total heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 2.2 x 10⁴ Cfu/g to 7.6 X 10⁴. While the total fungi count ranged from 2.35 x 10⁴ Cfu/g to 9.45 x 10⁴ Cfu/g. The bacterial isolates were Staphylocococcus sp., Salmonella sp, Klebsiella sp., Enterobacter sp., Citrobacter sp. and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial susceptibility testing showed that all isolates were susceptible to gentamicin and levofloxacin but were also resistant to cefuroxime, amoxicillin, levofloxacin and imipenem. It was also evident that all isolates were found to have an MAR index greater than 0.2 which means that the isolates were all pathogens of public health importance. The study therefore suggests regular surveillance and checks to monitor food eating points in other to ensure effective food safety.