Bacteriological Assessment of Sliced Fruits (Pawpaw, Pineapple and Watermelon) Sold in Rumuokwuta Market

Abstract

The study was aimed at the bacteriological assessment of sliced fruits (pawpaw, pineapple and watermelon) sold at Rumuokwuta market  using standard microbiological techniques. A total of eighteen (18) ready-to-eat fruits were screened for microbial counts. Ten gram (10g)  each of the samples was cut with a sterile knife and was homogenized in 90 ml of distilled water in a beaker. Standard  recommended procedures were used in the preparation of agars, serial dilution, inoculation and other biochemical analysis. The mean  heterotrophic bacterial counts for pineapple, pawpaw and watermelon samples are 2.17 x10⁸ cfu/g, 1.74 x10⁸ cfu/g and 2.35 x10⁸ cfu/g,  respectively; the mean coliform counts pineapple, pawpaw and watermelon samples are 2.67 x10⁸ cfu/g, 1.78 x10⁸ cfu/g and 1.59 x10⁸ cfu/g, respectively; the mean total Salmonella-Shigella counts for pineapple, pawpaw and watermelon are 3.58 x10⁷ cfu/g, 3.00 x10⁷ cfu/ g and 5.33 x10⁶ cfu/g, respectively. Most of the fruit samples from the vendors exceed the 0 -10³ acceptable and 10⁴ – 10⁵ tolerable limit.  The identified bacteria are Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp., Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Salmonella spp. and  Citrobacter spp. This indicates that the fruits are contaminated and could cause health hazard if consumed. Based on the current  findings, it is recommended that fresh and raw fruits should be properly washed before processing and consumption and Community  Health Officers should educate vendors on the dangers of these organisms.