Antibiogram Screening of Edible oils Sold in two Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria

Abstract

Edible oil is of the most important and widely used processed foods. The study was carried out to assess the microbiological quality of edible oil (Shea butter, Coconut oil and Palm Kernel oil) from two geopolitical zones of the country. A total of thirty (30) samples were gotten from four (4) different markets in the two geopolitical zones. Bacteria and Fungi were isolated and identified base on cultural, microscopic, biochemical characteristics and antibiotic sensitivity test were carried out. The total heterotrophic bacteria count (THBC) of the sample ranged from 3.1 x 10³ – 3.6 x 10⁴cfu/ml. The total heterotrophic fungi count ranged from 1.0 x 10² – 6.4 x 10³cfu/ml. The bacteria isolated and identified were Bacillus sp., Escherichia sp., Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Staphyloccus sp., Enterobacterium sp., and Klebsiella sp while the fungi were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Rhizopus, Fusarium, Candida sp and Penicillium sp. The antibiogram of the Gram positive bacteria showed that all the organisms were sensitive to Erythromycin (100%) while Gram negative organisms were sensitive to Ofloxacin (100%) and Ciprofloxacin (100%). The bacterial load of all the samples fell within the minimum acceptable range according to CODEX standard. It is important that improve aseptic techniques be employed in the production, handling and marketing of edible oil.