Microbial Quality of Roasted Larvae of the Palm Weevil 'Rhyncophorus phoenicis' Sold at Okija and Oba Junctions, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study investigated the microbial load of Palm weevil larvae sold at Okija and Oba Junctions and widely consumed in Anambra State. It was carried out between June and October 2007. Using serial dilution of the homogenates, the following bacterial isolates were recovered: Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp. And Staphylococcus aureus. The fungal isolates include Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus spp. and Mucor spp. The mean total viable bacterial and fungal counts were 6.24x10⁴ and 4.1x10⁴ cfu/g respectively. Although these larvae are rich sources of protein, their exposure to dust during hawking in motorized traffic is a major route of contamination with bacterial and fungal pathogens.

Keyword: Rhyncophorus phoenicis, Microbial load, roasted larvae