Assessment of Bacterial Contaminants in Some Sliced Fruits Sold in Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Food borne illnesses have been attributed to the increase in consumption of contaminated sliced fruit. This study was aimed at  evaluating the bacteriological quality of sliced fruits sold in Kaduna, Nigeria. Sixty samples were purchased from ten different markets  and analysed using standard microbiological methods. Mesophilic bacteria were enumerated as markers of food- borne microbial  contamination. Using proximate analysis based on the manufacturer’s instruction, result in this study shows that Orange had the highest  protein content of (16.51 %), fat content (2.78%) and carbohydrate content (10.30%) while Pineapple had highest moisture contents  (83.03%). From the mesophilic count, Pawpaw was found to be the most heavily contaminated followed by watermelon, pineapple and  then orange. Percentage occurrence of bacterial isolates of the fruits analysed indicates that, Pawpaw had the highest Escherichia coli  contaminants (20.45%), indicating faecal contamination likely be from contaminated water used in washing and processing. Also,  Pseudomonas species (11.36%), Staphylococcus species (18.8%), and Shigella species (22.73%) all had highest isolation from Pawpaw  samples. Pineapple had the highest Lactobacillus species (13.88%). This could be because it thrives well in an acid medium. Watermelon  had the highest Salmonella species (25.64%). In conclusion, all the fruits analysed contained protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate and moisture  and as such can be taken as supplements. As a result of heavy contamination observed in the samples analysed, sliced fruits sold by  vendors in Kaduna metropolis are said to be unsafe for human consumption, hence the need for proper microbiological safety analysis of  fruits for human consumption.