Bacteriological profile of cut fruits sold in Calabar Metropolis

The increase in cases of food borne illnesses related to street vended fruit salad in developing countries is of serious public health concern. This study was, therefore, conducted on street-vended fruit salad, to determine their microbial quality. A total of twenty (20) fruit samples, comprising five each of fresh Apple (Malus domestica Borkh), Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.), Pawpaw (Carica papaya) and Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) were collected from 3 different locations (Watt, Marian and Goldie) in Calabar and were evaluated by way of standard plate techniques, for microbial contaminants. The specific microbial genera were enumerated on appropriate selective media and identified using standard identification parameters with the aid of identification and taxonomic manuals. The results revealed that the mean total bacterial counts of all the fruit samples ranged from 1.07 × 103 to 3.4 × 103CFU/g, whereas, the mean total coliform counts ranged from 0.9 × 103 to 2.05 × 103 CFU/g, respectively. The differences in the mean total heterotrophic counts and coliform counts recorded for the fruits collected from the respective food vendors was statistically insignificant (P>0.01). Bacteria isolated include Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella sp, Shigella sp, Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli. The presence of coliform bacteria and other microbial contaminants in numbers exceeding the recommended microbiological standards is a reflection of unwholesome product, hence the need for proper microbiological safety analysis of fruit salad prepared for human consumption. Therefore, consumer’s awareness on the dangers of consuming pathogen contaminated foods and the need to insist on properly processed/stored sliced produce, needs to be re-awakened.