Microorganism Associated with Cassava Fermentation for Abacha Product Sold in Owerri, Imo State

The microorganism associated with cassava fermentation for producing Abacha was investigated using four different Farms in Owerri (Obinze, Umugwuma, Urata and Orji) as sample collection areas. Four of the cassava tubers that harvested, were washed, cooked and soaked with water after cutting to produce Abacha, which was then fermented using standard microbiological methods. The wastewater was subsequently sampled. All the samples A, B, C, and D showed significant bacteria growth after application of NA, MRS, PDA. In the study, six bacteria and fungi isolates were identified: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus spp, Candida spp., Aspergillus spp. and Bacillus spp. Results showed that the total heterotrophic bacteria count of the sample varies within 8.0×1010 to 2.5×1012 and total fungi count (TFC) ranges from 6.6×109 to 9.6×109. The study also showed that Lactobacillus spp. and Escherichia coli had the highest prevalence occurrence of 75.00% (P < 0.05), while Staphylococcus aureus, Saccharomyces spp., Bacillus spp. and Candida spp. had a percentage occurrence of 50.00%, respectively. There is, therefore, urgent need for public enlightenment on public health implications, need for proper hygiene, as well as need for strategies for preventing and controlling the microorganisms which do not play a role in the fermentation of cassava for Abacha production.