Bacteria Associated with Kitchen Surface in Some Selected Areas in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

Contamination of kitchen utensils and their role as a source or microbial reservoir is now becoming a major concern in addressing food hygiene and safety. This study was carried out to isolate and identify bacteria associated with kitchen surfaces in some selected areas in Sokoto State, Nigeria. The swab sticks were collected from the Kitchen surface in Arkilla, Lowcoast, Mabera, Minnanata and Runjin Sambo. Samples collected were isolated and characterized using microscopy and biochemical tests. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Citrobacter freundi with (16%), followed by Staphylococcus cohnii with (12%). Clostridium fallax, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus saccharolyticus, Clostridium botulinum and vibrio cholera, had (8%) each. Clostridium septicum, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Staphylococcus intermedius, Salmonella para typhi A, Shigella specie, Staphylococcus xerosis, Clostridium butyricum had (4%) each. Also, the highest mean count of 1.18x105cfu/ml/50cm2 was observed from bacteria isolated in Arkilla area. The implication of this finding is that potentially pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Shigella and Vibrio species may be of public health concern. The need for disinfection of kitchen and covering the utensils use in kitchen is now very important.