Bacterial contamination of some fruits sold around wastedumps in Owerri metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Analysis of bacterial contamination of fruits sold near waste dumps in Owerri Metropolis were carried out. The various contamination levels on fruits such as; orange (Citru X sinensis), water melon (Citrullus lanatus), apple (Malus pumila), garden egg (Solanum melongena), groundnut (Arachis hypogeaa), pawpaw (Carica papaya) and carbbage. The fruit samples, each were collected near wastedumps in Owerri metropolis. Fruit samples used as control were collected where there was no wastedump. Each of the samples was packaged into plastic bag and labelled. Sixty fruit samples were collected. (Fifty-four of which were collected near waste dumps while six of the fruit samples were used as the control). Microscopic, physical examination and biochemical test were carried out; five bacterial species were isolated in the fruit samples: Isolate A; Bacillus Subtills, Isolate B; E. coli; Isolate C; Samonella spp, Isolate D; Staphlacocus spp and Isolate E: Klebsiella spp. The results indicate that there were bacterial loads in the fruit samples at each sampling point. The total bacterial loads in the fruits samples ware 1.05x 105 Cfu. This buttress the fact the wastedump maybe contributing to the level of bacterial in the fruit sold around it. The study recommends that Government should stop people from dumping refuse on open market streets rather trucks should be provided to be carrying refuse from various Locations and take them to the approved dumpsites. People selling fruit should be encouraged to display the fruits on a the table and not a the ground where it can be contaminated.