THE BACTERIOLOGY OF SELECTED PACKED FRUIT JUICES MARKETED IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Microbiological studies were carried out on 4 selected samples of packed fruit juices namely Dansa Classic Pineapple juice (P1), 5 alive citrus juice (P2), Chivita active juice (P3) and frutta natural apple juice (P4). These were cultured on various media; Mac Conkey agar, Blood agar, Mannitol salt agar and Nutrient agar. Biochemical tests and Gram staining were further employed for proper identification of isolates. Bacterial counts from each fruit juices were carried out at 4oC and room temperature (28oC) after 2 days intervals within a period of 12 days. There were no growth from the juice samples between days 0 and 9. However, Staphyloccocus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were isolated from the pineapple juice. These isolates were further subjected to antibiotic susceptibility tests using agar diffusion method. Both isolates were sensitive to Rocephin, Perfloxacin, Cyprofloxacin, Streptomycin, and Erythromycin. Growth in pineapple juice at day 12 likely resulted from contamination during storage and sampling. We conclude that the studies that fruit juices marketed in Benin City were especially sterile and suitable for human consumption