Bacterial contaminants of Date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) sold in Kaduna, Nigeria, and their susceptibility to antibiotics
*[1]Obajuluwa, A. F., 1Yagat, D. S., and [2]Durowaiye, M. T.
1Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria
2Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: afobajuluwa@gmail.com; +234 8036207703; ORCID ID: //orcid.org/0000–0003–1679–6616
Abstract:
Background: Antibiotic resistance is a major challenge of antimicrobial therapy of infections today. Food-borne bacteria can serve as reservoir for transmission of antibiotic resistant strain. This study was aimed at determining the bacterial contaminants on dates palm fruits sold in Kaduna metropolis and to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern of the bacteria isolated.
Methodology: A total of 60 samples of Date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) were collected randomly from five major markets in Kaduna metropolis. Total bacterial and total coliform counts were determined using pour plate method. Gram, staining, microscopy and biochemical tests were carried out to isolate the bacterial contaminants. Antibiotic susceptibility test for commonly prescribed antibiotics was also carried out through agar diffusion method and the percentage antibiotic resistance determined. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics on Microsoft Excel. Continue reading “Bacterial contaminants of Date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) sold in Kaduna, Nigeria, and their susceptibility to antibiotics”