ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI FROM RAW VEGETABLES IN SELECTED VEGETABLE MARKETS OF SOKOTO METROPOLIS
*Ballah F. M., Oladipupo O. I., Mshelia H. E. and Sambo Y. T.
ABSTRACT
Bacterial contamination of vegetables is a major source through which animals and humans get infected with diseases. Escherichia coli is commonly found in the digestive tracts of humans and animals and is considered as part of the normal bacteria of the intestine. E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria, the organism helps to suppress growth of harmful bacteria and aids in the synthesis of vitamins but some can affect animals as well as humans. The study was aimed at isolation and identification of E. coli from raw vegetables in selected vegetable markets in Sokoto metropolis. Samples of cabbage, lettuce, spinach, pumpkin and water leaves were obtained from four (4) different markets. Isolation and identification of E. coli was carried out using McConkey agar and eosin methylene blue agar. Confirmation was done using biochemical tests. The result obtained showed a prevalent of 20 % (4). This indicates that vegetables could be an important potential source of transmission of E. coli to both animals and humans.
Keywords: Escherichia coli, Vegetables, Sokoto and Bacterial contamination.
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