Abstract

This study was conducted to examine microbiological quality and antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial pathogen of ready to eat sliced pineapple and water melon. Pineapples and water melon were purchased from three different vendors in Sango, University of Ibadan and Apete markets. Isolation and identification of pathogens were carried out using culture dependent method, morphological and biochemical characterization, respectively. Bacterial isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Results showed that all samples were contaminated. Lactobacillus species had the highest percentage frequency of occurrence (35%), while Proteus, Pseudomonas, Shigella and Salmonella species had the least (5%). Multiple drug resistances were observed among the isolates when subjected to Ampicillin, Ceftazidine, Cefuroxine, and Augumentin. Despite the dominance of Lactobacillus spp. in this study, the presence of Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., and Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Enterobacter species together with their multiple drug resistance call for public health attention. Quality of vended fruits will be better assured if there are improved hygienic practices and awareness among fruit vendors as well as the consumers. There is need to monitor the spread of multiple drug resistant antimicrobial pathogens in vended fruits to avoid outbreaks.

Key words: Microbiological quality, antibiotic susceptibility, multiple drug resistance ready to eat, pineapple, water melon.