Bacteriological Quality of Meats Sold around Ayobo-Ipaja, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Meat forms an essential part of human diet as it serves as a good source of valuable nutrients. Although its importance in the overall growth and development of the body cannot be underestimated yet its implications in serious food-related outbreaks are equally noted worldwide. This study investigated the bacteriological quality of some fresh and frozen meats sold around Ayobo-Ipaja axis of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. Twenty-three (fresh; n=12, frozen, n=11) samples were collected and analysed for total viable bacteria count (TVBC) using nutrient agar, coliforms and Escherichia coli counts using Chromocult Coliform agar. Presumptive E. coli isolates were confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on the isolates using disc diffusion assay. The results showed the total mean count values of 30.5 x 10⁶ , 4.0 x 10⁶ and 0.5 x 10⁶ (fresh meats) and 141.2 x 10⁶ , 53.1 x 10⁶  and 7.6 x 10⁶ (frozen meats) for TVBC, coliforms and E. coli respectively. All (32) presumptive E. coli isolates obtained from the meat samples were confirmed by PCR. The antibiotics susceptibility profiling of the confirmed isolates had 100% susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, tarivid, and streptomycin, whereas relatively lower number of isolates showed resistance to augmentin (12.5%), septrin (6.3%), and 3.1% each of gentamycin and chloramphenicol. The findings showed that fresh and frozen meats sold around Ayobo-Ipaja area are of low quality. It is therefore recommended that good sanitary and hygiene be encouraged at all processing stages, storage and retailing in order to safeguard consumer’s health.