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Abstract

The microbiological quality of five edible fresh leafy vegetables collected from two major markets (Eke Ezzamgbo and Okwor Ngbo) both in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria were analyzed. The vegetables include Amaranthus esculentus (African spinach) Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin leaf or ugu), Solanum nigrum(garden egg or akwukwo anara) Pterocarpus mildbraedi (African rosewood or oha) and Vitex doniana (sweet black plum or Uchakuru).  Out of a total of 100 leaf samples about 244 isolates of bacteria (Bacillus spp, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp,Pseudomonas spp, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp andStaphylococcus aureus) were isolated and  identified morphologically, culturally and biochemically. Leaves of S. nigrum recorded the highest corresponding microbial loads of 3.8 x 105, 2.6 x 104 and 2.5 x 103 for Total Bacteria Count (TBC), Total Coliform Count and Total Salmonella- Shigella Count respectively. Leaves of V.doniana gave least values of 3.8 x 104 and 2.0 x 103 for TBC and TCC respectively and non-detectable Salmonella and Shigella spp. In all, E.coli and S.aureus were the most prevalent on each of the analysed leaf samples with mean number of isolates and percentage distribution of 12.4(28.8) and 11.8(27.54) respectively while Shigella spp had the least value for mean number of isolates and percentage frequency distribution of 1(1.64). Since some of the isolated bacteria are potential human pathogens whose microbial load exceeded the FAO/WHO acceptable limit, efforts should be made to educate farmers, retailers and even consumers on the hazards associated with using polluted water in irrigation, washing and wetting in the production and processing of these fresh leafy vegetables. The use of chlorinated water to disinfect and wash the harvested leaves should be adopted while strict observance of simple human hygiene is hereby recommended.

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How to Cite
C, A. B., & O, N. C. (2019). Evaluation Of Microbiological Quality Of Traditional Fresh Leafy Vegetables Sold In Okwor Ngbo And Ezzangbo Markets In Ohaukwu Lga, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. International Journal of Bio-Science and Bio-Technology, 11(9), 83-91. Retrieved from https://journals.edupub.org/index.php/ijbsbt/article/view/8119