Abstract

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A study was undertaken to determine the bacterial population and diversity of the shells of ready-to-eat conophor (Tetracarpidium conophorum ) nuts retailed in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Fifty samples (5 nuts per sample) of ready-to-eat conophor nuts were purchased from 50 retailers in Ekeonunwo market (EM), Okigwe road motor park (ORMP), Arugo motor park (AMP), New market (NM) and Relief market (RM) and analyzed for total coliform, total aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (TAHB), and the presence of indicator and pathogenic bacteria using standard plate count methods. It was discovered that samples from RM and AMP accounted for the highest and lowest TAHB values of 6.30 and 4.20 logio cfu/g, respectively while total coliform counts in the samples ranged from 1.04 logio cfu/g for RM to 4.18 logio cfu/g for EM. Bacterial species associated with the samples were identified as Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus sp., Escherichia coli, Diphtheroids and Actinomycetes. The predominant bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus and Lactobacillus sp. with the later being more predominant. Samples from AMP and ORMP showed E. coli contamination. Salmonella sp. and Shigella sp. were found in samples from AMP, EM and RM. Enterobacter sp. and Klebsiella sp. were confirmed in samples from NM, RM and EM. The presence of indicator of feacal contamination and pathogenic bacteria in the shells of ready-to-eat conophor nuts poses potential risks to the consuming public. The results emphasized the need for appropriate cooking of the nuts to ensure decontamination, maintenance of good hygienic practices during preservation, selling and handling prior to consumption of conophor nuts.

Keywords: Bacterial population and diversity, conophor nut shells, Owerri