Gram Negative Bacteria Associated with Spoilage of Tomatoes Sold at Mararaba and Masaka Market, New Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State

Abstract

Aims: The study is aimed at isolating and identifying the gram negative bacteria associated with spoilage of tomatoes at Mararaba and Masaka markets, New Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. Study Design: A cross-sectional study to isolate gram negative bacteria associated with spoilage of tomatoes at Mararaba and Masaka markets, New Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. Place and Duration of Study: The isolation of gram negative bacteria was carried out at the Department of Biological Sciences, Bingham University New Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, between January, 2018 and September, 2018. Methodology: The samples collected were crushed with a sterile mortar and pestle after which tenfold serial dilution was carried out using sterile distilled water before inoculating on MaCconkey and Blood agar using the pour plate technique. Colonies were then subjected to gram staining and biochemical test. Results: From the result of the biochemical test, Salmonella spp, Esherichia coli spp, Klebsiella spp and vibrio spp. were the gram-negative bacteria isolated from the tomato samples collected at both markets. Conclusion: Tomatoes sold in an unclean environment that is contamination with food- borne pathogenic bacteria poses a risk to the consumers.