COMPARISON OF BACTERIA COUNTS IN “KINDIRMO” SOURCED WITHIN MINNA METROPOLIS, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

A ten (10) week study was conducted to compare bacteria counts in kindirmo sourced within Minna metropolis. Weekly samples were obtained using a randomised sampling technique from Kure ultra-modern market, Chanchaga, Maikunkele and KasuwanGwari Markets respectively for a period of 10 weeks. Serial dilution method was used in the laboratory analysis of kindirmo samples for determination of bacteria counts. from week three of the experiment to the end, Kasuwan Gwari had a significantly (P<0.05) higher bacteria counts than those from other locations. This was closely followed in the order of significance (p<0.05);Chanchaga, Maikunkele and Kure ultra modern markets respectively. The result of biochemical characterization revealed the presence of Escherichia coli,Bacillus subtilis. Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella pneumonea, Bacillus lichenformis, Streptococcus pneumonea, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis. A highest prevalence rate of 29.89% was obtained for Bacillus subtilis with a corresponding lowest prevalence rate of 3.45% obtained for Staphylococcus epidermis.The weekly mean bacteria counts obtained in the various locations of study shows values that were above recommended acceptable levels for raw milk. Therefore, it was recommended that sanitary education be provided to Fulani herdsmen within the study area so that the bacteria load of kindirmo could be reduced to a bearest level such that they would not constitue a health hazard to human life.