Aleruchi O, Ogbonna SI, Amadi E and Nnodim LC

Department of Microbiology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: Aleruchi O, Department of Microbiology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Orchid number: 0000-0001-6807-3263.

Received: July 07, 2022; Published: August 08, 2022

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological quality and antimicrobial properties of microbes found in edible clay sold in Port Harcourt metropolis. Random purchase of Nzu was made, from various local markets: Creek-road, Mile 1, Mile 3, Navy and Ojoto markets in Port Harcourt. The samples were analyzed using standard microbiological techniques for microbiological assessment and antimicrobial properties. The bacterial counts obtained from the various locations ranged between 8.0 × 10³ to 2.0 × 10⁴ CFU/g. The fungal counts, ranged between 0 to 3.0 × 10³ CFU/g. Bacteria isolated include Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Escherichia coli and fungi such as Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Penicillium sp., Candida sp. and Fusarium sp. Resistance to Cepftriaxone, cefuroxime, augmentin, and ceftazidime was found in Staphylococcus aureus. Bacillus sp. was resistant to Ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, and augmentin. Streptococcus sp were resistant to Augmentin, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, and ceftazidime. Klebsiella sp showed some level of resistance to augmentin, ceftrazidime, and cefuroxime. Escherichia coli was resistant to cefixime, cefuroxime, and augmentin. Pseudomonas sp. was resistant to ceftazidime, cefuroxime, and augmentin. Fluconazole drug resistance was found in Fusarium sp.; however, fluconazole susceptibility was found in Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Mucor sp., and Candida sp. Except for Fusarium, which was intermediate, all of the fungal isolates were responsive to clotrimazole. Nystatin was resisted by Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., and Mucor sp., but susceptible by Candida and Fusarium. Mucor sp. and Fusarium sp. showed intermediate and resistant responses to ketoconazole, respectively: as other fungal isolates were susceptible. The level of resistance demonstrated by the microorganisms isolated from edible clay may pose a risk to the consumers and general public, with time.

Keywords: Antimicrobial Properties; Edible Clay; Bacteria; Fungi; Resistant; Susceptible

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Citation

Citation: Aleruchi O., et al. “Microbiological Assessment and Antimicrobial Properties of Edible Clay (Nzu) Sold in Port Harcourt Metropolis". Acta Scientific Microbiology 5.9 (2022): 47-55.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2022 Aleruchi O., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.