Occurrences of Bacterial Isolates Associated with Tomato Rot in Two Markets of Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Study was conducted to determine the occurrences of some bacteria isolates associated with tomato rot in two markets of Jos metropolis. Rotten ripe tomato fruits were aseptically collected from Terminus and Farin-gada markets of Jos metropolis and Pour plate cultural method was used to isolate the bacterial species and the microbial load in a given sample from each market. Results of macroscopic examination of the spoiled tomato samples collected from the two major tomato markets (Terminus and Faringada markets) within Jos metropolis showed that some of the tomatoes had lost their fitness leading to the loss of usual shape, some had a black, whitish spot and broken epicarps where their juices and seeds gushes out when compressed. It had slightly unpleasant smell. The result of the isolation of bacteria from the spoilt tomatoes fruit showed the presence of seven bacteria (Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Erwina sp. and Shigella sp.) isolates. The percentage frequency of occurrences of the bacterial isolates in the two markets showed that Klebsiella sp. had the highest occurrence of 28 (22%) while Staphylococcus aureus had the lowest at 7 (5%). The result of the bacterial load of the spoiled tomatoes between the two markets using Nutrient agar and MacConkey agar CFU count showed that the bacterial load from Terminus market was higher than Farin-gada market. Meanwhile, result of the comparison of the frequency of occurrences of bacterial isolates in relation to the organisms showed a high significant difference (P<0.05) from both markets. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the frequency of occurrences of the bacterial isolates in relation to the markets. The bacterial count recorded for the two markets indicated a high level of spoilage bacterial contamination of the tomato fruits. Thus, possible health risks may be associated with the consumption of relatively cheaper but spoilt ripe tomato fruits as well, an agent of food borne bacterial diseases