Microbiological Contamination Levels of Tomatoes Produced and Sold in Niamey, Niger: A Comparative Analysis
Almou Abdoulaye Alio *
Laboratory of Nutrition and Valorization of Agro-resources (LNVA), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey Niger and Laboratory of management and Valorization of Biodiversity in the Sahel, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger.
Alio Sanda Abdel-kader
Laboratory of management and Valorization of Biodiversity in the Sahel, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger.
Rabiou Maman Moustapha
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Dan Dicko Dankoulodo University, Maradi, Niger.
Hamidou Seybou Djélifa
Laboratory of Nutrition and Valorization of Agro-resources (LNVA), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey Niger.
Yaou Chaibou
Laboratory of Nutrition and Valorization of Agro-resources (LNVA), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey Niger.
Alio Fody Mahamadou
Department of Life and Earth, Ecole Normale Superieure, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey, Niger.
Sabo Haoua Seini
Laboratory of Nutrition and Valorization of Agro-resources (LNVA), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey Niger.
Sadou Hassimi
Laboratory of Nutrition and Valorization of Agro-resources (LNVA), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey Niger.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Fruits and vegetables are an important food source of nutrients, vitamins and fiber, and play a vital role in human health and well-being. They are also recommended for reducing the risk of several diseases. This study aims to assess the microbiological quality of a few samples of tomatoes produced and sold in Niamey. To this end, contamination indicator germs such as Total Aerobic Mesophilic Flora (FAMT), Total Coliforms (TC), Faecal Coliforms (FC), Enterobacteriaceae (ENTR), Faecal Streptococci (FS), Clostridium perfringens (CP) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were enumerated, using methods specific to each germ. Analysis of the results shows that market 4 samples were heavily contaminated with FAMT, CT, CF, Ent and SF (7.06, 5.93, 5.74, 6.31 and 6.06 Log10 CFU/g of tomato respectively), market 1 with CP (5.12 Log10 CFU/g) and market 5 with E. coli (5.35 Log10 CFU/g). Twelve (12) species of enterobacteria were identified, including Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli1, Escherichia vulneris, Pantoea spp 1, Providencia stuartii, Salmonella spp, Salmonella arizonae and Serratia liquefaciens. The sanitary quality of these vegetables is poor. That's why it's essential to follow good hygiene practices in the market, to ensure a healthy vegetable.
Keywords: Vegetable, quality, microbiological, tomato, Niamey/Niger