Microbial studies of table scrapings from meat stalls in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria: Implications on meat hygiene

Tables used to display meat for sale in nine different markets in Ibadan Metropolis were microbiologically examined for their implication on meat hygiene. Twenty seven strains of bacteria and eight strains of fungi were isolated and identified. They were identified on the basis of metabolic and physiological features while simple crystal violet staining was used for observing cell size and shape. The samples were placed on trypticase-soya -agar (TSA), for trophic bacteria and Sabouraud-glucose-agar (SGA) supplemented with chloramphenicol for fungi. Petri dishes were incubated at 37C for 48 - 72 h while the cultures were observed daily under a stereoscopic microscope for presence of bacterial colonies and or fungal mycelium. The mean value of bacterial count was 2.78 x 10 super(5) CFU/ml while that of the fungal count was 0.72 x 10 super(5) CFU/ml with a significant difference (p < 0.05). There was also a strong positive correlation between the sizes of the markets and the microbial load encountered in the samples. This was attributed to poor hygiene level resulting from inadequate facilities. The findings of this study indicate that meat hygiene is being compromised in the city, a situation that calls for public health concern.