ASSESSING THE MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY AND SAFETY OF BIOFILM FORMING MICROORGANISMS FROM SELECTED FOODS IN ULI CAMPUS

Biofilms are complex microbial ecosystems formed by one or more species immersed in an extracellular matrix of different compositions depending on the type of food manufacturing environment and the colonizing species. Food-borne diseases associated with bacterial biofilms may arise via intoxications or infections. The main aim of this work is to isolate and identify microorganisms present in some selected food borne pathogens that forms biofilms, investigate for bacterial and fungal contamination and conduct antibiotic sensitivity testing on the bacterial isolates. Biofilm forming microorganisms was isolated from some selected food samples and contact surface. The samples were cultured and sub-cultured to get pure isolates. Bacteria and fungi isolates were identified and characterized using various biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed on the various bacterial isolates. Suspected microorganisms recovered from the tests were Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Candida albicans, Aspergillus spp., and Penicillum spp. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the bacterial isolates from food samples revealed that E. coli showed susceptibility to Tarivid (OFX) 10 mcg, Reflacine (PEF) 10 mcg, Ciproflox (CPX) 10 mcg, Gentamicine (CN) 10 mcg and Streptomycine (S) 30mcg. S. enterica showed susceptibility to Ciproflox (CPX), Gentamicine (CN) and Streptomicine (s). S. aureus showed susceptibility to Ciproflox (CPX), Streptomicine (s) and Gentamicine (CN) and P. aeruginosa was resistance to the antibiotics used. Many foodborne diseases have been found to be associated with biofilms. The source of contamination from the pathogens investigated could be from contamination of utensils by pathogens, contamination from butcher’s table and knives and from food processing industry. The investigation concluded that bacterial and fungal species associated with food contamination is found to be associated with biofilms.