Assessment of Epiphytic Pathogens from Different Media, Associated with some Ready-for-sale Fresh-Fruits and Vegetables in Selected Markets within Southwest Nigeria

This study evaluated microbial safety (incidence, risk levels and prevalence) of fresh produce from three states in 30 open-markets in Southwest, Nigeria. Total Viable Count of Enteriobacteriacaea, coliforms and Listeria (using four broths and five agar) were done on homogenised samples (n = 180). Epiphytes prevalence decrease with cabbage from [Ondo (4.33%), Lagos (3.52%), Osun (2.71)]; carrot [Osun (2.80%), Lagos (2.26%) and Ondo (1.81%)]; cucumber [Ondo (3.52%), Osun (3.25%) and Lagos (2.89%)]; garden egg and tomato [Lagos (4.15% and 3.61%), Osun (2.17% and 2.89%) and Ondo (1.71% and 2.44) respectively]; watermelon and all fresh produce [Lagos (2.98% and 19.40%), Ondo (1.99% and 15.79%) and Osun (1.71% and 15.52) respectively]. PALCAM and XLD agar have highest isolation rate, sensitivity, differential ability and effectiveness but low selectivity. Tomato from Lagos State markets showed 0.00x100 cfu/g on VRBG, BGA and XLD. Fresh produce epiphytes prevalence increased in Lagos from [carrot (2.26%), cucumber (2.89%), watermelon (2.98%), cabbage (3.52%), tomatoes (3.61%) to garden egg (4.15%)]; Osun State [water melon (1.71%), garden egg (2.17%), cabbage (2.71%), carrot (2.80%), tomatoes (2.89%) to cucumber (3.25%)]; in Ondo State [garden egg (1.71%), carrot (1.81%), watermelon (1.99%), tomatoes (2.44%) cucumber (3.52%) to cabbage (4.33%)]. Hence, fresh produce are route of food poisoning.