Journal of Food Quality and Hazards Control

180-180

Authors: Editorial

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190-198

Authors: I.U. Nwaehujor, M.E. Inana, E.A. Azeke, C.H. Okoroafor, M.K. Abdulbaki, O.O. Okike, E.F. Nwachukwu

Background: Microbial and fungal contamination of agricultural produce has been a health challenge over the years. The present study surveyed microbial and aflatoxin contamination in groundnut, maize, and cowpea collected from Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: Ninety samples of maize, groundnut, and cowpea were purchased from six major markets in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The samples were first examined for insect pest infestation, then Moisture Content (MC), microbial, and aflatoxin contamination. Characterization of bacterial isolates was determined based on their morphological and cultural characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0 Results: Data showed that 50% of groundnut samples and 33.33% of maize samples had total aflatoxins levels above World Health Organization (WHO) acceptable limits of 0.5-15 µg/kg. MC for groundnut, maize, and cowpea samples significantly ranged from 2.48-5.55%, 9.00-11.25%, and 9.50-12.48%, respectively. The mean bacterial count for groundnut, maize, and cowpea samples ranged from 0.7×108-1.7×108 Colony Forming Unit (CFU)/g, 0.3×108-1.7×108 CFU/g, and 0.7×108-1.9×108 CFU/g, respectively. Bacterial isolates, including Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp., and Clostridium sp. were isolated from groundnut while Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Proteus sp., and Escherichia coli were isolated from maize and cowpea. Fungal isolates, including Aspergillus flavus and A. niger were isolated from groundnut and maize. Conclusion: This study revealed the health risk exposure of consumers of the assayed staples in Port Harcourt of Nigeria, especially groundnut which had very high aflatoxin levels in most of the markets.

215-225

Authors: O.A. Sadek, A.M. Koriem

Background: Enterococci spp. bacteria especially Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium have the ability to acquire antibiotic-resistance pattern and causing life-threatening hospital-acquired infections. So, the aim of this study was to count and isolate of E. faecalis and E. faecium from milk and dairy desserts consumed in Assiut city, Egypt. Methods: A total of 100 raw milk, ice cream, mehallabia, and milk rice samples were collected from dairies shop in Assiut city, Egypt and were bacteriologically examined for the presence and count of Enterococcus spp. Then, identification of enterococci isolates by conventional and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods, performance of antibiotic sensitivity assay, and some virulence genes in the Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) isolates were identified. Results: The prevalence of counted Enterococcus spp. in raw milk, ice cream, mehallabia, and milk rice samples were 76, 44, 20, and 32%, respectively. The prevalence of E. faecalis in raw milk, ice cream, mehallabia, and milk rice samples were 64, 0, 0, and 8%, while for E. faecium were 12, 44, 20, and 24%, respectively. E. faecalis isolates were resistant to vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, erythromycin, and tetracycline with the rate of 72.2, 88.9, 88.9, 94.4, and 77.8%, respectively, while for the resistance rates of E. faecium were 16, 40, 16, 84, and 20%, respectively. E. faecalis and E. faecium were MDR in rate of 88.9 and 32%, respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that milk, ice cream, mehallabia, and milk rice could be a source of enterococci to consumers in Assiut, Egypt. Moreover, E. faecalis had higher MDR and Resistant Index (RI) than E. faecium.

234-240

Authors: D.K. Kadhim, D.A. Alzubaidi

Background: The intestinal tract of human can be infected by protozoan parasites. In this short communication, the stool samples were collected from patients with diarrhea referred to Kut hospital, Iraq, and then the parasites (Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum) were considered for molecular identification. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 69 patients with diarrhea and then transferred to laboratory. Protozoan parasites were evaluated by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and phylogenetic tree analysis. Small subunit 18S rRNA region was amplified in the sizes of 514 bp, 409 bp, and 507 pb for G. lamblia, E. histolytica, and C. parvum, respectively. Results: The results of phylogenetic tree analysis showed that G. lamblia had 99% identity to G. lamblia with accession number of DQ157272.1 (and total genetic changes of 0.002%); E. histolytica also had 99% identity to E. histolytica with accession number of GQ423748.1 (total genetic changes of 0.0005%); and C. parvum had 99% identity to C. parvum with accession number of AJ539197.1 (total genetic changes of 0.05%). Conclusion: Gastrointestinal symptoms in the individuals with the studied protozoan parasites can be diagnosed directly by molecular detection and phylogenetic tree analysis with satisfying results. As well as, it can be utilized like a target for therapeutic intervention for these enteric protozoans.