Quantitative Analysis and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Enteric Bacteria Isolated from Surfaces of Canned Soft Drinks and Handlers from Selected Institutions in Zaria, Kaduna State

Abstract

The potentially major importance but currently unstudied trend of enteric bacterial contamination on surfaces of canned drinks forms the basis of the research. A study was carried out to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of selected enteric bacteria on the surface of canned soft drinks and its handlers (palms of consumers) from selected tertiary institutions in Zaria. Two hundred and sixteen swabs were collected from the external surfaces of canned soft drinks and its handlers, thirty-six swabs each from cans and hand swabs were also collected from designated whole sellers known as Distributors. The samples were screened and analyzed using Spread Plate Method, Microgen GNA System for identification for enteric bacteria in three institutions in Zaria, Kaduna State. Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was employed for antimicrobial susceptibility test. The results showed that the total bacteria count of canned soft drinks and its handlers in the three institutions range from 1.0x104 to 3.0x107 cfu/ml. Fourteen species of the Family Enterobacteriaceae were identified. The predominant species observed on canned soft drinks were Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella ozaenae while that of its handlers were Citrobacter freundii and Escherichia coli. Perfloxacin (66.7%) in ABU, perfloxacin (66.7%) in FCE and ciprofloxacin (88.9%) in POLY were highly sensitive against the isolates, while imipenem and ampicillin had (57.6%) in ABU, ofloxacin (73.3%) in FCE and Amoxicillin-Clavulanic (66.7%) in POLY were found to be non-susceptible. The study showed that surfaces of canned soft drinks and its handlers in Zaria are significantly contaminated with enteric bacteria. Hence, incorporation of routine check of canned drinks in the health system is required. There is low antimicrobial activity by the antibiotic against the isolates, this poses serious health implications and requires further investigation.