Microbiological assessment and Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Enterobacteriaceae recovered from kulikuli sold at selected markets in Ife-North Local Government Area

The native West African population eats a groundnut-based snack called kulikuli (groundnut cake). The study was carried out in order to evaluate, characterize, and determine multiple antibiotic resistance index (MAR-I) of isolated pathogen isolated in ready-to-eat kulikuli snacks. 52 samples of kulikuli in total were collected for this investigation from Odeomu market and its surroundings in Osun State, Nigeria. Using the pour plate technique, bacteriological analysis of the samples was performed. Total coliform counts were counted on MacConkey agar, total bacterial counts on Nutrient agar, and total fungal counts were counted on potato dextrose agar. Phenotypic and biochemical assays were used in identifying the bacterial isolates. Disc diffusion techniques were used to test the isolates' antibiotic susceptibility, and the MAR index of the isolates was determined. The total bacterial count, total coliform count and the total fungal count of the samples varied from 1.5 to 8.8×103cfu/g, 0.3 to 6.6×103cfu/g and 1 to 7.3×104cfu/g respectively. The organisms recovered were enteric, Gram-negative members of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) to four to seven different antibiotics was developed by the isolates. The research area has a high overall rate of multiple drug resistance pathogens isolated from the kulikuli samples. The MAR Index was higher than 0.2, however a MAR index that is greater than 0.2 suggested high-risk sources, like places where bacteria have been repeatedly exposed to antibiotics or where the use of antibiotic is common. In conclusion, in order to avoid consuming these pathogens and harmful toxins together with the products, kulikuli should be sold in hygienic conditions and environments, be sealed, and not be exposed to air. This is because the organisms identified in this study indicated health risks that would be harmful to consumers.