OCCURENCE OF NON-TYPHOIDAL SALMONELLA IN FRESH PRODUCE SOLD IN LAGOS AND OGUN STATE

Abstract

Non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. is one of the most common pathogens associated with foodborne disease in Africa. Fresh produce consumption has increased as a result of the promotion of better health and living. Fruits and vegetables are usually minimally processed and eaten raw, which may expose consumers to an elevated risk of foodborne diseases if contaminated. As a result, reports of ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables-related disease outbreaks have increased significantly in recent years, and information about these events is frequently linked to Salmonella contamination. To date, outbreaks of Salmonella spp. from fresh vegetables have not been reported in Nigeria. Fresh fruits and vegetables were collected from street vendors in local street marketsin Lagos and Ogun states for the purpose of isolating Salmonella spp. from these fruits and vegetables. HEA- Hektoen enteric agar plates was used to confirm the presumptive Salmonella isolates that were streaked from XLD- Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate Agar which were used to test a total of 63 Samplesfor the presence of Salmonella spp. Only 16 Samples out of 63 samples tested positive for Nontyphoidal Salmonella spp, hence molecular identification of selected isolates (n = 16). Ibafo cucumber had the greatest total viable count of 7.8 log10(cfu/g). The morphological and biological properties of the Salmonella isolates were evaluated and confirmed presumptive positive using catalase test, oxidase test and Capsule test.The presence of nontyphoidal Salmonella spp was confirmed using Salmonella Specific PCR. Molecular confirmation of the Non-typhoidal Salmonella identification was performed using Salmonella specific primers for S. Enterica. The presence of Salmonella in fresh produce is of public health concern in Ogun and Lagos state.