DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY,

African salad popularly called “Abacha, "Abacha Ncha" or "Abacha and Ugba” contains lots of fresh raw vegetables and other ingredients which can be consumed without cooking. It is widely accessed for it is composed of food ingredients known to be rich in protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals. The aim of this study was to determine the bacteriological quality of ready-to-eat African salads sold around the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus area, Edo state. Ready-to-eat African salad samples were purchased with and without "ugba" condiment from sellers in the Ugbowo campus area. All samples were serially diluted and inoculated on Nutrient agar, Eosin Methylene blue (EMB) agar and Simmons citrate agar. Bacterial counts from this study ranged from 5.15±0.50 to 9.75 ± 1.06 x 10
4.cfu/g. Pure cultures were obtained and seven different isolates were identified using cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The isolates include Bacillus sp., Salmonella so., Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp. and Micrococcus sp. Bacillus sp. had the highest percentage frequency of 29.41% while Staphylococcus sp. had the lowest percentage frequency of 5.88%. The presence of Salmonella sp. in the ready to eat African salad samples indicates poor hygienic practice during the processing of these foods which can pose a great health risk to consumers.

he bacteriological and biochemical quality of fish feeds used by fish farmers in Ikpoba-Okha and Egor local government area in metropolis were evaluated in this study. A total of twelve (12) samples were assessed from both locations. Questionnaires were administered to the farmers to get their informed consent. Samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory within 1-5 hours after collection, standard microbiological analysis involving total heterotrophic count of the fish feeds, total coliform bacteria count of the fish feeds, Identification of the bacteria most prevalent in the feeds and antibiotics susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates. The results revealed that the mean value of total heterotrophic bacteria count for fish feeds obtained from Ikpoba-Okha was 1.72±7.02x10 2 cfu/ml while Egor had a mean value of 5.20±2.13x10 2 cfu/ml. The total coliform bacteria count for Ikpoba-Okha was 0.2±0.82x10 2cfu/ml and Egor, 0.78±3.16x10 2cfu/ml. The prevalence of bacteria isolates in fish feeds obtained from both Ikpoba-Okha and Egor local government areas revealed that Escherichia coli was most prevalent with a percentage value of 20.00% while Actinobacter was least prevalent with a percentage value of 2.50%. Salmonella, Klebsiella sp, Citrobacter, Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Chromobacterium, Proteus vulgaris and Shigella sp. Were also present. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that all Gram positive bacteria identified in this study was susceptible to gentamycin and ofloxacin, meanwhile all bacteria identified in this study were resistant to ceftriaxone/ceftrazone

This study investigated the microbial contamination of personal effects belonging to undergraduate students in lecture theaters at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The aim was to isolate, identify, and characterize bacteria and fungi present on frequently handled items such as mobile phones, bags, laptops, wristwatches, earbuds, and power banks, as well as to assess their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. Samples were collected using sterile swabs moistened with saline and cultured on Nutrient Agar, MacConkey Agar, Salmonella-ShigellaAgar, and Potato Dextrose Agar following standard microbiological procedures. Bacterial
isolates were characterized using Gram staining and biochemical tests, while fungal isolateswere identified based on macroscopic and microscopic features. The total heterotrophicbacterial count ranged from 0.85 × 10⁴ to 4.75 × 10⁴ CFU/m², and the total fungal count
ranged from 4.0 × 10³ to 9.0 × 10³ CFU/m², with higher microbial loads observed onitemsfrom female students. Five bacterial species were identified: Enterobacter cloacae, Salmonella spp., Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus alongside fungal
isolates including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., and Yeast. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin but resistance to tetracycline, metronidazole, and colistin, indicating the presence of multidrug-resistant strains. The findings demonstrate that students’ personal items serve as potential fomites capable of harboring and transmitting pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms within academic environments. This highlights the need for improved hygiene practices, regular disinfection of personal effects, and health education to minimize fomite-mediated infections and safeguard public health.