DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY

Animal manure, a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, is rich in beneficial microorganisms capable of improving soil structure, nutrient availability, and crop yield. Understanding the bacteriological characteristics of these manures is crucial for optimizing their agricultural application while minimizing potential pathogenic risks. The study was conducted to investigate the microbial composition and plant growth-promoting potential of ruminant and non-ruminant animal manures to enhance soil fertility management. The research aimed to isolate and identify bacteria present in animal manures using phenotypic and molecular methods, evaluate their PGP traits, and assess their effects on the germination and growth performance of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin). A total of twenty-four manure samples from ruminant and non-ruminant animals were collected
from different farms in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Standard microbiological procedures were used for isolation, enumeration, and biochemical identification of bacterial isolates. Phenotypic characterization involved Gram staining and biochemical assays such as oxidase, indole, catalase, urease, citrate utilization, and triple sugar iron tests. Molecular identification was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Pathogenicity tests, including gelatin liquefaction, DNase, lipase, and hemolysin assays, were conducted to assess the virulence potentials of isolates. The isolates were also screened for plant growth-promoting traits such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and ammonia production. In addition, the impact of different manure treatments on Telfairia occidentalis was evaluated through germination rate, vine length, leaf area, chlorophyll content and biomass yield. The results revealed that the heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 13.30 × 10⁵ cfu/g in nonruminant manure to 27.80 × 10⁵ cfu/g in mixed manure, while the coliform count varied between6.40 × 10⁴ cfu/g and 13.69 × 10⁴ cfu/g, indicating a higher microbial load in the mixed manure samples. Six major bacterial species were identified Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica and Bacillus velezensis with E. coli showing the highest frequency of occurrence (25%). Molecular characterization further revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA3 (88.5% identity), Escherichia coli strain NCCP 15734 (92.1%), Bacillus velezensis strain UA0297 (97.3%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae strain BUH3 (96.8%). Most isolates demonstrated positive results for plant growth-promoting xv traits such as nitrogen fixation, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) and ammonia production. Growth trials on Telfairia occidentalis showed that plants treated with mixed manure had the best performance, with an average vine length of 76.05 cm, leaf number of 33, and leaf length of 25.13 cm by weekeight, compared to control plants with 55.13 cm vine length and 20 leaves. These findings confirm that animal manures, particularly mixed manure, significantly enhanced plant growth and soil microbial quality and therefore can serve as biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture and improved crop productivity

Abattoirs play a vital role in environmental pollution and negatively affect the health of people living around, and even those who some distance stay away from them through air, water and
food contamination. This study evaluated the bacteriological and physicochemical properties of abattoir effluent-contaminated soil
in Benin City, Edo state with a view to highlighting the associated environmental and public health impacts. Samples in this study were collected seasonally at different depths (2.5, 22.5 and 42.5cm) from four different abattoirs (Oluku, University of Benin, Ewah Road, and Dumez Road) in Benin City. Standard chemical analytical methods were used to evaluate the physicochemical
parameters while standard bacteriological methods were used to determine the bacterial load and identity. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined by disc diffusion method, and plasmid
profiling (before and after curing) of selected resistant isolates were carried out using TENS method. . The physico-chemical analysis of soil samples revealed a pH range of 6.25 - 6.76, electrical conductivity varied from 89 -161 µs/cm, organic matter (9.10-13.30%), iron (37.22-140.29 mg/kg), and phosphorus (4.91 – 12.82 mg/kg) for contaminated soil. For control samples, pH
ranged between 6.28 and 6.90, electrical conductivity varied from 73 - 119 µs/cm, organic matter at 9.92 – 14.83%, iron (27.19 – 101.23 mg/kg), and phosphorus (5.22 – 12.88 mg/kg). Mean heterotrophic bacterial count (HBC) for contaminated soil in rainy season ranged 0.57×10 8 - 1.90×10 8 cfu/g, while that of dry season ranged 0.55×10 7 - 1.97×10 7 cfu/g. Topsoil layer
consistently showed higher bacterial load across seasons. Isolates obtained in this study included Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus
mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., Enterococcus spp. and Alcaligenes spp. There was a seasonal shift of Proteus vulgaris isolated in dry season to P. mirabilis in the rainy season. Staphylococcus aureus was the most occurring isolate at 20.4% for the dry season and 21.2% in the rainy season. Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella spp. exhibited the highest virulence. All isolates were sensitive to Imipenem, but none were sensitive to Ceftriaxone and Ceftazidime Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas spp. had Multiple
Antibiotic Resistance index (MAR) values of 0.6, 0.6, 0.5 and 0.4, respectively. Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis were positive for Plasmid DNA while
Escherichia coli was negative for Plasmid DNA. After curing, the MAR index values decreased to 0.3 for Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella spp., while that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa decreased
to 0.1. The presence of the pathogenic bacterial isolates in abattoir effluent-contaminated soil highlights significant environmental and public health concerns

Soil health plays a crucial role in agricultural productivity, influencing microbial diversity, nutrient availability, and overall plant growth. The presence of plant growth-promotingbacteria(PGPB) in soil enhances crop yield by facilitating nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and the production of essential phytohormones This study focused on the isolation of PGPBfromselected farmlands in Oluku and an assessment of the physicochemical properties of thesoils. Bacterial counts varied across the farms, with the highest recorded in Farm8 (40.60±5.94×10⁴ CFU/ml) and the lowest in Farm 6 (11.20±0.57 × 10⁴ CFU/ml). Nine bacterial species wereidentified, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichiacoli, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Bacillus pumilus. Among these, E. coli exhibited all four keyplant growth-promoting traits: nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, ammonia production, andindole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, making it the most versatile isolate. The physicochemical analysis of soil samples revealed pH values ranging from slightly acidic to nearly neutral (5.64–6.42). Electrical conductivity, organic matter, and organic carbon contents varied significantly, with Farm 2 exhibiting the highest values (EC: 873.00 ± 43.65 μS/cm, OM: 4.78 ± 0.24%, OC: 8.24 ± 0.41%). Essential nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, calcium, andmagnesium were also found in varying concentrations across the farmlands. Heavymetal analysis indicated the presence of iron (453.72–637.84 mg/kg), zinc (65.79–87.52 mg/kg), lead(2.87–4.69 mg/kg), and copper (21.45–28.75 mg/kg), with potential implications for soil qualityand crop safety. These findings highlight the significance of beneficial soil bacteria in improvingplant growth and emphasize the need for sustainable soil management practices. Regularmonitoring of soil nutrients and heavy metal levels is essential for maintaining soil fertilityandensuring safe agricultural production.

Analysis of microorganisms isolated from refrigerator surfaces and interiors is crucial for assessing the cleanliness and potential health risks associated with these appliances. Microorganisms that thrive in low temperatures (psychrophiles) can cause food spoilage and pose a health risk through foodborne diseases such as Listeriosis, Botulism, Salmonellosis, and Diarrhea. Therefore, it is essential to identify the types and concentrations of microorganisms present in different areas of refrigerators. This study aimed to evaluate the microbial quality of refrigerator exteriors and interiors in homes. Swabs and air samples were collected from 15 refrigerators in Ugbowo city and analyzed in a certified microbiology laboratory. Questionnaires were completed by refrigerator owners. Biochemical tests were used to further characterize the isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed to determine the sensitivity or resistance of the identified isolates to various antibiotics. The results showed that the lowest microbial count was observed in refrigerators cleaned weekly (3.01 ± 0.41 CFU/ml), while the highest count was observed in refrigerators cleaned once a month (3.29 ± 0.33 CFU/ml). The lowest microbial count was observed in refrigerators with 5-9 hours of electricity supply (2.74 ± 0.20 CFU/ml), and the highest count was observed in refrigerators with 15-19 hours of electricity supply (3.56 ± 0.00 CFU/ml). The lowest microbial count was observed in refrigerators without external power supply (2.61 ± 0.79 CFU/ml), while the highest count was observed in refrigerators with external power supply (3.25± 0.31 CFU/ml). All identified isolates were 12 susceptible to gentamicin antibiotics, while they were all resistant to erythromycin, metronidazole, carbenicillin, and cefoperazole antibiotics. All identified microbial isolates except S. enterica were susceptible to iprofloxacin, and all identified microbial isolates except E. coli were resistant to tetracycline antibiotics. The Susceptibility Index suggests that E. coli is the most susceptible to the antibiotics used, with the lowest Susceptibility Index value of 0.5, while S. enterica is the most resistant and least susceptible, with the highest value of 0.75. Both are indicators of high-risk contamination sources, according to Davis and Brown (2016), with a value of ≥0.2 or higher being indicative of a "high-risk" contamination source. These results demonstrate the presence of various types of microorganisms in refrigerators. Domestic refrigerators may be considered as a significant potential source of foodborne illnesses. Therefore, it is imperative to educate households, laboratories, and the general public about proper refrigeration practices. Regular (weekly) and thorough cleaning of refrigerators is essential to reduce the presence of microorganisms/microbial load

The consumption of bivalves, such as mussels, clams, and oysters, is widespread across the globe, particularly in Coastal regions. Due to the natural habitat of bivalves and feeding habitat, there is a high possibility of the meat being contaminated with microorganisms and toxic elements. Hence, this research investigated the prevalence of Listeria and Vibriospecies, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in bivalves (Ergeria radiata). A total of three hundred (300) edible bivalves (Ergeria radiata) were obtained during March 2023 to February 2024 from the Ekowe community Coastal waters and from wet markets (Swali
and Opolo) using sterile containers. Bacteria were enumerated using standard microbiological procedures. Isolates of Vibrio and Listeria were identified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determinedusingKirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Plasmid profiling and curing of Vibrio and Listeria isolates were determined by standard methods. Proximate analysis of Ergeriaradiata was determined using standard analytical chemical methods. Mineral and heavy metal compositions were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), while Na and K were analyzed by flame photometry. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Standard methods were used to determine the physicochemical properties of the Coastal water samples. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS version 20.0. Duncan multiple range test was used to separate the means at p<0.05 significant differences. The results of this study revealed that higher bacterial counts were observed in thewet season compared to the dry season. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts for the wet season ranged from 20.48 ± 1.62x 10 5 cfu/g - 30.06 ± 1.63x 10 5 cfu/g, while for dry season it rangedfrom 10.88 ± 1.09 x 105 cfu/g – 18.18 ± 1.10 x10
5 cfu/g. The Vibrio counts for wet seasonranged from 16.82 ± 1.17 x 10 5 cfu/g - 19.90 ± 1.27 x 10 5 cfu/, while for dry season it rangedfrom 9.96 ± 0.95 x 10 5 cfu/g – 13.58 ± 1.12 x 10
5 cfu/g. Listeria counts for wet seasonranged from 8 .08 ± 0.50 x 10 5 cfu/g – 11.52 ± 0.76 x 10 5 cfu/g, while for dry seasonit
ranged from 6.12 ± 0.67 x10 5 cfu/g – 9.72 ± 0.8 x 10 5 cfu/g - 9.72 ± 0.81 x 10 5 cfu/g.TheVibrio species isolated were Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio fluvialis with the accession numbers PP832852, PP382853, PP832854 and PP832855, respectively. Listeria species isolated were Listeria innocua PP832856, Listeria monocytogenes PP832857, and Listeria ivanovii PP328560. The hlyA virulence gene was detected in all the Listeria species for both wet and dry season. The virulence gene ctxAwasnot detected in Vibrio parahaemolyticus for wet season, but was detected in dry season. Thepenicillin binding protein (pbp2b) resistant gene was detected in all Listeria species. Theaph(2")-If antimicrobial resistant gene was detected in Vibrio parahaemolyticus andVibrofluvialis for wet season, while in dry season, it was detected in all the Vibrio species. Therewas no seasonal variation in the values obtained for proximate composition, minerals. andheavy metal content. Protein ranged from 7.42 ± 0.72 % - 7.59 ± 0.6 %, fat (0.74 ±0.05%-0.77± 0.9%), K (510 ± 0.52 mg/kg - 520 ± 0.13 mg/kg), and Pb (0.03 ± 0.01 mg/kg –0.047±0.16 mg/kg). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentration of Ergeria sradiatawas low for both wet and dry season, and was below the permissible limit of 200 ppmset byWorld Health Organization (WHO). The physicochemical properties of the Coastal watersforwet season exceeded the permissible limit set by WHO. Bivalve (Ergeria radiata), although nutritionally rich, harbors potentially pathogenic bacteria of public health concern, particularly when they are consumed raw or not properly cooked.

Actinomycetes are gram-positive bacteria with high guanine + cytosine content of over 55% in their DNA. They belong to the order Actinomycetales and form an important segment of the microflora of most natural environments. Soils, manures and composts, freshwater bodies such as lakes and river bottoms contain an abundance of these organisms. Actinomycetes are aerobic, spore forming organisms with a distinctive feature of possessing filamentous hyphae that do not normally undergo fragmentation. Due to their phenotypic similarities to fungi, actinomycetes are also known as ray fungi (Chaudhary et al., 2013). Actinomycetes provide an excellent resource for the isolation and identification of therapeutically important secondary metabolites such as, antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, enzyme, immunosuppressant and other industrially useful compounds (Dhawane and Zodpe, 2017). These microbial compounds have been a source of life saving environment for many bacterial and fungal infections. Some effective antibiotics manufactured from actinomycetes includes: penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, erythromycin, amphotericin and vancomycin. These microbial natural products are notable not only for their potent therapeutic activities but also for the fact that they frequently pose desirable pharmacokinetic properties required for clinical development (Khasabuli and Kibera, 2014). Antibiotics of actinomycetes origin have a wide variety of chemical structure, including aminoglycosides, β-lactams, antracyclines, tetracycline, nucleosides, peptides, polyenes and actinomycins. Secondary metabolites isolated from soil actinomycetes have also been proven to be potent inhibitors of numerous plant pathogens (Agadagba, 2014). 1 A large number of actinomycetes have been isolated and screened from soil in the past several decades, accounting for 70 80% of relevant secondary metabolites available commercially. It has been estimated that approximately one-third of the thousands of naturally occurring antibiotics have been obtained from actinomycetes (Chaudhary et al., 2013). More than 70% of these antibiotics are attributed to two genera viz., Streptomyces and Micromonospora (Rai et al., 2018). The richness and diversity of actinomycetes present in any specific soil, is greatly influenced by the soil type, geographical location, cultivation and organic matter amongst other factors (Agadagba, 2014). According to the World Health Organization, over-prescription and the improper use of antibiotics has led to the generation of antibiotic resistance in many bacterial pathogens (Kumar et al., 2010). Serious infections caused by microorganisms that have acquired resistance to commonly used antibiotics have become a major global healthcare problem in the 21st century (Jarallah and Rahaman, 2014). Some antibiotics like penicillin, erythromycin, and methicillin which used to be very effective treatment against infectious diseases are now less effective because pathogens are now more resistant to such antibiotics. Antibiotic resistant pathogens such as methicillin and vancomycin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and others cause an enormous threat to the treatment of serious infections. These drug resistant strains emerge more quickly than the rate of discovery of new drugs and antibiotics (Kumar et al., 2010). Also, increase in fungal infection happens because the available antifungal drugs are not very effective in treating fungal diseases. Fungal diseases are often difficult to diagnose and treat because antifungal drugs are often not very effective in the setting of impaired immunity (Casadevall et al., 2002). Candida albicans can develop resistance to antimycotic drugs such as fluconazole which is often used to treat candidiasis. The frequency of multiazole-resistant 2 3 strains belonging to Candida species other than Candida albicans is increasing (Hitchcock et al., 1993)

Mushrooms serve as the fruiting bodies of fungi. Unlike higher plants, they lack chlorophyll, the green pigment found in leaves that enables plants to utilize water, carbon dioxide, and solar energy for photosynthesis. Consequently, mushrooms are unable to synthesize their own food and rely on higher plants for sustenance. They possess high nutritional value, characterized by elevated levels of protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and trace elements, alongside low or negligible calorie and cholesterol content. Due to these factors, mushrooms are particularly prone to spoilage. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of chemical preservatives on the shelf life, sensory evaluation, bacteriological quality, and nutritional composition of mushrooms, with the aim of assessing their suitability for extended storage. Freshly harvested oyster mushrooms (Agaricus spp.) were sourced from the African Centre for Mushroom Research and Technology Innovations (ACMRTI) at the University of Benin, Benin City. The preservatives utilized included hydrogen peroxide and citric acid, administered at concentrations of 0.5%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5%, with water serving as the control. Samples were stored in a refrigerator for a duration of six days and analyzed at two-day intervals. The analyses conducted encompassed sensory evaluation, bacterial count, biochemical tests, antibiotic susceptibility tests, and virulence factor assessment. The results indicated that a concentration of 2.5% hydrogen peroxide yielded the lowest bacterial count, recorded at 1.3 ± 8.5 x 10² cfu/g, and exhibited the highest overall appearance score of 3.9 ± 1.7. Identified bacterial isolates included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Pantoea agglomerans, Bacillus subtilis, Cronobacter sakazakii, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium jeikeium, Serratia marcescens, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Enterococcus faecalis. The isolates that occurred most frequently (11 instances) were Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis. The Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index (MARI) revealed that Escherichia coli had the highest value of 0.9, while Corynebacterium jeikeium had a MARI of 0.4. The study illustrates that chemical preservatives effectively reduce microbial load, significantly slowing microbial growth, mitigating spoilage, and consequently extending the storage period of mushrooms.

Turmeric belongs to the family of Zingiberaceae and natively grown in India and Southeast Asia.Turmeric plant contains rhizome which has several secondary metabolites including steroids, curcuminiods and sesquiterpenes with cucurmin being the principal component of the yellow pigment and the major bioactive substance curcumin. Enteric bacteria are Gram negative bacteria
found in the human and animal intestine.Examples are Shigella sp, Salmonella sp and Eschericha coli. Antibacterial property of turmeric requires the use of its rhizomes. The rhizomes were shade dried and grounded to powder.90g of the sample was measured and mixed with 150ml ethanol (ethanol extract), while 150g of powdered sample was mixed with 270ml of water (aqueous extract). Using Muller Hinton agar, cultures of test bacteria were swabbed on the Muller Hinton agar plates, a hole was drilled at the middle of the culture and then 0.01ml of the extracts was poured into the hole.The culture was incubated at 370C for 24 hours in an upright position. Results from both extracts (aqueous and ethanol) on test bacteria (Eschericha coli, Salmonella sp and Shigella sp) showed that turmeric has antibacterial property because it was able to Inhibit the growth of test bacteria. Ethanolic extract of turmeric (curcumin) showed more effects on enteric bacteria and it's because the ethanol helps to boost the antibacterial activities of turmeric than aqueous extract. Phytochemical screening was carried out on turmeric and it shows the presence of saponin, tannin, alkaloid, flavonoid and steroid chemical compound. The presence of curcumin inhibit the growth of enteric bacteria such as Eschericha coli, Salmonellasp and Shigella sp. Curcumin posses invitro antimicrobial potential against a wide range of microorganisms. Curcumin possesses a synergistic effect with important antibiotics such as cefixime, vancomycin and tetracycline against enteric bacteria. Turmeric destroys the bacteria cell membrane through penetration and therefore distortion of the cell shape happens as a result of exposure to curcumin. Thus, the damage of the cell membrane is the key mechanism of curcumin in enteric bacteria.

Milk is the fresh lacteal secretion from the mammary glands of mammals used in nourishing their young. It also serves as a significant food source for humans of all ages. However, milk can be easily contaminated by microorganisms and toxic substances such as aflatoxins during the stages of milking, processing, storage and transportation. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize moulds from raw cow milk and its locally processed products, sold in open markets in Benin City. A total of 16 samples were obtained from two markets (Aduwawa and Oluku) in Benin City, Edo state. All samples were serially diluted and inoculated on Potato dextrose agar (PDA) using the pour plate technique. Pure cultures were obtained, and fungal isolates were identified based on the cultural and morphological characteristics. The pH of each sample was determined using an electronic pH meter (PH-98108) and the moisture contents of the samples were determined according to the method of AOAC. Fungal counts obtained in this study ranged from 0.10 ± 1.00 to 0.90 ± 0.30x10 3 Cfu/ml. Fungi isolated in this study include: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium digitatum, Rhizopus nigricans, Curvulavia lunata, Fusarium oxysporium, Cladosporium sp, and Penicillium sp. The most occurring fungi were Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus niger (23%) and the least occurring fungi (7.7%) were Rhizopus nigricans and Curvulavia lunata. Mean pH values of the samples ranged from 4.10 ± 0.30 to 6.20 ± 0.80 while the moisture content ranged from 6.00 ± 0.40% to 20.00 ± 0.70%. This study revealed the presence of mycotoxigenic moulds such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger in locally processed milk products sold in open markets in Benin City. This may have resulted from unhygienic conditions during processing and storage of the milk products, and poor sanitary conditions of the milk handlers as well.

Fermented foods are known to contain active components such as probiotics and antioxidants. Probiotics are living microbes which when taken in sufficient amounts confer health benefits. Due to lactose intolerance in some individuals and the high fat content of dairy foods, other means of obtaining probiotics have been explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the probiotic potential of some bacteria isolated from Nigerian fermented foods. Samples of fufu, ogi, tuwo, palm-wine, ogogoro, iru,
ogiri and ugba were purchased from New Benin Market in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Enumeration and isolation of bacterial and lactic acid bacteria were carried out using nutrient agar and De Man, Rogosa and Sharpe agar, using pour plate technique. Cultural, morphological and biochemical tests were employed to identify the bacteria isolated. The bacterial isolates were subjected to acidic pH of 3 and bile salt concentration of 0.3%. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates were determined using
the disc diffusion method. The antibacterial activity of the isolates were tested against three test pathogens, Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp. and Klebsiella sp. using the agar well diffusion technique Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. The mean heterotrophic bacterial counts of Nigerian fermented foods ranged from 5.00±0.28 (ogiri) - 8.70±0.42×107 cfu/g (iru), while the lactic acid bacterial countsranged from 0.80±0.28 (iru) – 5.00±0.42×104 cfu/g. Bacillus sp,, Citrobacter sp., Lactobacillus sp.1,
Lactobacillus fermentum2 and Streptococcus sp.2 were isolated from ogi, Bacillus subtilis3 and Streptococcus sp.1 were isolated from the ugba, Klebsiella pneumonia were isolated from fufu, Lactobacillus fermentum1 were isolated from tuwo, Bacillus subtilis1 were isolated from iru, Lactobacillus sp.2 were isolated from palm-wine while Bacillus subtilis2 were isolated from ogiri-egusi and Escherichia coli isolated from ogogoro. The result of the acid tolerance tests revealed that percentage survivability ranged from 55.60% (Streptococcus sp.1) – 200.00% (Citrobacter sp.1). Percentage survival of bacterial isolates to bile salt concentration of 0.3% ranged from 147.80% (Streptococcus sp.2) – 462.50% (Escherichia coli). The antibiotic resistance index ranged from 2 (Streptococcus sp. and Bacillus subtilis3) –8 (Escherichia coli). The antibacterial activity of the isolates ranged from 2mm-10mm with Escherichia coli and Citrobacter species having no activity against any of the test pathogens. Bacillus subtilis E2 passed all the test criteria, so it can be recommended as a potential probiotics, while Escherichia coli was suspected to be a contaminant due to observed antibiotics resistance. To avoid contaminants in fermented foods, proper hygienic measures, production
procedures, storage and cooking should be ensured.