2024, Vol. 5, Issue 2, Part C
Anitibiogram and microbiological examination of powdered tobacco sold in port Harcourt metropolis
Author(s): Chukwukaelo Chizoba Obianuju, Wemedo Samuel Amadi and Baranu Barisiale Suka
Abstract: Powdered tobacco (snuff) is made from grounded leaves of tobacco plant. Poor hygienic processing method contributes to the microbiome of powdered tobacco. The aim of this study was to determine the microbiological quality of powdered tobacco sold in Port Harcourt Metropolis. A total of 117 tobacco samples were purchased from three different markets namely: Oil mill, Mile 1 and Mile 3 markets. Microbiological examination of the samples was carried out using Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Mannitol Salt agar, Salmonella-Shigella Agar and Sabouraud Dextrose agar. The isolates were subjected to standard microbiological procedures. Mean microbial load of powdered tobacco from the three sampling markets respectively were: Total heterotrophic bacteria 7.7±0.70,0.09±0.01 and 1.8±0.77 x104cfu/g, total coliform bacteria 6.2±0.52, 0.36±0.34 and 0.9±0.07 x104cfu/g, Total Staphylococcus species 3.4±0.17, 0.27±0.09 and 0.59±0.1x103 cfu/g, Salmonella species 0.68±0.60, 0.0 and 0.0 x103 cfu/g Shigella species 4.4±0.86, 0.0 and 0.0 x103 cfu/g and total fungi 0.0 to 1.3±1.4 x10 cfu/g. Microbial isolates include Bacillus cereus, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus albus, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli and Shigella boydii with Mile 1 market having the least recorded isolates and Oil mill market having the highest microbial load. Geotrichum species was the only fungi isolated. Result of antibiotics susceptibility showed that 88.69% was sensitive, some were intermediate, while some of the isolates were resistant to Ciprofloxacin, Amoxil and Erythromycin. This study highlighted high microbial count in powdered tobacco, presence of potential pathogens some of which are resistant to some antibiotics. Therefore, there is urgent need for stricter regulations on the production and sale of tobacco products in Port Harcourt Metropolis and emphasized the importance of education on the potential risks associated with unhygienic processing of tobacco leaves by local producers.
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How to cite this article:
Chukwukaelo Chizoba Obianuju, Wemedo Samuel Amadi, Baranu Barisiale Suka. Anitibiogram and microbiological examination of powdered tobacco sold in port Harcourt metropolis. J Adv Microbiol Res 2024;5(2):176-180.
