ASSESSMENT OF BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF FRESH MEATS SOLD IN CALABAR METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Ten duplicate samples of fresh meat (beef) were randomly sampled from 2 major markets (Watt and Marian) in Calabar, Nigeria and analyzed microbiologically for the rates of Gram negative bacteria. The mean microbial load on the fresh meat from Watt market ranged between 2.62 x 104 - 4.84 x 104 cfu/g and total coliform count between 1.05 x 103 - 3.72 x 103 cfu/g while the fresh meat from Marian market ranged between 2.24 x 104 - 5.01 X 104 cfu/g and total coliform count between 1.23 x 103 - 3.42 x l03cfu/g. A total of 36 isolates belonging to eight genera include Klebsiella pneumoniae [6(16.7%)] which was the most predominant, followed by Enterobacter spp [5(13.9%)], Citrobacterfreundii [5(13.9%)], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [4(11.1%)], Escherichia coli [4(11.1%)], Salmonella spp [4(11.1%)], Serratia marcescens [4(11.1%)], and Pseudomonas spp [3(8.3%)]. Proteus vulgaris [1(2.8%)] was less predominant. Statistical analysis of the mean microbial load and total coliform count showed no significant difference between the two markets (P>0.05). This study reveals that fresh meats are often contaminated with bacteria. The presence of higher number of pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella and Escherichia coli among others, encountered in fresh meat from conventional beef is alarming. The presence of these organisms in meat foods should receive particular attention, because their presence indicate public health hazard and give warning signal for the possible occurrence of food borne intoxication.