Microbiological Quality And Proximate Composition Of Groundnut Pastes Purchased From Different Markets In Umuahia.

ABSTRACT

Groundnut pastes were purchased from Umuahia main market, Ndoro market, and Nkwoegwu market. Another sample was produced in the laboratory and used as control.The samples were labeled, evaluated for microbiological quality and proximate composition. The microbial analysis shows a spore former bacteria Clostridlum spp and fungi Aspergllus spp, as the contamination microorganisms. The total fungal count shows 4.50 x 1O⁴CFU/g for control sample, 6.00 x 1O⁶CFU/g for sample obtained from Umuahia main market, 1.20 x 1O⁶CFU/g for sample obtained from Ndoro market and 6.40 x 1O⁶CFU/g for sample obtained from Nkwoegwu market. In the same manner,the total bacterium count shows 5.10 x 1O⁴CFU/g for control sample,8.00 x 1O⁶CFU/g for sample obtained from Umuahia main market,1.40 x 1O⁶CFU/g for sample obtained from Ndoro market ,8.80 x 1O6CFU/g for sample obtained from Nkwoegwu market, respectively.From the results shown,laboratory (control) sample showed the least microbial load than the other samples. The proximate analysis shows significant difference (P<0.05) between the samples. The groundnut paste contains 15.66% for moisture with significant difference (p><0.05) between the samples, 39.Ol% for carbohydrate with no significant difference (P>0.05) between the samples,21.55% for crude protein with significant difference (P

<0.05) between the samples.>