Assessment Of Microbial Quality Of Commercially Produced Soybeans Powder Sold In Umuahia Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria xx

ABSTRACT

The soybean powder consumed within Umuahia metropolis was assessed for microbial quality. Twenty samples were obtained from Ubani market. The bacteria isolated from the soybean powder samples were Staphylococcus aureus, Kiebsiella spp, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella and Shigella spp, while the fungi isolated were Aspergillus spp, Candida albicans, and Stretomyces. The total viable count ranged from 8.3 x 10⁷ to 3.0 x 10⁸Cfulg, total coliform count on MacConkey ranged from 5.3 x 10⁶ to 2.9x 10⁷Cfu/g, and the range of the fungal count was from 3.8 x 10⁶ to 3.0 x 10⁷Cfulg. The microbial population isolated in terms of number and types of organisms reflected poor hygienic standard of processing and handling, which in turn can constitute a public health hazard among the populace. Producers should be enlightened about good hygienic practices as this will help ensure that the products are free from pathogenic microorganisms.