Assessment On Bacterial Species Associated With Decayed Fresh Tomatoes Purchased From Orieugba Market.:- Nwankwo, Onyinyechi D

ABSTRACT x This investigation assessed the bacterial species associated with decayed fresh tomatoes purchased from Orieugba market. Using standard microbiological procedures in isolation and identification of bacteria, four isolates were identified; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp, and Bacillus sp. Escherichia coli was the predominant isolate with 38% occurrence while Bacillus sp had the least occurrence with 14%. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing of the isolates showed highest resistance of isolates to oflaxcin, amoxil, ampiclox and septrin at 75%. All isolates displayed multi-drug resistance as they all had a Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) higher than 0.4. The study established the presence of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in decomposed tomato fruits and their different ofsensitivities to several antibiotics.