Occurrence Salmonella Species In Fresh Eggs Purchased From Umuahia Metropolis

ABSTRACT

The egg content and shell of each sample were purchased from Ndume, Ndoru, Umudike and Ahiaeke and were analysed for possible occunence of Salmonella bacteria. The overnight grown cultures on buffered peptone water was then inoculated into freshly prepared MCA and SSA plates for isolation of Salmonella species. The shell of each sample was swabbed with a swab stick and inoculated onto the same media. Out of the 70 samples analysed, is isolates were recovered from the egg content representing 25.7% while 25(35.7%) was recovered from the egg shells. SSA proved a better media for the isolation of Salmonella as it yielded 61.1% and 40% of the isolates from the egg content and shell respectively while MacConky agar accounted for 3 8.9% and 60.0% respectively for egg content and shell. The result of this study indicates that chicken eggs harbour some amount of Salmonella bacteria and stringent measures like proper cooking of eggs should be carried out before consumption.