Vol. 6, Issue 11 (2017)

Author(s):
Amandeep Kaur and Priyanka bhowate

Abstract:
Fruits and vegetables are one of the essential diets of human being, which they are consumed widely. But, they are contaminated with different bacteria that may cause food borne illness. Bacteriological survey of 20 samples of fresh vegetables & fruits were done to study the density of microorganisms by standard plate count (SPC) method. The colony forming units per gram (cfu/g) of the vegetables were much less (7.2x10⁵ to 30.4x10⁵) in local market sample as compared to super market sample (12.0x10⁵ to 20.6x10⁵) and field sample (8.0x10⁵ to 18.0x10⁵). But in case of fruits higher cfu were obtained for the field sample (8x10⁵) as compared to local market sample (4x10⁵ to 5.5x10⁵) and super market sample (2.5x10⁵). Of the various pathogens identified from the surface of these samples Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cerous were found to be the pre-dominant species in most of the samples. it was observed that the bacillus, enterobacter and Staphylococcus were the dominant genera in vegetables. This chapter will address characteristics of spoilage microorganisms associated with each of these fruit and vegetable categories including spoilage mechanisms, spoilage defects, prevention and control of spoilage, and methods for detecting spoilage microorganisms Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cerous were found to be the pre-dominant species in most of the samples were identified on the basis of morphology (Gram’s staining and negative-staining), Biochemical test and selective cum differential culture media (such as MacConkey Agar, Bile esculin agar, Bacillus cereus agar, EMB Agar, Mannitol salt agar media). The antibiotic sensitivity test (MIC Value) of clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, methicillin, penicillin-G, vancomycin, rifamycin, amoxicillin, were determined against identified bacteria. It was observed that the E. coli strains were resistant to all the antibiotics tested in the present study (Ciprofloxacin, Penicillin-G, Rifamycin, Amoxicillin) whereas, 75 per cent of the Gram positive strains showed resistance to all the four drugs (Clindamycin, Vaomycin, Erthomycin and Methicillin. The micro flora of fruits and vegetables are one of the great concerns in our society as they can be of great risk for human health. Proper handling, hygiene, transportation and proper storage is necessary to avoid microbial food spoilage and related health risks.