Isolation and Characterization of Salmonella and Escherichia Coli from Poultry Feed Sold in Gombe Metropolis

Poultry feeds are food materials used in growing birds. Poultry feeds are referred to as complete feeds as they are designed to contain all the nutrients required for proper growth as well as meat and egg production in birds. Poultry feeds are composed largely of grains such as corn, wheat or barley, oil seeds, cake meal. This work is aimed at determining the incidence of bacterial injections such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli which cause health hazards to the poultry in their feeds. Sample feed were obtained from commercial area Gombe and top feed at Gombe main market. This review analyzes Salmonella and E. coli in poultry feeds, highlighting their significant impact on animal health, food safety, and public health. These pathogens can be introduced through raw ingredients, contaminated equipment, or cross-contamination during storage and transportation, leading to potential infection in poultry flocks. The presence of these pathogens poses a significant risk. The presence of Salmonella and E. coli in poultry feeds has been linked to various adverse effects. In poultry, these pathogens can cause clinical symptoms, such as diarrhea, decreased feed intake, reduced weight gain, and increased mortality rates. This research study aimed to identify and characterize microbial contamination in various samples. The samples were incubated, and the growth of microorganisms, suspected to be Salmonella and E. coli, was observed based on their morphological features. The results of the colony count and total viable count provided valuable insights into the microbial load and density in the samples. The colony counts varied across different samples, ranging from 16 to 58, while the total viable counts ranged from 10² to 10⁵ CFU/ml. The isolated and inoculated Salmonella and E. coli into specific media, revealing both to be pink Gram-negative bacteria. Biochemical tests confirmed E. coli presence, while Salmonella showed negative results. The study found high aerobic bacteria count in livestock feed samples, potentially posing health hazards to poultry and humans if not processed under strict hygiene conditions. The importance of bacteriological quality in livestock feeds is highlighted to prevent hazards and provide job opportunities.