Bacteriological Analysis of Jollof Rice Sold by Street Food Vendors in Makurdi Metropolis

The aim of this study was to assess jollof rice sold by street food vendors in Makurdi Metropolis for bacterial contaminants. This was achieved through sample collection, serial dilution, colony count, isolation and identification bacteria. Fifty (50) samples were collected from Makurdi Metropolis, serial dilution was carried out through aseptic means and colony count was achieved through the aerobic plate count. Isolation was through sub-culture onto XLD, EMBA and MSA media and identification of the species isolated was through Gram stain, Catalase, Coagulase, Citrate utilization, Urea decomposition, Indole and Triple Sugar Iron Agar (TSIA) tests. The bacteria species isolated were; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella spp, Salmonella paratyphi B or C, Coagulase negative Staphylococcus and Salmonella paratyphi A. The study showed Escherichia coli as the highest occurring species, while Salmonella paratyphi B or C as the least occurring species. The result also showed the highest bacterial occurrence in Wurukum, Wadata and Kanshio each of which had the bacterial occurrence of 30 (20.55%). While High level had the least occurrence of 27 (18.49%). This study showed the presence of bacterial contaminants in the jollof rice sold by street food vendors in Makurdi Metropolis, which were isolated and identified accordingly. The Food and Drug Administration should strictly implement the food sanitation code, and license street food vendors within Makurdi metropolis in order to maintain the benefits of vended food system while assuring the safety of foods sold.