Bacteriological Quality of Smoothies Sold in Uyo Metropolis

The aim of this study was to investigate the bacteriological quality of smoothie. Smoothie samples (smoothie combo and tigernut drink) were obtained from Medis Juice Bar and Tantalizer eatery and were analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. Findings revealed that smoothie combo from Tantalizer eatery had the highest total heterotrophic bacteria count, 4.7 ± 0.11 Log10CFU/ml, Faecal count, 4.5 ± 0.22 Log10CFU/ml, Total Coliform Count, 4.5 ± 0.27 Log10CFU/ml. Tigernut drink from Medis Juice Bar had the highest Salmonella/Shigella count, 4.25 ± 0.25 Log10CFU/ml. Fifteen bacterial isolates namely; Corynebacterium diptheria, Staphylococcus aereus, Micrococcus sp, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter sp, Bacillus cereus, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Citrobacter sp were isolated from the samples. Corynebacterium diptheria, Staphlococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Citrobacter sp had the highest percentage occurrence (100%) while Enterobacter sp, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella sp had the lowest percentage occurrence (25%). Analysis of the antibiotics profile of the isolates revealed that all the Gram-positive isolates were susceptible to Gentamycin and Amoxil. Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis were resistant to more than two antibiotics. For the Gram-negative isolates, Ofloxacin, Peflacine and Ceprorex were most effective, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed resistance to more than two antibiotics. Based on the findings, unhygienic water for dilution or washing, unclean surroundings, raw materials, equipment, fruit flies and airborne dust are risk factors of contamination. Based on the International Commission of Microbiological Standard Safety (ICMSFS), the smoothie sample falls under their acceptable limit for human consumption.