Isolation, Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Eschericia Coli on Fruit Salad

This study investigates the isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli (E. coli) from fruit salad samples, highlighting potential public health risks associated with fresh produce. A total of 20 fruit salad samples were analyzed, and E. coli was isolated from 9 samples, resulting in a prevalence rate of 45%. The isolation was confirmed through morphological characteristics, where E. coli exhibited typical Gram-negative, circular, smooth colonies on MacConkey and EMB agars. Biochemical tests, including the Methyl Red and Indole tests, confirmed the identity of the isolates as E. coli, with negative results for the Voges-Proskauer and Citrate tests, aligning with the known biochemical profile of the pathogen.
Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed significant resistance patterns, with high resistance to erythromycin (83.64%), streptomycin (78.18%), and ceftriaxone (70.91%). Conversely, Pefloxacin (76.36%) and Amoxicillin (69.09%) exhibited higher susceptibility rates, suggesting their potential effectiveness in treating E. coli infections from these isolates. These findings are consistent with the growing global concerns over antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens, which complicates treatment strategies for infections.
The results underscore the importance of proper hygiene practices in food preparation and post-harvest handling to mitigate E. coli contamination in fresh produce. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for improved food safety measures, the regulation of antimicrobial usage in agriculture, and further research into alternative decontamination methods to reduce microbial risks in ready-to-eat food