ABSTRACT
The microbiological safety of roasted plantain sold in different locations in Calabar metropolis was investigated. Roasted plantain samples , hand swab, knife swab and water swab were purchased and collected from five different locations in Calabar metropolis namely; Goldie, Etagbor, Watt market, Mayne avenue and Ekpo Abasi at different period(morning and afternoon). Bole samples were analyzed for microbiological and proximate composition, while the hand swab, knife swab and water swab were analysed for microorganisms. Total Aerobic Count (TAC),Total Coliform Count (TCC), Total Escherichia Coli (TEC) and Total Staphylococcal Count (TSC) of bole samples, hand swab, knife swab and water swab were assessed by inoculating into different selective media such as Nutrient Agar (NA), MacConkey Agar (MCA),Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB)and Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) respectively and incubated at the desired temperature. The total aerobic count of bole ranged from 4.0 × 105 to 2.6 × 105 (CFU/g) in the morning and 5.1 × 105 to 2.5 × 105 (CFU/g) in the afternoon.The total coliform count ranged between 2.7 × 105 to 1.6 × 105 (CFU/g) in the morning and 4.0 × 105 to 2.5 × 105 (CFU/g) in the afternoonThe total Escherichia coli count ranged between 2.7 × 103 to 1.3 × 103 (CFU/g) in the morning and 3.0 × 103 to 2.4 × 103 (CFU/g) in the afternoonThe Staphylococcus aureus count ranged between 0.8 × 105to 0.5 × 105 (CFU/g) in the morning and 0.8 × 105 to 1.7 × 105 (CFU/g) in the afternoonResult showed that roasted plantain (Bole) sold in the afternoon were not safe for human consumption, when compared with the ones sold in the morning and therefore the need for improved sanitary practices.