Bacteriological assessment of water used by food vendors in major motor parks and markets within Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, Southwestern, Nigeria

Water, a critical raw material in many street-vended operations, when contaminated can create a public health risk when consumed. The bacteriological status of water used by food vendors for drinking, cooking, washing and other food-related activities in major motor parks and markets in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria was evaluated in this study to ascertain its extent of bacterial contamination. Water samples from a total of twenty-four (24) randomly selected food vending points within the major motor parks and markets were collected and analyzed for total bacterial, presumptive coliform and confirmed E. coli counts using standard methods. Microscopic and biochemical tests were further carried out on the isolated microorganisms to identify and characterize them. Values obtained were statistically analyzed using simple percentage and mean, compared with local (NAFDAC) and international (WHO) standards and then tested using ANOVA (p≤0.05). Results revealed heavy contamination of the water samples with mean values for all parameters exceeding the maximum permissible limit recommended by both NAFDAC and WHO; the mean total plate ranged between 10.00±0.00 and 254.67±10.67, mean presumptive Coliform counts between 10.00±0.00 and 45.20±1.00 and mean E. coli counts 5.03±0.10 and 45.00±0.00 (all in X 105 CFU/ml). A significantly higher number of the samples (p<0.05) 75% had a range of 41 to 60 coliform counts per 100 ml for both presumptive coliform and confirmatory E. coli counts. Pathogenic bacteria isolates obtained from this study include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp. Bacillus subtilis, Citrobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp, Enterobacter sp., Proteus sp, and Staphylococcus. Saprophyticus (E. coli having the highest prevalence, being found in all the water samples). This suggests that the bacteriological status of water used by food vendors at Ijebu-Ode motor parks was above the recommended standard of WHO (E. coli < than 1) thus posing health and food safety risks on the public that feeds regularly on the vended foods and water.