Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Some Microorganisms Isolated from Packaged Food Samples

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of microorganisms in packaged foods which are very popular among the elites, who may assume that these foods will be totally save, especially for their children; and determine the resistance pattern of microorganisms isolated from these selected packaged food samples.

Study Design: The study employed an experimental study design.

Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected between March and May, 2021 and the study spanned from January 2021 to April 2022. The research was carried out in the Microbiology Laboratory of Pure and Applied Biology Departement, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Methodology: Isolation of microorganisms were done by standard microbiological methods. The abilities of bacteria isolates to produce biofilm were determined and quantified at 492 nm with HALOMPR-96 visible microplate reader. Bacteria and fungi isolates were tested for their sensitivity to antimicrobials with different antibacterial and antifungal disc and results compared with guidelines from Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI, 2018). Selected bacteria and fungi isolates were characterized molecularly by 16S rRNA and ITS respectively.

Results: A total of 17 bacteria and 13 fungi isolated from sampled packaged food belonging to 6 bacteria genera and 4 fungi genera respectively were obtained. All bacteria isolates were either moderate or weak biofilm producers. A 100 % sensitivity to Gentamicin and Ofloxacin was observed among Gram positive bacteria. All fungi isolates were sensitive to one or more of the antifungal used. Molecular identity of selected bacteria and fungi isolates revealed their closest isolates from available isolates in GenBank.

Conclusion: Packaged foods are important source of microorganisms that can be of public health importance. Ingestion of contaminated food products can lead to food poisoning. The resistance of these microbes to antibiotics makes such a difficult situation to handle.