Microbial quality and antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial isolates in “Tuo-Zaafi” vended in the central business district of tamale

Abstract

Introduction: Food safety concerns remain a challenge across nations and among citizens. Microbial contamination of foods and antibiotic resistance constitutes a global threat to food security. The present study assessed microbial quality of "Tuo-Zaafi" sold in the Tamale metropolis as well as antibiotic resistance of isolates from these products. Results: Samples were collected aseptically and transported to the Spanish laboratory complex of the University for Development Studies, Ghana, for microbial analysis. E. coli which recorded the highest occurrence was detected in 50% of the T.Z samples with bacterial loads ranging from < 100 to 2.3 × 106 cfu/g (4.49 × 105 ± 5.72 × 104 cfu/g). Salmonella spp and Staphylococcus aureus recorded the least occurrence representing 33.3%. There were significant differences in the levels of E. coli, Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, and Staphylococcus aureus (p