Abstract

study was to determine the presence of Salmonella species on tomato fruits in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State such as Tai, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt. Five (5) different market were sampled in each LGAs. Bacteriological analysis of 90 samples of tomatoes (45 healthy tomato (HT) + 45 unhealthy tomato (UHT) collected from different sources was carried out. Analysis was by culturing the tomatoes on different laboratory media.  Results indicated that the total heterotrophic bacterial (THB) counts in HT and UHT ranged from 2.01±1.92×10⁷ – 6.85±1.17 x10⁹ (CFU/g) while the total Salmonella Counts (TSC) 0.37±0.14×10² – 7.49±0.92 x10² (CFU/g) which indicated a significant difference (P≤0.05) for THB and no significant difference (P≥0.05) for TSC. Results indicated that Tai  had  the highest THB counts while Obio/Akpor had the highestTSC. Following the conventional methods of bacterial identification, using sugar fermentation and biochemical tests, twenty-two (22) isolates of bacteria were identified out of which five (5) species of Salmonella  were genomically identified.The results of the susceptibility pattern of Salmonella species indicated that Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica strain ON832663 and Salmonella enterica subsp. enteric AB681241 were susceptible to Ofloxacin and Levofloxacin (100%) respectively while  Salmonella bongori strain MZ959600 and Salmonella enteric strain OP745459 showed a decreasing trend of resistance in the order; Ampiclox and Ceftriazone- Sulbactam (92.9%) respectively. This result highlights the fact that tomatoes in the three Local Government Areas are not safe microbiologically for human consumption without additional treatment such as proper washing, boiling or disinfection and this could lead to outbreak of food borne diseases.