Abstract

Locally fried plantains (chips) which are local snacks for both indigenes and travelers are always packed inside a transparent nylon bag which may pose public health risks to consumers. Samples were collected from major production and hawking hotspots for microbiological analysis.

This study aimed to isolate and determine microbial load of chips using standard microbiological procedures. Analysis of the fried plantain revealed total bacterial count ranging from 2.0 × 102cfu/ml to 3.0 × 108 cfu/ml (Staphylococcus aureus).

Sample 1 has the highest counts (≥ 202) in most samples; this can be due to post production contamination as the entire food samples involved use of heat during manufacturing. This study concluded that fried plantain (chips) posed a risk to Buea people due to high microbial load and it is a read-made food that most travelers usually consume.

CHAPTER ONE     

INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW

1.1 BACKGROUND

Plantain (Musa spp.), is a major starchy staples in the sub-Saharan Africa both for rural and urban populace, providing more than 25% of the carbohydrates and 10% of the daily calorie intake for more than 70 million people in the continent (IITA Annual report, 2000). Plantain cultivation is attractive to farmers due to low labor requirements for production compared with cassava, maize, rice and yam (Marriott and Lancaster, 2003).

Therefore, It contributes significantly to food and income security of people engaged in its production and trade, particularly in developing countries. Plantain has diversity of minerals; it is high in potassium (42mg/100g), low in sodium (17 mg/100 g) and fat (0.1%) making it suitable to control blood pressure (Mohapatra, Mishra and Sutar, 2010; Kanazawa and Sakakibara, 2000). It is often recommended to be consumed by people who are intolerant to salt.

Many nutritive minerals are essential to living organisms because they are used to activate hormone, enzymes, and other organic molecules that participate in the growth, function and maintenance of life processes (Adams and Moss, 2008).

Minerals cannot be synthesized and must be provided from plants, vegetables or mineral rich water (Adewusi, Ojumu and Falade, 1999). Minerals are the catalysts, which create a healthy environment which body is using for vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. (Anwar and Bhanger, 2003). The consumption of plantain promote weight loss in obese individuals and caters to the calorific need of many developing countries (Mohapatra, Mishra and Sutar, 2010; Kanazawa and Sakakibara, 2000).

Musa is one of the cheapest food crops to produce and the cost of production is less than most other staples (Gold and Messiaen, 2000). India, with rich bio-diversity of banana and plantain, is the largest producer and consumer of banana in the world with an estimated production of 16 million tons of bananas annually.

In African context, there is large production of this crop in Cameroon whereby research shows that 1.5 million tons of plantains were produced during the year 2015 This source also stated that from 1.2 million tons in 2010 to 1.5 million per year is produced in this country (Le Quotidien del‟economile, 2015). Similarly, according to Rossmanna, (2012), In Uganda, the country with the second largest banana production in the world, bananas are the most important staple food. This shows the economic importance of this food source.

1.2 LETERATURE REVIEW

Plantain (Musa paradisiacal) is a major staple food for most parts of Africa, as it contributes to

the calories and sustenance of economies. Plantain (Musa paradisiacal) is the fourth most important food in the world today (after rice, wheat and maize).

The plant grow in a wide range of environments and serves as a source of food, beverages, fermentable sugars, medicine, flavoring, silage, fragrance, toffees, fruit bars, brandy, rope, cordage, garlands, shelter, clothing and numerous ceremonial and religious uses (Kitume-Ngongo, 2002; Nelson et al., 2006).

Banana is closely related to plantain that originated from two wild botanical sources:  Musa acuminate and Musa balbisiana (Gold and Messiaen, 2000), that originated from Southeast Asia. This crop produced three different types namely banana which contains a low starch and high sugar content when ripe, true plantain which is starchy even when ripe and is only eaten when cooked. It possesses relatively different shape.

While, third type known as cooking bananas, which I also starchy but commonly used for cooking (Hoss et al., 2000) Musa is one of the cheapest food crops to produce and the cost of production is less than most other staples (Gold and Messiaen, 2000). India, with rich bio-diversity of banana and plantain, is the largest producer and consumer of banana in the world with an estimated production of 16 million tons of bananas annually.

In African context, there is large production of this crop in Cameroon whereby research shows that 1.5 million tonnes of plantains were produced during the year 2015.  This source also stated that from 1.2 million tons in 2010 to 1.5 million per year is produced in this country (Le Quotidien de leconotide, 2015).

Similarly, according to Rossmanna, (2012), In Uganda, the country with the second largest banana production in the world, bananas are the most important staple food. This shows the economic importance of this food source is harvested between the harvests of other starchy staples such as cassava and yam.

According to Pillay and Tankian, (2011), with current world population growth of 1.2%, the earth can expect to house 9-10 billion people by 2050. Increase in food production too is necessary to accommodate this numbers. Hence, easy growing, high calorie, nutritious foods such as bananas are the top solution to the imminent problem (Pillay and Tankian, 2011).

Microorganism associated with production and processing of plantain to obtain some valuable end products includes Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus spp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus Niger, Fusarium species and Penicillium species (Fujinami et al., 2011).

Variable numbers of coliforms such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Salmonella typhi, which may arise from unhygienic water, materials and human contamination can also be present (Ohene et al., 2013; Kouao et al., 2014). Environmental factors that influence the growth of plantains include adequate rainfall and temperature (28 -32C) which are ideal for the growth of the crop. Temperatures below 18 co. and above 36 co.

1.3 Statement Of Problem

Staphylococcus aureus are important causes of severe diseases like blood stream infections. This study comparatively assessed potential differences on the impact of various concentrations of mint plant extracts on them to reduce disease severity in local and systemic infections.

1.4 Objectives

1. Overall objective

To investigate the total microbial load of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from milk chips sample using variable count method.

1. Main Objective

• To know the total colony forming unit of Staphylococcus aureus found on fried plantain chips sold at mile 17 park.

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