Author(s)
Zinatu Muhammad Kele
- ISSN (P): 3139-8464
- Manuscript ID: 141085
- Volume: 2
- Issue: 10
- Pages: 308–315
Subject Area: Life Sciences All
Abstract
Glycine max cake (Awara) is a nutritious, street-vended food in Nigeria, but its safety is often compromised by poor hygiene. This study evaluated the microbial contamination of Awara sold in Zuru Town and the efficacy of Allium cepa (onion) and Brassica oleracea (cabbage) extracts as natural antimicrobials. A total of 150 samples were collected from 30 vendors across Zuru North, Central and South. Microbial analysis involved serial dilution, pour plate culture and biochemical identification. The agar well diffusion method was used to assess the antimicrobial activity of aqueous onion and cabbage extracts against isolated pathogens. High bacterial loads were recorded, with total viable counts ranging from 9.63 × 10⁴ to 1.18 × 10⁷ CFU/g. Isolated bacteria included Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., and Pseudomonas spp. Fungal isolates comprised Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp. and Candida spp. Onion extract exhibited significantly stronger (p < 0.05) antibacterial (15.50–22.00 mm inhibition zones) and antifungal (12.00–18.50 mm) activity compared to cabbage extract. The findings indicate that hawked Awara in Zuru poses significant microbial risks. However, the potent antimicrobial activity of onion extract highlights its potential as a natural, affordable preservative to enhance the safety of street-vended foods.