Bacteria Associated with Commercially Prepared Mealie Meal from Selected Food Stores in Lusaka District

Author(s): Adeyemo Dayo Omodele, Hang`ombe Bernard Mudenda, John Bwalya Muma, Musso Munyeme, Martin Simuunza, Adetayo Oluwafemi Adedayo, Reinhold Haimbodi, Akinjola Akinlolu

Introduction

Mealie meal is a staple diet in Lusaka district of Zambia. Bacteria associated with commercially prepared mealie meal could be spoilage or pathogenic bacteria. Thus bacterial contamination could result from packaged mealie meal purchased from food stores.

Material and Methods

Cross sectional study was carried out from December 2019 - March 2020 for spoilage and pathogenic bacteria associated with mealie meal bought from selected retail outlet in Lusaka district. We performed cell culture for the Mealie Meal Samples collected at five study zones in Lusaka district viz: South, Central, East, West and North. Food stores in each zone were further stratified into sampling unit of interest: mall, shop and street food vendor.

Results

Preliminary laboratory findings revealed the followings: Spoilage Bacteria - Candida Species, Clostridium Species and Bacillus Species; Pathogenic Bacteria Species-Clostridium perfringens, Staphlococus aureus, Clostridium tetani, Bacillus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Yersinia pestis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be established from the aforementioned laboratory results that food borne infections could evolve from bacteria associated with commercially prepared mealie meal bought from food stores in Lusaka district of Zambia.