ANTIBIOGRAM OF GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM TIGER NUTS (CYPERUS ESCULENTUS) AND DATE PALM NUTS (PHOENIX DACOTYLIFERA L) VENDED IN GBOKO TOWN

CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study According to Maduka and Frei, (2009) Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) is a popular plant because of its sweet fibers which has numerous benefits. Contamination of Tiger nut fibers could be physical, microbial or chemical through post-harvest process, handling, packaging, storage and retailing. Any form of contamination of Tiger nut tubers could impact on over-all quality and shot life of the Tiger nut derived products. Cyperus esculentus also known as nuts edge, earth nuts, earth almond, tush nuts, and chufas, is a member of the grass family cypenacea. The genus name Cypems is from Cyperus; an ancient greek name, while the species name esculentus is of Latin origin meaning edible. The nuts are a minor crop grown in the temperate and tropical zones of the world. They have become naturalized in Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leon; they are two types of Tiger nuts; the light brown type (or yellowish) and the black type (or dark brown) and they vary in size from about 1-3cm in length to 1-2cm in diameter (Ayeh-Kumi et al., 2014). The nuts are consumed for their nutritional or medicinal values. Typically 100g of the nuts contains 386kCal (1635k) of energy (7% of which are of proteins, 26% fats, 10.75, 31% starch and 21% of glucose), and they contain an appreciative level of fiber (12% soluble and 14% non-soluble). They are also known to be rich in minerals such as sodium, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper and manganese. In some parts of the world, they are medicinally known to have aphrodisiac, carminative, diuretic and stimulating properties and also used in the preparation of tonics. In Ayuvedic medicine, they are used for the treatment of flatulence, indigestion, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, debility and excessive thirst (Ayeh-Kumi et al., 2014). The Date palm fruit (Phoenix dacotylifera L) is one of the oldest fruit trees of the world and is closely associated with the life of the people in the Middle East including the kingdom of Saudi Arabia since ancient times. It has religious values as well as cultural importance in Saudi Arabia, Date palm fruit is the most important cash and fruit crop grown in different regions. It produces yearly about 900 thousand tones and names as the third largest producer in world (Al Hazzani et al., 2014). Saudi Arabia, ranked number one among the Date producers and exporting countries in the world, where it produces 7170 tons of Date fruits annually (Abekhti et al., 2013). Dates palm nut (Phoenix dactylifera L) have been found to be used in traditional medicine. It served as a detersive and astringent in intestinal problems, it is used in the treatment of bronchial catarrh, cold, sore throats, fevers, edema liver, abdominal troubles and gonorrhea, and it has been found to neutralize alcohol intoxication (Mainasara et al., 2017). 1.2 Statement of Problem Despite the nutritional quality and health benefits of Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) and Date palm nut fruit (Phoenix dactylifera), increased consumption coupled with the associate risk of disease to consumers is a matter of great concern because of the health practice of the harvesters and vendors. However, several other factors predispose these products to contamination such as environmental condition and hygiene practices of the vendors. The Tiger nut and Date are even exposed to the environment without proper covering to protect it from dust and other environmental contaminant. Microbial contamination of Tiger nut often undetected before the nuts and Date palm nuts/food are consumed, this has led to food intoxication among the consumers and such organisms are Salmonella spp, and Staphylococcus spp, Acinetobacter spp, Enterobacter spp, Corynebacterium spp, Neiseria spp, and Aeromonas spp. (Ugbo et al., 2022). Improper handled Tiger nut and Date palm nut serves as a good source of food-borne illness when contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus fecalis during harvesting, handling, packaging, storage, transporting, buying and display in street markets. 1.3 Aim of the Study The aim of the present study is to determine the antibiogram of Gram- negative bacteria isolated from Tiger nuts and Date palm nuts vended in Gboko Town. 1.4 Objectives of the Study i. To isolate and identify Gram-negative bacteria from Tiger nut and Date palm nuts sold in Gboko Town. ii. To determine antibiogram of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from Tiger nut and Date palm fruits sold in Gboko town. 1.5 Justification Of The Study This study will unravel the microbiological status of Tiger nuts and Date palm nuts sold in Gboko town, Benue State. It will also provide baseline data on the subject matter in this part of the world and contribute to the already existing knowledge on antibiogram of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from Tiger nuts and Date palm nuts vended and consumed in towns and cities around the world. 1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study The study covers investigation of Gram-negative bacteria contamination in Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) and Date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L) vended in Gboko town. It also covers the antibogram of the above mentioned bacteria. It the study does not include Gram-positive bacteria species even though they may be present on the samples investigated.