ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS FROM SOYA MILK PRODUCED AT THINKER’S CORNER, ENUGU

ABSTRACT The present study focuses on examining the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in soya milk available in shops in a very populated environment in Enugu, Nigeria at the Thinker corner. Being of vegetable source as an alternative to milk, soya milk is growing in popularity but is certainly subject to microbial contamination unless hygiene regulations are scrupulously kept. Samples of soya milk were taken in eight places and analyzed by the use of microbiological methods. Isolates were inoculated in Mannitol Salt Agar and Gram stain, catalase, and coagulase were done to identify colonies. Worryingly, the eight samples tested positive against S. aureus showing high rate of contamination. The test of antibiotic susceptibility by Agar well diffusion method also indicated that one strain was Vancomycin resistant which is a last resort antibiotic used in serious infections. Such discovery implies that there are the possibly multidrug resistant S. aureus strains, which represents a serious threat to the public health. The research states the dangers of consuming soya milk products that are handled inappropriately or their controlled consumption. It puts emphasis on the importance of offering food safety training to local vendors, frequent testing of the microbe in street sold beverages, and greater awareness to the community. With the emergence of a global concern regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), however, these results add urgency to stressing increased standards of hygiene and quality control with food processing and distribution. In light of this, the current study provides more evidence that daily food items may act as vehicles of conveying the antibiotic resistant organism and increase the burden of public health in urban areas.