OCCURRENCE OF MULTI-DRUG RESISTANCE PATTERN OF MICRO-ORGANISMS ISOLATED FROM UTENSILS USED FOR SOFT CHEESE PRODUCTION
Abstract
Utensils are handled tool or implement typically used in the preparation, serving or consumption of food. In soft cheese production, utensils such as cutting tools, molds and container used during production can serve as reservoirs for various bacteria including pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. The aim of this project research is to evaluate the occurrence of multi-drug resistance pattern of microorganisms isolated from utensils used for soft cheese production. This study investigates the Morphological, Biochemical characteristics and multi-drug resistance profile of bacterial isolates from utensils used for soft cheese production from different locations in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. The result of the morphological and biochemical characterization indicated the presence of microorganisms such as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter aerogenes streptococcus agalation,streptococcus. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile was done using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method to assess the multi-drug resistance pattern among the isolates against commonly used antibiotics. The results revealed that the isolates showed varied resistance patterns to different antibiotics used in this study and all the isolates were multidrug-resistant strains. They were resistance to cefotaxime (30), cefriaxime (30), Tetracycline (10), cotrimoxazole, meropenem, vancomycin (30) and chlorpromazine, while the isolates were susceptibility to Gentamicin, Ciprofloxacin, and chloramphenicol. The findings highlight the occurrence of drug resistance pathogens in the utensils used for soft cheese production which can pose a public health risk to consumers, particularly in settings with inadequate hygienic practices and mis-use of antibiotics. Hence, there is urgent need for enhanced food safety protocols and improved hygiene practices in cheese production chain. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics should therefore be discouraged in order to prevent the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria in food products and human.
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