Survey of bacterial and fungal contamination on beef suya sold in Jos and environs.

A survey was carried out to determine the bacterial and fungal contaminants associated with beef suya sold in Jos and environs. A total number of 20 (twenty) suya samples were collected randomly from major suya selling spots in Jos and environs and analyzed for bacterial and fungal contaminants. The following bacteria were detected: Salmonella species (18.84%), Klebsiella species (8.70%), Escherichia coli (13.04%), Enterobacter (10.14%), Staphylococcus species(7.25%), Streptococcus species (5.80%), and Serratia (11.59%). Fungi detected were Candida albicans (68.97%), Aspergillius species (13.79%), Absidia species (13.79%), and Cunnighamella species (3.45%). On the basis of location in respect to bacteria isolates, Secretariat junction and Aguldi junction had the highest bacteria isolates of 8.70% each, West of Mine, Kugiya, Miango, had 7.25%, each while Terminus, Apata and K-Vom market had 5.80% each. Zarmaganda, Angwan Doki, Gyel, Old Airport Junction, Bauchi Road, Abatoir and British America junction 2.9% each, while the lowest bacteria prevalence was Vom club which had 1.45%. Distribution of fungal isolates showed that K-Vom market had the highest percentage of 10.34%, Faringada, Terminus, Bauchi road, Anguldi, Kugiya, Miango, and Zarmaganda junction had 6.90% each while Vom club ,Angwandoki, Rayfield , Gyel, Old airport junction, Secretariat junction, Apata, Abattoir, Bauchi road, West of mine,Gangare and Gada biyu had the lowest percentage of 3.45% each. All the samples collected had bacteria and fungi contamination. It was concluded that the beef suya sold in Jos and its environs are contaminated with bacterial and fungal. This constitutes a public health problem.