Isolation and Identification of Different Foods by Miicrobiological Method Collected from Different University Cafeterias in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Abstract

Foodborne illnesses are infections or irritations of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) caused by food or beverages that contain harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses, or chemicals. Common symptoms of foodborne illnesses include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, chills and dehydration. Anyone who eats contaminated food can be affected by foodborne illness. This illness may lead to more serious complications; range from mild to severe and death. Many enteric pathogens are responsible for foodborne illnesses. They are Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni, Vibrios, Shigella, Escherichia coli (E. coli) etc. Food handlers play a major role in the transmission of food borne pathogens via hands. Food in the student cafeteria can be a source of contamination that affects the safety and well-being of the students. This study was carried out to identify and isolate the causative enteric bacteria in foods from different university cafeterias in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. The identified causative organisms included Escherichia coli, Shigella spp, Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp. The tested samples were typical native foods and they were singara, somucha, noodles, hot dogs, egg curry, egg vorta, vegetable roll, egg chop, etc. Sterile polythene bags were used to collect different samples from each university cafeteria. After collection of the cafeterias foods, they were analyzed through serial dilution, inoculation, incubation, subculture and biochemical tests. All food samples were tested for the presence of microorganisms following conventional microbiological method. Biochemical tests were done for the confirmation of Escherichia coli, Shigella spp, Salmonella and Vibrio spp. Out of 35 food samples, 12 (63%) were suspected to contain Vibrio spp, 8 (42%) were suspected to contain Escherichia coli. All these enteric pathogens could be the potential cause for food-borne illnesses. Future study is needed for further confirmation of enteric pathogenic bacteria by the use of serology and PCR technology.