Physiochemical and Microbial Quality of Melon and Bush Mango Seeds and Milled Products in Local Markets ln Rivers State,Nigeria.

Risk of food borne infection contamination of food, in Africa is increased due to environmental, agronomic and socio-economic factors. This study assesses the microbial quality of melon and bush mango displayed in the local markets, aiming to provide valuable insights into the safety and quality of these widely consumed food products. Standard procedure for microbiological and proximate analysis were employed. The heterotrophic bacteria count ranged from 8.5 x 10⁵ cfu/g to 1.35 x10⁶ cfu/g. The total staphylococcus count ranged from 1.2 x 10³ cfu/g to 4.35 x 10³ cfu/g. The coliform count ranged from 2.8 x 10⁴ to 7 x 10⁵, Total Samonella count ranged from 4 x 10² cfu/g to 1.5 x 10³ cfu/g and Fungi count 6.5 x 10² cfu/g to 2.5 x 10³ cfu/g. Morphological and Biochemical characterization of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from both melon and bush mango identified nine genera, including Staphylococcus (14.6%) Bacillus (20%), Corynebacterium (5.6%) Enterobacter (4.4%), Micrococcus ( 3.3%) Pseudomonas (12.2%), Escherichia coli (13.3%), Salmonella (11.1%) and Proteus (11.1%). Fungal species like Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Aspergillus flavus, Candida spp., Mucor spp., Saccharomyces sp., and Aspergillus niger were isolated from both seed and milled seeds samples of melon and bush mango. The frequency of occurrence revealed variations among bacterial isolates in melon and bush mango seeds. The most frequent fungal species included Candida spp. (9.4%) Aspergillus niger (20%) Mucor (9.4%), Fusarium (11.4%), Aspergillus flavus (9.4%), Penicillium (13.2%), Rhizopus spp (3.7%) and Saccharomyces (15%). Proximate and heavy metal analysis indicated variations in the composition of Carbohydrate (7.11%), Lipid (15.03%), Ash (1.89%), Moisture (7.31%), Protein (23.86%), Crude Fiber (12.66%), Lead (0.213 mg/kg), Copper (2.11mg/kg), calcium (0.49mg/kg) and Cadmium (0.0169mg/kg) in melon and bush mango, Carbohydrate (15.03%), Lipid (58.24%), Ash (1.74%), Moisture (10.48%), Protein (11.95%), Crude Fiber (2.64%), Lead (1.7903mg/kg), Copper (2.11mg/kg), calcium (0.148mg/kg) and Cadmium (0.000385mg/kg). The presence of heterotrophic bacteria in such ranges suggests potential differences in hygiene practices during cultivation, processing, and storage. Therefore; Implement stringent quality control measures during the production, processing, and storage of both melon and bush mango seed.