Culture-Dependent Evaluation of Microbial and Proximate Composition of Ready-to-Eat (RTE) African Salad Sold at Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Ultra-Modern Market (Mile 3, Diobu), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

This study attempts to evaluate culture-dependent microbial and proximate composition of African salad (Abacha) sold at Nkpolu Oroworukwo (mile 3) market, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Samples were bought from stationary vendors market within the months March, 2019 2021. Garnished (GAS) ungarnished (UAS) samples determined by standard microbiological techniques whereas (PC) was analysed methods Association Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) Total aerobic plate counts (TAPCs), total coliform (TCCs) fungal (FCs) GAS higher 4.5x104CFU/g, 5.3x104CFU/g 1.1x104CFU/g respectively as against 3.4x104CFU/g, 3.8x104 CFU/g 0.8x104CFU/g for UAG. Microfloral diversity more in with species such Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella sp., Micrococcus sp.. Enterobacter Aspergillus Penicillium Rhizopus Fusarium Mucor Saccharomyces Candida than UAS. Nutrient composition, energy (116.00Kcal/100g) pH (6.4) values GAS. In contrast, only moisture (62.52±0.53%) carbohydrate (23.21±0.21%) contents slightly UAS those The revealed that salad’ bioburden above limits International Commission on Microbiological Specification Foods (ICMSF) (Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) RTE foods mesophilic bacteria (MAB)/TAPC but exceeded coliforms. However, microbes detected are likely aetiologic agents several food borne diseases (FBDs) human animal pathologies. Therefore, adequate surveillance, monitoring compliance hygienic practices environmental sanitary measures during processing, fortification distribution should be enforced regulatory agencies stakeholders wholesome palatable foods.